Well UD, it actually is still 'our' home. I bought W out of her equity share, so I own it, but she lives there and rents from me thru August. When S5 asked about this future move with some anxiety about him and his Mommy leaving several weeks ago, I told him, "S5, Daddy's coming back to fix up our home, to put in nice new floors, make your bedroom neat" and noted that his Mommy would be welcome back if she wanted to return. This was all he needed to know, that I wasn't locking the door in a more than a literal sense. He's had no questions since then.
Interesting perspective on family meals. Thanks for sharing the other side of that opportunity. I had a nice dinner with S5 only. Russ, I decided not to invite W after seeing her tired/cloudy mood. W seemed relieved about getting a break, but was definitely in wave crashing mode - not uncommon after visiting her folks. After returning from a brief light saber duel at my place (boy, did he ever have energy to burn off), I dropped him back at the house. During our time together, S5 seemed to need to work out some anger toward me, so I let him.
At our return, W started complaining about S5 struggling with reading, mainly about the schools 'we' have been paying a lot of tuition to. Poor DBing, as I validated a little of her feelings, then started to say, "Well, we can't undo the past, and I think it is eventually on us to teach him or not." Back and forth a bit, with W having lots of negativity about it. In the past, this meant that W was harped on by MIL about it, and made to feel inadequate. I just seem to lose focus when she gets locked in the past. Probably need to just shift topics, as her depressive funks are cheeseless tunnels. I had purchased "Hooked on Phonics" and am confident we'll get him reading by summer's end. It's as if my optimism clashes with her pessimism. I noted, "If it is too much for you or just not the best match b/t one parent teaching him, let's talk about that. Maybe one of us will be better at leading him thru the lessons. All that matters is that he learns, and I'd be happy to do it with him." She seemed to accept the flexibility okay. I'm growing, as I didn't feel the slightest urge to bring up how research shows that S and D tend to regress kids, as this would just add to her guilt.
I tried to leave 2 times and she or S5 brought me back with comments or new convo pieces.
As I was leaving, I told S5 to remember to say his nightly prayers. He ran out to my truck in his bare feet and said, "Lets say them together!" and proceeded to sit on my knee to say "Thank you God, for Mommy, Daddy and me, and for having a good time. Please bring our family back together." It took all my strength to not cry, as I know he was with W's pro-D family this weekend, and that he was hungry to be near his dad, who he knows still loves the family that he yearns for. I said softly, "Amen" then kissed him on the top of his head, and carried him back inside before leaving.
I'm down after hearing W's negative talk: environment, war, congestion, Hummer/SUVs, pit bull dogs - you name it, she complained about it tonight. I remembered many a long night of such complaints, but I also wondered if MIL's cooking made her constipated (usually does) or if she was menstrating (close to her time).
It took all my strength to not cry, as I know he was with W's pro-D family this weekend, and that he was hungry to be near his dad, who he knows still loves the family that he yearns for. I said softly, "Amen" then kissed him on the top of his head, and carried him back inside before leaving. 
