I take it that it's OK to rant. Thanks...here goes

[liberaltrucker]

LTwife and I had planned that LTstepdaughter(23) would be on her own and
supporting herself by now. But, no, she chose to saddle us with two beautiful
little girls she doesn't give a fuck about. Oh, did I mention the two abortions
we paid for? She was raised "right". WTF happened? :shrug:

I'm 52, LTwife is 44. It's been said *insert Diety* doesn't give one a larger
burden than one can bear. Methinks that's bullshit.

OK, off rant. Thanks, I feel much better!

:grouphug:

[KitchenWitch]

1. Wow

Sorry LTstepdaughter is such a trainwreck. But you are doing right by those darling children!

:hug:

[liberaltrucker]

3. Yep

Falls into the "not exactly planned" category.

Taylor and Kaitlin will be well provided for.
The K spelling was my idea!

[Suich]

2. So sorry, LT...that's a tough one.

I'm glad the little ones are with you guys instead of in the foster care system.

:hug:

[liberaltrucker]

5. Thanks

Alabama family law is very specific. The interest of the child
is paramount. We spent many $$$ to find that out. A good investment
IMHO. :hug:

[Floogeldy]

4. Um . . .

*insert Diety* did not give you this burden.

LTstepdaughter(23) did. And you willingly accepted it.

:smoke:

[liberaltrucker]

6. All too true, Floog.

:toast:

[Floogeldy]

9. I'm not saying that is a bad thing.

U R awesome, dude. :)

[liberaltrucker]

11. Didn't think you did

Thanks!

:)

[Whoa_Nelly]

7. You can raise'em right, and still...

Friend of mine raised her daughter well, and said daughter had four kids...two with one guy, and twins with the BIL of her 3rd husband. She's 29, has been married 4 times, and numerous live-in -- "We're engaged!", she cried brightly -- relationships, with kids having to call each and everyone of them "Daddy". ..and that's just the tip of the iceburg regarding the lives these kids had to lead thanks to her utter and complete selfishness.

After many go-rounds with Child Protective Services, (drugs, abuse, neglect...), she lost her parental rights early this year. Fortunately for the kids, there is a family who has known said daughter all her life, and took all four of the kids...fostered them during the five years every time the kids were removed from the home, and now are in the process of adopting them. Kids are in therapy, and the biological mom really doesn't have the time to see them since she's busy with fifth BF of the year, but she does try to schmooze them if she happens to see them in public.

Good luck with your daughter, LT! Hopefully, you can get her out on her own.

Meanwhile, love up those babies! :hug:

[liberaltrucker]

10. Always

They're the light in a tunnel. Hope for the future.

[Heidi]

8. It's a heavy burden now, but you and Mrs LT are making a difference.

My sister and I were abandoned by a mentally ill, addicted biological mother when we were six and five. Had it not been for our biological mother's much younger sister and her husband, who became our adoptive parents, I would never have had: compassion for people with mental illness and addiction, a loving and safe home, boundaries, an education beyond high school and many other elements fundamental to my growth. My adopted parents were very young when they adopted us, and my father had just returned from a tour of Vietnam, so I can only imagine the burden we were to them. But I never doubted that I was loved, and I'm betting that your granddaughters now wake up every morning feeling safe and loved.

You're doing the right thing, LT, as difficult as the burden is to bear. Thank you for looking out for your granddaughters. :hug:

[liberaltrucker]

12. Thanks for your story

Puts things into perspective. Hey, I at least get to influence two Dem votes
in Alabama. :hug:

[Heidi]

13. Right on.

You're a good guy, sir. :hug:

[mdmc]

14. now that is a rant

peace bro

[liberaltrucker]

15. I'm entitled now and then

Thanks!

:)

[Random_Australian]

16. Well, at the end of the day, you have done the right thing and more.

Raising another two kids will be a testament to your greatness better than any moldy statue of statesmen, in my opinion.

And my opinion is very well informed. :)

What a lovely rant....

wanna hug?

Of course you do!
:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:
                                                  :loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya:
                              :loveya::pals::pals::pals::pals::hug::hug::hug::hug::pals::pals::pals::pals::loveya:
          :loveya::loveya::loveya::pals::pals::pals::hug::hug::hug:YOU ARE HERE:hug::hug::hug::pals::pals::pals::loveya::loveya::loveya:
                             :loveya::pals::pals::pals::pals::hug::hug::hug::hug::pals::pals::pals::pals::loveya:
                                                  :loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya:
:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:



:)

[liberaltrucker]

20. Thanks, I needed that!

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. My dear liberaltrucker..............

Major props to you and your lovely wife for raising those precious girls...

Words actually fail me as to your goodness........... :hug: :loveya:

[liberaltrucker]

21. Not so much goodness

We're doing what we must. Taylor and Katie didn't ask
to be brought into this world. But they're here. Nuff said.

:loveya:

[RagingInMiami]

18. Yeah, but what are you doing to help democrats win?

Just kidding. You're an inspiration.

[liberaltrucker]

23. I'll help raise 'em on Dixie Chicks music

Hey every little bit helps!

:patriot:

[benburch]

19. Sometimes it doesn't matter how right you raise them!

Seriously.

I know people who were raised WRONG; Alcoholic parents, regular beatings, squalid home, and they turned out to be honest, hardworking, caring people.

And I know of a young man who was raised in the most amazing home by wonderful parents, and he stole a car, drove to Texas, held up a store, killed an off duty cop, and is now in a Texas jail for the rest of his days. Had he not been a Juvenile, he would have gotten the death penalty.

:grouphug:

[liberaltrucker]

24. As posted above

Thanks for the perspective. IMHO, and don't tell LTwife, but
in the not-so-distant future LTstepdaughter will be a guest of the
State of Alabama, just like her biodad.

[catbert836]

22. I'm sorry for your burden

My cousins Danny and Jessica are going through some of what your granddaughters are experiencing, or will go through. Their mother, my aunt Genevive is a meth addict living somewhere in Phoenix who left them and their father quite a long time ago, and has refused her family's entreaties to get help numerous times. One time my dad even flew out there to track her down, only to have to talk to her through a closed door, through which she told him that she never wanted to see him, her other siblings, or her parents again. That's the last we heard of her, except for a few years ago after my uncle Jimmy died, one of her ex-boyfriends wrote a letter to my grandparents telling them about their new granddaughter.

As for Danny and Jessica, they have a father who cares about them very much, and works his ass off to give them a good life. I think what you and your wife are doing makes all the difference to your granddaughters. They wouldn't have much of a chance otherwise.

I'm sending out good vibes to you and your wife, that you can bear this undeserved burden, and that you will see satisfaction in your work, to your granddaughters, that they can have a normal life even without their mother around, and to your stepdaughter, that she comes to terms with her problems.

I've gotta say, though, that wasn't a very impressive rant. If I were in your position, I would have interjected as many swear words and angry smilies as possible. ;-)

[liberaltrucker]

25. Thanks, we do our best

Actually, you and many other DUers have shown me that our burden is
light, compared to some. We have a middle class combined income. We
can financially afford to support our grandbabies. All too many Americans
can't say the same. Thank You, GWB! Sorry, I just HAD to get political.