Excuses, excuses, excuses...

Well, I've not been keeping up with the blog the way I'd like - but have no fear.... I have excuses!!

EXCUSE #1. I've been waiting for Jason to help me get some cute pictures of Piper in her favorite dress up clothes on to my laptop. I figure my posts were getting pretty depressing and a little dose of an adorable 2 year old was exactly what we needed!

EXCUSE #2. My laptop died! Fortunately, my hero came to my rescue and after many hours restored it to life and backed it up so that all my pictures are safe.

EXCUSE #3. I was called for jury duty and actually served on a jury last week. I'd tell you all about it but you would actually be quite bored. Here are some things I learned from being on a jury...

~ Don't just bring a light sweater in case it gets chilly. Bring a sweater, a jacket, a coat, scarf, socks and even a blanket if they will let you.
~ Opening and Closing arguments on TV... 1-2 minutes of something stirring and compelling. Opening and closing arguments in real life... 30 minutes of blah blah blah.
~Video testimony is way harder to stay awake during than real people on the stand.
~ Don't hire a lawyer that seems shady - you will seem shady too. Ask yourself if your lawyer reminds you of a used car salesman (no offense to all the wonderful car salesmen out there) and if the answer is yes, choose someone else.
~ Some judges are actually quite nice and down to earth.
~ The lawyers and judge don't really have your name memorized, it's on a chart in front of them.
~ Not all of today's youth are hopeless - we had 4 college students on our jury and they were awesome.
~ It's not always hard for 12 people to deliberate together and come to a decision.
~It's not fun deciding stuff that affects other people's lives.
~ If your lawyer has a super cute trendy short hair cut it may result in at least one of the jurors, who is always looking for cute hair cut ideas, liking her.
~Sharing in open court that you have 7 children may result in that fact being brought back up more than once during the trial.
~ Sharing how the Lord has blessed you and been faithful to your family might result in finding a friend to eat lunch with who testifies to the same thing.

~ Said person may also end up being a 60+ year old widow who needed the company.

~ Think about bringing a snack to share with your fellow jurors.

~ Don't take pictures of a courtroom without asking permission first.

~ Having your family sitting in the courtroom to support you actually does make an impression on the jury (or at least on the one who likes cute short haircuts).

~ Having the greatest friends in the world makes you feel much more at ease being away from your kids all day.

EXCUSE #4. I have 7 kids people!!! (That one always works - right?)

SO - I should be back and running soon. Hopefully some cutie pants pictures of Pip Pip are on their way in no time.