Yesterday we celebrated Heike’s Birthday. I made her a nice breakfast, and made her a cake for after lunch. She got a few shirts she liked and a new necklace chain for the cross pendant that her Grandfather gave her. Heike and I visited her Mom and cousins in Second Life, and she spoke with her Grandmother and number of her relatives on the phone.

In all though, we tried not to spend too much on the celebrations since we’re saving up for the adoption. I’ve also spent a bit of time working on Maria’s website at http://mariasjourney.com.

Happy Birthday Heike! Ich Liebe Dich

Today Patrick ‘officially’ celebrated his 10th birthday, although most of the celebration was on Saturday.  He received a Nintendo DS Lite special red/black metallic edition and a Star Wars game he had wanted for it.  He also received a 4 port switch so that we could expand his PS2 LAN connectivity and move his computer off wireless to a 100 Mbps connection.  Oh, and he got a few needed clothes as well.

We also went to The Docker’s Arcade in Surf City, and watched the Fantastic 4′s "The Silver Surfer" that night after eating out at Pita Delite in Wilmington.

Today Heike made a delicious birthday chocolate cake for an afternoon treat.

Happy 10th Birthday Patrick, we love you very much!

Before last night, I didn’t know you. 

But suddenly in the hours before morning light, you entered my dreams.

Your presence felt so real

– and I saw you.

And that has changed everything!

It would be easy for me to say that it was only a dream,

- but I saw you.

As the morning dawned,

the dream began to fade and a vagueness ensued.

I remember a name, but even though your image begins to blur in my mind,

it gave birth to a purpose in my heart.

To my unknown daughter,

I can only say be patient and wait,

Daddy is coming for you.

written to his future daughter

- Timothy McDoniel 10/15/2007

First there were simple banner ads, then popup ads, now there are the annoying inline text ads which interfere while you’re scrolling through a news post. You’re scrolling through, or moving your mouse across the screen, and one of these ads popup, regardless of your popup blocker, because it doesn’t launch any sort of new window.

Here’s a Firefox Greasemonkey script that will rid you of this. I tested it (on a Breitsbart article), and it works fine.  The installation link is in the upper right section of the site.  Enjoy!

http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/3637

- Tim