Workout Tapes by Fonda & Moving Weekend
In addition to the massive emotional strain of my divorce, I had to wrap my head around my finances and moving forward on a single income. Of course, there were changes to be made. Thankfully, I will not be selling our home. I am currently trying to sell the Expedition that I purchased so that we could pull the camper. (Shameless plug here - if you know of anyone in the market for a nice, used Ford Expedition, PLEASE send them my way!!) I made the stupid, stupid decision to sign the loan on the camper in my name, but thankfully I am no longer responsible for the monthly payments.
Wade had helped me do some research on a new car. So after a few weeks of shopping, I settled on a Honda Accord. Let me tell you - talk about fuel efficient! I'm saving a ton of money in gas! I called Wade a few days after I got the Honda and I was so proud to let him know that I had made the purchase. In true "Wade fashion", when I told him I had my Honda, his response was "you got work out tapes by Fonda?" (Sir Mix-a-lot, anyone?) I laughed hysterically. It was another one of those moments where I knew that everything was going to be okay. Laughter truly is the best medicine. Things were starting to fall into place in this new life of mine.
I am so thankful that God has provided for me financially. As I mentioned in a very early post, when we made the decision to move to Albertville, we took a risk in more ways than one. For my career, it turned out to be a blessing. Just a few years ago, a divorce and a transition to a single income would not have been possible for me. Now I am proud to be a single mom who is able to support her children. The lifestyle that the boys and I once had may look a little different - fewer trips to restaurants, and cutting back on my shoe and handbag purchases, no cable TV, but that's okay by me!
Larkin's moving weekend had arrived. In the weeks leading up to it, I had typed up a list of our belongings and tried to split it as evenly as possible. I can't tell you how strange it is to think about dividing everything from dinner plates to TV's. There was little to no conversation between the two of us regarding the list, almost as if what we were doing was totally normal.
I took the boys to Mom and Bruce's and we camped out there all weekend. I didn't want the boys to witness the transition that was taking place in their home and I was trying to make it "just another normal weekend" for them. On Sunday morning, Mom took the boys to church and I headed home. I walked in the back door, and there was that empty feeling inside me again. No washer and dryer, no couch and loveseat or kitchen table. It was so strange and foreign to me. That morning, I got a text from my friend Anna. She asked if she could come by for a visit. It was so thoughtful of her! Next thing I know, she drove up with a big 'ole McDonald's Frappe (oh my! I had never had one until then and they are SOOO good) and her sweet daughter. Then, my friend Melody showed up. It was wonderful. They were there to help me get my house back together and make it "mine". They helped me box up some things that were left behind by Larkin and replaced pictures in frames throughout the house. I sure didn't want to walk by the 16x20 wedding photo every day. The girls and I had the best time. What would have been a lonely, long task turned out to be full of laughter. It was therapeutic. As they were getting ready to leave for the day, Wade drove up with my nieces. It was another wonderful distraction. The boys came home, Mom & Bruce were there and it was a happy afternoon. I was so glad to see the girls. They were so close to their Uncle, so I know that this transition has been so difficult for them too. I think it was good for them to see me and the boys and know that we were okay.
Lowe's came late that afternoon to deliver my new washer and dryer. My new den furniture had been delivered and my new kitchen table was to arrive the next day. The gaps were being filled. It was empowering.
That Sunday night, after I put the boys to bed, I went downstairs and just sat in the den. The house felt different. It was a good kind of different. It felt like my home. I knew that, in the end, as we started this new life, it was going to be a happy home.
Wade had helped me do some research on a new car. So after a few weeks of shopping, I settled on a Honda Accord. Let me tell you - talk about fuel efficient! I'm saving a ton of money in gas! I called Wade a few days after I got the Honda and I was so proud to let him know that I had made the purchase. In true "Wade fashion", when I told him I had my Honda, his response was "you got work out tapes by Fonda?" (Sir Mix-a-lot, anyone?) I laughed hysterically. It was another one of those moments where I knew that everything was going to be okay. Laughter truly is the best medicine. Things were starting to fall into place in this new life of mine.
I am so thankful that God has provided for me financially. As I mentioned in a very early post, when we made the decision to move to Albertville, we took a risk in more ways than one. For my career, it turned out to be a blessing. Just a few years ago, a divorce and a transition to a single income would not have been possible for me. Now I am proud to be a single mom who is able to support her children. The lifestyle that the boys and I once had may look a little different - fewer trips to restaurants, and cutting back on my shoe and handbag purchases, no cable TV, but that's okay by me!
Larkin's moving weekend had arrived. In the weeks leading up to it, I had typed up a list of our belongings and tried to split it as evenly as possible. I can't tell you how strange it is to think about dividing everything from dinner plates to TV's. There was little to no conversation between the two of us regarding the list, almost as if what we were doing was totally normal.
I took the boys to Mom and Bruce's and we camped out there all weekend. I didn't want the boys to witness the transition that was taking place in their home and I was trying to make it "just another normal weekend" for them. On Sunday morning, Mom took the boys to church and I headed home. I walked in the back door, and there was that empty feeling inside me again. No washer and dryer, no couch and loveseat or kitchen table. It was so strange and foreign to me. That morning, I got a text from my friend Anna. She asked if she could come by for a visit. It was so thoughtful of her! Next thing I know, she drove up with a big 'ole McDonald's Frappe (oh my! I had never had one until then and they are SOOO good) and her sweet daughter. Then, my friend Melody showed up. It was wonderful. They were there to help me get my house back together and make it "mine". They helped me box up some things that were left behind by Larkin and replaced pictures in frames throughout the house. I sure didn't want to walk by the 16x20 wedding photo every day. The girls and I had the best time. What would have been a lonely, long task turned out to be full of laughter. It was therapeutic. As they were getting ready to leave for the day, Wade drove up with my nieces. It was another wonderful distraction. The boys came home, Mom & Bruce were there and it was a happy afternoon. I was so glad to see the girls. They were so close to their Uncle, so I know that this transition has been so difficult for them too. I think it was good for them to see me and the boys and know that we were okay.
Lowe's came late that afternoon to deliver my new washer and dryer. My new den furniture had been delivered and my new kitchen table was to arrive the next day. The gaps were being filled. It was empowering.
That Sunday night, after I put the boys to bed, I went downstairs and just sat in the den. The house felt different. It was a good kind of different. It felt like my home. I knew that, in the end, as we started this new life, it was going to be a happy home.
It is going to be a happy home because it is filled with so much love! Proud of you for sharing your story. You’ll never be able to imagine the number of people it will make a positive impact on (if it hasn’t already). The boys are so lucky to have you as a mom! Sending lots of love and prayers for strength through the hard times!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Holley! I appreciate your support so much!
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