So Carlos wanted to do something to help the people in Guatemala out  (inspired by www.livingonone.org) and we chatted and came up with a plan.  He made caramels, wrapped them up and used them as a  “thank you” for people who donated money towards his cause.  I sent out an email to some friends and posted it on Facebook and the response was incredible.
Levi helped out a ton as well.  It was great to have them working so hard on something that wasn’t for self-gain.
On Thanksgiving he had collected over $200! 

He got a chance to meet the guys from the film and tell them about what he had been doing.  The guys were great, they were excited about the money he had earned and that he wanted to do something to help out others.  The highlight was when Zach pulled out his phone and brought up the Living on One facebook page with Carlos’ picture on it.  Carlos was feeling on top of the world.  We asked what the best way to get them the money and they told Carlos he had a choice as to what he wanted to do with it.  He could either put the money toward a microfinance loan to help start a business or he could put it toward an education for a child.  He is going for the education, which makes sense to me as he can truly relate.
Believe me, there were times when he questioned whether he should be paid for all his hard work (making, wrapping and delivering caramels to 20+ people isn’t easy!)  Gave us the change to talk about being selfless and that the reward or payment is the great feeling you get knowing you’ve helped someone else out, even if it’s someone you never meet.  Deep talk for an 8 year old, but I think he gets it on some level.
It’s now the day before the Seattle screening of Living on One.  Tomorrow Carlos will be able to present a check for the money he has collected.  With only a couple more people to collect money from, he has reached $741!  I am stunned at the amount, inspired by the generosity and grateful for our family and friends stepping up to support my little guy.  I am excited for tomorrow – and so proud of his accomplishment.  Thank you all who donated!

So each year, as we get ready for Santa to come, I look forward to December 1st when our Elf on a Shelf comes back from the North Pole and our Advent Cups begin.
These little traditions take a LITTLE planning on my part, but are inexpensive ways to make the holidays fun.  It’s fun for me to be creative and to see the boy’s faces each morning when they search for our elf, or check to see what’s in the cup and what our special thing for that day will be.
This year, thanks to Pinterest, I am going to have a little fun with our Elf and make him a bit naughty. The boys will love it.
Here is what he will be up to….

This past week has been quite the challenge with our short people – not sure if it’s something in the moon cycle or what but there has been more arguing, backchat, bad choices and general drama than normal.  It’s exhausting.
With this has come a slew of apology letters – the first from Carlos to his school counselor (for being rude), then letters from all the boys to 2 sets of parents when I had to pull all 3 from a birthday party (general misbehaving and bad choices – they weren’t the only ones doing it, but I had to put my foot down), then all 3 chose to write letters to a friend they had a conflict with and finally, this afternoon I will take Carlos and Trey in to our church to deliver their apology letters to the Reverend for FIGHTING IN CHURCH!  Who does that (especially sitting in the front row)!?!  At least he’s cool and is taking the time to see them.
I hope that lessons are being learned.  I know their letter writing skills are improving with each letter, just hope the lesson is sinking in and they won’t have to apologize…they will just behave!

If you missed it the first time – don’t miss it this time!
Living On One film screening will be in Seattle on Tuesday, Nov 27th at the Uptown theater.  Carlos and I will be there.  Hope you will come, too.

RSVP Required: http://livingonone_seattle.eventbrite.com/

Not sure what it is?
Watch Official Trailer Here: http://bit.ly/IntoPovertyTrailer2

I am so proud of Carlos – he watched the movie, and is now working on ways he can help make a difference for “his people”.  It’s powerful to see a young person wanting to do something bigger than himself.  Eight year olds are notoriously self centered (mine included).  He’s not sure how (bake sale, selling old toys, etc) but he knows he wants to help.  Any ideas – we’re all ears!

