The Family Plan

We're going to adopt a child.

Most people have already heard this news (since we did announce it in our 2007 holiday letter), but I figured I'd blog about it anyway, on the odd chance that there are people out there who might be interested or share our experience.

It took David almost 2 hours to propose to me back in 2003, but the proposal stemmed from our conversation of "where do we see ourselves in 5 years." We actually had a plan, a well thought out plan. We've learned something about "plans" and that is they change. And sometimes, a lot!

We started with:

1. Get married.
Yep, did that, took a year. Beautiful ceremony with just family. Big party with everyone. And awesome trip to Mexico!

2. Get House
Check. I'm not sure which is harder: brain surgery or house hunting. But we did it, glad it's done, and we LOVE our house. 3. Get pregnant
mmmmmm. That didn't go so well - plan gets a little skewed here.

4. Go through infertility treatments
We found lots of encouragement from doctors (go figure) and read lots of books, talked to lots of people, and spent lots of money (that's where the Dr's encouragement came in). So not really what we planned.

5. Adopt
Seems natural. We found a lawyer, interviewed agencies, talked to friends (thanks friends!!)

6. One more time with the treatments (just in case)
Just wanted to be sure!! We were actually super duper really close - who knew they had a whole classification called "chemical pregnancy" ah well - back to the plan.

7. Ok, ONE more time
Failed miserably. Go back to step 5 of plan.

8. Domestic or International?
Domestic. This is a whole other topic for a different day. But it seemed to be the best fit for us.

9. Pick an agency
Fortunately we'd already interviewed various agencies, and our lawyer recommended a few. We chose Lutheran Family Services, but with all plans - they seem to change and we are now with Adoption Choices.

10. Complete paperwork
Grueling. That's all I've got to say about that :p

11. Wait
What they don't tell you about waiting is that all the people you've met along the way that are also waiting - they ALL get matched while your still waiting. Which leaves you wondering "WTH is wrong with me?!"

12. Match!
Failed

13. Match!
Failed

14. Match!
Failed

15. Match!
Failed

16. Match?
Really? What's going to go wrong? Do we believe it? We don't even remember what the plan was anymore...

17. Still matched!
Wow. And we really really like the birthmom, and she tells the social worker that she really really likes us. This must be good!

18.
No more plans for a while - just going wherever the road takes us at this point.
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Scooter For Sale

Mini Gas Scooter for sale! (would be great for kids between ages 10 - 15)

The Sunny Scooter is sturdy, durable, and reliable. It has been tested to safely carry up to 165 pounds of weight. It can go for 30 miles at 15mph on a single tank of gas (1 quart)!

The Sunny Gas Scooter is great for riding on smooth pavement (not legal for on-road use), and is also ideal on gravel or sandy surfaces. The Sunny can be used with the seat in place, or in a standing position with the seat removed. Other Features Include:

• A comfortable, removable seat

• High quality front-wheel drum and rear-wheel disc brakes • Large air filled rubber tires

• Headlight and dual red brake lights

• Electric Starter mechanism

• Dual belt driving mechanism

• Adjustable steering column

• Retractable kickstand

• Folds for easy storage and transportation

• Easy to operate engine starter cord

~ Gas Versus Electric Scooters ~

Gas is more convenient since you can refill at any service station. With electric scooters, you have few options for recharging - usually this can only be done at home or work. Also, the gas scooter is more powerful, with a faster maximum speed. These facts help to make the Sunny Gas Scooter one of the most enjoyable ways of getting around available!!

Specifications

• Weight : 50 pounds

• Max. Capacity Weight : 165 pounds

• Max. Speed : 15 M.P.H.

• Framework : Steel

• Tires: 9" x 3.5"

• Engine Type : Single cylinder, air-cooled 2-stroke

• Drivetrain : Chain

• Fuel Type : Unleaded Gasoline and 2-stroke oil (25:1)

• Fuel Tank Capacity : 1.05 quarts (1 liter)

• Driving System : Chain

• Brakes : Front drum; Rear disc

• Dimensions (L x W x H) : 45.27" x 18.11" x 55.12"

Original price: $400
Your's for $200!!

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I purchased this scooter a few years ago for Burning Man - works GREAT in the desert. NOT so great for living downtown. It is NOT STREET LEGAL. I only used it one summer and has been sitting in the garage ever since. I built a canopy on the back (now removed) so back of scooter is a little scratched from poles and a basket. I still have the bracket I used to attach at basket so you can have that if you want it. It also comes with a little tool kit.

Mayor Hickenlooper's Campaign to end homelessness with a Slumber party!

"Local executives traded in their business suits for the third annual Pajama Party, benefitting Denver's Road Home Project to help and end homelessness in Denver.

The party was the signature event for Denver's Road Home project which began in October of 2003 in response to an increase in homelessness in Denver.

At that time, Mayor Hickenlooper organized a commission to develop and make recommendations for a plan to bring an end to homelessness. In 2005, the Denver City Council and Mayor Hickenlooper approved the plan that has been on going since July.

Since its inception, the plan's long term goal has been to enable the less fortunate to build a sustainable life and find permanent housing in the community.

