Last week continued...

Thursday: Back to the normal school/work schedule. Pursuant to our recent agreement, I asked Bevin if he'd like to have dinner with Christopher. He did, but when Christopher got home, he'd not eaten dinner (!?!) so we shared a big salad together and watched "The Firekeeper's Son" (a cute book-movie, BTW). Christoph had trouble getting to sleep so it was a late night for him. After I finally got him down, I did some legal work and conferring with Bonny before getting to bed a bit after 1am (which was crazy-late for Bonny on the East Coast!)

Friday: Got an Email from my attorney that sounds like she's frustrated, irritated and pretty much done with me. I still owe her close to $15,000 and the balance seems to be making her feel uneasy about going forward with me. Ugh. But I can't say I can blame her. It's a lot of money. After work/school, we came home and changed clothes quickly then headed to Aurora for Karaoke with Christopher's girlfriend, Saffron! It was totally embarrassing, silly, good fun! It wasn't a bar, it was traditional asian karaoke and so we had a private room with Christopher, Saffron, Shannon, Scott, Gwen and me. They brought yummy good-bye cupcakes too! Christopher's favorite songs were The Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star" and The Beatles' "You Say Goodbye and I Say Hello." I've put them on a CD he is taking to Santa Fe.

Saturday: After breakfast, we headed to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge. Had a really fun tour around with a guide. We saw the full herd of Bison! And lots of mule deer. About 3 coyotes. Lots and lots of prairie dogs. Several hawks. The huge bald eagle nest (it's as big as a car!) The bees in their indoor/outdoor display. We made and guessed different animal tracks. It was really nice and super-interesting to hear the history of the place and the ongoing reclamation. Then we got Christopher's piggy bank and headed to the Young Americans Bank where he has an account. We had over $10 in change--mostly due to Grandma Mo and bedtime incentives. Then Keller, Kari and Steve came over for some playtime and to say good-bye. They gave him some really cool rock crayons. They look like a collection of stones, but they're crayons! Then we had a yummy dinner, including brussel sprouts, which Christopher had never had, but loved! Next, a visit and good-byes from Auntie Jenn before bath and bedtime.

Sunday: Breakfast of blueberry pancakes, packing and nearly time to head to the airport. I'm feeling a bit nauseous, but, for Christopher, I'm holding fast to my story of "this is going to be fun." It's really hard, though. I'm definitely having a lot of emotional turmoil and panic.

And more THANK YOUs!

Women's group here in Denver--passed the hat!

Betty (one of Grandma Mo's close friends)

Bonny, Katie and Kelsey (more money in addition to all the legal work!)

Karen M. (a long lost High School friend of mine)

Just AMAZING. I'm beginning to understand some of the the paradoxical blessings of adversity. I am touched by so much love in my life.

THANK YOU!

THANK YOUs

Thank you so very much to:

Janet

Lilith (Auntie Lilith, who gave Christopher the mattress he's still sleeping on!)

Where would I be without all of your kindness and generosity?  This is the most painful time in my life, but the beauty of all of your friendship is a a peaceful island in the midst of it all.  Thank you.  I am truly honored to have you in my life.

Our last week

I'm well into my last week with Christopher before Bevin is allowed to take him away from me. I think I'm making the best of it.

On Saturday, we had Auntie Jane and her sweet cat, Vinny, over for blueberry pancakes. Puck scared Vinny. I think Christopher did too! Then we had a field trip to Sprouts in Parker (a natural grocer we thought only existed in AZ!), which included a bit of snow. On the way, we stopped in Aurora at Lowe's to buy paint for some special projects. Then we headed to the airport to pick up Bonny, Katie and Kelsey for their Spring Break visit. Christopher was so excited he could barely sleep that night! Er, really.

On Sunday, we headed to Fraser for some tubing with the kids. I and Bonny were both completely and utterly scared to tube down that hill. There were no gentle slopes. It was steep and fast ice and came close to making us pee ourselves. The kids were fine, though Christopher did bury his head into me for each run! And Gwen and Katie were absolute daredevils. Then we hit Hot Sulphur Springs for some recovery time. That was more my forty-something speed! It was quite chilly outside, but so nice in the pools. The kids were all very done-in by the time we got home and so were we!

