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.

Political Season

I have lived in Arkansas for 14 years now. During high school (in Chattanooga) I was amazed at how a man from a small town called Hope could become President. It used to be the quintessential American story. The underdog. The dark horse. The cinderella story. But now that I'm here, I am less and less surprised at how Arkansas politicians are born and bred and groomed to greatness on the national scene. I don't know about other states, but Arkansas makes it very easy for budding politicians to gain momentum. This state grows smaller and smaller to me all the time. It is both a blessing and a curse to have such open access to the political machine. I have met our Governor on numerous occasions, have dined with State Senators and Representatives, and will be campaigning for a close personal friend running for the U.S. Congress.

I love living in this state because the civics lessons are endless. Our politicians are all over the place. Although my emmersion into political issues has been highlighted since moving to the capital city, politics was on our front door step in Jonesboro too. I am amazed at how easy it is to get involved at the local and state level. Brad and I have been blessed to be a part of some really interesting movements and I love seeing the state moving in new directions.

In many ways, I feel like Arkansas is on the brink of exploding culturally and intelectually. We have a long way to go, but people are genuinely interested in making a difference and making Arkansas attractive. At the Chamber, we talk a lot about how industries are no longer looking for capital investment as much as they are searching for a strong human resource. I am proud to think that we are attracting some of the right players because our politicians are making some tough decisions and trying to move our population in a new direction. I see more and more young families wanting to move to or back to Arkansas. We are focussed on investing in our human resources.

I applaud the decisions our politicians are making and appreciate their accessibility to the average person. I truly feel like I live in a state where my voice is heard. I may not always agree with the outcome, but I know I was heard.

So, as we kick off this political season, I hope we can keep the mission in mind. We all work for one another in order to make our communities better. May this political season be respectful and may rational minds prevail.

A Long Silence

It's finally over. Winter has passed and Spring has sprung! But that's not all that is emerging. It's been a long Winter for me. I've done a lot of soul searching over these last months. I feel like this whole last year has been a whirlwind I will never remember. While I am so happy for Brad and his new adventure of law school, I would be lying to say the move has not been hard. As things usually are, this year has been full of irony and change. I have had to take a long hard look at myself and ask what it is I should be doing and where do I fit in this picture.

For some time now, I have known that my future did not end with the Chamber of Commerce. That said, I have learned so much from my time here and it has given me an intimate portrayal of Little Rock that few people ever receive. I have dined at some of the best restaurants. I have spoken with some of the most intriguing people on Earth. I have watched new businesses being born. I have worked with some of the most influential politicians and business people in America. I have attended some of the most wonderful galas. And I have asked myself all along the way...is this what I was made for?

I know I am not the first or last person to struggle with this question. God has shown me that just when you are so certain of where you are headed, He will send you in another direction. That journey has not been pleasant. And yet, here I am today, revitalized by possibility I thought was behind me.

My last day with the Chamber will be Wednesday. I will then spend my days gathering paperwork and performing background checks and interviewing for jobs in middle school education. I know....I was surprised too. But when I stopped whining and started listening to God, he said to me 'I need you to do something only you can do'. Now, this doesn't mean that I think I am going to be able to perform the task of middle school teacher any better (in fact I will likely be much worse) than so many of the teachers currently teaching. But what I heard God say was, I made you for this and possibly something more later. I think God has been working on me for the last year to prepare me to make an impact with kids.

I was 13 when we lost my brother. Do you think that was a life defining moment? You bet. In fact, the years following that moment were some of the toughest years of my life. And not just because I was a teenager (that has enough drama by itself). I know that those middle school years define you as the person you will become as an adult. I know that so many kids that age are just looking for someone to listen to them and legitimize all of their raw emotions.

I know a lot of disenchanted teachers who are thinking I am an idealist. But anyone who knows me, knows I am anything but an idealist. I leave that up to Brad. I am the realist in our family. I know things will probably get much worse before they get better but I am up for the challenge. I will be returning to school to get my joint teaching license and masters degree. I can teach while I am getting my degree. I have requested that I be put where ever I am needed, but the Little Rock School District is my first choice. There will be plenty of at risk kids in that district.

For the first time in a while, I feel like I am moving forward. It has been about three years since I have felt this alive. I can't wait for the new adventure. And to all those nay sayers...keep it to yourself! I don't have blinders on but I do know God has an amazing plan in store for my students! Wish me luck....

