There's a chapter in my upcoming book about something that happened to me when I was 13. Don't get sad or nervous, it wasn't a traumatic thing. Maybe it was a little traumatic, but you'll enjoy reading about it. It reminded me of how hard it is to be 13. It's hard being 11 to 18. 

Today, I am talking to a 12-year-old. On this very day May 22, 2006 Remi Hope Radke came screaming into my world, and I haven't had a moment of silence since. I couldn't imagine having a different guest on my podcast today. Every May 22nd, Remi Hope dominates our thoughts and our world, so there is no reason why today should be any different.  

You can find Melissa here: 

Podcast Web Page Facebook Page @MsMelissaRadke on Instagram @msmelissaradke on Twitter 

Show Notes 

• [01:45] Remi is growing up. I wonder if having a public mom makes her life more difficult? Sometimes I feel like I'm making it harder on her. Although, if I were she would let me know. 
• [02:08] Today, I'm going to sit down with Remi and introduce her to you. 
• [02:19] Remi came to us through adoption. She came to us less than five months after we buried our son. I cried out to God to help me mend what was torn apart. 
• [02:49] One day I was in the kitchen. Out of nowhere, I felt a tender presence. It was like a compassionate reach. I heard the words "everything you are in need of will come to you wrapped in a blanket." 
• [03:08] This made no sense to me. How can everything I want come in the form of a tiny baby? 
• [03:26] Remi Hope came into my world. She was not a replacement for  Elisha. She was the cure for the broken and missing piece. 
• [03:59] She was an uncontrollable toddler in every single way. We were called in to meet with every teacher at every school.She was fulfilled of nonstop. 
• [04:20] She's a little older and a little wiser now but no less filled with life and humor. 
• [04:26] Today, I'm talking to her about everything from adoption to living in the public eye to boys. 
• [04:48] Remi had her thoughts and doubts about being on the show.  
• [05:13] Remi thinks the podcast could be a little better and funnier.  
• [06:15] Remi is thinking about starting her own podcast. She would try a food and give her opinion and then have guest opinions. It would be like Remi's reviews  but would be called Remondade similar to lemonade.  
• [08:00] Remi and Melissa share their knowledge about historical energy sources and renewable and alternative energy. Geothermal, solar, wind, biofuels, and hydroelectric. 
• [10:40] Remi plays soccer, basketball, softball, and she wants to play football. She's heading into the sixth grade and doing great.
• [11:24] She met her best friends Rashawna and Adeline at church. She knew they would grow up together and be best friends. She is a leader in kid works. Remi is great at memorizing scripture.
• [12:06] Remi she shares some of her favorite scriptures. 
• [13:31] Remi is healthy and loves fruits and vegetables and broccoli.  
• [14:15] Her favorite show is Deception, and her favorite movie is Jurassic World. 
• [15:58] Remi was about seven when she found out she was adopted. She always wanted to watch Tarzan, and they would always stop the movie and tell Remi that the gorillas were adopting Tarzan. 
• [16:53] Remi is cool with the adoption. Melissa is really her mom. Her mom was a very good sharer. Someday, Remi may want to meet her birth mom, and that is okay. 
• [17:51] Remi approves of the fun life they have and how Melissa puts stuff out on the Internet.  
• [19:00] She likes the fame. There is nothing she hates about it. Our family has been talking about a reality show. They have filmed three times. It's a lot of work. There is a whole household of people. 
• [20:02] Remi thinks it is fun. They are probably getting a TV show.  
• [20:39] Melissa held Remi back because of her attitude, and she repeated kindergarten. She was like a wild tornado unleashed on the school system.  
• [21:53] A lot of kids repeat kindergarten. She can let it go. She is in the top of her class and two of her best friends are in that grade.  
• [22:44] She's excited about going to middle school and choosing where she sits. 
• [24:00] Remi shares the stages of being ladylike.  
• [24:29] She is looking forward to church camp and some other fun camps she goes to and has great friends there. She is also going to the Texas A&M soccer camp. All while possible shooting a show. 
• [25:18] She would like to have a sleepover on her birthday in the guest room with her friends.  
• [25:57] She would like a horse for her birthday, but she'll take the sleepover and a kiss. To start with. 
• [26:16] Remi's lightning round. 
• [28:27] Special thanks to Remi Hope Radke.  
• [28:44] Hope has always been a part of your name. From Melissa's book Eat Cake. Be Brave. 

Thanks for joining us on Ordinary People Ordinary Things. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Just like your mother taught you. 

Links and Resources: 

• Podcast Web Page 
• Facebook Page 
• @MsMelissaRadke on Instagram 
• @msmelissaradke on Twitter 
• This Sucks But God Is Good (online course)  
• Deception 
• Jurassic World 
• Eat Cake. Be Brave.