Hello from Redlands CA

Hello my name is Melissa. Michedolene is my best friend. We have known each other for 16 years. We have grown together and raised our children together. Mikki is a huge and important part of mine and my childrens' lives. I have an 11 year old daughter Miracle, and a 4 year old son Elijah. I am in the middle of a long, bitter divorce with Elijah's father. It took a very long time for me to get visitation with him. At the beginning of my divorce me ex would use the baby to get to me, to hurt me. he would deny me visitation and phone contact. he even went as far as moving another girl in with him and my son and would make it a point to tell me that Eli now calls her mom and refers to me as Melissa. That hurt me more than anything. When we went to court he would tell the judge that I abandoned him for 8 months, even though I would call him 3 times or more a week to try to get him to let me see the baby. He would never let me. He wouldn't even tell me where he lives. Finally I got supervised visitation once a week, cause he told the courts that I was a flight risk and that I would take off with the baby the first chance I got. That was so aggravating cause the courts would not even listen to me. They took his side because of the 8 months I was not there, even though that was not my fault they didn't want to even here it. So now I have proved my self to the court. I now have him every other weekend, it is not enough for me but it is better than nothing. At first I was really depressed cause his father has full legal. I have no say in anything as far as his school, religion, doctor etc.... I try to look at the glass as half full not half empty. In all good time I will have more visitation and more legal rights. It is very trying to have your child kept from you. You feel like a part of your body is missing it is something you could never get used to. I thank the Lord everyday that he is back in my life. My ex on the other hand is just waiting for me to mess up one time, but that will never happen there is to much at risk and I am too grateful to have him back in my life.

I now live in Redlands with my daughter Miracle. She is attending public school and is also involved in band. I have a great job and i met a wonderful man who is very supportive of all that i have been through and am still going through. He loves my children like they are his own and i am very grateful for that. I could not have asked for a better partner in life. I look forward to meeting everyone and shareing my experiences in life and hearing about other peoples lives.