To paraphrase Vonnegut, isn't it nice to enjoy your "nation of 4"? Enjoy the summer.

Glad to hear it was such a good day for you 'n the family. May they all be such, or at least may they outnumber and overshadow the not so great ones.

glad to hear that you had such a good time :)
remember, these are memories that they'll have for the rest of their lives

How come we never get the "I swear I'm gonna ring that kids neck if he pokes his head out that door!!!!!!" entries?

They have to piss you off sometime, and if they haven't yet, they will... they will....

congrats!! I hope you have many, MANY more days like that. Oh send us some of that water!! ;)

Family is fun! I know I like mine! Seriously I do!

So... were there a lot of mosquitoes? You titled it that after all! Went geocaching the other day in Minnesota and boy were they rampant!
Bye!

You're a lucky man, Wil. :)

Ah the family memories. It's funny, days like that can never be planned, they just happen. Some of our vacations were brought down by bickering, but there were rainy days cleaning the house that stood out in my memory most of all. As we get older and spend less time as a family, the times we do get together are special. Today since it's fathers day everyone came home for lunch. We had so much fun talking and laughing and making fun of each other. Ah family day.

Hi Wil

Sounds like you had a really great time! im envious cos i dont have any kids now!

Hope you have a lot of fun over the summer!

Justin

Nolan sounds like one of the coolest kids ever.

Hey, Wil, if you're reading this, STOP! Go outside and give the family a hug or go have a water fight or something.

Right now, dammit! :-)

happy father's day. your love of your step kids gives me faith once again and step-parenthood and how that actually can be a good thing.

happy father's day,wil and all the rest of the dads out there! wil, your love of your step kids gives me faith once again and step-parenthood and how that actually can be a good thing.

It sounds like you have something really special there Wil. Don't let it go (as if you would). Having come from a situation similar to Nolan's, I can say this with all certainty. One day reality will set in with those two boys. The thing they will remember most is who WAS THERE for them. You've probably heard it said that anybody can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a DAD.

Happy Father's Day Wil!!!

Like Brock, I also came from a similar situation. My parents divorced when I was in sixth grade and promptly became immeshed in their own problems. My mom moved accross the country and I rarely saw her. Nor did she call or write. It took me well into my adulthood to come to terms with that and to make peace with my mom. I wish I'd had a parent who loved me not because I was their flesh, but because it was in his or her nature. Your kids will appreciate this even if they don't always show it. Beats a lousy tie for Father's day, eh?

I'm glad for you Wil and your family. :)

Wil,
You wrote:

"It's been killing me to see these two little people, who I love so dearly, be constantly hurt by someone who they love. Not being able to really do anything about it sucks, too. "

As a stepdad myself I have to tell you that you are doing something about it. You are there for them and that is the most important thing you can do for them. Don't ever forget it.

wil,
sounds lovely, and you have a lovely family. i hope ryan and nolan (i laugh everytime i see their names together because i think of my baseball hero growing up... nolan ryan of course) realize that they have a great dad in you.

Happy Father's Day. you've shared so much about your life and love for them... you're a better dad than most kids get. may you always be blessed and stay forever young.

--clg

Well Wil, you're a very lucky man to have such a wonderful family! Reading about your adventures brings a bit of fun into my day. Thanks.

Wil,

You LEASE your car? Wow, I wish I was rich enough to throw money around like that.

Sounds like you had a really fun day. Hope that all the days in the summer are like that one too.

Damn Wil,
You made me cry again. :)
I hope that you have many more such days. They are the best, aren't they?

You.

Lucky.

Bastard.

:)

Dude.....shoulda got a Jetta. ;-)

wil,

happy father's day. and not just because it's the third sunday in june or whatever, either.

:)

'Hearing' a lot of Wil's stories reminds me a lot of my dad when I was growing up. You seem to really love the kids, even if they're not yours. I don't know if you've ever heard the country song by Brad Paisley, "He didn't have to be," but I pray, for your sake and for the kids, that it will express their general sentiments about you as they grow older.

