A BLESSED BUNCH

Every night before Eli goes to bed we call Dada at work so they can talk. And faithfully every night Dada tells Eli over the phone, “I’ll come in and give you kisses and hugs when I get home”. Last night, before Dada had a chance to tell Eli he'd come in to kiss him, Eli asked Dada, “you come tiss and hug me in my woom?” Dada laughed and said, “yes I will big guy…..every night”. I saw my husband as my hero in that moment putting up boundaries around our kids to make them safe and secure. The hours he works to provide make time as a family and communication very difficult at times. Tonight I realized that those little phone calls we make routinely are not so little at all. God can use the smallest of things to bring about His will. Through one phone conversation with a Dada and a little boy I was reminded I have a hero, I have a husband who loves his boys dearly and I have a warrior fighting to leave a legacy. Tonight, in the middle of the night I was awoke slowly out of ...

When we asked Eli who he wanted to invite to his birthday party he basically mentioned Ben's friends.. lol . Eli was very happy to see JW came, they've been buddy's from day one...it's kinda hard not to like JW .. lol . When Eli opened JW's gift everyone laughed. It was a hat very similar to JW's minus the visor... lol . 'Manny' (Mandy) was Eli's other friend who was able to make it to his party. Not a day goes by that Eli doesn't say, "I miss Manny" and he has good reason to miss her. She showers him with love and attention and is a sweet girl. Manny got Eli two books and made him a bunny. When Eli opened it he named it dog...but with the help of JW later on that night Eli decided to call it " Wubby Bubby ". lol

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2008 We began celebrating Eli's Third Birthday by having a Birthday Breakfast at Bob Evans before we went to church. We signed him up last year for their free birthday meal club and he received his certificate in the mail last week. He was so excited about getting mail!!  lol  He had Sausage and Pancakes and a really good time.

Hi Everyone, Daddy is upstairs in our room trying to get Isaac to sleep. He is such a love bug but keeps going and going...lol. Daddy is in love and can't stop smiling....I think I will have to settle for two Momma's boys and one Daddy's boy....lol. I love watching Rick's face when he interacts with Isaac. We have met some of the most wonderful people...aside from all of you of coarse...lol. Many families from all over, even England. It is very odd to see a 4 year old Guatemalan girl speak with an English accent. Isaac ate his first Gerber Puffs today and then we couldn't keep him out of them. He NEVER fusses....which is why I think Rick is sooooo in love. We had to move, pack and unpack, today since they could never get our bathroom plumbing to work. Tomorrow morning we have to be up at 5 to be ready to leave by 6 for the Embassy. Pray everything goes smoothly for us. Most of the families here are taking their baby home, but there are a few that are just visiting.....

Just days before Daddy went back to work, Eli developed a fear of the dark. Calling Daddy at work before going to bed to hear how he would protect Eli from any size or type of monster did seem to work for a few days, but eventually we were visited by him in the middle of the night wanting to sleep with us. One night, a cooler evening, when the back door was still open, Eli made up his mind that there were monsters out there as well. After a long debate of how there are no monsters he came to the conclusion that the bubble blowers would make the monsters go away. So we both armed ourselves bravely and headed out the back door to slay any creepy monsters hanging around out there. We turned in circles while blowing bubbles and telling monsters to go away. Then, with a bit of nervousness and fast feet he ran back inside sure that he chased them all away. But defeating the monsters in his room was another story....bubbles don't work according to Eli. So, Yesterday, I, Ben and...

We celebrated Rick's 48th Birthday. The I and the boys got him a mug, a DVD (comedian), a shirt and framed pictures of themselves. We just can't say enough about Rick and how loved and important he is to me and the kids. I'm sure every woman feels their husband is the best, but I truly look up to Rick for a multitude of reasons. He is by far the smartest, most level headed, GIVING, man I know. I have never seen a man so patient and full of grace. His birthday is always a day I thank God for placing him in my life and his mom and dad for raising him to be the God honoring husband and father that he is. WE LOVE YOU RICK! HAPPY BIRTHDAY.....LOVE, ANNIE AND THE BOYS

