This collage contains various photos of Stefanie. These photos start with two of her referral pictures from China at age 13 months to today at five years old. Jon and I could not have dreamed how wonderful our lives would be with Stefanie. She fills our life with so much joy. We are truly blessed.
I hope you are all having a wonderful summer. Please bare with me while I make some long over due changes to Stefanie's blog. It started with a slight change that drastically changed this blog. I will try to start posting soon.
We are all having a nice summer and Stefanie continues to make us laugh every day!
Hello Everyone, It has been a long time since I have updated Stefanie's blog. I tried to make a simple change and hit the wrong button. I will be working on the changes as soon as I can, and in the meantime enjoy a different look.
Stefanie continues to be the love of our lives. She is growing up to be such an amazing little girl. She loves to sing, dance, make up stories, play with her stuffed animals and most of the time likes to draw.
Stefie has a new love for technology, which is the computer. It started with her Grandfather teaching her how to make cakes on his computer spending time with him, and now she's trying to teach Grandma how to use the computer.
It is with great difficulty I write about my beautiful sister Theresa with many, many tears of sadness. On January 27, 2009, my beautiful sister Theresa Marie passed away do to an accidental fatal fall while attempting to climb into her four + story apartment window in Salt Lake City, Utah. Theresa was so full of life, she was very bright and made friends with everyone. Theresa loved to paint, craf, crochet and spend time with all her family and close friends. She adored animals and in particular horses. She loved to ride and had a horse named "Sheik" who passed away many years ago.
On the day Theresa passed away, she spoke to all of my immediate family and even carried a three hour conversation with our father. Theresa moved to Salt Lake City a little over 2 years ago to be close to myself and my family. She adored our daughter Stefanie. While by my side and my partner in crime, Theresa was one of my best friends. She had a wonderful zest for life. In addition, she had a love for the telephone. She used it at all hours. She would call me five times a day just to say Hi! We would enjoy sharing a cup of coffee on the telephone every morning, often savoring our favorite type at the same time together when we were not living in the same home. Theresa helped me teach Stefanie to walk, talk, ride her bike, play in the snow and one of her favorite past times to shop and so much more. Theresa became one of Stefanie's favorite playmates and whatever Stefanie wanted, Theresa would do for Stefanie.
Theresa was 39 years old and never married or had the opportunity to have children. Prior to passing away Theresa renewed her faith in religion. One month prior Theresa was Baptized, for the second time. She was in a wonderful place in her life, she was truly happy, had found someone she wanted to spend her life with. The day Theresa passed away she spoke of wanting to get married. For reasons we will never know Theresa's life was way too short. Our family is devastated Theresa is no longer with us. We thank all of our wonderful family and close friends for all the beautiful cards, letters and support they have shown us during such a tragic time in our life. Theresa will forever remain in our hearts. We love you and will miss you forever!
Leaving one last word of thought: Life is so precious and way too short. Live each day to the fullest. Remember not to take your family and friends for granted. Tell those closest to you that you love them. Theresa always told us how much she loved us and we did the same. A life taken so quickly and unexpectedly is very, very difficult. Death in general is so very hard for those of us who are left behind. The most important thing in life is our family and your friends. Remember to make time for all of those you love.
I apologize for not updating Stefanie's blog sooner as we have had so many things take place in our lives. My sister's passing has been so difficult to write or post about I was unable to do so until now. I am still having a very hard time with posting photos so for now I will only post 1 photo of Theresa. I will try to post additional photos at a later date.
Congratulations to all families who have received referrals. The latest batch of referrals have been sent out from China and it looks like they have matched through February, 2006. We were logged in from China on Jon's birthday Sept. 27, 2007. It looks like we'll have a 19 + month wait to see baby Kailey's beautiful face.
Stefanie continues to amaze us with her charm, grace and wonderful laugh. She loves to perform by singing and does not appear to be shy. She is the love of our life and we feel so blessed to be her parents.
In November we said goodbye to my sister, our dear friends, wonderful neighbors and moved to Palm Desert, California. Jon was offered a job he happily accepted. We absolutely love the warm weather but miss everyone in Utah. We are thrilled to be back in California and so much closer to our family and close friends.
Stefanie has adjusted quite well although she really misses our old home and her best friend Trisha. We are making new friends here and love so many visits from family and friends.
The photo of Stefanie was taken on Christmas Day at my parents house. This is Stefanie performing her version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in the hallway on her Hannah Montana Guitar. We could not stop laughing.
Jon and I took Stefanie to see what we consider her first movie at a theater. We went once a very long time ago but Stefie was just too young. Today we consider this her first movie since she will remember this day for a long time to come. I promised her any snack she wanted and a special family day out together. Stefanie was so excited and really enjoyed the theater. We had lunch before hand and then on to the movie. Our first movie together was Fly Me To The Moon, a 3D Movie.
Stefanie loved her snacks and her glasses. Of course no day is complete without photos. During the begining of the movie Stefie let out a scream when the flys came near her. The movie was very cute and entertaining. After the movie Stefie said "It was nice to meet the movies". Just too cute and so polite.
Stefie and I were waiting for Jon to take her to her dance class and I thought I would take a few photos. Stefie loves to see photos of herself with her tongue hanging out and just being goofy. Here are a few photos from today. These photos capture her beautiful, vibrant, funny and darling personality! Stefanie chose her own poses for these photos.
