Soooo I haven't posted in a while, and I guess that's because things have been pretty good.

Life is still hectic. We still fight about stupid things. There are some concerns about FDH's company losing work. But, overall, things are good.

Ever since I purchased my new car, tensions with BM have gone down. Our brief interactions in her driveway are now unnecessary because my new car is a sedan and I no longer have to step out next to her to allow the kids out of the back seat. We drop the kids off at BM's BF's house now more often than not. I only go with them for the drop-off about half the time now because I get so busy on Sundays trying to catch up on housework, grocery-shopping, gardening, and various other chores that get put off due to my Saturday volunteering.

BM and FDH settled their issues in court about the motorcycle; it was much simpler than either of them realized, and they both seem satisfied with the deal.

It's the summer, so the kids have been spending a lot of time with BM's mother. This unfortunately means that we don't see them quite as often, but it also means that BM isn't hitting FDH up for extra cash (her mom got both kids iPads; she's a typical spoiling grandma, but mine was too so I can't complain).

When the kids are with us they're good. Well, they fight between one another, but they listen to FDH and me. I've watched them a few times while FDH had to work on the weekends, and they acted as they normally do--no better or worse. FDH made them sweep and vacuum the whole house last Saturday when I was gone; apparently they would not stop bickering, so FDH told them he had a more constructive way for them to use all that energy. I was surprised this weekend when both kids ate a Thai curry that I made and liked it. It's not that they dislike my cooking, it's just that it was unusual dish and I expected them to steer clear of the exotic ingredients. Plus FDH wasn't all that fond of it (but he didn't say that in front of the kids). We planted a pretty big vegetable garden a month or two ago; FSS helped dig the holes (FSD got tired/bored and went inside). Every time the kids visit they run to the back to check on the garden.

FDH and I are still planning our trip to New Orleans. We've been saving up a little each week, and at this point we've already reserved the rooms and purchased our flights. We're just crossing our fingers that everything with his job stays steady.

FDH told the bartender to stop texting him. She has. We still go down to the bar, though FDH doesn't like to go without me now (he thinks going alone will start a fight). I'm pretty mellow about all of that though. She's usually there when we are, and from what I can tell I'm pretty sure she has gotten the point. A swinger couple hit on us last time we were there. Kind of weird.

Anyway, there has not been much in the way of agitating excitement. I'm pretty happy, and I hope that I can extend some of that happiness to those of you going through the rough patches. It's not always easy, but when it's not you guys are there. Thank you everyone.