Graduation Dr. Scott

Sorry for not blogging last week.  It is Chris's fault, as he promised he would blog when he graduated.  Chris is running the ship this week so somethings may be out of rhythm.

1.  I made it.  After three years of studies I was awarded the degree of Juris Doctorate.  If I ever teach at an institution of higher learning the students should refer to me as Dr. Scott.  Weird thought I know. but fun to think about.  The law makes for a very jealous mistress so uninhibited law thoughts will be popping up.

2. I still remember those awkward years of Jr. High.  Several of the girls told people that my body odor was less than acceptable.  To them I say its Dr. Stinky to you and be grateful the statute of limitation has passed or the term intentional infliction of emotional distress would make a great cause of action.

3. School ended Friday for the kids.  They miss school already and the food bill has jumped enormously with them at home all day.  Here is a photo of the last day.  Strange fact about Iowa, they enacted law from a conservative governor and legislature more money to the school system through legislation.

4. I begin the process of studying for the Bar Exam offered at the end of July.   It becomes a three year review of law school and tested in three days.  Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5. Went to see Jed's Doctor on Friday.  His bone appears to be regrowing.  It is hard to determine based on the x-rays, but the doctor says so.  The med mal claims keeps being mentioned by his doctor, I wonder if I intimidate.

6.  Things I will miss about law school _________________________________.  Yeah couldn't think of a whole lot.  Secured Transactions and Conflicts are tested on the bar.

7.  I will miss winter driving in Iowa.  Who would have thought I drive better in the snow and ice than the natives.  Traffic offenses in Iowa are misdemeanors.  Some offenses require mandatory jail time.

8.  As Vin Scully would say, "And whats interesting to note here," Karen got a bike to ride.  Its awesome to see her lead the kids on expeditions all over the corn countryside.  There are several recreation trails through out central Iowa.  Which reminds me, I wonder who pays for the easements.

9.  My closest law school friend left for Utah.  I love to kid him about hiding behind the Zion Curtain.  He moved all his stuff in a horse trailer.  Yeah I still prefer the Penske.

10.  A special shout out to my wife.  When we prayed about this decision in March of 2010 she stated in tears that we should attend law school.  She is the best ever.  We are poor but not neglected.  We try to be humble by receiving many challenges.  Through it all my wife has stood tall in all the storms as beacon for a family.  She is the most awesome person I know.  Here's to Karen the best of all the class of '98.  I love you.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Soccer is almost over. . . yeah. The weather this year has been miserable. We are hoping for 1 game (3 left) that is not cold and windy.

We are way to cheap to pay for photos so here is our free one :)

2. This is what Henry does every week. just chills in his jacket and rain boots

3. Chris thought is was warm so he wore shorts and a T-shirt. needless to say he put on Will's sweatshirt to help keep him warm.

4. Thursday night Jeffrey had his Kindergarten concert. It was great. His teacher did a great job a letting them sing fun songs. We didn't have good seats so all our photos were blurry :(

5. Friday we spent most of the day cleaning out the garage and other parts of our house. Our city has a yearly big junk trash day. Every one puts the stuff they don't want on the curb. People come from all over searching for "treasures". Saturday morning the trash comanies come and pick up what ever is left. It is a great day. While cleaning out. Chris found a way to keep Henry out of trouble.

6. Friday night we headed to Cherry Berry (self serve yogurt with a groupon!). Henry let the secret out of the bag that he knows how to say please. or well when he wants something he will sit down and we will feed.

 He is not waiting very patiently here for Chris 

7. After Cherry Berry we went home got on bikes, trailers and and attached a tandem to Chris's bike and headed out for a ride. It was great! the temps were perfect. Needless to say we have been on 2 more rides since Friday night. Now to find me a better bike that has brakes that work and a seat that is not hard as rock.

8. Jed loves to use my phone, Henry loves to have his photo taken. Well here is the best of both worlds! I love my kids and I am so lucky to be their mom.

9. Chris decided we need to sing a bit more in the house. Monday night after family home evening we had each kid pick a song and tell us why they liked it.

Will - praise to the man, because it talks about Joseph Smith
Annmarie - Hark the Harold Angles sing - because it reminds her of Christmas time
Jeffrey - There is Sunshine in my soul today - because there is sunshine in his soul
Jed - I am a Child of God - because it brings Heavenly Father to him (I think he feels the spirit)

I love hearing my kids testimonies grow because of songs. I a=have been singing more at night. I know my voice is not the best but I know my kids have really enjoyed this new tradition we do every night. The kids pick a song from the hymn book and I sing it in the hall while they are in bed. I love the spirit it brings to our home.

