Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Hello after many, many months............

 










 

Just popping into say we are still alive here in very hot Florida.  It has been a rough few months with the never ending divorce, custody issues, financial disagreements, well they say divorce is not for the faint of heart and it isn't.  I'm truly exhausted with all the neverending mess, so I visit each of you but can't get the energy to write.  You sort of all keep me sane, knowing what you are all up to in your very busy lives.  And I thank each and everyone of you who have checked in, thank you for caring enough to see how we are doing.

There is some good news, Mr 26, as of last Monday, graduated law school this past weekend.  He has not always had the easiest of times, actually he spent a year and a half at home during high school.  He has made such an amazing recovery and is now a law school graduate, something I never ever dreamed for him when he was in 9th and 10th grade.  He has overcome so much and with the constant love of his life by his side I think he can do anything.  As his partner and I sat next to each other crying I thanked her from the bottom of my heart because he would not be where he is today without her.  He has the Bar Exam in July and starts his job as an Assistant District Attorney for the county we live in in August.  I am so proud I could burst.

Little Buddy is not so little anymore.  He has major signs of puberty happening (check out the fluff above his mouth) and that includes his attitude with lots of arguments telling me I am not the boss, I can't speak to him that way, and of course the just blatant not listening when requested to get off some sort of screen device.  He is finally used to his new teacher and new school, just in time for school to be over.  They are moving to an new facility next year, much closer to my home so there will be another huge adjustment in his life we have to deal with on top of the custody adjustments that will be taking place sometime in the future.  I am preparing myself for an even bumpier ride because there are not many rules in one home, and many rules in mine, which makes my job a lot harder.

So thank you for visiting, I still plan on blogging when I can get myself together. Thank you for caring and have a wonderful week.

36 comments:

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Glad to hear you're still kicking. Look how big Little Buddy is! Wowzers!!!
Congrats to Mr. 26 - that's quite an accomplishment.

Sending you lots of good vibes to get you through the tough stuff. You've raised some wonderful young men, so you can do this too!

Betsy said...

Wonderful pictures of your boys and you too Meredith. Congrats to Mr. 26! What a wonderful mmilestone. Prayers will be said for his bar exam. I'm sure that will be stressful.
I'm sorry that you're still dealing with all of the divorce stuff. How sad that things can't be smooth for Little Buddy's sake. It makes it so difficult for the kids when there is so much conflict. I'm very sorry dear Mere.
Take care of yourself through all of this. Your boys obviously love you so much. You'e a great Mom!
Blessings and love,
Betsy

Melanie said...

So good to see a post from you again. Congratulations to your soon on graduating from law school! What an amazing accomplishment. You have every right to be proud of him. And "Little" Buddy...wow, he has truly grown up all of a sudden. The attitude upon entering puberty doesn't surprise me. Totally normal, as you know! Not a fun stage for parent or child. Patience is a needed virtue.

I'm so sorry that your divorce is so messy and conflicted. My heart goes out to you. I hope between all that crap and your stressful job, that you somehow are finding some time for self-care and deep rest. And I also hope you have the support of good friends and family. {{hugs}}

Denise said...

It is wonderful to hear from you! I'm sure many of us have had you in our thoughts, even as we wanted to give you space and privacy.
Congratulations to the amazing young men in your life!

karen said...

so wonderful to hear from you! Congrats to your son and his graduation!! May you have the strength and resilience to get through the divorce and have smoother sailing in your future.

Araignee said...

Congrats! The photos are wonderful. I know how hard that journey is as I have one who graduated from law school also. The change in Little Buddy is staggering. Where does the time go?

Kim in Oregon said...

Great to see your post and all your smiling pictures!! Congrats to your son the LAWYER and for Little Buddy getting used to his teacher. Here's hoping smoother sailing ahead (although it sounds pretty bumpy!).

Delighted Hands said...

So nice to have you post--you are missed but we know the hard times you are navigating. How wonderful to celebrate the graduation of your son--own your part in his success! You are going to have to come up with a new nickname for 'lil buddy'! Take care. Hugs.

Anonymous said...

Life sure is a mixed bag, isn't it? Thinking about you going through the rough stuff and hoping for things to settle down. Congratulations to Mr. 26 and oh my, your youngest is growing up! You've been a wonderful parent for your boys.

Polly in MA (where it's not too hot, but we need more rain)

Unknown said...

So happy to read your post. Congratulations to your eldest son! I know that you are very proud of your young men. Hope that things settle down for you'
Dorothy from Va.

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

So good tp read a post from you! Congrats to Mr. 26. . .what an accomplishment!!! As for little Buddy. . .Wow. . .he morphed into a young man. . .how does that happen??

Karen said...

It's so great to hear from you, Meredith. Congratulations on your son's graduation. How proud you must be! And LB is sure growing up. Those adolescent years are rough, so good luck to you both :) Sending you good wishes that life will settle down for you. Sending hugs.

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

It is good to read your blog again. I was thinking about you today and there's a new post from you. I am glad you survived the divorce and other things that aren't the best. Congratulations on your son graduated from law school. I am glad he survived and helped by a dear lady he likes to be with. Thanks for the photos you shared. Buddy is adorable and I did see the tiny mustache. I hope he doesn't get to be overwhelming in your life. I have issues with my younger brother as he's not all there, mind wise. He is a bit annoying to our sister who helps him with what he needs and takes care of money that he from SSI. It's hot here in Oregon and quite warm this evening when P and I went on a walk that I needed to do tonight. Last night had too much pollen in the air! Aaaacccchhhhoooo!!----cough, cough!!! ARG! Take care and look forward to reading your next post. God bless and prayers for you, Becky

gaia said...