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)

Updates

The Shumpert clan is a little spread out this week. Brad and I shipped the kids off for their first annual Granny Camp. We were a little nervous about sending Robyn to the lake with my mom just yet. In fact, we were a little hesitant evne with Kiley, but in the end we decided she knows how to swim well enough now to hang on until someone can save her. Okay, that may be a bit dramatic. But those of you who know my mother know this is not an extreme exageration of what could happen. This is Kiley's first year to do Granny Camp with Mom. Mom has been asking for years for them to come see her for a week in the Summer and the stars finally aligned enough for us to feel comfortable sending one of our children. Robyn, however, is with Brad's mom and dad for the week. Both are receiving their quotient of princess time. I am getting excited because we have decided to take the RV to Chattanooga for the 4th weekend. We will swing by and pick up Robyn and head to Chatt-town to meet Kiley. Mom has finally installed a path to the water and a dock. So, we will be able to enjoy the water a little more this year.

For some reason, this has felt a little more like Summer to me than in years past. At night, we enjoy sitting out on the deck mosquito free and sipping wine and reading a book. Our house, although it is hot everywhere, does not get much direct sun because of the massive tree coverage. We actually found a baby bunny rabbit in the front yard yesterday. Although we live very near downtown, it doesn't feel like it. There are birds and rabbits and all sorts of creatures around. At night, we sometimes here coyotes howling. Yes, coyotes. We romp in the yard barefoot. The yard doesn't have to manicured to perfection which is a good thing considering I had to mow it yesterday!

We have met some great people around where we live. We are slowly making new friends. Our next door neighbors are two of our favorite people so far. Kevin and Cindy are in their early fifties and have one grandchild. Cindy began inviting us to church as soon as we arrived on the scene. It took us three months to take her up on her offer but about a month ago, we took the bait. We have been there ever since. The people at this church seem to be very authentic and interested in making each other better. We enjoy going to church on Sundays and have loved studying the Word with them. This past week, a couple from our class gave birth to a stillborn baby girl. The entire class rallied around this couple in a way I have never seen. Yesterday at church, we had a session to process the grief and discuss how to help this couple. The discussion was about far more than planning meals or picking up their household chores while the couple grieves. Although those things were certainly discussed and are very necessary, there was also practical advice from other 'wounded healers' who have experienced the loss of a child and an intense time of prayer on behalf of this young family. You had to be there to truly understand. From the first time we came to this church, we have felt as though we have been there forever. I look forward to digging a little deeper into this family of believers.

I am anxious to have my girls back with me. I miss them but am enjoying some time with Brad. We are getting to the stage of life where our children are becoming a little easier to manage and we can do things as a family. For the last couple of weeks we have been taking the girls to the River Trail and pulling them behind our bikes. It is the one thing we can all enjoy at the same time! So, basically, we are loving Little Rock. Brad is ready for school to start and then things will really get crazy. For now, we are just enjoying our down time together as a family!

Confessions

I like food. There I said it. No, correction, I love food. As hard as I try, I cannot seem to ingest only those calories necessary to sustain my life on this planet. This is not in the least an epiphony to me. I have known for quite some time that I am a food addict and have carried a burden of guilt (allbeit a low measure of guilt) about this addiction. At present, I have little motivation to seek help for my addiction. I maintain a healthy weight, I excercise, I try to be consientious about eating whole wheat bread. I even mildly follow Weight Watchers eating program online. Most days, I am diligent. But as I look at how little it takes for me to exist, I can't help but feel I am missing out on a vibrant life by not enjoying my sinful pleasures. For example, this morning my beloved husband got up early to fix cinnamon rolls. Not the generic kind. He knows I love the simple, Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls with Icing. I don't even require the Grands Cinnamon Rolls to be happy (see, there again, I am making an effort to be consientious. Yay me!). As I ascend the staircase in our house the smell wafts out of the kitchen to greet me. It is in these moments that I know I have an addiction. The smell throughout the house gives rise to an unexplainably deep emotional connection. It is hunger meets joy meets the feeling of love. A smile explodes on my face. Knowing he thought enough of me to make the rolls gives me peace and feels like home, like a child again.

