The Importance of Blogging

Over the (blessed) long weekend, we spent some time organizing stuff around the house. We had the option of going to Yosemite with my parents but, since it’s been snowing there recently and flooded (and, frankly, I haven’t felt up to tent-camping or going for long drives because of back pain), we opted-out.

In the midst of our organization efforts, we unearthed an old journal I’d kept from the summer of 2002. (I’m sure I would have had a blog back then, too, if they’d been a fad.) I’ve always, ever since I was little, kept a journal. At first, my mom made me do it. Later, I came to love journaling as an outlet for my thoughts and impressions.

Anyway, it was fun to read stories from the summer of 2002 – some of them I’d already forgotten. For instance, the fact that, at Sarah and Nathan’s wedding (July 13), John Vinci (probably the nicest guy ever) threw rice at Kevin as a joke and a rice kernel ended up inside his ear. It bothered him for three days until he finally went to urgent care where a nurse practitioner flushed it out. “Oh yeah,” exclaimed Kevin. “I remember that clearly now!” And then we both had a good chuckle.

You know, I think journaling (and blogging) is important – not only as an outlet but to help you remember, and laugh over, inconsequential things years down the road. It may not be necessary to recall the rice kernel incidences of life … but it sure is fun.

Growing Pains

On Memorial Day, we did what many people across America do and went to a church picnic. I was feeling depressed that morning when suddenly, in the midst of slicing watermelon, I realized that I wouldn’t be able to partake in all the normal picnic activities that I love (because of my current maternal condition). It dawned on me that, for the first time ever, I was going to have to go to a picnic and not be able to play volleyball and engage in water balloon wars. Please note – it’s not that I don’t enjoy conversation with older ladies. It’s just that having my options be so limited wasn’t appealing to me.

To make matters worse, I had to stand there, while feeling very fat, and witness Kevin excitedly grabbing all his sports equipment from the house and the garage to load in the car and take with us.

I wasn’t going to say anything to Kevin regarding my state of mind because I didn’t want to mitigate his excitement about the picnic activities. As we were en route, however, he could sense that something was up and asked me what was wrong. I suddenly burst into tears and said, “I don’t want to have to sit and talk with all the old ladies. I want to play with the boys.” As soon as I said those words, we both burst out laughing. I think Kevin laughed because he was humored and I laughed out of pure relief to finally verbalize my frustrations. Kevin was also sympathetic and even offered to stay back with me and talk to the old ladies too. Of course I told him NO – but I did appreciate his offer.

Sigh … As time passes, I know I’ll realize more and more what a silly person I am. And also that the “sacrifices” I have to make in life really are very small indeed, in the vast scheme of things.

Children Becoming Extinct in S.F.

San Francisco is such a great city to visit. It’s beautiful and mysterious and full of vitality. But I definitely wouldn’t want to live there … or raise kids there. And apparently a lot of other people don’t want to either.

See article.

When the Truth Gets Graphic

Here is a news story about some people I’m acquainted with going to a local high school to protest abortion. The tactic this group has chosen is to display graphic signs of what abortion really is. I know some people disagree with this type of advocacy but, the more I think about it, the more I realize how necessary it is. Frankly, it works. High school teens are encouraged to engage in sexual activity (evidenced by permissive sex education) and then, when (oops!) the condom fails, they’re permitted to get abortions without parental consent or notification (actually, they’re allowed as young as age 12, in California). Before they make that decision, teens really should be informed about what abortion is and what it means for their baby. Yes, it’s gruesome and disgusting. They need to know that. There is nothing “nice” or civilized about abortion. They need to be educated about its horrors so they can make an informed choice. If even just a few decent people are “shocked” enough by what they see then, thank God, it just might influence them to make the right decision.

Some people, like the mom in this story, don’t like anything displayed in public that is disgusting or bloody, presumably because it doesn’t jive with their delicate, carefree lifestyle. (It’s typically easier to ignore an atrocity than deal with it.) But since abortion is a constant reality for modern teenagers – and it doesn’t appear that it will “go away” anytime soon – it’s important for teens to be informed and told the truth. It doesn’t do anyone a good service to candy-coat reality. If we permit children to make adult decisions about sex and unwanted pregnancies, we need to treat them like adults when giving them information, too.

