Where I came from

  Now onto how I became the person that I am today. Because I've got 27 years of history to tell, you better cozy on up, make yourself a nice cup of tea, and get ready for hours of reading. I kid, I kid! We'll keep this short and sweet.

I was forever Raggedy-Ann for Halloween

  So, as I previously told you, I grew up in a small Texas town. I was actually born in Dallas, but before I started kindergarten my parents decided to get the heck out of that crazy, big place. We moved to the town where my Mom had grown up and most of her family continues to live today.
  I have a younger brother who came along two days before my third birthday, stealing all my thunder. We always had a big conjoined birthday party when we were growing up. Yeah, we didn't think it was that great, but now that we're older we think it's pretty cool that our birthdays are so close. My Dad still gets out the easy way.....taking us out to dinner at the same time. It's ok though.....we love the guy.

The whole gang

  Ok....now for the sad part. When I was about 7 or 8 (I cant exactly remember) my Mom was diagnosed with cancer for the first time. It was a very difficult time, and I know it was scary for her because she'd lost her own Mom to cancer when she was 19 or 20, I think. My Mom went through chemo and a bone marrow transplant and still remained the strongest woman out there. Like I said, I was young so I don't remember all the specifics, but I remember being told that Mommy was better and in something they called remission. Despite our hopes, faith and prayers my Mom's cancer returned a few years later. I know she had some minor treatments, not chemo, and was "better" again soon. We thought that surely she was done with this battle....but when I was 13 she was diagnosed again. This time it was bad.....it was everywhere. She went through chemo again. I even remember my Dad and her going to Mexico to get some special, new treatment. My Mom fought hard. She had the most amazing attitude and continued to run her cafe (which had been her lifelong dream) everyday. And then, on a Tuesday afternoon surrounded by her family and friends, my Mom went to Heaven. My life was changed....it would never be the same. 

My Mom and our deer, Mary

  You know how people say that a picture cannot do something justice? Whether it's a beautiful landscape or a newborn baby.....you just don't truly understand it unless you've experienced it firsthand. Well....that's how my Mom was. I feel like there are no words to describe how amazing she was. She loved everyone, and everyone loved her.
  I try to live my life everyday striving to be half of the woman that she was. And I would give anything in this world to have one more day with her. Now that I've grown up, gotten married, and am thinking about babies, there's so many questions that pop into my head that I wish I could ask my Mom. I wish I knew the things that had happened to her as she went through the same experiences, and the ways that she overcame the challenges and celebrated the joys. Sometimes those are things that only a mother, your mother, can know.

My Mom and I, 1986

  Ok....sad part over.
  My Dad has remarried, and my stepmom and I get along wonderfully. My brother is graduating from college in a few months, and I couldn't be more proud. After our Mom passed away life wasn't always a cake walk, but we've both done the best with what life has handed us.
  After high school I went on to college, and finally....after 5.5 years....I graduated!!! I thought I'd never finish, but I was working two jobs, so it took a while. T likes to joke with me sometimes by calling me a doctor. He says I went to college long enough that I should be one. Oh....gotta love him.

My Dad and Step-mom with me at college graduation

  So....that's enough of my past. Oh...but there's one more thing, and I'll get to it in my next posting. I'll share with you about how I got to 220 pounds by the time I was 19, how I lost more than half of that weight, and the crazy, intense, emotional battle in between. Oh, that will be good. Don't miss it!