All Good Things Come to an End

We have enjoyed 10 great days here at my parents home in Chelan, WA and tomorrow we go home. It is always so nice to get out of the normal go, go , go of life with homeschooling, church commitments, parenting, maintaining our home, work, etc. I really needed a rest. Unfortunately, I am not convinced that I don't still need a rest, but I am still hopeful that I will be winning the Publisher's Clearing House $5000 per week for the rest of my life. Then, I will hire a housekeeper, hire a personal trainer, hire the perfect headmaster to begin an amazing Classical Christian Academy in our home town, and of course hire a personal assistant to keep me from losing my head. Just a few more months and I should be rolling in the dough so that I can not only do all of that, but have tons leftover to support all of the amazing non-profits that get me so jazzed. How cool would that be?
Ok, back to reality. I will be heading home and hitting the ground running. We get back to school, music academy, soccer and enrichment classes in the next 10 days. Gulp. We have had a great time here though. There has been lots of fun on the boat, tubing, fishing, swimming, bowling, miniature golf, water slides, hanging out with cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, and eating far too many yummy treats. It really stinks that we live so far from family, but I guess it makes time together more precious.

The Koldes

Here we are enjoying time with the whole Kolde family (my maiden name) at my parents place in Chelan, WA. It is really a beautiful place. We had plans to take pix out in nature somewhere, but the fact that it has been in the high 90s and 100s makes it a bit difficult to be out in the sun when you aren't on the boat. I will load more pix from our trip soon, but this sums up my side pretty well.

Douglas County Foster Care Backpacks

Well, we have had a great morning today. Our project to assemble backpacks full of basic necessities to the Douglas County Child Welfare division culminated in its first delivery of 32 backpacks this morning. Children removed from their homes in emergency situations, particularly when their is meth use in the home, are not able to take anything with them upon removal. This is done for their safety, but it makes for a difficult and potentially humiliating experience for the child as they are placed with their temporary caregivers in foster care. Our orphan care and adoption ministry at church (Cornerstone Presbyterian Church) wanted to do something to help these kids in such a difficult circumstance. These backpacks will give them a little something to call their own and provide basic necessities (underwear, pajamas, school supplies, toiletries, etc.) and a little something extra like a toy or stuffed animal. I was so grateful to be able to deliver them this morning and the child welfare office was so gracious and appreciative. They work so hard with so few resources and we hope this gives them a little boost as well. We hope to continue the project as the backpacks are depleted and would love to see other churches get involved similarly in their own communities. Thanks so much to everyone who participated in this and I pray God will use it to reach out to these kids and their families.

Project 1:27 Table Sponsorship

Okay, here is the deal. There is this amazing non-profit organization here in Colorado called Project 1:27. Their goal is to empty out Colorado's waiting children into adoptive families. Each year they have a fundraiser to raise awareness and funds for their services. They only charge families $50 for all the training, home studies, support services and assistance through the process (it cost them about $5000 per adoption). So, their next fundraiser is in early October. I would love to be able to get people together to sponsor a table (10 people per table, $500 per table). Obviously, some of you reading this have don't know me personally and wouldn't be interested in that necessarily. Others of you, however, do. So, if anyone is interested in pitching in on a table and/or coming to the event, let me know. It is such a great organization. Either way, if you aren't familiar with Project 1:27, check out their website.

Friday, October 3rd, 2008
6:00pm

Colorado Community Church

3651 S Colorado Blvd.

Englewood, CO 80113

Bad Haircuts and Bad Attitudes

I think that the title sums up my last week. I am having a doozer. Do you ever have one of those weeks where you just feel like you can't quite get out of that crazy woke up on the wrong side of the bed funk? Unfortunately, the funk wasn't stored in the bottom 3-5 inches or so of my hair, otherwise, it would most definitely have been lost a few days ago. My new hair stylist (aka- former new hair stylist/Edward Scissorhands)
was apparently thinking of other things while cutting my hair and decided that lots and lots of short layers would be a nice surprise. So, here is my tip for the day. Under no circumstances whatsoever, consider closing your eyes and relaxing during a haircut. Consider attaching rearview mirrors to the seat and perhaps mark with spray paint or yellow caution tape the "do not go beyond this line" point on your head. You must also take at least 5 photos of the style you want, even if it is just a trim of the same style that you are asking for. Also, you may want to bring along a court appointed advocate to be sure that the hair stylist is truly adhering to the contracted haircut. Videos and powerpoint may be advisable as well. If all else fails, Sally Beauty sells hair extensions, but I will likely have to cut off my remaining hair in order to pay for them. Ahhhh.... well now, I think that I may be feeling just a little bit better.