Wary of Her Intentions

There are deep, disturbing reasons why Carley is not welcome in our family. The first of my doubts about her was while sitting on the bleachers of Shannon's basketball games. One of the teachers said to me, "You must be proud of Brad, the way he is standing by that girl". I replied that I didn't expect anything else from him. The teacher said, "I suppose, but I am wary of her intentions." That was the first nagging doubt, but of course I didn't tell Brad. Then things started making sense, and I began to see how manipulative Carley could be. When they came to tell me about the pregnancy, Brad said he was sorry, because he had felt that he had lied to me when I continually asked if he was practicing safe sex. And he had, but the condom broke. None of us (me, mom, Kathy, or Judy) believed that, and mom was first to say the condom was probably helped along with a pin prick. But we didn't say that to Brad or interfere in any way. Many more things happened, but this is the most grave: Brad and Carley lived close to Uncle Sherman, Aunt Pat, and our cousins in Colorado while he was training for his firefighting position in Colorado Springs. Carley was constantly leaving the girls with my cousins to babysit; she called them Brad's "crazy relatives" and phoned Uncle Sherman incessantly for medical help for her kid's illnesses and boo-boos. So much so that he suspected her of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy. Uncle Sherman called me and told me that, he also said that he told Carley that they were kids, that kids have lots of illnesses, and to go to her regular physician. He also went before the foster family board and advised them of his suspicions - that's why they were no longer able to foster children, at least where they were living at the time. Carley spun that into blaming James, and that's what happened. Kathy knew all this, we aren't sure how much Brad knew, but when the cousins told him to get a handle on his wife, he moved his girls out. Or they were run out of town by the false accusations, from Michayla's tall tales. At our family reunion in Colorado, we heard the real story. I don't know when Brad became so judgmental, we assume Carley's personality overwhelmed him. Which is scary and dangerous when you think about a woman hurting her children, and a man allowing that to happen. There are a lot more reasons that are backed up by emails, and snail mails - we are not making this up. Brad not only cut off me, but he also cut off Kathy and Judy. The only thing Carley wants from Kathy's death is an original Grandma Layton drawing.
I used to wonder if your girls would grow into critical thinkers, women capable of making independent decisions, perhaps curious about my side of the family tree. Critical thinkers don’t stick to just one way of looking at things. They actively seek out different perspectives on a topic. They can put themselves in other people’s shoes to understand their points of view. This open-mindedness leads to more balanced and fair judgments. It doesn't look like they have the background or the substance to think critically. My biggest mistake was moving north to that realm of imbecility. Brad, you were six months ahead of your classmates, and Shannon went straight into independent studies. If I would have stayed in Kansas you would have just been slightly above average. Your genetics on your maternal side have a lot to do with that, whether you like it or not. Back to the girls... I finally quit sending cards, letter, and money for their birthdays and holidays because I never received a thank you note. One time you called, and Jaydie thanked me for the anatomy horse, but that's all. Then all that mail started coming back, return to sender. When I sent the package with Russell Ritings in it, I had sent a letter ahead to let you know it was coming. Guess what? the letter was returned "address unknown", but you received the package. I'm sure your wife is the one who returned everything, you must have got the package when she was gone. What a conniving bitch. YOU are the one who quit contacting me, and I'm not about to beat a dead horse, so Carley got what she wanted, and I just don't care anymore. These emails are evidence that you have been sorely manipulated. There's a lot more, also snail mails through the years, you are welcome to come research them, if you have the courage. 
The three Russell girls were very popular, then and now. Don't believe me, ask around, ask your father's families. Both of you have forgotten that I am a woman of substance, I can do anything that I want (or have) to do: I can sew, embroidery, knit, dance, teach, negotiate, write, draw, study, read, garden, canning, cook, do my own taxes, anything horse, cow, chicken, dog and cat, think critically, change a tire, and live on my own. I am an author with book sales around the world, and my latest accomplishment; created an ebook from Grandma's biography. Carley has obviously been threatened by all that, but honestly, who could blame her? Her actions bespeak a vast insecurity and ignorance of social construct, especially that of a family. It tickles me to no end to see that Blayse has decorated herself with tattoos and other pretties, pretty big statement to her judgmental parents. Hopefully Michayla will come to her senses and keep her little boy away from his wicked grandmother and the illnesses she creates.
I am sorely disappointed that my kids have been so manipulated by the two most vulgar people I have ever known, Joe and Carley. In essence, these blogs are not posted to lecture you, or to convince you to come back to me and my family. These are my words, my sister's words, and they tell our side of the story. Proof that I and my family are not the monsters you portray with your betrayal, Carley and Joe are the true villains. You both have had plenty of time to reach out, to show some sort of adult understanding, I have waited long enough. The next step is up to you both. Carla
It’s funny how sometimes the people you’d take a bullet for are the ones behind the trigger.