Dear Meredith,
It is so good to hear of you.I congratulate your son.My custody battle is still going on after almost 2 years and I know what a nerve-wrecking process it is. Stand tall.
Sending lots of love.
Gaia.

Nance said...

How wonderful to hear from you again, and with such joyful news of your son's graduation. You have yet another reason to be proud.

I was not prepared for the latest photos of LB. He has gotten so much older in such a short time. That's always the way it is, however, and we never quite get over it, I guess.

Thank you for checking in here. Take care. I think of you more often than you could know.

Jeanie said...

Oh Mere, it's so good to hear from you. I was thinking about you the other day, that I should check in; then saw Claudia's post about Mr. 26 and knew you were probably pretty swamped. THREE CHEERS on that! It's always wonderful to see someone who has turned challenging years into a success story and I know you are terribly proud of him and rightfully so.

Little Buddy IS getting big -- and tall. I'm glad that school has settled and sorry that things will be uprooted in the fall. The custody issues sound grim, disturbing and emotionally challenging. I remember Rick dealing with two ways of rules when the boys were young and two living styles and it was very hard on him. (I think his way was better -- their mom was a combo of helicopter parent and overindulgent, which isn't a great combo for creating a kid who doesn't grow up feeling entitled). Sending all good wishes that things will level out once you're in the mode. And loads of hugs.

TheAwakenedSoul said...

I know some men in their fifties that act that way. (sigh.) Congratulations to the new graduate. How thrilling. Beautiful photos. The custody battles sound exhausting. Hope it is over soon.

Unknown said...

So good to see you are hanging in there. Divorce is not easy and I wish you well as the custody and other arrangements continue. Congrats to Mr 26! What an achievement. I read about him on Clauida's blog and was happy for your family. Little Buddy is getting quite grown up I see. My Grandson just turned 12 so I get it. Oh my they are reaching that I know everything and you know nothing age. This too shall pass. Always good to see a blog from you. Hugs!

Christina said...

How lovely to find your post today. Congratulations to Mr 26, what an amazing achievement. Supported by two wonderful women! Little Buddy has grown up! Still has his cute freckles, very sweet. I am sorry your divorce settlements are taking so long. I am sending you strength to get you through it, hopefully very soon xx

Ellen D. said...

Congrats to your son on his terrific achievement! Wishing all of you much happiness in the future!

Wanda said...

So good to hear from you. I keep checking and couldn’t believe it when I saw your post . Can’t believe how much Little Buddy has grown and he is looking so well .
Such good news about your son graduating and succeeding through such difficult times . You must be bursting with pride and it must give you some balance in your life .
Sending love to and your family xx

CJ said...

Oh my goodness, huge congratulations to Mr 26 and how wonderful that he knows what he will be doing next. Such a lovely photo of you and him together. I am so glad he's done so well, I can imagine how hard he has worked. I get attitude here as well from the youngest and also trouble separating him from a screen. It's because I am (and I quote) 'so mean'. Sorry the divorce is so difficult. And it must be so very hard to have a lack of rules for Little Buddy. I am sending you all the hugs. Congratulations again to Mr 26. CJ xx

Mrs. Micawber said...

So glad to hear from you, Mere. I was just thinking about you this morning and wondering how life was treating you and LB.

Tremendous congratulations to Mr. 26! What a wonderful accomplishment, and how blessed he is to have a mom like you and a love of his life to support him. You all look wonderful in the photos. Best wishes to him as he takes his bar exam and sets out on his career.

My goodness, LB really is growing up fast. Hang in there for that bumpy ride through teenagerdom, as well as for the other bumpy ride(s) going on. I'm so sorry it can't go more smoothly. You are in my prayers. Many hugs to you.

Janice Smith said...

Congratulations to the new lawyer in the family!!! That’s awesome!
So glad you posted. Wow, I don’t think you will be able to call our favorite guy “Little” Buddy much longer.
Stay strong.

Anonymous said...

Congrats to Mr 26, and to you! and so much love and strength to you xxo

Anonymous said...

So wonderful to hear your update. Wishing you the best.

KSD said...

Certainly have missed you, and glad to hear you're doing the best you can. You've many cheerleaders out here.

And, Little Buddy is NOT little anymore, is he?

sewing green lady said...

Oh congratulations to your son, what wonderful news. I hope you find some peace and resolution soon with your divorce. Take care. x

susan q said...

All great news from you! You need a nap after this post but thanks for sharing the wonderful events in your life. Baby steps.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your son's graduation from law school. What an accomplishment. I know you are so proud and you should be. Little Buddy is little no longer! WOW! I have just fallen out of blogland but saw your post and wanted to say GOOD JOB MOM!

handmade by amalia said...

Exciting times, Meredith, so happy for you! And oh my, how LB has grown!
Amalia
xo

Ellen D. said...

Happy Birthday, Meredith! I read on Claudia's blog that today is your day. Hope you have a happy one and that your year is filled with lots of love and peace!

Dee said...

A huge congrats to Mr. 26! That is a wonderful milestone!

And how about Little Buddy who looks so grown up! Time flies for sure.

I'll be sending good vibes for life to smooth out soon.

Eileen in Fla. said...

Don't have your e-mail but wanted to wish you a very happy birthday on July 3. Claudia mentioned the date on her blog and I wanted you to have best wishes for a wonderful day and coming year from one of your many fans. Stay safe and cool.

Eileen in Fla.

Neighborhood Watch said...

Congratulations to you and your son! I was glad to see you back around here and know that you are hanging in there. All the best!

TheAwakenedSoul said...

Congratulations to your son. He looks so happy as a graduate. You look so pretty in your sun dress, and Buddy looks very happy. I know what you mean about rules. I like structure and order.