HAVE YOU.....
Looked at your child lately and cried a tear of joy??? I did tonight. Today was one of those emotion filled days for me. I thought of how much I LOVE my husband and my daughters, how much I MISS my Daddy, how much I LOVE my Mom and pray for God to heal her, and looked deep into Derek's eyes and saw the LOVE reflecting back at me that I have for him. I am so THANKFUL to GOD for the blessings he has bestowed upon myself and my family.
Tonight as I rocked Derek to sleep I shed a tear of JOY for being blessed to have him in our lives and our home.
Look deep into your child's eyes today and feel the love so deep within your heart. It feels so good.
I have vowed to myself that I will begin writing the book my husband believes I should write. I will fill it with the trials and joys of our adoption experience. Be watching for it!!!

OUR CHRISTMAS MORNING.....

It was a late night Christmas Eve and all the creatures seemed to be stirring in the house. Everyone was so full of the Christmas excitement that it took a little extra time to get everyone snuggled under their covers. Once we accomplished that feaat "Santa" & I set out for the gift hideaway. After about 6 trips up and down the steps the gifts were ready to be arranged under the tree and I could finally snuggle into my own bed for a restless night of sleep.
Morning rose and our little alarm clock (Derek) woke us at the same time as every day. 8:00 came way too early that day. We snuggled in bed a little until both the girls were stirring about. We decided to attack our piles of gifts in our jammies this year. Derek was so excited when he seen all the gifts but he still asked to watch Elmo rather than open them. Once we got him started though he just kept rippin' and tearin'. He had a great time. The girls got lots of great things that they liked this year for a change. I cooked Christmas dinner for us and we just had a family day with our Best Gift Of All....Derek!!!! Norm and I spent alot of hours in the day jmust looking at Derek and reflecting on how happy we are to have him in our home and family finally!!!! What a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!!!!!
After a 2 hour nap Derek woke and we headed to Norm's family to have Christmas with them. More gifts to open and food to eat!
On Friday we went about our work days as usual and at supper time we headed to my Mom's to have Christmas with her and my Brother & Nephews. More gifts....more food!!!! We had a wonderful time this holiday having Derek in our lives!!!!

WE WISH YOU A
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Now Santa must get some much needed rest before the sleigh needs filled!

"Big D" Got His Second Christmas Present In The Mailbox Today.....

THANKS MAX!!!!
He loves the book but really LOVES the picture! He can't stop looking at it and carrying it around. Great idea your Mommy had on that one!!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Derek Opens His First Christmas Gift.....

Thanks Barb & Alan. He loves them. This is his first Thomas pieces as well and I love the Chinese Dragon car. It is perfect!!!!!
Here's a little video coverage of the event.....

Didn't like the cookies in the last post????

How about some "Lick & Stick Peanut Blossoms" instead????

Anyone Care For A Christmas Cookie??????

Derek helped bake Christmas cookies on Sunday. We loved watching him lick the sugar off his fingers and then......"Double Dip" to decorate the next one. Oh well what's a little toddler slobber???!!!!

CHUGGA, CHUGGA..CHOO, CHOO....

OFF WE GO!!!!!!

Saturday we boarded the local Polar Express with my brother and nephews for a fun ride on the rails. Big D's first train ride!!!! The evening began with a light snowfall as we traveled to our destination to board the train. We stopped by KFC for a quick bite to eat and then poured ourselves back into the van to meet Ken & the boys. When we arrived at the train Derek was awestruck. The train was decked out with icicle lights and with the snow the mood for a winterland train ride was set. Ken knew the owner/engineer making it quite an advantage for us. Instead of sitting in a passenger train car with kerosene heaters we got Deluxe seating in the Dining Car which had just been restored. It was heated and absolutely Beautiful!!!! We traveled miles and laughed and watched out the windows for Christmas decorations on the houses we passed. Derek had the time of his life!!! Well at least until the Big SURPRISE......Santa just happened to come along. Now hear me out, Derek was not afraid of Santa at all but that darn reindeer he brought along was a whole other story. Made Derek scream bloody murder!!!! Once the reindeer trotted away though Derek was back to enjoying the ride. After we arrived back at the station we poured into that van once again and headed to......Dunkin Donuts for a little hot cocoa and of course a doughnut!!! What an enjoyable night!!!! Here's a few pics to check out!!!