Well the doctor confirmed yesterday (happy 43rd birthday to me) that I have several ulcers in my stomach.

Anyway, as many of you are aware living in a blended family has its challenges! Take care of yourselves as I have just learned first hand that the stress of a blended family can do major harm to not only your peace of mind but your body too.

On a positive note - my SO was in court on Thursday because BM was trying to take away all of his parental rights. The magistrate ruled for family counseling for BM, SO and SD13 and SD 15. BM is extremely upset, she and SO have not actually spoken in 6 years and now they have to sit in a counselors office and try to learn how to co-parent! She and her attorney turned down the offer for us to pay for a GAL. Apparently this pissed off the magistrate. The magistrate told BM "do you see how large this case docket is? why is it that you want a court to make all the decisions for your family?" BM had no answer to that. Her attorney tried to bring up the fact that we filed to have her spousal support removed and this has started a war. The magistrate said "he had the grounds to file that motion, unfortunately, your client knows just how to get around the law". A little background. Her BF moved in 8 months into spousal support and we had a PI and had proof that he was living there but in Ohio you have to not only prove that they live there but that they share finances. We did not have enough on the finances because even thought she deposits the same $1000 of cash each month we could not prove that it came from her BF. The magistrate apologized to my SO because she could not rule to have it removed or reduced. Basically we have been supporting her unemployed BF for three years. Thankfully the last spousal support payment is this month but now we will have to pay the lawyer instead. Easy come easy go!

Hopefully, BM will take this seriously but we know she will screw it up. She is currently in contempt because she is not bringing SD15 for CO visitation but we let it slide for now and have not filed charges. This is well known to the magistrate and if she violates the CO for counseling I am sure that she will get some type of large fine, jail time or possibly loose custody.