Kids...

I couldn't be more proud of my kids...

Kyle is going to be 17 already on Wednesday, November 28. It seems just yesterday he was carrying around his sesame street figures (Grover was his favorite) and singing away. Kyle was a persistent child, but I can't say I don't blame him. There is so much to see and do and touch when you're a child. His Dad and I didn't help matters much when he was younger...we gave in way too easy. Maybe it was because he was our first child (I'm sure that's it!) and we didn't realize what a MONSTER we were creating...but he was so darn cute!!

Seriously, overall Kyle has grown up into a WONDERFUL young man and both his Dad and I couldn't be prouder of all his accomplishments...

Academically Successful...enjoys writing poetry~
Athletically Couragous..."Daredevil" on a board~
Talentally Humerous...to where your sides ache~
And so much more...

Kaylee is our "Sweetheart"...she turned 15 this past August. She grew up on Winnie-the-pooh and frolicing with her brother. She followed Kyle everywhere! I especially enjoyed watching them play house together with the backyard funiture and seeing Kyle give his sister rides in his tractor wagon...it was adorable!!

She enjoyed dress-up and wearing Mom and Dad's shoes...she still likes to dress-up every now and then, but teenage outfits of course is her "fancy" nowdays.

Like all teenagers, Kaylee loves to talk on the phone with her girlfriends...she never strays too far from her cell phone. She also enjoys babysitting the girls in our neighborhood (kaitlyn and Danielle).,,she takes good care of them and they seem to enjoy Kaylee a lot too! However, her real joy these days is hanging out with her boyfriend, Dillion (aka: "Dill-Pickle"). They seem to have a great time spending time together watching movies, chatting on the phone, tagging eachother on myspace, and just enjoying each others time.

It has been a joy watching Kaylee grow up into such a beautiful young lady, from the inside out! She will "forever" be "Our Princess".

Last but not least...there's Keifer! Talk about totally opposite of the other two. When he was an infant, you barely knew he was alive...totally quite and content staring at all that surrounded him. I always thought there was something not quite right with him mentally, but doctors' would tell me otherwise...until recently he was diagnosed with AS.

Keith has always had learning disabilities along with speech difficulties, but nothing too serious. He's had some great support during his early preschooling and then also in second and third grade...the teachers' worked well with him and his success increased full-tilt! However, there were times during his elementary that weren't nearly as successful...teachers that were new and/or didn't have much special educational training, which Keith suffered tremendously.

Now, a teenager, Keith enjoys playing internet games and is learning to skateboard like his big brother. He is very good with his hands...has always enjoyed taking apart things to see how they work and then putting them back together. He'll draw occasionally and watch a movie now and then, but his joy right now is having friends and being liked.

I love each one of you unconditionally and will always be there for you no matter what - you're my "ANGELS".

Love You BUNCHES,
MOM (Muah!!)

A Different Christmas Poem (God Bless America~)

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
"Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts...
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me."

"My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am."

"I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile."
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat."

"I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother...
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

God Bless our service men and women, each and every one!!

Hugs,
Christine

Medical advice (any suggestions welcomed)

I feel it's necessary to inform family and friends at this time of a medical condition that seems to be getting more aggressive with time and would like to know any suggestions or comments that would help set my mind at ease...

Maybe you've heard of someone having these same symptoms and/or scenarios and can help point me in the right direction. I've been to several different doctor's who give me the same advice as the next, but it is only when I'm hospitalized do they seem to be concerned. After looking up my past admissions they give me the same diagnosis...they hem and they haw, (obviously baffled) and pretty much medicate my nerves for the time being and send me on my way.

The first time I was admitted to the hospital was back in the summer of '95. My neurological functioning flat-lined and I was treated for a stroke. At the time of admission I was young, fit, and no prior medical problems...so I was treated, medication given to ease the surfacing symptoms and then I was sent on my way. I never had anything come up until almost eight years later. Again, neurological symptoms flat-lined and I was admitted to ER, medication administered for stroke-like symptoms, doctor's asked questions, treatment followed, medicated for surfacing symptoms (anxiety), and sent on my way. Symptoms flared a couple of years after that and the same procedures followed. However, each time I've been hospitalized it leaves my nervous system scarred whereas I notice I now stutter at times and have trouble with memory functions (remember things, forgetting one thing to the next within seconds, etc.). I've also noticed that these times of flare-ups are increasing between intervals. Also, I was diagnosed with asthma four years ago which I've since learned due to my hesitance to go to the doctor about my breathing problems when they first surfaced has caused more damage in the long run. As I'm nearing forty, it scares me to think where I'll be at ten years from now, any suggestions (acupuncture, natural remedies, herbs, etc.)??

