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Period: to
prenatal development & birth
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Marriage Daniel & Patricia
Daniel 21. Patricia 15. -
Birth
Pontiac General Hospital. Parents: Patricia & Daniel. -
Period: to
First 2 years
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Christening.
Christened at St. Patrick's Church, White Lake, MI. -
birth of brother
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birth of brother
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Period: to
Play Years
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Divorce of parents
Father has custody of 3 children. -
Kindergarten
Living with paternal grandparents. -
Period: to
School Years
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Father remarries. Family is now 7 children.
Stepmother has 4 children. Ages 5,4,3,1. (3 boys, 1 girl)
Father has 3 children. Ages 6,5,4. (1 girl, 2 boys)
I am oldest. Moved to stepmother's home in Walled Lake. 1st grade @ Glengarry Elem. -
John F. Kennedy Assassination
I remember standing in living room watching the news story that day. My most vivid memory of the assassination was of John-John and Caroline at the funeral procession. Everyone I saw was crying, especially "Gramma Skip". She was my stepmother's ex-mother-in-law. We had recently moved to Tennessee and living near her. She helped take care of us a lot. -
Birth of half-brother
Attending Baptist church 2 days a week and going to bible study. -
Adulthood?
Living in Roscommon, Michigan. My birthday "present" from my step-mother - Babysitting 7 siblings! Apparently she thouoght this was an achievement I was capable of. I correlate this date/event with my last day of childhood. I also remember being permitted to participate in the adult bible study we had at our home - Jehovah's Witness. I was proud to be thought of as smart enough to understand the lessons and also remember the significance of "not saluting the flag or the Pledge of Allegiance". -
Dad laid off from Coca-cola as a driver.
Late fall my dad is unemployed. We are able to get food from assistance program (WIC??). Dad is able to provide food by hunting and he processed deer/game for others for a portion of the meat. He was a butcher by trade & had worked with his father in a market that was owned by his grandparents in Detroit. -
Move to Petosky.
We move to Petosky. Living in a 2 bedroom house in the woods. All of us kids are sleeping in one bedroom. -
Fire! Move to Tennessee.
Stepbrother sets fire to a nearby cabin. We move to Tennessee & are living with "gramma skip". Stepmother has left everything in Petosky. -
Move to Georgia.
Living in Georgia. Going to catholic school. -
Just Dad & Me.
Things have been getting worse. Dad & step-mother are drinking & fighting a lot. She is physically & verbally abusive of me. Dad is physically abusive of her boys. Sometime in the last year, my two brothers are sent to live with "close friends". Dad & I leave by bus to live with my Gramma Peggy (paternal grandmother) in Michigan. -
Period: to
Adolescence
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6th grade.
I am living with Gramma Peggy & Granpa Jack. Also Aunt Roxanne, Uncle Rick & Uncle Martin. Attending catholic church and catechism classes. Pretty happy - I am playing in after school sports and clubs for the first time ever. Don't see much of my dad. Haven't seen my 2 brothers in a long time. Gramma keeps trying to locate them. -
Top Achievement Student
Living w/Gramma. Playing sports, in drama club, ski club, Spelling Bee and choir. Received school board award for Top Achievement Female Student - 7th grade. -
Top Achievement Student
Recieved award for 8th Grade also. Participating track, basketball, cheerleading, spelling bee, choir, ski club, drama club. Love Home economics class. Attending Baptist Church with Uncle Rick and his wife. Starting to babysit for neighbors and go on vacation with them. -
9th grade - High school.
9th graders are moved to the high school due to overcrowding. Most sports are eliminated because high school is split into 2 shifts - 9th & 10th attend 12noon to 6pm, 11th & 12th attend 6am to 12noon. Participated in ski club, yearbook club. Join a bowling league on Saturday mornings where I make a boyfriend. Going to Catholic church w/gramma & then Baptist bible study with Uncle Rick. -
Dad remarries.
Dad remarries step-mom. I visit them once in a while. Stepmother had married in-between this time and had a another daughter. Now she is pregnant with my dad. Still haven't seen my 2 brothers since I was about 9 years old. -
Turmoil.
Gramma is angry with me and my Uncle for attending Baptist church. She seems to be different - alot. She smokes and drinks. She is fighting with Granpa too. I found her once on the floor near the bathroom & I remember sobbing because I thought she was dead. My dad wants me to come live with him - so I do.
Later I learned she was addicted to pain pills and alcohol. -
Runaway.
What a mistake!! I shouldn't have moved to my Dad's. Two half-sisters born in last 2 years. Nikki (the youngest) is so sick. I take care of her when I come home from school - she sleeps on my chest at night. The youngest children call me "Mama". I love them, but I can't stand the fights & accusations from my Stepmom & step siblings! I run away, but my dad finds me. I won't go home -so he calls my Uncle Martin for help. He agrees to let me live with his family. -
Adopted.
