my wife left, but still lives with me #3/continued

[tough spot]

So we talked yesterday and she said that stuff about 50/50 not 'being in the best interests of the children and that we need to come up with something prior to the hearing'. So today I email her an option of every weekend Friday-Monday am, one week xmas break, 3 weeks during the summer. That gets overnights to 184, or 50/50.

She counters with every other weekend and Wed night. I respond with Sunday 8am through Wed am drop off to school, same breaks, equals 184, or 50/50. She responds with 'well I don't hate that, let me think about it'.

So I don't know what she is thinking. I sent the newest paperwork to my lawyer this morning. I only officially hired him last Friday so he isn't up to speed, but I will give a call tomorrow if he doesn't call first.

I have been keeping a log of activities I have done with the kids these last three months....when I made dinner, picked them up from school, took them to the park, made snack, read them a book, played with legos etc. I have definitely been involved enough to warrant more consideration than every other weekend, if left to a judge. However I think she has a slight edge on me with the taking them to school/being involved with conferences etc.

That is why I want an agreement prior to entering the courtroom. I have to wait on input from the attorney on how best to go about that or figuring out what my chances would be in a courtroom.

9 year old asked her this morning if we are getting a divorce. So she had to answer some questions for her and the 6 year old but I had already left for work. I picked them up this morning and they have already been asking me questions about it. Sigh...almost cried while talking but held it together for their sake.

I am not a fan of how they reiterated my wife's thoughts, like 'we are more comfortable with mom taking us to school because that is what we are used to' and 'dad, you are more of the weekend guy'. Sometimes during these kinds of cases, aren't the children asked questions? I don't like the idea of her planting the 'correct' answers in their head.

Thanks for the pep talk, I needed it. I will have a better grasp on things after I talk to L tomorrow. Just hope I can afford the proper defense against this type action!