Hugs~

Slow Dance (This poem was written by a terminally ill young girl in a New York Hospital)

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask How are you?
Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?

You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say,"Hi"

You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift.... thrown away.

Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

Just Because...

Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.
BUT - Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girlfriend is never farther away than needing her. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you, or come in and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, mothers, grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins and extended family all bless our life. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead, nor did we know how much we would need each other.

Every day, we need each other still.

God Bless You All~

The Mom Song Sung to William Tell Overture

The Biggest Challenges in Life...AMAZING VIDEO

"http://godtube.com/flvplayer.swf"

A Kid of the 70's

YOU KNOW YOU ARE A KID OF THE 70’s WHEN…

You had that Fisher Price Doctor's Kit with a stethoscope that actually worked.

You owned a bicycle with a banana seat and a plastic basket with flowers on it.

You learned to skate with actual skates (not roller blades) that had metal wheels.

You thought Gopher from Love Boat was cute (admit it!).

You had nightmares after watching Fantasy Island .

You had rubber boots for rainy days and Moon boots for snowy days.

You owned a "Slip-n-Slide", on which you injured yourself on a sprinkler head more than once.

You owned "Klick-Klacks" and smacked yourself in the face more than once (or constantly had bruises on your arms!).

You had either a "bowl cut" or "pixie", not to mention the "Dorothy Hamill". People sometimes thought you were a boy.

Your Holly Hobbie sleeping bag was your most prized possession.

You wore a poncho, gauchos, and knickers.

You begged Santa for the electronic game, Simon.

You had the Donnie and Marie dolls with those pink and purple satiny shredded outfits, or the sunshine family.

You spent hours in your backyard on your metal swing set with the trapeze. The swing set tipped over at least once.

You had homemade ribbon barrettes in every imaginable color. (Oh yeah!)

You had a pair of Doctor Scholl's sandals (the ones with hard sole & the buckle). You also had a pair of salt-water sandals.

You wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder really bad; you wore that Little House on the Prairie-inspired plaid, ruffle shirt with the high neck in at least one school picture; and you despised Nellie Olson!

You wanted your first kiss to be at a roller rink!

Your hairstyle was described as having "wings" or "feathers" and you kept it "pretty" with the comb you kept in your back pocket. When you walked, the "wings" flapped up and down, looked like you were gonna "take off".

You know who Strawberry Shortcake is, as well as her friends, Blueberry Muffin and Huckleberry Pie.

You carried a Muppets lunch box to school and it was metal, not plastic. With the thermos inside some were glass inside and broke the first time you dropped them.

You and your girlfriends would fight over which of the Dukes of Hazzard was your boyfriend.

YOU had Star Wars action figures, too!

It was a big event in your household each year when the "Wizard of Oz" would come on TV. Your mom would break out the popcorn and sleeping bags!

You often asked your Magic-8 ball the question: "Who will I marry. Shaun Cassidy, Leif Garrett, or David Cassidy?"

You completely wore out your Grease, Saturday Night Fever, and Fame soundtrack record album.

You tried to do lots of arts and crafts, like yarn and Popsicle-stick God's eyes, decoupage, or those weird potholders made on a plastic loom.

You made Shrinky-Dinks and put iron-on kittens on your t-shirts!

You used to tape record songs off the radio by holding your portable tape player up to the speaker.

You had subscriptions to Dynamite and Tiger Beat.

You learned everything you needed to know about girl issues from Judy Blume books. (Are you there God, It's me, Margaret.)?

You thought Olivia Newton John's song "Physical" was about aerobics. (?? its not??).

You wore friendship pins on your tennis shoes, or shoelaces with heart or rainbow designs.

You wanted to be a Solid Gold dancer.

You drowned yourself in Love's Baby Soft - which was the first "real" perfume you ever owned.

You glopped your lips in Strawberry Roll-on lip-gloss till it almost dripped off.

If you too are a kid of the 70's and want to add something to the list, please, be my guest!

"Favorite Quotes"

Quotes...

