Tomorrow Is The Big Day

His side went first and the majority of his testimony/complaining was in regard to property. He wants a blanket back that his 2nd ex-wife gave him that I have. The judge actually rolled his eyes. Then it moved on to how controlling I was with the children/their schedule, my failure to communicate and the finances. Then it moved on to how I left him with no money and no resources, I shut off everything (I shut off the cable/internet that were in my name) at the house and just left him sitting high and dry. But he agreed he owed me $1,600 for medical expenses and $400 in back child support!! VERY LITTLE about our daughter, which was the entire point of the trial. And he contradicted himself several times and outright lied 5 times that I counted. My attorney really pissed him off when she challenged his work history (4 jobs in 4 years) and his unemployment paperwork which I just HAPPENED to have. He showed his woman-hater side very well. Then he had this creepy alcoholic guy that he used to work with testify. He looked like he'd just come off an all-night bender. He got up there in his crusty voice and said, "he gives baby girl her meds, he keeps her clean and he's a good dad". Yeah, quite a reference. Then his 2nd exwife testified - she started out with one story, my attorney challenged her and she CHANGED HER STORY. His attorney objected, the judge allowed it and my attorney said, "nothing further". Then my ex-husband (exN#1) got up there. He talked about how controlling I am, how I'm not financially responsible and how its hard to coparent with me. My attorney asked him if I'd recently agreed to him having a week in June with the kids. He said yes. Then she asked if I'd recently agreed to a day in May. He said yes. Then my attorney asked him if I'd gotten a judgement against him in June of 2011 for $4k. He said yes. Then my attorney asked him if he'd refused to make payments on it. He said yes but he'd made one in December for $200. Then my attorney said, "and GeorgiaGirl just filed a garnishment against you in January of 2012, right?". And he said yes. And my attorney said, "and you are very angry with her, right?". And he said YES. His attorney objected!! Judge allowed it - showed bias. My attorney said, "nothing further". That was it for his witness'. NO ex-stepdaughter. No current girlfriend (which I didn't really expect) but was curious about. I'm sure he wouldn't want her to get the goods on him...the courtroom was closed to spectators anyway. Then it was my turn. I described the abuse, the times he had raised his hand to me, how controlling he was, how I'd done all the childcare, housework, bill paying and worked full time too. My therapist was supposed to testify but some paperwork hadn't been filed so she wasn't allowed to. Then I testified more about changing baby girls clothes at daycare, going to see her on my lunch hour at daycare on his weeks and his refusal to communicate with me - which he all said were negatives in his opinion. He hadn't replied to an email since 11/11/11. Then we broke for lunch. After lunch my child psychologist testified that joint custody is not in Baby girl's best interests and that she needed a primary caregiver. Then I testified again regarding his older children (1 drug addict, 1 felon, 1 high school dropout and 1 a felong/drug addict/ward of the state...father of the year he is NOT), the condition of his home when I met him and his 7 year olds behavior problems. Then my coworker/longtime friend testified regarding my work history, ability to mother and character. She did a great job. I got back up there and testified some more about my daily schedule with the kids, our lifestyle, my routines and why I thought joint custody was NOT a good idea and why it was in baby girls best interests to be with me. Then his side cross-examined me. I expected them to really tear my life apart and put it under a microscope. But they really didn't. Questioned me about going to daycare on his weeks (to see her, duh), changing her clothes (he sent her in 18 mo clothes and she wears 4T), keeping her out late at night (for my older kids' baseball games last summer) and the money I supposedly ran off with. StbxN/P had subpoenaed my bank records (nearly 4 years worth and I hope it cost him a FORTUNE!!) and they didn't even use them as evidence of the money I supposedly took from him. His attorney asked me about the night I kept baby girl out until midnight. I actually laughed out loud! I said, "it wasn't midnight it was 10:15 pm, it was my son's championship baseball game and I felt it was important to be there. I expect my kids to support each other...I think thats important in a family". And I kept waiting for something I couldn't explain but there was nothing. I told the truth, I answered the question that was asked and that was it. Then he got back on the stand. I am happy to say that he went in to FULL VICTIM MODE and made kind of his own "closing statement" about how he'd been victimized, how he'd had money stolen from him, how he hadn't made the mortage payment for the last 6 months because he couldn't afford it, how he'd been accused wrongly...blah, blah, blah. My attorney said afterward it was truly a disgusting display. I agreed with her. But the best thing was that he contradicted his morning testimony in this afternoon session. And my attorney tore in to him on that, tried to get him to clarify it, he changed his story yet again and 2 times...this is so funny...he didn't give answers to her questions he just made these "noises"...like hrumph. We all just sort of looked at each other like, "what?". Even the judge. I've got to tell you though, having to listen to that much word salad and scrambled eggs from 2 ex N's was about enough to do me in. I did great during the trial - I felt so much power and energy (thank you all!). I felt really "clear" and kept a smile on my face that felt genuine. But as I left and went home I could feel the drain coming on and by 7 pm I was nearly comatose. I had some ice cream - always helps ;o) - took a shower and was asleep by 9 pm. I'm spinning today, ruminating over the testimony, things that were said and I definitely feel the pain of contact with them both. I am absolutely exhausted this morning. But there was no love, no feelings, no longing for either of them...only revulsion. So now we wait. The judge may decide in a week...he may take several weeks to make his decision. Please continue to pray and hold us in your thoughts that the judge will keep my girl safe. Love to you all! GG