The Bar

For the last three and a half years we have been on this crazy journey through law school. For someone who never saw herself married to a minister or a lawyer, I will now have been married to both. God laughs when we make plans. Brad sits for the Bar on Tuesday and Wednesday and one chapter of this journey will end. But the best part is just beginning. As I reflect on how hard these last years have been and how different it will be to re-enter the world of working instead of going to school, I wouldn't trade one minute. I think we have learned a lot about how to survive as a couple and build a network of people who love us and love our children. I realize I have been quite the consumer of late. It is time for me to focus on cultivating friendships and growing in a new direction. I read this article lately about how hard it is to make friends after 20. It discussed how we all seem to retreat to our homes once kids come along. I can attest that we have been less likely to develop deep friendships throughout law school and take time to invest because we have been so uncertain about our future. If I had that part to do over again I might do things differently. I wish that I could be someone who so lives in this moment that I let myself live uninhibited with people and, thus, carry great friends with me wherever I go. I know some of these kinds of people and I have learned lots from them over the years. I hate to put it this way, but I am going to get on with the business of living and try to create the kind of community I want my girls to grow up in. So, it seems the Bar is a place marker for our family. It marks the end of being "stuck" and the beginning of making lifelong relationships!

Raising girls

I truly thought it was the joke of the century when God decided we should have girls. I have seen countless "girls gone wild" moments lived out in reality that the thought of girls terrified me. This week I am reflecting on the fact that Kiley is seven years old. We are beginning to have those conversations about her body and modesty. We have never shyed away from this topic but I continue to see my inadequacies bubbling as I address these issues. Perhaps unfortunately, I am a child of the south. Sometimes I think it would be much easier to be a nomadic, hippy mother who really doesn't have a problem with pot or nudist colonies. I could live and parent as irresponsibly as I wanted and society would be amazed by whatever achievements my children had in spite of their upbringing. But, alas, I am a southern girl in the end who has a high sense of how I want my daughters to be received by the world. But mostly, I want them to have e high sense of self. I want my daughters to respect themselves in every way. I am realizing that this is not accomplished easily. I can't believe she is seven, and Robyn four!!!! My time with them is so limited. I pray for more teachable opportunities. I pray they compensate for my failures. Mostly, I pray for grace in parenting them.

How to love

I'm wrestling with this question tonight. I had to deal with a particularly difficult situation with an employee today. I also started reading Love Wins. I feel like a paradox. It is difficult for me to keep the best interest of my organization and the best interest of my employees in mind when the two are in conflict with one another. I struggle with the application of loving people in the right way sometimes. How do I show love when there is no other option left to handle my employee's actions? Sometimes bad news just can't be wrapped in love gift wrap. Any suggestions?

Just Playin'

I keep playing around with the design of my new page but I think I have it now! Please forgive the large Christmas tree in the background of the picture. This is the best family pic I have to boast at this time. It was some kind of Monday today. On my list of unfinished business: research curriculum, research grant, write grant, write checks, file employee absences, run, investigate discipline issue. List of items accomplished: I ate two oatmeal creme pies for breakfast! It was a good day!

A couple of recent pictures of the girls on a day hike:

Thunderstorms

When I decided to go to school this semester I did not anticipate it being storm season with Brad gone two nights a week. Of course each night I have had homework the storms hit and the kids freak out. So far tonight they are actually doing pretty good. Bring it on late night!

New Blog

As promised six months ago I have redesigned my blog. A lot has changed for the good in our lives and i want to reflect those positive things about ordinary life. I am running again, sort of. Brad and i ran the relay for the LR Marathon in early March. Running is no longer a floodgate of emotion for me, thank God! Life is busy, more to come on that later...maybe, if I find time. kiley's birthday is this weekend. She is seven? Can that be right? Man where did the time go? Lots more to come in the near future. I imported mother posts to retain the history. Much Love...

New things

Can summer already be over???? This year is flying by. I knew 2010 was going to be a much different year that would send us in new directions. It has delivered. In fact, I have turned a page on 2010 and feel that this blog has served it's purpose. I want my blog to evolve as my life has this year. Therefore I am starting a new blog and discontinuing this one. I will post one last time here when my new blog is established.