12 years ago today, I said "I do." Those two simple words changed my life upside down. In that moment, I became a wife, a mother, a "last-wife," a daughter in law, a sister in law, a drill sargeant, a maid, a cook, a nurse, an event planner, a personal assistant, and many days, a bitch. And I'd do it all again.

It is funny. Yes, I'm pissed, but I can admit its funny. And get this- Loghead tried to write the calves off as an "anniversary present." I don't know who is crazier- him or me, for marrying him?!

Goodness, when we met he was all "straight laced" business man type, but he has turned into a Green Acres kinda guy. Wanted the kids to have the same kind of upbringing on a farm (which he always described as though he hated) so 5 years ago, we moved back to the town where he was raised, and got this place, five minutes down the road from his parents.

They bought a cow. PITA skipped school and spent the day with Grandpa at a cattle sale. They brought home 2 cows. And apparently, PITA, Loghead and Grandpa had been planning this while. And no one discussed it with me. Smoke is coming out of my ears. Yes, we live on a "farm" but it's not really set up for cattle- more like goats and chickens. Which we've had some of each over the years, but the goats had to go when they started climbing on the new car three years ago... The winter months are coming, and we have no way to provide shelter for these animals.

As a teacher, I see a lot of strange family dynamics at Parent Conferences.

Two that had me smiling tonight:

1. One bio-mom only sees her daughter 3 weekends a month. She made an appointment 2 months ago to meet with me for Conferences tonight. The child lives with her bio-father and step-mother, who did not make plans to attend. Her bio-mom drove over an hour to meet me with me tonight. She had nothing to say but praise for the girl's father and step-mom.