My Husband Has A Girlfriend

    
My Husband has a Girlfriend

It was only a matter of time really.
We've been separated for 3 years.
We're still technically married, but we have no plans to get back together.
However, this is the first either one of us has started seeing someone else.
(and since we've been together since we were 13 years old, that's really saying something.)

I'm happy for him, really.
But, I'm definitely a mix of emotions about it all with large streamers of feelings swirling and twirling into a frenzied knot inside my head:

Part of me is happy. This is good for him, emotionally healthy. I want him to be happy.
Part of me is jealous. He's replacing me. He's dating someone else before I am.
Part of me is angry. The kids need to come first. They are now going to have to compete for his time.
Part of me is sad. Our relationship didn't make it. I wish things had been different.

Only time will tell how serious he is about this one.
Or if she will be the first in a series.

I'm happy for him, really.
I just need time to adjust to this new step and all its implications. and I'm a little vulnerable from my village being destroyed.

Lots of people have to deal with dating after divorce.
I'm not the first, I know.
I remember my parents dating after their divorce, and I didn't like it.
I felt like it took away from my relationship with them.
I don't want that for my children.
But, then again, I didn't want my children to have divorced parents either, but that's the path we've taken.

Since he lives in a different town than the kids and I do, we haven't had to deal with any real changes.
But more changes are coming, I know that.

What are your thoughts on dating after divorce?
Wait, maybe we should go ahead and get that divorce first! 

Single Parenting is kicking my butt

And I'm not even divorced yet!!

I moved out over a year ago, taking the kids with me, and moved in with my mom and stepdad.

After living with them for a year, I decided I needed to have my own place,

and found this lovely little apartment on a greenbelt that has a fenced in yard 

and allows big dogs.

It's perfect!!

Here's our backyard:

And here's the main living area looking out on the backyard:

and here it is with some furniture:

Finances are TIGHT.

I've got two jobs.

One is your average 40 hours of a week job, 

and the other is as doing freelance writing.

My two boys just finished up playing their fall sports, Remy soccer, Donny football.

Waking up at 5:30am to get Donny to those early morning football practices were TOUGH!

And, Annie, she just keeps up with all of us and tags along.

My husband lives in Austin, but is about to move nearer to us here in North Texas.

and it looks like he may have to spend a few weeks on my couch before he gets his own place.

I hope I don't end up killing him.

We're not divorced yet, but I don't see us getting back together.

But at least we can get along for the kids' sake.

We can agree on ONE THING...

that Donny & Remy mean the world to us both.