Updates

Things have been chaotic. But then I'm in good company aren't I? Everyone seems to be on full throttle since beginning school. We are still working on our routine. Perhaps some day soon, I will actually make it to work on time. I almost did this morning but our parking lot was full so I had to drive around twice until I finally parked in front of the dumpster on our lot that says 'No Parking Anytime'. Oh well, I laugh in the face of authority. (Okay, so maybe I knew the trash had already run earlier in the week and no one was going to invade the space). But sometimes small rebellions make you feel a little more in control of your life, don't they?

Anyway, it's been a busy week. Robyn is learning more words all the time (I know you're shocked ;0). She is keeping stride with Kiley almost step for step. This is great when they play well together. Not so great when Kiley gets tired of her little sister. But all in all they are settling right into their routine. I was confronted with a harsh reality today and it made me count my blessings.

We are currently opening our building to a group of people who are helping folks in Little Rock who have lost their jobs, find new ones. One of the attendees to the group was a mother in her forties or fifties. She has a daughter who graduated college in May. Both of these ladies are attending the group in the hopes of finding employment. How lucky I am to have a good job that pays my bills and feeds my children. I can't imagine being at that stage of life and both me and my daughter are job hunting. The mother, a career professional with Alltel, will officially lose her job in October due to the business being purchased by Verizon Wireless.

So, lots of changes for lots of people. We thank God everyday for bringing us here and giving us another day to work and live this good life!

Kindergarten

Kiley started Kindergarten today. We got up, we sang songs, we got dressed, drove to Kroger and walked the rest of the way to school. Many of the families here walk to school. So, we were able to meet folks and take pictures. The school Kiley is attending seems to be a fabulous real-life community school. Everyone lives with about a 6 mile radius from the school and is uber involved at the school. We look forward to having it as a social outlet.

Brad and I both thought we would/should be more emotional about her first day of school. But I think God set us up. He brought us to Little Rock and set the stage for the girls to be home all Spring and Summer. We are all ready for a break. The girls will actually miss being around each other again and will (hopefully) get along a little better.

While it is surreal to send Kiley to school, at the same time it feels right. She has been ready for several weeks. I think God brought us as close to the tipping point as possible so we would not mourn the day we sent her to school. As hard as I try, I cannot feel sad about today. She was so excited to be starting school. We made a huge celebration of it. It was a really good morning. I think my favorite part was walking her in as a family. Beginning tomorrow, she will have to walk in with her class from the playground.

I can't wait to meet more families, make new friends, and start this new routine. As a side note, Brad starts law school tomorrow. Who knows, maybe we'll take pictures of him too!

Anniversary

Today was our 11th anniversary. Wow! Eleven years. We have had some pretty memorable anniversaries. Our first was to Petit Jean Mtn. to camp. Arkansas in August is not very fun for tent camping. That anniversary didn't go so well. We didn't talk the entire weekend. But by year five, we were cookin' with gas. That year, we headed to Las Vegas. We had just found out we were pregnant with Kiley and I told everyone in town! Years six thru nine were kind of a blur, but I'm sure they were fun. Last year for big number ten, we went to a Dave Matthews Band concert.

But I have to say for all the anniversaries we have shared, I can't remember one being as relaxing and fun as today was. Brad's parents wanted the kids for the weekend (whew hoo). So, we didn't make any big plans. On Friday, we shopped for a new desk for the family computer. We found the perfect one at Haverty's Then, we came home, slipped on PJs, headed out to the deck and read a book and sipped on some great red wine while listening to the crickets all around our house. It was awesome. Then, today we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at Satellite Cafe just up the street from our house. After that, we went to Lowe's to purchase a new light for over our dining table and then on to Bedford's photography where I got to research new lenses for my camera. We then came back home and installed our new light. This is a feat that would not have been accomplished in our first few years of marriage. But we worked as a team and got it done, without even fighting!! Afterwards, we enjoyed a light lunch and then on to a movie (Julie and Julia). After the movie, we decided to grab a bite to eat.

Just when we thought we were out of ideas for things to do, Brad suggests buying a chess set and teaching me how to play chess (another thing that would not have gone successfully in our first few years of marriage). After almost 2 hours, we ended in a stalemate. I almost had him beaten a couple of times but he backed out of it. I guess this was just another example of how equally matched we are for each other.

I think my favorite part about today was that we were just two best friends having a great time hanging out together. Even though the day was not filled with exciting adventures, we made a really great time out of it. We laughed a lot, we held hands, we kissed. It was just a truly sweet day in every way. Happy Anniversary, honey!

New day, new hair and potty training

I have waited for this day for weeks. I am finally getting my hair cut today. I know this is a petty thing to be so excited about in the grand scheme of things. But sometimes you just need a boost. They always say that a woman's changes in hair often correspond with changes in her life. Well, as we transition into law school mode, it is time to shorten the 'do again to something a little more manageable. Maybe I'll post some pics if I think about it this weekend.

AS for potty training, I had a rude awakening this week. Apparently, my Robyn is the last 2 1/2 year old in Little Rock to be potty trained. Okay, maybe that's a bit of an exageration. But we are getting ready to start her in dayschool and she must be fully potty trained before she can be in the same class with kids her age. She hasn't even started and she's behind! And here I was thinking that at 2 1/2 it was pretty standard not to be potty trained. So, being the attentive parent that I am, I bought this 'Potty Training in One Day' kit. Yes, I took the bait. It was featured on Dr. Phil and has a peeing doll. We have set aside this Saturday as 'The Big Day'. I am going to try to rush this process in hopes of bringing Robyn up to speed before school starts on Aug. 17 so that she will not have to go to the baby class. Please pray that 1. It works and 2. I don't scar my child for life. We played with the doll some last night and Robyn loved it. I hope we can make this a positive experience and spend some good Mommy/Robyn time together on Saturday. I'll let you know how it goes!

