I slept in this morning! Like, really slept in! When I woke up this morning the girls had already been up for over an hour watching a movie — it was lovely. While I made pancakes they worked on the props they wanted for their Memorial Day video (it was one of this perfect Americana mornings). I was a little worried that they wouldn’t know the words to the songs we practiced but of course they blew me away! Kids are so amazing. So, without further ado, our little video to honor all the military men and women, but especially our own Daniel and Jeremy.

In continuing a tradition my mom started when I was a kid, we picked up some little flags and drove to a cemetery to place flags on the graves of veterans. It was an amazing experience with the girls. They asked questions and we talked about death and how extraordinary a soldier must be to risk death so that total strangers can have freedom. We thanked each soldier with a flag and I felt tears pricking my eyes as  they took their task to heart.

As it usually does, the conversation on death led to some pretty deep talk in the car. Daniela wanted to know if the exact words are important when inviting Jesus into one’s heart. Marina wanted to know if God could choose to be evil. Daniela came back with “If there’s no evil in heaven, how did Satan choose pride and jealousy and anger?” I was totally unprepared for these questions. And I’ll be honest, I get nervous as a stepmom answering questions that I know may contradict what Daniela hears at her moms house, and even her Christian school (which we love!). Not to mention her little aunt, who isn’t my child at all. But I respect these girls too much to skirt around the issue or try to pass their questions off. I want them to know that I will always tell them the truth and that they can ask me anything. Because let’s face it. If they have questions, they will get their answers — and I’d rather they ask me than friends or google. Same goes for questions about drugs or sex (which are frequent and open topics in our home) — I’d rather be giving correct and honest information than wondering what she’s getting elsewhere. So, I bravo’ed on. As the conversation went on, the questions got tougher and tougher until I had to call a recess! I have my work cut out for me, that’s for sure, and I am going to do my homework and be better prepared. The Bible and salvation can look like an amazing gift when you come from a good little Christian family. But when you have several (very) different faiths represented in one blended family, sunday school verses aren’t going to cut it. I’m looking forward to seeing how God shows love — it’s usually much different than I imagine.