In light of recent issues I've seen you experiencing via your web page, it's a prize to see to that you have the have an outlet (your family) to keep you sane.

Thanks for sharing, Wil!!

In light of recent issues I've seen you experiencing via your web page, it's a prize to see to that you have the have an outlet (your family) to keep you sane.

Thanks for sharing, Wil!!

Wil...

I'm parked out front.

We'll be spending lots of time together this summer, too....

*flee*

Happy Fathers Day, Wil and to all the other fathers who read and post on this list.

I am a step-mother myself so I really know what you mean by watching a child being hurt by someone they love. I also get to watch my husbands' heart break over and over. My step-daughter's sun rises and sets on her mother whom she lives with but the woman just has no clue. She and my husband have been divorced for 9 years and she and her family waste no time in letting Elizabeth know how her father cannot be trusted because he broke the promises made when they got married. And I'm the harlot who destroyed all the mother's hopes and dreams by marrying her father. Lizzie comes over for weekends and for 6 weeks in the summer and our life here is so different, she really struggles with trying to fit in ( my husband and I also have two small daughters ). And my poor husband whose never been allowed to get to know her, just doesn't know what to do.

This summer, we've decided to go to family therapy to help blend our blended family. First thing the therapist said, after interviewing Elizabeth, was that the difference in how we love her and how her mother loves her is that we do not make her work for our love. We've always made it clear to her that we love her very much. Her mother and her grandmother, on the other hand, have put a price on their love for her and that price is her hatred of us. If she assures them she hates us, then they will love her.

It sucks, she's only 11 and this has been going on since she was 4.

But we do make sure that we have lots of days like ya'll had together, swimming, fishing, talking, she and I do our hair and nails....just crazy fun stuff. I only pray it's enough to help her keep her feet on the ground and help her remember that we always love her, come what may.

Sorry for the long post ya'll. She just left to go to her moms' for two weeks and I miss her already.

Vikki

Stop having such a cool family life, Wil, or there will be mass saccharine overload.

Rock on, dude.

I watch star trek every week night here in Atlanta 8 pm. Enjoyed some of your episodes , especially the travel by THOUGHT. My Dad died in March and this is the first Fathers day, ever for me without him,. ENJOY YOUR FAMILY

remind you of something?..the unforgettable summer of stand by me...

Oh, now you've made me cry! That was such a great story. I hope you have lots of days like that this summer, and the rest of your lives.

I envy the hell out of you even just one of those days. It puts a part of me at peace to know that there are still families out there that have days like that.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY, WIL!!!

wil: hang on to the child-like joy of life...most guys pushin' 30 are way short of it!...it's never too late to rediscover the fun of being a kid...if you don't mind a few sourpusses and their 'oh, grow up look'...which i tend to see alot! d.burr

It sounds like you guys had such a great day. I couldn't help but smile when I was reading about it.
I hope Ryan and Nolan know how lucky they are to have you as their step(I hate that word)dad. My husband is my daughters stepdad and reading about the problems your boy are having with biodad bothers me. It also makes me happy I don't have to deal with that stuff. My daughter never knew her biodad and my husband is going to adopt her to make it official.
When the boys are older I bet they will appreciate you so much more than biodad. I never belived blood was thicker than water.

:sniffle:
My parents divorced when I was 5, my Mom remarried when I was 9. It took me a long time to let my stepdad in. My biological father was an idiot, took my brother and me to parties and his girlfriends' houses for our weekends together. My stepfather married a woman with 2 kids(Mom) when he was only 25. Guess who walked me down the aisle last August while my biological Dad watched from the sidelines? Keep it up Wil--your kids will remember.

I think i have a tear in my eye.....NO IM SERIOUS...I HAVE A TEAR. That was one of the most amazing things i have ever read. So simple, so honest....so much about what LIFE SHOULD BE.

"When I put the kids into bed, I said to Nolan, "I really had fun with you today. I really enjoyed your company."

He lifted his head off his pillow and replied, "Me too, Wil. I want to spend LOTS of time together this summer."

