Do you want another little brother? That's the question that started this whole adventure. If you had siblings already you would think "no way." Are you nuts?" I mean that is exactly what I said to my mom and dad when they asked me. Taking into account, of course, that I was the oldest of four already. I mean we are talking about having three little nuisances living under the same roof as me. Why on earth would I want to add another to the mix?

My parents had too little time already. There weren't enough chairs at the table. We were packed like sardines into our car as it was. Good grief! Someone was going to have to share a bedroom!

I contemplated these and many other issues. For instance, one more little guy tearing up my stuff, breaking my things, eating my homework, following me around, and whining about everything. I know you're not going to believe this - because I sure didn't at the time - but I said yes. Honestly, I don't know how it happened. It just popped out of my big mouth at the speed of light. "Oh well," I thought. Surely, one of my sensible siblings would put an end to this insanity anyway. Nope, they were dumber than I thought.

We waited for a long time. It was so long, in fact, that I started to think that it would never happen. Then all of the sudden my parents went to Russia to meet this little boy. His picture came up in my email a few days later. That was it. I was a goner. Yuri was the cutest little baby. Yep, a bona fide baby. We are talking bottles, diapers (stinky ones, I might add), and lots of drool. Soon my parents came home and showed us videos of Russia and of the little boy who was to be my brother. I wanted to know everything about him. Call me crazy but I wanted him to come home right away.

Then we found out that he had been hospitalized in Russia. Even though I had never met him, I was afraid for him. I prayed every night that he would get better. I was already starting to love this little boy on the other side of the earth. Talk about a strange feeling. When my parents finally returned to Russia for court, I held my breath hoping that the court would let Yuri be my brother. It was the happiest day ever when the judge said yes. Then on Dec 2, 2003 my grandma took us all to the airport to pick up my mom, dad, and baby brother. We were all so excited, especially my younger brother, Graham. He couldn't wait for them to show up.

When we saw Yuri for the first time, he was so beautiful! I even had goose bumps. The first few days were a little tough. He was scared of everything and needed a ton of love and attention. At first, I didn't think that he liked me much. That, however, didn't take long to correct. Soon I was rocking him to sleep, and playing games with him. Now, just a few months later it seems like he has always been here. I love the way he smiles, giggles, and reaches up for me to hold him. I like how he runs (as fast as his little feet will take him) to me after school with a great big grin on his face. I love little slobbery kisses and getting tickled. I also like to watch him sing and dance.

He, of course, has great taste in music just like his big sister. Yuri loves to play peek-a-boo, tear up my things, and eat everything that he sees, including my homework. He follows me everywhere. Oh well, what can I say? I love him more than anything and I always will. So the next time my parents ask if I want another sibling I'm sure the answer will again fly out at the speed of light "yes!" We may have given little Yuri a family, but he has given us everything else.

Since then, I have set out on a mission to help those left in my brother's orphanage in hopes that i can help others get adopted..

April from Illinois, USA.

Find out how to send in your writing!