Viola Cobb has been given a second chance on life.

It started about six months ago. She had found out she was pregnant with another child. While that could be devastating after already having seven children, she saw it as the sign that she needed to make a change.

She knew she had to break the cycle of abuse she said her husband of 13 years had heaped upon her throughout their marriage.

"It took a lot for me to leave," said the 31-year-old Cobb. "I couldn't have my kids watching this. He abused me off and on, depending on his moods.

"When I was younger I didn't know any better and I took it."

She moved into a domestic violence shelter in August with her 3- and 1-year-old sons, walking away from a nice two-bedroom home. Now she lives in a one-room transitional shelter in Kalaeloa.

But she's happy for the peace.

She doesn't know what the future holds, but she knows it will be one without violence. Last year she earned her GED — general educational development diploma — and would someday like to attend a community college.

Right now, it's about her children and making sure they don't repeat the cycle of violence they witnessed. That's important to Cobb.

On Thanksgiving, Cobb gave birth to a healthy baby boy. He was early, but has thrived and gained a pound and grew an inch in a week, Cobb said.

And soon, the first of the five children she gave up for adoption years ago will be returning home after graduating high school. She'd like a home for her to come to.

Cobb knows she has to be independent and financially stable.

"I'm so done with that whole abusive, emotional and physical cycle," Cobb said. "It took a lot to leave, especially since it was my whole life."

If someone adopts her, permanent housing would help her find her way toward independence and a new life. Barring that miracle, she would love to have a baby swing for her newborn, a stroller and a DVD player as they don't have cable television at the shelter and gets very few channels for the kids to watch. A holiday meal also is on her wish list.