For anyone who remembers me, here's an update.

[onlyjoking9329]

I don't spend so much time on MN these days, the kids keep me busy and I have a busy social life now.
I'm happy to report that after a few difficult years for me and the kids, things are all rather fab here, I've been seeing Tom for a year now and we are getting married
the kids are doing really well abbey and Bethan are now at sixth form and seem happy there, Elliot continues to do very well and keeps us all smiling.
Tom has a fantastic relationship with the kids and they all adore him, Tom is comfy talking with the kids about their dad he understands that steve will never be forgotten.
I am very very happy and at peace.
The mad/evil inlaws are keeping out of our lives for which I am thankful.
Thanks for all of your support over the last few years.

OJ, how lovely to hear from you - thank you for coming back and updating us. It's so good to hear the children are doing well, and that you hvae found such a lovely person in Tom.

I still think of you and Steve every time I blow bubbles with the DDs.

So good to hear from you OJ. I cannot believe it has been 2 years, I remember lighting candles for Steve.
I am glad you have found a Tom.

Trinity, the kids are up front and factual with it all aren't they, I remember on holiday going out to eat and the waiter asked how many of us there were, I said 4, Elliot said there used to be five but now my dads dead there's only 4!
Thanks for all your lovely comments, Elliot took the legs photo, he likes my legs! He used to take photos of my shoes so he is getting better!

oh how lovely ! You are so deserving of another chance of happiness. Wishing you and your family well.

Such lovely news. Many congratulations.

I love the story about the shoe shop

Life sounds good again for you all and I'm sure that that is what Steve would choose for his family. It is wonderfulto read - happiness shines from your words.

Can I also say that you look very happy and relaxed in your photos as opposed to some/a photo I have seen of you in the past where you did look very stressed. I am so glad life is good!

What lovely news OJ - i had to namechange, you won't 'know' me in this name. Congratulations too xx

Thanks, I feel and look much younger without the frown lines!
Am rubbish at working out who people are when they name change so probably know everyone but I think I don't

OJ I lurked and remember you so well. You look amazing and I'm so glad you've found happiness again.

Fantastic to hear such a happy update from you OJ. Well done to all of you.

You reached out with big strong loving arms in the face of your loss. Now your love and strength is coming back to you.

fab legs too!

I lurked and followed your story.

This is the happiest news, congratulations. I truly am so happy for you and your children and of cpurse Tom.

....and you do have absolutely fantastic legs !!!

lovely to hear your news and many congratulations OJ

Brilliant news . Does that mean you have set a date? {you know me, I texted you at Easter}.

Lovely to hear from you OJ. Great to see some new smiley pictures. THe shoe shop story is fantastic

Hello. How lovely to hear from you. I think of you whenever I see a trifle. So pleased you are happy again. Much deserved.

Are you in touch with Martianbishop? If so please tell her I said hello. She prob won't remember me but I remember her and miss seeing her here.

Lovely update.

I miss mb too. I do hope life is treating her and her family well,too.

lovely, lovely news xxx

oh wow, I knew I recognised the name then I started reading, that's lovely, I'm so happy for you!

What a lovely update

I followed your journey with Steve and was always amazed at your courage, strength and sense of humour at what must have been the most difficult time ever - you really deserve this!

thanks all, Not "spoken" to MB for a while but last i heard she was ok and had been camping with the kids.
no wedding date set, thou elliot seems to have all the outfits sorted!
its very complicated trying to sort out living together and getting married, i would lose steves pension and my entitlement to widowed parents allowance which would mean that i would lose quite a bit of money and whilst tom gets a decent wage i struggle with the thought of not being independant with regards to money.
as things are at the moment they work very well so im in no rush to change anything, Tom says he is happy for me to set the pace which is fine with me.

OJ - , you probably won't remember me, but I was thinking of you and MB just the other day. It's always glasses of orange juice that make me think of you, then I saw some big RAF jets the other day and thought of MB too.

I am so glad that you have found some happiness.

I lurked on your thread too OJ (though under a different name I think), just wanted to say how lovely it is to hear a positive come from such a sad story.

You truly do deserve to be happy, many congratulations on your engagement.