Quiet?

The blog might get quiet....school has started and wow, it's the real deal. So far so good but it's going to be fun challenge. Kelley's parents arrive on Friday. Colorado vs Colorado State on Saturday. My lil bro's birthday on Monday, Kelley's birthday on Wednesday.

Going to bed!

Kent and Marilyn receive Award!

My sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Kent Fannin have received an award. Please see the details here........THIS IS FROM A PRESS RELEASE
THIS IS THEIR BLOG http://place-of-promise.blogspot.com/

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US CONGRESSMAN TIM WALBERG HONORS JEROME COUPLE AS "ANGELS IN ADOPTION"
WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) announced today that he nominated Kent and Marilyn Fannin of Jerome , Michigan for an "Angels in Adoption" award from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI).
The Fannins have been involved with Family Services and Children's Aid of Jackson and Lenawee Counties for several years and serve as both adoptive and foster parents.
"The dedication of Kent and Marilyn to cheerfully giving of their time and talents has left an indelible, lifelong impact on the lives of several boys and girls in south-central Michigan ," Walberg said. "It gives me great pleasure to honor this remarkable couple that truly deserves the title 'Angels in Adoption.'"
Background on Fannin Adoption:
In 2003, Kent and Marilyn Fannin came to Family Service and Children's Aid in Jackson, Michigan and inquired about providing a home for abused and neglected children. Although they had a young son of their own; they felt their mission in life was to provide for other children who needed them.
Within a year of being licensed as foster parents, they began caring for a severely mentally and physically handicapped 7-year-old boy who suffered from cerebral palsy, seizures, and autism. He was non-verbal and functioning as an eight-month-old.
Even though the couple recently had their second child, they gladly accepted this child into their home. Within six months, because of the Fannin's hard work, encouragement and support, this young man progressed until he was able to feed himself, walk with assistance, and communicate his needs.
In 2005, Kent and Marilyn began attending a Bible and missionary training college and were considering serving on a foreign mission field; however, during this time, the now 10 year old boy's mother released her parental rights. After spending some time considering the situation, they made the decision to adopt this child and decided their mission in life was to help other children like him. In 2006 the Fannins were contacted again about a baby girl who needed placement. They chose to adopt her as well. They recently cared for a 1 ½ year old legally blind child and have since become the birth mother's support system. When a 9 year old girl needed emergency placement, Kent and Marilyn helped nurture her through a traumatic time.
Caseworkers describe the Fannins as patient, generous, understanding, nurturing, stable, considerate, and selfless. They treat children, families, and workers with respect and are always willing to go the extra mile for a child in need. They are never negative.
They carefully and prayerfully consider which children they can be most effective with. They do not seek attention for themselves and ask nothing in return.
They have dedicated their lives to helping needy children. They are truly "angels in adoption."

Sunday in the Mountains

Kelley and I just got back from church. Our church meets on Sunday evenings because we use another church's facility. We had a nice day today exploring more of the Rocky Mountain National Park. The first picture we are sharing is of some deer or elk or something, I'm not really sure? They were pretty close and sure were beautiful. This photo is at 12,500 ft.

Kelley is also shown here at that high altitude. We walked on a 1/2 mile trail (from the road) to get to this location. The area was total tundra without trees or much wildlife. Pretty cool. I thought it was kind of like the moon (not that I have been to the moon).

This last photo, Kelley took of a small lake on top of the world.

We spent the night in Estes Park last night. We had a nice time, did a fun hike to the top of Deer Mountain and enjoyed some burgers and fries for dinner. The tourist season seems to be winding down a little bit.

Yesterday was my Grandpa Shirkey's birthday!!!!

Free Concert - Gordon Lightfoot

Kelley and I checked out the Gordon Lightfoot concert tonight. The concert wasn't "free" but the vantage point we had was free. There is an outdoor ampitheater in Boulder and many people just bring blankets, chairs, dinner, etc and hang out and listen to the performers. It was fun. We heard the famous song "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald".

The city is starting to buzz with all of the undergraduate students moving in. The place goes from 75,000 to 100,000 in the next week or so. It should be interesting.

Tomorrow we are going to head up to Estes Park for one last mini-trip before school really kicks in. We'll stay at a hotel and go hiking at Rocky Mountain National Park tomorrow and Sunday.

I've had 2 good days of orientation. My classmates are very interesting. I think I've met about half of the 79 so far. Two are from Ann Arbor.

