SS and fiancee are in their mid 30's.  They have undergone 8 cycles of IVF and finally have a bun in the oven, due in August.  
One might think that the arrival of a precious baby, to a mother whose ability to carry a pregnancy to term is risky, would be all they could want.  

HCBM was arrested again. Refused DUI test. This is the second arrest where alcohol was involved within months of each other. The court system doesn't care. Still waiting on a hearing. SD and SS have behavior issues because of their lifestyle with their alcoholic mom. It's like reprogramming every time the kids come back. We have to teach them to be respectful, kind, no showboating for attention we live in a home of respect for each other... It's exhausting and my tank is on empty from such a cruel summer schedule.

Over the last few weeks and again two weeks ago my MIL expressed that SIL's MIL will harp that she always knew SIL was not good enough for her son.  For my MIL that my SIL and her STBXH were HS sweethearts, stayed together from across the country when my bride took guardianship of her sister when SIL was 17 and we paid for her university studies for a year as she was in our family, battled to return to each other, had kids and created a family has been a major point of pride for my MIL.  This is apparently a regular point of discussion with her coworkers at work.  How this romance novel rel

YSD26 is still ligering in the area, housesitting. DH spent a day out with her. I did not ask quesitons. For example,  "Was she a complete brat?" I don't need to know. And if they had a nice time, I don't need to know that either. I don't want to hear it. I know that I won't get the real story anyway because DH wears his rose colored glasses, most of the time, until he has had enough and finally reaches a breaking point. 

Looking at life right now, I feel truly blessed. My health issues have healed, I have a home I love, my parents are with me, my family is healthy and doing well, I now see who my friends are (and arent). Ive learned some valuable lessons. Ive learned about my spouse and his very dark side that I didnt "see" before. 

However there are a few things that I would take out of this life. A jealous and badgering spouse, who wakes me up on my birthday at 6 am pacific time "you are on 2 dating sites, I know you are hooking up!!"

DH had way too many beers yesterday and was talking up a storm.  I kind of had things figured out about what transpired.

BM became unblocked because she was with SD's and sending him texts and he wasn't responding.  SD's called him at work and asked if BM was blocked because "they" were trying to send him something.  Because SD's were involved he unblocked her with SD walking him through how to do it, although I know that he knows how to do this.  
 

Typically this means that you are "officially a Couple".

In my case, today, my husband posted on Facebook that he is "letting me go" using my name and everything, as a caption to a post of our wedding photo.

After a few weeks of posting tik toks and memes about cheating and lies and letting go.

Its been a rough month.

Ive been feeling sadness, regret, relief, disbelief, fear, anger all in an endless rotation.

Im no longer going to be a stepmonster.

Im no longer going to have to deal with all that step life has to offer.

DW's family does a camping trip every two years. Everyone comes. Except this time.

Odds are that SIL purposely scheduled it at a time when neither BIL1 or BIL2 and theri families could come.  Ostensibly this was the biennial camping trip combined with SIL's eldest's HS graduation trip.

Hello Steppers!

Its been awhile and happy to say that things are quite peaceful in our household.  Ugh - did I just jinx myself?

SS22 SBT 23 is still living with his GF and her parents.  She is currently in college for her masters and seeing how driven she is, SS22 decided to go back to college and is currently is his first semester.  Part time of course since he has to have a full time job to pay the rent and bills.  If you would have asked me 3 years ago, I could have sworn he would just have taken off and never heard from again.