Yes, it’s true this will be the 18th year for a Gotcha Day Picnic (although we have missed a few years without a celebration, it’s been 18 years). For those that might not know, it was on June 3, 1991 that Dennis and I first set eyes on our beautiful Romanian princess. So, we call it the day we “Gotcha”. In just a few weeks, it will be our official Zoey Gotcha Day and next week our Zoey will be graduating high school and attending college at Mizzou in the fall. Wow, where did that time go? OK, I’ve digressed – back to the details of the picnic.
WHERE: Creve Couer Park – Heldman Picnic Shelter
WHEN: Sunday, July 19th (not sure of the time but we have the shelter all day)
COST: Tickets will be sold for food and games
SEEK will provide the burgers, hot dogs and drinks for purchase and then maybe everyone can bring a snack (chips, applesauce, etc) to share with everyone.
I am thinking we will have some carnival games for the kids like basketball, fish pond, maybe a toss across type game and of course the kids will win prizes - because I know you love when the kids come home with a bag full of cheap toys!!! We could also do sack races – I have burlap sacks just for this!
A note about the park – there is a frisbee golf course that is free which the older kids might enjoy, the sand beach is close by and so is a playground. I’ve not been there yet to see it for myself but plan to stop by soon to scope it out. Oh and there’s a polo field if you want to bring your horse!!!! And the lake, of course!
OK, more to come as we get the plans nailed down better.
Thanks, I hope to see all the SEEK families there so we can swap stories about our TEENS!
Debbie
Tagged: children, gotcha day, picnic, Romania, S.E.E.K. May 15, 2009
It’s been a few years, but we feel we’re all in need of a good old fashioned Gotcha Day Picnic. SEEK has hosted many over the years, but it’s been a while and we want an excuse to get some of our friends back together. So let’s dust off the Jarts and round up the ‘babies’ – all growing like weeds and becoming accomplished in various arena’s of interest. I think Debbie has some ideas to make it fun for all ages to be shared later, so please mark your calendar for Sunday, July 19th. It will be great to see all who can make it there!
May 15, 2009
Just wanted to report that local Boyscout Troop 857 has decided to sponsor a day of fun for ‘our’ kids in Romania. They have set a goal and hope to present their funds to SEEK in about 4-6 weeks. The idea is to fund something like a day at the pool and lunch or a treat. I enjoyed meeting these young gentlemen and fielding their very mature questions and couldn’t wait to share the awesome news of their decision. Thank you boys…can’t wait to follow up with images of their sunny faces enjoying your generous gift.
Bonnie
May 15, 2009
Last night, I and a few of mine joined Amy (who below writes of her life molding memories involving Romania) and her family at a picnic honoring and raising funds for locally adopted children through the family service organization she works for. It was a rather cool evening, but nevertheless her mother and all 4 of her sisters attended. Just being around this group never fails to impress me. I think mostly I recognize the sisterly bond that I also share with my own sister. First familiar with the Debbie/Jill/Amy trio that are most closely tied to SEEK, but over the years I’ve had occassion to meet the other two. They all have various causes that are close to their hearts and they ALL support each other in any efforts toward those causes.
Presently what I’m enjoying observing is their new crop of toddlers. I think I count 5 of them. Back when we first fell into the SEEK family their first crop was all young. Toddlers to pre-teens. I’ll admit it took me literally years to figure out just how many children Debbie has. I love witnessing the ease at which they all manage the young flock. There is no need for verbal que’s. The babies are managed by grandmother, aunts and uncles, and cousins, in a seamless manner. Debbie and I discussed some important business – like how she can possibly get the laundry done for her family of 10, (I finally figured out, the number is 8!), on top of her 40+ hour work week, and Zoe’s prom night held just last week. (Zoe is Debbie’s first baby and impetus for the ongoing commitment to the children in Romania.) We talked a little about some of the other adoptive families we haven’t seen for a while and reinforced our desire to get that Magic House date planned. (I’ll try to contact them tomorrow…)
Meanwhile my son was having a hayday hanging out with a few of Debbie’s kids and I was desperately trying to placate my 4 year old with ice cream and cuddling for as long as she would allow before I finally gave in. Back to that old blue van to make the 40 minute drive back home. Make that 55. We had to careen off of the hwy for an urgent potty stop, accompanied by a warm cup of coffee (decaf at 9:00 pm, please).
A satisfying day ended nicely with the visit with the Fabulous Five (sisters). All fun-loving and warm-hearted, all committed to helping children in different walks of life. I admire you girls and enjoy the occassions to just hang out any time. Let’s get going on that Magic House gathering and maybe a summer pool bash too! Amy: Thanks for extending the invite. I can’t believe how the twins are growing!
May 3, 2009
This is so cool, I had to post it. My good friend Sheila read our blog and has referred her son’s Boy Scouts to consider collecting for some essential items for ’our’ kids over in Romania. They would be taking on the project for their “Family Life” merit badge. The coolest part was not as much how they were willing to bite on her suggestion, but how interested they were in the whole picture. They asked questions about why Romania no longer allowed (international) adoption, what S.E.E.K. stands for (Save Eastern Europe’s Kids) and some general questions about the children. I’ll be allowed to visit the boys next week and hopefully answer their probing, but welcome, questions.
The only ‘drawback’ is that the boys desire, to collect toys and games and things they enjoy so much, had to be tempered because honestly it is not logistically practical to ship or mail packages. Discouraging their enthusiasm is the last thing I want to do, but hopefully they’ll get the gratification they deserve, when the smaller items they collect can be delivered in person and through photo images we can post on line to illustrate the purchases made in Romania with funds that can be wired there.
