Once upon a time, there was a crazy lady who dreamed about having a daughter. She loved her boys with her whole heart but they weren’t into Barbie Dolls or frilly Easter dresses, and the lady just wanted some pink in her life. When she met a sassy little girl at a Christmas party, it seemed that her dream might come true. The little girl, who was all of seven-years-old, needed a mother, so she came to live at the lady’s house. That spring, when they were making strawberry freezer jam, the little girl said, “If you promise to make this every year, I will let you adopt me.” She drove a tough bargain, but the deal was made over a bit of toast and jam.

Today marks the 17th anniversary of Jennalea’s adoption and she is truly a kid after my own heart. When I told her that I could spend a bundle of money on her senior pictures, or that we could use the money to go on a trip and I’d take her pictures, she said “Let’s start packing”. It’s been a roller coaster ride and I wouldn’t have it any other way, especially since she’s a few steps beyond normal, too!