Who am I?

I am Derek’s real mom.

Derek has had many lovely women who have cared for him and loved him.

You may wonder how I could be Derek’s Number # 1 Fan when I am Julianne’s Number #1 Fan.

When I was pregnant with my second child I wondered if I could love this second child as much as I loved my first.

Absolutely!

I had an incredible amount of love for each and every one of my five children.

I am their Number #1 Fan.

As a parent I love each one of my children.

I just love them differently.

Each child has something so unique, and so special about them.

I love the good and I even notice the not so good.

Everyone has their own path to walk and their own journey to go on.

The not so good may be the very thing that gets them to the good.

It is not my place to judge.

I want to understand.

I want to be the one who believes in their potential and cheers them on.

I am a CHEERLEADER

OF DEREK

and

DEREK’S NUMBER #1 FAN!

He is my boy!

My only boy!

And will always be my boy!

And I am grateful.

So (Derek if you’re reading this call your mom right now) !

25 Comments

1. 

   Love the new websites for Derek and Julianne. They are looking awesome!!!! Just one fast comment, as a mother of an adopted son, I learned from adoption etiquette that all moms are considered “real moms”, because they all provide the nurturance of a mother. So, Marianne, you are Derek and Julianne’s “biological mom”, and a beautiful one at that! You’re the cause of their good looks for sure.

   By the way, I’m Derek’s self-proclaimed “godmother”. He and I have corresponded a bit, so I guess that makes me his “real” mom too. LOL My screen name means Lady Godmother, a name created to honor your amazing son.

   Keep up the good work. As Derek’s biggest supporter, I look forward to coming to this site often. It’s already bookmarked.

   donamadrina
   Derek’s Lady Godmother

   Comment by donamadrina — October 5, 2008 @ 9:34 am

2. 

   donamadrina,
   No offense intended to any of Derek’s “moms.” I’m sure that Derek certainly has a number of people that have mothered him throughout his life. I think that Marriann was just trying to highlight that she really is his mom, knows him on a personal level and not some fake person online trying to act like it. It’s sad that so many people online try to be someone their not.

   I’ll make sure Marriann sees your nice compliment on her looks. I’m sure she’ll appreciate them.

   Thanks for visiting the site and let us know if there’s something else you’d really like to see. We have a long list of things we plan to do with the site, but we’re taking baby steps to get it all working.

   Comment by John — October 5, 2008 @ 11:04 pm

3. 

   Can you post video of Derek’s weekly dance routine from Dancing with the Stars?
   hoping so!
   kathleen

   Comment by Kathleen — October 7, 2008 @ 9:40 am

4. 

   Kathleen,
   I’d really like to, but I’m pretty sure that ABC will never give us the rights to be able to do that. Where possible, I’ll post what I can. For example, later this week will be posting a bunch of pictures from Disneyland and Marriann’s trip to visit Derek.

   Comment by John — October 7, 2008 @ 12:46 pm

5. 

   Just wondering how you feel about your son living with shannon? Does not your church frown upon this? Or is ok since he is rich and famous now?

   Comment by sharon — October 19, 2008 @ 7:28 pm

6. 

   Sharon,
   Of course the LDS church frowns upon this. Certainly money and fame won’t ever change the principles the church teaches. Truth is truth. However, the LDS church does support strongly an individual’s freedom to choose for themselves. Derek has chosen this and he’ll be held accountable for his choices just like the rest of us will be.

   Comment by Not So Nosey — October 21, 2008 @ 2:54 am

7. 

   I just wanted to comment that I think Derek and Brooke are on fire and are going to win, I look forward to watching them week after week so entertaining!

   Comment by Madeleine Black — October 21, 2008 @ 12:27 pm

8. 

   I agree. They ARE going to win!!!!!!

   Comment by jenna — October 21, 2008 @ 8:48 pm

9. 

   As I was reading the comments on Dereck, I noticed you were talking about Dereck’s band. Who are they and what kind of music do they play? These are some really talented children you have and you have got to be really proud. Dereck, I love your sister and met her at the Kentucky State Fair and she is just a sweet heart, however I want to see a Hough vs Hough finale on DWTS. I love to watch you both dance, but I will vote for Brooke and you to take the trophy this year, while I have to saddly watch Julianne come in second. Wow that was a hard line to type, because I love the both of you. Good Luck to The Both of You. Enjoy and keep up the good work…. Rhonda Bowles

   Comment by Rhonda Bowles — November 7, 2008 @ 12:40 am

10. 

