The last 2 years have been nothing but living out of a suit case for myself as I moved from AZ to NC Then to IL. Right now I am talking with a shop in MT that is about 3 hours away from her and her mom. The toughest thing for me is my chosen career field is a bit more limited in that part of the country but what I am finding is that the shops out there are paying much better than other parts of the country The shop in MT is offering 30% better base pay, performance bonuses, medical + Dental, 401K, and vacation starting on day 1. The only hold up is the owner is waiting for business to pick up before I make the switch. The mother is having the toughest time getting used to all of this. When I met Sydni face to fact for the first time, it was almost the same as when we were dating in AZ. Not much talking to each other when we are face to face. This I think will be a tougher challenge than gaining Sydni's trust as she seems to be quite mature for her age. The biggest thing is when I go to shop for her at Toys-R-Us. I don't need to shop for Barbies or Hannah Montana stuff, as she is not interested in those. Sydni would much rather read, do arts and crafts or something creative over playing with dolls.
On top of that she wants to go for flight in a plane, learn snowboarding, jet-skiing / boating, dirt biking...... and the list keeps going and going.. The other night on the phone she asked me to buy her a pet toad, and this is in her own words "So it could croak all night long and keep her mom awake" LOL
Well a little bit of an update.. This past weekend I flew out to MT to check out another job offer. I have been made a pretty good offer so it looks like in about a month I will be much much closer to my daughter. Looks like the next few weeks will be quite busy for myself.
Sydni did not want to talk much last night as she was busy kicking her cousins butt on the Wii last night. She is defiantly happy that I am moving closer to her.
"flight in a plane" is easy take her down to the airport and go for a "discovery flight" in a 172. IT'LL BE A BLAST! I won't give you any advice, 'cause I don't have any. but it seems like you're in the right place mentally. good luck to you
This Sunday i will be pulling out of Washington, IL heading west for central Montana.. I cannot wait to get on the road even though this will be the 3rd move for myself in the past 2 years.
She may not realize it now, but when she's older she'll realize how lucky she is to have a father who actually wants to be in her life. It will mean that much more when she can fully understand. Best of luck. I don't know why, but your story really makes me smile.
Sorry to hear you are leaving Washington (I grew up in Peoria)...but I can't think of a better reason to venture out west to Montana. And it is great you are taking such a proactive stance in your daughter's life. I didn't get the chance to read your other thread. What was the reason for keeping her a secret to you for 7 years? Side story. A guy I play pool with up here in Chicago recently found out that he was a father from a girl who lives in California. She was here visiting friends and they had a one night stand...and bam!, just like that he is a father with a woman he barely knows. Very strange. Good luck and keep us updated.
Montana is amazing! I've been going there during the Summer since I was born. Good luck Beast!(That does not apply to the last post wins thread )
Not really as the Beast is going to be snowboarding down all of the double diamonds. That and teaching Sydni how to board
Here area a couple of photos from my last visit with her on Fathers Day at the Idaho Falls on the snake river. Sydni is enjoying her B-Day present the digital camera that she would not put down that day http://www.jet-liners.net/sj1.jpg http://www.jet-liners.net/sj2.jpg
