My autobiography

I was born on July 14,1971. I weighed over 7lbs and I was bald! My parents were Elsie and Carl. I lived in Rockwall, Texas until the fourth grade. I am from a big family, I have seven siblings. Six of these are half-siblings and one is a real sibling. My parents also raised two of their Grandkids. My half-siblings were older than my real brother and I, by the time I can actually remember things, they were pretty much out of the house. My brother, myself and the two grandkids were raised at the same time and I consider them my brother and sister.

When I was ten years old we moved to Grapeland, Texas. I started the 5th grade in a new school. I also joined the band at this time and began playing the trombone. This transition was very hard for me. We moved to a small, country-like town and I wasn't too good at making friends. This year I started having problems with my weight and dieting.

I was in the marching band in high school. I played softball and volleyball. I was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. My junior year, I went with this group to Colorado. During high school, I focused on my grades and didn't go out much. I was involved in church and had my group of friends that had the same likes and dislikes that I had. I graduated from Grapeland High School in 1989. I graduated # 12 in my class and I was an honor graduate!

Like some free-spirited youths, I chose to run a little wild at this time. My two best friends and I rented a house together. I will admit, I went a little buck-wild during this time. This is when I met alcohol and partying. I will say, I haven't seen much of them lately.

After three years of running wild and not making many commitments, I started dating the future father of my children. We were in the same class in high school and were friends but had not dated during that time. In 1991, I became pregnant with my first born. On May 14, 1992 I had my son, Cody. On July 28,1994 I had my second child, Caitlyn. Becoming a Mom and raising my kids is a full-time job for me and is one of my greatest accomplishments.

In 1994, I went to nursing school. This is one of my greatest accomplishments. I had an aunt that was a nurse, I used to spend my summers with her at her job. She was my role-model and one of the main reasons I chose the nursing field.

In 1998, I found a mole growing on my mother's arm. After taking my Mom to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with melanoma, she chose not to get any treatment for it. This was hard for me, especially being a nurse, but I had to follow with her wishes.

After becoming a mother and a nurse, I settled down. We bought a house, raised our kids, and faced whatever came our way. We were a family, but we were also very different. We wanted different things and we didn't agree with each other on how to obtain them. After 11 years, we separated. Which was very hard, but now I can see this was the best thing for us and our kids.

That same year, 2003, I lost my father to a heart-attack. Losing a parent, is one of the hardest things I've had to deal with. I feel that this along with the separation, has made me a stronger woman.

This year was quite a year for me, I also met a man on the internet. We talked on-line and on the phone for a year. He was in Iowa, I was in Texas. Just 1,000 miles separated us. He helped me deal with and handle both my losses. We met in 2004 and visited back in forth, after developing a strong mental bond. After a lot of thought, and having problems with the ex (stalking problems...almost.) I chose to continue and build a relationship with my internet love. For this to happen, I moved up here, to Iowa. My Mom and most of my family supported my decision to move. I missed my Mom and family tremendously. I called my Mom 3-4 times a week and visited about every 3-4 months! My kids behavior and attitudes have became so much better. This town we live in has so much to offer them.

2004 was a year of ups and downs for me. I'll briefly explain how: Our relationship grew and we bought a house in July of 2004. My kids continued to adjust and together we have grown as a family. In August 2004 I found out I was pregnant. Very unexpected but welcoming to us all! In November I lost my Aunt, who had been suffering with numerous medical issues. Two days later, I lost my half- brother from a drug-induced heart-attack. We were not extremely close and he was quite older than I. I mourn for the relationship we didn't have and now never will be able to have. On November 27th, I had a miscarriage and had to have emergency surgery. On December 14th, I lost my Mom to cancer. I made it home in time to be with her in her last moments. On December 29th, I lost my brother-in-law to health problems that he had been suffering with for about six years. He was involved in a car accident about six years ago that resulted in a head injury that he never completely recovered from. This led to a stroke and some paralysis. I will mention one of the positive things that did happen this year, I joined writing.com and have found such an outlet for my depression. I have always suffered from depression, some days are easier than others. I miss my Mom on a daily basis, and still pick up the phone to call her 1-2 times a week.

2005, here and now, things are going okay. I have two amazing kids, a great man, a house that I'm improving on every day and my writing.