Thank you, that's all I've thought about since this all began is "what about the children"? Unfortunetly not having any family in town and limited resources as far as childcare and no child support over the course of the dreaded two years 2005-2007, my children were with me 24/7. For their safety they never left my side. Their father was only permitted one supervised visit a week with them. I have been reprimanded by friends and family because I chose not to keep secrets from my kids. That's my choice. It is not their place to tell me how to raise my children. I would rather them hear from me than from someone else or worse, through rumors at school. At the very beginning of our seperation, when I chose to flee the home for the safety of the children, my girls and I were homeless for 9 days while my husband refused to leave our 3600 square foot home. Finally the judge ordered him out one day before my oldest was to start 5th grade. I took the time to sit down and write a lengthy letter to the principle of the school to let her know what state of mind my 10 year old was in. I immediately got her into counseling through the school. Following her father's death, I went through the pediatrician for further counseling for both children. I am very proud of my girls. Through all this drama they are doing very well. They eat well, sleep well, have friends, are active and very open with me. My eldest even hit the honor roll twice! Now she is in 6th grade and holding onto a "A" grade overall. She is even volunteering at her old elementary school. My littlest I wish I could do more for though. We just moved again, 3rd time in 10 months. We know none of the neighbors and no little kids in the area for her to play with. Although we are active at the library and trying to get a scholorship at the YMCA, I have little time to entertain her as I am just so busy trying to keep us afloat.

My kids are great kids! I get compliments all the time of their manners. Even at restaurants people will approach the table to compliment me. I know their father had a great deal to do with their outcome too. Sara will never forget her father. She was wrapped around his finger since birth. However, Emma will forget as she came along at the beginning of his spiral downward. She does not understand "death" and often asks to see her father.

It's very difficult being a single parent with no one else out there who can help, but I find it very rewarding with their positive attitudes and love back.

Hope you are having a great day!