The Denver's Road Home project also focuses on emergency shelter systems, prevention, public safety and outreach, education, training and employment and community awareness.

The PJ party raised $110,000 in 2997 and in 2008 the goal is to raise $150,000, according to Steve Douglas, spokesperson for Suncor.

Guests mingled with some of Denver's top executives in their best PJ's of course and took part in a top-of-the-line silent auction."

the Denver Post

For more information about Denver's Road Home: http://www.denversroadhome.org/

Holiday in Vegas

After finalizing our adoption application, background checks, training classes, personal profile, and gathering of paperwork from the previous 5 years - we decided we needed to get-away (seriously!). And the perfect quick get-away seemed to be Vegas. Since neither of us are really gamblers, being in Vegas might seem like an odd destination - but I had never been and David thought it was time for me to go.

We left on a Thursday and stayed at the Rio which is located off-strip.

We spent the rest of our travel day checking out the Rio at the Wine Cellar and David played craps (I just helped him drink the free beer they kept delivering to the players). Then we had dinner in the hotel at the Italian restaurant: Antonio's

Friday was a day of total exploration. We started at the south end of the strip and checked out every casino's theme and atmosphere. At Mandalay Bay we went to the Shark Reef... but didn't take any pictures of sharks...

Then we went to the Luxor and experienced their interactive movie ride (I don't know what it's actually called...) it was fun... till one of the riders pulled the "get me outta here rope" and ended the ride for all of us :p Fortunately it was almost over.

We kind of quickly walked through Excalibur... it wasn't very impressive. But New York New York... now that place had the best restaurant inside! The Nine Fine Irishmen is where we had lunch, we sat next to a gentleman from Ireland who was in the US for his first time and he kept telling us how much he LOVED America... well, at least he loved Vegas. I loved the live band that was playing irish folk music :) I think if we ever go back to Vegas I'd like to stay at NY NY.

That night we saw Monty Python's "The Quest for the Holy Grail." LOVED it. They actually let you drink beer during the play out of a giant gold (plastic) grail!

(I can't seem to get any more pictures to upload - so I'm done trying for now)

Next day we finished the rest of the casinos. My favorite place to just sit and enjoy a class of wine was in front of the fountain stage/show at the Wynn. I could have sat there allllll day.

Estes Park Highland's Festival

Going back to the year 0f 2001, David and I had originally hoped to get married in Grand Lake... but due to the logistics of such an endeavor - we didn't. So every year for our anniversary we drive through Grand Lake, have dinner at the Rapids, then drive to Estes Park the next day for the Long's Peak Highland's Festival.

Every year we seem to add a new activity to our trip. This year was fishing. This was along the East Inlet to Grand Lake - we just missed the moose!

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Last year was Frannie! She likes to march in the Highland's Parade

with the Dogs of the British Isles. She didn't mind being the only Field Spaniel, but she did mind when people called her a Border Collie or Irish Setter (and someone even called her a moose!)

At the end of the parade we ran into Shannon & Rob!

~ photos of them on Shannon's camera ~

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When we got to the fairgrounds she wanted to show off a little more in the Grand March of Dogs
(a review of the event HERE)

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Some pictures I took at the festival...

Battle items.

Pipers piping.

I like the shoes.

Frannie is scared of the sheep.

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We did a few more activities than usual....

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We watched the jousting, and it's the real kind - where they actually hurt each other!

(more info about the joust HERE)

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We also went to the Ceilidh ("Kay-lee", Celtic New Year's Party)

to see the Elders (that's a band)

~ photos exist on Shannon's camera ~

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Our last day there we of course spent the whole day in a dark bar watching football. But, Frannie and I did wander off for some time at the photo studio...

Frannie slept the rest of the day.

She was pooped.

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The strange part was to come home, for the first time, with out any pictures of Elisabeth piping.

You can find here HERE ...somewhere.

Crystal Lake, Colorado

Just don't ask me where it is. For most of the drive I was falling in and out of sleep - best I can tell you is that it's in the mountains, it's far away, and there was no wifi anywhere! But, it was some place beautiful.

We got a late start Friday and arrived Friday night in between rain showers. The plan was to meet up with Pete, the Kellers, and the Muegels for a weekend of camping, hiking, jeeping, and apparently some rain.

Saturday's plan was to hike up Wetterhorn, but being the girl that I am, when it was raining I bailed pretty quick and went shopping... remember - girl! The boys, however, looked like they had fun...

Follow the finger to the top where they were.

Sunday was more of a group effort. Eight people and two dogs squeezed into 2 jeeps for a drive to Cinnamon & Engineer's pass.

First stop was at American Basin. LOVED the flowers there...

Next was Cinnamon pass

Then, Animas Fork Ghost Town where we ate lunch.

Final stop of the day...

Engineer's Pass

Did I mention how pretty it was?

Frannie had fun too!

80 Years of Marriage

Bob and Jen celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with very little fan fair. Diane and Greg were celebrating their 20th so they combined efforts and hosted an "80 Years of Marriage" celebration at Bob & Jen's on the evening of July 14th.