Check out my Slide Show!

1 Down,

2 More to go.

Today was our Adoption. He is officially and federally ours. Yippee. Will post pics when I receive them.

This morning was a bit stressful for unknown reasons. You can just say I was tense. It didn't help that our attorney, the very experienced Randy Kester called this morning and casually announced he would not be there. The conversation went a bit like this:

Randy: "Something, something, something-and by the way I won't be there-something, something..." WHOAAA.
Me: What??! Whadja say? Who WILL be there?!
Randy: "Oh, you'll be fine, he's great. He's Tyler Young and he's a son of one of the partners."
My response: Is he even an attorney?? How many adoptions has he done?
His: "Oh, this is his first, but it'll be fine." (It turns out he was nice, nervouse, and nice lookin. What was I complaining about?)

Anyway, do you feel where I was at 'tense-wise'?!

Not to mention, Leroy forgot what time it was ('I thought you said it was at 3 o'clock.') which means he was late. Did I mention that, in the flurry of leaving late, we forgot the diaperbag? And, that Andy woke this morning with green snot all over his face and a fever? Did I mention my state of mind??

But, all's well that ends well. Gabe, Karen and Terry were all there waiting (LJ was there with Alyssa, but she got sick and they had to go home.) At any rate, we might have forgotten our camera, bottles, diapers and wipes, but Gabe and Karen remembered theirs. Small miracles do happen.

For the record, Judge Davis has a heart of gold. He was really warm, really patient (with our somewhat fumbling but very nice attorney) and really happy for us. It was interesting hearing him talk about the seriousness of the occasion and how this formality made Andrew, in the eyes of the governemnt, our 'birth' child. I flashed back to what my parents must have heard at my adoption. Full Circle.

Judge Davis also included the kids by asking them questions (like he asked us, only in abreviated form) like how they felt about Andrew, whether they were going to be a good brother/siter, and if they were goiing to be a great helper for Mom. Theya re now lawfully required to do so!

All joking aside, the whole thing was wonderful. Having family there with us really made it special too. But, I loved most that he took a moment to recognize Ibby (our birthmom) for the selflessness it took for her to carry to full term a baby she loved, but couldn't keep and to give that baby a better life by giving him away. Talk about tears. Although, I needed duct tape from the moment I stepped through the metal detectors.

We got great pictures of us and the kids, the kids and the judge, the kids and the robe with gavel in hand, us and family, us and the judge, us and the attorney, the attorney and the judge...you get the picture. Or, you will get the pictures, when I post them.

In the meantime, I am off to CHILL out for a few hours since tomorrow I will be tense in anticipation of next week. The saga continues...

I Bring you Good Tidings of...

Great Joy.

Unless you already know the tidings, have been reminded of said tidings and are being nagged with these now old, redundant and tarnished tidings. For those of you in this category, my apologies. You can skip to the next blog coming soon (hey! It's a relative term, ok. get off my back already---Don't frown, just kidding. Really.)

For the rest of you, our Adoption, Sealing and Blessing of Andrew dates are set. They are:

Adoption - Friday, December 21, 1:30pm.
Sealing - Friday, December 28, 5:00pm at the Timpanogos Temple (be there half an hour early.)
Blessing - Sunday, December 30, 9:00 am.

We are so excited! If you know us well enough to be reading this blog, you are invited to the Sealing and Blessing (we'd iinvite you to the adoption, but we figure that's overkill.)

Can't wait!

Wading

Here I sit, wading in...homework. A touch overwhelmed, and my grades are beginning to show it. Am seriously considering lowering my academic standards. I figure I can, since I set them. And also considering what they were before. (Use your imagination, or think back to how serious you were at 18.) Ugh.

At any rate, I decided a lonnnnggg time ago that if I set my standards low, it's much better for my self esteem and even gives me bragging rights. After all, failing is such a drag. Of course this blog entry now means I can never let my kids see this site. Must destroy all evidence... anywho, all you underachievers, show your face. We can start a losers club. I'll be president. Until I get back on track, that is. Until then, a happy mediocrity to you!

