So DH is going to apply for a new job in the same overall state university system but at a different location. He will most likely get and take this job. Pay is only slightly higher (like $500 a year lol) but saves him 2 hours of travel (and obviously gas) every DAY because it's now less than 5 miles from us. His CS is taken out from his paycheck automatically every two weeks and given to the state agency which then cuts BM her check (she's on state welfare because she chases her dreams of the circus life--not joking) so I think that's why it's automatic.

...with souvenirs MIL brings back from her trips to BMTown?

We've been doing so well with low MIL contact but you literally can't give an inch to her or she'd jump on it like a flea on a dog. We invited DH's family over for Christmas and then went to MIL's house the next day for a brief visit to let her spend some time with DD1 and DD2--most visits are now supervised because of her behavior.

And BM and SS will be back in the states from their year-long trip to the UK the end of this month.

But before we get to that: BIL and his wife came over to visit the new baby yesterday and we talked about some things regarding MIL (mostly, BIL's wife wanted to get a feel of how much we trust MIL with their children since they're going to start trying this month.)

We told them they have to set boundaries early and not like us--we fumbled and dropped the ball in regards to MIL because we thought she'd be less entitled or at least reasonable.

Thank you to everyone (Echo, Sally, Goodluck, clevergirl--you guys are the bomb) who responded to my post! It gave me the courage to do what I kind of knew had to be done.

Lol and then it not 12 hours later, it all comes to a head when DH gets a call from MIL. (I need a nickname for her.)