Just a regular day

Yesterday I had the thought to blog about my day - just the little details that often seem meaningless, so I made notes of what we did so I wouldn't forget.  I need to do this more often - I'm sure I will look back with fond memories of when our children were young (or at least that's what I've been told).  :)

You know it's going to be a good day when you step out of bed and your bare foot squishes down on a poo log that just happens to be on your carpet! Yep, that's how it started.  Andrew, who wakes up more often at night than the baby, brought me a diaper at 2am and asked me to change it.  It was uncommon for him to come in at that time of night with that request, so I just quickly did it right there on my bed (half delirious) and figured that he had a wet diaper.  Apparently, I didn't notice the poop in the dark and it must have rolled right on out when I was changing it.  You can't make this stuff up!

I got a great morning nap from Kendall, so I organized and sorted both Rachel & Andrew's clothes so I knew what things I'd need to buy for them.  While checking my email, I got an Old Navy email saying they were having a 40% off sale on kids clothes plus an additional 15%, so I shopped around a bit and got some essentials that Andrew & Rachel will need for summer and fall.  I also got in a quick phone call with Kasey.

While I was feeding Kendall, I had Rachel sit with me while she read her reader from preschool.  I can't believe she is learning to read - this is uncharted and fun territory for me and I find it to be really rewarding.

I quickly got everyone ready for the day and made lunch for Rachel - a turkey & cheese sandwich with "white" (miracle whip) & lettuce - and then we were off to preschool. It's pretty close - about an 8 minute drive.

Rachel goes to preschool from 11:30-2p, and it works out perfectly for our schedule.  After I dropped her off, I went and met a lady for a Craiglist sale.  I've been selling old decorations and pieces I don't like anymore.

Then we went to Costco to pick up pictures and a few groceries.  Andrew and I shared a hot dog and he got some new blue jammies, and he insisted on putting them on the second we got in the car.  I totally let him.  I fed Kendall in the car in the Costco parking lot while Andrew terrorized the inside of our van.  Definitely normal for us.

We picked up Rachel from preschool, and she was happy that I was the first mom there (a rare occurrence, I must admit).  And I talked to Kacie on the phone while driving.  Andrew had fallen asleep in the car, so I transferred him to his bed and let him sleep for 30 minutes or so (I didn't want him to stay awake super late).

Rachel watched a Spiderman cartoon and had a snack while Andrew slept.  I gave her some skittles she had left over from Valentine's Day, and I warned her that she better hide them when I went to wake up Andrew.  Instead of eating them all or hiding them, she saved some for him and was happy to share.  She is an amazing sharer, and the little moment made me smile!

It had been rainy and cold all day, but the kids played outside in the afternoon anyway.  I did some online stuff for a bit, while Kendall took some short sporadic naps and the kids played well together.  Then we cleaned rooms and earned their stickers right before dad got home from work.  They are both working on filling up their sticker charts so that they can go on a date with dad.  It works wonders and is a good incentive program for us right now.

I made BBQ chicken salad for dinner, and everyone ate it pretty good, no major complaining.  Phew!  Brandon brought home the girl scout cookies he bought at work - yum!

Brandon put Kendall to sleep while I read books to Andrew who has gotten the shaft lately with all of Rachel's reading and the attention it requires.  Then Rachel read all of her readers to dad to show him her progress.  We let them stay up 30 minutes past their bedtime.  Rachel threw a random tantrum about not being able to stay up late.  Glad that paid off.  The big kids were asleep by 8:45p, which is very late for our family.  We usually shoot for 8pm.

Brandon worked more on his picture frames and I worked on a flier I am doing for someone.  Right around the time Brandon fell asleep, my parents called and we talked for a little bit.  While I was on the phone with them, I had to run because Rachel had a nasty, out of the blue, croupy cough.  We wrapped her up and took her outside in the cold air.  Since there wasn't much of a change in her cough and wheezing, I decided to take her to Goodnight Pediatrics and we were in and out within an hour.  What a blessing!

