Summer Date Nights

This summer I decided that I wanted to "date" my kids.  In a family of six, there is always something going on, and I rarely get the opportunity to hang-out with each of my kiddos one on one. I wanted to invest time into each child individually, so I came up with the "Summer Date Night Plan."  Each week, I take out only one child for an activity of his/her choosing.  It has to be something local and relatively inexpensive, but otherwise it is completely up to the kiddo to choose what they want to do.

Last night I went on a date with Davis.  He decided on a movie.  At first he asked to see Cars 2, but about a week ago he asked if he could change to the final Harry Potter movie.  (I was hesitant at first because the movie is rated PG-13, but ultimately decided that he could probably handle it).  Davis has read the entire Harry Potter series numerous times, and I knew he would have a blast.

Davis actually counted down the hours until our date.  I would like to think that he was excited to spend time with me, but who am I kidding?  It was all about the Harry Potter movie.  Ok . . . well, maybe it was 90% Harry Potter, 10% hanging out with Mom.  Or 80/20?  I will just tell myself it was an even 50/50 split.

We had such a great time!  We stopped by Target for a little candy treat, and then settled into our big comfy seats directly in the middle of the movie theater.  I enjoyed chatting with Davis on the ride to the theater (I think that you can get some of the best conversations in with tweens during car rides), in Target and as we sat watching the previews and waiting for the movie to start.  As he approaches the teen years, I want to keep our relationship strong.  I want him to know that he can talk to me about anything.  I love that boy and can't believe that he is almost ten years old.

The movie itself was fantastic!  Lots of witty dialogue, suspense and action all rolled into one.  Two thumbs up from both myself and Davis.

Next up, Noah.  He still has not decided what he wants to do, but the top contender as of this morning is roller-blading.  Sounds fun to me!

My Civic Duty

This poor blog.  It has been neglected for weeks.  I was afraid that would happen.  Life just gets in the way.  Work, church, friends, kids' activities, traveling, vacation.  Pick an excuse.

 

But today I am stuck.  Stuck in a jury waiting room along with six hundred other individuals from Orange County.  What a great time to update my blog.  I have hours to pass with not a lot of things to do.

At 36 years old, this is actually the first time I have ever had to report for jury duty.  I was called once while in law school, but was excused because of my school schedule.  I am suprised I have not received a summons before.  I have been registered to vote since I was 18 years old.  This also worries me a bit.  Perhaps my luck will run out, and I will be chosen for a jury.

Jury duty provides for some interesting people watching.  There are all types of people here.  Old and young.  Different ethnicities.  Professionals and blue color workers.  The wealthy and the poor.  It is interesting to sit on this side of things.  What will the lawyers be looking for today?  I find myself scanning the room and making initial judgement calls on who I would like for a jury in one of my own civil trials.

Also, will a lawyer want me, an attorney with 10 years of experience, on a jury?  My guess is no.  Unless my background meets the exact characteristics that one of the attorneys are looking for, I will not be chosen.  Jurors with any type of legal experience are typically choosen as the foreperson.  The other jurors will like to him/her for guidance.  I hope that is my ticket out of here.

In general, people do whatever they can to get out of jury duty.  As I was waiting in line to check-in, I heard many complaints and excuses.  I have to admit that I also hope I am not selected.  I have a deposition to prepare for and a flight up to Oregon tomorrow.  Not to mention the difficulty I will have meeting my monthly billable requirement if I have to sit on a jury for several days.  However, if it weren't for my pesky job, I think I would like to be chosen.  It is an opportunity to serve, and I would love to be able to see the judicial process from the opposite perspective.  It is crazy to think that the people sitting in this room have the power to take away a person's freedom.  It is an awesome responsibility. 

*****

It is now 9:07 a.m.  I have been here since 7:45 as required by my jury summons.  The check-in process took nearly an hour, and the court employee just announced a 30 minute break. (already?!?).  This bugs me.  I want to get to work.  I want to get things done.  I need to just get over it and realize that I am in for a long and tedious day.      

The Non-Stop Weekend

This weekend was a whirl-wind, filled with parties, baseball playoffs, swim meets and volunteering "opportunities."

The kids survivied . . . barely. 

The parents survivied . . . barely. 

But looking past the craziness, it sure was fun! 

A weekend filled with cheering for our kids, getting to know our community better, and celebrating with friends.

Noah loves playing first base!  As a lefty, it is a great position for him.

I love this shot of Davis.  He did not know that I was taking it.  To me, it really shows what swimming is about.  It can be a lonely sport.  I saw a lot of kids in tears this weekend, including my own.  Competitive swimming involves such focus and determination, even at the young age of nine.

Getting ready for the next event.

And such a large pool.

