I think your family will get over it and except it. So will your kids.

I'd be worried about the ex. My husbands ex is like that, has no respect for authority and will lie, cheat, steel do anything she possibly can to get her way. She even had a Judge kick her out of the court and ordered her never to step foot in his court house again (she filled harassment papers on him to a circuit judge). They had to go to a different county for all their court proceeding which there was one every two months. A number of lawyers dropped her (filed papers to drop her) They're are some wacko's out there. My husband wound up surrendering his visitation rights, she started to say they we were abusing him. Now he's 11 and giving her a hard time and she's begging us to take him. He comes over when he or she wants and that's what she wanted all along. In the long run it only hurts the kids, my poor step-son is a mess. My ex-husband and I are good friends, what a difference it makes with my son. I hope you're ready for the long hall and you really, really, really love him.

I bet you any amount of money the judge slaps her on the rist and sais "don't do it again".

I'm sorry this is so frank and negative and I didn't mean to get into all of that, this really brought up some bad memories! I also think you should know what a nightmare it can be and your relationship is going to have to be super strong to get through it. My husband and I are still together (8 years) so we made it, so far! If you ever need to vent, I'm here and I definetely understand.

Good luck with everthing (what a ruff start!)