Where has the time gone?????

"Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend. "
-Theophrastus (372BC-287BC)

WOW!!! Is it REALLY September already??? I cannot belive it! Where did the summer go.. is it me or did the summer fly by? It feels like just yesterday, it was May 16th and we were getting on an airplane to go meet our son for the first time. Now my little man has had his 1st Day of Preschool. It's amazing how much our lives have changed... and how much our son has grown up. It has been so much fun to watch him blossom and see his amazing personality shine through. We had our second Adoption Post-Placement Visit and things are moving so smoothly. We are really quite happy with our little family and are looking forward to our final Post Placement Visit in December when we can complete ALL of Anthony's legal paperwork to officially change his name and make him a "DePrince". That will be a special day!

Since our last post, we have been quite busy... Anthony was Baptized, had his 1st haircut, visited the Philadephia Zoo, and we went on vacation to Ocean City for a week with our friends and their families... not mention, many many day trips to Mom Mom Chickie and Pop Pop Tony's Trailer as well as the Jersey Shore- including Holt Day at the Steel Pier! This summer has been amazing, Anthony has come so far... he is no longer the quiet, timid little boy we met at Binh Duong Orphanage on May 19th... or even the cautious child who first arrived to the US on June 4... but he is a vibrant, lively little fellow who is confident and comfortable showing his family just how much he loves them! He seems to be truely happy here and we are truely happy to have him! This morning while I was getting Anthony ready for school, all I could think about was how lucky I was to have this little person who gives me the best cuddles every morning and how my day just wouldn't be right if it didn't start that way. The laughter and giggles that begin as soon as Daddy walks through the door from work, seeing him act like a complete goof- dancing around the living room to no music at all, the absolute hysteria that is caused by that certain little tickle spot right underneath his arms, pretending to feed Mommy from the pretend bowl using Mr. Potatoehead's hand for a spoon, how much he loves foot massages just like his Daddy, watching him chase the dog around the kitchen trying to hand feed her, laughing as he imitates Daddy or tries to wear my shoes, watching him try to figure out a problem, seeing how much he enjoys playing with other kids and being in the ocean... these are the times I love... these are the things I wake up each day for... what I live for! I can't imagine making it one day without these treasured moments!

Now, my baby has started Preschool and I will go back to work soon, life is set to begin again and quickly things will soon be back to reality. My time as a "Stay-at-Home-Mom" will be finished, my time with my son and husband will be less and more structured. In a lotta ways I am sure that is a good thing, but it doesn't really feel that way right now! LOL! I guess you never really feel like you've had enough time...

Anyway... I made this montage of pictures from our trip to Vietnam... just a little trip down memory lane... I hope you enjoy it! I have also posted some pics from the last 6 weeks or so for your viewing pleasure.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The following pics are from Anthony's Baptism on July 19, 2008.

Our Family

Anthony with his Godparents

Uncle Mike and Aunt Diana

Receiving a special gift from his Godparents

Lil' Mr. Tude!

My Lil' Man!

He did so well taking pictures, we decided to do another pose!

Are you cute???

Don't forget to wash those toes!

Anthony's 1st Haircut at Bubbico's.. a family tradition!

This man cuts the hair of two of Anthony's Grandfather's as

well as his Daddy's!!!!

Look Ma... gotta new do!

Holt Day at the Steel Pier

August 1, 2008

Holt Day

Daddy and Anthony on... you guessed it-

the carousel!!!!

Holt Day

Mommy & Anthony rode on the Dumbo ride

Holt Day

Anthony had fun hangin' out and riding with Isaiah!

The Philadelphia Zoo

Grandma Char, Grandpa George, Anthony, and Uncle George

Ridin' high with Grandpa!

GRRRRR... scared ya didn't I?!

The following pics are from our annual vacation in Ocean City, New Jersey. little Anthony had a blast... and Mommy and Daddy had fun sharing some family tradition!

Daddy teachin' Anthony to play mini-golf

Morgan, Anthony, Bailey, and Dorian

Best buds forever!

He loved the BIG SLIDE!

A great big smile... who could ask for anything more...

acting like a goof in our apartment...

Our Future Surfer Dude

Pop Pop Bob and Grammy Sue came down for visit...

thought were gonna need help getting Pop Pop outta that ride! ;-)

Rollercoaster fun for Mommy and Anthony

All four kiddos... uh oh... that MUST mean

T R O U B L E !!!!!!

My favorite onsie...

I leave you with a few pics from Anthony's 1st day of Preschool... he really loves it and is having a great time getting to know all his new classmates and teacher.

Peekin' in the window...

"Hmmm, wonder what this place is???"

Wow... Mom, Check out all these toys!

I think I'm gonna like it here!

Thanks for reading and veiwing... I'll try to post more soon! Toodles... Bec-