At the frog pond, circa 1985. “Go get the stink blown off of you,” Mom said, and Jeff, my younger brother, and I high-tailed it out the backdoor. We jumped… Read more childhood encounter with weather (no. 2) →
Age: 4 Major Events: We adopted the girls in March 2008. Stephanie was in a preschool for children ages 2,3, and 4 years old with anger issues. Mimi and Papa… Read more 2008: Steph Timeline →
Age: 5 Major Events: Swim lessons with Nate. Playing in the park with Nate. Watching movies with Nate. Playing dolls with Nate. Eating dinner with Nate. Reading books with Nate.… Read more 2009: Steph Timeline →
Age: 6 Major Events: Sometimes we could take Stephanie to family events. We almost always drove separately, because her stamina wasn’t very long. For every smiley, happy picture, there’s the… Read more 2010: Steph Timeline →
Age: 7 Major Events: Holidays. We made and kept traditions because we believe holiday traditions are a great way to bond a family. Karianne stayed with us as an exchange… Read more 2011: Steph Timeline →
Age: 8 Major Events: I consider 2012 my personal year of healing. There were so many parts of me I had lost being Stephanie’s mom, and this was the year… Read more 2012: Steph Timeline →
Age: 11 Major Events: Cosmic bowling, basketball, volleyball, cross country. Annual trip to Kings Island and fast passes to ride the rides over and over. The girls started to enjoy… Read more 2015: Steph Timeline →
Age: 12 Major Events: Acute behavioral hospitalization (February) We met Larry, a therapist who specialized in adolescents like Stephanie. (August) Larry explained to us that we needed to allow natural… Read more 2016: Steph Timeline →