Vacation Days 3 thru 6

I'll give a brief synopsis of the rest of the trip. Obviously, we had a blast. There is no more precious thing in life than to watch children doing what they do best...being kids! We spent a lot more time at the beach this year, able to convince the girls they can go to pool any time but the beach is a special thing. Kiley met another five year old little girl and they played for the last two days of the trip. Big fun! Robyn loved the sand. Was not the least bit bothered by it.

My favorite day, though, was Friday, my birhday. I have probably spent more years at the beach on my birthday than at home. I love it! This year was really special. I took a picnic down to the beach and we invited Kiley's friend (Lily) to join us. We had sandwiches, chips, juice, and, of course, sand. It gave a new meaning to the word "sand"wich. Then, later that night, Brad had made reservations for us to eat at Fleming's Steakhouse. My Mom had bought a gift card for us. When we got there, the entire staff had signed a card for me and, although they did not sing, many came by the table to chat and wish me a Happy Birthday. It was nice to get the royal treatment.

When I get some time, I hope to post some of our pictures. Since returning, we have been furiously getting everyone organized for school. I can't believe it is time to buy school suplies and uniforms. In fact, Brad already has homework. He will start with "orientation" on Aug. 12 but will have assignments due during that week. So, we are gearing up. This is the thing we came here for. Although we have already been here for almost six months, it has flown by.

It was a great trip but I'm glad to be home. Vacations with small children tire me out more than anything else! Next steps, finish out school clothing purchases, buy shoes and supplies, and get the family ready for a new routine. Wait, does such a thing exist for our family???

Vacation Days 1 & 2

We made it to the beach! Yesterday was a much longer day than anticipated, but the girls did phenomenally. They were perfect the entire day! Even though it took us 13 hours to get here. When we got into town, we decided to stop for dinner before heading to the condo. As usual, Brad picked out a great restaurant. We had a relaxing sit down dinner (yes, after 13 hours in the car) at Tommy Bahamas. How, you ask? Because we ate on the patio which happened to open up to a huge green space grassy area. The girls ran and ran and ran until they collapsed while Brad enjoyed a Mojito and I a glass of wine. I know it sounds like hyperbole but it is true. So, we are off to a great start. The behavior gods have smiled on us.

Even today we are not paying for it. They woke up (at 7 am, blah) but were in great moods. After a simple breakfast, they headed to the pool with Dad and I went to the grocery store (alone!!!!). But after swimming and playing at the beach, we headed in for lunch and then they had 2 hours worth of naps. So, they are ready to go tonight! We will see how dinner tonight goes. But so far so good. After I got back from the store, I spent a lot of time on the beach. The weather is perfect. Breezy, 85 degrees, and no humidity. Again, the gods have smiled on us. Maybe they know this will be our last bit of relaxation for the next three years?? I am praying the next few days go as well as the last two have.

Tonight we go see Harry Potter! Thanks to Amber, our friend who agreed to come along as a babysitter, Brad and I will have some much needed together time this week.

Sotomayor

I have been intrigued by the Senate hearings with regard to Sotomayor. Brad and I have become particularly boring since moving to Little Rock. A relaxing night consists of getting the kids to bed so we can debrief on the day's current events. So, the last few days our talks have revolved around the confirmation process. I haven't been able to watch most of it direcetly. But I do read every few hours about how things are going on the Hill. I must say, I have been really impressed with Sotomayor's demeanor. She has remained collected and quick witted throughout the process. I understand that Republicans like Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jeff Sessions believe it is their God given duty to berate when questioning. They are making good on their committment to be the voice of dissention and rebuke throughout the process. And, for the most part, it is necessary to have such voices. Otherwise, there would be no need for the hearings at all. But what is most intriguing to me is that Sotomayor never lets her face betray her. I can't remember the last time I watched similar events take place on TV and the degree of drama from all parties was laughable. But Sotomayor is definitely not giving SNL any material this week. Graham and Sessions on the other hand....

How fresh it is to see someone maintain composure and defy letting personal attacks govern the process. Sotomayor's demeanor, although it doesn't make for good TV, sets a new tone for how we ought to handle ourselves. Furthermore, I am impressed at how she will not allow certain individuals to reduce complex issues into sound bites. For example, when asked about the issue of abortion she gave the following answer:

"I can't answer that in the abstract," Sotomayor said. "The question as it would come before me wouldn't be in the way that you form it as a citizen, it would come to me as a judge."

Some have accused her of avoiding giving her personal stance on the issue. But isn't that what she is supposed to do?? She is caught in a no-win situation with this issue. We want a Justice who will be unbiased, but we insist she give us an absolute answer to the abortion question. The question as it was framed was not one to test the legitimacy of her ability to judge, but rather to test the limits of her moral parameters. Those same moral parameters that are not supposed to influence her decision making! Hmmm? Her answer, in one sense, affords more levity to the issue than the Senators meant for it to. She is saying she must weigh each situation that might come before her with the individual respect it is due while upholding the law of the land. She didn't take the bait and I'm proud of her for it!

I think she will serve the bench well.

(for the full content of the AP article click here)