My name is Tomashiko Mitsu Evans.  I am 13 years old.  I live with my family in Evansville, Indiana.  I am in the eighth grade at Grace Heart Christian Academy (a private school).

I was adopted when I was three years old after my parents were killed in a car wreck.  I don't remember much about that, but that is what happened.  I guess I blocked it out from my mind so I wouldn't be sad; besides, I have been with the Evans family since then, and they're the only family I really remember.

I have my mom and dad (Willa and Chuck) and three little brothers Caden, Colton, and Camron (one year old triplets), as well as a younger sister (Candyce; she's 11).  Like me, Candyce is adopted; she came to the family at the age of four from China.  (I came from Japan.  I was adopted as an infant by my previous parents.  So I was adopted twice.)

When I grow up I want to be a writer of children's books.  I want to write about the adoption experience or let people know that being adopted is okay and that there's nothing wrong with it.  I sometimes wonder what my real parents looked like or what would have happened hadn't my previous parents died.  Again, I don't like to think about that sort of thing, so I just put it out of my mind and live life to the best of my ability.)

I don't like to be sad so I don't think about this excepting around holidays.  With Christmas coming up, I can't help it; it always happens and it threatens to swallow up my happiness.  My parents that I have now make sure that this doesn't happen, which is a good thing.

I love Christmas; in fact, tomorrow night, our choir at school is doing their annual Christmas program.  I am singing a solo this year (first time); I am singing "Silent Night".  I'm a little nervous because this is the very first time I've done a solo.  We are also going to have a Christmas party prior to going on Christmas break on the 19th of this month.  That's one week from tomorrow.

For Christmas, I got my triplet brothers stuffed teddy bears from Goodwill; I also got Candyce some "Little House On The Prairie" books; that is her favorite show and series of books.  I got Mom some perfume (Wild Citrus sunflower body spray from Bath and Body Works) and Dad some warm socks and slippers from Eddie Bean (I ordered them online).  I saved up my babysitting money so I could get my family their Christmas presents.

I also got something for my teacher, Miss Bennett; I got her a journal.  In fact, Miss Bennett was the one who encouraged me to start writing, so I am doing this to help me deal with any conflicting feelings.

Well, I am going to go; it's nearly suppertime.  I will write in here again soon; until later, this is Tomashiko Evans saying so long; may God bless you always!

~Tomashiko (Tomie; that's my nickname).