Dominica Dominguez ch3- Why me

Dominica (22) her boyfriend Kampol Do (27)
Narrated by Dominica

Kampol and I have been doing great this past two years. We have managed to finally get our little farm on the road map to success. It takes a lot but for now we are working hard at it.

Kampol has been super quiet lately. I think he still wants me to focus on getting my college degree. I know its the best for me to complete but for now I try to focus on the farm and my current job.

I thought the Kampol was quiet with me because of the lack of interest for my college degree. He asked if we could talk and I was getting ready for another lecture. This time it was different. I could tell that he was tearing up and I asked what was wrong.

When he told me I did not want to hear it. They had found a tumor in his brain and they only gave him six months to live. I could not believe what I was hearing. How could it be that he could be diagnosed like that? I felt my whole world ending.

He got up and hugged me while I just cried and cried. He told me that everything was going to be alright and that he wanted me to keep living. I could not bare it.....Why did this have to happen to me?

my mom came to give me support. She still could not believe that I told her that Kampol was sick and dying. She hugged me and told me to be strong for Kampol.

Ever since he told me I spend every waking moment with him. I guess part of his illness is him forgetting things. There are times when he does not remember who I am anymore. I am only grateful for those days when he knows who I am and cuddles with me for hours.

I quit my job because our plants need more care and so does Kampol. He sleeps more and does not have the energy to come and help in the garden anymore.

It takes me all day to get all these plants tended to. I really need to expand in order to make ends meat. I don't know how to do it and we are not financially stable yet.

When I come sometimes I notice that Kampol has made his way down to the living room. He falls asleep on the couch and its a big deal to wake him. When he does not recognize me he becomes agitated and asks why I am bothering him.

My parents insist that I move back home and have Kampol placed in hospice care. I can not leave my home. My moms dont understand that this desert as they call it is home to me. I live here now and I can not see myself heading back to Viramontes anytime soon.


Kampol took a turn for the worse. The doctor came over and told me that the end was nearing for him. It was closer than he had originally thought. I was distraught and I sat on the bed that night and told him how much I loved him. I told him that I dreamed of us growing old together and having kids one day. Now all that was taken away from me.

I had left him to go get him some food to eat when I heard intense screaming from our bedroom. I ran up to see what it was and it was Kampol hacking up blood. I did not know what to do. One minute he could not breathe..

The next minute he was lying on the floor. I managed to call 911 to come and get him to the hospital.

The ambulance arrived but they told me that Kampol was dead. He no longer had a pulse but they would try to resuscitate him on the way to the hospital.

Kampol had died and now I needed to make burial arrangements for him.

Just like he wished, I buried him on our property. I just hope that I do not have to move him. I do not know how much longer I will be able to pay for this house. Hopefully I will be able to manage it.

Ariel Dominguez Chapter 5--We have to end it.

Ariel (26), Frances (29)
Children: Alexa, Benjamin, Estelle (6) and Nianna (2)
Joshua Jones (31)
Narrated by Ariel.

Getting the kids ready for school is harder than I actually thought. They are starting school and at least that will help me get the house organized.

Once the kids are off to school its just Nianna and myself. I managed to get more maternity leave to take care of her. I do not know how I am going to afford child care when I barely am earning so little at my job.

Frances and I have been talking on the phone several times. We finally agreed on a day he could come by and meet his daughter. There are a lot of issues we need to discuss.

I saw him and it did not start off that great. He was defensive but I told him that I would not be down for his attitude.

After we aired our anger out I stopped and told him what I thought. We both agreed that our marriage was over and that he and I would be filing for divorce. He wanted to make sure that he would keep his rights as a father. Of course I would never deny him visitation rights.

He walked in and he was shocked to see Nianna. I could not believe that he just stood there and stared at her.

He held her and for some reason he looked at me. He asked me if I was sure we were over. I realized that he would feel that way. Of course it would be easier for us to stay married but we would not be happy. I guess that after taking another look Frances too knew that it was over between us.

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Joshua Jones. Yes that is his name. I still can not believe that we met at work and we clicked automatically. We have been sort of dating for the past couple months. At first I told him no because I really want to focus on my kids. He would not take no for an answer.

When I knew we were serious then I presented him to the kids. The kids loved that Joshua was into gardening. He helped us a lot with our ever growing garden.

Some days its just he and I out there making sure everything is growing properly.

When we made love for the first time it was strange. I honestly never thought that I would be with anyone that was not Frances. That feeling faded quickly when Joshua told me that he loved me.

We try to let the kids see him sleep over. He told me that he wanted to meet Frances and he wanted to make sure everyone was OK with our dating situation. I loved him for that. Can you imagine? Me in love?