I attend the court hearing for my adoption. I am sixteen. I remember the judge asking my Dad about "how he feels about my adoption". My dad seemed very aloof "it's fine with me". It was one of the saddest days of my life. I still have no idea where my 2 brothers are & my dad wouldn't ever talk about them. Why can't my life be like my boyfriend's? His parents are happy and they have always lived in the same house. -
3rd Highschool!
Starting my senior year at the high school where I am living with my Uncle & Aunt. Can't get into the classes or sports I want because of late registration. Uncle won't let me get a driver's license because his insurance will go up. I get a part-time job & save up money for a bicycle. I am still seeing my boyfriend - he picks me up on Saturday for bowling. -
Work-Study Job
I am in a work-study class for healthcare highschool students. I am working as a unit clerk/nurse aid for Clinton Valley State Hospital. I am pretty sure I want to be a doctor or a nurse. -
All grown up...
I have sex for the first time. We have had some pretty heavy petting before this, but I was always the cautious one - horrified that I might get pregnant. I have a female cousin that is one year older than me and she is a mother already! I did not want to be like my mother or my stepmother. -
High School Graduation
I graduate with a 3.5 GPA. Applied to several colleges for nursing. No scholarships (3 highschools and no sports). Adopted parents are not able to help with expenses for college. Got a job waitressing. Boyfriend is going to EMU - his parents & aunt are paying for his college. -
Period: to
Emerging Adulthood
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Living on my own - First Car!
Move to a home where I am renting a room. Working 2 part-time jobs and taking classes at Oakland Community College. Bought my first car - a Mustang! (It was pretty beat-up, but I loved it). -
Reunited!
My brothers (16 & 17 y/o) and I are reunited after 11 years!
They had been taken to Florida by the "close friends" who physically and sexually abused them. They became wards of the State of Florida. Their foster parents helped them locate me. -
Engaged.
Engaged. I love my "in laws". His family helped me when I had car problems & financial issues. Our wedding is a year away - I am moving back in with my parents to save money for the wedding. He leaves college after 2 years - not what he wants to do, has a good job at the post office. -
Acceptance to Nursing School
Received an acceptance letter for LPN program at Schoolcraft Community College. Fiancee & I re-evaluate apartment and my job to allow us to pay for my college. Classes start two weeks after I get married! -
Wedding Day!
I kept my promise to myself - I would be 21 and married before I had any children. Not planning any pregnancy - starting nursing school in 2 weeks. Its an intense 10 month program for LPN's. I will be working part-time to help out with living expenses. We are sharing a home with another couple to be able to afford my college. -
I am a Nurse.
Graduation from Nursing Program as a Practical Nurse. I have an interview for working in a hospital. I am also 3 months pregnant - will they hire me? -
First Job as Nurse
I am working in a nursing home full time until the baby is born. It will be a great experience and reinforcement for the State Boards in October.
I didn't get hired by hospital - I told them I was pregnant and then I got a call that the position wasn't available any longer...hmmm! -
Birth of first child.
Erin is born! She is beautiful and tiny. Missed her dad's birthday by 3 days (12th). -
Infidelity
Husband confesses to "sleeping with a girl". I am crushed. I remember thinking I must have done something wrong! I won't divorce him - I can't do that to my child, not after what I went through!! How would I take care of her if I left him. He says it won't ever happen again- -
Birth of 2nd Child.
Christopher is born! He has his dad's eyes & cheeks (men in his family have distinctive jowls!). I have a son & a daughter! -
Part time Nurse.
I am working part-time on afternoon shift at a hospital. Sister-in-law is providing child-care for our son & daughter.and Daddy picks them up in time for dinner. I am still breast-feeding the baby. They are so beautiful & happy. -
Period: to
Adulthood
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Infidelity Again.
I stumbled upon my husband "making out" with a friend who lives across the street from us.
His excuse this time...he never got the chance to "experiment" when we were single! Why would he do this? We just put an offer on a house-maybe moving away will help. We have two small children. I suggest marriage counseling - he says he doesn't need it. What am I going to do? -
Home
We have moved into our first home! Cute 3 bedroom, nice yard. I remember interest rates were really high (18%)!!
I am hoping the distance (and opportunity) will help strengthen our relationship-most of the time everything seems good. -
Separation
Told my husband I wanted a divorce. I finally figured out that my children deserve happy parents, whether we are married to each other is not important anymore. We agree that we have different ideas of what a marriage and family entails. When did that change? I remember pre-marital counseling with our pastor and that we agreed on so many things. I guess I took it seriously and he agreed because that was what was expected of him. -
Moved home to parents
We have officially broken up our home. I am moving to my paretns and sharing a room with my sister. The kids are bunking next to me. My parents seem confused - no realized there was any problems between my husband & I. A few friends are helping me move. I am using same childcare & work schedule so that the kids aren't affected any more than necessary. -
Divorce
My divorce is finalized, we agreed to joint legal and joint physical custody. In the long run, no child support for either of us. We are still living at home with my parents until I can save enough money for a downpayment & security for rent on an apartment. Ron & I have been dating for a month or so. -
Engaged
Ron and I have planned & announced our wedding plans. He just bought a small home near his parents & the school that Erin just started kindergarten at. I am sharing an apartment with a friend from work, not too far away. -
Brother's death.
