Whew!

It has been a really, really long time, and we have been really, really busy.  Lexie and I both got the stomach flu three weeks ago, immediately followed by a cold.  Lexie's cold lasted until this week, when she caught another cold.  Mine turned into pneumonia, which I found out when Mom carted me to the ER Wednesday, April 2^nd at 4:00am.  Yesterday was my first full day back at work.  The Saturday before Easter we went with Grammy, and Tracy's family to the Easter egg hunt at Alpenrose dairy.  It was great.  Lexie won one of the big baskets. She still hasn't finished her candy.  Tracy's sister, Tawny, won a diamond necklace in the Mom's egg hunt. 

 

The next day, Easter, Lexie spent at her dad's and when I went to pick her up, she had puked all over his car, and had stomach flu.  I don't think I've been to work a full day since.  She did come into work with me that Tuesday, and spent half a day working with me at my desk.  That was pretty cool.

 

From there on out my health went downhill.  I'll spare everyone the details. 

 

We had an exciting Sunday last weekend.  Lexie was staying with her Dad, something that everyone I know, including her counselor and myself, have for a long time believed is not healthy for her.  I've been working with her counselor towards changing the visitation, but honestly, I've been too worried about her Dad's reaction, and the consequences.  We'll, thanks to God for understanding my fears, because Frank ended up doing it all by his self.  This is something I also always figured would eventually happen; it was just a matter of time.  Thanks goodness it happened earlier instead of later.  He has constantly been pestering Lexie that there is another "daddy" living with us, and forcing her to feel defensive when she is telling the truth.  He grills her and puts thoughts into her head, makes her feel guilty, and generally plays on all her emotions.  Sunday morning he called me ranting about false accusations against this imaginary "other man" he insists is living with us.  When I told him he was harassing me, and Lexie, and that I was going to call the police, and hung up, he called the CSD hotline.  From what I'm told, he called repeatedly, changing his story, and prompted the CSD to make a visit.  After they talked with Lexie (Frank wasn't there at the time) they came to visit me and determined that she was in a potentially harmful situation.  They took me with them to pick her up and created a no-contact order until they can do a thorough evaluation.  I've been instructed to modify the parenting plan to limit his contact to supervised visitation only and with a social worker type professional.  I'll go next week to set that up.  I want Lexie to have the opportunity to know her dad, and I can only hope that this "encourages" him to seek counseling.  I'm still scared that he may do something crazy, but at least I have the restraining order.  I feel so much more relaxed and hopeful now. 

 

Word(s) of the time frame: HOPE

 

Dad/Grandpa is doing well.  No Kidney cancer.  He has a procedure next week, but his spirits, as always, remain high.  He is one of my Rocks!  Mom/Grammy, is another!  She has taken such good care of me while I've been sickish.  I love you guys.  Happy belated to Justin, and congratulations on the upcoming marriage.

 

Lexie and I watched Alvin and the Chipmunks the other night, well two nights in a row really.  Funny cute movie.