We got home, and Rachel got a breathing treatment and watched a movie while I showered and got a few more things done.  Her and I went to bed around 1a, and then we thankfully didn't hear from her the rest of the night.

Happy Heart Day!

My little valentine!

Kendall - 3.5 months old

Rachel was totally looking forward to Valentine's Day this year, and I was not sure how to live up to her expectations!  I love that she is really getting into holidays, and it is making me step up my game a little bit.  It's also the special holiday when she gets flowers from daddy, and she likes to display them in her room all week.  She wanted to get him some too, but then I told her that he'd probably want tools more than flowers.  

The best part of Rachel's Valentine's Day was wishing strangers "Happy Valentine's Day!" in the stores we went into.  And you know what, it totally made people's day and brought a big smile to their face.  We even had some extra heart-shaped suckers with us, and she wanted to share them with other children.  So I had to her ask the mom first, but then she was happy to share treats with other kids shopping with their moms.  Note to self:  she loved the random acts of kindess and well wishes more than anything else on this holiday!  I wouldn't have ever guessed.  Also, she didn't even notice all the pink doily hearts I hung all around the house.  Funny how that works.  

As a family we had a "romantic" dinner by candlelight, and we even had the Martinelli's in glass goblets which the kids loved.  And according to Facebook, so did everyone else.  ha ha  I'll post a picture of our dinner later, but I can't help but be reminded of something funny a friend said on Facebook:  "'I'd love to see a thousand pictures of what everyone ate for Valentine's yesterday!'  - Said Nobody Ever"  It made me laugh out loud and I wholeheartedly agree, which is why I'll post it to our private blog instead of Facebook/Instagram.

"Romantic" dinner with the family

Rachel's Camera

I just uploaded all 400+ pictures off Rachel's little cheapo camera that I got for her at a garage sale for $3.  Here are some of my favorites...

A tragedy

Last week, Brandon called me and told me that one of his co-workers, Mark Hummels, had been shot just after a settlement conference at an office building across town.  Although the shooting didn't happen near Osborn Maledon, Brandon's building was surrounded by police and put on lockdown for a few hours because the gunman had not been caught.  Over the next few days, we poured over the news stories and hoped/prayed for the best.  I included the news story below, but what basically happened is that Mark and his client, Steve Singer, were at a meeting (settlement/mediation) at an office building in north-central Phoenix.  The other party involved in the lawsuit was Arthur Harmon, a 70 year old man who was representing himself.  During the middle of the settlement, Arthur asked if he could go get something in his car.  After quite a few minutes, Mark and Steve decided to leave since they assumed he wasn't going to be coming back.  In the lobby of the office building on their way out, Arthur shot both the client and Mark multiple times from behind.  From what I understand, Steve was shot in the head and died a few hours later.  Mark had been shot in the neck and lower back, although we later learned that the bullet had penetrated his brain and he was on life support; he passed away the next evening.

Although I didn't know him personally, I was honored to be in attendance at his funeral today, and was touched by all those who spoke (Mark's brother, Judge Andrew Hurwitz, and Shane Ham).  I haven't been to very many funerals; in fact, I think I've only been to one (my grandfather's).  And I certainly hadn't been to one that wasn't LDS-based.  There were at least 1000 people in attendance at the theatre, and the service was beautiful and perfect, and this might not make sense, but I appreciated the diversity that the meeting offered.  I was very emotional - it makes me so sad to think that he was taken away from his family (wife & two kids), and that someone did this to such a good person.  I don't think something like this ever makes sense, so I'm grateful for the knowledge I have of the Gospel, and it makes me appreciate the things that really matter most.

