7 years ago...my life

You know as I sit back and look at my life....what I have..... what God has given me I am very thankful!!!! He has given me a family, daughter, friends, job, a car, a house, and recently sent the love of my life to me. But it did not all happen at once or over night.



June, 7 years ago is when I found out I was pregnant....at that time I did not think I was so blessed. All I could think about was being 17 years old, it was the summer before my senior year, I am pregnant, and Madison's biological father and I were not together and I did not love him. What am i going to do? I was so scared, but not one time did abortion cross my mind. To me that is not an option!!!!!! Everything happens for a reason and I knew that there was a reason that God has blessed me and gave Madison to me. I went over to a friend of the family's house Mrs Christine and spoke with her that day. There was a lot of tears, I needed her to help me tell my mother. So that night she came over to my mom's house and sat her down while I sat on the couch and broke the news to her. I think not only was mom hurt but very shocked!!! It didn't take long and my family realized that there was nothing we could do, the only thing we could do at this time was be happy and prepare for a bundle of joy that would be here in 9 months. We went on our yearly family vacation to Port St Joe in Florida the first weekend of August in 2002. While I was down there i had got a call that her biological father had gotten on a plane and went back to Oklahoma, where he is from. When I finally got in touch with him he informed me that his best friend had gotten in a wreck and was in a coma. I asked him when he would be home and he informed me that he did not know, he was going to wait for him to come out of his coma. I finally just had to tell him that I understand that that's his friend but he needed to realize he has a responsibility down here now. Well off and on he would call and I continued to call him. I started my high school Senior year in August, but my great friends never looked at me any different. They really supported me! I prayed about the situation and finally just woke up one morning and said I am done, if he doesn't want to be part of her life, then I am not going to force him, I can do it without him. The last time I talked to him was December 7, 2002 it was after the baby shower my friends threw for me. He never tried to contact me after that day. On March 17, 2003 at 6:35pm my daughter was born a beautiful blue eyed little girl. I couldn't have asked for a better pregnancy and delivery. Everything went great!!!! I was out of school for 2 weeks after giving birth. When she was exactly 2 weeks old I went back to High school to finish. In May 2003 I graduated from Robertsdale High School with my class and my 2 month old baby sat with my mom watching in the stands. I was so proud!!!! When Madison was 6 months old I went and met with my lawyer and got papers drawn up to send to her father (btw his name was not on the birth certificate). He could not sign his right over until he was 19 years of age. He had a CHOICE to either pay child support and would unfortunately be able to see her or he could sign his rights over to me. We never heard anything from him, so a court date was set and my mother and I showed up and there was no sign of him. I was so nervous...but I stood before the judge as she asked me questions like, When is the last time you spoke with the father, has he ever sent you money, where is he at this time, when was the child born....she said my lawyer would need to have the papers drawn up and she would sign them. Well he, my lawyer was on top of things, because he had them in hand and ready to be signed. The judge then signed the papers which terminated all rights that he had to my daughter. I was so relieved I walked out crying tears of joy!!!!! SHE WAS ALL MINE!!!!!! That afternoon, I got a call from my lawyers secretary informing me that they had received the papers in the mail from her father and he signed his rights over. So they were terminated and signed over to me all in the same day. Now since then about 2 1/2-3 years later he did contact me and I had let him see her, to me it felt like he wanted more to do with me than her. So I stopped it and we went on with our lives and he never tried to call again. Without the help of my friends and family I could have not done it all. On October 31, 2006 I signed on the dotted line for the best investment ever, our home. Without the help from the USDA Rural Development I would not have been able to afford it, but because of them I have been a homeowner for 3 years now and we are enjoying every minute of it!!!!!!



For the young mothers out there that think they can not do it, I am here to tell you that you can!!!! But you have to make up your mind that you want to be the best mother that you can and set an example for your child. There are too many young mothers that think they can have children and pawn them off of their parents to take care of while they go out partying and that is NOT right at all. You need to take responsibility, you brought that child in this world and you need to take care of it. There are too many families out there that can't have children and would love to be able to have just one!!!! It doesn't matter how old you are, children are precious gifts from God and you need to take care of them! Get a job and be a great mother and support the child. Don't depend on everybody else to do it. BE RESPONSIBLE!!!!! There is help out there for single mothers, believe me. You just have to find it and want it!!!





When we thought our life couldn't get better he blessed us with Brian and Beckham. Brian is so awesome and wonderful to us. We have been best friends for 9 years now and have always been there for each other. At the beginning of the year we started dating and couldn't be happier. We are planning on getting married on December 12 of this year in Robertsdale. He helps me around the house, opens my car door, always tells me how beautiful I am, helps me with Madison and most of all LOVES me and my daughter. You know the little things is what means the most....the things that some people may think isn't a big deal.



