Nature Writing Video



The life cycle of a plant is much like the life cycle of a person. We both start out small and grow into something much bigger and better. As we grow bigger we go through different phases. Plants go through a phase where they begin to mature and start to sprout little buds. People also go through that phase and then begin to have children. When we're fully grown and done reproducing we start to grow old and begin to wilt. Some may die of diesases and some may live, although it will not be forever. Eventually all plants and people die, and our children live on to have their own children. The cycle never ends, it will go on forever.

Nature Writing Picture

Life is a struggle. Just like a baby bird waiting for its mother to come back and take care of it. Dangers are around every corner and you never know what life will throw at you. As soon as the bird learns to fly and take care of itself it is free to leave the nest and have a life of its own. Dependent of their mother life is not as easy as they think it will be. That’s just like human lives, when we become an adult we are set free to live our own lives and make our own decisions. Along that road we need may come across a problem that we’re not sure how to solve but we do anyway.

Adoption is ALWAYS an Option

Miranda Murphy

My biological father, Troy stepped out of my life when I was six years old. Him leaving me left me pretty hurt we were always really close when I was little. He just up and left me after he got remarried. He stopped taking me for his visitation days and then when I was ten, he stopped calling for my birthdays and Christmas. He never attended any of my sporting events or school activities.                

Kannin has been with my mom for nine years and has done everything with me. He always makes sure I’m doing okay and has always been there for me. Kannin took over as my father figure when I was about 7 years old. He does all of the things a dad is supposed to do, he brings me places like four wheeling and hunting, and always makes sure I have what I need. My decision to ask him to adopt me was obvious since he basically was already my dad.

                In February of 2011 my mom and I traveled to the St. Croix County Court House. Our minds were set on a mission; get the papers to file for Elimination of Parental Rights. We walked into the front doors, my stomach filled with anticipation.  We hiked up 3 flights of stairs. From the top floor we turned right and started our journey down the hall. As we approached the end of the hall we reached the Juvenile Center.

                We entered the door and asked the clerk at the front desk for the papers She handed us the documents and we started answering questions and filling out information. After accomplishing the papers we handed them to the lady and she gave us a court date for April 12, 2011. We then had to travel down to the Sheriff’s Department of the court house to have Troy served with the papers.

                As March approached I was assigned a Guardian Ad Litem. He asked me all sorts of questions about school, Troy, my relationship with Kannin and why I wanted the adoption. He came to the conclusion that the adoption was going to be a good thing for me.

                April 12^th arrived and my mom and Troy went to court. I was told I wasn’t needed there for the Elimination of Parental Rights so I did not go. Troy was more than willing to give up his rights to me. The judge never understood how somebody could just give their kid away like that, but the judge decided it was a good idea for the Elimination of Parental Rights under one condition: my mom and Kannin were not yet married but had the date set for June 11, 2011, so he would post mark the Elimination to June 11^th. While my parents were in court I was sitting at school waiting to leave for our Supierior soccer game. I was constantly checking my phone to see if my mom texted me to tell me the results. Waiting for that message was the most nerve racking thing in my life.

                Between April 12^th and June 16^th we had a lot of papers to fill out. We needed to fill out backgrounds for my mom, Kannin, and myself. Kannin had to have multiple background checks on him. They even sent a Child Services woman out to interview the whole family and look at our house. The lady found that I had a very nice house and an excellent relationship with Kannin. She approved the expectionand wished us the best of luck at the court hearing.

                On June 11^th, my mom and Kannin were married on a friend’s farm in East Farmington. Their marriage was the second-to-last step to the adoption. The final step would be the actual court hearing.

                On June 16^th, the three of us made our trip down to Hudson, Wisconsin for our court hearing. For one final time we all made our way up to the top floor to wait for our hearing to begin. Our case number was called and we made our way into the court room. In the room sat the judge and the recorder, who records everything that is said. The judge swore all three of us in at the same time and then called my mom to the stage. He asked her several questions about the adoption and made sure she understood if the adoption was granted she would share custody of me with Kannin. They finished interviewing my mom and called Kannin to the stands. He was asked about our relationship, why he wanted to adopt me and made sure they knew he was then responsible for me if the adoption was granted.

                Finally the judge asked me about my relationship Kannin and why I wanted the adoption. After all that was said the judge decided that the adoption was a great idea. He then granted the adoption and asked me if I was changing my name from Miranda Kay Kralewski to Miranda Kay Murphy and I told him yes. He told us how excited he was to grant this adoption and end his day on such a happy ending. He then wished us the best of luck in the future and dismissed us.