First week of summer!

Happy Summer everyone! Summer officially kicked off this week - Monday, June 21  to be exact. The start of summer for me almost directly aligns with the start of a new life. Near the end of Spring, I brought a much needed end to a relationship. As many of you may already know, Heath and I are no longer together. I will skip the nauseating details and cut to the chase. McKade and I moved out on May 7. He is doing great and I am actually able to sleep again. It is amazing how much our stress load has improved in the past 7 weeks. This chapter of my life will close this summer. I no longer question my best judgements. I don't wonder anymore if my decisions are being made for the best - I know they are. Here are some of the things that I am going through just in the first week of summer.

• Monday, June 21 - Happy Summer! Sad day at work. Today was my last day with some of the best people that anyone could ever work with. This was the final hours of my 7 on/7 off shift that I have been working with for the past 7 years. All of you know who you are and you are the best friends and coworkers anyone could ask for.
• Wednesday, June 23 - First "court" date. The first divorce hearing got underway. It should have been for temporary fixtures in the divorce such as temporary custody and child support. Instead it was a little more involved than that and we almost had to go before the Judge. The agreement was made. And the afternoon was spent swapping things back and forth.
• Thursday, June 24 - McKade's trampoline is now at our new home. I spent the morning washing the urine (I hope dog urine) off of the trampoline springs that were tied inside a plastic bag. That speaks a lot for character doesn't it? The trampoline is up now, only missing one spring. I'm not worried about it. Either it will turn up or I can order a replacement. I now plan to spend the afternoon getting my truck ready for Florida! Is it a little ironic that I have to get an oil change?
• Friday, June 25 - I begin my new shift at work. I know who I will be working with and they are all great people. With time I will get used to my new hours and my new coworkers and they will become "family" just like the folks on the opposite 7. I'm a little whiney, but I do get to see the dayshift techs all the time. I am going to LOVE my new hours! Also, who knows! Maybe I can swap to a traditional day job when one opens up! Then I will get the pleasure of working with everyone!
• Friday, June 25 - Today temporary visitation begins. I will drop McKade off at daycare and he will spend the weekend with his dad. He will be dropped off back at daycare on Monday morning. McKade has never spent many nights away from me. I hope he does fine. I know I will not sleep the same without him.
• Saturday, June 26 - Beach vacation countdown begins! Yes, that's right! McKade and I are going to the beach one week from this day! My sweet baby asks me daily, "Mom, is it summer?" When I say "Yes", he says "During the summer we get to go to the beach." This is heartbreaking when you think you will be unable to go. But thanks to my sister & extra room, we will be headed down to check the oil out for ourselves!!

So - there's my first week of summer at a glance. It very bittersweet. The summer will also be my very last semester at Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences. Who knows what else it may hold! All I know is that if I have handled this week, I can deal with the next weeks to come. God is with me and my family is behind me. I can accomplish almost anything.

A friend from school ends all communications with "PEACE". I started replying to that with "HAPPYNESS" playing off of the movie title "In Pursuit of Happyness". However, I feel that at least for now all of my communications will end in HAPPINESS. It is one thing that we should all work towards. There is nothing that brings joy to my life more than McKade, my family, and my dear friends. I already have happiness, so now it is time for me to remember it!!

HAPPINESS