This is the place you go to see who, in my family, I am talking about.

The Immediate Family…

Hubby, Hubs, DH, Rick: My husband. We’ve been married 14 years and together for 15 years. He’s my soul mate and I am madly and truly in love with him. Sure we fight; what relationship doesn’t have it’s bumps and pot holes. We’ve had many ups and downs through the years but we’ve always managed to come out on top - together. He is almost always (99.9%) supportive in everything I do; even when he disagrees or when he thinks I’m being a dork. He never colors the truth or how he feels and almost always gives it to me (and the rest of the world) straight on and too the point. He’s blunt and usually he’s nowhere near “politically correct”. Sometimes that honesty and bluntness is hard to take and accept; especially if I’m emotional at that moment. But I do appreciate it as well because then I know right off the bat where he stands on a situation. We don’t always see eye to eye and often you can hear our argumentative banter on some trivial topic. But I know my husband loves me and our children very much. And truth be told I wouldn’t want him to be anything else…I love him for who and what he is.

Ashley, My Niece, The Rebel: My niece, on my husbands side. She’s 18 and recently moved out. She’s like my daughter. My husband and I were her guardians and we raised her for 8 years after her mother passed away. She believes she knows it all and all “parents” are idiots. She moved in with her boyfriend and his family.

Dani, The Drama Queen, My Oldest Daughter: My daughter Danielle. She’s 15 now…and acts like she’s 35. Everything in her life is a drama of some kind. She can take any issue, no matter how small and insignificant, and make it worthy of the 10 o clock news; at least to her. Other then that she’s a good kid, most of the time, who just starting to spread out her wings. She’s strong willed and strives to exert her independence.

Nikki, My Baby Girl, My “Problem” Child(meant mostly jokingly): My daughter Nichole. She’s 13 years old. She was my baby till her brother was born in 2003 and she still lets me know that occasionally. She was diagnosed with ADD and mild depression when she was 8 years old. And Bipolar when she was 11. She struggles at times, to maintain control of her behavior, maybe being a bit to hyper or sometimes losing her temper. But Nichole is the most loving and thoughtful child I’ve ever met in my entire life. She’s generous with everyone, almost to a fault at times. Most of the time she’s a happy child who has a huge smile spread across her face. And she just loves to find new adventures. In the last year Nikki is starting to notice boys too. Ohh la la ::snicker::

Drew, BoogerButt, Lil Man, Sweet Baby Boy: My son Andrew. He’s my littlest and cutest. He’s 4 years old and he’s full of energy from sun up till sun down. I was blessed with a great group of kids and even more so that the last one was a boy! You’ll be hearing plenty about my lil rug rat.

Nancy, Mother, Mom: My Mother. She is a strong woman who has many opinions and she’s not afraid to share them. She speaks her mind. She’s honest, dependable and trustworthy. No matter what has happened in my life…my mom has always been there. She’s that one constant that has never changed. She has always been one of my biggest supporters. Whenever I need to know that I’m not alone or that I’m not losing my mind…my mom is there to give me her hand, a hug and reassurance. And whenever I need a reality check she’s there with that as well. My mother is very important to me. I love you mom!

My Extended Family…

I have 3 close friends in my life and each one of them are very special too me. All three of our relationships are very different. They each bring something special to my life.

Lynn: is my best friend. Lynn is part of my family! In every sense of the word. We’ve been through so much together. Ups and Downs. We’ve known each other since I was 16 years old. We’ve been super close friends since I was 18. We’ve seen each other through all sorts of life’s adventures. We stood up in each other’s weddings; Her and her husband are the Godparents of my oldest daughter, Danielle. And Lynn is the inspiration behind my second daughters middle name. (Nichole Lynn). There is just so much we’ve shared over the last 15 years. I pray that her and I are friends till the very end. I may also mention her hubby Paul or her adorable daughter Kelcey. Kelcey is 8 years old now… Gosh wear does the time go?!

Life without Lynn in my life is sad and lonely. I know this because I shut her out of my life. A time when I really needed her friendship the most, but instead I ran away from all the people who meant the most to me. And that time turned into 3 years of silence…3 years without my very best friend. Lynn and I have reconnected and I never want to lose that again!

Dani, The Flake, Wise One, Best Bud, BF: My bestest friend Danielle. When we first met we instantly clicked. Literally. It was as if we had known each other for years and years. For Dani and I our friendship seems to flow very effortlessly. We do not judge each other. We don’t seem to have the same stresses and pressure in maintaining a relationship either. Besides being very close we also share a few other things together. Being Bipolar and slightly insane are two of them. LOL! Dani and I laugh non-stop when we’re together. I don’t know what it is or how to explain it but she and I are completely open and relaxed with each other. We have no walls up…we have no hidden secrets. The other one knows us for who we really are deep down inside…not for who we pretend to be…for who we show to the world…but for the real person hiding under that facade. We’ve been friends now for about 12 years so far. We’ve helped each other through many obstacles. We’ve been a shoulder to each other when one of us needed to cry. At time I might mention her husband, Norm…Or her daughters…Cassidy (12) or Savanna (8) as well.

Krissy: is my life-long pal. Krissy and I grew up together. Our mother’s were friends for many many years. And therefore Krissy and I began our friendship while we were still in diapers. We’ve shared so much of our lives together growing up and learning about life together. Krissy and I don’t get a chance to talk as often as we’d like these days. She’s always in my heart… and I in her’s. She’s married to Jerry and has 3 boys too… Mathew (15), Cody (11) and Connor(9).

Aunt B, Uncle J: My Aunt and my Uncle (They’re divorced)
Cousin S, Mr. S, Kennedy, Big O, and Lexipoo: My Cousin, her husband and their 3 adorable girls.
MIL, Renee, Busdrivin’ Fiend: My husband’s mom
FIL, Dick, Florida Man: My husband’s father