Madeline Leopardi- ch 11- I am fine right here.

Madeline (33)
Her daughter Kayla (16) with her ex Aiden Royce

Narrated by Madeline.

I look at my baby girl and I realize that she is no longer a baby.  She is now 16 and she is getting ready to go to college.

I am going to miss cooking for her.  Now I am going to be lonelier here in this big house. I still can't believe sometimes that William and I are over.  We have not talked or bumped into each other for over a year.  I am better because of it.

My relationship with Kayla's father is getting better too. I am happy that Aiden is actually getting married soon.  When William and I broke up I wondered if maybe we would try again.  Then we both remembered we had nothing in common outside of our beautiful Kayla. 

Don't get me wrong Aiden is a great guy but for me he wasn't a good fit.  Now that he is engaged I see him in a new light and his bride is a lucky girl.

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The other day I answered the phone and to my surprise it was William. He wanted to get his final things for the garage.  He sounded so angry. To me it was funny that he wanted to come over after all this time to fight. I know William well.

He had not changed a bit.  He was rude and tried to make me feel like a loser for still being single.  Too bad that he looked like hell.  Turns out that he made a band and went touring while taking a break from research. I wished him well and showed him where his things still were.  I could tell he wanted me to yell back at him but it was not happening. I am in a good place and I am not letting anyone change that.

Kayla did not want a big birthday party.  We did end up getting two puppies.  She wanted them so bad and I figured they would keep me company for when she is away at school.

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Soon the day came for Kayla to go to college.  I had gotten a make over as a gift for myself.  Aiden had come over to help haul Kayla's things to the cab.  He was shocked when I opened the door.  He said my make over looked great.

I still can't believe that she is leaving me to go to college.  I am so worried about her going but it's for the best.  She is so excited about being independent but to me its scary.

Aiden couldn't stop hugging her.. then he remember that the cab was waiting.  It was weird realizing that we had finally finished raising our daughter.

Before she left Kayla redid her room.  I looked at everything making sure that Kayla did not leave anything behind.

It felt weird seeing her leave but I knew it had to be done.

I went upstairs and Aiden followed me.  It was such a sweet moment that we shared.  He told me we were done and he was happy that we could get along all these years. I think this is when we both realized that we had become friends.  Now with Kayla at college our contact would be limited.  I wished him the best and he told me if I ever needed anything to call him.  I was just happy that finally my family was OK and all were safe.

Author's note:

I know ...I thought that they would get back together at some point but they absolutely have no feelings for each other.  I remember that they divorced due to an ROS.  It has been 8 years since they have divorced. 

Madeline keeps having wants for William but William has no wants for her.  I popped him back in with the hopes of something and there was nothing there.  

Kayla will get her own update in the next rotation.  I have a few things planned due to the ROS' she drew when she became a teenager.  

Thanks for reading!

Ethan Leopardi

Ethan (37) his wife Noelle(36)
Their children quads Carter, Zienna, Dexter and Jake (3)

Narrated by Ethan

We have been so busy with the kids that we needed to take a break and go on some dates.  I know Noelle was a little worried about the quads but I knew they would be fine.

I guess pool is not her game so we tried a little chess.  It proved to be boring to me but Noelle enjoyed beating the pants off of me.

Our second date night we went to the local park to walk around and get some exercise.  It was good to get out.  I can't believe that we havent been out in ages.

We followed that by going to dinner. 

It was great getting out for a couple of nights but we knew we had to get home. 
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Noelle managed to opened up a home business in our spare room. She tried to get a home care business started but it didnt work.  So she decided to follow her heart and open a small clothing boutique in our home. Honestly I don't like the idea of strangers walking through our house. But it gives Noelle a chance to see if this will work for her.  She studied fashion and was itching to get started in that field. This gives her the opportunity to start small and still be with the kids.

She does gets a lot of clients but I think she loves giving the personal attention.  I hope this business does well for her.

