Props to Ali

[Aliantha]

Gee Griff. It's really nice of you to say that, and I appreciate that you took the time to say so. I kinda feel like a fraud accepting the compliment though, cause I've always just tried to be honest with you all, and the kids.

I think Mav is old enough to manage around here if he keeps himself lovely, and there's nothing I'd say here that I'd be concerned about my family knowing. The older boys know pretty much all there is to know, and certainly everything I've ever posted about my personal life on here.

We keep things pretty open here at home. So far it's working pretty well for us and the teenage years seem to be skipping along fairly well. We have our issues from time to time, but mostly, these two older boys make us very proud. None of us are perfect, but we're doing our best.

I think when I made the decision to just be honest about my past and my feelings with the boys, it was the best day of my life. I thought about trying to appear faultless like my parents did and like many others I know do, but honestly, as a teenager, I knew my own parents were full of shit, and I don't expect my boys to swallow any romantic pictures I might try to paint of myself. I figure that if I did something, there was a reason for it, and there's no point hiding it. I can honestly tell them if I feel it turned out well or badly, and try and advise them, but in the end, they'll have to make their own choices.

Anyway, that turned into a ramble, but I guess I just wanted to let you and others know why I think it's ok for Mav to be here. There were a number of people who expressed concern about it knowing some of the things I've posted about on here, so I hope this clears any of those concerns up.

I really do appreciate that concern though. It's why I think this place is important to me. I don't have to have a persona. I can just be me, and sometimes I piss people off, but mostly they seem to get over it. I try my best. I think I'm a different person now than I was when I first joined this site though.

Again, thanks Griff. It means a lot to me coming from you. I hold you in high regard.