"I feel about airplanes the way I feel about diets. It seems to me they are wonderful things for other people to go on."
--Jean Kerr

"There are a hundred paths through the world that are easier than loving. But, who wants easier?"
--Mary Oliver

"The race of humankind would perish did they cease to aid each other."
--Sir Walter Scott

"Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down."
--Unknown

"Learn to wish that everything should come to pass exactly as it does."
--Epictetus, Greek philosopher (c.55 - c.135 C.E.)

"I think about God a lot more than ever, though I used to ask him, 'Help me make a good jump'."
--Evel Knievel, retired stuntman

"Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died."
--Erma Bombeck

"Forgetfulness of self is remembrance of God."
--Bayazid Al-Bistami


"Laughter is by definition healthy."
--Doris Lessing

"It is said that laughter is the best medicine."
--godbreath

"Everything resolves itself in contradiction."
--Soren Kierkegaard

"I have enjoyed greatly the second blooming... suddenly you find-at the age of 50, say-that a whole new life has opened before you."
--Agatha Christie

LOVE

Love...

"Love doesn't make the world go round.
Love is what makes the ride worthwhile."
~Franklin P. Jones

Love Is Life's Greatest Joy
"There is only one happiness in life,
to love and be loved."
~George Sand

You Fill My Life with Joy and Love
"If anyone ever asked me what part of my life you are...
I would just have to look at them and smile and say,
'The best part'."
~Chris Gallatin

Love...One Small Word, One Big Meaning
"One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life:
That word is love.
~Sophocles

"As I love nature, as I love singing birds, and gleaming stubble,
and flowing rivers, and morning and evening, and summer and
winter, I love thee."
~Henry David Thoreau

The Miracle of Love
"I never would have guessed in a hundred lifetimes that I'd find
the one person I consider to be my soul mate. But I found you.
And it's like finding out that miracles really do happen and dreams...really can come true."
~Casey Whilson

"It is strange that men will talk of miracles, revelations, inspirations, and the like, as things past, while love remains."
~Henry David Thoreau

"Love is the magician, the enchanter, that changes worthless
things to joy, and makes right royal kings of common clay."
~Robert Ingersoll

Love with All Your Heart
"Give all to love; obey thy heart."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart."
~Marcus Aurelius

"There is no remedy for love but to love more."
~Henry David Thoreau

Love Is Two Becoming One...
"Love is the miracle that can take two lives and mold them into one, take two souls and bind them for life."
~Michele Weber

"What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined for life?"
~George Eliot

"I am sure that we were born to know each other and to love one another...The feeling which unites us is composed of so many things that it cannot be compared to anything else in the world."
~George Sand

Love Is Forever
"Let us always love each other more and more as long as life lasts and make each other happier every year."
~George Eliot

"I give you my hand!
I give you my love more precious than money...
Will you give me yourself? Will you come travel with me?
Shall we stick by each other as long as we live?"
~Walt Whitman

Our Love Grows Deeper Every Day
(Dedicated to my Love, my EVERYTHING, Jordan Smith)

"When I think of us -- and of all the things the two of us bring to our relationship -- I am so incredibly thankful.

I am thankful...that our two paths converged, and that such a perfect companion was waiting there for me.

I am thankful...that the nicest, sweetest, most wonderful person there could ever be...is here beside me in so many ways. Warming up even the cloudiest of times, inspiring those 'mmm...' kind of dreams in my days, and giving my hopes a place they love to come home to.

I am thankful...that I can open up to you and share every side of me, every facet of my life and my personality, and that you are so understanding, so supportive, and so good at making me realize that you are willing to accept me for what I am. That kind of reassurance is priceless to me, and I will treasure that feeling forever.

I am thankful...that my wishes and my tomorrows and my smiles never seemed as hopeful or as happy or as bright.

So please...allow me to thank you for being my love, my desire, my dream come true, and the very best thing in my life."
(Your Wife, Luvie - Christine)

~Jude Hopkins

FRIENDS

Friendship...

"A friend is one of life's most beautiful gifts."
~Luann Auciello

To Find a Friend Is a Wonderful Joy
"A friend can guide you, inspire you, comfort you, or light up your life with laughter. A friend is a gift that brings happiness, and a treasure that money can't buy."
~Collin McCarty

Sometimes in life,
you find a special friend:
someone who changes your life
by being a part of it.
Someone who makes you laugh
until you can't stop.
Someone who makes you believe
that there really is good in the world.
Someone who convinces you
that there is an unlocked door
just waiting for you to open it.
This is forever friendship.