Thank you boys for considering this project. And thank you Sheila for pointing them in our direction, when there are so many causes near home that can be considered as well.
Bonnie
April 29, 2009
The following was posted on a forum I participate in for Guat adopted families. It depicts the same impact that Romania had experienced when it closed IA in 2001. Like the agency referenced below, SEEK was caught in similar circumstance having just opened a home to accept orphaned children. It is ‘remarkable’ that our small agency has been able to maintain these few kids since then.
Today we went to our Guat. placement agency’s annual Love Party. They invite all the families formed through adoptions and it’s wonderful! Anyway, the director gave a little speech about new directions. They have been in business for 25 years and she said that because of the Hague, it’s an all new world. Even so, they are committed to staying in business and working as adoption advocates, both domestic and international. It will never be like it has been, with a large number of international adoptions. She just got back from Vietnam, where they had opened an orphanage a few years ago and were doing some adoptions until last year when that program was shut down. She said they were very saddened to end the project, but without adoptions to fund it, they just can’t keep it going. The stored food that they had left, they just handed out to desperate people in the streets.
Thank you Jeanne for letting me share your agency’s observations here.
Bonnie
April 26, 2009
IF I ever start my own personal blog, it will have to be dubbed “The Mini-Van Chronicles”. My old Town & Country was acquired a few months before Lucian’s arrival. The kids and I have practically lived in it for near 7 years! ANYTHING can (and has) gone down within the confines of that reliable beast of burden. The stories are certainly not unique by any means, but they comprise a myriad of memories. Yesterday was not unlike other days - although the date may be noted in a personal journal. Saffron’s first ride on her new 2 wheeler (with trainers, of course). Her gleaming red and lime Dora bike and recently fitted helmet loaded up and taken to the training grounds. A nearby flat and open parking lot. ”The baby” (adopted from Guatemala) turned 4 since my last writing, and appropriate to her age, was ready to hop on. I tried to conjure images of the older two riding at this age, but neither possessed the confidence and aggression that exuded with every pedal rotation. Also unique to her, was the periodic need to hop off and give me a gratuitous hug and smile.
This moment couldn’t last long as it was time to head back for the next load. The entire family to Josie’s ballgame. More gear loaded on top of the bike. The game was very satisfying, but once in those confines of our mode of transportation, our oldest had plenty of emotional spewage. Something about not getting NEAR the attention her brother would had he hit the ball as she had – and more importantly, “Why don’t I deserve to have another slushie for all my hard work?” That is mild drama, but you get where I’m going. We could probably all write a journal about the ‘living’ that takes place while we hustle from school, to practice, to playdates, to family events.
SO NOW that I’ve taken advantage of yet another opportunity to impart some benign event involving my family… Again, I encourage you to do the same. I love reading other’s stories. Also, and more pertinent, Deanna and I, along with our good friend Ann, had a coming of the minds again this week. Always refreshing to hook up with these girls. We’re strategizing for a means to reach more families like ours. Those that have children adopted from Romania specifically and other places generally, and families that feel a draw to help orphans in need. Deanna has set up a Facebook profile for “Friends of Seek”, so if you’re on FB, we encourage you to spread the word. We still have plans to bring our selected group of children in Romania closer to us here via this forum. Please stay connected with us and watch for those updates to come. Finally, expect news on an upcoming SEEK family gathering soon.
Thanks for checking in…
Bonnie
April 25, 2009
@deem2 have you checked out the blog lately??
Tagged: Twitter March 16, 2009
Hey Everyone:
The blog is really building momentum. In the three months of existence we have had 345 visitors from Australia, France, Canada, Great Britain, Ukraine, Belgium and the United States. We have almost made it around the world in three months. It amazes me that someone in France is interested in a blog from St. Louis, Missouri. Imagine the impact we can make with this blog for our children. Carrying their stories and messages around the world via our blog. Wow! Wow!
I have enjoyed visiting the links posted in the sidebar. Unseen Romania is a very interesting website with great information and pictures.
Additional features have been added to the blog. First, we now have music!!! Yes Bonnie there is music. Second, donations to SEEK can be made via PayPal by clicking on the donation button. Finally, a note of FYI – If you have any issues with the blog while using Internet Explorer you may want to use the web browser Firefox instead. It is more advanced in blog and website features.
Enjoy the blog and keep the stories coming.
Deanna
Tagged: Firefox, Great Britain, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, PayPal, United States, Web browser, Windows March 9, 2009
New pair of shoes. Along with a few other essentials. “Our” kids (in Romania) are growing and approaching a new season. I’ve been kicking around this idea like an old pair of sneakers and figured tonight we might as well just DO IT. I know times are tough for many, but if we can all contribute just a little, we can get some necessities for the kids. Shoes, underwear, playclothes, socks, vitamins.
I’m going to approach my kids Girl & Boy Scout troops to see if they might want to draw some funds together to sponsor these needs for one or two of our “Sunshine” kids. Deanna is getting ready to re-apply the means to accept donations on this site.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. And if anyone out there has some creative fund raising ideas, we are all ears! Let’s get something rolling and see if we can’t lend SEEK a hand while we are trying to schedule the next fund raising event.
To that end… stay tuned. Debbie is planning a Magic House outing for July and we’re hoping to host an adult get together prior to that.
Thanks for pitching in… We’ll post some photos of the children receiving their goodies.
Bonnie
March 4, 2009
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