Kind of reminds me of Jerry Maguire...with that cute little kid...anywho....THANKS WIL, THAT STORY JUST TOTALLY MADE MY DAY.

THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT FOLKS, THE SIMPLEST OF THINGS BRING THE BIGGEST SMILES AND THE BEST MEMORIES.

WISH YOU MANY MORE TO COME WIL.

Lisa Marie

Enjoy the kids as much as you can now, 'cause they grow up before you realize it and then move out... and no matter how much you think you'll be ready for it, you'll miss them more than you thought you ever could...

Happy Father's day, Wil. Those kids are so damn lucky to have some who loves them, and is sensitive to them. It can be a hard world out there. They have an ace in the hole with you. They know it, too. Good luck to you.
B

Wow, what a perfect day. Life doesn't get much better than that. I'm just glad you're smart enough to appreciate it! :)

Hope your whole summer goes as well...

>^..^

At the moment the family has been spread to the corners and we are soon coming together again, hopefuly we will have some fun and family hearth like we so much need--- I can sympathize about the whole "bad dad-- ex thing--" I have oneof those too.. Hug the family- and enjoy :)-- They are only young once.

Thanks Wil, you just reminded me why I want to have kids so much, when I get a little older.. and when I get a dad for them and all the other jazz ::grin::

And in response to William's post, who was saying that you should have gotten a Jetta, I say the Golf was a good choice. :D

Happy Father's Day!

-n

:)

:)

Well I hate to bring some chagrin to this happy stream of posts. As a child of divorce let me tell you nobody handles it well. But, I would advise you to stay out of it and for the love of GOD stop dissing their father on the website or at all for that matter. While it will not only make him mad at you, the boys love him so much that they will defend him and harbor a grudge against you for thinking you are better than him. I know from experience. For me I never had the perfect parents, I am just now starting to realise how much I really truly did miss out by having fucked up parents who put themselves before me. My boss is like the parental figure in my life now because he cares about me so much and he gives me speeches but they are because he doesn't want to see me hurt...not because he is afraid I will fuck up and make him look like a bad mentor. I do appreciate having him in my life but he is not my parents and I have to deal with my issues with them apart from him. I dunno if you see the tie in or if you are getting the full picture. probably not if you grew up in a stable family. I just don't like cocky people who grew up in stables families judging us fucked up so-called-disfunctional families. That being said...
I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU TRADED IN A PASSAT FOR A GOLF!! I am a huge Volkswagen fan and I just about shiat my pants when I read you drive VWs!! I loveeeeeeeeeee Passats. Did you have a really stylin GLX with leather interiors and sunroof?? And it better have been a V6 manual or I will be disapointed. Hey even a PaSSat wagon would have been sweet. What's this Golf like? GTI? LET THE PEOPLE KNOW. THE PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW!! Ok maybe just me. Myself I am trying to save up for a Rabbit Cabriolet. EEeeeeeEEEeee can you say dream car>??? I knew you could!!

Fallulah:

I think your missing the picture. ITS OBVIOUS YOU ARE THE PESSAMIST, NOT THE OPTOMIST. Life is what you make of it....and well its wils damn site so um......i think he can pretty much say what he wants. NOT ALL KIDS WHO DONT SEE THEIR FATHER OR A FATHER WHO ISNT AROUND MUCH IS LIKE YOU. I think its pretty unfair what you said....but were all entitled to our opinion. I just think you still have some harbored feelings...and well.....I dont think Wil was in anyway wrong about what he said or wrong in what he is doing. I dont think in anyway Wil made it seem like he was "better than him" at all. YOU dont know the ENTIRE story....and this is Wils Website so let him post freely....about the father or not about the father. AND he doesnt strike me as the type of fella to talk down their father in front of them.

That being said.....Be Positive....positive people get positive results.

Lisa Marie

Wil - as a child who came from a divorce where my "natural father" put his interests before my brother and I pretty much all the time, I can tell you this:

The boys will figure their father out.