Other little things to remember:  Mark's favorite day of the week was "Dad-urday".  He told Shane in his first interview, that he enjoyed working at Osborn Maledon because of its ethics - meaning that the people who worked there were some of the most ethical people he knew.  Besides being brilliant, he was quirky and unique - he even knew how to ride a unicycle and kept one in his office.  In Brandon's last conversation with Mark, they talked about how he was learning to play the ukulele.  Multiple times, it was mentioned that he easily connected with people from all backgrounds and walks of life.  While on life support, the family donated as many of his organs as possible - including his liver, kidneys, lungs for research, heart valves, skin, etc. - which is what he would have wanted.

from Osborn Maledon's website

Feb. 1, 2013

Our friend and partner, Mark Hummels, died at 9:33 p.m. last evening from injuries he suffered in Wednesday's senseless shooting in Phoenix.

We are devastated at this news about our beloved friend. Our deepest sympathy and support pour out to his wife, Dana, and their two children. The trust and affection Mark inspired in every reach of our law firm and with his clients are a lasting testament we will always cherish.

We are sad beyond measure also to have lost our long-time friend and client, Steven D. Singer, the CEO of Fusion Contact Centers, in this tragedy. Steve was a long-time client of the firm and an accomplished entrepreneur. Our thoughts and prayers are with Steve's family as well.

Mark Hummels was the best kind of lawyer - a man who was highly capable in his practice and caring to his core about his community. Still in the early years of his career, Mark earned many accolades for his skill as an attorney. He was president of the Phoenix Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and highly regarded by the State and Federal bench. He was recognized by "Benchmark Litigation" as a "future star" in litigation. To judges, attorneys and other professionals, he was a trusted counselor in ethics and disciplinary proceedings.

Mark also gave back to the community at large, serving on the training committee for Arizona Town Hall and providing pro bono legal services to those who could not afford counsel. This giving spirit was enhanced during his early years as a reporter for the "Santa Fe New Mexican," an experience that honed his rare insights into people and our society.

Above all, Mark was the most decent of men. An adoring husband, dedicated father and true friend, Mark was what all of us aspire to be on our best days.

As has been reported, both Mark and Steve were engaged in a mediation before they were shot.

The loss of Mark and Steve in any circumstances would be a tragedy. For this to happen to them, while pursuing Mark's life's work to resolve conflicts peacefully, is beyond understanding, a terrible loss for us all.

from news.yahoo.com

PHOENIX (AP) — A lawyer wounded by a gunman in a Phoenixoffice shooting this week has become the second victim to die in the attack, authorities said Friday.

Mark Hummels, 43, had been on life support at a Phoenix hospital after Wednesday morning's shooting that killed a company's chief executive and left a woman with non-life threatening injuries.

Hummels died Thursday night, a publicist for his law firm told The Associated Press early Friday.

Colleagues of Hummels described him as a smart, competent and decent man who was a rising star in his profession and dedicated to his wife, 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son.

The gunman — Arthur Douglas Harmon, 70 — was found dead early Thursday in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

Police said Friday that they recovered two pistols believed used in the office shooting from Harmon's rental car along with an AR-15 rifle.  Forensic research is being done to determine the owner of the weapons, police spokesman Sgt. Tommy Thompson said.

Harmon opened fire at the end of a mediation session at a north-central Phoenix office building over a lawsuit he filed last April.

Steve Singer, 48, a father of two and CEO of Scottsdale-basedFusion Contact Centers LLC, died hours after the shooting.

Harmon targeted Singer and Hummels and "it was not a random shooting," police said. A 32-year-old woman not involved in the mediation was caught in the gunfire near the building entrance and suffered a gunshot wound to her left hand.

Fusion had hired Harmon to refurbish office cubicles at two call centers in California.

Hummels worked with the Phoenix law firm Osborn Maledon and focused on business disputes, real estate litigation and malpractice defense. He died Thursday night, publicist Athia Hardt told The Associated Press early Friday.

