Newbie & Happy 2 B Here

Hello 2 Everyone... Let me introduce myself.  My name is Diane, friends call me Di.  I'm 34 years old, have two wonderful children 13 and 9.  I'm presently trying to go to nursing school.  Right now I'm just working to maintain.  I'm am so glad I found this site to inquire about hair issues.  This is what's currently going on with me.  I'm an african american with a nice grade of curly hair and I do relax it sometimes.  I'm constantly growing my hair from short to long.  When it's long I want it shorter, when it's short I want it longer.  I always want it healthy.  I love looking at hairstyles, I just love hair period.  I think that a hairstyle makes or breaks a person.  Right now, my hair is short in the process of growing out.  The longest part of my hair is about 3 inches.  I have it colored in a permanent black color.  I'm actually trying to get away from such a dark color, but I've worn it this color for years.  I think that I would like to try something in a soft brown w/ highlights, but don't know which route to take (strip color, let it grow out, etc.). Also while it's growing out, I'm thinking about getting micros.  I'm glad to be a part of the forum and happy to meet u all.