Blended, Mixed, Shaken or Stirred - whatever you call it, the family is best served with alcohol.

I met my new step family last night.
It was...interesting.
I was expected a strict family oriented around grandpa's ministry life, although he recently retired. I expected a perfect family with their life in order.
I was not excited.
I got something a lot different.
I really like them all, though. I guess you think of this situation as just a decision made by your mother to marry this guy. But, when you think about it, she married this guy because he will like you and your siblings and get along with them, at least you hope she thinks that. So why wouldn't his family?
They were an incredibly imperfect and eclectic bunch.
His brother and sister-in-law are so fun and an do what they love. They have a 14 year old daughter who is very energetic and creative. And now they are adopting twin baby girls. I was shocked. I mean, they already have a biological 14 year old, what a gap and why adopt?
Because they simply need a family and they have a home and would love to have them.
Why not?
They do things they want to do without the judgement of others. The babies are even the spawn of a married couple who already have children. They simply live in a house that is too small and don't have the finances to raise a set of girls. They have accepted their limits and realized what it takes to make sure their children are well taken care of.
It brings joy to the soul.
And their grandmother isn't anything like a pastor's wife. She is witty and smart. She isn't just subjected to his and/or his churches approval. At least that is the impression I get. These are people who are comfortable being themselves.
People who love their God by being strong in who they are.
Who would have thought.