I’m a lot stronger than I look. I know I may not look athletic from the outside, but don’t be fooled. I hear it all the time from my family: I’m the strongest one. Honestly, they're not wrong. I am surprisingly strong. I lift things for Mom at the house all the time, cases of soda, or milk, or water. One of the reasons I’m so strong is because I love to swing.  I can spend hours outside on my swing and the higher the better! Doesn’t matter where I am, the park, the cabin, the group home...

So apparently, I ruined the old dresser. Their words, not mine. Personally, I thought it was fine—a little lived in, sure. The drawers were crooked and kind of falling out, but it had character. That dresser had been through two group homes with me. I had an emotional attachment to it. It still worked great for socks, underwear, pajamas, everything I needed! But apparently, one too many drawer slams, and one too many “Danielle, put your clothes away and shut your drawers like you know how,”...

Whew — what a day! I woke up thinking it was just a regular morning, but then I heard footsteps and voices, and I knew something was up. And sure enough, there she was... Braylee, one of my favorite nieces! She’s always been the little one. The littlest niece. Smaller than me, even. But now somehow she’s like two feet taller than me?? When did that happen?? Ugh. Unbelievable. But she still has the same excited energy I remember, and of course, I gave her a big “Danielle” hug right away. Mom...

I woke up and something felt different. Wait—then I remembered. I was at the Lake! Time at the cabin always flies by because I sleep so...

As soon as I woke up this morning, I heard excited  voices. Not the usual morning ones. Lovia was singing again. Uh oh. Lovia only sings...

I always know when Easter’s coming. The air gets warmer, I get to go outside more, and people just seem happier. That’s how it starts....

The lights just turned on in my bedroom, it's 8am.  Hmmm….I normally sleep until I wake up.  Something suspicious is going on.  What...

The world is big. Loud. Fast. And sometimes… I just need a way to relax. At my “Cranbrook” house where I lived most of my life growing...

In my family, if something is happening, someone is ALWAYS taking a photo.  Christmas morning, birthday parties, boat rides, swinging,...

Let me tell you something: staying up late is not my thing! Normally, I go to bed at 8 p.m., and trust me, I’ve got that routine locked...

Sometimes, I like to remind people just how smart I am. They don’t always give me enough credit, but trust me, I notice everything....