Well, let's see...I'm a mom, a girlfriend, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and a complete basket case!
Born and raised in Miami Florida to Cuban parents lets just say I have a personality like most typical cuban women - hot, emotional, volatile and just sometimes irrational. Yes, I will admit to that. I needed a way to get things off my chest and this is the best way to do it that will avoid jail time.
I did the ususal, school, travel, friends, etc.
When I was 18 I got married and 11 months later had my oldest child, Princess. A year later I had my oldest son Bug and then a year after that another son Silly, and about another year later another son Buddy. I then took about a 2 year break and had my youngest son Monkey and then a year later had my youngest daughter Baby Girl. That's it - tubes tied, factory closed.
I know not many people like the fact that I have 6 children but oh well, these are my children and this is how my life turned out. Atleast I can say that I had them all with the same man and while raising them have been able to complete not only a Bachelor's Degree in Business but also earn my Master's Degree in Psychology.
You may wonder why a jump from business to psychology - one answer - AUTISM.
My boys were diagnosed with autism within the first three years of their lives - the girls were diagnosed with developmental delays.
Autism was the center of my world until I realized that autism is not who my children are and not to define them as such. Intensive therapies, doctors appointments, crying, screaming, fighting, diets, scares, etc. It is a world that is hard to describe or imagine unless you live in it.
My children have made leaps and bounds in their progress so much that three of them are in mainstram programs at school and I could not be prouder!
Unfortunately though, no matter how hard we tried to make things work and how much we love our children, their father and I could not keep our marriage going and so we divorced in 2011.
The most difficult choice I had to make in my life was to leave my children with their father. I had to make the choice that was in their best interest and due to some circumstances, it was better for them to remain with him. The divorce was going to be hard enough for them, moving them from the home they knew, the schools they went to, therapists, schedule changes, etc would have just been too much for them. I repeat that this has been and will always be the toughest decision of my life. I hope no mother ever has to go through this. By no means were my children taken away from me - this was a mutual agreement between their father and I.
Since the divorce life has thrown me for many loops and roller coaster rides so every day is a new adventure.
The only calm in my storm was meeting Mr. Big who has brought light into my life once again. If it were not for him I would not have been able to make it through the hardest days and nights post divorce. He has made me realize that I can be happy and that only time will tell what the future holds. He has also taught me that it is okay to be loved and that I deserve it. He is the best friend I could have ever asked for and the most wonderful love in my life that I am thankful every day to have by my side.
Now I live in island paradise in the Florida Keys and spend my time working, exercising, and of course, spending time with my children as much as possible. They are the most important thing in the world to me and I will never stop being a part of their lives.
And on those moments where I need to release some of the pressure, anxiety, or just let my thoughts out, I blog. Welcome to my joyride!!
Love,
Krystal
(You can also find me trying to spread autism awareness here at Lower Keys Autism Society)
