Dissolved

Almost a year and a half after John and I separated, we are at last officially divorced.

Why on earth, you may ask, did it take this long?  No children in common, no major property or assets?
Well the answer is basically the same answer to why I left him.

Repeated lies, promises to do something and never following through, and the fact that John never does ANYTHING unless a woman forces him to do it or just gives up and does it for him.

Most of this divorce, I ended up doing for him.  We had originally agreed to do it together and split the costs.  We made several arrangements to meet and do this, and he would always cancel last-minute.  He even claimed he filed at one point; it was a lie (shocker).  So I finally filed myself and filled out all of my paperwork, but there were still some things that he had to do.  First of all I couldn't even get him served because he couldn't even tell me the truth about where he lived.  (as if I care.  Please.)

Then he couldn't even follow the correct steps to inform the court that although he hadn't been served he was aware of the proceedings and in agreement.  Guess who had to meet him at his job with a notary friend, get the form from him, have it notarized AND FILE IT FOR HIM?  Yep that would be ME.

I emailed, texted, called, instructed, informed, THREATENED, and at last it is done.

I could go on and on about what a royal pain this was and why, but suffice it to say I am FREE from all of this at last.  The divorce filing procedure itself made certain that I never forgot and never regretted why I left him to begin with.  (among MANY other issues. Ugh.)

I feel sorry for whatever woman is leading him around by his cojones now to get him through day to day life (besides his Mommy, who is ALWAYS happy to do it), and I am just happy it's no longer me.

On Love

It's almost Valentine's Day, so what better time to talk about the Love Thang?

I have told you about the wonderful man in my life, who I call Hunter here on the blog.
I'm sure you've gathered that it's pretty serious and he and I now share a home.
But today I want to talk about Love.
I have known Hunter for over 25 years OHMYGODIAMOLD.
We went through Middle and High School together.  He was one grade ahead of me.  He was a HOTTIE and must have had 250 girlfriends.  There's just something about him.....
I wasn't one of them.  He was way too cute and cool for this chunky bookworm.  We ran in different crowds.
When I first met his Dad, he said "You know ever since Hunter was a kid he has brought the PRETTIEST girls home - and he's still doing it!  I don't know how he does it!"
"He's a charmer," I replied.

The girl he ended up marrying (and divorcing after 15 years) was in my Kindergarten class.  I saw him around town occasionally over the years, but didn't really talk to him until the last year, when we reconnected on Facebook.  We messaged off and on and then finally last year, met up in person.

I really have no words to explain how I felt that day when I first saw him again.  It kind of felt like fitting in the final piece of a puzzle.  It was like "Oh...ok.  THIS is what I've been searching and waiting for all of this time."  And he felt the same way.

We have been inseparable ever since.

(Holy Moly, while composing this post I saw this on another blog and cannot believe how perfect it is.)

I am going to try my best to explain the love I have for him.
He is my past, my present and my future.
My love for him is like the love I've ever had for any other man, multiplied by a million, and set on fire.

One of the things we say to each other a lot is "I love you more"; I even bought him a little wooden knick knack with that phrase painted on it. And while we tease that it means I love him more than he loves me (or vice versa), it has another meaning as well...I love him MORE than any other before him. I love him MORE than almost anything in the world (kids and other family being in another category entirely). I love him almost MORE than chocolate.  I love him MORE than money or any "thing" that money can buy.  I love him MORE than a fat kid loves cake.

I love him for who he is: strong, brave, tough, and fiercely protective of me.
He's also kind, sweet, generous, caring, tender, and loyal.
He has a very strong sense of right and wrong.
He's incredibly smart and knowledgeable about so many different things.
He is nowhere near perfect.  He drives me crazy.  I drive him crazy - and he doesn't put up with my shit.
He is quick to apologize when he is wrong - and quick to REFUSE to apologize when I'm just being a bitch.

Our relationship began when I was going through the worst time of my entire life.  He saved me.  He made me happy in a way that I never expected to feel again.  I truly have no idea what I would've done without him at that time.
We changed each others' lives.  He was also going through some hard times.  His friends and family tell me how different he is now that he's with me.  Happy.  Healthy.
He needs me.  I take care of him.  I need to be needed.  We fulfill each other.
When I'm with him I feel safe and loved.  He must tell me that he loves me at least 20 times a day, literally.  I've never felt so loved.
There are times that I stare at him and literally feel a physical sensation in my heart.  I ache with love for him. That's the only way I know to explain it.
I would walk through fire for him.  I would hold his hand and walk to the ends of the earth with this man.

The icing on the cake is that my kids and family love him, too.  And his family loves me.  His brother is one of my favorite people on earth.  His mother is kind and sweet, and LOVES me and my children.  She has called me an answer to her prayers.  His son is a miniature version of him.  His dad died knowing that he  is happy and has someone who loves him.

Of course there are no guarantees for what the future holds, but I am totally confident about our future together, and I know that right now, I am right where I need to be.

Sweet Baby Cakes

I really can't imagine a better day than out at a park, celebrating the very first birthday of the sweetest baby on earth, with almost all of my favorite people in the whole world.

While other parts of the country were battling a blizzard (with the ridiculous name of Nemo....seriously?), we were blessed with a beautiful day.  Sunny, clear, and mild.  The party was held outside at a park, so we were very thankful for the gorgeous weather!  I love my Sunshine State.

I absolutely LOVE this cake!
And it was yummy, too.

Hayleigh is SO loved.  My children absolutely adore her.

Snuggles with Shelbie!

I LOVE to watch Tim with Hayleigh.
They love each other so much!

He bought her this Eeyore toy for her birthday.
How sweet is my kid?!

Hayleigh and Elayna played with leaves together.

Hayleigh walked all over the place,
holding hands with some little friends.

The quintessential first birthday pic.
She devoured her cake! 

Hayleigh and her Mama, Heather
I LOVE this pic because they both look SO happy!

We gave her a Hello Kitty bubble blowing machine
for her birthday.
It was VERY windy so the bubbles blew away quickly,
but she still had fun with them!