Again, I’m surprised and grateful for everyone’s input, opinions, advice and information.

Rest assured, having lived this for the last 12 years, I have thought of all of these scenarios, including and especially, the prospect of being “trapped” in CA with my children, should things not work out. Gaining the knowledge regarding how the courts view stay-at-home mothers, however, was definitely eye-opening, so thank you for that valuable commentary.

I truly believe “Wherever you go, there you are…” Which is something I think about quite often regarding this whole situation and what my husband is really searching for, and finding it inside himself, not in CA. But I always come back to the fact that on our first date, he told me his plan is to return to CA, sooner rather than later. He was up front and honest about that, so I can’t fault him there. I do think that falling in love, getting married and starting your own family should trump “the plans” of a single man, but unfortunately, he feels that he’s just been waiting to get back to his original “plan,” just with us to live it out with him.

There is no easy, right, or best decision here, one of us is going to have to compromise. The bottom line is that I’m generally a happier, easier person who doesn’t hold grudges and wants a happy, intact family unit more than I want anything else. For me, and for my children. He’s been here for 14 years…guess now it’s my turn.

I appreciate everyone’s posts, never thought this would be the turn they would take, but that’s okay. 🙂 Wish me luck on the next chapter, folks!