Comments:
After graduation, I went to the University of Arizona for 4 years, then moved to Kansas and completed my Masters Degree from the University of Kansas in 1997. Craig (Mancin) and I were married and moved back to St. Charles (O'Fallon) where I went to work for Youth In Need for the next 9 years as a counselor working with troubled teens and their families. Craig and I split in 2000 with no children. I met my husband, Dennis in 2001 and we were married in 2004. He has a son, Brett, who was with us every weekend. We then had our beautiful baby girl, Brooke Cira, on July 3, 2005. She was very premature and weighed only 2 lbs 15 ounces. We are very blessed that after 6 weeks at Children's Hospital she is now a smart, happy, and active young girl who will be in preschool 3 days a week this year. Our son, Blake Nicklus was born 17 months later on Dec. 22, 2006 and keeps his sister in line with his laid-back, easy-going humor and genuine kindness. We bought a house in 2004 not far from where I grew up between Jungs Station and Caulks Hill roads as Dennis works in St. Charles and so did I. My mom is the best grandma I could ask for and helps us tremendously. She and my Dad split when I was in college. My Dad is remarried and has a 5 year old son (my half brother). My 26 year old brother got married, became at attorney and had a baby girl all in the last 3 years (that makes me feel OLD). I am now working for myself in private practice seeing children, adolescents, families and adults for counseling related to various issues, but mainly to help them deal with abuse and trauma. I work part-time so that I can be home as much as possible with Brooke and Blake and my husband is a wonderful father and provider who takes pride in his family, his career and is just an all around great guy! I am truly blessed! Can't wait to see everyone!
