CUTENESS.....

We have had the wonderful opportunity of staying in close contact with 2 of the families we were fortunate to adopt with, The Haags, & The Harwells. This past weekend the Harwells flew into Pittsburgh, the Haag hometown, and we jumped into the van and drove to all meet again together since our stay in Vietnam. What a wonderful time. It was so surreal to all be together again and to now be able to share and compare stats about our children. The kids were so cute together and played as if there wasn't an eight month gap since being with each other. They had so much fun. It was hard to return home and even harder to say goodbye to the Harwells as we knew that would end our kids' time together for another period of time. Be sure you check out the matching outfits on the kids which they wore to the awesome BBQ that Matt & Lauren planned for friends and family. Thanks Lauren for the cuteness you created!!!

Check out these beautiful pictures that Alyssa took on her Art Club field trip.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2013970&id=1394828307&l=2f4a4bb7e5

RANDOM PICTURE POST....

Derek looking as cool as ever

Taking the "Caregiver /Survivor Lap" but Derek got tired and requested a lift

Derek's first ice cream cone



Looking Dapper!!!!

Alyssa being less than thrilled to head to the prom 2009

Hey just passing on a great opportunity to all of you readers. Visit Laurie over at
http://www.goodhappenings.com/
and get in on the DadGear Giveaway she is offering. Not to mention she has a house full of delightful little ones and is alot of fun to blog with. She always has something amusing going on there!!!!

A moment of thrill just came across me as I had a few moments to sit and think through my calendar of upcoming events.....
May 8th---My beautiful daughter will attend her 1st prom!!!!
May 10th--Mother's Day
May 12th--My mom's final chemo appointment!! YAHOO!!!!!!
May 30th--See Matt, Lauren & max & Jeff, Michelle & Linhly!!!!!
July 20th--Spending a week in sunny California with The Harwell's!!!! VERY EXCITED!!!!!

Introducing The Future Pit Crew Tire Changer For The #17 Matt Kenseth Team......

We got Derek a workbench that has carpenter tools on one side and when you flip it you get a car engine to take apart and put together. I guess I don't need to tell you that Derek can do it in record time. It also came with this car that you can do repairs on and he learned how to change the tires quicker than I learned how to cut hair!!!! I am pretty sure that the #17 team will be recruiting him when he is old enough. Does anyone have a connection to Matt or his crew??? We would love to have Derek meet him (okay secretly it is me who wants to meet him). Huge Fan!!!!! Go Matt, or as Derek says Mo Matt!!!!!!

LOOKING FOR A PLAYDATE.....

The swingset should be all done this week since the weather will be warmer. The house is invitingly fun and the picnic table just needs a few cutie pies gathered around it. Anyone interested?????

Derek Hangin' With His Buddy (Pap-Pap)...

Random ADORABLE pics.....

DEREK"S FIRST ICE CREAM CONE

He wasn't too fond of this and didn't get very far with it. Guess I'll be having a fattening summer at the ice cream stand this year.

DEREK'S FIRST EASTER EGG COLORING & EASTER EGG HUNT...

He even found a prize egg which supplied him with the big chocolate bunny he is chewing the ear off of.

We have had so much going on and it is too much to talk about here. I just realized it has been almost a month since we blogged so I am going to leave you with a new picture of Derek until I have a little more time to write the novel.....

Here's Derek showing his culture. We thought ths would be appropriate to wear for the Tet holiday!!!! I had to throw in this picture of him snapping a picture of Tinka with his camera that Santa brought him.

I have been "face" inspired by Jenna over at Stoll My Heart. Thanks Jenna for taking such awesome pics of Ella since it has made me realize that taking a cute picture doesn't always mean it has to be posed. Here's one I took that I love!!!!

Since there is no local Tet Celbrations in our area we had to "ad-lib" our own. Today Derek colored some pictures depicting the Holiday!!!! We also spent time browsing through our pictures from our adoption trip.

HAPPY TET!!!!!!!

If you haven't read this article check it out......
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/KA27Ae01.html

What is everyone doing to celebrate the Tet Holiday???? We are making ornaments and coloring pages about Derek's Vietnamese culture!!!!
Do something special with YOUR child!!!!!

OK so here's how it all went down.....
Yesterday Norm's sister brought Derek's birthday gift by and it included Elmo Potty Time video. He loves Elmo and watched the video over and over. Well a miracle happened.....
Derek woke up with a completely dry diaper this morning and after alot of coaxing and teeth brushing he "PEED IN THE POTTY"!!!!!!WOOHOO!!!! Probably just a freak moment but I am going to brag about it for a little while!!!!

Thursday Was A Day Of Fun For Derek, Mommy & Daddy.

We snuck away for the day to attend the annual PA Farm Show in Harrisburg. Derek loved seeing the HUGE tractors and he screamed with excitement everytime we got near one. The animals were something to look at for him but he didn't want to get too close. He again showed greater excitement when we checked out the chickens and the horses. The rest of the animals he just looked at but wouldn't pet. We toured, ate, and chatted with a few friends and then called it a day as we jumped back onto the shuttle bus and snuggled into the car for a restful ride home. Here's a few pictures we took on our adventure....

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY DEREK!!!!!!

Our beautiful boy is two today. Wow we can remember looking at his referral picture when he was just a tiny 3 months old. My how he has grown!!! He has become so comfortable and familiar here and it has made each day a new and EXCITING journey through his life. We are so thankful to God for bringing him home to us.

Dear Derek,
We waited such a long wait for you to be a part of our family. But each day with you all of that slowly fades into the background. It seems like you have been a part of our family from the day we looked upon your picture. We love you with all of our hearts and are so thankful to your birth country, your biological family, and your caregivers for all tht they have given to us in you. Most of all we thank God for bringing us all together. We will love you all of your life and we look so forward to watching you grow through the years.
Love,
DaDa & MaMa