Today I Will...

*Buy something unexpected and fun at the grocery store
*Take a picture
*Wear a skirt
*Play secretary at Jimmy's office
*Enjoy life

Hope you all have a great day too!

Some Thoughts About My Dad

I've always been a Daddy's Girl. From as long as I can remember, I looked at my dad with love and awe. I turned to him when I had a problem, I listened to his anecdotes, and I knew he was the greatest man in the whole world. He went to work everyday to support his family and take care of his wife and daughters. When I was young my dad was not a man of many words, but I always knew he loved me and my sisters...even if he had funny ways of showing it. I remember many a morning that Dad would be on a kick, chasing us around and tickling us until we laughed so hard we couldn't breathe! Even though it seemed annoying at the time, I know now that that was a way for my dad to show his affection. As he's gotten older, he's gotten better about saying things that are on his mind and in his heart, but he's still great at showing his family how much he loves them. He's the first one to volunteer to help fix a car, or move a family, or build a house. If something needs to be done, my dad is right there to help us out - no matter how big or small the project is. Through his actions it is evident there is nothing he wouldn't do for his family. I'm thankful to have such a great dad. Happy Father's Day! I love you, Daddy!

Introducing the Law Offices of James J. Smedley, Esq.

So we did it! Jimmy has opened his own firm the Law Offices of James J. Smedley, Esq. I'm so excited about our business and what it means for our family. I think it's been one of the best decisions we've made. If you need help with a legal problem, or know anyone who does, call Jimmy. Here's his website: www.smedlaw.com. All of his contact information is there. He deals in almost every kind of law.

Happy Mother's Day

I want to send a big Happy Mother's Day out to all moms, but special ones to those mothers in my life.

To my Grandma - Happy Mother's Day and thank you for everything. I have such special memories of having fun at your house. We could always show up for milk with a little bit of tea or a round of The Twelve Days of Christmas - all we had to do was walk across the street. You had plenty of aprons and shoes for dress up - though my sisters and I always coveted the hot pink heels. When I was little I just thought you were a fun grandma who loved her family very much - as I grew up and learned more about your life, I realized how strong you are and how much you sacrificed for your children - for many years of your life, you truly lived for them. Thank you for being such a good example.

To My Sisters - Watching the two of you as mothers has been delightful. You are so similar and so different - and I am learning a lot from both of you. Corey - You've been a mom for almost eight years now! It is so evident that you love your girls and wouldn't trade motherhood for anything - however, it's also nice to see that it's okay to get frustrated and want to give them up for a day! I see your love for those girls and how you're the hub of your family - it really suits you. I'm proud of you and the choices that you make in raising your family. Ashley - a brand new mama - Happy First Mother's Day to you! What an exciting time in your life - your excitement and awe over Layla is present in all you do - seeing that in you makes me excited to be a mom one day too. I think you have grown up so much in the past couple of years and you're a great mom! You and Kelly have been put through a lot, but you lean on each other for strength and support - and I think that's key in raising a family. I'm proud of you too!

To My Mother In Law, Sun - Thank you for accepting me into your family and sharing your son with me. I feel so lucky to have in-laws that are so supportive and who genuinely want me to be a part of their family. I am also glad for the example you and Al set for Jimmy - we are lucky to both come from families where a marriage is something that lasts - even if there are trying times that need to be worked through. Happy Mother's Day!

To My Mom - Of course a special Happy Mother's Day to you! You have been there for me since forever, and I am grateful for all of the love and support I have received from you. I am blessed to have a mom as wonderful as you to learn from. As kids, me and my sisters got to be kids. We never had to worry about anything - you made sure our lives were fun - from making the video for Stacy, to playing "Restaurant" at lunch, to rummy games into the middle of the night. You made sure we were happy and when something did go wrong you fixed it. And, even as you were playing pretend with us, you were also making meals, washing dishes, doing laundry and sometimes working. But we could feel that we were a priority - it's easy to see now that the things you did were always for us and our family. As I grew up I see your devotion to your family. I also see how lucky I am to have you for a mom. So much of who I am today I credit to you. I know I can still turn to you with whatever problems I have - and even though it's not as easy to make them just go away - it makes dealing with them much easier knowing I have you in my corner. Thank you so much for giving me the support all through my life to grow up and be me! I love you!

Thoughtless

Every time I think to myself, "Hmm...I really should do a new blog entry" my mind goes really blank. Then I think to myself, "Hmm...I don't really have anything to say." So, I usually think about coming back to the blog at a time when I have something to say. So, in an effort to continue posting regularly, I think I need to write whether or not I have something to say! :)

I remember when I was in high school I kept a journal like nobody's business. I wrote in it all the time, my most private thoughts. With a blog, it's a little more public (not that there are secret crushes and awful teachers to write about now), so I feel inclined to censor myself - mostly out of a desire to not bore my four followers (thanks, guys!). So, I apologize in advance about the fact that this blog is really about nothing.

