Hi again, everyone. I appreciate the comments so much. The step-parenting issues my husband and I are both facing, with each other's children, are creating some pretty honest and intimate conversations between us. This is very good for us, even though it's painful. The more I can see his children through his eyes, and vice versa, the more we are able to feel connected as a couple and with each other's kids. What a wild emotional ride this is, though. I had no idea such strong feelings would come out of our blending families, especially given that his ex-wife moved 5 states away after they divorced, and left the kids with him! No wonder we're working so hard.