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Wednesday, April 13, 2011

PYHO - Coming clean

I have decided I must be crazy. You will understand why in a moment.

First, I need to reveal a few things that I haven't before on here. Coming clean if you must.

So my dear Joey, that I love to the ends of the earth and drives me crazy better than anyone else out there? Well, he's no angel. In fact he made ALOT of mistakes in his life. To the tune of he spent six years in prison before I met him. I'm not going to lie - that scared the bejeezus out of me when we first met and I almost didn't go out with him. Then I realized that he was honest enough to tell me that about himself the first day we met. He obviously wasn't trying to hide it and wasn't I taught that only God can judge?

He also has had his battles with addiction. You know how they say someone comes by it honestly? He does. That gene runs pretty deep in his family and as he put it - there were three things to do growing up where he did  - Drink, Fight, and well, it rhymes with Duck. In the first year we were together he received word of at least four or five friends overdosing and passing away. Its not a pretty demon to fight or one he likes but he is aware that it is always licking at his heels and most of the time he does a good job of keeping it at bay but sometimes - it gets the best of him. I know when its happening and he is quick to recognize it to. It puts a strain on our marriage at times.

I married him for better or for worse though. I truly believe that God chose to put us together because I am capable of drawing out the best in him and making him walk the line. I don't take shit from anyone and I am hard on him. He tends to thrive in those situations though. He knows I mean what I say and say what I mean. Sometimes I could put it across in a more flattering way but my emotions don't always allow that.

So the birth of Jellybean definitely shook up our relationship. Joey was used to being the number one priority in my life and I definitely catered to him in that. I allowed him to get away with a lot more and basically took care of him as if he was another child. When Jellybean came along that all changed. My priority became this child who was helpless and Joey, well he could fend for himself. Basically it was time to grow up and that didn't go well. We fought...often. I decided after four years of bailing him out every time he got in trouble I was done. When he mismanaged his money and didn't have it to pay child support for his other son. I didn't either this time. I had hospital bills to pay, day care and I wasn't even back to work yet. I also didn't have the money to fix his truck when it broke down. He got upset with me in the car once and said he would rather just walk - 12 miles home. I let him.

Before Jellybean when he would pull those emotional stunts I would drive around and then come pick him up. This time I let him walk it out. He made it home 4 hours later.

That was the catalyst for change. I think somewhere in that four hour walk in the Florida heat he realized that it was time to start acting like an adult. That Jellybean is more important than anything else could ever be. He sees now that he needs to be responsible for himself and that it is not my job to take care of him.

In the past few weeks the transformation in him as a husband and a Dad has been phenomenal. I think him taking the time to really parent Jellybean and be a part of the decision making process with him has empowered him in a way. Before I was doing all the parenting and he just felt like a babysitter at times. Now we do it together. I truly think he is capable of maintaining this change. I am going to hold him accountable and be there to support him - which is different then enabling him. I let him know when I am proud of him and why. I also let him know what I expect of him and why.

So why am I crazy, you ask? Well even with all the stress and uncertainty that I've endured in the past three months. I am already thinking of the next baby. I can say without a doubt that I am not done at one. I'm breastfeeding still and it will be awhile before my cycles come back but if after a year we are still doing well, I really hope I am announcing the upcoming arrival of Jujube as a brother or sister to Jellybean. Knowing that it took me almost two years to get pregnant with Jellybean I will start trying again sooner rather than later. Pray for us that God keeps working his miracles and gives us the foundation and support we need to keep this family intact and growing.

This post is linked up with Shell as part of Pour Your Heart Out Wednesdays.


15 comments:

Evonne said...

My husband has dealt with his own demons. I can understand how hard it can be to deal with. I'm glad Joey has realized what he needs to do.

Sara said...

I'm glad that his love and respect for you and Jellybean is starting to outpace his struggles. You do sound like the perfect combination of (tough) love and support. Also, I think it is hilarious that you have already decided on a nickname for your next child!!

Anonymous said...

I always say..if your child doesn't put you back on the straight and narrow road nothing will..it sounds like Jellybean was just what the doctor ordered for Joey.

Remind him for me what an amazing, loyal, and unconditional loving wife he has in you.

<3

Renegades said...

Glad to read that things are going better for you all. :)

Tylaine said...

Thanks for sharing that. I love your honesty. It really does sound like you are the best thing for Joey to help keep him doing good and it also sounds like he really is a good man and I'm glad he's realizing what he needs to do and stepping up.

Shell said...

A baby changes everything. I'm glad that he realized that he needs to change, too!

Steph said...

Over from PYHO.

Awesome to read such an honest story!

Doesn't make you crazy, girl...just a women who embraces life and love. ♥

Kakunaa said...

This is such a personal thing to share. And I am glad Jellybean is helping as opposed to making things more difficult. And trust me, my brain is already trying to sort out how to make #2 happen...

Anonymous said...

I'm happy to hear how well things are going for you. And I'm optimistic that they keep trending up.

Good luck to you guys!

Mrs. R said...

We're all a little crazy when it comes to the one who grabs our heart.

Glad to know things are getting better!

Stopping by for PYHO!

Kimberly said...

I admire your honesty and compassion. You're embracing life and love and those are amazing things!

Crazy?? Not a chance! You can call me crazy: I have 3 kids. My youngest are 24 months and 11 months. And I'm ready for another! Stopping by from PYHO!

Unknown said...

We all have our skeletons in the closet. My man has his too. No matter what they are, it doesn't matter. what matters is the life we create for ourselves in spite of the skeletons.

I don't think you're crazy. You obviously love your husband and a sibling for Jellybean would be such a blessing.

I will keep you and your man in my prayers. I pray that God continues to work in his life.

You are doing a great job!

Heather said...

Wow! What a strong person you are. I think the important thing was you didn't fall into the drama you just said this is the way it is. You can either be here and do it or I will do it on my own. That will scare a man straight!

*applause*

adrienzgirl said...

I love your courage to write such an honest post. You're not crazy. Not one bit. There is someone for everyone in this world, regardless of what we/they did prior to meeting the other half.

You have just fallen in love with motherhood. Best thing about being a mommy? You can fall in love with more than one little person and it's ALL RIGHT!

Good luck Momma!

Rachee said...

See, this is what frightens me about having another kid. I was like your Joey in the sense that even though I was the mom I was not ready to let go of the all about me phase in life. When my daughter came along I loved her so much that I couldn't stand it but I still felt tied down. Now that she is older and able to do more for herslef some of the stress is gone but the idea of starting over terrifies me! I applaud your honesty and thank you for sharing.
-r
PS Your Jellybean is so sweet! But you already knew that!

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