Thank you so much! I already signed a fair agreement, a standard one, with my husband. If needed, I will return to court and try to obtain sole custody, but that's only if their father shows any more signs of instability as he has in the past. He's current in therapy, and the agreement he signed requires him to get it twice a month. As long as he keeps his end of the agreement, I will just allow him to pay normal support based on his worker's comp and have them visit every other weekend. He loves them very much, I just need to be sure that he's actually GOOD for them, since love alone just isn't enough for children with developmental delays. He needs to learn to be soft but firm, stick to the same plan, and put their needs first at all times. If he can't do that, I will definitely take legal action to get supervised visits, if it's absolutely necessary. Time will tell!

I'm not really sure what my parents' deal is. I think my mom is just upset that I was able to move on with life, with my challenges, and find someone who genuinely cares about my children and me, and wants us to be a part of his daily life. She's always had a problem being jealous, and vicarious... she used to vent my siblings and I about personal marriage problems she was having with our father, when we were 8-12 years old. Totally out of line. I'm not sure why she feels the need to kick me when I'm down to make her own ego feel bigger. Seems like she's a bully to me. I told her that the other day and she grabbed me, shook me, and drew back her hand and nearly punched me. It was messed up. She was mad that I called her out for acting crazy about me speaking up for myself in defense of my actions. She pulled my trigger, I'm not sure what she expected. I'm not unkind, but like all people, I have a limit to how much I can take. When criticism isn't warranted, I no longer bite my tongue. That makes her upset, because everyone else walks on eggshells around her just to "keep the peace". She needs to know that I am not her doormat, and that I'm not afraid to set boundaries and stick up for myself. I just hope it doesn't get me kicked out. I think she wants that $400/month, though.

A part of me has wondered if she's pushing my buttons to get me to a point where she can convince my dad to back her up on kicking me out, so that I have no choice but to give the kids to their dad... essentially giving up primary physical custody due to becoming homeless. I can see her thinking to herself, "That'll teach you to show me I'm wrong. Now you've lost everything. Nobody messes with me.". I really do see her as a joy spoiling toxic human who loves to take pleasure in the misfortune and turbulence in the lives of others. It's kind of sick.

Sorry to rant. I didn't sleep last night and I'm so ready for a nap that isn't ever going to happen!