Meet the Fam!
I can honestly tell you that right up until I found myself pregnant at the age of thirty-five, I had no desire to have children. I never thought I would get my ish together and stop taking extended Vaca’s at “finishing school”. I can tell you had it not been for my daughter and my son I would not be here today. Not even close. My kids are life savers, and so full of light and love. My little crystal kids.
Meet Mikaiyah & Malyckai AKA M&M
My beautiful family
that has made every step of the 1st half of my existence worth it. They make it all worthwhile. They support me and love me despite my ADHD, executive dis-functioning, over-dramatic, loud, opinionated, know it all, over sensitive, overly empathetic, think I can save the world, crazy, all over the place perfectly imperfect ways. Corny, right? I love my crazy family so much that I CAN be corny. You guys are going to love them too.
Just wait and see.
Pat
This man is the only love I have ever known and will ever know. We sure do have our problems, but we own our ish and we can’t stand to be apart. Pat stood by me through two bids, at every visit, 3 hours from home. Never seen a man take care of a woman as he did me. He is and will forever be my soul mate. I even lost my not even paid for 2k engagement ring and he never even complained. He is the hardest working person I have ever known, and he never complains. He is my world, and I couldn’t have done any of this without him and his undying love and support. I love you so much, baby. Words just can’t… We have just been through so much…
Mikaiyah Magdaleyne
Never in a million years could I have even pictured such a perfect baby girl. I can’t believe she will be 6 in January. She makes me laugh until I cry. She tells me she loves me 500 times in a day, and I can’t hear it enough. When I am losing my mind running around the house like a crazy person, this little lady puts her hands on my shoulders and says, “Mama, just breathe in with the good, and out with the bad.” With her precious toothless little smile and I just melt.
Malyckai Pattyn
I was floored enough that I survived one pregnancy and had such a beautiful child and then along comes Malyckai. This is the mini love of my life. He is such an old and kind soul. Walking around with his hands clasped behind his back just checking stuff out. He has acquired himself the nickname of professor. He loves sitting in his room in his mini recliner watching “cars”. Until the YouTube video stops and he must suddenly disrupt daddy from whatever he is doing and force him to come put more cars on for him. I love my guys so so much.
Aubrey
Aubrey is my beautiful oldest twin niece, and she means the world to me. I love her like she is my own. She is so funny, smart, beautiful, and so very self-aware, which I truly admire. She is paving her own way and I admire and respect her and her path. More fond memories than I could ever count. Love you, Aubsie!
Taylor
Taylor is my second born twin niece, and she is very very special to me. I love both of my nieces as though they are my own. I never wanted children due to the severity and selfishness of my addiction, so I allowed myself to think of my precious nieces as my own, and that is how it will always be. Taylor has broken the mold of our family and is now attending med school. Overcoming adversity at every turn and keeping her auntie impressed and immensely proud. Love you, T!
Kaylee
I could not have hand-picked a better ride or die partner for my niece, Taylor. Kaylee is the perfect addition to our family. She is so patient and kind. She deals with everything this family serves her with grace and compassionate understanding. She loves animals and we love her, so you see? It’s a perfect fit. Kaylee, you already know, girl!
Mary
Mary is my mom. My mom and I have come a long way. We couldn’t be in the same room for more than ten minutes without going at it. My mom raised us as a single mom. A single mom that worked her ass off for almost nothing. I remember we couldn’t even get food stamps because she made like ten dollars more than was allowed, which really adds insult to injury. Don’t help the single mom that’s trying to get by. Help the moms that sit on a couch all day and watch TV. My mom was adopted, and her entire birth family were afflicted with the addiction DNA or what have you, including my mother. My mom was and still is a highly functional alcoholic and being that we are facing forward I have to say how proud of my mom I am for buying her own home last year and for the grandmother she is to our children. I know my mom did the best she could with what she had, and at this point that is all that matters. I am happy that we are so close today. I love you, Mama!
Verne
My dad is my hero. He never for a second gave up on me like everyone else. My dad and my Auntie Sookie ALWAYS had my back. I would call my dad from jail after being administratively segregated on suspicion charges, and dad would share his opinions with the officers he knew were listening to the call, and if you think I swear like a trucker…. My pop was a trucker. My dad saw how I was treated by VT DOC and Bennington’s PD and States attorney’s office, and he felt powerless over it all. My dad accepted every collect call, sent every package, and always had words of encouragement for me, and there were a few times I got out and went back the same or the next day. My pop is the definition of ride or die. My dad told me for years, “kid, I know things are hard right now, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You gotta know that.” My kids and my family ended up being that light, and my dad couldn’t be a happier cheerleader. I love you, pop!
Nikki
My sister, Nikki, was the first person to be directly affected by my addiction to heroin. As I may have mentioned, my sister got pregnant with twins shortly before I started using heroin. My sister picked up my messes for years. Emptying out my suddenly vacant apartments and storing my belongings when I would be forced to leave unexpectedly and in a hurry for “finishing school”, providing me with a residence to get out of jail to0. My sister and I aren’t as close as we once were, but I have hope that we will one day be real sisters again. My sister is a true survivor. She raised her girls as a single mom, and she now owns her own children’s center. It’s not often that you get that kind of success story after such an early teen pregnancy times two. I love you, Nik. I am so proud of you, little sister!
Kendra Nicole
Kendra is my oldest stepdaughter, and I have loved her since the day we met. Kendra is an amazingly annoying big sister to the little guys and they love her for it, as do I. An amazing big sister through and through and she has had a lot of practice. Kendra is smart, beautiful, and amazing. Love you, girlie!
Emma Marie
Emma is my youngest stepdaughter whom I adore. If it weren’t for Emma and her gf, D, I don’t know if I would have made it this far. She is beautiful, smart, and an amazing big Sissy. Emma has come so far and done so much work to become the person she is today, and I couldn’t love her more, and just as I am her biggest fan, she is mine. LOVE YOU, Em!
Coco Chanel
Our beautiful, extremely high energy labra-doodle. The best dog ever, besides her brother Odin. Our Pitbull that passed recently. They had dug a hole under the fence when a person I was helping wasn’t paying attention after dark. They were both hit by two different cars, and Odin didn’t make it and Coco is currently recovering from several procedures which failed and led to the removal of her hip. I never knew that it could hurt so much to lose a pet, and have one hurt, mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially. Re-enforce the bottoms of your fences people. RIP, Odin. We miss you, buddy.
Andrew
Andrew is my awesome teenage nephew. Andrew is about the sweetest kid you will ever meet. He had his own business by the time he was thirteen! He loves helping whenever I ask him. The kids adore him and so do we. We love you, Andrew.
