Its a Girl!!

Our family has grown by one person! Mikey and I have let Christina's best friend Katelyn move in with us. Why? Well, in the best interest of our new 'daughter', I will not go into explicit details, but will offer a general view. She is younger sister of Robbie, Christina's ex-boyfriend. Katelyn has grown up with her mother and at about age 7 her mother married Keith. In the past few years her stepfather has dominated her mothers life. To the point where neither Robbie or Katelyn can live at home. For quite a few months now, Katelyn has stayed here more than at home. However, several months ago, she had to move out of her mothers house, and into her uncles home, where Robbie has lived for close to a year. Her uncle called us last week and asked us if we would consider taking Katelyn pretty much full time. Her father that lives in NY would send us child support. After much talk between Mikey and I, we have decided that Katelyn needs a HOME. Someplace that she knows she is ALWAYS welcome. I should point out, that Katelyn is NOT a bad teen. She really is a great kid. Her mother and stepfather really should be proud of her. (and Robbie too). However, they simply cannot get past the fact that she is a TEENAGER. Teens tend to talk back a bit, don't want to do chores, and like to see how far they can push their parents buttons. She is not a drug user, or a runaway, or sleeping around, or doing anything that any other typical teen wouldn't do. Her stepfather changed the locks on their doors so that she could no longer come home. (they have actually had to call the police on this abusive man in the past, but the mother keeps taking him back.) Because Mikey and I feel we have a wonderful home life, with lots of love to give, (we wanted a really BIG family (think of the movie Cheaper by the Dozen), but apparently we were not meant to have more of our own), we decided that Katelyn would be more than welcome here. We are in the process of filing paperwork for child support from her father. (he has no problems (so far) of paying us, instead of her mother) I suppose if she fights the child support issue, which is her only way of making any money since her husband does not work, we may need to go to court over it. Not really sure yet. But her mother and stepfather are losing their house to foreclosure, and once that happens, they are moving to Oregon. Once they are gone, and have left their minor child behind, we shouldn't have as much problems.

We realize of course what a big step this is. And please do not think that we haven't thought this over, every which way possible, but the bottom line is this.... Katelyn is going to be 17 on Jan 24, she is a JR in high school. (her mother wanted her to drop out of school and get a job to help pay bills) She is a GOOD kid. She just needs a home life that she knows is going to be there for her, and love her. Yes, it will be more of a financial burden, yes we will have to change a few things with our house, especially once my brother moves in. Is it worth it??? YES!