Mood:  blue
Topic: Helping my dad
I have joined this website in an effort to help my dad. He is the type that hates to ask for help, even from me. He doesn't ever want to burden anyone else with his problems. 5 years ago my dad divorced his second wife of nearly 8 years. My mom, his first wife, and dad were married for 4 years and divorced when i was 3. 2 years later my dad married his second wife, Grace. Together they had 2 children. Marisa, who is now 11, and Teresa who will be 7 in just a few short weeks. My 2 sisters are two of the most amazing people i know. I love them so dearly with all my heart. My dad is an excellent father. He gives us an abundance of loving care. When he divorced Grace, it was hard not only on my dad, but on me and my 2 sisters as well. Our family had been torn apart. Teresa hardly remembers it, as she wasn't even 2 at the time, but the after affects last a lifetime. My dad is now happily married to his 3rd (and FINAL) wife. I couldn't imagine anyone more perfect for him. My mom and dad have a great relationship now, but the same is not true with him and Grace. Since she left 5 years ago, she has been living with her friend, who happens to be lesbian. So as you can imagine, we all have our speculations as to the real reason she left my dad. She has put my dad through hell the past 5 years. Currently, she is trying to move to Minnesota with my 2 sisters. Coincidentally, the only thing in Minnesota is her lesbian friend's family. They would be moving together. My sister's entire lives are here. Our family, friends, school, and church. The only thing for them in Minnesota is their mother and a lesbian friend. What a nurturing environment(as i roll my eyes sarcastically). Because my dad does not want them to move, she has been forced to take this issue to court to try to get her way. This has been a tremendous hardship for me and my family, but mostly for my dad. The mere thought of those 2 girls moving across the country instantly brings tears to his eyes. He loves them more than life itself, and going through this is tearing him apart. This is costing my dad a lot of money, money he does not have. Money has always been a struggle for my dad. And just when i think things start to stabalize, another large expense is thrown his way. Just once I want my dad not to have to worry about money. Grace just took my dad to court to increase the amount of money he pays in child support. She put in a request for this 14 months ago. The matter has just recently been addressed. The judge doubled the amount he was paying before. In addition, he must pay the difference between the new amount and the old amount from the past 14 months, since this is when she requested it. That amount comes to almost $8,000. Now, HALF of my dad's paycheck is being paid in child support. How many of you can live on half of your paycheck? I am trying to do anything and everything to help my dad. I hate asking for money, but i love my sisters and i am willing to do anything i have to do to get them to stay here and not move across the country where my dad and i will only see them for summer and every other holiday. If you find it in your heart to help my dad, your thoughtfullness will be tremendously appreciated. Above anything, please pray for my dad and for my sisters. Thank you.

April Smestad
1703 Spyglass Dr.
Corona, CA 92883