I just got off the phone with London. She moved to far Southeast Texas with her mom and she's adjusting well to her new school. This isn't surprising to me at all, since I've read to her since she was born and she now reads over 100 books per year. Older people used to tell me how much different it is raising a daughter than boys. Already having three boys, I generally shrugged them off in a "I've got this" manner.
I actually do "have this", but I must admit that it is truly a trip to raising London, as a divorced father and her not living with me. Maybe it's because she's a girl or maybe it's because she's the baby. I really don't know. At this point, the beauty with London is, there is no more conflict with her mom. It's over. I willingly gave my consent last month when I went and picked up Hayden so he could come live with me, for London to get a passport so that they can go on exotic vacations.
She called me tonight after texting back and forth. "Dad, it's just easier to call than text that much". I saw "London 2017" on my caller ID and my heart melted, as it always does when she calls. It' been almost a month since I saw her for the last time in San Antonio. A mere few years ago, I would have died of a panic attack by going this long without seeing my kids, but it's changing now. London will be 13 in June and she is very mature for her age.
Over that last 10 years, I was fortunate enough to be able to fight like hell to be involved in my kids' lives. The worst it cost me was 60 days in jail, courtesy of Judge Rex. The second worse it cost me was living in poverty for several years, courtesy of Judges Whalen and Rex. These two little men made my life hell, but I've reached the point where I'm perfectly ok with the past.
London is just over a year away from the point where her oldest brother was when he decided to not get out of my truck at drop off back in 2013. Back then, I had no clue what I was doing. I was angry, depressed and desperate. I survived and did what I had to do. Now, I'm perfectly content. Though I don't see her nearly as often as I used to, I know without a doubt that she is fine and knows how hard I fought to be involved in her life.
I'm writing this because I want younger parents who are just starting the divorce battle I entered into back in 2007, that you are going to hit some setbacks, but don't ever give up. It's worth it in the end. You must make some sacrifices in the beginning but it will pay off. You will get to rest. Your kids will know you as long as you put in the effort to be there. The only time I ever missed visitation with my kids (because that's what I was designated to be... a "visitor") was when the state of Texas put me in jail for 60 days, literally for being a good dad.
I encourage all divorcing couples to settle out of court if at all possible. The vast majority of family court judges are simply part of the system that leaches money out of parents and they use the kids as cannon fodder. It took me ten years to be able to present my case to a reasonable judge. Judge Sara Kate Billingsly, in a single 8-hour court hearing, set everything perfectly in motion for my family. So many people people never even get even that chance. 
The picture in this article is from 2014 in Denver, CO. I was living in my motorhome (see our video " Millennial Falcon") I picked the kids up for my 10 day summer vacation and asked them where they wanted to go. They chose Casa Bonita in Denver because of the South Park episode. I said, "ok, cool. We leave out in the morning". They didn't believe me at first, but we actually went. It was crazy expensive and I wasn't even sure how the hell I was going to pay for it, but I made it happen. That's the magic of being a single parent. You just do it.
Interesting, thanks for sharing!
I encourage people to WTFU and realize that the state has no business in their relationships.
A 'marriage' is of the heart.
snap out of it!
I love this post! You are a amazing dad. You have made sacrifices for your kids. You are the type of dad that I wish my child had. You are a model of what a real dad is.
Wow! Well thank you.
That s cool....
wow ! It's amazing and interesting too .................. I really like this post
The story looks interesting, but I believe there is tears and joy attached to it, good work man.