Four years ago

Four years ago today we met our sweetie. This day will always be remembered!!

January 2012

It's already half way through January! In another month and a half Jon and I are going on a cruise with a group of 26 friends (no kids!) We have never left Deiana this long but I think she will be fine. She will have school and regular activities.

Here are a couple more pictures from her fall photo shoot. The top one is my favorite. Thanks to my very talented friend Debbie!!

Coming up this spring I hope to have some pictures or video of Deiana in a gymnastics meet! She has been working very hard and her "team" is getting ready to go to 3 hour workouts. She is in great shape and has very solid muscles and no fat. Recently I asked Deiana to go jogging with me. I don't usually take her because I don't want to be slowed down. She literally ran in circles around me, then ran backwards in front of me asking me why I run so slow! I said just run up ahead little girl and let me go slow!

2011 End of the Year

We had a great Christmas this year! Seems like there were more presents than ever! I guess since Jeremy, his girlfriend Sarah, and Jordan bought their own gifts for everyone they really multiplied.
Deiana was the only one willing to be photographed in her pajamas (or at all!)

We did begin the season cutting down our own tree. It has been cold here this year, but not very rainy. A welcome change in my opinion.

Deiana really missed school. 2 1/2 weeks off is really too long! She loves school! We tried to do some fun things but we were both glad to return to the usual routine.

Christmas Card 2011!

Merry Christmas !!!

School Update

Deiana has been doing very well in school this year. I recently had a conference with her teacher and she had good things to say. Her reading has improved quite a lot, she is doing well in math, and her writing is well above average. While her teacher knew she was adopted, she did not know that she spent her first four and a half years in an orphanage unable to speak! Or that English is her second language, as our school system never felt she qualified for ELL. She has come so far it is hard for people to believe at this point.

Her only issues are social ones (overly social). Her social life is so important to her she is constantly wrapped up in who is friends with whom. Most of this is typical girl drama, but as a mom of boys this is all new to me. She doesn't like to be teased, she stands up for herself (and her friends), and she plays rough. In our small elementary school this can be problematic! While she needs to live by the rules of society, I think these qualities will ultimately serve her well.

Thanksgiving

This was the first year we have had Thanksgiving Dinner at our house, and the first time I was responsible for the entire meal by myself! We had hoped to go to the beach, which has been our tradition for the past several years (and my childhood) but with the everyone's work schedules it became almost impossible. So we had a nice time with just us and my Dad. The food turned out great, if I do say so myself. All those years helping mom really paid off, and I really felt her looking over my shoulder for support. Although we miss her terribly we are very thankful to have so many forever memories of her.

October

Fall is going by quickly, and we have been busy with the usual activities. Deiana is still loving school and even she can tell that her teacher this year is very good. I am pleased with the amount of things she is learning. Her reading is really picking up (...maybe the glasses have something to do with that). She had a fun time trick or treating with her friends. We were out for three hours!! I forgot my camera that night, but here she is in her costume as a scary vampire lady. She didn't want any fangs or scary blood on her face though. We had fun taking some fall photos this year. Here is a little preview. She loves posing and actually is better at serious shots as she likes to do a fake picture smile.

Looking quite grown up for an 8 year old!

My computer has died so I don't have many fall pictures organized. I will do a full update when I get organized again. (Or at least partially organized!) Must begin to plan Thanksgiving, not to mention Christmas....

Solo Trip

This fall I had the opportunity to take a trip back east with my Dad and sister. We met some longtime friends of ours Jan and Butch. Jan was a very close friend of my mom's.

We stayed in Cape Cod and visited Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. The weather was very nice for most of the days, and the scenery beautiful. So many picturesque churches and beautiful architecture.

It was a gorgeous day on the ferry to Nantucket Island. Susie and I did some fun shopping and sightseeing.

We all enjoyed delicious food. Susie and I like to share meals so it makes it very convenient!

We had a great time with Dad and the group. Fortunately we all love (or can tolerate) lots of shopping.

This was the first time I was away from Deiana for more than one night. I was able to call her every day, and she was at home with her dad and brother.

I did receive a couple of unexpected phone calls due to her cutting her own hair (got the round brush stuck), and getting a referral for pushing a boy on recess (long term crush on him). Coincidence or acting out due to my being gone??? Guess we'll never know. Either way it was good practice for when we go on our cruise in February.

Second Grader

Deiana was so excited for school to begin, and to be in the second grade. She picked this outfit out herself and looked so cute. Hair has a way of coming undone by the time the school day is over.

You may have noticed she is now wearing glasses. I had meant to have her eyes checked at the beginning of the summer, but kept putting it off. We finally went in at the last minute one day before vacation. I didn't really have any concerns but I had noticed her squinting. Well, her vision is not that great and she needs to wear glasses all of the time. We got two pair of cute glasses and I was glad they arrived before school started. She loves them and has not had them off since getting them.

She looked so cute the second day I had to take a couple more shots. She is waiting for the bus with her dog Tasha.

We are off to a good start, she LOVES school, it is SO FUN!

Birthday Girl

Hard to believe but our little girl is 8. This will be her fourth birthday celebration with us and she is really getting very grown up. We spent her birthday at the beach and will have a party next week-end. She got a Wii for her birthday and she is in heaven.
Happy Birthday sweet girl, we love you so much.

Vacation part 2, the beach

Deiana and Grandpa

Deiana, Grandpa, and me.

Dinner partners.

Immediately after returning from the camping trip, we headed to the beach for the remainder of the week. Grandpa came too so it was extra special. We had wonderful weather into the mid 80's. We spent a lot of time on the beach, and did some relaxing, bike riding, shopping and eating out!

Deiana loves her Grandpa (and his I-pad!)

It all came to an end too soon, but Deiana is excited for returning to school. She is really missing her social life!

Family Camping Trip

We decided to take an extra trip camping this summer, as we have not had a lot of good weather to enjoy the boat. So we headed to Prineville with Jeremy, Sarah, Jordan and his friends Dave and Maddie.


We had good weather and practically had the campground to ourselves! Lots of fun on the boat. Jordan and Dave tubing.

Dave and Maddie tubing.

Jeremy and Sarah, the wild tubing pair.

Deiana loves a wild ride too, with Jeremy.

Deiana is perfecting her wakeboarding skills!

Way to go little girl!

Once Jordan figured it out, he had no trouble.

Jeremy is good at jumps but I didn't

catch any good action shots.

It was nice to spend time with the young people, but I do prefer a resort with a restaurant and a pool!