Crazy Busy Times

The past couple of weeks have been insane to say the least! I started my new job as a property manager and LOVE it! Last Sunday night *Feb 7* we had a big snow storom, on Monday morning I left for work...made it about ten miles down the freeway, spun out and got T-boned by another car! I was so shaken up, it was my first wreck EVER! I ended up bruising my left kidney, cracking one of my ribs and two more were out of place, not to mention my neck and shoulder! But all in all I was SO lucky, my guardian angel was watching over me for sure! So, I was out of work for an entire week. My boss was absolutely amazing, I mean seriously, I had only worked there a week and she told me not to worry, that I could take as much time as I needed and my job would be waiting for me! AWESOME!! I'm doing better, still quite sore but I'm on the way to being 100% again...and the most exciting part for me? The fact that I was in so much pain and made it thru without taking ANY pain killers!!!! I'm coming up on 18 months clean too!!

Mark and I have had the kids quite a bit in the past two weeks also. Their mom has decided she could care less if I'm around...really it's just because she doesn't want to deal with the kids, so she has discovered it is easier for us to have them...it's just fine with me!! We have such a wonderful time with them when they come over! Despite their surroundings at her house, they are very well mannered kids!! We take them to church every Sunday and they really enjoy it. I help Liza with her homework, give them baths *which they only get at our house* we cook together etc...it's just a really good experience for all involved!

So, I am very pleased with the way life is going. Now to just work on Shayne a little bit! The boys are doing very well though! I talk to them every day....I miss them so much. It really hurts. But, this is just a season!

There are a lot of changes happening....the biggest? We are getting married....SOON! I'll post as things happen :) My family will be coming to MN for the wedding too! Even little Miss Sassy *My neice* I CAN'T wait to marry this man! I am truly truly blessed beyond measure!!!!

Changes

Well, it's been a few days since I've written. It's been so busy! I am working...and absolutely loving it! My job is never the same and it's always busy! That's a really great thing! I enjoy it! Mark and I have gotten to spend a lot of time together this week. He came here on Sunday night, then back on Monday night, then back last night. Last night we went to Celebrate Recovery...it was so great! The message was on Sanity and accountability! After, we went to dinner. He decided it was just time to let Rene in on the status of us. He called her and just told her we are together and that's the way it is. That she doesn't have to like it and that he is NOT asking her for her approval. She threw her typical fit, insisted that he is making a huge mistake and on and on....when he was done we both looked at each other and started smiling! We both felt like we had this huge weight lifted off of us! I have to tell you, this has been a long road, and in some ways the longest part of it has been in the past several days. When Mark came up on Sunday night, we went to Chili's to have some dinner. There he looked at me and told me exactly how he felt. Told me that he loves me more than he has ever loved another person other than his kids. Told me he would never hurt me again, never walk away again. He explained more why he did what he did a few months ago. I understood it, but I was still cautious. He told me that Rene has no hold on his heart anymore, which is something he was honest about when we were together before. He was very open about the fact that he still loved her. Now, that is gone. He told me I have ALL of him for the first time. I sat there wanting to believe it so much. And a big part of me did, but there was still that part of me that was guarding myself. As we sat at Chili's, he said "we need to make a trip to Seattle very soon" I asked him why and he said because he owes my mom an apology and a big hug. So, we called my mom...we both talked to her and he made a commitment to her that he will take care of me and love me for the rest of our lives. Then, on the way home, he pulled the truck over and yelled at the top of his lungs how much he loves me! It was so hilarious! But so amazing too! So this is our life! We are happy, in love and doing things the right way! It's going to be a bumpy road I am sure of that, but we are in it together and we have the Lord with us too!