having fun

Diezel got to enjoy feeding a chipmunk at Estes Park in Colorado. He had so much fun. But at the end of the day he started getting cranky and wanted to be held. Diezel is wants to do everything by himself so when he wants to be held and cradled, I knew he wasn't right. In wasn't much longer before he vomited on me...I just wonder if it wasn't the altitude? Besides that one mishap it was a very beautiful day. He can repeat many words you say, perfect but unless you pull it out of him he would rather babble. I hope this is normal and sometime down the road he will start speaking words on his on accord.

Jackie (our cousin) was told by Diezel to look up at the mountain goats. He wanted to make sure everyone saw what he was seeing. It was amazing.

Second Prom

Douglas and Nicole

Elwood Nebraska Prom 2010

You can tell Douglas likes Nicole. I really like her to. Her family was really nice. I am glad I have raised my son to know how to find a girl that has self respect and has goals in life. I know that they are just teenagers but it is the stepping stones that lead us up our set of stairs to life... Dating is how you get to know the qualities you want in a mate for later in life. Maybe she will be the one. I know that some people marry their high school sweethearts. I did, later in life. Or maybe this will be the beginning of his adventure into dating.....One never knows what the future will hold but it is defiantly a beginning of something new.....

O'neill Prom 2010

Douglas and Alecia right before they went to prom. They have known each other since they were two. They are like brother and sister. They goof off as you can see in one of these pictures. The other is of Douglas' interpreter, Laurie. It was amazing that she was willing to go to prom with them. She also went to post prom with them for awhile. Douglas is so lucky to have her. I can't believe my oldest boy is going to prom already. He is going to two more, one in Lexington Ne. with a girl he is interested in dating. Her name is Nicole. She is deaf as well. Her brother is hard of hearing. It is nice to have others that I can relate to as well as Douglas. I will post pictures of that prom when we get back from it this weekend. Then in May he is going to a deaf prom in Omaha Ne.. After going to the speech contest in Kearney a friend, Vickie asked him if he would like to go with her. It is a little much but at least he has friends to have fun with and make memories with. Vickie is deaf and her sister is hard of hearing as well. Nicole and Vickie and siblings that are hearing. Douglas relates to them because of his family dynamic and I can relate to their parents. Having children that can hear and two that can't, it is nice to know other people that are similar to me. Well, I will post when I have pictures...

Robotics

Douglas was in Robotics. His team took first in this event. They took second in overall year round competitions. I am so proud of him. They did a good job. He left Robotics competition in Norfolk got home and had to hurry and get ready for prom that night.

Mapping

This was Diezel's 2nd birthday. I can't believe he is 2. He went back to the Lied Technology and Learning Center in Omaha Nebraska. They remapped his implants. I can tell that he is hearing better. He is starting to copy sounds and words that we say. Today he said "Wow, look at that" I was floored. How amazing is that.. I hope he keeps learning and saying more...

Speech Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Douglas did a good job on his speech. He didn't win but I think that everyone in this picture is winners. They stood up gave speeches, did amazing jobs, and they all represented themselves wonderfully. The speeches were on Cyber Communication, pro or con...Not only did they do a good job it was an opportunity for all these students to get together with old friends. Most of them live in small towns and don't have any other deaf students to relate to. I am glad they get these opportunities to be around one another.

Busy

Douglas made vegetable beef stew for his brothers, sisters, his grandparents, and great grandma. I thought this was so nice of him.

PROM, it is next month, I did not realize how expensive this can be. Especially, Since he is going to two of them. He has a busy month in April. Second weekend he has a speech contest for the DHH in Kearney Nebraska. The next weekend is his prom and the following weekend he goes to prom with Nicole in Lexington Nebraska..Busy Busy....