I know I am not the only person to feel this way. My mother always said, 'I don't drink, I don't smoke, I'm at least entitled to overeat.' While I don't exactly concur with those sentiments, they ressonate on some level. There is a certain part of us that relates vibrant life to the meals we share as families and friends. And why should we deny ourselves this experience? I don't know about you, but I cannot enjoy dinner with my friends as much having a salad when they are having steak. As hard as I try, it is not within my being. So, what are the consequences? Well, I will need to run 5.8 miles to make up for the four rolls I enjoyed for breakfast. And that's just the first meal of the day!

All of this could be discouraging had I not had an epiphony of another sort today. When I got to work, my father-in-law sent me some picturs of my daughter at the zoo. Several of the photos were taken during the Seal show. As I took in the pictures, it ocurred to me that food is a motivator in all parts of nature. We are all conditioned to perform for food. For the Seals, its fish. Do you think Seals sit around and mope about how many fish they ate today and how it will affect their hips? Of course not. They are enjoying the show, flipping their feet in the air on command just to get another fish thrown their way. It's only natural for all of us to have an emotional connection to food and for it to be a motivating factor in our relationships. Why fight nature?? I am not suggesting glutteny here. But I am a little exhausted of feeling like every morsel of food should be analyzed against how it will affect my figure.

Maybe this confession has something to do with feeling more comfortable in my own skin. Although I will do my best to eat healthy things (when cinnamon rolls are not an option), I will not be ashamed for the emotional connection I have to these parts of life that make it vibrant and not just mediocre. That being said, I'm going to have to up my miles!

All in due time

During my morning Today show addiction this morning, they announced the 2009 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. The award recongnizes people who have demonstrated significant political courage. By the very nature of the award, it can be assumed that recipients were probably not well-liked at some point during their career. This year's recipients are Sheila Bair, chair of the FDIC and Brooksley Born, former chair of Commodity Futures Trading Commission. They are being recognized for their efforts to alert political leaders in the early 1990's of impending threats to our economy. At the time, these individuals were ignored despite mounting evidence at the time. Now, they are being commended for their attempt to incite support that could have thwarted our current economic crisis.

Later in the morning, I watched live video streaming of a major cancer research announcement from the halls of UAMS/UALR. Dr. Zharov and Dr. Biris have discovered revolutionary cancer treatment that will allow for customized cancer treatment above and beyond chemo and radiation. Apparently, the treatment will attack cancer cells without harming other cells. It can deliver a more precise treatment than is currently available. Moreover, the research has found significant success in actually killing cancer cells instead of sending them into remission.

As I witness these two announcments (neither of which will make lasting headlines) I am reminded that all things happen in due time. I can't imagine that any of these people could have realistically thought they would see the fruits of their labor come to fruition within their lifetime. It reminds me to slow down and take things one day a time, being very methodical about the job given to me to perform in this moment. I'm sure many of us are guilty of always thinking of what's next instead of what's right now.

It takes a lot of courage to stand up to politicians and cancer. Makes my job seem insignificant but relevant at the same time. We each have our areas of influence. Perhaps there is value in watching for what is happening within those areas instead of being concerned with outcomes and measurements in someone else's area. I have seen through these two examples, individuals whose mission in life was to help or protect people. This process took years to accomplish and is still a work in progress. Gives me hope that I am a work in progress and so is my life's work.

Bephelants, Hi Morning, and Aminals

Aren't kidims great? We took our kids to see Earth over the weekend. By the way, if you have not seen this movie, it is like two hours of white noise and scenic photography. I was about to fall asleep from relaxation just watching it. It was a great movie. But during the movie, Robyn and Kiley were all ears and eyes. Robyn was enthralled by the Bephelants (elephants) and Kiley always talks aobut the Aminals (she is still working on her phonics). But my favorite kidism right now has to be Robyn in the mornings. When she wakes up and I go into her room to greet her, she looks up at me, still sleepy-eyed and says in the sweetest voice "Hi morning, Mommy". What a great way to start the day!!!! Her sweetness lasts about 5 seconds before her tanacity kicks in. But those 5 seconds are priceless!

Other cute Robynisms right now:

"Yes my am" (doubles for Yes I am and Yes, Ma'am)
"I lub you" (I love you)
"I lub you wed finger nails" (I love your red finger nails...said while she was admiring my painted toe nails)

Her words are coming very fast. She is trying to keep up with Kiley. She is doing a pretty good job considering Kiley has two years practice on her.

Good times. We are headed to Kiley's art show tonight. Then, the kids are staying with Brad's mom for a couple of nights. Brad and I look forward to having dinner with some old friends tomorrow night. More later...