    Rhonda,
    Derek’s band is called Almost Amy. They were just recently signed to a record deal. Here’s a link to their current myspace page http://www.myspace.com/almostamy

    Comment by John — November 7, 2008 @ 9:48 am

11. 

    I would like to know if Mark Ballas, Derek’s best friend is as nice as he appears on DWTS. I have been so interested in Mark, Derek, and Julianne since they have become popular on DWTS. Now that Mark is eliminated from DWTS this year, what is he doing? Are he and Derek working on getting an album finished by the end of this year? These young people are truly amazing. You must be very proud. Kate

    Comment by Kate — November 12, 2008 @ 11:03 pm

12. 

    Kate,
    I’ve heard Marriann speak highly of Mark Ballas and really the whole Ballas family in general many times. So, I think it’s safe to say that he is as nice as he appears on DWTS.

    I’m not sure all the details of what Mark is doing since being off the show, but Derek has been practicing/recording with his band most nights after practicing and performing on the show. Since Mark is in the band, it’s safe to assume that he’s there with Derek working on their first CD.

    Marriann said that it looks like the Almost Amy’s album will be released in March, but they’ll start a tour to promote the album in December.

    Comment by John — November 13, 2008 @ 9:32 pm

13. 

    this might sound really stupid but do julianne and derek have the same mom

    Comment by Lauren — November 15, 2008 @ 4:15 pm

14. 

    oh and who is shannon is she dereks significant other

    Comment by Lauren — November 15, 2008 @ 4:17 pm

15. 

    never mind of course they have the same mom

    Comment by Lauren — November 15, 2008 @ 5:57 pm

16. 

    Lauren,
    Like you said, they do have the same mom. Shannon is Derek’s girlfriend. So, I guess that counts as a significant other.

    Comment by John — November 17, 2008 @ 5:13 pm

17. 

    yes thats what i meant (girlfriend etc.) lol i asked the whole mom question because it says about dereks mom and then about julianne`s mom instead of about julianne and derek`s mom. And john how or are you related to them?

    Comment by Lauren — November 18, 2008 @ 2:52 pm

18. 

    and actualy just yesterday i saw derek and brooke on the ellen show and he said she was his girlfriend (shannon not brooke).

    Comment by Lauren — November 18, 2008 @ 2:55 pm

19. 

    What a beautiful post about motherhood. Thanks.

    Comment by Juliana — November 20, 2008 @ 9:52 pm

20. 

    OUTSTANDING!!! My kids and I were routing for Derek and Brooke from day 1!!! Derek and Julianne are just amazing. You must be so proud of all that they are accomplishing. You have definitely taught them well. As a parent I know that you only hope that you’ve instilled in your children certain values, morales, ethics, etc. At such young ages I am amazed at the desire and drive that Julianne and Derek have. My children are ages 13 and 9….any pointers? Congratulations Derek and Brooke!!!!

    Comment by Susan — November 26, 2008 @ 6:51 am

21. 

    Do you know where I could get a copy of the CD which featured “Been Waiting”, “Millions”, “Model In The Making”, and “Get Through” of Mark and Derek’s band when they were call Almost-Amy? When I went to order it on the Almost-Amy website, it was no longer available. If that CD is no longer available, will those songs be on their new album. I loved their gentle, sweet love songs.
    Kate

    Comment by Kate — December 30, 2008 @ 10:24 pm

22. 

    Kate,
    They are rerecording a number of their songs from the previous CDs. I’m not sure which ones, but watch for the new CDs to be released and you should see a number of the same songs.

    Comment by John — December 30, 2008 @ 11:00 pm

23. 

    I to had been rooting for Derek & Brooke. He looks like my brother the last time I saw him at 15. Until I went through Salvation Army & located him after 42 years. He had a twin sister but she passed away in 2000. They were kept from having contact with my sister & I. So everytime I see Derek on TV I see my brother from the years we were not in touch.

    Comment by Jo Ann — January 12, 2009 @ 1:32 am

24. 

    Am wondering when we’ll hear from Marriann again. Will she be posting on this website again? We need to hear from Julianne and Derek’s #1 fan…

    Comment by Jena Jones — January 17, 2009 @ 10:16 am

25. 

    Jena,
    Between the Holidays and Marriann’s move, her and I have lost touch. I’m trying to get a hold of her and decide what she’d like to do going forward. Hopefully we’ll have an update really soon.

    Comment by John — January 17, 2009 @ 8:37 pm

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