[becky]

I just wanted to let everyone know how awesome the GAFE conference in Cherry Hill was this weekend.

I took Bella and my oldest daughter Jayme (for those of you who were there...we were the ones who closed down the dance floor Saturday night...she was the beautiful 17 year old doing the Salsa Dancing!)

We had a ball...the speakers and childrens' events were great. The dinner/dance was so much fun. We met lots of great forum friends (Jen, Kathleen, Steve, Nella, Mary Kay, Donna, Mark).

It was great to meet 'in person' our new hostess Donna and her precious daughters. We had a ball dancing with little Katie and precious Lexie.

I encourage everyone to try to attend this event next year. It's wonderful for your children to meet so many other children adopted from Guatemala and it's awesome for the parents to meet as well!

[delaware1]

Hi Becky-
I was only there for the daytime activities, but it was nice to get a chance to say hello. It's a great event, and will only get bigger in years to come.
-Kathleen

[jen]

It was so nice to have met you. Your children are just beautiful. I just love all of Bella's hair. Me and my family had such a great time.

[lexiesmom]

We had an awesome time too. The dinner dance was really the highlight, watching all of these precious little ones dance was just way too cute.

I am so glad to have met so many of you.

Donna

[SteveP]

Becky,
It was GREAT meeting you too as well as the others from AF. The event was great! I highly recommend it to those who didn't attend this year. Does anyone have any idea where it will be held next year?
Steve

[becky]

But I am voting for somewhere down South! I spent 2 hours and 40 minutes sitting on the plane ON THE GROUND on Sunday as I tried to fly from Philadelphia back to Atlanta. I would really like it to be somewhere I can drive next year

[SMS]

Becky...I did not get a chance to meet you!!!! Where were you all night ???

For people asking about locations for next year...that has not been decided yet but the bulk of people that now have attended the event this year and last year are all from the NY/NJ/PA area...

I know the committee members will be discussing this soon but for now we are taking a break from this past year of running!

It was great to meet everyone and thank you so much for your generosity. Lisa and I have not spoke to add all the numbers together but I know the money we will be able to donate will be much more than last year!

I hope those of you who did not make it this year attend next year! See ya then!

SMS

[becky]

Donna told me she saw you and that McKenna was precious...but there were so many people there I could not find anyone

I realize that the vast majority of the people there were from NY/NJ/PA...I felt very out-numbered. I would love to see this event move around to different parts of the US, so that families from other areas could come. I'd even be happy to plan it if we could move it down south!!

[Chrysanthemum]

I would love it to move around the U.S. too. That way, everyone would have a chance to go at one point.

[becky]

I'm guessing it's not real likely though...since all of the original organizers are from up north, I think they will probably keep it that there. As I said, it really was more of a 'regional' thing. I saw one family from CA, one from IN, and two from GA...other than that, every other one of the 150+ families appeared to be from PA, NJ, NY!

Of course...if some group of people from another part of the US stepped up to plan a similar event, then maybe they could rotate years or something?

It was just such a great event, that I hate to see other families miss out because it's too far away. Maybe something right in the middle of the US would be good??

[KathyNC]

I went this year....it's a LONG drive from NC! I spent the entire weekend chasing after my two...could have done that at home! They did have a chance to meet a new friend...they still are asking for Jesse(and his mama)!

As to moving the event around, there was a fair bit of discussion on the Big List two year's ago when the idea of everyone getting together was first kicked around as to location. The vote was between St. Louis area and PA/NJ area. The event was initially cancelled as not enough people stepped up and than the organizer's regrouped with a little more help and organized the event. I don't think it is realistic for a group from NJ/PA to organize in other parts of the country. I'm also not sure whether rotating the gathering annually will keep the momentum going for the PA/NJ/NY area. In any event, I think if the interest is there for a Regional gathering in the South/West/Midwest, the event would not have to be dependent on whether or not GAFE is held that year as it does not appear that there would be much crossover of attendees...the only issue would be weekend in order to allow vendors/speakers some options to attend both.

Kathy

[KapopsMom]

Hi everyone!

First of all , Becky, please give Jayme a BIG thanks from me. She was fantastic in helping run a craft booth. Even though the afternoon session was pretty slow, she was really great working with the kids she did have and spent a lot of time helping me clean up. It was not an easy task considering the mess that was made at the maraca booth. I think it was the most popular booth in the craft room! And I do have to say that you and your girls can dance!!!

Kathleen and Donna-I can't believe I didn't get to meet either of you!!! Kathleen, I told you to wear your uniform!!! Next year!!

There were families there from Florida, the Virgin Islands, Texas, a few from California, Indiana, and of course the East Coast. It would be nice to see it move around, but I don't think it's realistic for the organizers to be able to plan an event in the mid west (or anywhere else that is any further away) when they are from the NJ area. I think this group of woman have done a fantastic job and have learned so much in the two years they have worked on it, and have worked out a lot of the glitches. I know that I personally put in so many hours I lost track and I only had a very small part of the event. My family drove 6 hours with a van loaded down with supplies, and I know that is true of all of the coordinators, organizers and several volunteers. To move it somewhere else would be impossible for me to co chair childrens activities, but, it would be a nice to be able to actually attend the activities :0) ( I wouldn't mind the Outer Banks~I've have been wanting to vacation there!!!) I guess we'll just have to wait and see what decision is made for next year. Regardless, I am sure the turn out will be great and I hope that more and more people attend.

[becky]

Shell,

Jayme had a great time with the kiddos. Especially since her 'boyfriend' Ben was at the table for about an hour of the time she was working. Of course she was hitting me hard about how we 'need' to adopt a little boy...she was absolutely smitten with all those cute little guys there!

We plan to come back next year even if it is up North...but I would love to see a similar event happen in other parts of the country, it's so well done and so fun for the families!

[bensmom]

Bet you never expected me to post here, but it's nap time in NY, and all is fine with 2 out of 3. We would LOVE to come if you plan something in the south, too. We always wish for a warm vacation! Benjamin is still talking about "my Jayme" and Christiana even said, "Mommy, where did my Bella go? I want to play with her NOW!" It was so great of you to come from so far, and we're already looking forward to our next big event! Hope your kids have a great last week of vacation! Karen

P.S. Hi, Shell! Hope you'll be at our next picnic!
Karen, mommy to Benjamin & Christiana from Guatemala and to Bryan by birth

[becky]

I can't believe you posted!!

Jayme and Bella are missing your kiddos as well. I didn't take nearly enough pictures...we watched them on TV last night and they were so cute...just wish I had done more!

I completely expect my daughter to come home with a boyfriend from Latin America any day now...she was so 'in love' with your little guy...who is and I quote "the cutest little boy ever".

You guys don't need an excuse to come down South...you have Aunts, Uncles, Grandmas, and us...just come when it's warm so we can go to our cool pool!!!

Send me those pictures...I need them for the website and the brochure.

Pop in more often (if you can get Christi and Bryan to sleep at the same time again)