Thanks for all your advice. We have been trying to limit the time we spend with the family. Even when we go to family gatherings my husband and I, have now, made-up a signal that means "Leave NOW!"
We are also getting better at just saying that we will not be attending certain family functions that we know will be a hot-bed of hateful gossip. The family gets mad at us (and I'm sure we are a topic of conversation) but it is worth it.
The family is unfortunately stuck in a grade-school state, when they are mad at someone, they want everyone else to be mad at them too. Since my husband and I don't practice this juvenille behavior, we are labled as traitors to the family.
These people have gone so far as to berate my 6 yr old son because he still speaks to his Grandpa even after him & Grandma got a divorce. He has also had to listen to these people openly critisize me to him. The kid is only 6 and they want to tell him why they think his mom is a bad mom! It's sick!
So now we don't let the kids spend alone-time with anyone in the family. Its awful but we just can't let these people infect our kids.
Please send your prayers to heal our family. I'm constantly praying that they come to know the real Jesus and not just the idea of Him, as well as praying that I can keep forgiving and doing my very best to walk in love.
It's hard, but I know it's worth it. I just have to keep Him as my focus.
Thank you again for allowing me to rant and for giving advice, I needed it