I’ve heard that the holocaust wasn’t strongly opposed in the United States until actual pictures were shown of the Nazi prison camps. It took a massive graphic-image campaign to educate people about the real horrors and inhumanity of the holocaust. Images will do what words often can’t. Abortion is a modern-day holocaust. Let the people see the pictures so they can know the truth. Maybe that’s the only way to build momentum to someday stop the killings.

Phil A. Buster

A few days ago I was really starting to get sick of hearing about the filibuster ordeal in Washington. It’s not that I don’t realize how important it is because, trust me, I do. It’s just that I was tired with how drug-out it was becoming and was hoping that soon the pundits could start talking about something else! But now it all seems to have come to a head with the recent compromise.

The only thing I really have a strong opinion on right now is the fact that yes, the GOP party will someday be in the minority again and, if we really do need the filibuster, it would be nice to keep it in place, but (big BUT) I doubt conservatives would ever use the filibuster in the same manner as the liberals have. I often think that conservatives err in being TOO nice. It’s the conservatives who tend to respect the rules and the process, even when in the minority and regardless of any tactics previously used by their counterparts. It’s the conservatives who know that the senate is there to “advise and consent” the president’s nominees. It’s the liberals, however, who are willing to be more belligerent and obstructionist to push their agenda. It’s the liberals, in my opinion, who always seem much more willing to disregard order and tradition to get their way. And it’s most definitely the liberals who rely on judges to violate separation of powers – legislate from the bench and reinterpret the constitution – to achieve their goals. Conservatives generally understand the importance of respecting separation of powers and believe that judges are there to interpret the law, not reinvent it. So, frankly, I can’t foresee anytime in the near future that conservatives would abuse the filibuster in the same manner, and to the same extent, that liberals have. For that reason alone, I wish the nuclear option had been utilized.

If what the democrats are doing now is not right, then it wouldn’t be right for the republicans to do it (in the future) either.

Every judicial nominee should be debated over – and all the negative information, if it exists, should be brought out against that nominee. But, in the end, every nominee should get an up or down vote. “Advise and consent.” That’s what our constitution says. That’s it.

Can't Wait

Today I was randomly surfing the internet and came across a website for a history curriculum called “History Alive,” written by Diana Waring. I’d actually met Diana a few years ago at a conference and was very impressed by her enthusiasm for teaching history to kids – and enabling homeschool moms to do the same. Reading her site made me become excited about the prospect of homeschooling my own kids sometime in the near future. Although I know there will be frantic days, frustrating days, and stuck-in-a-rut days, I’m tremendously looking forward to the many learning adventures and bonding experiences that homeschooling will permit for our family. My only fear, at the present moment, is that my kids will hate me for trying to create constant learning opportunities.

When people ask me why I would homeschool my kids, I usually tell them that we’ll probably homeschool because we were homeschooled. I’ve found that it’s a convenient way to answer the question. Honestly, though, it’s not the real reason why we’ll homeschool our kids.

The truth of the matter is that we’ll homeschool our kids because we believe education is so much more than learning facts and trivia. Education is about shaping the minds and hearts of the next generation (and public school educators know this too). We will homeschool because we believe God gave us (the parents) the primary responsibility to train our children in the way they should go and we should not relegate this responsibility to a godless state government. (Please note – although I feel strongly about this, I’m not judging anyone who is not convicted in this area. So … smiles, love and happiness all around … okay?)

I was also reading today about a case in Tennessee where a 10 year old was banned from reading his bible on school campus with his friends during their free time. It’s interesting to me that in California, where we live, kids are required to study the religion of Islam during classroom instruction time (probably because it’s politically correct right now to embrace the religion of American-hating terrorists?) but, on their own time, young kids can’t even read the bible. What is it about the bible that makes people fear it so much? Are public school educators afraid that the kids might learn harmful things taught in the bible – like “do not steal,” “do not murder,” “love your enemies,” etc.?

