Family is most important:

     I have gone through a lot in my life. Every time I get through a big mountain there is always another one right in front of me. It makes life unpredictable and sometimes hard. Every one has stuff they need to work through and thats just life. I am very thankful that I have never had to go through anything on my own. I have the greatest people in the world who are there for me when I need them.
     My mom has been there for me from day one. She is the only one that has really seen every area of my life. Everything I have ever gone through she was there. I wasn't the easiest teenager to handle but she stuck by me 100% no matter what. Even when I don't think I need anyone to be there for me she is. She took me back into her home even after I had a family of my own and had no where else to go. She has taught me what it means to be a mother. Besides her being an amazing mother, she is also an amazing grandmother. I don't always like what she has to say but I can learn a lot from her.
     It wasn't always easy growing up with Russ, my step-dad. He can be hard and stubborn most of the time. He is not good at telling people how he is feeling and can push people away. He shows how much he cares by his actions. Sometimes that is more important then words. He took me in as his daughter even though I fought it the whole time growing up. He gave me a roof over my head and food on the table. I may have pushed him away as a father but he has shown me how important family really is by being a wonderful grandfather. My kids can see all the good there is in him and look up to him more then I ever would have imagined and I am thankful for that.
     I don't get to see my dad as much as I would like too, but I have always had a very strong relationship with him. I don't go to him much for help but I have always known that he would be there for me if I needed him too. I have been talking to him a lot more lately and it has been really nice. He is a strong person and I am happy to be a lot like him. He thinks positive about everything and loves being a grandpa.
     I had a love/ hate relationship with Carol, my step-mom growing up. It took us a long time to form a strong healthy relationship. She has been there for me a lot in the last year and we have a great relationship because of it. She is a wonderful grandma and easy to talk to about problems going on in my life. I don't know how I would have gotten through my last pregnancy without her. She is also taking the time to form a very strong bond with all of my kids and I can see how happy that makes her and the kids.
     My biggest help in the last few years is one that was very unexpected. Tom, Tims uncle, has been there for Christian and Chloe since they were born. I always knew he would be there for them. My biggest surprise was when Tim was out of the kids life and he stuck around. He was not only there for the kids but also there for me and Chris. He takes the kids shopping for clothes and toys, he lets them spend the weekend with him and he also took them to a family reunion in Utah that meant so much to both of the kids. He has even started being there for the babies. There is nothing but good about him and I consider him a part of my family.
    My sister-in-law, Shauna has been amazing to me and the kids from the day I met her. She takes all of them and gives me a break when I need it. She isn't only family now but one of my best friends. I talk to her about anything and enjoy spending time with her and all of the kids. She has a boy, Logan, who is 6 and one more boy on the way that I look forward to being around as much as I can. She has also helped make my relationship with my brother, Russell, a lot stronger then it has ever been.
     Last but not least is my Husband, Chris. Him and our kids are what make me strong and make me who I am. He is with me everyday and loves me for better or worse. He has seen me at my best and has seen me at my worst. He stays with me throughout everything and is a great strong leader in our family. I can talk to him about everything. I am so grateful for him and how strong our marriage is growing.
     My family isn't the only people who have been there for me. I also have a lot of friends I world like to give credit to as well.