One break over, and another one begins

N's been staying at home a lot lately instead of going to his dad's house.  His dad's been working a lot, so any time N spends over there, the majority is spent with his stepmom and the baby.  He was an only child for so long...almost 10 years, so he's really been struggling with the serious lack of one on one time with his dad.  It's making him quick to anger and it really hurts him, and it's obvious.  Or, at least it is to me, because I deal with the impact it has on him every single day.

But, this week?  Well, this week I'd had enough.  On Friday night, I called his dad and told him that he and N needed to have a talk.  I didn't explain what was going on, just that N was having a hard time lately, and all he's said to me was that he really misses the time he used to have with just his dad.  He started to ask more questions, and I kept being vague, and finally he had to go.  It wasn't soon enough, let me tell you.  I was running out of ways to say the same thing over and over again.

THEN, I told N it was time.  He panicked.  I told him to just be honest, and say what was on his heart.  I'm happy to say that they had a talk this evening, and N feels so much better.  He said his dad understood where he was coming from, but felt surprise when it came to the part where he talked about how he didn't like spending time with his stepmom.  I don't know why he was surprised...you'd have to be blind to not notice how awkward it is.  Then again, people put on blinders when it comes to parts of life that aren't as pleasant as others.  We'll see how it goes, if there are any changes, and if it gets better.  I hope it does...for the sake of both of them.  They're my original boys...I want them to have a solid relationship, you know?

B spent practically all day outside.  He was riding scooters, then went to the park, then slid down the grassy hill on a cardboard box (something he learned from the TCU ballgame on Wednesday), then came in to cool off, only to repeat this cycle.  Several times.  And he had a blast.  It was such a relaxed afternoon...the breeze blowing through the apartment while I did dishes and reorganized and B played outside.  He even commented on what a great afternoon it was.

I washed every single piece of dirty laundry in the apartment, so I'm hoping my laundry load will be small this week.  We're gearing up for a full week of school for the boys and baseball practice, so I'm excited and interested to see how it will all work.  They have 9 days of school until their next day off.  Apparently, that's how we'll be counting down the remainder of the school year.

And, honestly, even though this week has been insane, nerve wracking, and entirely chaotic at times, I'm so glad we were all together.  I hope they made some good memories...

I know I did.

Aubs