But it’s not just for ideological and religious reasons that I want to homeschool. I also think it will be incredibly fun to learn with my kids, and hopefully instill within them a hunger and love for learning too. That’s why I was excited to find Diana’s website today. I think history can be such an exciting subject to learn – but it can also be an extremely dull subject, depending on how it’s taught. Diana’s curriculum brings history alive by helping kids to learn it through their five senses (she has a recipe for Napoleon’s perfume, I hear) and also having the kids study geography, literature, music, and art relevant to particular historical periods.

This world is so big, rich, and full … homeschooling will afford me the time and opportunity to dig deeper to fully explore this glorious world with my kids. And I will seize that opportunity as a gift from God.

Yes, I’m really looking forward to not only being my kids’ mom but being their teacher as well.

Summer has officially begun ...

Saturday was the first time it truly felt like summer, for me. The weather was balmy hot and we cracked-open our first juicy sweet watermelon. We also spent the majority of the day out in the yard pulling weeds and such. There's something remarkably rewarding about digging your hands in soil and, after hours of sweat, seeing the fruit of your labors. Although, I will confess, Kevin worked MUCH harder than I did. I'm grateful that he loves to work in the yard and make things look nice. I'm also grateful that he doesn't mind when I decide to be a lazy bum and watch him do most of the work, from the comfort of the shady porch! Such a nice guy. :)


Summer has officially begun ...

Gals Time Out

Okay, these pictures are really dark because, for some reason, my flash wasn't working properly. Anyway, I had a great time this weekend at a ladies' luncheon to celebrate the impending arrival of Baby Koons. These girlfriends from bible study have been tremendously loving and supportive during this phase of my life ... I am so grateful for their friendships and I love 'em all. The shower-luncheon was held at Ettore's, a fabulous European bakery here in Sacramento. Check out their website for some scrumptious, unbelievable recipes!


Tricia, me, Lisa, Tara, Megan, Emily, and Kristi (holding Ty)


Yummy - Strawberry White Chocolate Mousse Cake

When I listen to a critic … and when I don’t.

I learned pretty early in life that the only time I should listen to a critic is when a) he knows me really well and b) I respect the way he lives his own life. For instance, if people in my life like Kevin, or my dad, etc. were to come to me and tell me about a personal flaw – and that I was blind to it, I’d be devastated. If an anonymous poster, however, who has several key facts wrong in his posting (thus alerting me to the fact that he doesn’t even know me from Adam), decides to spew off foolishness, then, frankly, I could care less.

The problem with comments on blogs is that, not only can intelligent, informed people post things … but uniformed antagonists, who have no life, can also post. My only response to these posters, is to keep on doing good, live my life to the fullest, be the happiest person I know (‘cuz I am), and continue to write about stupid, random, unimportant things in my blog.

Why don’t they paint hospital walls either scarlet red or cobalt blue? That’s what I’d do if I were in charge.

So, the other night we toured the hospital where, Lord willing, this child of ours will enter the world. After we left, I told Kevin that, for the first time ever, I am considering a home birth. I’m really not looking forward to being stuck in that place for hours upon hours. As we walked through the hallways on our tour, it all seemed very white and depressing.

I think I’ve decided that I’m going to stay home as long as possible before the delivery. In fact, I even told Kevin that I’d rather risk having the baby in the car, on the way there, than show up too early.

But he didn’t seem too keen on that idea. In fact, I think his exact response was: “Definitely not.”

Books for Modern Kids

Okay, so, when I was a little girl, I read books like … let’s see, um, Amelia Bedelia. Apparently modern-day children are much more advantaged than I because they read enlightened books like It’s Just a Plant.

“It’s the story of Jackie, a young girl who walks in on her parents smoking marijuana. The rest of the book follows a fact-finding mission Jackie and her mom take to learn more about pot. They visit Farmer Bob, who grows it, and Dr. Eden, her mom’s groovy physician (who warns the child not to use the drug till she’s an adult). Then they run into some guys passing around a spliff in front of a Chinese takeout joint, who are promptly busted. That’s when she learns that “a small but powerful group decided to make a law against marijuana” from one of the cops, who lets the tokers go with a warning. And Jackie decides she’s going to ‘vote to make the laws fair’ when she grows up.

