So I opened the mailbox to see something from Gladney. I could tell it was pictures & I knew it was my update.

I was a little hesitant to open it because Brit* forewarned me that I may not be able to recognize him...

I read the letter first they make it seem like he's so grown up already .The way they wrote the letter it made me feel like I was there.

Then I looked at the pictures... Brit* was right. Jake* was of course handsome, but he looked so different already. It made me cry... I just can't believe how much he changed in a month and a half.

He looks so happy with his parents and extended family. He's definitely going to have a ownderful life with Stacy* & Brent*.

I'm so glad they are sending me updates.

I think I want to move to Texas once I'm done with school. Maybe I'll become roomies with Britt* again. Ha.

I'd love to work in the PR dept at Gladney. I think they'd be a great company to work for. I feel like I owe them for helping me through such a difficult time. But mostly I'd really just like to work there.

I'd have to write Stacy* & Brent* if I chose to move back to Texas. I'd want them to know that I'm living there and at the same time, I don't want them to think I want anything from them. I'm not going to try & find them or threaten them as a family.

...I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

It's weird... mom was there for me during the hardest time of my life and I greatly appreciate that. I feel we are closer now& that I can talk to her about anything.

Now that we're home, she's pushing me to register for school & get a job. I want to do it; I need to do it... but in my own time. I'm not quite ready to deal with new people.

It seems like sometimes mom & dad forget what I went through... they think I'm A-okay, because they don't see me cry myself to sleep just about every night. I don't want them to have to worry about me so I kinda let the emotions out when I'm alone.

Maybe that's wrong of me...