Thank you, MZ and ROMB, for dropping by my thread with your words of advice and of support!
After responding to JB's comment above, I realized that the words I wrote were exactly what I needed to share with my family. They were gut-wrenchingly honest and from my heart. So, I did (via email). All of my family gave me their support and expressed happiness for my family and me, with the exception of my Mother. She didn't respond to the email at all. I have no doubt that she shared her feelings with my Daddy and sisters about it, though. She and I have talked by phone since I sent her the email, and while she was upbeat and happy on the phone, she still didn't mention our reconciliation. Again, I completely understand her hesitancy in accepting this. I know in her heart she wants nothing more than for her grandchildren and me to be happy. I believe in time she will come around, but it will take time. She needs to see that my husband means it this time. So, I can accept that.
Things continue to get better and better at home. We have learned how to disagree without fighting. I no longer throw ow in his face when I get upset or see her around town. We are both showing gratitude toward one another for our contributions in the family, at home and in my husband's work. We are working together as a TEAM again. We enjoy time together and with the kids. We also take our alone time and time with friends. Things are better than they have been in the past several years, if not ever in our marriage. While I can't say I'm happy we have gone through this, I can say that now we are truly coming out on the other side, our relationship is getting stronger than ever before.
I now know that DB'ing is a life-long process. You can't just do it while things are bad and then stop once you begin piecing and reconciling. It's something to practice in your marriage, relationships with family and friends and importantly, with yourself.
By the way, for anyone who hasn't seen it, "Crazy, Stupid Love" is a GREAT movie! My husband and I watched in on PPV this weekend. In addition to being a great romance movie, it is also very funny.