And they will always know that you gave what he couldn't/wouldn't.

My step-father is my dad. I love him more than I can express.

You love them. They'll always know that. And they'll always remember these days as fondly as you do.

Keep up the good work man.

Happy Father's Day.

Dude,
You're living the sweet life. You're living the dream.

Good luck raising the kids, Mr. Wheaton, hopefully the whole thing with their dad will work out.

Actually, I can see Fallulah's point. As a child of divorce myself and an often absent mom, I know everytime anyone ever said something bad about one of my parents, even someone I loved and who meant the best for me, it hurt.

For selfish reasons, I'm glad it was said. But it's not my life.

Days like your Saturday helps me to remember the good times I have with my family and appreciate how much they (especially my dad) mean to me. Thanks, Wil. Happy Father's Day to you, and to all the fathers. :)

D'AWWW. Its days like that, that make life worth living.
*grin*

Glad ya hade a nice time Wil:) I have to go to school this summer:(

Wow. Cool day.
Cool days are fun, I like em. I live them sometimes too.
As far as the kids go, it all depends on the kids, I guess.
Honestly, if their dad stops paying attention to them, they'll lose interest.
Here's an example.
I, like so many others who posted, am a child (of 2)of parents who are divorced.
I was 12 at the time, but a young 12. I think I was protected a bit.
Anyways, after the divorce, everything seemed fine. Biodad came over every week, had dinner in our new home (he made my mom move from the old place) and we'd visit every weekend.
Then...he got a steady GF whom he later married.
So the weekly visits to our home stopped.
The weekend visits at his place slowed to once every 2 weeks. Then one child every 2 weeks (me then my sis).
Down to one child a month.
A little while later, both of us, on special occasions.
Soon after it was both of us on special occasions at another family members place.
Then it was a phone call on special occasions.

All this took place over the course of 3 or 4 years. That's a pretty short time to destroy a relationship, but he managed to do it quite well. I remember, it was my 16th birthday, I was having some cake and had already opened up my presents.
The phone rang, and my mom picked it up, soon handing it off to me.
Mom "It's for you"
Me "who is it?"
Mom "It's your father."
Me "I don't want to talk to him"
Mom ", it's your father. Talk to him"
Me "No, I have no interest in speaking to someone who talks to me on holidays"
Mom ", talk to him, now."
Me "No."
My mother was really mad at the fact that I wouldn't talk to him, and from that point on, I didn't.
A few years later, after I moved out, he found my email address and emailed me twice, which I deleted.
Then he called me a few years later, inviting me out to x-mas dinner with him, his wife, and my step brother, whom I don't know.
I told him that I wasn't sure of my plan, and that I would call him if I had the time.

I haven't spoken to him since, and have been a much happier person since I got him out of my every day life.

The kids seem pretty smart.
They know when they're being mistreated, despite what others may think.
If it's as bad as that, they'll stand up.
Support them in their decision, no matter which way they decide to go.

dat's it.

awwww!!! that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

Wil, I remember my days with my "step kids"
now all grown up with kids of there own...

enjoy the moment.

I just wanted to say that this post was awe inspiring.

I too have had a biological father who just didn't know how to be a dad. He left before I was even born, and coz my mum painted such a wonderful picture of him, at the age of 19 I decided to look for him, only to find a man who is in self denial, claiming he didn't know blah, blah, blah. To cut a long story short in those 19 years he hadn't changed one bit, he was still the same irresponsible, selfish, and sad coward that he always was.

I guess one thing I learnt from him is that it is easy to father a child, far too easy, but it is an achievement by far to be a loving father.

I always admired you from afar, and thought you are kindred spirit, and everyday I go to this site I realise how you are so much more.

Happy Father's Day Wil,

to a man who already knows the true meaning of the word Dad.

Ready! 1,2,3

"Awwwwwwwwww"

Wil, that's really great. More parents should make the time to be part of their children's lives. If all parents would do that, maybe incidents like Colombine would never have happened.

Keep it up!

Wil: Great story, man, keep it up!

