Blended Family Life: Christmas Edition

The days after Christmas always feels like the calm after the storm, doesn’t it? Yesterday was a whirlwind of wrapping paper explosions, cheers of excitement, and a warm cup of coffee to keep up with it all. Our 14-year-old surprised us all by being gracious and kind throughout the entire day, even declaring it a good Christmas—a rare and heartwarming moment of teenage contentment. Meanwhile, our 11-year-old tore through her gifts with a whirlwind of excitement, but her enthusiasm was matched by her gratitude. She was genuinely thrilled with everything she received, reminding us of the magic that comes with her age.

Watching their joy, even in the chaos, made every late-night Amazon search and last-minute Mall run worth it.

As for our blended family life, it’s still a learning curve. My stepson’s teenage angst occasionally collides with my attempts at dad humor, and my daughter has mastered the art of side-eyeing her “big brother” with just the right mix of exasperation and affection. The holiday moments, though—the ones where everyone comes together over a board game or a shared laugh—remind me that we’re doing something right, even if it’s messy at times.

And then there’s the newest chapter in our lives: the baby on the way. We’re officially 28 weeks along now, and as much as it feels like we’ve come so far, there’s still so much to do. The nursery is…well, a Pinterest board at this point, and the baby shower is still pending development lol. My fiancé, bless her heart, is juggling the exhaustion of pregnancy with the chaos of this household. She’s a superhero, really—though she might argue that the baby karate-chopping her insides all night doesn’t make her feel very heroic.

We’ve got three months to go, and the to-do list is as long as ever. Yet, somehow, sitting here this morning, coffee in hand, I’m filled with gratitude. Our family isn’t perfect—far from it—but it’s ours. And as the sun rises on this quiet morning after Christmas, I’m reminded that the best gifts aren’t under the tree; they’re the people you get to share your life with, however imperfectly.

Here’s to messy mornings, spilled coffee, and the beautiful chaos of family. ❤️