“‘The book is not pro-drugs by any means,’ says [the author]. ‘It’s about reconsidering the drug laws.’” Go here for more.

I'm so mad ... I think I'll start a coalition!

And I’m not joking this time! I just learned that a bill recently passed the California Assembly that would raise bar fees for inactive attorneys (people like me) 150%. Perhaps the reason I’m so annoyed is that this news comes at really bad timing in my life. In any event, I’m not happy about it.

Although I didn’t have time to oppose this (evil) legislation in the Assembly, I’m planning on at least writing a letter and, most likely, testifying to oppose it when it comes before the Senate Business and Professions Committee. (The analysis from the Assembly shows that there was NO opposition in that house. And, by George, they’re at least going to have to reckon with me if they want to raise my fees.)

Rather than lobby against this bill as an individual, I know the strategic-wisdom of inventing a group first and then pursuing my lobbying efforts. It’ll make me sound more credible and they (the legislators, the media, and the world) will take me more seriously … I’m hoping.

My newly founded organization is probably going to be named the Coalition to Protect Economically-Challenged Stay-At-Home Moms Who Happen to Be Inactive Attorneys. I know it’s a long title – but it’s hard to think of a good title or acronym that’s shorter and still says everything I need it to say.

Question: Are there any inactive California attorneys out there who want to be members of my coalition? This will allow me the satisfaction of knowing that it’s not just a one-man effort.

I haven’t had much time yet to organize all my thoughts, but here’s what I’m thinking I’d like to say to those committee members if I get the chance:
_____________________

Like a lot of other attorneys, one of the reasons I went into law is because I’m not good at math. But the way I figure it, if AB 1529 passes the California state legislature, inactive members of the state bar, like me, will have to pay an increase of 150% in their annual bar dues.

This year, I paid roughly $50 as an inactive member of the state bar. By January 2007, I – and others like me – will have to pay roughly $125.

Why do I care about a measly $75? Because, frankly, it’s $75. And in a state like California where the cost of living is already astronomical, it’s getting tougher and tougher to make ends meet.

I decided to go on inactive status with the state bar this year for economical reasons alone. (Well, I also didn’t want to have to keep up with all the continuing legal education – but I won’t tell them that.) Rather than paying $400 to remain active, since I wasn’t practicing law and my husband and I are on a budget, I decided that $50 was a lot more affordable and practical. I am expecting my first child in July and I hope to stay home with my child. That means, as far as finances are concerned, that I’ll be unemployed.

When I speak to oppose AB 1529, I’m speaking for all of the other stay-at-home attorney-moms out there who are not making any money – either in the practice of law or otherwise. Adding to our financial burden by raising our bar dues is simply WRONG.

Think about it … Just because we had the drive and the smarts to finish law school and pass the bar exam means we’re stuck forever with paying compulsory bar dues. We can walk away from the practice of law but there’s no way for us to walk away from these professional fees.

And what are the services the state bar association offers to us non-practicing attorneys? Basically, two services.

1) They send me a statement every year telling me I owe them fifty bucks.

2) They send me a Bar Journal newspaper every month that I, frankly, never read.

I find it hard to believe that it takes even fifty dollars to pay a clerk to generate a fee statement and send me a monthly newsletter!

AB 1529 would increase dues for inactive attorneys for things like “new client security funds” (when, please note, we don’t even have clients) and costs of the “attorney discipline system” (when, please note, we aren’t even practicing law)!

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that there are three very crucial reasons why bar dues for inactive members should not be raised:

1) Those of us who are not currently employed – perhaps because we’re staying home to raise our kids – oftentimes cannot afford these fees. (Just because we’re “inactive attorneys” doesn’t mean we’re working in the banking industry making big bucks – and it certainly doesn’t mean our spouses are necessarily white-collared workers making big money either.)