Rick and Ben got back from the mall with a few outfits and a new pair of shoes for Isaac since the ones we brought were 2 sizes too big. We spent the day at the pool, ordered pizza and ate poolside and played with 4-5 other families. Ben was a hit with all the little kids and the other parents were very appreciative. Isaac had his first bath tonight and is now having his last bottle for this night with Daddy. Say a prayer for one of our couples/friends as they were suppose to pick up there Visa today but were told that they would receive a call later today and if not they could come back tomorrow for it. There seems to be some sort of problem with it, but they are not sure what. The have to be at the Embassy at 10 and the flight leaves for home at 12....cutting it close. We miss everyone and are ready to come home! Lots of love, Rick, Annie, Ben and Isaac

We just got back from the Embassy and it was a piece of cake!! When they asked us to raise our right hand and repeat after me, which I wasn't aware we would be doing, it caught me off guard and I felt this lump build up in my throat....it just hit me....THIS IS IT, HE IS OFFICIALLY A DETHLOFF!!! Tomorrow Rick will go back to pick up his Visa and we can come home on Friday. Rick and Ben just went to the Mall just 2-3 blocks away to buy Isaac some pants that will fit. We aren't bothering with shoes until we get home. Rick and Ben are deciding if they even want to go to Antigua. The lawyers and others have spoken of it being unsafe and how tourism is down because of it. Isaac can't go because until we get his Visa tomorrow they hold his passport, therefore we have no way to prove he is ours. I will take no chance and I am staying here......I have my souvenier...lol! Check out this video of him laughing. He is such a loveable little man. I hope all of you that want to have...

Here is our Little Prince Isaac. Daddy is walking him around the hotel at this moment and loving every minute of it. He just stopped by the Business office where Ben and I are to let us know Isaac loves walking around with him and looking at everything!!! This website is much easier for me to post multiple pictures so check back here daily to see any additions. We had breakfast this morning at the hotel for the first time....WOW, the waffles are out of this world...can't wait for breakfast tomorrow. Ben is beyond helpful with his Spanish. He's modest in saying he only knows a bit, but compared to Rick and I, he is getting us through. Last night someone called our room and was speaking Spanish. Every time I tried to explain I didn't understand he kept speaking Spanish as if I would get it that time...lol. I ended up speaking "Spanglish"....lol...No Speak-a-Spanish.....Ben just about rolled out of the bed laughing!!!! lolol Well, we really ne...

Ben's last concert for the season was Thursday and he did very well playing three solos. Hopefully the short video I am attempting to upload will work, if not, here is a picture of him. He had a solo in Concert band for "Broadway In The 90's" and two solos in Jazz Band for "In The Mood" by Joe Garland and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" by Duke Ellington. Today, Ben received in the mail a response to his audition (about one month ago) for Governor's School of Excellence and was notified he has been accepted!!! We are very proud of Ben as he is the first student for Band in Sussex County who has ever auditioned AND been accepted! Ben will be one of maybe three trumpet players accepted to the program. He will be attending the University of Delaware from July 13-19th and living on campus for that week in a dorm. Welcome and Opening Ceremony are scheduled for July 13th 2008 at 2pm

Daddy found a turtle on a stump in the water but he jumped in before Eli got a good look at him. Here he leans over the bridge to try to see a tish (fish), turtur (turtle) or trog (frog). The look in the last pictures says it all.... ' tish gone!'

The twenty two months that have flown by since Eli was born will remain memories of mile stones, only alive archived in my thoughts. As long as God grants me a sound mind, those moments will remain as alive as the day they happened. I will hold precious the vision of a tiny 7 pound baby, ever so tiny, engulfed by a crib mattress which seemed he would never outgrow. The safety of knowing where he was and unable to get out of bed on his own made sleep come easy. But, preparing his new bed in preparation for Miah's homecoming and need for the crib pushed me to thoughts of the future. Thoughts of how he could now wake on his own and come to snuggle in our room, kneeling by his tiny new bed and saying prayers with him and witnessing the pride on his face as he climbs into his "big boy bed". But, as I watched him sleep for the first night in his trundle bed, that moment...that very instant it hit me again how quickly time slips by us...that moment too was fleeting. So ...