They did meet but Frances was not friendly at all. At the end Joshua thought it would be best for him to leave because he did not want friction. I could not blame him but at the same time I scowled at Frances. He could have tried to befriend Joshua. I guess they may never get along.

Suki Dominguez- Chapter 8 The business is booming.

Suki (33), her husband, Toby Bruenig (36) their kids: Madison (60 and twins Donnatella and Annatella (3)
Narrated by Suki

Business is picking up steadily. I hired the second stylist but he may not be working out as I thought he would. Because of this I decided to have my own chair.

I am still learning and I am so embarrassed when my designs come out like this! I just wanted to faint and I apologized but still it does hurt my business.

I thank God everyday for my loving husband. If it were not for him I do not know how I would make this business survive. I have officially quit my job and managed to keep this salon going. Toby helps me a lot and even supervises Madison while he does his homework.

I love when my young customers come and love their new hairstyle. I love it because this means that they will be repeat customers. I just hope that this teen gives his friends my business card!

Another busy day and trust me it is so busy I can barely chat with anyone. I just managed to get people in and out. Sometimes its frustrating when people take so long to make a decision concerning their new hairstyle.

I start from 7 am and its an all day process. Its tiring but making sure my family is stable is more important than sleep right now.

As much as I want financial stability I also know that I have to slow it down. There has been way too many nights that I barely get done in time to tuck in Madison. I can not miss any more mom duties. I have to find a way to make this work.

Atani Dominguez -Rainer ch 8-While She is Away.

Atani (33), her husband Alec (38), Their children: Twins Hitoshi and Kanji (6), Jah Khan (3)
Narrated by Alec

Atani has decided to go on a small tour with her ballet company. We both know that her years with the company are numbered. For now she is taking advantage of my slight break from work. They guys and I are fine getting along with each other.

When Atani does come home she wants us to take the kids to the park. I love going to the park but Atani is definitely more graceful when it comes to skating. We have been married eight years and now I decide to learn to skate. My son just blows past us giving me a small fright.

The pool is something that we never regret getting. The boys practically live in the pool in summer. Its hard for us to make them do something else that is not swimming.

My youngest JahKhan is too young so he watches me play catch with Hitoshi. Hitoshi is a natural compared to Kanji.

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When Atani came home for a break, we decided to go on a date. It's hard for us to get away but we both agreed to bring the twins with us. We left JahKhan at home with a babysitter.

Even after all this time I still look at my wife and am in awe at how beautiful she is. I look at her and I want to kiss her all over. She giggles and tells me that one day we are going to be arrested for too much public displays of affection.

Atani left again and now I am back to cooking for all of us. It is hard because the boys can be a little picky at times. I just pray not to burn the house down.

Night time is the loneliest. I take advantage and read a good book.

Atani wants to junk my junk car but I refuse to do it. For now I am just pushing myself to finish it.

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Atani managed to cut her tour a little short so she and the boys ended the summer in the pool.

Before winter hit we all decided to go for one last spin at the park. The boys were excited. They both began racing and Atani worried that they would get hurt. She is still amazed at how much they have grown this summer.

I am a little better, but never like my wife. Atani grabs the boys and starts twirling like there is no tomorrow. I just worry about not breaking my leg on these skates. It has been a great summer.

Austin Miguel Dominguez II, Chapter 8- Our New addition.

Austin Miguel II (35) his wife Kea (32) and their son Austin Victor (8)
Narrated by: Kea

This pregnancy has made me hungrier than ever! I am always eating and Miguel just looks at me and I think is a little frightened of me. My mood swings have not been that bad though.

Victor thinks its great that he will have a little sister or brother. He is now 8 and I don't think that he realizes how much work a baby sibling will be.

It was not too long before Victor met his little brother. We decided to name him Vinizio. He is a beautiful baby and he is calm. He sleeps through the night now but there are times when all he wants to do is stare at the world. It would help me if these times were not at 3am.

He looks a lot like his older brother Victor. I just hope that their age difference is not too great.

I had missed snuggling a baby. I love their fresh smell and having them giggle like crazy.

We had a dinner to celebrate the birth of our son and Miguel's family came over. I loved seeing my sister and brother-in-laws. It had been a while since we gathered.

We were sad because we all knew that Darius was no longer with us to celebrate in our joy. I still can not believe that it has been two years since he passed.

Atani came up to me and told me that Victor was so precious. I love that Atani is such a super woman when it comes to raising their kids.

Next thing I knew Miguel had everyone at the poker table upstairs. I don't get too mad when Miguel gets his family to play. At least Miguel does not lose too much money to his sister.

I am about to go back to work and I want to make sure that Victor knows that he is still important to me. I just hope that his grades continue to improve and that he doesnt feel any jealousy now that Vinizio is here. It pains me to leave both my babies but its time for me to go to work. I just hope that Miguel does not put too much of a fight for me to go back to work.