Ron's brother is killed in car accident. His children were with him. They are in the hospital with broken bones but they will be okay. Thank God they were in their carseats & belted in! -
Wedding Day - Ron
Ron is my best friend and he is a wonderful role model for Erin & Chris. There have been a few obstacles to this marriage - mostly from people concerned that he is stepping into a ready-made family. He doesn't appear to be worried about that issue! -
Birth of son.
Jared was born today. Just missed his Gramma Marge's birthday by about 12 hours. Erin & Chris are excited. -
Starting Classes for RN
The next 18 months are going to be busy. I am starting school and Ron just started his own business. I am also working full time now at the hospital. Gramma Marge is coming to our house every morning to send Erin & Chris to school. She is going to take Jared to her home each day until I get home after class. -
Graduated as RN.
Magna Cum Laude. Phi Theta Kappa. I worked really hard to do this but the credit really goes to everyone in my family. I am working full-time in the hospital. I am also pregnant & hoping it is a daughter for Ron. -
Birth of daughter.
Ciana was born today. Ron & I had the school announce it in Erin & Chris's class! They came home really pleased - they felt very special. -
New job - ICU
I have wanted to work in the ICU for a while now. Took some additional classes to help improve my chances - it worked. -
Groundbreaking for home
We are building our own home. The basement & septic are starting. It's beautiful - our own 2 acres with trees and farms around us. -
Hospice Care for Dad
Ron's dad is dying from Cancer. Hospice is helping Marge and the boys take care of him at home. -
Dad dies.
Ron's dad died today. -
Moving in day.
Still a lot of work to be done - but we have our temporary occupancy for our home. -
Dad dies
My dad dies from cancer. -
Sister moves in.
Mark and Renee move in - they sold their home to move up north to help my mom take care of dad and manage their business. Now they need a place to stay here while they save up money for a new place to live. -
10 year Anniversary
Wedding anniversary - I nearly forgot it! Busy with work (charge nurse in ICU this weekend) and Princess Diana dies. I'll never hear the end of this one... -
Sister moves out.
Mark & Renee have their own home. They are living near us. -
Erin Graduates
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Erin goes to college.
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Chris Graduates
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Twin Towers and Pentagon hit.
I was working in a patient's home in Detroit, when it came over the news. At first I thought it was a movie because it just didn't seem possible. I was informed to evacuate the city by my employer for fear of another strike on any major city. I remember going home and holding my younger children, mesmerized by what we were seeing on TV. -
New Job - Surgery Dept
I am excited about it. Started class today as a surgery nurse. Pretty intense with a six month educational period. I really need this job for the insurance benefits and steady income. Ron's business is up & down right now. -
Erin moves to Chicago
Senior Internship for college major. -
Erin graduates from college
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Open Heart surgery
I have a congenital valve defect. I am being aggressive with my treatment and having Heart Valve surgery rather than "watchful waiting" until I get symptomatic. -
Northeast Power Blackout
I was on a treadmill for evaluating my post-op heart surgery when everything stopped. The initial fears of most people I spoke to that day...was it a terrorist attack? We were without power for about a week. -
Pericardial Tamponade
I have to have emergency surgery for a complication of my valve surgery. -
Brother moves in
Brian moves in with us. He has had to declare bankruptcy following layoff and escalating financial problems. -
Brother goe to Kyrgyzstan
He has a 6 month tour at AFB in Kyrgystan. -
Mexico Mission Trip
Team member for Orthopedic Surgery Mission Trip, -
Jared Graduates
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Promotion
Cardiac Surgery Manager. -
Jared goes to Arizona University
I am sobbing - what if something happens? He doesn't know anyone there. -
Wedding Day
Erin is married today. So much fun having everyone together. -
Grandson born.
Erin & Pete give birth to our first grandchild, Zach. -
Ethiopia Mission Trip
Surgical team manager for open heart surgery team to Ethiopia. -
Chris moves to Chicago
Working for a restaurant as manager & completing classes for his associates in Computer Web design. -
Twins!
Erin & Pete gave birth to twins - Isaac & Emily. I stayed for 2 days. Exhausted and content! -
Ciana Graduates
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Birth mother dies
I was notified today that my natural mother died last week. She has two daughters surviving her: Debbie and Kelly.