I give

I've been trying to put ea month's recap with individual pics and captions. So not happening. I have succumbed to lame blogging aand pics. Oh wait, this isn't that recent of an occurrence. All is well. Anyway, verbal descriptions of the sad 4 pics that remain:

Man with robe: Ed. Wiccan. Spring Semester. Must I continue?
Dad and Sheryl wtih kids- Sept.
Morgan and unknown boy- Morg's and dance partner Tyson. A naturally gifted dipper, apparently.
Andy and Gavin- Andy 2 wks old. Gavin was huge, eh? (They're about the same size now.)

Details, Details

So, there may be a few other things that have happened. It's been so long, I must sift for incidental info in my cerebral jelly.

Here's the most interesting stuff, in brief:

March- Went to Puerto Vallarta (Mexico) with Dad and Sheryl (Lee's Parents) and our family. Yes, we traveled with the kids. We swam with dolphins, went on zipline tours, shopped, sat on the beach and ate at fabulous places. It was fun; we managed to avoid 2nd dgree burns even. Well, all except Lee. Par for the course though.

Spring semester I was enrolled in an anthropology class- we had a group project on the Wiccans. It was really fun and I even got my tarot cards and my palm read. FYI: Things have changed. They want green instead of silver. What, no green? they'll take plastic too.

April- Morg's and the entire 4th grade had their couples dance. They learend lots of dances and performed them for us with their partner. Since i have a girl, I can say this: They were so cute!

June- Family reunion in Paragould, Arkansas. It was my Gramma's 90th birthday party. And the first time she's seen my kids (except for Andrew- he hadn't made his appearance yet.) We spent some time with my parents, brother and fam (Terry/LJ), and stayed with my cousin Eva and her fam. Visited my Uncle at his church/school and had a great lunch at...I can't recall. (Don't bother looking that one up.) Tons of fun.

June again- Gavin's born (nephew.) Gabe and Karen's 3rd son. Lots of dark hair and huge. He was 9lbs+. I could have gotten him from the rotisserie section at Costco- for the serious eaters. He's no joke- and seriously cute!

Also June-
Andrew's born on the 19th, at 11:06pm. 6lbs 6oz. 19" long. Blond hair, blue eyes. It was a damp occasion. Notable moment: Standing by Ibby's side, holding her hand and realizing...I'm the Dad. I finally know the helpless, anxious reality of being the Significant Other. I clung to the opportunity to offer ice chips. That pitcher of water was mine- to offer to her. It was crazy. I now have some pity for Dad's everywhere. Don't get excited, it's still a snowflake in a blizzard, but whatever. Kudos to Dad's everywhere! And to us. Yea us (as Morg's would say.)

End of June- finished the math class I had shortsightedly taken. It was complicated, but I finished it. All turned out well.

July- Mom and Dad are here for Gavin's baby blessing and, incidentally - to see Andrew. We got all the grandkids together and got an official family foto of the Dayley progeny. Such fun (as family pictures always are- it's not the kids who need naps, it's definitely the adults.) Celebrating the 4th together was fun too. Sidenote: took Gabe and Karen for their first time to Ikea. Truly a magical moment. I can't believe all the great pictures we got too- who knew Ikea was ideally lit for photo ops??? Settle down folks, I'M JUST KIDDING. I accidently left the camera at home.

August- Got together with some old friends from Ledgewood, NJ for a mini reunion. Although we were sooo late, no one had left yet and we got catch up on current events with all. It was so fun, I think Carolyn and Ruth should Definitely do this again soon.
Oh, and school started for Morgs, Bubs and me. Morgs is in the 5th grade, Bubs in 3rd, and I'm stillllll in college. And will be for the forseeable future. It's been a challenge, but worth it. I'd linger with details, but we can't have you drooling on your keyboard- it's not waterproof.

September-
Dad and Sheryl came to see Andrew. And us. We had a lot of fun tho there were several soccer games for both the kids but they were game enough to attend them with us- the kids loved showing off. While they were here we took side trips to Cascade Springs and Park City and took our usual trip to...Tucano's for dinner. Bring on the protein! But, the most entertaining thing to watch was our new driveway being poured. We Hartman's are forever immortalized in concrete now- including Rico and Roxie, our dogs.

And that's about the size of things.

Helloooo?

Been awhile, eh? Not that anyone's gonna know I'm even writing again. I suppose I'll write for my own pleasure. Of course, I already know everything that's been happening.

