November 15,1990,

Today is my tenth birthday, my first one with my grandparents and my first without my family of three brothers and parents. My grandmother gave me this diary and told me to only put happy memories in it. I think I will. I’ve only been here in Tulsa with my grandparent’s fifteen days. It’s been two months since my family died. I’m feeling much better about things. Whenever I get down I put my oldest brother, Isaac, shirt on. My grandmother informed me that the family next doors oldest son was turning ten in two days and they were wondering if I would like to come. I haven’t met anyone yet at least not my own age so I think I just might. =)

November 17, 1990,

Well I went to the party today! I had a great time! The boy’s name whose b-day it was is named Isaac. I about lost it. I had worn my bro’s shirt today all I could do was clutch it. Ike, that’s what he likes to be called, goofy if you ask em. My brother would have killed me if I had even attempted to call him Ike. Oh well, anyway he was so nice to me. I noticed that he kind of ignored the other people at his party to talk to me. He has two brothers and one sister. Both boys are way to hyper! Ones name is Tay, Tayles something along those lines. All I knew is that he ran by me at least six or seven times chasing the younger one, Zac, I think his name was, with a plastic sword. It was soooo funny. I found out that Ike likes to roller blade YAY! I thought I would have to blade all by myself. He’s into b-ball and soccer! Triple YAY! How dumb does this sound. I’m excited to know someone because he plays the same sports I do. My mom was right! I am a tomboy! Oh well, I’m sooo thrilled to have met Ike :). Night Night.

Taylor, Ike, Zac were getting ready for bed. Ike was helping Zac brush his teeth and Taylor was getting on his pj’s never taking off his precious baseball hat.

“Ike, you have fun tonight?” Taylor asked to excitedly.

“Yeah. It was a great birthday.”

“Did you like my present?”

“I loved the new notebook and pens thank you Tay-Tay.”

“No problem! What ya gonna put in it?” Taylor asked nosily.

“None of your business.” Ike said coming out of the bathroom and getting on his bunk. Taylor stuck out his tongue at his older brother.

“Ha! Take that you evil doer.” Out of nowhere Taylor smacked Isaac with his sword.

“Taylor!” Ike whined.

Taylor giggled and went back into the bathroom to annoy Zac.

Zac ran out of the bathroom with Taylor hot on heals. Zac ran up the stairs of the bunk bed and huddled close to Ike.

“Don’t let him hurt me.” Zac whimpered.

Ike took a pillow and smacked Taylor on the top of the head. The force of the impact left Taylor on the ground shocked.

“Go to bed, Taylor.”

“Fine, be that way!” Taylor grumpily replied and lay down on the bottom bunk Ike helped Zac down and into his own bed. Ike got back up onto his bed.

“Good night, guys.” Ike waited for both of his brother to go to sleep. When he was sure both were sound asleep he crept out of bed and quietly took the notebook and pens Taylor and Zac had given him for his birthday and went into the bathroom and turned on the lights and closed the door and sat down. He then opened the notebook and began to write.

November 17, 1990,

Today was my tenth birthday. I had sooo much fun. I met a really cool girl today. Her name is Kayle. She is the first girl I’ve ever met that rollerblades plays soccer and basketball and doesn’t wear a dress to a party! I can’t wait to go rollerblading with her tomorrow! It should be fun. I can’t believe last week at this time I was complaining that my mom had invited a girl much less a girl I didn’t know to my birthday party! She had said ‘She has no friends’ loosely translated into ten year old lingo ‘she’s a loser’ then she said that ‘she just moved here.’ translated ‘No one wants her back home.’ But she is so cool. I think I’ve said that all ready. Oh well. I probably should go to bed before Zac comes in here and wants to use the bathroom. Poor thing is soo disoriented when he wakes up no need to confuse him further. =)

November 28, 1990,

Well, I’ve finally started the fifth grade in Tulsa. Ike and I went rollerblading the day after his b-day. Taylor went with us. He obviously cried his way into going. His big blue eyes were tear-stained obviously with fake tears. Ike and I had fun though. Unfortunately, Ike, Taylor, and Zac are home schooled. The public school I go to is nice but the people don’t like me much. There are a few people there that know Ike, and they at least talk to me. Oh well I’m going Ike is here.

May 28, 1992

I know I know it’s been a real long time since I wrote in here last =) Ike and I are still the best of friends. We have had so much fun these past two years. I told him about my family. He lets me ramble on and on. His mother laughs at us when we talk. She accuses us of sounding like twins. Taylor, thank god, has matured slightly. He took off his hat on his tenth birthday. We were all surprised to see that there actually was blonde hair under that cap. He and Zac have gotten into the habit of calling me Kay. Oh well. Taylor doesn’t hit me with that sword anymore =) Ike, Taylor and Zac are going to sing at the Mayfest today. Which means I get to go. YAY! Oh shoot I gotta go to Ike’s house.

Kayle put her journal down and grabbed her coat. “Grandma. I’ll be with the Hanson’s at Mayfest. Okay?” She smiled.

“You go have fun, sweetie.”

“Love you, Grandma.’

“Love you Kayle. You better hurry before Isaac wonders where you are. You don’t want to make him anymore nervous than he already is.”

“Kay. bye-bye.” She kissed her grandmothers cheek and ran out of the door into the beautiful spring day.