I found some letters that were written by Korean birthmothers and as the sister of an adopted sister from China I often think about what Gracie’s birthmother may have wanted to say to her in a letter. This question will always be in my mind but I hope the letter would have been one filled with love, sadness and hopes for a better life then what could have been given to her in China.

I have great appreciation for Gracie’s birthmother for bringing... more

This morning I gave my mother and Gracie an extra I love you and hug after I read our morning devotions and said our prayers before I headed off to school. An hour and a half earlier my dad came into my room to kiss me good morning and to pray with me before it dawned on me the events that happened at Virginia Tech yesterday morning. So many times I have told my family I love them just as a force of habit without really stopping and thinking about the meaning behind those three little words. This morning those words meant a whole lot... more

Being a good sibling also means being a good daughter or son. Before the adoption of Gracesyn, I never knew the effort my mom and my dad had to put into raising me. Since the adoption of Grace, I understand and appreciate a little more about the hard work it takes to care for a little one. As a small thank you to my parents I can help them out as they care for the needs of a busy toddler. Here are a few suggestions you may want to consider to help your parents.

After a long day at work, coming home to care for a little one while cooking... more

Easter is one of my favorite times of the year. This is the perfect time to teach your siblings about the true meaning of Easter. When I was younger I remember my Sunday school teacher baking Resurrection Cookies and bringing them to class to explain the Easter story. This recipe needs to be prepared the night before Easter and is a wonderful way of making the Easter story come alive to little ones. So grab your apron and have fun!

You will need: 1 cup whole pecans 1 teaspoon vinegar 3 egg whites A pinch of... more

My little sister Gracie and I are eleven years apart. She is two and a half and I am fourteen. Some of my friends with adoptive siblings do not have that big of an age difference. My point? How do you connect with your sibling when there is a big age difference? Maybe there is a small age difference between you and your sibling and you are looking for ways to connect with them? I have found that doing some things that Gracie enjoys doing are actually really fun.

For the girls I have found that having a tea party is a great... more

A few weeks ago, my two little cousins came over to spend the night with Gracie and me to celebrate the Chinese New Year together. My mother found this poem of an anonymous writer that describes a toddler’s perspective. I could not help but to be reminded of my little cousins and Gracie when I read this poem for the first time. I am sure if you are the older sibling to a toddler brother or sister then you should be able to identify with this.

Toddler Rules of Property If I like it, it... more

While I was away on a youth trip to Schroon Lake, New York for three days Gracie missed me. My mom said she looked at my picture and asked “Where Sissy”? Mom said Gracie would call out “Sissy, Sissy”? and my mom would tell Gracie that I was away and that I was going to be back home in two days or tomorrow or whatever time frame was left on me returning. The thing I thought was most special is she wanted to sleep in my room each night I was away to help her feel like she was close to me even when I was hundreds of miles away from her.

Another... more

All siblings have their good days, their bad days, the days they are healthy, and days they are sick. Today, Gracie is sick, but even a little cold cannot stop that little girl’s energy!

My mom came into my room this morning and said Gracie woke up in the middle of the night with the croup. I woke up this morning without the sound of Gracie coming into my room to wake me up. Tired little Gracie was still asleep in her bed from the night of coughing and was still in bed when my mom and I left the house to go to school.

My... more

I have heard some of my friends say that their older brother or sister is their best friend. The problem is when their older sibling has friends over to spend the night their older brother or sister will act like their sibling is not even there. This is very hurtful to my friends that have older siblings.

I use to think that this was so mean and that the older sibling should not be able to get away with doing that to their younger sibling. I still feel that way but now that I am the older sibling I have to admit, as... more

There are times I get phone calls to baby-sit for my neighbor’s girls and for my aunt’s children. I also look after some of the little ones from my church on occasion but I do baby-sit Gracie quite a bit and I always need to know what to do in case of an emergency and I have to call 9-1-1. If you care for your younger brother or sister you too need to be prepared to know what to say if you have to call for help. Below is a general list of instructions in the event you need help in an emergency.

First off you must always remain calm when dialing... more