Well I am sitting here today reading and realize that the end of this week will mark one year of me, SO and SS9 living all together under one roof. I will say at times it was not easy and really has been challenging. The overall is it has been pretty great and I am happy. A list of random things this past year.

1. So proud that this year was the first year that SS has never missed a day of school. He got an award for it. A whole year without strep. I really think he got it so bad before because he suffered from allergies. No one knew until we got him tested for being allergic to cats.

2. I have had to learn so much patience this last year and let things roll off, things I never thought I would and damn is that new for me.

3. Though this past month was a pain because SS reverted to his spoiled ways this past week was better. Still really proud he says thank you, please and even holds the door open for others now without being told. His manner have really improved and it warms my heart. This is bragging but I know that was me. That is how I was raised.

4. Learn to appreciate what my parents did for me more. It is hard raising a kid, work full time, and still manage to keep your sanity.

5. I managed to hold my ground for a year with SO and not help him with figuring how to pay what, and when and all that. He is still not perfect and I am finally taking over the house finances, that was always my plan. I wanted him to learn to budget and figure out when to spend money and when not to. He did pretty good.

6. Proud of my SO and how far he has come this year as well. He use to take a more put my head down and just let things ride to not create waves while living with his family. I am glad he saw that things needed to change and took steps forward in accomplishing that. I did parent SS this year but my SO did majority of it. He learned to admit his weaknesses a little more and ask me to fill in where he knew he lacked. Mostly SS's school work. He came along way this year.

7. Learned to let go and appreciate his family more and all that the did and do. While you all know I did not agree on many things, some things I held my ground firm, I did learn to appreciate them more.

8. Last and no where near the least, every step-parent situation is different, while I do think mine has been easier to navigate compared to most, it can still be hard. I am lucky that my SS and I have bonded the way we have and that our relationship grows stronger everyday. He is a great kid, pain in my butt some days :) but overall a really great kid.

Thanks to all you for the advice over this past year, some was good, some way great, and some was well you know. Here is to my first year and I am hoping for many more.