Take the hits and keep moving forward.

[T1000]

Rocky Balboa:
But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!
Rocky Balboa (2006)

This quote stirs me when I hear it and keeps me going when I need it.

Last thread was at 99 posts so I thought I would start a new one.

My W has mentioned D today in a negative way, 1st time since July 2012.

Recently I have been trying to get some time for myself and I decided I would split the public holiday. I work all week and have the kids every weekend and holiday. This is because she obviously wants them to see their father but also she doesn't want to look after them at the weekends.
I miss my kids but if I feel I need some time to work on myself. My W has every weekend off and has done for 9 months.
I have been quite dim with contact. I initiate once a week to ask about the kids and let her initiate all other contact. She tends to contact me every day regarding one thing or another. This has been for two weeks.

Txt message:
12:47 - Wife: Are you you ok to have the kids til the Monday again on the Public holiday?

13:12 - T1000: I will have them the Sunday night but bringing them back Monday morning.

13:13 - Wife: Well I was actually hoping to go to city with my friends on the Sunday.
13:15 - Wife: Won't be back til 1ish

13:24 - T1000: Can you make it earlier?

13:37 - Wife: How much earlier?
13:37 - Wife: We are getting the train.
13:39 - Wife: Thought you would like the opportunity to spend more time with them?
^^^^^^^^(tbh this felt like she was trying to guilt me into having them)

13:44 - T1000: 11 oclock or even 12.

13:44 - Wife: Ok. I'll arrange to be back for 12. Ill start having the boys one weekend out of the month if its getting too much having them at weekends.
^^^^^^^^ Again this felt like she was trying to guilt me.

13:51 - T1000: 12 is spot on.

13:50 - Wife: Glad it works for you
13:51 - Wife: Need to also sort this divorce out!

14:06 - T1000: If you wish to pursue it then I can't stop you, right now I am still in a position of wanting to work on a new relationship with and as such I am not willing to initiate a divorce.

14:11 - Wife: You've hardly spoke to me so I'm not quite sure how you can even say that

14:22 - T1000: I live every day learning to be a better man for my family and for myself. I have come a long way and I still have far to go. Sometimes I have to do things I don't want to do but I do it anyway. When you told me you were dating I saw that as my cue to give you more space so thats what I have been doing.
End of message

Not heard anything since and it's been about 3 hours.
When I read this back I do feel I was coming from a place of anger at certain points in the begininning.

I think my dim contact has done something but what I'm not quite sure. It's as if she feels like I don't care. I did and didn't want to bring up the dating for several reasons but I felt like I had to justify my distancing.

I tried to leave sometime between txts so I could think about what I said and not just react. Glad I did or it wouldn't have been this tame. I nearly gave in at one point but stood my ground.
Looking at what my W was saying to maybe guilt me is that passive aggressive behaviour? I think we both might suffer from it in different ways.

I would love to hear some critiques of the conversation. Any 2x4's coming my way?