We didn't have the skids all weekend, but had them last night - the first time since Mother's Day. We always ask the skids how their weekend was and they tell us all the things they did. Of course, SD5 tells us all about Mother's Day, which I expected to hear all about. I heard all about how Grandma (BM's mom) took them to the flower store and they bought all kinds of flowers for BM, etc, etc. We listened quietly and gave our polite "uh-huh's". Then SD5 paused and said, "But we wanted to get SteppingUp some, too, and Grandma wouldn't let us." This didn't completely surprise me, but in a way it did because SD5 is always so quick to tell people that I'm not her mom. Just the fact that she told BM's mother that they wanted to get me a gift for Mother's Day, too...that was plenty enough recognition for my role in their life as a mother-type of a figure!! It made my heart melt.

To top it off, DF and SS2 went grocery shopping while SD5 and I stayed home and went through some of her books and clothes to weed out old stuff. When they got home, SS2 comes running in holding a big bunch of flowers and the HUGEST grin on his face and says, "Haddy modders ay!" He made me crack up because it was soooo adorable. They both were just all smiles!

Later DF told me that he talked to both the kids after our car-ride conversation and asked if they still wanted to get me some flowers. SD5 said, "Well she's not our Mommy, but..." and then DF explained to her that he tells his step mother Happy Mother's Day and she got really excited then. Later, he also told me SS2 was so proud walking around the grocery store with the flowers he picked out, and he had to hold them the whole way home in the car, practicing how to say "Happy Mother's Day". I'm so thankful that even though the BM creates an annoyance in our life, I have a caring, loving, and understanding fiance who truly appreciates all that I do for him and his kids.