Let me tell you all a little bit about myself. It is hard to tell you where I grew up, seeing as I moved constantly up until I was thirteen. I mostly grew up in Tyngsborough Massachusetts, at least that is where I graduated high school. I got married on October 27th, 2007, and we had our son, Joseph, on January 12th, 2008. In the proceeding paragraphs, you will find out that he is the main reason I am going back to school.

On May 1, 2007, while standing in the shower, I realized I was pregnant. I just knew, and the thought terrified me to the point of paralysis. My entire “being” went numb. My husband, then fiance, and I, were in no financial state to have a baby. I knew that I needed to go back to school if I ever wanted to own a home and attain all the other things I desired out of life. I wanted to be able to give my baby everything I never had, like stability.

My sister in law, Julie, was enrolled in the University of Phoenix, and taking Business and Accounting courses. She was a year away from here associates degree. With a one year old daughter and a full time job, she made it look relatively easy. She told me time and time again that I should check it out. She started to say it more and more once she found out I was pregnant. To be truthful, I was scared to go back to school. What if I didn’t get accepted? How can we afford this when we can barely afford to live? Do I even have the time? All these questions circled in my head.

One day, when I was about four months pregnant, I went to the University’s website and filled out the send me more information section. I thought that I would just get a package in the mail. Instead, a women named Lisa Hazlett called me. Still terrified of the thought of going back to school, even though I knew if I ever wanted more from life, I ignored her. For months I ignored her. One day she stopped calling. I would wait five more months before attempting it again. She called me again, and I ignored the first ten or so calls. Then one day I picked up the phone. Ten minutes on the phone with Lisa, and I felt calm. She explained the process to me with ease, she answered every question I had thoroughly. I was finally on my way to something better. I chose to take Business and Marketing courses. I would like to take some Graphic Design courses as well, just so I can explore more of my creative side.

Now that I have made this “big” decision, I feel more at ease about my future that I ever thought possible. Because of these life changes that I am making, I no longer look at my son and get panic attacks. I know now that I will be able to give our son a better life than I had. Soon, we will no longer have to struggle to make ends meet. No more living paycheck to paycheck. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us. Also, now that my husband is watching me take the right steps to our financial well being, he is thinking about going back to school. I hope he does.

Besides being a full time mother and wife, I love to cook, read, write poetry, draw, and watch movies with my husband and friends. I was thinking about becoming a chef, but then figured I wouldn’t enjoy cooking for my family as much. My least favorite things to do is cleaning the bathroom and doing the dishes, but until I can afford a maid, I am stuck doing life’s little nuances.