Everyone Has a Story...Here's Mine!

Hello all!! I normally wouldn't post this kind of stuff on my beauty blog, but I felt that I needed to share with you all a little piece of me. Everyone has a story...here's the beginning to mine! Enjoy!

Well...it all started on November 25, 1982 (on Thanksgiving Day), when I entered this world! I was born in Phoenix, Arizona and have lived here all my life. I have an older brother, Jeff. Growing up, we had a typical love/hate relationship. My parents divorced when I was about a year or 2 old. Both of my parents remarried. My mom married Scott who had a daughter, my step-sister (Heather), from a previous marriage. My mom and Scott had a son, my half brother (Matthew), who has Downs Syndrome. He is my favorite person in the whole wide world! He's opened my eyes and given me the utmost respect to anyone with a disability! My dad remarried and had a daughter, my half-sister (Amanda). My dad remarried again, to Suzanne who had 2 sons (Jeremy and Justin) and 1 daughter (Michaile). Whew! Those are all my siblings; half, step, blood...it doesn't matter; we're all family!

I had a great childhood...I had the bestest of friends! One in particular I'm still just as close with as we were back then. Nicole and I met in the 2nd grade on the playground. And if I remember correctly it was on the uneven bars! Haha! From then on, we've been inseparable! All through grade school, jr. high and high school! There were even rumors that we were gay! Funny! But that just shows you how close we were! (And still are)! I'm very lucky to have someone like her in my life! Our kids can grow up together and our families can share all the life experiences together! Love that girl!!

During high school I did have a high school sweetheart. He and I dated for about 6 years!! We became best friends! His family became my family and it made sense at the time to get engaged. We were just 23 years old and not enough life experiences to make a life long commitment. More on his end then on mine...nonetheless, we went our separate ways. Sad, yes...but it was for the better for both of us.  

This is when I met my husband (Patrick)! I'll never forget the night I met him...at a bar (yes, at a bar) through a "mutual" friend. We hit it off and started talking. Things went fast and only after 2-3 weeks of knowing each other, he invited me to go to Bike Week in Laughlin. Bike Week?! He rides a motorcycle?! THAT'S HOT!! Of course, I'll go!! That was when we made our relationship "MySpace Official"...back in the day when MySpace was cool! Haha! After a year and a half of dating we started talking "baby". No, we weren't married yet, but who cares...there's no right or wrong way to have a relationship. On my golden birthday, turning 25 on November 25th, I found out I was pregnant! I was ecstatic, happy, scared, nervous, but most of all, happy! Pat and I ended up getting married a week before the baby was born! Parker Anthony was born on July 12, 2008! He is such a joy to my life! Still is! I got baby fever again after Parker's 1st birthday but my dad was planning a cruise for Patrick and I for a wedding gift/ceremony, since we skipped the ceremony due to my enlarged belly. Pat and I decided to wait to try for another baby until we were on the cruise...BUUUT...we got a surprise on Halloween of 2009 that I was pregnant! Oops! McKynlie Elizabeth was born on June 21, 2010! She is such a daddy's girl and my little cuddle bug! Her birthday is this Friday and she will be 3! I can't believe it's been 3 years already! No more babies for us at this time! Pat and I have come a LONG way in our marriage. Yes, things have been incredibly hard at times, but we seem to work through them. My kids are my life and want them to have the best life...better than mine ever was or will be! They deserve the best and I'll make sure of that!

So, this was just a blurb of my life story...it's been one hell of a ride and I'm excited to see what's in store for the future! I love my family and friends...wouldn't be who I am without them! HUGS, JEN

Jeff (right), Me (left) 

 Me and Jeff...now! Love him!

 Matt and Me

My best friend, Nicole and me 

 Patrick and Me

 Parker born (July 12, 2008)

 McKynlie born (June 21, 2010)

Parker and McKynlie now