THINGS THAT MAKE ME PROUD

BY LAURA CARMICHAEL

MY CHILDREN

Destiny Renee• Destiny is 22 years old, a junior in college.

• She was born at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque.

• She recently became the mother to my beautiful granddaughter, Auriaya.

• She works at Dennis Chavez Elementary School as an Educational Assistant.

• She was going for her degree in Criminal Justice, but feels like she might want to take a different path now that she is a mother.

Austin Allen• Austin is a Senior in High School and is currently attending

The Public Academy of Performing Arts.

• He was born at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque.

• He specializes in dance at PAPA and is in advanced hip hop.

• He loves cars like most teen age boys and says that him and his best friend, Zack, are going to form a drift team so they can compete at the raceway in drifting competitions.

• He is hoping to pursue a career as a gun designer for our military.

TIME TO COOK!One of my favorite past times is cooking. I took Culinary Arts at CNM and became a certified food protection manager. When we built our house 4 years ago we added a chefs kitchen, which is my favorite room in the house. My favorite thing to cook is green chile chicken enchiladas. I love to host large dinners at my house and will find any reason to have a party.

OUR HOME THEN AND NOW

OUR FIRST HOMEThis is our doublewide. It is 2100 sqft. 4 bedrooms 3 bath. We lived here for 13 years and raised our kids. We moved in February of 1998 when we bought it and set it up on our land in Edgewood.

OUR DREAM HOUSEWe built this house from May to November of 2009 and moved in 2 weeks before Thanksgiving. It is 3500 sqft. Heated, 5000 with garage, 4 bedroom, 4 ½ bath.

MAKING THE NURSERYWhen Auriaya was born I set up a nursery at my house in Destiny’s old room. I wanted something to put up on her wall with her name on it. I came up with this idea to incorporate my favorite color, purple, in with the sparkles. I bought and collected clothes since the day I found out that I was going to be a Mimi. This is such an adventure!

WHAT MAKES CAMPING FUNCooking when we are camping is my favorite thing to do. I have a full kitchen in my camper and we make gourmet meals. I think we might eat better when we are camping then we do at home in my big kitchen!

MY MARRIAGEMy husband is the love of my life. Outside of work we are always together. We will be married 22 years on January 25th. We love being grandparents and our lives revolve around our kids. Our favorite vacation spot is Las Vegas. We got married at Highland Assembly of God in 1992. We got married the day before Destiny’s 1st birthday. We love to go on Harley rides, and go to the movies, dinner and the casino. We are best friends.

MY FAMILYOne of my greatest treasures in the entire world is my family. I was blessed to be able to stay home and raise my kids for 17 years. We have always traveled together, had holidays together, hung out for movie night and many other things. My daughter’s best friend, Danielle, is considered my adopted daughter. She calls me Mama and has been around since she was born almost 21 years ago. She really became a part of our family when her mom moved away a few years ago. I love her very much! I really treasure our time together, especially now that Destiny and Danielle have moved out, because it reminds me of how it used to be when we all lived together. I wouldn’t trade the past 22 years for the world. I am very lucky!