Time for bed! Bye.

Something Special about the First Day

This is a picture of David this morning as he headed off for his first day of school. His backpack was full of his laptop and charger, the Stats book they would be using and some snacks. I think both he and I were feeling that same old feeling that seems to accompany the first day of anything. In the photo it might not be easy to see the look of excitement on his face, but it was certainly there. So he rode his bike up the big hill to campus and started a new chapter of life.

I am still trying to figure out what my next chapter is going to be. I have spent the last week furiously learning Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. I guess I was actually accomplishing something during all of those long hours at the computer because today I finalized and submitted five greeting card designs as part of an interview process for a potential job. These Adobe programs have opened up a whole new world for me. I can hand paint an image as a starting point, and then adjust and add text as needed to create exactly what I had in mind. I am far from an expert, but I can imagine lots of possibilities. About the job, I hate to get my hopes up, or say too much yet...but it sure does look exciting.

Let's get is started

Today is my first day of MBA orientation. I'm pretty excited. So far I have met about 20 of my 80 classmates and hopefully I'll get to know the other 60 today and tomorrow. Last night about 15 of us met for dinner and some of the spouses came as well.

I really need to ask Kelley to write a blog because she has been doing some really neat stuff, I'm very proud of her. She has learned a diffucult computer graphic design program in about 8 days and will submit her sample work today for a 2nd round interview at a local design house. I really think they will be impressed. I'll ask Kelley to share more details.

It's been about 6 weeks since we left Michigan. I've got to say that although we miss our family and friends in Michigan, it seems like this has been a good change for us. I am certain that it is refreshing to take some time off of work. It is just so nice to be able to clear your mind and just decide....OK...I want to learn more about this today. I want to go explore this place and read this book or call these people and just ask them questions.

For the benefit of those who think I have been waking up at 10:30AM and dragging myself to the coffee shop each morning...I have actually been working (heaven forebid). I have spent the past 3 weeks working about 4 hours per day (don't forget, I'm still in the "transition phase") with a landscaping crew. I have basically been doing this type of stuff...dig, scoop, haul, rake, lift, move, repeat...I have been working at a new house construction site and basically I have been working as a day laborer. I show up, do whatever I am told to do, get paid and come back the next day.

Yesterday I worked with a lady who has recently returned from a sailboat trip to CUBA. Yes, it is very illegal for an American to sail to Cuba, but she did it. It's quite a story.

I sure hope all who read this are doing well. We love you and miss you and we'd love for you to come visit us in Boulder. Bye.

Free canteloupe with haircut

I got a haircut today. It was at a place called "Fred's" which is located in an area of town called "the hill". Fred drove out into the country this past weekend and he came back with a truck load of canteloupe.

These were free to anyone who wised to have some.

Nice Saturday Morning

I don't know where Kelley is....she left to play volleyball about 3.5 hours ago and she is still playing...she's an animal on the v-ball court.

I hiked up Mt. Sanitas with my friend Alan (from Mexico) this morning then had a nice bagel sandwich at a cafe. I am currently multitasking between doing laundry, watching golf on TV and writing this blog.

I stopped by Border's this morning also to look at some books, but didn't find any I needed. I did snap this photo from outside of Borders...not a bad view I'd say.

Last night Kelley and I learned something neat. There is an outdoor ampitheater about 2 miles away and if you go there you can sit just outside the facility and listen to the music. Our friend's husband was singing with the Orchestra last night. I want to try this scam again in 2 weeks when Gordon Lightfoot is going to perform.

Thai Dinner with Some New Asian Friends

Tonight we went to a Thai restaurant here in Boulder. We went with five (5) of my soon to be classmates. Three of them are from Thailand, one from China and one from Taiwan. It was a super dinner. We all shared each of our meals.

The Thai students said the food was sweeter and less spicy than authentic Thai cuisine.

Kelley was the only "significant other" and everyone is surprised to learn that she is not in the business school also.

I've heard of a bicycle built for 2....how about 4?

Kelley and I continued our Wednesday evening tradition and headed to the farmer's market tonight. We had a nice dinner, Kelley had a greek gyro and I had corn tamales with pinto beans...yummy.

While we were leaving we saw this crazy contraption...yep, that is a bike for 4 people and they tried to ride it through the center of the farmer's market.......only in Boulder.