Eliza and Vivian were both real troppers as they were carted around to their big brothers' activities.  Eliza's tears came when she was hit in the cheekbone by a baseball.  Although you would assume this happened at the baseball game, it actually happened at the swim meet.  That's just the way our family rolls. :)

We went out to "fro-yo" after the swim meet was over.  I just love how all the kids are lined up in a row from oldest to youngest.  There was not much talking going on here, just zoned out kids eating yogurt and watching the TV.

Finally, Miss Vivian.  I just love her expression in this one.  Enjoying some cake at a graduation celebration.

Chocolate Lover

I dare you not to smile when you look at this picture.  It's impossible.

Vivian has inherited my love for chocolate. 

She loves it. 

Adores it. 

Asks for it all the time.

Would eat it at every breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner if she could.

I guess the apple does not fall far from the tree. 

How is it that chocolate can always make things better?

9 Years . . .

It has been 9 years since I last held my baby boy.

9 years since I last kissed him.

9 years since I felt the warmth of his little body.

9 years since the last cuddle.

9 years ago that I told the doctors not to perform any heroic measures.

9 years ago that I sang softly to him as he left this world and entered into the glorious gates of heaven.

9 years ago that my heart shattered into a million pieces and I experienced pain that I did not even know was possible.

7 Quick Takes

Its Friday!   Thanks goodness.  Time for 7 quick takes.

1.  Have you read the Hunger Games trilogy?  If not, you should.  I read the first book in three days.  The second book in five days (I lost a little bit of steam - - a girl has to sleep sometime).  Now I can't wait to read the third book, but I need to take a little break to read our book club's selection for the month first. 

2.  After hearing all the hype, I tried a Starbucks Mocha Coconut Frappuccino.  Meh.  It was not bad, but I certainly was not impressed.  At nearly $4 for a tall, I won't be buying one of those again.

3.  Keith and I are dreaming of a trip to Europe.  We really just need to take the plunge and schedule it.  I am guessing there will never really be a "good time" to go (kind of like the saying that if you wait around for a good time to have kids, you probably will never have any).  Anyone want to take four cute, mostly well-behaved kiddos for a week so we can run off to Europe?

4.  I scheduled a date night tomorrow night for Keith and I.  I am not sure what to do.  I kind of feel like doing something new and different, but then again, we go out so rarely, just the mere fact of going out together could be considered "new and different."

5.  Davis has had a hard time this week with a bully at school.  However, the bully ended up getting exactly what he deserved.  More on that later.

6.  Vivian walks around rubbing her belly and calling it a baby.  Ummm, I told you there have been a lot of babies and pregnant women around lately.

7.  I think I am in the minority, but I was glad to see James go last night.  Come on Lauren!

That's it for now.  Off to enjoy the weekend.

Babies, babies and more babies.

Baby Fever. Do I have it? I am not sure. Somedays I think that I do, and somedays I think that I have been cured.

We have been surrounded by a flood of new babies lately. My sister had a baby a few weeks ago. One of my best friends from college had a baby in April, and another good college friend is due in June. The pregnant women at church seem to be coming out of the woodwork, and a baseball friend has a delicious brand new baby that Keith and I playfully fight over at each of Noah's baseball games.

(here is Vivian the day she came home from the hospital)

There is just something about a newborn. The tiny flailing limbs. The callus on the upper lip, The smell, ohh the smell! I love the smell of a newborn. The way a newborn cuddles up and sleeps on your chest for hours at a time. I was made for newborns. Some people dread the newborn stage and all of the sleepless nights that are part of the package. Although I love my sleep as much as the next person, if it means I get a newborn, I would gladly be sleep deprived for months on end.

As Vivian rounds the corner to her 2nd Birthday, the subject of a baby is becoming more and more frequent in our house. For the first time in my life, I waffle back and forth. Should we or shouldn't we? I think Keith is ready. I am blessed with a hubby who loves babies and children as much as I do. The kids all talk about having another baby. In fact, Noah pointed out the other night that we should keep the changing table handy because "babies come about every 3 years in our house." I think the only person who does not really want another baby is Eliza. She wants a puppy instead.

Although I love babies, the idea of having another causes me to worry about things. First and foremost, pregnancies are hard on me. I have severe morning sickness that basically leaves me incapacitated for months on end. Sickness that involves weight loss, hospital trips for IV fluids, home IV care, round the clock medication, and utter turmoil on our lives at home. I could write an entire book on the difficulties of having HG and the depression that I experienced as a result. But, at the end of the day, it was always worth it. However, I don't know if I have it in me to go through that again.

I also worry about lesser things like finances, space, time, and the potential status as AMA (Advanced Maternal Age) and all the risks that come along with it.

But then I just think about that newborn, and . . . worries, what worries?