Spring Break

I can't believe it has been so long since I've updated the blog. March went by very fast. We went to the beach for spring break. Here is Deanna on the carousel, one of her favorite attractions. The weather was mostly nice and it started out to be a good time. Sadly, while we were there our sweet little chihuahua, Tia "Tortilla" passed away unexpectedly. She apparently suffered some sort of seizure or stroke and was gone by the end of the day. She died peacefully in my arms but it was a heartbreaking experience. She was just six years old. These pictures were taken just the day before and she was having a great time.

Becky

Jeremy recently added an addition to our family. She is an adorable puppy named Becky Buckwild. While we weren't sure about him getting a dog, she is sweet lovable, and incredibly smart. Even though she does not live with us she visits often to socialize and run in out field. We LOVE Becky!!!

Disneyland!!

Jon and I took Deanna to Disneyland for a fun little vacation. It happened to be at the same time as her 2 year anniversary in our family, so there was extra cause for celebration. Jeremy and Jordan were invited but did not go due to work and school obligations.
Deanna has never even been on any amusement park rides, with the exception of a merry go round, so she really didn't know what to expect.

We had 5 days of fun, non-stop activity. Deanna loved most of the rides, but not the ones with big drops like Splash Mountain. She loved Indiana Jones and Grizzly River Run. With Deanna, excitement = hyperactive behavior, so she would be the child in line jumping up and down and climbing all over the ropes, bars and rocks. At least she wasn't alone, where were several in every line!

She also loved all of the characters, especially Mickey and Minnie Mouse. We waited in lines all over the park to hug everyone!

At California Adventure they had a live High School Musical performance. Deanna was chosen as one to join show and dance. She of course loved this, but I wasn't prepared with the camera so I just got one quick shot.
The hotel we stayed in had a fun water feature for kids. A large pirate ship with water slides, fountains and giant water-dumping bucket. Deanna insisted on playing here at the end of every day despite the chilly evening temperatures. Her goal was to make a new friend every day at the pool....mission accomplished. I don't know how all these kids could run around for hours soaking wet in their bathing suits!

We also enjoyed returning to the park after dark. The lines were very short! All of this made for a very action filled adventure. We had to return home to get some rest!

Disneyland Pictures

Gymnastics "Meet"

Deanna participated in her first gymnastics "meet" today, really just a practice meet or exhibition. We have been practicing at home and she did very well. She didn't even fall off the beam! The awsome picture above is by my friend Debbie. It is amazing, especially considering it was taken across the gym during her performance! Mimi, Grampa and Daddy made it to the meet too. She was very happy with the flowers her Dad brought her!

Celebrating afterward with her biggest fans!

2 Years Ago

Two years ago was the day we first laid eyes on Deanna in Ukraine. We remember it so clearly. After being up for 30+ stress filled hours of travel and meetings, suddenly she was in the room checking everyone out. We knew immediately that we wanted her, but we had no idea how incredible she really was. She truly was meant to be in our family.

The Christmas Program

This year Deanna's Kindergarten class had a very nice Christmas Program. It was in the evening with many people attending. There was the usual singing, and musical numbers but each child had to memorize a few sentences and go down to the microphone by themselves and say their part. This is scary enough for the average child, but for a child with a speech disorder who did not speak until the age of 5, this was quite an accomplishment. Last year at this time Deanna could only put a couple of words together at a time, and she had trouble repeating many two and three syllable words. She had a fairly easy part but we did have to work on it extensively. We practiced enunciating each word, talking very slowly, and standing still all at the same time! I knew that even after she learned the part at home, it would be a whole different story standing up in front of a room full of people. Anxiety makes her speech much more difficult. She was quite nervous, but said her part perfectly and did not miss a word. We were so very proud of her. She has come so far.

Christmas Day

We spent Christmas Day with Mimi and Grampa, as well as aunt Susie and cousin Alex. The highlight of the day for Deanna was receiving her beloved horsey "Princess", courtesy of Mimi and Grampa. Deanna has seen this horse many times at Costco. Several times when we went to Costco she would see this horse and go nuts over it. She would ride it, pet it, and announce very loudly, "I LOVE THIS HORSE!". This was top of her list but I don't think she thought she would really get it.
The horse now resides in our house, is hauled up and down stairs, and brushed and fed regularly.

Christmas Eve

We had a great Christmas this year, with all of our family. Christmas Eve was at our house, with quite a lively bunch. Deanna had fun with all of her grown up cousins as well as Grandma and Aunts and Uncles. Deanna took most of the pictures herself.
Jeremy and Jordan spent the night so we could get up early and open our presents. We were all very lucky to get lots of great gifts! Deanna got many things on her list.

Christmas Cards

Every year, since Jeremy was a baby, I have done a picture for our Christmas Card. In the old days, I took a whole roll of film and hoped for one good picture after they were developed. Now I can just take as many as it takes to get a few good ones. The boys were never cooperative for pictures, and still are not. Deanna on the other hand loves to have pictures taken, but she does have her limit. I tried to get a picture of the "kids" at Thanksgiving, but no luck getting a good one.

Here are a few of the non-deleted ones!