Update after a long time

[blndsid]

Painter,
Just to clarify, I didn't just give up the house, and I would not suggest that should happen in these situations. With mine we shared a bed up to the day I served her the papers. She asked me to leave the house during the D. I told her she should be the one who leaves since she abandoned the marriage. She would only leave if the kids went with her. I disagreed. At that point she set up a bed in the extra room. There she stayed (the nights she was home) until I moved out.

I did the DB thing even after I filed for D. I decided to give her a chance to come around up until the moment we walked into mediation. I even told her that was my plan regarding our marriage, that filing for D was not me giving up. Step into mediation, then it became all business. Remember that whole amicable thing? She acted like she didn't really want the house up until that day. I had a few pre-planned scenarios and in most she kept the house. I wanted the kids half time, that was my concern, so I used the house to get it. Being a male in Texas, 50/50 is the best I really hoped to get. The XW is crazy, I don't know who she is anymore, but she still seems to care for the kids, so good for them. I hope she levels out, maybe she has.

So she has the house. Good for her. I just want off the note so I can get me a fixer upper and put my energy into literally rebuilding a home. That will be therapeutic for a guy like me. Life rolls on. I think Sho is right, God has a plan. Problem is, people have free will.