A Work In Progress

As anyone reading this blog likely knows, Pooh and I have been tremendously blessed through adoption. The process to adopt is not only extremely intrusive, painfully slow, and utterly stressful, it is also extremely expensive! There are so many couples seeking to adopt and many of them do not have the means to cover such an expense. To show our gratitude for the blessings we have received, and in an effort to give back, we are creating a Foundation intended to aid those who want to adopt. The secondary purpose of The Foundation will be to offer scholarships for Birthmothers.

We have a wonderful friend, Eran, who has agreed to help us with the web design and to sit on the selection committee once The Foundation is fully functional. Unfortunately, we still have needs before we get to the point of being able to collect donations. For this reason, I have created the blog, www.theadoptionfamilyfund.blogspot.com . Please visit the blog and spread the word. We plan on receiving 501(c)3 status this year and hope to launch the site with some momentum. Just about everyone of us, in some degree or another, have a story to tell why or how adoption has made a difference in their life.

Mahalo!

Updates Coming

I realize that those that follow my blog are wondering where the posts are. Well, let me put the three of you at ease. I will be posting again soon. I have to figure out this picture thing with Picassa. Once I figure how to get more space for more photos (I am a tightwad and am trying to avoid paying) I will post again. I assume everyone is like me...if there aren't pics, I aint interested!

Blogger 9-1-1!!!!

Okay all you blogger friends. I was going to blog about my Sweet Wahine's birthday luau when I received a message that I have reached my Picassa Web Album limit. What is this and how do I fix it? I need your help!

Wave On!

A neighbor one street over from me is knee deep in his fifteen minutes of fame. In the last few days, he has been on Yahoo, MSN, The Today Show, The View and he ain't done yet!

Dale Price was already a local celebrity around our neighborhood. Every year he spooks up his house and property for Halloween. A task that takes him a month to set up. He is on the news every year it seems, as he is recognized for his passion for the holiday. He is also the owner of Pegleg Paintball which is a strong foundation for the paintball world in Utah.

This year, as his son, Rain, began taking the bus for the first time to high school, he set out to embarrass him...as any good Father would do. He sat outside the house and simply waved at his son as the bus drove by. This immediately turned into a daily routine, only Dale didn't leave it at that. He began dressing up in different outfits, all in an effort to make his son blush. You can catch all his costumes on his site, www.waveatthebus.blogspot.com.

I can't say I know him well, but I like the guy for sure. I really don't think this is his last shot at fame. He may be the type that will create fame fifteen minutes at a time, but definitely not the type to find it once. Everyone can learn from this life loving family! Wave On and Rock On, Dale!

Blog versus Journal

I love the blog concept. Much to my wife's dismay, I am an open book. I far too often share more insight into my life than I should. I don't believe I am an exhibitionist in any sense and I know I hate reality TV, but for some reason, I like to share. I know I am blessed and maybe somehow, somewhere, someone is benefiting from my ramblings. I haven't blogged much mostly due to the fact that Sarah's Iphoto on her Mac isn't working and I, for one, believe a blog is less entertaining without pictures. I really need to get that fixed.

Since the first blog entry I created, I contemplated blogging over journal writing. I have always been an avid journal writer, but in the last two and a half years, since the inception of my blog, my journal has only collected dust when it used to collect thoughts. The problem with this is that there still are many things, thoughts, events, goals, dreams, etc., that I won't divulge to the public. I have had many experiences, callings, events and have met many great, and some not so great, people that I should be documenting.

Is it possible to maintain a journal and a blog? I believe it is. It will take some discipline, but it can be so. Honestly, I think a printed blog will be fantastic in hand with a written journal. I have recommitted myself to re-becoming an avid journal writer. I also commit to being a better blogger. I admit my efforts in both areas have been pretty pathetic. No excuses...Just do it!

Heeeeeeeee'ssssss Back!

That's right! I'm Back! Most of you are probably thinking, "Who is he and where has he been?" Never you mind. What is important is that I was here in the blogging universe and due to an unfortunate experience I took a slight leave of absence and now I am back...and it feels great!

I had some unsavory characters stalking me on my blog and for the safety of my lovely wife and precious little angel, I turned my blog private. I appreciate everyone that expressed disappointment in my doing so and interest in following my privatized blog. You truly made me feel like a celebrity and, as if my head isn't already huge, inflated my ego. Unfortunately, I went from 35 unique visitors a day to about 3-5 a week! This was truly saddening.

I have asked myself many times, "Why should it matter?" I am not a voyeur or a narcissist! I guess I too in this manner have become part of the reality programming world. I don't think this is all bad. I realize I am blessed. I have been given so much in life. A loving family. A belief and faith in God. Loyal Friends. American citizenship. A love for life. An appreciation for all that is good. And so much more! I enjoy sharing it, so sue me.

This time around, I have learned my lessons. I will work hard to keep my identity more secure. In all entries of this blog, I will be known simply as "Q". This is easy as most know me as such. My wife will be "Pooh" (explanation to follow). Last but not least, my daughter will be "The Lou". I have to explain that when I first married Pooh, I called her _______ the Pooh. She did not immediately appreciate this but has come to enjoy it as a term of endearment.

I truly have been blessed and if you follow this blog it is my hope and prayer that you will feel my appreciation for my Heavenly Father for all that he has given me. I hope you will also find a strengthened resolve to see all that is good in your lives. For God is truly good and he has blessed each of us with so much. I know he will continue to do so as we express our gratitude for these blessings and seek ways to share them with others. It feels great to be back in the blogging community and I am happy to have you along for the ride!

Mahalo Nui Loa!