My mother and I have always had a close relationship and over the years I don't know that I could have made it without her. I really look up to her. She is such a strong and hard working woman and would do anything for her kids. She is always there to help me and she believes in me and I think that means the most to me!!!! If it was not for my mom and my dad I would be as responsible as I am today. I was raised working every summer at my dad's business, Billy's Seafood. Although I hated it because all of my friends were at the beach and I was working, it really taught me a lot. I also saved up money and my dad matched what I had saved and helped me purchase my first car when I was 16 a 1995 Mazda 626. When I graduated he bought me the car I still have today, 2003 Honda Accord. My parents divorced when I was 3 but I am lucky to have a wonderful step family also.



We also have Aunt Julie and Uncle Paul....they have known me since I was a baby....and have always treated me as their own. They stood by me after I got pregnant with Madison and Aunt Julie was actually in the room when Madison was born. She is Madison's Nana;-) They would do anything for me and Madison, no matter what the cost. They have helped us out in so many ways that I could never be able to express all of my thanks to them!!!!



Thank you to all of my family and friends for always standing by me!!! I love ya'll!

Enjoying the Hot Hot Summer....

Well Madison & Beckham finished their first week of swimming lessons. Madison is floating on her back and doing back strokes. I am really proud of her. Beckham is doing a LOT better and is kicking now;-) Friday Mrs.Susie took all the kids to the deep in and dropped them in the deep end and they had to turn themselves around and crawl out. If Beckham could have turned himself around he would have been there, b/c he was just a kicking. Mrs.Susie had to help him out a little, but he is doing great for 2 years old. We are going to put him in the lessons next year again, then he will be swimming good on his own.

Beckham is really doing well bonding with my family and his family in Alabama. He loves going to Maw Maw's house (my mom), she has the cows, goats, and all the toys.

We took Beckham and Madison to the beach last Thursday after swimming lessons and we all got a little on the red side...it was very HOT!!!! We were only there for 2 1/2 hours and had to leave, because we were so hot and the kids were tired. They were having a blast though. Beckham played and played with Kirstyn and Madison in the water and with the jelly fish. He enjoyed being a little boy and aggrevating them.

On Friday after swimming lessons Aunt Julie took me, Madison, & Beckham to the movies...we watched UP. It was a interesting movie. Beck's really not into movies and was up and down the whole time. But it was a fun time! He then went to sleep on the way home and slept for 2 hours...the longest nap that he has had since he has been in Alabama.

Yesterday Madison and I stayed at my moms all day and helped her work in the yard. I got on the tractor and bush hogged the 40 (mom's 40 acres). I had to stop twice b/c I got so hot...then we started cleaning out the camper to get ready for Port St Joe in a couple of weeks...YAY!!!! We are ready for our Family vacation!!!!

Now this next week the kids have swimming lessons on Mon, Tues, & Wed. Also they are going to go to VBS at my moms church all week.

1st day of Swimming Lessons

Madison and Beckham both started swimming lessons today. Beckham's class was first @ 9:30 as Sissy sat out and watched him. Beckham did a really good job, I was told. Neither one of us got to go watch them today, but we will both be there on Thursday to watch and take pictures. Madison's class was at 10:30 and she learned how to float on her back today. She also jumped off the diving board and swam across the pool, which she already could do. They have 7 more lessons and they will be swimming good....

Beckham is back home in Alabama

Well we made it back at home alright. We enjoyed our stay at Daniels Friday night...got up at 8 am Saturday and left. It rained pretty much the whole way until we got into Escambia County, AL....then stopped!!! Went made a fast stop at my mom's house so she could meet her soon to be grandson...then headed to MeMe's (Brian's mom) and surprised her. She thought we were going to Keith and Annie's first ;-) Then spent the rest of the afternoon at Keith and Annie's and had a good shrimp boil (Thanks to Billy's Seafood for the SHRIMP and CRAWFISH) Yum Yum!!!! Beckham really had a blast playing with all the kids in the pool....He was tired by time we left at 7:30, he had had no nap that day neither did Madison. As soon as we left they were both asleep. What a great day!!!

Madison and Beckham are rally bonding good. He calls her sissy and really loves her. She even looks after him like a Big Sissy should do. She has waited to be a Big Sissy for a long time.

Well we just got back from the Soon to be In Laws house...had a great supper over there with the whole Singler family, well - Pops and Daniel!!! Keith pulled the kids around in a cart with the lawn mower...all over the land. They had a blast. Then Brian was watering the garden and the kids decided to run back and fourth and say "You can't get me Brian" and of course he would spray them...even Beckham was saying it even the "Brian" part...it was cute!!!!! They ended up soaked. Go figure!

Well it's time to go take some more medicine and get in the bed. Have 3 more days of work!

On the way back home to Alabama..

