Big Shoes to Fill

Being picked to be a juror on a trial that has lasted almost 2 weeks (yes, u read that right) has left me little time with the long hours everyday, but has given me the greatest appreciation to how family friendly my job is in the school system. My job is really the best of both worlds alongwith all the warm fuzzies & daily hugs that I haven't been getting in the heated courtroom and miss desperately.

Here's another little someone I've missed too, but she doesn't know what time it is when I get home and literally stops in her tracks, her face lights up like a lightbulb, smiles from ear to ear and RUNS to my open arms! I wish I could replay it in slow motion because it's the best part of my day. (and big thanks to daddy for leaving work super early everyday to pick her up w/o ever complaining even a little and Aunt Jen for stepping in to get some extra 'head-smelling' time)

Here she is trying to be just like Grandma in her shoes. Are you kidding me with that ponytail? Be still my heart.





with my long lawyer-hours-without-the-lawyer-pay has made me up the ante with quality time with Lily hopping in on the fun to a place I have no business being...(ummmm, yes i know my booty is almost as big as the sandbox)




is it possible to have her wear a bonnet to her first day of kindergarten? What about prom? I think it'd be a hit. I just can't get enough of her in one...




and sliding down the slide on her own which I never dreamed she could even do until her teacher mentioned she did all of the time like it was a normal everyday thing; (big eyes) I guess it's time to let go that she's not a newborn anymore...I didn't get the memo she can hold her body upright and slide gleefully down the slide and it still surprises me when she does normal everyday things that all 17 months old do, but she still seems like a 7 month old to me sometimes...



and our sunshine on even the cloudiest long yelling-lawyer-objecting day...


can we please have a moment of silence for her first pair of Keds that I grew up on and thought I was so cool even though my mom wouldn't buy me Reebok hightops because they were too "trendy" (no cabbage patch kids for the same reason)

oh and they're purple and I wish she could wear them to bed I love them so much on her...oh, and just $3 buckaroos! Cha-ching!

(moment of silence begins)

(moment of silence over)

Feeling a little more grateful for my life when I have to exchange it temporarily for long days of intense civic duty that has lasted even longer than the judge expected and told us today we were one of the most patient jury teams he's ever worked with in 43 years! How about them apples?

(pounding gavel)

Case closed.

Life is Good!