New Mexico
Our daughter, Ashley, is 13 years old and in 7th grade. I am technically her step-mom, so I don't know all the very earliest details. But, I have been raising her since she was five years old. Ashley lives full-time with her Dad (my husband), her step-sister, two half-sisters, and me. Her step-sister, from my first marriage, is just 5 months older than Ashley. Through the years, it has made for some rather difficult moments (one ready to do things, the other not) and some heart-warming moments (Jennifer educating insensitive kids on the school playground and standing up for Ashley). Having the two girls so close in age, gave us some much-needed perspective at times as well.