He was a reporter for the Albuquerque Journal and Santa Fe New Mexican before he left to go to law school in 2001. He graduated first in his class at the University of Arizona's law school.  Santa Fe New Mexican editor Rob Dean said in a statement Friday that Hummels "was an accomplished journalist and an even better person. He had the intelligence to understand difficult problems and a hunger to do important work."  Hummels was admitted to the Arizona bar in 2005.

"This is a day of just unspeakable sorrow," said 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Andrew Hurwitz, who hired Hummels straight out of law school to serve as a law clerk from 2004 to 2005 while Hurwitz was serving on the Arizona Supreme Court.

According to court documents, Harmon was scheduled to go to a law office in the building where the shooting took place for a settlement conference.

Harmon represented himself in the lawsuit, and Hummels represented Fusion.

Fusion said Harmon was paid nearly $30,000 under the $47,000 contract. But the company asked him to repay much of the money when it discovered the cubicles couldn't be refurbished, according to the documents.

Harmon argued Fusion hung him out to dry by telling him to remove and store 206 "worthless" work stations after the mix-up was discovered. Harmon said Fusion then told him the company decided to use a competitor.

Harmon's lawsuit had sought payment for the remainder of the contract, $20,000 in damages and reimbursement for storage fees and legal costs.

The company countersued Harmon, protesting the sale of his home to his son for $26,000 and asking a judge to prevent Harmon from getting rid of other assets. Harmon said the company's claims that the home was fraudulently transferred to his son were unfounded.

Osborn Maledon said Friday that services for Hummels are scheduled for Tuesday at the Orpheum Theatre.  The firm said donations can be made to the Mark Hummels Memorial Fund at the Arizona Community Foundation. Arrangements will be announced for an educational fund for Mark's minor children, the law firm said.

2013 Goals

I love this time of year!  I like the idea of a fresh, new start and the evaluations and thought processes that come with making new and reviewing old resolutions.


2013 Goals
1.  Run a half marathon (#7!) and eat more fruits and vegetables
2.  Make daily prayers more meaningful - particularly in parenting matters
3.  Format and print one blog book and make a DVD of one year of family videos
4.  Stick to our budget and the financial goals we've set for this year
5.  Continue emergency planning (rotate food in 72 hour kits, figure out water storage, 3 months snacks/fruits/vegetables/extras, emergency fund)

Our 2013 family goal is to do service together as a family at least once a month.


2012 Goals -  Follow Up
1.  Form a habit of having family prayer before we put the kids to bed  ... CHECK!
2.  Focus on the relationships with the people in my home (i.e., be nicer to the ones I love most) ... I liked this goal, but it's hard to really say how well I did.  You'd have to ask them.  :)  But really, this one was hard to measure and I often forgot I had made this goal.  Oops.
3.  Finish reading the Book of Mormon and earn my YW "Honor Bee"award  ... CHECK!
4.  Continue working on a realistic/useful 3 month food storage for our family  ... CHECK!  I finally came up with a plan that I am happy with and feel at peace about.  This year we slowly started getting a realistic 3 month food storage supply from the company, "Daily Bread".  It is expensive, but has a 25+ year storage life and all you do is add water and they are complete meals.  It's freeze dried products, and it actually tastes good!  All the rotating and meal planning was stressing me out!  We started out paying for it over two years with payments every other month, but we just decided to pay the remaining balance off this month, so we will be good to go and have all our boxes of food storage!  Of course there will always be more to do with emergency planning, but this was a good step in the right direction, and I'm so happy that I just have the 3 months of meals and don't have to think about that anymore!    
5.  Catch up on my own family's history - organize pictures, edit home videos & make another blog book  WORK IN PROGRESS and I think it always will be.  The most important thing is that I'm keeping the blog up to date and writing in the kid's journals.  The organizing, editing, and printing can wait for now.  

Previous family goals:  2012 - family prayers, and 2011 - regular family home evening.  Brandon's not a big fan of New Year's Resolutions - he has the attitude that you should just change rather than having to set a goal about it - but he's good to goes along with the family goal and supports me in my personal ones too.