Sarah is a beautiful 9 year old girl placed in my home for a little over a year now. She is in the 3rd grade and doing very well. She makes friends so easily, that the first 2 months in our care, she was invited to 4 birthday parties. She recently celebrated her 9th birthday with a sleep-over party. Ten girls swimming, skating, and playing will make any parent think twice, but Sarah was so appreciative and excited about the entire party, I would maybe do it again. Knowing that she may not have that kind of opportunity again, prompted me to make it her best birthday ever. Of the 9 girls, not one of them was from a split family setting. Sarah does call me “mom” even though her parents discourage her from doing so. She gets confused and isn't sure what to do. She just wants to have a “normal” family. I love her like she is my own and only want the best for her.

Sarah lost a student from her class to a farming accident this February. She wrote letters to his parents and still is concerned about them. She thinks of her classmate often (even though he is a boy).

Sarah has 2 younger brothers, which are placed with us also, that she helps with most of the time. She is always concerned about their feelings. She also tries to discipline them when they need it. I often have to tell her to “just be a little girl and let me do the Mom stuff”.

Sarah has participated in soccer and tap dance. She would like to get into gymnastics as soon as possible. As it is now, I have to tell her to quit dancing all over the house: I'm not sure what will happen when she gets into gymnastics.