Alright, for all those strangers who couldn't care less this is the cliff notes version of the last... 8? months:

Adopted adorably cute boy. Named him Andrew Hayden Hartman. He's cherubic- seriously, a great baby. (Don't be jealous.) We are all head over heels for him. What a blessing.

Well, that about wraps things up here.

Nice chattin.

*For any who does know me, it's curious isn't it, how much less chatty I am when I have to write it. If I've ever driven you to bedlam with my inane chatter, this is your time. ; )

Volunteer Mania

SO, school's in, right? In one of my new classes, intro to soc. work., we're required to volunteer at a nonprofit org. I picked the united way. Do you have any idea how big that org is??? CLearly, I didn't. SO I'm surfing away through the pages and pages of suggestions, and every so often I indicate my interest by opting for more info. *Did you know that if you go volunteer crazy, they put the big kabosh on you? (Just imagine the red alert button flashing away; I can hear it now, "We got ourselves another crazy. A real nut job this time.") Just kidding. However, after a certain few, don't ask me how many- I lost track- just know they definitely get alarmed. Now I'm wondering, R they thinking I'll go postal over all the volunteer stress? Either way it'll be interesting how many responses I get. We'll see who's desperate enough to accept the nutjob. Who knows, maybe they all are and I can enlist the fam to vol. with me.

DIscussion #1- Wal-mart: Friend or Foe?

Question: What do you think of the impact of Wal-Mart on our lives and the American economy? Do you think that the U.S. government should do something about it? Why or why not? --Dr. Chou

My Thoughts:
"I love the idea of a small town grocery store where you walk in and everyone knows you by name, it's as American as apple pie. Ideally speaking that is. But, much as I love the idea of small businesses, and though I feel for them, I also feel we are moving on; nothing stays the same.

We could spend much of our time romanticising about the way things used to be, or we can appreciate what good things there are here and now. Wal-mart does not have that small town appeal. It offers practicality, a way to quickly do the necessities so we can get on with the more enjoyable parts of our lives. Wal-mart is very aware of the various needs of its customers and brings the pricing down within the reach of the majority shoppers as best as it's able.

Although many businesses close because of wal-mart, many people are also employed. Wal-mart has a knack for enticing other businesses, and rsidences too,into the area also. So, to say that Wal-Mart only closes businesses would be mistaken.

Some contend that Wal-mart pays unbelievably low wages and can get away with it because of their market power. But, if I were to get a job at the local Allens, would I not get paid around minimum wage there also? What about other jobs commensurate with the types/level of jobs Wal-mart offers? In essence, walmart offers grocery store wages because it is...a grocery store, and a mechanic, and a pharmacy, etc. Most of these places, do not offer part time employees benefits and try to limit the hours so they can avoid doing so, just as Walmart does. It seems to be the amercian way.

I do feel the government has a right to step in, somewhat like a volleyball referee. What would basketball be but a courtside free-for-all if there were no ref's? Would football or soccer be half as enjoyable if there were not someone there to oversee that rules are being kept, or make impartial judgements? As much as we like to criticise referees, they are necessary. As is government intervention. This is not to say that rigidity in ruling is welcome, but there needs to be some guidance in the form of authority.

Once again, it would be nice going to a pharmacy that knows name when seeing the face. It's great calling a store and actually talking to a real person after just two rings. But, the convenience, the low pricing, the online advantages aren't to be sneezed at either. I dislike spending the majority of my time running necessary errands versus playing soccer with my kids, or getting a head start on my homework. Sometimes I want to just browse to kill time- it's a form of entertainment and it's far better when there's more to see in one place (think of your favorite zoo- bigger is better, right?) So, while I continue to go to my local fabric store where they actually know my quilts, I'll also run into walmart for my family's basic needs, and that forgotten thread. And, if i need a quick haircut while I'm waiting for my tires, I might even throw that one in too. After all, it's the American way."

--T

Lets Discuss

Any of you reading this entry who know me well, know I am fond of verbal debates/discusssions. Therefore, it would be uncharacteristic of me to omit this feature from my blog.

Recently, I took an online sociology class. Discussion topics were posted weekly, and our assignment was to respond with depth and insight accordingly. In the interest of furthering these discussions, I would like to post some of the discussion questions along with my opinion. Please respond with your thoughts. Not only am I a fascinated audience, but a captive one too.
--T