The Last Four Years, July 17, 2010

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.

Blog Changes, July 16, 2010

Hello Everyone,

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!

Love to you all,
Diana, Jon & Stefie

CHANGES

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.

I hope you enjoy a few new photos.

IN MEMORY OF THERESA MARIE, September 27, 1969 - January 27, 2009

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.

With Love,
Jon, Diana & Stefanie

IT'S BEEN A WHILE, JANUARY 26, 2009

Gung Hay Fat Choi! Happy Chinese New Year!



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.

FLY ME TO THE MOON, SEPT. 21, 2008

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.

SILLY PHOTOS, MAY 19, 2008

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.

Stefie's First Dance Recital, May 10, 2008

Today Stefie had her first dance recital at Wheeler Farms. The music is from Toy Story, "You Got A Friend In Me". All we could do was laugh! This performance was too cute. Stefanie was really nervous before her performance and was distracted by all the people watching from the second floor. Stefanie's Teacher Miss Amanda was not in attendance so Tammy the owner of the dance school stepped in to help the girls with their performance. In the video pictured from left to right is: Frankie, Alliekena, Halle & Stefanie. Enjoy this cute performance!

STEFIE'S 3RD BIRTHDAY, APRIL 8, 2008

Today is Stefanie's 3rd birthday and Jon and I cannot believe how fast time has gone by. Our baby is grown into a beautiful little girl! She is funny, and has such a beautiful laugh and smile. Stefanie is bright, very energetic, kind, gentle, a little performer, a singer, she loves to paint and draw, read books, do puzzles, play in with her dishes and kitchen. Stefanie sings the alphabet song to us only missing a few letters and she can count to 20. Jon and I are so blessed to share our lives with Stefanie. Every day is an amazing day with our daughter.

Stefanie is growing up way too fast and doing things I never expected. On Easter she asked me if I was the Easter Bunny. Can you imagine...she was not even three years old. Of course I explained I was not and I am not sure why she thought I was. She does not go to school yet to be influenced by others but what a surprise. Stefanie is now trying to order food from waiters and waitresses at restaurants, yet another surprise.

This morning Stefanie woke up so very happy and climbed in bed with me to tell me she had been dreaming of cake, ice cream and balloons. She also told me she wanted to eat bacon. Jon and I did not have any turkey bacon in the house so we decided to take Stefanie out to breakfast instead. She definitely ate bacon as she ate Jon's bacon, my bacon and her own, in addition to eating most of her breakfast. She had such a wonderful day and was so full of smiles and laughter all day long. It is hard to believe Stefanie's special day is now over with and that she is now 3 years old. Jon and I will have beautiful memories of this very special day.

I have created a slide of photos from today's birthday party with my sister Theresa, Jon, Stefanie and I. We had a quiet celebration together as I am still trying to get over the flu.

STEFIE'S PRE-BIRTHDAY PARTY, MARCH 30, 2008

Once again this year Stefanie has a pre-birthday celebration. My mother Rosie was visiting and she wanted to celebrate Stefanie's birthday with us. So today we celebrate Stefanie's 3rd birthday. Stefanie loved every minute of our celebration with cake, ice cream and of course presents all for her!

THE CROWN, MARCH 29, 2008

This morning Jon was feeling productive and went into the basement to sort through old boxes. Jon came upstairs and brought with him my old crown he found in a box. I do not talk about my crown, unless someone see’s it and asks me about it. When Jon and I lived in Minnesota, Jon had me place my crown on a shelf along with all his awards, and he would like me to place this crown on the shelf here in Salt Lake.