2) It’s unfair to punish an inactive member of the state bar, who just might be a stay-at-home mom struggling to make ends meet, simply because she had the ambition and drive to take and pass the bar exam.

3) Lastly, the services rendered to inactive members of the state bar don’t demand $125 worth of dues to be extracted from struggling stay-at-home moms, in single-income families, every year.

It’s unfair, unjust, and wrong to exact from non-practicing attorneys bar dues that are 150% higher than currently charged.
_________________

Okay, I just re-read what I wrote and realize it will need to be toned down A LOT before I testify. But, like I said, I'm NOT happy.

I want my mind back ...

Last week I called my optometrist’s office, completely embarrassed, because I’d just forgotten my second (rescheduled) appointment with him. (I had also forgotten the first one.) To my utter chagrin, the doctor himself answered the phone and so I had to completely eat dirt. “Hi, Dr. Johnson, it’s Amy Koons and I’m really sorry that I stood you up … again … this afternoon,” I told him.

I didn’t even try to make excuses because, frankly, there were no good excuses.

Fortunately he was gracious and, thus far, his office hasn’t even charged me the no-show fee, though I deserve it.

So yesterday I went in, finally, to see my eye doctor. I was determined that I would overcome any calamity or Act of God to make that appointment. I told myself that the only reason I wouldn’t show up at that doctor’s office was if I was lying in a morgue someplace. I asked Kevin, in advance, to please call me and remind me. I also set up an e-mail alert and wrote myself five sticky notes in various strategic places so I would remember.

You know, I’m really tired of feeling so spacey and discombobulated. I’m not normally this extremely out-of-it. Another episode of pregnancy scatterbrains? Despite the guffaws of the naysayers out there, I would sincerely contend that it was.

In my typical state of mind, I’m enough of a threat to the world. Lately, I’ve just been plain scary. I long for normalcy again. I want my mind back!

A Strange, Small World

For those of you HSLDA-people who know Carrie Ireland, I just found out that, not only is she moving from D.C. to Sacramento, but her husband is going to be working directly with a good friend of ours from bible study – they will be teaching partners at a middle school just down the road from where we live. It blows my mind to think about this incredible happenstance. It’s just like when Kevin’s law firm hired a guy who married my high school camp counselor, and whom I had also worked with at the same camp. Kevin mentioned his name one day, after seeing his resume, and I screamed, “I know that guy!”

It’s simply amazing to me how small this world is. How big … and how very small.

Giving and Receiving

A few weeks ago several of my girlfriends offered to come over and paint some stripes in our “nursery” so I wouldn’t have to do it. (I had this grand idea to paint stripes, which I had never done before, but was convinced it would add something to the décor. We knew this task would be tedious so we kept putting it off.)

“Amy, it’s just something I want to do for you,” Tara told me. “A way I can help out.” When she said this, I immediately thought, “How sweet and thoughtful, but … I don’t think so.” The reason I think I balked is because I’m one of those people who thinks she can do everything – and no one else should have to go out of their way for me. In my mind, if it’s at all possible for me to do something – squeeze it in my schedule, find the energy, etc. – then I feel like I should do it myself.

But, since Tara was so insistent, I finally agreed to let her and Emily come over and paint last Saturday.

It was hard for me at first. On Saturday I felt like a totally lazy bum as they were busily working upstairs. They told me to just take it easy. This made me feel like a handicap or something. But, you know, while they were working, I kept thinking over and over, “God bless Tara and Emily.” And, although I’ve always known it, I came to realize even more that it’s so wonderful to have friends who are so loving, good, and generous with their time.

I’m learning that, not only is it important to give of myself to other people, it’s also important to allow others to give of themselves to me.

Thai Experience

Last night our bible study decided to ditch regularly scheduled programming and go to an authentic Thai restaurant as a group. This was inspired by Will and Amanda who went to Thailand last December for their honeymoon and ended up extending their stay because of the tsunami. While there, they acquired a taste for genuine (vs. Americanized) Thai food and wanted the rest of us to have an authentic Thai food experience as well. It was lots of fun. Kevin liked everything. I liked most everything. Two of the guys in our study, who are very picky eaters, only liked the steamed rice.