I do enjoy writing though - and I want to do more of it. My blog is a good place to do it, but I think I need some direction. Maybe I should start looking for some "prompts" and write from there? Hmm...that's a thought!

In other news - Jimmy has filed his S-Corp papers for his business and is in the process of filing for his state and county business licenses. He ordered his computer (which I think will arrive sometime next week) and his furniture - desk, his chair, and two guest/client chairs (which I think might arrive week after next). So things are moving along quite nicely there. He's also lining up some clients and doing some networking. Exciting stuff!

We have a wedding to go to next weekend. John, who was the best man at our wedding, is marrying his fiancee, Christina. Jimmy is his best man. He has bachelor party duties this weekend and is looking forward to meeting up with some old friends he hasn't seen in a while. I am looking forward to the wedding - I love weddings. I haven't decided what to wear yet though!

We've attended church a couple times in the past month. We've gone to The Crossing - which is a non-denominational Christian church. It's clear on the other side of town (Windmill and Buffalo), but we really like it there. It's so different from any church I've ever been to, but it's really refreshing and contemporary.

Well, I think I've reached the end of what I have to say for today. Hopefully my next post will be a little more exciting! Thanks for enduring! :)

Techno, Bach & Latin Beats

Good Morning World! I am sitting peacefully in our office this morning checking e-mail, FaceBook, etc. I'm looking at photos on flickr when Jimmy wakes up. He says to me: "You gotta check out this song I made." Jimmy has a musical instrument called a Juno G - it looks like a keyboard but it's actually a synthesizer. He can make different sounds and beats and record them with other musical things. So, he plays me his techno song - I'm not super big on techno, but it's pretty cool he can make that. Next I hear piano and ask "Hey what's that?" To which his reply is "Bach." He didn't make the Bach song, it was preloaded in his Juno. Also preloaded were the Latin beats he played next. The possibilities are endless...

Speaking of endless possibilities we've decided that Jimmy is going solo in his practice of law. He has an office and a possible client already! How exciting! He has a few things to get taken care of, but should be open for business pretty soon. So, if you know anyone who needs a lawyer, send them our way! :)

And, my big 30th birthday is tomorrow. After much drama that doesn't need to be gotten into here, my original birthday plans are off - but new ones have been made. Tonight we are spending time with all my family - Ashley, Kelly and of course Layla are in town. We were going to barbecue, but the wind has been out in gale forces, so I think we'll be having some sort of indoor dinner instead! Tomorrow morning Jimmy is taking me out for brunch. And we'll have the traditional spaghetti birthday dinner with Jimmy's family. I'm just happy to be celebrating with those who want to celebrate with me! Also, I think Jimmy got me a birthday surprise! We usually shop together for birthday presents so we get what we want. This year there isn't really anything that I want, so I think we're going to book a room on the strip for a night or two and get massages and have a little "staycation" as they're calling them these days! However, he did say he wanted to have something for me on my birthday - I imposed a price limit though - and I'm excited to see what he comes up with on his own! :)

Well, I guess I am signing off (to sounds of chimes - compliments of Jimmy and his Juno)!

I Promise (AGAIN) to be a Better Blogger

Wow! Where does the time go? How do I go so long without posting when I have every intention to do so? Ah, well...such is life.

I went to Kansas City and visited Stephanie and Faith last month. We had a great time. I love those girls and it's like no time has ever passed when we get together. :) Here we are at a wine-tasting event. We mostly just spent time together doing what we do best - talking - we were communication majors after all!


Now we're in April. Jimmy had his birthday a week and a half ago - 31. My big 3-0 is coming up next weekend. I remember thinking I had life all figured out when I was younger. By 30 I was sure to have started a family, worked in a high-power corporate environment and be ready to settle into life at home as a mother. How funny that seems now. :) I am proud of where I am and what I have done - and I wouldn't change a thing. I love my job and want to work for at least another year, maybe two before giving it up for a family. I love Jimmy and feel so lucky to have such a wonderful and fulfilling marriage - I don't feel like I have to add anything to it at this point - it's great as is! So, all in all, I'm really happy in my life right now.


Jimmy quit his job a couple of weeks ago. The stress at his firm was crazy and it was having ill effects on everything - his health and mental state, our relationship, you name it! So, he quit. He's not working right now, but is seriously considering opening his own firm. When we first started talking about it, it made me pretty nervous - but now I'm really excited. I'm excited at the possibilities and the freedom. I think it will be a great move and now is the time to give it a try.


In closing - I promise to try to be a better blogger. Even if I just do short posts when I have nothing to say. Here's to blogging!