The three youngest, lets call them thing 2,3,4 are actually doing well. They are adhering to house rules, being polite, have earned most of their priveledges back etc. DH did ensure they remember to realize these things are priveledges, because they still have to ask if they can do them, not just assume they can.

DH had another therapy visit with sd17 (thing-1). Which ended like the prior one, her casting blame on everyone but herself. BM led her astray, DH is too hard on her and doesn't love her enough to 'forgive' her (jeez can anyone else feel not just read the manipulation in that sentence?!) I have unrealistic expectations due to expecting her to act like a civilized human, get decent grades and do a chore a day.

Therapist even said she is in a blame everyone around her, attempt to get sympathy stage. He swears it is the stage before she breaks down and realizes she has been and is continuing to be an a$$hole, but I will be honest, I do not believe the kid has enough morality, self awareness, or enough of a concience bred into her to realize that SHE is the one causing problems for HERSELF and has effectively alienated her entire family, save for BM, who she is trying to blame lead her "astray".

DH dissolves occationally into Disney Daddy guilt regarding sd17. That perhaps he should forgive her, she is just a kid (25 days and counting til adulthood!) I am sure the only thing that is preventing him from saying "when she is done with her sentence she can come back" is me saying "she is not coming back. You want her back, pack your bags and move."

I get that it is hard for him. It is his kid after all. But I am tired of having to metaphorically super glue his balls back onto him after fishing them out of some old moldy purse she left in her room. Yes, I did explain to him that watching him dissolve into a puddle of dismayed disney daddy is incredibly UN-sexy and turns me OFF.

In another chapter of the saga of the rabidly insane BM, she is apparently sueing me. Got paperwork in the mail, hand written, where she is sueing me for loss of income due to "the defendants actions causing the petitioner to be unable to work". (No duma$$, your actions and own stupidity got you FIRED- I am sure you all can see where sd17 gets her blame everyone else for her problems from)

Yes, have to love jail, where prisoners can file all the frivilous law suits they want for free even. Sadly for her, she sent me a copy of the motion directly to me via US mail. She did not have me served, so:

That is contact and I reported her for violating the Restraining order, AGAIN.

The motion itself I handed to my attorney. I am over this stupid woman (BM). She will be sued for harassment and considering this is the 5th or 6th time she has violated the order, I am moving to make the RO permanent.

I am honestly beginning to wonder if DH is worth all the stress his "used" family brings to my life. Honestly, I am starting to think of this whole relationship as a used car purchase.

DH- Exterior/ body of the car = looks good
BM- Engine = cracked block
Skids- tires, trannie, drivetrain etc = all defective.

If this was a car, by Florida Law I could have it declared a Lemon and get my money back!