At the end of the night when I get home we both get the kids ready for dinner and bed.  For now this schedule is working out for both of us.  Next year the kids will be attending school and our daytime schedule will open up more. I just hope Noelle's business keeps small enough to be kept in the house.

Justin barillas ch 11-Time Flies

Justin (39) his wife Lashawn (48)
Their children: twins: Cameron and Candice (12) and Triplets: Emeline, Laurel and Parker (3)
Narrated by Justin
Past/next update

Lashawn is happy knowing that all of our kids are done with bottle feeding. She does not mind getting up to make some pancakes.

Business is going OK. We still owe on the loan but we are getting there.  LaShawn is still working as a university lecturer and is happy with that job. Her master's added to our debt but in the end we should be OK.

She was a little sad when she realized that the twins were going to turn 13 soon.  I think she will miss hanging out with Cameron.  He has been pulling away lately and wanting to hang out more with me.

My nephew Joshua came over with his fiancee. It is strange to see my nephew all grown up.  I guess time does really fly.  His fiancee is nice.  She is nervous about planning a big wedding.  It's true were a big family but we really don't expect lavish parties.

While Lashawn is working, I stay at home with the tripletts.  In a couple of years they will be off at school and I will again refocus on my business.

We still hired a part-time nanny to help out once in a while.  LaShawn thought it was an unecessary expense.  I showed her how sales were down in the store due to me being in the house more.  She changed her mind and supported the nanny coming over more often.

All in all we are doing OK but things could be better. I am still not seeing the total benefit of adding fruit trees to our business adventure. I thought they would be a great money maker, but for now they just have small fruit that is not sellable.  Hopefully they will mature soon because we need the money.

Suki dominguez ch 11-

Suki (39) her husband Toby (41)
Their Children: Madison (12), twins Donnatella and Annatella (9)
past/next

Narrated by Suki

My business is doing great. I never thought that my home salon business would pick up so many clientele.  Toby is excited that we are finally going to be able to save more money.

Its good to have the comforts of owning a home business. I still remember how Toby was not sure it would work. Now that he comes home and is still amazed that I am super busy all the time. I love doing make overs more than anything. I still have an extra stylist but I may expand soon if business continues to be this busy.

Its always amazing to me how people are opposed to makeovers but once its done they love it.

I also get those that come from other non-mentionable salons.  Who would let this woman walk out like that?

She heard about me and told me that I was definitely a great find.  She said she would reccommend her friends to also get their hair cut here.

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Madison is finally 13 and the first thing he asked for is a drum set.  I was not sure how Toby would react t this but apparently they both love it.  Alec came over with Atani and he wants one too for the boys. 

Atani has asked me how our relationship is with Africa. Apparently Africa has been complaining about how Toby has handled her bankruptcy case in court.  It hurts me that Africa would bad mouth Toby.  After all Toby had not wanted to take the case on and I convinced him too. Now I fear that Toby will tell me that he was right never to get involved.
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Africa did come over and one evening desperate to talk to Toby about the case. Toby hates when clients think they can pop in at any time.  He tried to respectfully tell her that discussions should be held in the office but she did not want to take no for an answer. 

Africa started yelling at Toby that he was not doing a great job in saving her house.  She was now homeless and did not have anywhere to go and did not know what to do.  Toby tried to explain that there was no way to save the house being that Africa owed so much money. 

I got so upset that Africa would disrespect my husband like that. I asked her if we could talk outside.

She and I were never as close as I am to Suki.  I told her that she was very unappreciative and until she could appologize and realize that Toby did the best he could do..then she was not welcomed in my home.  I was not going to stand there and allow her to yell in front of my kids.  She accused me of not understanding her situation since I lived in a mansion/

Before I could respond she stormed off. Needless to say I was so livid. I could not believe that my older sister could be capable of acting this way.

Toby felt horrible. He never wanted to cause a rift in the family.  I told him that I was sorry for asking him to get involved in the first place.  Hopefully Africa's case will get settled but as of now she is not welcomed here.  Toby says Africa will come around to seeing he did the best...I am not so sure.