Does your brother or sister drive you nuts sometimes? Do they play tricks on you that you do not appreciate? Does he or she come into your room when you tell them not to? Are there times you want to get back at them? This is a very common problem siblings struggle with from time to time. You need to always remember getting back at them never works. This vicious cycle between you and your brother or sister will never end if you try to get back at them.

You might want to try these suggestions instead. You might try doing... more

Have you ever noticed many strange and amusing things happen when babies are in their highchairs? If you think about it I’m sure you can think of pretty wild things your sibling has done in his or her highchair when you are not looking. Here are a few of Gracie’s antics.

Gracie loves pudding but because it is a sweet we give it to her every once and a while as a treat. Well, this was one of those times when Gracie could have her pudding. She was so excited and leaped for her high chair. She is big enough to... more

Before we adopted Gracie my mom worked at my school as the Director of Development three days a week. After we brought Gracie home from China my mother continued to work in the development office only 10 hours a week but from home. On occasion she will have to go into her office at school and work. She will usually have my Maw-Maw look after Gracie when she does come to school to work. However, one day last week my mom had to go to a development meeting and my Maw-Maw was unable to keep Gracie at home. My mother ended up taking Gracie... more

When I was in the fifth grade my mom and dad began to leave me home alone for short periods of time so that I would learn how to stay home by myself for longer periods of time when I got into middle school. For the past three years I have been able to stay home alone while my parents go out for several hours. There are times my parents ask me to take care of Gracie while they go out together and as you begin to stay home alone with your younger sibling(s) you will need to know basic safety tips to protect you and your sibling(s) from harm.

There... more

When we started the adoption process I knew that it was going to be expensive. I told my mom and dad that I wanted to help make money to apply toward special things to purchase for Gracie so I started my own purse company called “Bags of Grace.” I made purses out of old jeans. I decorated them with buttons, ribbons, beads and even fabric paint. I then sold them to my friends and my mom’s friends. I took the money I earned and helped by purchasing really cool stuff for Gracie’s room.

Maybe you may want to do the same... more

When I was away on a trip to Schroon Lake, New York with my teen group last week my mom told me Gracie missed me. My mom said Gracie would call out my name and then looked around for me. My mom told Gracie I was away and this satisfied her for a little while. A few hours later she would do it all over again asking where her sissy was. Mom said Gracie would even look at pictures of me and ask again where I was. Mom also shared with me that if there was a noise out in the garage or a noise up stairs Gracie would look at... more

My Language Arts teacher gave our class a writing assignment on how we are keeping the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. alive in our own personal life. As we reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. King this day I thought I would share with each of you how I am keeping his dream alive. Enjoy!

A DREAM A dream. Who knew something so small could have such a huge impact on the way we live our lives today, but one man’s voice cannot do it alone. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream of living in a world without... more

Do you remember the feelings and thoughts many of you had before the adoption process began to receive your sibling? I remember it as if it were yesterday. I had wanted a sibling so badly for many years. The adoption process was a journey in its self but the journey I went through the many years I waited to have a sibling was a very special one and one I will never forget.

A few weeks before my mom, my dad and I left to fly to China to adopt Gracie our Pastor asked us if we would share with the congregation about China adoptions... more

Two nights ago, Gracie and I had a pajama party in my room while our mom and our dad were cleaning out Gracie’s toy box that sits in the living room. Mom and dad asked me if I could take Gracie in my room and watch her because they did not want Gracie to get upset when they bagged up some of her toys she had out grown so that we could give them to friends with younger children.

During our pajama party I fixed Gracie’s hair and put her hair up in a ponytail. Her hair is finally long enough to pull back. She sure looked cute... more

Here is part 3 of my special memories I shared with Gracie in 2006. It was a great year!

In the beginning of September school was back into full swing. I missed spending my days with Gracie but I do remember taking one of the best pictures we have of Gracie. I just received my digital camera and I was ready to take pictures, especially of my little sister. Doesn’t she have the cutest smile? I also remember my dad traveling to Europe for three weeks and on the day of his return Gracie was so surprised to see him and ran up... more