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I was born in Cleveland ,Ohio. My parents were both teenagers.
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Fell off of a bed when I was 8 months old and cut my nose: 4 stitches. Still have the scar! (I'm still saying "no, I never had a nose ring!)
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I was admitted to the hospital for 7 days.
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I was so nervous. I actually remember that!
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I had to stay with my grandmother for a week. I didn't realize then that not only had my father never had chicken pox, but my mother was 9 months pregnant!
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I had no idea it would happen again 9 more times!
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I learned "Oh Christmas tree" in German. (Oh tannenbaum)
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There were five kids by this time. We moved from a 2-bedroom apartment in inner city Cleveland to a house in the suburbs. Culture shock.
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This was not an enjoyable experience for me. Kids can be cruel.
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I know my parents did the best that they could with what they had, but kids are still really cruel. This time period marks the beginning of four years I wish I could forget.
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I have no idea how this happened. Never been kissed, but those were definitely the sickest two weeks of my life!
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Still not fitting in. My freshman year was challenging, at best.
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At this point, I've decided to stay away from all social areas in my high school. I'm now eating lunch in a bathroom stall (seriously).
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I've decided I can't take the torture at school anymore. I'd rather stay home and babysit.
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What I thought was simply a family vacation was, at that point, the best thing to ever happen to me. My depression was obvious to everyone, so my aunt suggested that maybe a change of scenery would help. Boy was she right!
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My aunt 's and uncle's parenting styles were very different from my parents. I now had a best friend, my first boyfriend, and most importantly, confidence.
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I was going to Cleveland to visit my family for the summer. Didn't know then that Georgia was a thing of the past.
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Things were so different. I was a senior, I had a job and my own money. I was confident. I felt untouchable.
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Went with the guy who would be my first love and boyfriend for the next two years.
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This date is etched in my mind forever. After years of bullying, contemplating suicide and depression, I finally made it!
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By this point, I've gone from confident to full of myself.
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I moved out of my parents house and in with my grandmother because I thought I was too old for a curfew. Big mistake.
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My mother and grandmother are not very close. It took me two years to figure out why they always bump heads. They act just alike!
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This was the beginning of a downward spiral for me. Broke up with a really good guy because I wanted to party, Lost about twenty pounds unintentionally because all I ate was a $.99 bag of ruffles and a honey bun everyday for a whole year. Went through about ten jobs as well.
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I will never forget. I went through all my pockets looking for spare change. When I scraped together $1.25, I caught the bus to the recruiting station and told them to send me anywhere but where I was.
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I had just arrived at my first permanent duty station in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Ten years later, I ask myself, how did I get here? He was so obnoxious back then!
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We got married in Oklahoma. We had two witnesses, that's it. If my parents had been there, it would have been a shotgun wedding. I was 8 months pregnant.
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I'm tearing up thinking about it now: Aaron Carlisle Jr.-8lbs., 5oz. born at 12:41 am (central time).
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I didn't realize how much I would miss the army until I was done with it.
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So much happened during this time. We moved back to Cleveland, I graduated from practical nursing school, and I was five months pregnant.
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Sydnee Nicole Carlisle-7lbs., 4oz. Here we go!
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Another date etched into my brain. A.J. was 2 years old, Sydnee was 6 months old, and we discovered I was pregnant. That was unexpected.
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Aiden Jacob Carlisle- 7lbs., 12 oz.
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New place, no family. That was a little scary.
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I never expected to be a single mom.
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As a newly single parent, I really needed the support of my family.
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Best decision I ever made. I've never been happier!
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Everyone's on the same page. Family first.
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After home was situated, I decided to do something for me.
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With 3 kids, and a 36 hour a week job, this has not been an easy endeavor. But with the help of my husband and a lot of prayer, I know I can do it!