On Monday, we toured the Hammond's Candy Factory...and bought a few goodies at the end, of course. It's been here in Denver for like 100 years and Williams Sonoma sells their ribbon candy for the Holidays. We got to see some made! Then we got fancy sandwiches and sodas and had a pic-nic at Red Rocks. It was Sunny, but the wind was cold. The kids all got souvenir pennies pressed in the Visitor Center! Then some run-around, crazy time at the Stapleton playground. Home for super hero costume play, Gwen's fab lasagna and the movie "Hoodwinked."

On Tuesday, we spent a ton of morning time doing legal research and writing...Bonny did, that is! And Christopher didn't seem to feel well, so he took an odd morning nap. The girls were super excited about the overnight/early morning snow and played in it a bit. A little after Noon we all rallied and got off to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science where we met up with Shannon and Saffron. Christopher is still talking about the weather exhibit--hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes--oh, my! Then home for more legal work and dinner. And I got to do some rock hound fun with Katie too. She's well on her way to getting hooked! (Watch out, Bonny!) Katie and I then did some marathon dinner shopping...finally ending up with Quorn nuggets, broccoli and green beans through quite an adventure. Then, I mostly got the kids to bed while Bonny typed and typed. Christopher was so tired that a short back rub did him in. Kelsey needed a bit of snuggling (and she's a fab snuggler too!) Katie just wanted some darkness! I am forever indebted to Bonny for all her free legal help and fresh insight! What unexpected fun with late-night mojitos and legal theory discussions.

Wednesday was leaving day and we were all sad. But we were all pretty worn out too! Bonny was still making legal notes and even set down some action items for me. I'm so on them too! After some breakfast and cartoons, the kids were all ready. We showered and got ready. Bonny packed-up and I loaded the car. Then off to the airport--nearly on time, even! Hugs around and a bit of crying (mostly just me and Christopher!) Christopher and I talked about being sad at them leaving on the way to school. He really just LOVED having Katie and Kelsey around. Katie is such a good big sister and Kelsey is the perfect partner in crime. He is going to miss them for weeks on end, I know.

During their visit, I was mostly out of reach by phone/Email. I tried to attend to some minimums, but mostly I just focused on enjoying the time being all about the kids...and they had a blast together too!

The talk

I had to start having the talks with Christopher over the upcoming move.  This is the hardest thing I've ever done.

I am trying to keep from him how utterly destroyed I am by his leaving.  I want him to be happy about the move, the new day care, Bevin's new house, etc. because I just want him to be happy. And so far it's working.  He had dinner tonight with Bevin and now has a Santa Fe t-shirt and book.  He's excited about all of it.  But I don't think he realizes that I'm not coming with him.

I'm determined that this is NOT permanent.  I have to get my baby back.  But I AM losing him for now.  I cannot stop Bevin from taking him from me on the 15th.  I don't think I'm going to be able to truly face that until it happens.

Big News!

The court "delays" kept Bevin from NC for too long and the position there was filled without him and they have now given him the Sante Fe office. Obviously, this is no coup, but this is so very much closer to Denver and it is a better environment for Christopher, I believe.

In exchange for me not opposing the change of NC to NM, I am getting two solid weeks with Christopher right now before he is taken away. That is key to me. I am also getting some concessions on Bevin's proposed parenting plan and release from the tax debt from Bevin's 07 income as well as a pay-off date for debt he put on my credit cards (for those of you who don't know about that dreadful saga of fraud...well, that's likely enough said anyway).

So, just to be clear, I have not given up ANY ground except fighting the location substitution. I continue to fight the relocation. Once the CFI report is in, the MJ will set and hold a hearing and give final orders. From those, I can appeal. And, yes, my feel is that an appeal will be necessary. So financial help is still needed and will continue to be needed and I am grateful for all everyone is doing!

Even more THANK YOUs!

Just wow.  So much help from so many.  I am overwhelmed in what folks have been willing to do to help us.

More from Maureen (Grandma Mo or G'Mo)

Christine-10% of February's Gateway income!

Todd

Anonymous donors at the Sanctuary-Christine put out a basket and folks responded

And I heard that several more will be sending checks.

We are so touched by the generosity of both spirit and financial support!  We now have about 1/4 of what we need to pay the legal costs thus far.  It will cost much more going into the appeal, but we appreciate every little bit folks are able to do.  All the little bits are beginning to come together!