When I was 19 years old, I was entered into a beauty contest by a friend of mine. My friend filled out an application and submitted it without my knowledge, then told me about it after doing so. I promised my friend I would go through with the pageant, only if I received a telephone call regarding my application. Well, I did receive that telephone call and I followed through. This was not something I would ever have done on my own, even though I use to model. My first contest, I won. It was in a small pageant and my title was "Miss California's Dream, 1987". Since I won the first pageant, I was automatically entered into another pageant in which I did not win. I was lucky enough to meet and become very close friends with someone by doing that pageant. After my second pageant that was also the last one I entered, as this was not something I planned on doing. I do enjoy watching pageants today and I think it has something to do with knowing what goes on backstage. I really enjoyed the year I spent as a beauty queen and I was sad when I had to give up my title. I considered myself very fortunate to have won and I had a lot of fun that year! I am really glad I went through with the contest, although I lost contact with my friend who actually entered me in to it.

Jon and I recently considered the idea of entering Stephanie into a Hawaiian Tropic contest. I think with Stefanie's look she would be perfect as a Hawaiian Tropic model. One of Stefanie's friends from dance class entered the Hawaiian Tropic contest and won second place. We were happy to hear she did so well, and she is such a cute little girl.

Currently Jon and I do not have any intention of entering Stefanie into beauty pageants, unless this is something Stefanie wants to do when she is older. Jon and I will support Stefanie with whatever she wants to do. At this point we will not be doing anything, although Jon keeps mentioning to me Stefanie should do print work. Stefie and I took a few photos for Jon with my crown and we all had a good laugh. She looked so cute!

This crown is pretty large and Stefie managed
to balance it on her head really well. Unlike me,
when I won it fell off my head and rolled onto the ground.
Prior to remeber to use hair pins to hold it in place.

LION, A TIGER & STEFIE, MARCH 29, 2008

This morning my sister Theresa, Mom and Stefie went out for a girls day of shopping. While were out we unexpectedly ran into a Lion and a Dog. Luckily Mom and I had our cameras with us and were able to take photos.

When Theresa and I were young every Saturday we would go shopping with our Mother Rosie, our Grandmother Lupe (my mom's mother), our Aunt Yolanda (my mother's sister), and Yolanda's daughter, cousin Christina. Christina was probably about as old as Stefie is today. We would all spend the day together and then have lunch. We remember having a lot of fun and of course we miss those days. Today its a lot harder for Grandma Lupe to go shopping, not to mention Grandma, my Mom and Yolanda all live in California. Cousin Chrissy now lives in Wyoming and we are here in Salt Lake City. Anyway we have wonderful memories where we all spent most of our time together.

Theresa & Stefie




Theresa & Stefanie

THE MAYAN, MARCH 26, 2008

Today was my first day out of the house since I had surgery and Jon, Stefie and I took my Mom, Rosie for lunch at The Mayan Restaurant. We had a very good meal and enjoyed a show. Unfortunately, my photos of the divers are very hard to see and will not show well on this blog.

Grandma Rosie


Stefie and Jon a.k.a."Daddy"

EASTER, MARCH 23, 2008

Eggs with Colorful Stickers, March 22, 2008

Stefanie really enjoyed coloring easter eggs this year. When we were done, she ended up having green dye all over her hands. Unfortunately, I did not take any photos this Easter as I had surgery the day before and I was still not feeling well.


Jon, Stefie and my Mom "Grandma Rosie".


Colorful Easter Eggs.

WE WILL DANCE ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY

Stefanie had her second dance class today. Jon took a few photos since I was at home sick. Here's a few photos from today. Enjoy, these photos are too cute!


Coloring before class.








Photo at home, everything's pink.


Working on balance.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

This morning Stefanie posed for a few St. Patrick’s Day photos. I had plans for us to go out to lunch, but unfortunately I have had the flu for the last few days, and I am still sick. I hope everyone had a fun St. Patrick's Day.

STEFIE'S FIRST DANCE CLASS, MARCH 11, 2008

Today Jon and I took Stefanie to a dance school and she had her first class. We wanted to see if she would enjoy this and she really did. Jon couldn't really take photos so he got one photo and a short video of a little part of the class. Stefanie will be going to dance class twice a week. Jon and I could not stop laughing. This was too cute! Stefanie is wearing the white t-shirt with jeans.