Vikki: Also a great story! Best of luck with your step-daughter! She sounds like a great kid.

Tallulah: I have to agree. Wil, you definitely might want to consider not saying anything negative about the boys father.

Being from a broken marriage myself, I know it hurt when my MOM would say something bad about my dad...

You don't even want to be in a situation where one of them turns on you in anger and says, "You're not my real dad, so f*** off!"

It sounds like you have a pretty special relationship with the boys. I hope they appreciate it, as you obviously do.

Belated Happy Father's Day, dude.

Hey Wil,

Sort of a personal question. Wondering if your parents got along all that well. It sounds like you have a great relationship with your folks -- you are mentioning your mom in jest every once in awhile, though I don't know too much about how you get along with your dad.

It's tough for me and my fiancee' to sort things out, because we both have divorced parents that weren't exactly the best roll models for us, but have tried to take the best from both sides.

It sounds like you are doing great in a rough situation..

Chris

One other thought for you Wil. I have a 95 VW Golf right now and I love it, fuel efficient and cool looking. Passat's are high end and typically more expensive to maintain.
However, my next car is probably going to be an HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) such as the Honda Insight or the Toyota Camary. Not only do these babies get incredible gas mileage (up to 70mpg!) they also will reduce our dependence on foreign oil..something I think you could appreciate.
When your lease is up, check out HEVs that are available..a lot more are coming out in 2004.

Chris

Wil,

One other question, since you brought them up...

I just recently was given a copy of Cake's "Fashion Nugget" and I love it!

Do their other albums sound like that one? They have this great, funky sound and would like to hear more of it.

Any recommendations?

Sounds like a perfect day!

Didn't realize you're a VW driver. Go get'em!

"...put some bills in the mail..."

What is a self-confessed geek like you doing with snail mail? Why aren't you electronic banking by now?

Sounds amazing!
Reminds me of the times I spent with my family, cruising down the river Shannon, basking in the not so typical Irish weather we had. Although it has to be said, some of my fondest childhood memories involve sheltering from the rain. Family life was far from perfect, but it's little moments like those that remind me to appreciate all I have now. Well, that's cheered me right up. I'm not going to let 2 more exams get me down... have a lovely day!

Wil,

You gotta checkout the forums on http://www.vwvortex.com
or
http://forums.vwvortex.com

Pat "The Bastard" Mastroiani approves

I just bought a Golf GLS and there is alot of information on this site.

That made me smile. And I really needed to smile right about now so Thank you :)

I hope the rest of your summer goes like this one. Your kids sound wonderful.

That made me smile. And I really needed to smile right about now so Thank you :)

I hope the rest of your summer goes like this one. Your kids sound wonderful.

I am such a dork I posted my last post twice. Sorry.

I HAVE to agree with all the other posts...
From the female point of view..My son's biodad
abandoned him after our divorce..he also did the
same to the kids he had with his next wife after the second divorce...BUT he is a VIETNAM VET
whose twin brother was killed there. So even
after all the bull my son and I went thru I
ALWAYS resisted the urge to say somehing negative
about him. Sometimes you have to bite your tongue
and TRY and see the "other side" of circumstances.

I was lucky enough to marry a wonderful man when
my son was 4. When my son himself married last
summer it was this man. his STEPDAD that was his
best man. His "real dad"? He did not even come to
the wedding..but we were not surprised..(too many
people).

Sorry for the long post...but..HANG IN THERE WIL!
IT will be more than worth it. The kids know.

Here's something. I've read these posts and being a child of divorced parents, I really have to count my blessings. My parents made it a point never to bring us kids into their adult problems. My mother never spoke bad about my dad and my dad never spoke bad about my mom. My dad cheated on my mom and after their divorce married his girlfriend. My mother said any negative even about her.

