ARRRGGGHHHHHH!!!!!
I just need to vent- I wish I could divorce DH's siblings. I love his parents to tears, but his brother and sister and their spouses can go you know where right now! I know- it is less than a week away from Christmas- what kind of attitude is that right? Well, I think I am on my last straw with them. If some of you remember DH's brother and his wife have been down right mean to me for the past year while they were pregnant and we were not. Since the babies have been born things have been pretty good- or so we thought. Same with DH's sister- she got pregnant the month we started Clomid- when she was unmarried and only had been with the guy for a few months. Again- we are over that an everything that had attached to it. So my vent comes from three emails that were sent on Friday by the inlaw's to my MIL regarding Christmas. For the past three weeks I have been trying to get DH's family to set plans for Christmas. No one is available at the same time, so the plan was to get together on the 26th for lunch before we had to leave for my family's Christmas. The date was agreed upon- the location was the problem. No one was offering to host. DH and I volunteered to have his parents and brother and family on CHristmas Eve after church- even cancelled plans with my family to spend time with his- which I didn't mind- until my SIL emailed last week and said that her and DH's husband decided that they were going to spend Christmas Eve alone now. Really?? After I changed plans so that we could spend Christmas Eve as a family?? I was pretty upset last week. I am stressed beyond the max right now with the kids at school, the new house, and AF arrived in the nick of time to spread some holiday cheer! Last Thursday night I had a complete breakdown and lost it emotionally- to the point I was mad with DH and left to sleep at the new house- on the floor- by myself. The email from my SIL put me over the edge because I really want to go to church with my family to see our niece sing. Anywho... I let it go. No need for an email response- let it go is my motto with them since we started talking again. ANyways... back to hosting Christmas with everyone (14 by the way!). Neither SIL volunteered and I said that we would love to have everyone over, but our house is too small, and that we will host next Christmas when we are moved into the new place. My MIL graciously said she would host and because it is for lunch, asked if sloppy joes, baked beans, etc. would be okay. She wanted something easy so that instead of spending the day in the kitchen, she could spend it with all of us. I thought it was a great idea, even volunteered to make the beans. DH's brother and sister, however, thought the idea repulsive and shot nasty emails to my MIL saying that they couldn't believe she couldn't put more "effort and love" into a meal for her family. M BIL will not accept it, and said that he would rather go out to a restaurant (because that is quality time with family when you are there for an hour or so, right and the kids can' play). My SIL's email was ridiculuous and just cut my MIL and FIL down, farther than I thought possible by their own child. Her family is refusing to come if sloppy joies are served and if the family can't fix our problems- DH and I weren't aware of any problems, seeing as how we thought Thanksgiving went well and we enjoyed ourselves. DH's brother is pissed because we aren't giving gifts this year. First of all- we now have 8 kids on that side of the family. We have 10 total- DH hasn't worked a forty hour week since spring, my other sister in law (who is lucky to live 4 hours away!) doesn't work, and her husband has been laid off, and the other sister who sent the snotty emaily doesn't work full time and said they have no money. Lucky for my BIL that they have money coming out of their ass and can afford to go to New York this year to see the ball drop, just bought a new $40,000 car, paid over $45,000 this year to get pregnant with their twins, and doesn't understand what it is like to live pay check to pay check- His comment is that what is Christmas without presents and eating sloppy joes?? To us- it is spending time with the family, remembering the TRUE meaning of Christmas! DH sent his very first email out to the family last night reminding them of how many people would LOVE to have sloppy joes for Christmas, or even the leftovers we would throw away. How selfish! I am boiling inside and want to be done with them. My poor MIL doesn't know what to do anymore or say, because she is always criticized no matter what she does. Let me point out though, that her Christmas plans aren't good enough for the rest of them to attend this year- but she is good enough to babysit the twins when my BIL and his wife go to New York for New Year's Eve. Ironic isn't it??? There is more cuts in the emails to DH and myself, and my MIL and FIL- but I will spare you, as this is long, and I must get to bed- Merry Christmas to me and DH I guess! I just wish that they would get over themselves and really think about the meaning of CHristmas. My SIL asked if my mother-in-law would serve Jesus sloppy joes if He would be coming to Christmas dinner- I think Jesus would be happy with sloppy joes, as long as we were together, loving one another, in His name- ARRRRGGGHHHH! I just can't believe it!!
Replies
It never ceases to amaze me that the holidays bring out the ugliness in some people. I think that your siblings-in-law are being ridiculous, and I am sorry that you and DH are in the middle of it. If I were your MIL and FIL, I would say to the rest of them, \"This is the plan for the holiday. You are more than welcome to join us but if you feel that the menu is repulsive then please feel free to bring your own meal.\" We go through the same thing with my sister and BIL, as well as my DH\'s siblings... Aaaahhh, the joys of family! Hang in there...hoping you are able to enjoy the holidays despite all the chaos!
I am so sorry to hear that your family is being very mean to your in laws and more so you and your DH. I think a christmas without them would bemuch better. If I were your mother in law I would tell them that they can\'t watch the kids new years just to see what they say. It is very mean that they aren\'t greatful. and I bet Jesus would love sloppy joes for Christmas:) The food and gifts aren\'t the point, it is the time you get to be with family.
Newest update- they will not be spending Christmas this year, or any other holidays with us or my parent in-laws- until we \"fix our family\"- So fixing means, ignoring one another and not spending holidays together- and not being a family. My BIL said he knows it won\'t be fixed by Easter or next Christmas- no wow- our niece and nephews first Christmas, and possibly second Christmas- and we won\'t be spending a minute with them, and have been told not to try calling, or emailing until they are ready to talk.... Oh, do I have some things to say. DH is going to try to meet with our pastor this afternoon (we all attend the same church, so that will be interesting!) Need lots of prayers for the family and for DH and myself.
jesus would love some sloppy joes! the siblings need a dose of their own medicine. those who can and are willing to make it, should. you go to your in-laws and have fun spending time together as a family. find some new games to play or start a tradition of watching a specific movie together every year on the same day. dh and i watch its a wonderful life every christmas eve. we pop some popcorn, make hot chocolate and light a fire. its my favorite. im looking forward to it already.
merry CHRISTmas to you!