I am the mother of 5 children. Only the twins, Steven and Scott are still at home. My other children are John, Patrick and Michele. Michele is married to a wonderful man, Marty and they are the parents of 5 beautiful children. Sharon age 8. Carley age 6. Carl (Buddy) age 6. Marianna age 18 months, and Christopher 6 months.

I was born on June 13,1947. I have no brothers or sisters. Contrary to beliefs, I am not a spoiled brat. My mother had a nervous breakdown when I was 2 and subsequently spent 8 years in a mental hospital. In those days, mental illness was not understood as it is today. Today, she would be given medication, rest and be home in a few days. When I was 14, she died of cancer. Mother and I never had a chance to be mother and daughter. She was only home from the mental hospital 4 years before her death.

My father remarried a wonderful woman in 1969. Mary became the best stepmother I could have asked for. She dearly loved my children and she was a super grandma. After Daddy died in 1978, she had a stroke and was not able to do as much as she wanted to for the kids. But by then, it was time for them to do for her. And they did until she passed away July 3, 1994.

 

In 1962, I met John (Jack) Groft. At the time I was dating another boy named John. Jack first fell for my neighbor, Kay. She wasn't interested in him because she was dating another boy. Eventually, Jack and I started dating and the rest is history. Four years later on August 27, 1966, we were married. He was in the United States Marine Corps at the time. Our wedding was loaded with Marines in full uniform. The best man and 3 other guys were all there or in the wedding. We had a reception in my father's back yard, under the big tree. It was beautiful.

Being an only child did not prepare me for motherhood, by any means. I learned by trial and error. When our first son was born, on September 19, 1967, my husband was in the Marine Corps stationed at Camp Pendelton, CA. I was 3,000 miles away from parents and friends. I had a lot to learn, fast. But I survived and so did Johnnie.

On January 8, 1970 our second son, Patrick, was born. He, too, survived my clumsiness. But by then I had learned a lot.

One year later on January 26, 1971, my only daughter was born. Close, HUH? Thank God John was potty trained early. I had two in diapers at one time and was potty training both at the same time. Fun!! But we made it.

The kids were typical kids. I remember a time when they decided to have play "snow" with the baby powder. Powder everywhere!! The only thing you could see was their eyes. We had hardwood floors. It took forever to get the powder off the floor and out of the cracks.

 

 

Nine years later on April 16,1980, I had twin boys. God really must have a sense of humor! I really was not prepared for this one. Steven and Scott have proved to be the joys of all our lives. Being so far behind the rest, I'm glad there were two of them. They played together and kept each other entertained. They fight like all brothers do. But the two are closer than one can imagine. One night while my husband and I were away, the boys decided to play hockey near where we live. Don't know exactly how it happened, but Steve wound up with a gash on his forehead that required 17 stitches. Scott was more of a mess than Steve. He thought he had really hurt his brother. And when Scott had to have surgery 2 years ago, Steve was there by his side through it all.

Both boys are very athletic. They played football and baseball. Steven got off to a rough start in kindergarten due to a hearing problem. This put him a year behind Scott in school. But both have taken it well. They have their own friends as well as some friends in common.

On June 5,1997 Scott graduated from High School. He received a lot of awards, including Male Athlete of the Year. His girlfriend at the time, Kelly, got Female Athlete of the Year. If I listed all his accomplishments, it would take a separate page. Let's just say, we are very proud of him.

Steve graduated in June, 1998.  He  received the "Young builder of the Year" award for excellence in Woodworking. He is excellent with his hands and has built some very lovely furniture.   One of which is an antique oak table that he gave me as a gift. 

Steven married a lovely girl, Amanda, on June 24, 2000. On December 8, 2000 they had a beautiful baby girl, Alexandria Renee.  She has the prettiest red hair. I call her my little copper top. On June 18, 2002, they had their second child. a son, Zachary Steven.  They have had some rough times financially but are like all struggling couples. I'm very proud of them.  They are expecting their  third                                                                             child in May.

Scott is engaged a lovely girl, Tara, and they have just recently bought a home that they are fixing up to make it their own.  They are going to be married on October 2, 2004.  He has a excellent job and is also working part-time at a local golf course . He is a real go getter and has recently completed a course in industrial electronics. He is very active in softball and plays 4 nights a week on 2 different teams. He also plays golf whenever he can find the time. 

Both older boys remain single.  But my daughter married a wonderful man, Marty, and they have 6 beautiful children. That makes us the grandparents of 8 of the prettiest kids in the world. 

 

I enjoy gardening, sewing, my computer and my family. I have a lot of flowers and a small vegetable garden. I like to play in both of them. My roses are my special project.

The company where I worked closed its doors in January,1998. I haven't been too successful finding another job. So my husband suggested that I try working at home. Sounded good to me. So I have a small part-time business doing general sewing and alterations. Michele and I enjoy making things for the grandkids and we have also made several dresses for weddings including all the dresses for Amanda and Steve's wedding in which the whole family participated. We even made all the bouquets, lapel flowers, and corsages. We had a blast.

 

 

I have to say that I have gotten some rather bad news recently.  I have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer and have just completed several rounds of chemotherapy to shrink the tumor so it can be removed. I am hoping that the surgery will be performed soon and I can beat this thing. I need lots of prayers and have many wonderful friends online and here to support me as well as a wonderful family too. My daughter has been my strength and my chauffeur. She has taken me to most of my chemo treatments as well as my doctor’s appointments so that my dear hubby doesn’t have to take off work very much. He wants to save any downtime for when I have my surgery. And maybe later for any radiation treatments that I might have to take. Being the mother of 6, she doesn’t have much free time so taking me around is a really appreciated more than she knows.

I am optimistic that things will work out for the best. Please keep me in your prayers.

 

Thank you Christine, for the wonderful graphics.

 

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