It's a Dream... and a Fantasy!

A Dream and a Fantasy Cruise that is! Last November I booked our family on the Disn@y Dream Cruise ship. This 5 night cruise has since turned into a 13 night vacation at Disn@y's Animal Kingdom Vill@s and the Dream cruise! I admit it... I am an addict. There. I said it. I am an addict. I am addicted to planning vacations as far out as I possibly can down to every possible meal, if I can! Today was the 1st day that bookings could be made for Disn@y's new NEW ship, the Fant@sy(by little Silver members like us)... and guess what?? Yup... we are on it!!!

Shasha has already been on TWO cruises. She actually took her first steps just before her 1st birthday while sailing in the crystal blue water of the southern caribbean on November 2, 2006! She was wearing the cutest little yellow outfit and we were walking outside the ship's Chinese restaurant! It was our 10th Anniversary... I remember it well. Her second cruise was a Disn@y cruise from LA to the Mexican Riviera. We had a fantastic time but she was just a tad too young to enjoy the kids club... but not next year!
And Po...well, not a bad start to his cruisin' adventures... TWO Disn@y cruises on the two newest ships in the Disn@y line. It certainly will be a DREAM come true!

Scott and I have been lots of cruises everywhere from Canada, to Alaska, to Hawaii and all over the Caribbean. It is one of the passions that we share and love to share with our children...the other would just happen to be DISN@Y!!! So you can see why a Disn@y cruise... or 2 is a big deal!

In Just 1 year our little man has...

*learned to crawl...
*learned to walk...
*realized running is better!
*went to his first funeral:(
*Visited the Aquarium... and pet a sting ray!
*Done Disney World TWO times... for a total of 12 days!
*had his 1st haircut in WDW at Harmony Barbershop!
*Ate in Cinderella's Castle and found out that he IS indeed a prince!!
*went Apple Picking TWO times!
*been to The Pumpkin patch!
*decided that he HATES SANTA and the EASTER BUNNY... at least for now!
*learned to talk!
*learned that talking gets him what he wants ... so he talks even more!
*had his first surgery:(
*found joy in chasing bubbles:)
*learned to throw a ball!
*found that bouncing ON A BALL is even better... but one should never try to stand on one!
*Learned to climb the stairs... much to his mother's dismay:(
* But has also learned to come down stairs safely on his backside:)
* learned to do a forward roll all by himself!
*has mastered the art of falling asleep while eating:)
*rode all the kid rides at Dorney Park!
*loved Hershey Park... where he rode his first FLUME ride... a big one!
*traveled to Pittsburgh to visit his sister's china friends!
*visited Acadia National Park... "hiked" up to see Bubble Rock!
*Ate a Popover at Jordan Pond House!
*Visited Plymouth Rock!
*Saw his first whales while out on a whalewatch!
*Pet a sea star and a sea cucumber!
*Had his first visit to the ER:(
*had his first visit to Atlantic City!
*Gained 5 and 1/2 pounds!
*found joy in giving kisses!
*can walk on the beam by himself... as long as the handrails are up:)
*has realized that hanging on the rings is FUN!
*"decided" to be a vegetarian... at least for now.
*got a new car (one of those little battery ones).
*been hugged about 25,000,000 times!!!!
*been kissed about 50,000,000 times!!!!!
AND SO MUCH MORE!!!!

I can't wait to see what he accomplishes THIS year!

Happy Do Gotcha Day Po!

One year ago today our family grew... our hearts grew... our love grew!
One year ago today...
we had the answer to our prayers,
we finally held our little man.
We flew to Taiwan to meet him there.


We pulled into the driveway
and caught the first glimpse of your shiny black hair
in the arms of your foster mom
with whom we trusted with your care.

Your baby face and tiny ears,
your lovely almond eyes,
the chubby oh-so-kissable cheeks
held power to mesmerize.

For months we stared at pictures
hanging on our walls,
or watching your face through videos
while we waited.... and waited for that call.

At long last WE were kissing you
a son to call our own,
a brother for our Shasha girl
finally, we were here to bring you home.

And now we hold you in our arms
and count our blessings from above
because just one year ago today
we were given *you* to love!

changed slightly to express our love to our son from Taiwan
from a poem
Copyright 1998 by Jill Work

Revisit... September 14, 2010

Gosh, I remember when this plane pulled up the gate at EWR and thinking, "This is the largest plane I ever saw!"






It seems like a lifetime ago. We were so excited and I also know that I was a wee bit scared of taking our almost 4 year old daughter with us on the longest flight of our lives. She, however, was fabulous and I could never imagine the trip to meet her new little brother without her. Having Shasha with us meant I could relax since I wasn't worried about her and it certainly gave he the experience of a lifetime. So if you are debating over if you should take your 4ish year old... don't debate... just go for it! They are way better travelers than we expect!

September 14 also is the birthday of my best friend, Jen. Traveling to Taiwan on this date was like Karma to me. It remains a constant reminder that Jen is always with me, protecting me and watching over me. Happy Birthday... and know that you have not been forgotten by those you loved and the students whose hearts and minds you touched. I miss you Jen!

Happy Do to Me!

One year ago today we were anxiously shoving last minute items into our suitcases, setting up a crib for our little Po-boy to sleep in upon his return from Taiwan and visiting with Scott's father for the last time before we left on our 2nd adventure of a lifetime. Of course our first adventure was traveling to China for our beautiful Shasha! !


Just had to throw a picture of a Po-boy in here!


Our little Po is such a great little boy... I sometimes look at him and just well up with tears because I love him so much! He knows that he is having a special day this week... he keeps singing "Happy Do to me" which is his version of Happy Birthday! And in a way it IS his birthday... the birthday of becoming part of our forever family! Oh my... he really is so stinkin' cute!

I am yet to finish his photo book so as I reminisce over last year's memories day by day I hope that you follow along and I will have the motivation to COMPLETE HIS STORY!

The last update photo of our little Po-boy before we traveled to Taiwan!

So... Happy Do to my little man!

All dressed to impress on her first day of preschool! shasha was very excited about going to school and meeting new friends. She told me that she just knows that she met het best friend today because the little girl reached over to hold her hand and she didn't even ask her to. She can't wait to go back... that makes mommy's heart happy!

School Bell's Ringing, Shasha's Singing...

Yup... Shasha starts preschool tomorrow! She is very excited and I am very nervous. I just know she is going to love it... she loves learning and meeting new friends. I am just nervous for her because that's what mom's do. But what will my little man do without his sister for 3 hours???