Will and Amanda’s story is actually quite remarkable. And it’s fun to hear Will talk about their Thailand adventures because of his thick accent (he’s from the UK). Apparently the tsunami took place on the last day of their honeymoon as they sat in their hotel lobby. The wave overtook their hotel, completely demolished it, and swept Will and Amanda 900 yards into the ocean. Miraculously (basically, inexplicably) they ended up bobbing up in the water only a few yards from each other. They had each experienced severe trauma (shattered bones, Will’s ear was severed, etc.) but somehow (God) they managed to hang onto each other and the debris until a boat picked them up. From that point on, getting to shore was a James-Bond-like experience. Apparently they watched many boats around them explode – and changed boats themselves several times, just in the nick of time – as aftershock waves carried them back to shore. They spent five weeks recovering in a hospital and were sent back to the states only when it was finally safe for them to travel. All their possessions were lost except for a small handbag someone had found among debris and returned to them. At the end of their breathtaking story, the rest of us agreed that they should sell the rights to Hollywood and make a mint. It would make an incredible action movie.

They also told us about how indescribably amazing the beaches are in Thailand – most of the western world has yet to discover its virgin beauty. And also how incredibly cheap it is to vacation there. A personal taxi for the day is $1. A two hour massage is $10. All you can eat cuisine, drinks, etc. is $3. We’ve all decided we want to go to Thailand next summer and live like kings and queens for a week. Let’s just pray that our trip is less eventful than Will and Amanda’s inaugural trip. Adventure and excitement, yes. Tsunamis we can live without.

Ingenious Business Idea

Check this out – Dinner Time! We have some friends who tried it and said it was fabulous. I think it’s a very creative business idea and know firsthand that there would be a market for it. It seems reasonably priced considering the amount of food and the alternative (eating out, eating cold cereal for dinner, etc.). I know it’s not a novel concept to make meals in advance and freeze them ‘cuz I’ve known lots of women who have done this. But, like the website says, there are a lot of busy people in this modern world who would be willing to pay a bit extra to spend only two hours making meals for the next two weeks and have someone else do all the prep-work and the clean-up. Nice.

Introducing ...

This is a belated post … but I just came across this picture Kevin had saved to his desktop. We wanted to introduce you to baby’s first stuffed animal toy, purchased for him/her by Kevin’s parents when they were here last month. They actually threw us a mini-shower and got us some things we need. It was great fun to come home from work and have a party. I’m always for parties. :-) So, anyway, we still haven’t named baby’s adorable stuffed donkey. Any ideas? I’m horrible, simply horrible, at coming up with good names for inanimate objects.


Donkey

Uncle Tom

On the long drive home from L.A. last night, where we spent Mother’s Day weekend, Kevin starting reading Uncle Tom’s Cabin to me. He offered to drive the entire way, and have me read, but I wasn’t tired and told him I prefer his reading to mine. He’s very good at all the accents and dramatizing the voices.

We’re only five chapters into the book but so far I’ve found it fascinating. Not only is it well-written, it’s interesting to me to think about all the social implications involved. Apparently Abe Lincoln joked with Harriet Beecher Stowe that she was the woman who started the Civil War.

One thing I love about the book is the fact that I’m already attached to the characters. I can feel for them and empathize with them in their struggles. And I can hardly wait to learn what happens to them in the next chapter.

There have been several other classic books I’ve read where I just couldn’t get into the characters. It’s pretty bad when, about halfway through the book, you still don’t really care what happens to the people in it – whether they live peacefully or die a painful, torturous death. One particular book that I disliked (and could never force myself to finish) was The Scarlet Letter. Although the overall plot was interesting, the description of the town and the docks, etc., etc. at the beginning of the book could’ve been done adequately and skillfully in three pages, instead of thirty. Someone criticized me when I told them I didn’t care for The Scarlet Letter. He snobbishly remarked that I simply “must not appreciate classic literature.” Honestly, I do appreciate classic literature … so long as it doesn’t bore me to tears!

