Hi, and welcome to our crazy life!

My name is Ashley and my significant other and I have a beautiful(ly) blended family. I am originally from Europe; he is from Midwest Town USA. Our kids are 11, 10, 7, and 6. His were raised to be the rulers of their domain; with mine “c’était moi qui a commandé”. It was me who was in command. We are like your typical blended family with all the Ex’s issues and transitioning problems of kids, but on steroids. Steroids in the form of language difficulties, food preferences, cultural differences, etc.

This blog is about how we were “shaken, stirred, and blended.” And a lot about how we keep from becoming “on the rocks.” I sincerely hope that some of the ways we handle our intercultural mini brady bunch can be of help to another blended family; how my 10- and 7-year-old manage to keep speaking our native languages and how we integrate and teach German and French to the other three members of our family, as well as tips on low-budget/high fun vacationing with four kids and cooking for six under $10 coming soon…