Brian and Beckham are on the plane now headed back to Alabama. Brian arrived around 9:30 our time...walked out front and got in the car, he turned around and looked in the back seat and there sat his son. Beck then started giggling at him...which meant a lot to Brian. Beck, Brian, & Nikki's mother stayed at Nikki's grandmothers house last night. They got up this morning at 4 and was at the airport by 5. When I talked to Brian they were looking at planes and Beckham was excited, he said "wanna go bye bye on plane." We are ready and waiting to go pick them up from the airport at 2 this evening...got to find stuff to do to kill time!!!!! Guess I will go get my nails done..which will take about 1-2 hours, then maybe it will be time.

I woke up this morning, not feeling any better....guess I have a nasty cold or could be my sinuses...I don't know!!!!! But I wish it would all go away.

Brian is on the plane...Madison cried alligator tears..

Well he is on the plane to Reno and will see his son in about 30 minutes. We are all so very excited. Madison cried so hard when we were leaving the airport...she said I miss Brian!!!! It was sad...but I just kept telling her that he had to go get her little Brother and it cheered her up.

My bestie Laura and her husband Josh got to meet Brian this evening...and then Laura drove us to the airport. I don't know my way around this big city, I am a country girl. Then one of my other close friends, Lydia came over to Laura's and THE GIRLS all went to New York Pizza, which was really good. It was nice to visit with some of my girlfriends tonight. And thank you Laura and Josh for letting Madison & I stay at your house.

On top of everything I am starting to get sick, which is not good. So I think I am going to take some more medicine and get in the bed. Trying to get better...so it will not mess up any summer plans. Will post pictures of Madison with her new little brother very soon. Good Night!!!

The day has come...the year has come

Well today is the day...we are traveling back to T-Town to get Madison. I have talked to her every day that she has been up there and every time she says "Moma I want to come home now" of course I have to tell her that she will see us on Wednesday...it has about killed me, being away from her for the past 4 days. I miss her so much and can't wait to see her tonight.

Brian gets to go back to work today after a long last couple of weeks. We are both pretty happy about that. As soon as he gets off at 6 tonight we are driving 3 1/2 hours to North Alabama...we have waited for this week for 5 months. We are so excited to see Beckham on Friday and see how big he is and how much he has changed. Brian talks to him every night and Nikki sends pictures but it is just not the same. It has not been easy for Brian the past 5 months, that is for sure.

Also Madison has never met her soon to be Little Brother and she is real excited about that. She has asked me for the past couple of years "Mom when am I going to get a daddy and a brother or sister." It is a hard thing for a single mother to hear, but I have told her over and over all we can do is pray about it. I knew when the time was right the good Lord was going to Bless us like he always does...and sure enough he did. Little did I know the person that I was going to marry and that is going to be my child's dad, has been in front of me and been my Best Friend for the past 8 years. I am so excited that Madison and I are going to be able to have a complete family come December 12th....not only is it mine & Brian's big day, but also a HUGE day for my (our) little Girl. Brian treats us both so good and already treats Madison as his own. Of course we are going to have our days, b/c I am so use to it only being me & Madison and its hard to see someone else discipline my child...but I know its for the best. Thank God he blessed me with a wonderful little girl that actually has manners, although she tends to forget them every once in a while, but she is only 6. She really is a good child and I think I have done an outstanding job raising her on my own the past 6 years....but I sure am glad to get some help now that she is getting older. Well I guess that's about it for today....check back with us later!!!

Our trip to Tuscaloosa, ROLL TIDE!!!

University of Alabama's President's Mansion.

Brian & I tubing on Tuscaloosa Lake

Madison & I right before we went tubing

Brian & Madison

4 days until Beckham is in Alabama

Last Wed., the family drove to Tuscaloosa and stayed with my cousin Frank and his family. We stayed there until Saturday and then Brian and I drove back home. We really enjoyed our time up there on Tuscaloosa Lake. Madison stayed up there and we are going to pick her up next week. She was excited about staying!!! I sure do miss my little angel.

Brian finally goes back to work on Wednesday and as soon as he gets off at 6 pm we are driving back to Tuscaloosa to get sissy and stay there. Thursday morning we are getting up and taking Brian to the airport in Birmingham. He leaves at 3pm and will be in Nevada at 7pm. He is really looking forward to seeing his son. It is just not the same talking on the phone every night. Madison and I are staying with one of my besties Laura Lee and her husband Josh in Birmingham. Brian and Beck will fly back to Alabama at 6am Friday morning. From there we are driving to Daniel's aka Scooters to visit with him and stay the night at his house. On Saturday morning we are getting up and driving our completed family (Brian, me, Madison, & Beckham) back down south.

This is going to be one fun summer!!!! I know we all have big plans and are going to be busy the next 2 months while Beck is home.