Is every "classic" book infallible and always above being criticized by an amateur like me? Can’t I hold classic literature to the same test as other books I read and openly admit when I like some and not others? Will the elitists in the world please allow me that discretion?

Besides ... How do you determine a good fictional writer, anyway? To me, if you can’t pull the "average Joe" reader (e.g., me) into your story within the first ten paragraphs, you're not a good writer.

Introspection

What is it about thunder storms that makes a person reflect? Outside, the thunder is booming, the wind is howling, and torrential rain is pounding on my window.

But for me, it’s not just the weather that makes me introspective. It’s events that have recently transpired in my life. It’s thinking about several old friendships I’ve had for many years that are now different from what they once were. It’s the prospect of starting a new chapter in my life. And it’s the grey sky, the thunder, and the cadenced rain.

People are funny things. They change. Or, at least, they should change. Hopefully we all learn and grown and never remain stagnant. But also, hopefully, we change for the better and not for the worse.

Not only do people change in different ways, but they change at different paces.

While reflecting on certain relationships in my life recently, I’ve had to ask myself how exactly I have changed and how exactly they have changed. Who has changed the most? What changes have been good? What changes are not-so-good?

Although I can’t really answer all of my own questions right now, I’m really glad that one thing is certain – God never changes. He is ever constant.

Happy CDM!

Random note: In order to commemorate Cinco de Mayo today, I had Chinese for lunch.

Probably the most eventful thing that happened to us last night is that we had to clip clothespins to our ears during child birth preparation class. The whole point was to illustrate how breathing techniques can help you endure pain. Halfway through the full minute with the clothespin attached to our ears, Rob shouted that he wanted the epidural. Of course, we all laughed. Personally, I think laughter helps make pain more bearable than breathing technique. But maybe the concepts aren't far apart - they both provide welcome distraction.

Friends

We had a great time visiting with Dan and Angel last night. Rumor has it that they are looking to move to the Sacramento area. Yay! We like that idea.

And, congratulations to Rose and Michael on the arrival of their beautiful baby girl. I've been checking their blog every day waiting for this news and it finally came. (I guess that's one way to market your blog ... have a baby. Hmmm ... maybe I'll try it one of these days.)

The mighty have fallen ...

Anticipation was high last night as our church softball team, on which Kevin plays first base, had their first game of the season. I always enjoy going to these types of things and screaming from the stands. The first several innings went really well and then … to be honest with you, I’m not sure what happened. To shorten a long story, let me just say that we lost pretty badly … 24 to 5!! Kevin hung his head as we left the ballpark. I tried to console him by telling him that HE did a good job – both at bat and on first base. But I’m not sure how comforting I was.

It’s hard to believe, but I guess our church used to have the #1 team in the league. Wow. Considering last night’s game, coupled with the fact that last year we didn’t win a single blasted game, I guess we’ve come a loooong way.

Although it’s definitely more fun to win, I still enjoy the process of the game despite the end result. So, my plan is to continue to occupy the bleachers on Monday nights, scream until I’m hoarse, as always, and ever be a loyal fan of our church softball team … even though it appears that their glory days have come to an end.

Pianos, Fellowship, R&R

This weekend was good. We spent some time Saturday looking (or should I say that I looked and Kevin salivated?) at grand pianos. Why? Because I think we’re trying to procrastinate looking at baby furniture for as long as possible. Are we in the market for a grand piano? No. Would Kevin die to have one? Yes. We were at the piano store long enough to become friends with the owner – she invited Kevin to come in whenever he feels like it and play any one of her pianos. I think he’ll probably take her up on this offer.

Then we went to Braiden and Mendi’s house for a very delicious dinner and a good time of fellowship. We both decided it’s really nice to have friends that live less than a mile away. (It seems like most of our friends nowadays live at least 15 minutes away, or more, or much more.) We think we’ll keep these friends.

Sunday was truly a day of rest. Kevin had a choral event but he opted-out because things have been hectic lately. It was so nice outside on Sunday that we decided to spread a blanket in our backyard and get some sun. Unfortunately, the sun decided to set like five minutes later. Drat!