21 months!!

Connor is 21 months today (which I realized last night and remembered again after I posted the prior post). My mom and dad were sweet enough to host Connor for dinner tonight. Here is a pic of our 21 month old eating with a fork. (I know he probably should have been eating with a spoon and fork for awhile now -- but I wasn't ready (i.e. didn't want dinner to take 2 hours)). The past few weeks I have been letting Connor eat some of his food with a spoon. Tonight, my mom offered a fork. He ate it up. Literally.

Beach, Sand (more pictures)

Connor woke up one morning at the beach - stood up in the pack n' play and said "beach . . . sand". Obviously he loves the beach. Some more pictures from our beach week.








Connor hanging with the boys (Josh, Connor and Greg)

Me, Connor and Auntie Ethlyn in this very cool tent I got from One Step Ahead . . .

The Gulf

2 weeks ago Connor and I headed down to the beach to hang out with friends. Cait, Greg and Will met us there and so did Chrissy, Josh and Mary Casen. We had a REALLY good time (despite the terrible weather on Fri and Sat and the looming oil spill). The kids were really wonderful (i.e. they slept!). I think this will be an annual event - just have to figure out a way to rent a house so we can bring all of our friends and babies.

We arranged to have a "guys" night on Friday (2 reasons - Colin got his bar results that day and it was Greg's birthday) - then the girls went out on Saturday evening. We went to my favorite Mexican place (they have TERRIBLE chips but the food is so delicious and they have WINE margaritas - TO DIE FOR!) Seriously, not sure if I can drink a plain ol' margarita again. We were planning to have professional photos made on the beach (actually this was going to be my mother's day gift to all the grandmoms/ aunts etc). Too bad the weather was so overcast we have a raincheck until we can get back to the beach. I did manage to snap 1 semi-ok picture of the babies at the beach - well, the stairs to the beach -- I really didn't anticipate that Thursday would be our one and only day all together on the beach - so I didn't take pictures then -- dumb. But this is cute . . .

I have a bunch more pictures of Connor on the beach later that week - after Colin left and my parents came down -- I'll post some soon. Tired tonight.

Cinco De Mayo . . . Late

Happy Belated Birthday to my sweet friend Lesley - a Cinco de Mayo birthday - what a cool birthday! In the spirit of delicious mexican food (which I could literally eat EVERY day), I have discovered the MOST delicious store chips in the United States. Beware - you will not be able to eat Tostitos again (seriously) . . .



Notice this bag is empty!

Ps. I found these at Publix in Florida (hoping that Publix in Alabama is stocking . . . or maybe not for my diet)

Wave on Wave

Click here to view this video

Urban Legend

So, for those of you who don't know (most of you I am guessing), there is an urban legend in the legal community: once you pass the Bar Exam in one state & practice for 5 years, you can take a "lawyer's exam" (a MUCH shorter version of the bar exam i.e. 3 hours vs. 2 days) and obtain bar admission in another state. I'm not saying that this isn't true in some states, just that it ISN'T true of ALL states.

The Bar Exam consists of 2 to 3 days of testing (depending on the state). All exams include 200 multiple choice and approximately 12 essay questions. I am worthless at multiple choice and pretty comfortable with essays. Colin is a whiz kid at multiple choice (annoying!)

In July of 2003, Colin and I took and passed the Maryland Bar. In October of 2004, I realized that I could take the essay portion of the Alabama Bar Exam - transfer my multiple choice score from Maryland and if successful, gain admission to the Bar in Alabama. I made the application deadline by 1 day for the next exam in Alabama and jumped at the chance. Honestly, I never thought we would move to Alabama but in the back of my mind I thought - why not take the opportunity to skip the multiple (guess) and be able to practice in 2 states? This was a 1 time opportunity since the rule states you must take the essay portion within 20 months of the original test date in order to skip the multiple choice. We weren't married at that time and Colin decided not to "rock the boat" with work - so he opted out of taking the test in Alabama with me.

He cited the Urban Legend mentioned above (in the off (FAR OFF) chance he ever moved to Alabama - it would be more than 5 years (likely NEVER) and he could take the shortened test - no problem.

So in February of 2005 I took and passed the Alabama Bar and went back to work as usual in Maryland. In May of 2009, when we decided to move to Birmingham, Colin was banking on the urban legend to quickly transition his practice.

As you may have guessed by now - it was indeed an Urban Legend. Alabama has reciprocity with some states (and some random ones at that if you ask me - Connecticut??) After several phone calls to the Bar Committee in Alabama, we determined that Colin had to sit for the 3 day exam. UGGHH. To say he was unhappy is an understatement. To make matters worse, we were 6+ years out of law school - forgetting all the crazy exceptions and rules that the Bar Exam typically tests. So, Colin got busy studying and working and moving and supporting/ taking care of us. Today was an expected - yet nervous - sigh of relief. He passed! (We all knew he would - but the waiting was agonizing).

I am thankful that we can finally toss (recycle) ALL our bar materials, study guides, notecards, etc from the past 7 years!!!! Our office closet will be empty!! I am currently at the beach enjoying a quick weekend getaway with some friends and although I don't want to leave (EVER) - I am looking forward to filling our trash with the law school garbage!!

Pictures of Connor and friends soon . . . I promise - Camera is in Connor's room - he is sleeping - so, maybe later this weekend . . .

The Results Are In . . .

Congratulations! Your name is being certified to the Alabama Supreme Court as having completed ALL of the requirements for admission to the Alabama State Bar.

You will be receiving further information from the Alabama State Bar.

Colin and I are now both members of the Alabama Bar. Our after party pictures will be posted soon.