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I was born in Austin, Texas, the oldest of six children. I had a great childhood! I climbed trees, played in the creek, rode my bike and caught tadpoles (along with designing my own Barbie furniture out of empty boxes and tape.) I started piano lessons when I was 8; and I think I wrote my first song about a year later... "I'm takin' off on the Air-a-port-a Boulevard..." a classic. LOL. Music became my life very quickly and I participated in every choir and musical production I could, along with taking the occasional dance class. It didn't surprise my parents when I decided to major in voice in college.

The older I get, the more grateful I become for my amazing and supportive family, and for what, looking back, seems like an idyllic childhood. Though my immediate family wasn't focused on "religion," I did have relatives who were, particularly my grandparents. They were a tremendous example to me, and to this day remain some of the most truly Christian people I have ever known. Though I didn't grow up attending church regularly, I somehow always knew to pray, and that someone was listening to me when I did. I have very early memories of lying in my little bed and praying to God, who I felt was smiling down on me from somewhere beyond the ceiling. Over the years, my relationship with my Heavenly Father has developed into something I cherish. He has led me to find answers to my questions, carried me through times of trial, and taught me to be grateful for what I have.

I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when I was 18, after a long searching process where I learned about many different churches and beliefs. How I came to make my decision is a topic for a whole essay in itself; suffice it to say that I have never regretted it.

When I was 20, I married for the first time. I did finish college--another decision I've never regretted--but I pretty much gave up a performing career to have my family. I'm ok with this choice, though I do wish I had taken a few more years to sing and travel before I got married. I remember making the decision not to pursue performing actively. I was really stressing over it. One day, I was sitting at the piano and I heard a voice tell me that if I took the leap of faith to have my family there would be other ways provided for me to use my talents. The experience took me by surprise and was pretty overwhelming. Needless to say, I did it. During the 9 years I was married to my first husband, we had two children together and moved clear across the country.

That marriage didn't end well. I made mistakes. He made mistakes. Divorce isn't pretty, especially for the children. Being overzealous to fix my life, I remarried very quickly and we struggled to blend our newly combined family--my 2 kids, plus his 4 kids = 6 kids total. I moved to Utah where my husband found work. I also decided to go back to school--try finding a job with a Vocal Performance degree...yikes! and earned my Masters Degree and teaching certificate in vocal music education. I've been teaching Jr. High School choir for 21 years now and absolutely love it! Meanwhile, we had two more children.

Life was a roller coaster for a while, but we came out on top...that is, until my second husband had a nervous breakdown and committed suicide. At that time, I had a three-month old baby and a two-year old, along with the other six, who ranged in ages between 13-23.

I was single for 6 1/2 years . I've done online dating. I've done singles' conferences. I've done the singles' dances...(Anyone who has ever been to one of those knows that they are another topic worthy of yet another entire essay, LOL.) I was done with the whole thing, ready to give up on men for a long time, when I happened to meet my third and FINAL husband. That's a new chapter, still being written.

Throughout the ups and downs of my life, writing music has been my coping mechanism. The songs I write are about my own real experiences in a very real life with very real challenges. Maybe you can relate to some of the things that have happened to me. I've come to feel that sharing my songs and my story is the way the Lord told me years ago that would be provided for me to use my talents. If somehow some of the difficult experiences of my life can be used in some way to help someone else, then it makes it all worth it.

Best wishes to you,

Krystin