WEll gash darn it, this kid is growing up!

She was nice enough all day, but around mid afternoon, called to me as I was passing her, and we had a nice conversation about things that had happened Christmas Day.

Muchkin said that she was sorry that she had reacted badly to my offer of taking her clothes shopping instead of game shopping, and that she was sorry she had cried and "been selfish". WOW! I mean, simply wow. I am so proud of her.

I told her that I accepted her apology for her "meltdown", and that instead of being in misery I went off and had a great day, and let her "cool down" from things, and have some space. I also told her that after thinking and conferring with my step group that persepctive-wise I had sort of set her up, for a fall, by telling her I would take her "out shopping", letting her think of the possibilities and get excited as kids do, about all the cool possibilities, then shut her down by putting my restrictions on it.

I told her that I would happily take her out to get her what SHE wanted instead of what I thought she SHOULD want. And that next time I would be a bit more descriptive in what we would be shopping for. She said that she would be happy shopping for clothes, too, that she appreciates the offer.

What a growth experience for both of us. We both have gone through so much in the journey, and sometimes it seems like its just getting worse. That its going to be cold and gray forever, and then the sun comes out, we have our relationship back on track, and its just another good day.

The hell part isnt over (SD20 & Toxic Troll BM), but I feel like we have come a long way, that anything that comes along is going to be something we will both be able to handle with grace.