10. Chris graduates from Law school on saturday! I am so excited/proud/and so many other things. We did our yearly chalk on the sidewalk for him, but it rained before I got photos of it. Way to Go Chris you are AMAZING!!!!

Mothers Day

I'm thankful that it is never to late to start new traditions. Last year I started a new one and actually continued it. Jill (my sister in law) has a photo with each of her kids taken on Mothers day. Well I've done it for 2 years now and hope to be able to continue it.

Henry 15 months

Jed 4 1/2 years

Jeffrey 6 yrs

Annmarie 7 1/2 years

William 8 1/2 years

Today was great. Chris made a wonderful breakfast, I got in a nap and even finished planning my lesson all before 11 am :)

In the material that was covered for the lesson and what was talked about in class. I was really struck with how much better I need to be to prepare myself for church on Sunday's. Hopefully This will carry on past today.

As we sat watching 2 great church video's tonight I reflected on how much better I need to do so that my kids will have more "protection" for the things that are in the world and the things that will come. Chris has been saying prayers with them each night and I sing a song. Well tonight Jeffrey picked a song I didn't know all the words to and then Jed picked on I had no idea. So I went and got the Hymnal. I just came down from  singing to them for over 30 min. What I love most about this is that the spirit is filling my house right now. I do not sing well but Heavenly Father does not care. We made good choices today and we are being blessed with having his spirit with us. I cannot think of anything better than how I feel right now. What a wonderful Mothers day gift that I just gave to myself. I'm not saying I'm this perfect person. I guess I'm saying I wish I would have discovered it a long time ago and most likely we would have been feeling this way a long time ago.


Also I am so thankful for my mom. She truly is the best mother ever. She has always set the best example. I hope someday to be like my mom.

what's been happening

Life has been crazy! No post last week because I was to busy packing etc for ragnar and our trip to Boston. 

Henry loves being outside he climbs up everything, and apparently he can get down a "rock wall" (on the other side of this photo) with out hurting himself. I don't know how he did it. but he did.

Jed ran into another kid at school last Tuesday. I should have gotten a profile view because it was nasty! 

Last saturday I joined the smart phone group and got a free Iphone. I love the running aps. Having a better camera at my disposal but I must say I do not like the phone. If I call you or hang up on you I'm sorry I'm learning!

Early Wedensday morning Chris and I got on a plane with our friend Kelli Gear and headed out to Boston to run a Ragnar relay race. We went a day early because none of us had ever been. Things we learned. Don't stay in Revere. Don't mention you are from NY and get a rental car if you are not staying downtown. Wed night Michelle joined us. !

We got to see Harvard (it is a gated school) and see some nice rows of houses. 

Thursday we headed to downtown Boston and loved the 70 degree day. (it snowed in Iowa and stuck!) we walked the freedom trail. And saw cool things

Lunch was a Cheers. I must say they have great burgers and fries!

Then off to Fenway Park. Chris loves the Red Sox's. The tour was really cool, even for a Yankee's fan. 

my favorite sign

Me, Kelli, and Michelle in the dougout

Chris, Me and Michelle above the green monster

These stores are everwhere!!! sadly I didn't get my favorite kind

 Off to the races! We met up with Kris and Owen and my dad Thursday night. 

The first thing Friday morning we were off. It was a bit chilly being right next to the ocean. I was runner 1

I add these next 2 because they made me laugh. Apparently I have a very serious look when I am running

What do you do after you run 8 plus miles? eat Dunkin and drink chocolate milk. 

Here is my Dad getting ready to run. He did amazing! I hope when I am 71 I can still run Ragnars.

Chris did awesome as well. I have only done 1 ragnar without him and I love running with him. He does a great job taking care of me. So lucky,

After we were all done running (photos usually stop after leg 1) we headed to a beach 

Don't be fooled it was a wopping 40 most of the time. It was great running temps but cold otherwise.

I love these girls. I would take them on any race with me! (oh anywhere too)

Chris wanted proof that he stood in the Atlantic

Our team. The other van had 2 friends of Kris's and some of their friends. 

We had a great time! The it was time to go home. When we got pick up at the airport we heard the dreaded news that no parent wants to hear from someone who was watching our kids. They were not so good. OH how this just put a huge damper on the whole trip. We both felt and still feel terrible. SO needless to say we have been a little extra firm with the kids. Many tantrums have occurred. on resulted in this.

 

Yes she pulled her shelf out of the wall plastic stud things and all. She left some nice holes too. 

 We are so thankful to the kind kind Lexi and Landon who watched our kids. We owe them so much! and we cannot say I'm sorry or thank you enough.