When you're down,
and the world seems dark and empty,
your forever friend lifts you up in spirit
and makes that dark and empty world
suddenly seem bright and full.

Your forever friend gets you through
the hard times, the sad times,
and the confused times.
If you turn and walk away,
your forever friend follows.
If you lose your way,
your forever friend guides you
and cheers you on.
Your forever friend holds your hand
and tells you that
everything is going to be okay.
And if you find such a friend,
you feel happy and complete,
because you need not worry.
You have a forever friend for life,
and forever has no end.
~Laurieann Kelly

More Poetry...

Where’s My Dear Family Gone?
By Your Loving Daughter Christine

Time seemed infinite—alone and dark,
Until the day—July 10th, 1970 sparked.

They laid me down—between my two brothers,
While holding hands and smiling up at each other.

She was thrilled to have had me at last—so it seemed,
Her little baby girl was now here—she beamed!

They spoiled me rotten—gave me all that they could,
But in the end, it didn’t matter as they both thought it would.

The recitals, Girl Scouts—birthday party fun,
My parents were clueless to what had begun.

With them always gone—working five days a week,
It was easy for brother to steal or to sneak.

I don’t really know—how he got the desire,
Was he possibly touched by a secret admire?

This went on for a while—mostly at night,
Long after our parents were clear out of sight.

Sometimes he would visit—right after school,
He was six years older—I was his fool.

It’s hard to put into words how I felt,
What happened at eight—that was it—fate was dealt.

My innocence gone—in a blink of an eye
The world opened up—I wished I could die.

If that wasn’t enough—to bare all alone,
Several years later—the rape cut to the bone.

Conditioned in ways—that psyches only tell,
“Inner strength works miraculously well.”

I’ve moved on with life—married a man two years older,
My high school sweetheart—the one who let me cry on his shoulder.

He’s truly my hero—my number one fan,
Supporting me always—lending his hand.

I’m tearful though—for my dear Mom and Dad,
Who must wrestle with blame and guilt—it’s too bad.

They don’t call anymore or write through the mail,
It’s been almost a decade—I guess only time will tell~

The same goes for my two older brothers—whom I think of quite often,
The oldest not knowing—that he’s been forgiven.

I know in my heart—they think of me too,
But they don’t answer my calls—what more can I do?

It’s hard to refrain or to keep holding on,
When I know they’re still out there.

Where has my dear family gone?

More Poetry...

Who Is This Woman I Dearly Love?

Coming to America, that was their plan,
A new life together, leaving their past in Finland.

They came with ideas, big dreams and goals,
To settle down in Minnesota, why—who knows?

She was born to a gentleman, strong, quiet and handy,
But because of the Depression, times were tough—money scanty.

Her mother was pretty and adjusted just fine,
To having six kids, always giving of her time.

With father at work five days a week then weekends gone fishin’,
Mother was at home cleaning up and preparing meals in the kitchen.

Being born last, she was the second girl to four boys,
Although all were loved, she was the baby—their pride and joy.

When asked what her childhood home was like,
She answered, “Grey in color, big yard with a well-pump and fence on all sides.”

It saddened my heart to hear of their deaths,
First her sister so young, then a brother four years later, age twenty—God bless~

Her parents and family moved on best they could,
They leaned on each other like loving families should.

Not too long after violence broke out causing WWII,
Her mother very sick from the influenza flu.

Father died of old age not too soon after,
Then did go Mama, possibly of “broken-heart” failure.

The rest of the kids stayed in touch with one another,
Some went alone and some went together.

Some headed out west, others went to the east,
But she’s the only one living now, the others deceased.

There are many still left who branched off from her clan,
Don’t forget those families back in Finland.

Uncles, aunts, cousins abroad,
But the only one I know is her only child—seems odd.

With her immediate family now gone he makes time to call,
I too, come to see her; she’s part of me after all.

Without her stories and unconditional love,
I would have missed out on knowing her family—those now above.

She and I are “alike in so many ways”,
She tells me this often on our special days.

With my joy to read and interest to write,
She an editor during high school and wrote for the city of Duluth at night.

Her parents also creative and witty,
Mother Nummelin performed in theater; Father Heino having had his own business as a tailor within the city.