Dee and I are getting married (again!).  We have picked our anniversary, July 20, as the date.
We’ve been asked a LOT if we were going to do it and when.  We were thinking about it already, but as it turns out, with the passing of Ref 74, our domestic partnership and all of the rights we have with will be dissolved.  That on top of being in love and raising our family together means that getting married just makes sense.
Here’s how it went down – remember when you read this that we have considered ourselves married already for the last 10 years, so the romance factor may not be so high.  We were organizing the spices and baking cabinet in the kitchen and our friend, Allie, asked if we were planning on getting married.  I said, “Well, Dee hasn’t asked me yet.”  Dee turned and said, “Will you marry me?”  I said, “Yeah, I think so but  we’ve got to figure out the financial aspects of it but I think yes…wait…that is, if you delete the bubble blast game from your old phone”  Let me tell you, Dee has been OBSESSED with this mindless shoot the bubble game for the last year and a half, she’s been stuck on the same level and it’s been a constant battle with us for a long time.  It took her 2 seconds to grab her phone and delete the game.  WE ARE GETTING MARRIED!
Jumped on Pinterest and got some ideas…now the fun part starts.  Planning for a wedding.  We don’t have much time, we don’t have a big budget but we know we have lots of  love and the support of our amazing family and friends.  There is so much excitement in our home right now.  Let the planning begin!

I’ve been asked a lot how the diet is going.  Well, I am still mostly sticking to it but allowing myself to have some extras that wouldn’t be allowed but I want, in moderation.  I figure I will just lose weight a little slower.
Here are some of the changes since losing weight..some you may not want to know!
1) I feel great and have more energy
2) have lost 57 pounds (started April 9, 2012)
3) don’t feel like I’m missing out on foods
4) fit in my high school jeans
5) now when I sit down, my bones kinda poke the seat (weird, huh?)
6) I get cold (never really did before)
7) I WANT to work out (don’t get me wrong, not all the time…just sometimes)
8) I still feel bigger than I know I am
9) Halloween candy is the devil – but instead of eating a bunch of it, I can get by with a couple pieces
10) I went from a men’s XXL to a women’s Lin shirts
11) I bought 2 pairs of pants that are a size smaller than I wore in high school (and they fit!)
12) I wish I had done this years ago, it’s so easy
13) I now take a bunch of vitamins
14) I shed hair like it’s my job so I take supplements for that
15) I buy my clothes at Goodwill because I have gone down 4 sizes in pants
16) one of my kids is stressed about me looking different and asks daily for me to stop the diet
17) my boys (except for one…see above) were excited to be able to clasp their fingers together behind my back when they hug me.
18) I want anyone curious about this diet to talk to me…I’m sold!
19)  Dee has also lost 55+ pounds
20) I’m frustrated that I have flappy skin in places, but glad there isn’t fat there

21) I used to wake up in the morning with stomach issues (which I won’t go into detail about here) but those have completely disappeared.
22) Got blood work done about half way into the diet – came back stellar.  Used to have borderline cholesterol but that is no longer an issue.
23) I don’t eat too often or too much, but when I get hungry I get CRABBY and fast
24) I bought some more girly clothes and love my new boots!
25) I have been asked, more than once,  if I got taller
26) Even though I can eat kale chips, I can’t figure out how to make them!
27) I still love to bake and share the treats, I still don’t eat what I bake!
28) With Weight Watchers and Atkins I never really felt like it would be an easy “life long” change that I could keep.  With Dukan, I see it becoming a lifestyle.

Things you never knew you always wanted to know, right?

This is my family.  My partner and I have been together for the last 12 years and were “married” in front of our friends and family on July 20, 2002 in Las Vegas.  We have adopted 4 amazing kids and go through the same joys, struggles, up and downs as a “typical” family.  This picture was taken on our daughter’s adoption day and one of our guys was acting out and refusing to look at the camera…it shows a real family, not the all smiling perfect family photo.  We are real.
Whether you back Obama or Romney, follow the Democrats or Republicans, please vote with your heart when you vote on Ref 74. 
Dee and I may or may not run down the aisle if it is approved (just as all straight couples don’t immediately get hitched because they can), but we deserve the chance to make that decision for our family.  Please vote.

Some random Erin cuteness….