Personal Childhood Web

I have a big family and there are a lot of people who supported me as I was growing up.  Here are five people who stand out the most to me. Everyone played a part in caring, nurturing and loving me.

The first would be my mom, Patty.  There are five girls in my family and I'm the fourth. Needless to say we were all fighting for attention. My mom made sure that we all got our own time with her though. She would take one of us at time to go shopping and to do lunch so we had one on one time. It didn't happen all the time, but I really enjoyed it. My mom is a very strong and smart individual. She went back to college when she was raising three kids and working part time. That showed me that it can be done. I don't have any kids, but I have a strong determination, to finish school just like my mom did. She took care of us and made sure we had everything we needed. When I got my job teaching she had flowers on my desk for the first day with a note saying "You will be the BEST TEACHER EVER". It made me cry knowing that she supported me and believed in me that much.

The next person in my corner is my dad, Mike. Living in a house with five girls probably gave my dad a few gray hairs over the years, but he loved every minute of it:) My dad showed me how to take care of things, and have respect for those things. My dad didn't go to college, but was able to provide for us no matter what. He also showed me that hard worked pays off. My dad opened his own restaurant and ran it successfully for 10 years. I was proud of him that he was able to do that on his own.  I lived on my own for five years now, but whenever times where hard he was always there to help me out. He made me feel special by taking the time to show me how to play softball, when I was younger. Also by just hanging out with me. My dad and I love watching movies and talking about history. Thats how I know he cares when we spend time together like that.

I would have to say my Grandpa Aasen was a person who helped shape me into who I am today. He passed away when I was 16 but taught me a lot growing up. He ran his own Golf Course and Landscaping Buissness. He always told me to "take care of your own, because no one else will". Like my dad he was a hard worker and I like to think that I take after both of them that way. He taught me how to play cards even when he was sick. He taught me to be an honest player and to never gamble unless you can afford it.:) We play cards all the time in my family, whenever we get the chance. I love having that time together. I do miss my grandpa, but whenever I play cards I think of him.

My oldest sister Chanda, is another individual who helped take care of me. My mom worked nights when I was growing up,  and my dad worked early. This left my sister to help us younger kids get ready for school.  My friends always said she was like a second mom.  She would do my hair and make sure my clothes matched. She is 9 years older than me but, would let me hang out with her and her friends...sometimes. One time I fell down the stairs when I was six and she picked me up and held me, and told me it would be ok. Now that I am older she keeps all of us organized and together. Now that my older sisters are married and have kids it gets hard to get together, but we still try to make time to do lunch or supper together.

My final person would be my best friend Amber. I met Amber Freshman year in High School.  I was fourteen and I know it seems weird that I picked her but we do a lot together and she has always been there for me. If I need to talk to someone, I call her. She tells me how it is, she doesn't try to sugar coat anything. She is my shoulder to cry on and has my back, and vice -versa for her.  We spend so much time together, people start confusing us.:) We have the same beliefs and outlook on life.  Life is too short and she taught me to go for it. Not to hold anything back.

There are so many people that made me who I am, I can't possible name them all. However, I loved and respect them all, and what to say thanks for all your love and support.

This is me and Amber

Here is my oldest sister Chanda

Me and my mom

                                                   Above is me and all my sisters.
                         I didn't write about my Grandmas, but I look up to these ladies a lot.