That’s not all we have in common—it’s true,
Our love for nature and animals shines through.

Who is this woman I dearly love so much,
If you guessed she’s my grandma—you’ve got the riddle touch.

Her name is Leila Helmi Heino, born March 30, 1918,
Forever, with all my love—your grand-daughter, Christine

More Poetry...

Our Beautiful Three
By Your Loving Mom

Our children~

Three beautiful at that,
Two boys and a girl—how they love to chitchat.

All born with soft skin and teeny knobby knees,
They’re almost grown-up now—it’s hard to believe.

The oldest and wisest of our playful pack,
Has gotten quite tall—as a matter of fact.

Involved in sports since he was a tike,
Enjoying the outdoors and riding his bike.

Our big boy takes risks without always thinking it through,
He’s busted some ribs—tore his liver into.

But as much as we tell him to stop being so careless,
He does what teens do—he thinks he knows best.

Then there’s our daughter—who’s second in line,
Dressed all in pink—most of the time.

She loved to be pampered as little girls do,
Hair up in pigtails—dress and tights with shiny shoes too.

Her talent is buried beneath her fair skin,
It’s called patience and kindness and comes from within.

Although she is older—almost fifteen,
We’ll never forget—our baby girl queen.

At last we delivered our youngest son,
To who was most silent—our quietest one.

He’d stare all day long at sister and brother,
Not saying a word—just sitting in wonder.

But to both our surprise—we’ve come to agree,
He’s a boy full of questions who likes to roam free.

The start was a slow one—he’s come along way
Been supported by teachers—who saw to his delay.

We sure are proud parents—that’s plain to see,
Our wonderful children—our beautiful three~

Poetry

Personal poetry...

My Hero~

We were in high school—when he and I first met,

He was wearing red shorts and tank—I never will forget.

Walking from the weight room—looking mighty-fine,

Thinking to myself...Oh, I sure wish he were mine.

He asked me out, on a date—a couple of days later,

Thrilled when he called—thinking back to our brief encounter.

The date, to a movie—had been the perfect start,

To the beginning of our relationship—he brought joy to my heart.

Always being supportive—he gives me what I need.

When times were tough at home—he was the one who rescued me.

Now that we are married—things haven’t changed a bit,

We’re still in love as always—he still provides as he once did.

There has been many ups and downs—who doesn’t go that route,

There’s not a perfect couple—who don’t bicker, whine or pout.

Our kids are getting older—it’s good for them to see.

Just how much he cares for them—the three of them and me.

I’m proud of his accomplishments—he’s proven without fail,

To keeping all his family safe—and kept extremely well.

There’s no man in this world—that I would want to rather know,

More than the one I admire—the one I call, “My Hero.”

FAMILY

What "family" means to me...

Family means "unconditional love", something that due to my own childhood experience, I had to learn through having my "own" family. My husband of almost 18 years (high school sweetheart would make it 22 years) has shown me his unconditional love by always being there for me through rain or shine. Everyone goes through hard times, that's what life is all about (we wouldn't grow in wisdom and maturity if not for learning from our mistakes). I feel very blessed to have gone through my later childhood with him.

Along with my husband (Jordan), we have three AMAZING children (Kyle, Kaylee and Keith). Almost all in there teens, they too have shown me what "unconditional love" is. Being a parent has enriched my life in areas of which were missed in my own childhood. I was able to live life through them at the same time they were growing up (you could say I was blessed twice).

Also, I can't leave off my grandma (Leila Helmi Akola), she too has been apart of my life now for the last ten years and has brought much love and harmony where it's been missed for many years growing up.

Nor can I leave off my In-Laws (Roger and Kathi Smith), they too have been a VERY BIG part of my life (where my own parents should have been, but due to the dysfunction brought on by their own childhood tragedies and other certain unfortunate family circumstances within our own family growing up, were not).

Finally (last but not least), JESUS has shown me that no matter what challenges we face, He is always there for us...we just need to be willing to keep an open relationship with Him and listen to when He speaks to us spiritually. Not having a "father figure" in the last ten years of my life has been very difficult, although fortunately I've learned through the years to lean on the "Heavenly Father" during challenging times and he's proven to being there "every" time.

With all the above members in my family, my life is unconditionally complete...(with an exception of my very BEST friend, Karebear - whom I think of as a sister I never had!)!!

I love you all very much~
Hugs-a-bunch, Christine

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