My parents: I could not be where I am today without them! They grew up without anything, yet they managed to give me everything for the hope of a better future. They encouraged me for 18 years to go to college and make something of myself. I was the first one in my entire family to ever graduate college. They also helped take care of my younger son while I was attending school. They continue to offer support to me over the phone. I am very blessed to have them as my parents, and I honestly can’t imagine life without them right now.
My husband: My first husband who is now deceased is the reason I received my undergraduate degree. He was such a penny pincher and worked hard so I could finish the last two years of my school. He never put himself first. He was truly selfless. I have since remarried, and my new husband pictured below is also a blessing. He is a big family man and takes care of our boys so I can hide out in our room and attend school online. He is my biggest supporter mentally. I am very blessed to have had two really awesome husbands!
Me, Jim (hubby)
My boys: I have two boys Daniel (4) and Jonathon (13). They are messy, stinky, and eat more than horses do, but I love them both. When I decided to go back to school, they were the biggest reason. I want to be able to continue to give them their heart’s desires as well as provide for their future. They watch me do homework in the evenings, and I hope that they will one day value education as well. I love spending time with them, and that is why I became a teacher. I wanted to be off when they had off not to mention Summer!
Daniel, Jonathon
My best friends: My best friends are from college. We live more than half way around the world, but we keep in touch over Facebook and the phone. They have encouraged me by constantly reminding me to prioritize. When we do talk, it is always nice to vent back and forth about life in general. We have also encouraged each other through our academic programs. My friend Betty is nearly done with dental school, and my other friend Courtney is going to Seminary. We encourage each other spiritually and mentally, and life would be a lot harder if I did not have a few friends to lean on!
Daniel, Jonathan (1st hubby), Me, Betty, Courtney
Challenge: I’m in the middle of teaching my Pre-K class, and I get a text from Jonathon saying he needs me to pick him up because his project did not save to his thumb drive. Twenty minutes later I get a phone call from the daycare saying that Daniel has a high fever, and I need to come pick him up. My husband also calls and says that he was on his way back from lunch, and he has a flat tire and no spare.
Solution: Since it is 15 minutes away from my lunch time, I am able to sneak away. My teacher’s assistant is able to walk the students down to lunch and specials afterwards. I call my parents to see if one of them can pick Daniel up early, and then I call the doctor to schedule an appointment. Luckily, my husband works across the freeway from me, so I go pick him up and go pick out a tire. I take him back to change his tire. I go back to school just in time before my students return from specials, and my husband is going to call in sick so he can go save Jonathon’s project to a different thumbdrive. After everything settles down in the evening, I call my best friends to tell them about my day and ask them about theirs! I have utilized all my supports in one day!