When my parents divorced, they used the same lawyer. My dad took full responsibility for providing for us kids and did a really great job of it. They signed their divorce papers over dinner and to this day, my dad and step-mom still go over to my mom's house to help her with her taxes each year and then stay for the dinner my mom has cooked for them. They were there to help my mom buy her cars. My mom and step-mom even joked with the car dealer about both being Mrs. Russo. Family events are always so relaxed. And when I got married, I didn't know how to seat my step-mother during the ceremony, she came to me and told me that she knew this would be odd and she and my dad were very comfortable sitting behind my mom and letting her shine as the mother of the bride. These past 10 years seeing my dad and step-mom together, I've realized how good she is for him and how much my relationship with my dad has been improved because of her. And my mom has learned to stand on her own two feet, is a great business woman and always my best friend.

So let's face it. Divorce basically sucks for any child but I have to say one thing...MY PARENTS ( all three of them ) BASICALLY RAWK !!!!!!

Thus endeth my sermon for today!
Vikki

Ick! And once more, Ick!

That's all.

Sounds fantastic, I wish I had a Dad like that. He tries hard though. Too bad I don't try back. Enjoy your kids before they end up like me:-)

Wil,

Bite the bullet and get a Porsche. Hell, it's L.A., they are as common as palm trees.

It sounds like you had a wonderful Father's Day. Enjoy the summer!

Wil,
I liked this entry (story) better than any other you have done. Maybe it is because it was the simple truth about another (two) persons reality that had a nice ending. And it was a nice, soft and gentle story. I think this is how Howard Stern got started and famous, was by being real on the radio, he was never soft and gentle though.
These stories are so much better for me than your "commentary" entries. I like to hear about your geocaching with the kids or the way you found your dog or how you love your wife. This is your reality and you are a nice person, and you are sharing it with us. How very generous you are.
John

You certainly have a way of describing not just the actual events that happen, but the way that they make you feel. Thanks...it was nice.

Wil,
Speaking as someone who as a good shot at being stepdad to two really wonderful girls,(about the same age as your boys)I want you to know I'll be following your example and including them in every little aspect that interests them.There could wind up being a good deal of distance betweenthe girls and their dad and what I'll do to close that distance is to build them a powerful pc(I'm a PC tech)with a good webcam on it that they can give to their dad so he can see his girls every day instead of just during visitation.
Keep up the good work dude, you are an example all of us could benefit from.

Thanks for the lovely father's day entry, Wil. This is only the second father's day without my dad, and I love looking back on my childhood and all the fun times we had playing catch, helping dad bbq, listening to him do his Johnny Cash impersonation. But...birth father or step-father, it's not in the name, it's how you spend time with "your" kids. And it seems you spend it well. If you really want mosquitoes, though, I hear we get a few of them here in Winnipeg (not yet, but sure to come!). Cheers.

Sometimes I'm such a chick that I make myself nauseous. :) That made me want to cry in that "happy ending-fade to black" kind of way.
It's great when step-parents or guardians get to that point with their step-kids. I grin in delight everytime my 8 year old neighbour calls his step-dad "Daddy" or refers to him as such. It's funnier when he's angry with his birth-dad and refers to HIM by first name.

Wil, you are SUCH a respectful parent and I respect that a lot. All adults should treat minors as "little people" with open communication. I hope that your family has many great days this summer.
Happy belated Father's Day, Wil Wheaton.

Wil: You ARE doing something about your boys' situation...you are being there for them, whenever they need a loving, supportive, real-time, father figure. Keep it up...you ARE really helping them! Jan.

Awwww.......

Thanks for sharing!

Sweet story, stuff like that warms my heart :)

Being a VW fan, I'm going to have to say you should have gone with the 1.8l Turbo engine--Jetta or GTI would have been nice :)

Incidentally, thank you to everyone who told me happy father's day.

Not a single member of my family, beyond my wife and step-kids bothered.

By the way, thank you to everyone who wished me a happy father's day.

Except for Anne and the boys, not a single member of my family bothered to do the same.

That's ok, Wil....as much as I love my husband, I've been a mother for 4 years now and every mother's day he says," what, you're not my mother...." and that's as much acknowledgement as I get from him for mother's day. At least Anne acknowledged you...LOL!