The definition of a home is different to everybody. To some, it’s peace of mind, while to others, it’s simply a place to live. To sophomore Alexsis Kirkwood, it’s a stable place filled with the family who cares about her.

Kirkwood lived in California for the first 11 years of her life. She bounced around from relative to relative, because none of them were able to provide a solid life for her. She often felt she never really had a true home.

“It was unstable,” Kirkwood said. “One relative I lived with for a year, and didn’t go to school at all.”

Five years ago, she moved in with her second cousins David and Lachelle Rice, and their three children. Since their way of living was so different from what she was used to, it was difficult for Kirkwood to adjust.

“The hardest thing for her was getting used to having rules and consequences, and just getting used to being a kid,” Lachelle said.

Now, Kirkwood comes back to the same house every day, almost never misses a day of school unless she is sick, and is an active member of her church. She runs on the track team, and has many friends.

“I’m just happy to have a house to live in, and to have parents who care,” Kirkwood said.

Although it was hard at first for Kirkwood and her new family to adjust to living together, they are now all very close, and enjoy each other’s company.

“She calls me mom,” Lashelle said. “When people ask how many kids we have, we don’t say three and our cousin, we say that we have four kids.”

One of the benefits of living with this family is that Kirkwood has a cousin Malaysia Rice, who is exactly the same age and grade. The two share most everything, and have almost all of the same friends.

“It’s pretty interesting,” Malaysia said. “It’s like having another sister.”

Overall, the whole family loves Kirkwood and is very glad that she is with them. They feel like she is meant to be with them, and that this is the perfect place for her.

“She’s just a nice addition to our family, and I think everybody adores her,” Lachelle said.