Wonder Twin Powers

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Basketball Olympics

The Gold Medal Event: Bull in the Ring

GO TREVOR GO

And the Winner is.....

TREVOR DIESTE

Game Day Gold go BOOM....
(Inside joke....it's our modified version of the KFC commercial)

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Sunday, January 20, 2013

I feel like I am finally catching my breath a bit and have time to reflect on 2012. I continue to be thankful that we made the move to Florida. It feels like home. I drove my parents crazy complaining about the cold NC weather. I had FROST on my car. At one point my dad looked at me and said, "you act like you were born and raised in Florida!". Obviously, not the case, but we have become spoiled Floridians in a very short period of time. Darren is having his best school year yet. Trevor has adjusted so well, Mark and I have jobs, and I can't help but feel that we are where we are supposed to be. I know that our families never expected such a big move. We are so glad that everyone has been able, and willing, to come down and see us.

I must say that I am excited about 2013. It will be a year of some big milestones. I am trying to set new goals for the year, a new plan per say, but I have learned to let life happen as well.

These pictures are from the Winter Celebration at Darren's school (mine too).

Mr. Serious

AND Mr. Goofball

Trevor is totally into WWE. It was the Christmas Theme! Here is his first wrestling video.

Jen, Ang, Trevor, Darren, and of course, the Championship Belt

Trevor and John Cena

We had a great Christmas with Jen, Ang, Grandpa, Paula, and Stephen!!! Then we headed to NC!

Gorgeous Sunset

These are pictures from Planet Fun in NC filled with Helicopter Rides, Games, Bowling, and More

Darren's language is really amazing lately. He still loves singing along with his favorite you tube songs...here's BRUSH YOUR TEETH

Baking Bread with Grandma

Darren has never shown interest in helping out...until this trip. He got offended actually that he wasn't included and tried to kick Trevor. I asked him if he would like to help...and he said yes!

Happy NEW YEAR!: This is our Midnight Picture on New Year's. This is the first year Darren stayed up to celebrate. We cranked the music up, played some pool, and had a great time.

Tuesday...Poo's Day: Our favorite night of the week in NC. We love listening to Donnie and of course watching Grandpap perform. But, Darren was in a partying mood. He was one of the "WILD CROWD"

Trevor then requested a Beatles Medley and enjoyed singing with Grandpap.

I love this picture:) Beatle Mania

The boys had fun in the pool playing some football.

Knuckle head Cutie Pie

Basketball: The team is coming along. Last week they worked on plays...but coach forgot to designate a person to CALL the play...it was too funny as all stood around waiting for something to happen. This week, they cleared up that issue and had some nice passes and shots and were able to pull out a Victory.

Song of the Year: Gangnum Style!!!! Performed Darren Style

Happy 2013. Here's to more memories....and bigger dreams.

Friday, November 30, 2012

Birthdays, Basketball, and Much More

The boys had a very happy 9th birthday! Thanks to everyone for the cards and gifts. We spent our day at City Place which is one of our favorite spots in West Palm Beach. For all the Virginia folk, this area is very similar to a Reston Town Center or Old Town Alexandria. There are shops and restaurants and it is just a fun place to walk around and spend the day. You know me, I can't help but to look back at the Journey and remind myself how far we have all come. I remember the day they were born. I couldn't wait to meet them. I couldn't wait to see these creatures that had been expanding my body for months. I couldn't wait to kiss them, smell them, and show them how much I truly loved them already. I'm glad that I didn't have a crystal ball back then. I may have been terrified of all that was awaiting us along the path. Just as Dorothy was met with obstacles on her way to see the Wizard...I too had no idea what it would take to make it to Oz. Being new to the area and to my job. I have had the opportunity to share our story. To share it as a past memory, a hard fought battle, in which we are all now finally starting to see the clouds lift and the Florida sun shine brightly through. I don't really know how Mark and I lived in as many houses and states as we did. I don't know why Darren has autism, or why Trevor is so athletic and determined to succeed in school, or why they love each other the way that they do, or how it all pieced together. But it has. They are nine and they are all that I could have ever dreamed for. I never imagined being the mother of twins, or having a special needs child, but now I can't imagine a life without either. They are the ying and yang of my being just as much as they are a true blessing to each other. On their birthday, I was reminded of how thankful and blessed we really are.

Darren is a gift. I have always know that, but not always sure how to handle every part of him. Darren has taught me that I don't know all the answers. That if I want something, I have to fight for it...I also have learned to let things go....to believe...and to trust that when you ask for help, you receive it. He is a beautiful, strong boy. That has taught me more than I could have ever imagined. These video are just Darren being Darren these days....underpants, silliness, dance moves, and all.

Trevor Dieste. My straight A student. Wow...he continues to impress me on every level. Besides Green Lantern, he wears his heart on his sleeve and at the young age of nine his Wii age could be 19. He tries hard, still sometimes too hard....but that isn't such a bad quality after all. He's a good, good boy. I am thankful for his smile. I am thankful for his honesty and focus. I am thankful for his love of life and family. Trevor, to me, seems to have found a better balance in Florida. The toll of Daddy working in DE was hard for him, even though he totally understood why and dealt with it like a champ. Now, he is just happier. He seems to have all the most wonderful things in life surrounding him and it is allowing Trevor to be at his best.

A Moment of Reflection:

I always wonder what my Grandma Rose would have thought of the boys. No doubt, she would have loved them. No doubt that they would have adored her. I just will also always wonder what she would have thought about Autism, what gifts she would pointed out to me, what pride she would have taken in their bond, and obviously, I would have loved to watch her love them. I can't help but thank her from time to time for teaching me all that she did...just by being the amazingly, loving person that she was. It's hard during the holidays not to remember and treasure the ones we have lost. So many times in Florida, I would have liked to have picked up the phone and called Christine, to give her an update on the boys and to listen to hear words that always lifted my heart with hope. Or to look over and be able to see Ken sitting in his chair as he watched the boys climb on everything in site as we discussed the worlds problems. How can we not smile and think about all of the Thanksgivings in Gettysburg as we raked leaves...and then some! The other day I was remembering the dream I had in which Junie told me that Darren would talk...I knew then to believe it would happen. And I can always rely on the Lithuanian in me that makes me "strong, like onion" which helps me stay calm and carry on. For all that have moved on...we love you and wish you were with us....and are thankful that all the love that you gave us.

Ok...back to Birthday!

More pictures from our fun day at City Place. Trevor is skating on fake ice...only in Florida!!!

Yes! Basketball has officially begun and Trevor is so excited! First game is tomorrow. More pictures and videos to come!

I think the strangest adjustment to living in Florida is the Holiday Season. Tonight as I sit at the computer, all of my windows are open and the ceiling fan is the only breeze that feel. Trevor is outside in shorts playing with his friends and Darren is spinning a multitude of kitchen items. It just doesn't feel like November 30th. The mall helps. It is decked out and full of Holiday Cheer.

But I think that this picture symbolizes a Florida Christmas. Maybe we should light up a Palm Tree for goodness sake! (Not a bad idea actually)

But the hardest adjustment of all, is being far away from family and friends. We are thankful to have you all in our lives and are truly thankful for all the support you have given us.

Much love to all.

Happy Holidays