Road Trip

Chris and I are leaving this morning for our first road trip as husband and wife!! If 5 months of marriage has not killed us, 8 hours in the car might. We are going to visit my grandparents in Wright City, Oklahoma and will be staying one night in Oklahoma City on the way back. I will return Tuesday with lots of pictures.

Have a good Labor Day Weekend!!!!

And the blessings keep coming

I think God is trying to send me a message about how greatlful I should be for everything in my life. Yesterday it was a lesson about love, forgiveness and grace. Today it was a lesson in mercy and greatfullness.

You have heard me talk about my boss, Jason, but, I also work for 2 older attorneys. Their names are Tom and Jerry. Seriously. Anyway, they both started the firm I work for almost 30 years ago. They are both very Godly men and leaders in every aspect of their lives. Tom is retired, for the most part, and lives in Georgetown. Jerry is kinda the head guy around the office and most people in the office who don't know him very well fear him because he is a man of great discipline. He comes in the door every morning and blows by anyone in the halls, heads to his office and gets right to work. Unlike some attorneys I know, he does not spend the day shooting the breeze with the other guys in the office. He is there to work and make his contribution. Over the last few years I have been able to work closely with him and get to see a side of him that not many others do. He has become more like an extra father figure to me and a great counselor. He and his wife were going to be out of town for Chris and I's wedding and they went the extra step to take us to a nice lunch the week before the wedding and share with us some pearls of wisdom from their marriage. The last month has been a hard one for me at work. Without going into great detail, there are only a couple other assistants in the office who are held to the standards that I am. I am not trying to toot my own horn. A lot of it has to do with the field that I work in. We are given a certain goal of $ they want us to bring in over the course of the year and our raise is based on whether or not we meet these goals. As of the end of July I had already surpassed my billings for last year and was only $9,000.00 off of my goal for this year. I began to become frustrated with the fact that I felt like I was working my tail off and not getting the recognition/money I thought I deserved. This was only fueled by the fact that they raised what I bill clients from $60/hour to $90/hour. This is very rare in our office (only one other assistant bills as much as I do) and the firm was about to start making a lot more money off of me and I was not promised to see any of it . It was getting to the point that I was upset having to come to work every morning and was not motivated to work my hardest everyday. I finally decided maybe if I had a talk with Jerry I would feel better. After our talk I did feel better but I think Jerry was a little upset to hear that I was so unhappy. For the last 3 weeks I have felt a little awkward around him. Maybe it was guilt?? Anyway, today I came back from lunch to find an envelope under my keyboard. In the envelope was a note from Jerry that said he appreciated me and a personal check. He said for Chris and I to enjoy our vacation on him. Let me just tell you that I feel like such an ungreatful, spoiled brat. God is so good to me and I take it all for granted.

Blessed beyond what I deserve

Today really seemed to burden me emotionally. I can not tell you how many Will and Trust signings I have witnessed in my 4 years in estate planning but I would dare to say it is in thousands. Some of the signings weigh heavy on my heart.

I can remember one in particular that was not long after I began working. We had to go to the hospital and witness the will signing of a young man of about 27. He had been diagnosed with cancer only a few months prior and was now on his death bed. My boss had become aware of the situation through his church. The young man and his wife were in over their heads in hospital bills as well as above average credit cards debts. The husband wanted to make sure that his wife and 6 month old daughter would be taken care of after he passed. As we walked into his hospital room I was overwhelmed with how young he was. The most gut wrenching part was that as he signed he held his daughter in his arms and wept uncontrollably. The other legal assistant and I could barely hold ourselves together. The young man died only a few days later but, with a sense of peace about his daughters future.

I remember thinking that day that I would probably never sit through a more heart wrenching signing. That was until today. Chris and I decided a few weeks ago that we should go ahead and execute wills and powers of attorney. I am sure to most of you this sounds a little morbid at our age but, I can not tell you the number of families I have had to deal with that are struggling because their loved one thought they were young enough and had plenty of time to get their affairs in order. Anyway, with Chris and I leaving to go to Oklahoma this weekend we thought we would just get it out of the way. I am so glad we did. I did not know how Chris felt about being kept on life support and am so glad that it was a conversation we had together. Today our signing was hard on me for a couple of reasons. First, because my heart went out to Chris as he executed documents not leaving any alternates after me to take control. He has been struggling with this for months now and part of the reason he had been putting the whole situation off. He is dealing with so much that I don't/can't share but please pray for him and the comfort that only God can give him. Second, because, not that I did not already know but because it became so much more clear to me today how great his love for me is. (I am in tears right now) My boss told Chris and I that we did not have to execute the Directive to Physicians (aka Living Will) if we did not feel comfortable with it but I knew that if I did not and God forbid I am ever in a terminal condition that Chris would not know when or how to let go. He would keep me alive for ever if he could and come and sit by my hospital bed everyday for the rest of his life. I could not let him do that. I had to execute it to let him know that it was ok to move on. His love for me is so amazing. I am so blessed.

If our signing was not enough this afternoon I did my first signing at a jail. I always dread having to go to the hospital or hospice to have signings but figured this one would be no big deal. No one was sick or in pain. When the inmate entered the room on the other side of the glass I was shocked at young he was. His grandmother had contact us a couple of days ago. He had violated his probation and the judge had decided to revoke it and send him to prison. His grandmother was so sweet and polite and her grandson was too. He sat on the other side of the glass and read the papers more intently that any other client I have ever seen. He asked lots of questions and really complicated questions at that. He seemed to be very intelligent. After the signing we walked out to visit with his grandmother. She was so apologetic for the circumstances she had brought us into. My boss asked her how old her grandson was, only 28. The young man is in for a multitude of crimes all stemming from an alcohol addiction. As we left the courthouse I decided i would take signings at the hospital or hospice over the jail any day. The people in hospice and the hospital know that their pain and suffering is going to soon end and the people in jail have only began to serve their sentence.

Well know that I have depressed and scared off all 4 of my loyal readers, I am headed to bed.

First Day of School

I have noticed some other bloggers who have posted their kids first day of school pics and I was starting to feel a little left out. I remember every year my dad would get so excited to gather my brothers and I outside for a picture before we loaded in the car for the first day of school. I don't think any of us had the heart to tell him just how annoyingly chipper he was that our summer had once again come to an end. My dad kept up this silly tradition until my littlest brother, Andrew, graduated from high school. I am sure if he thought he could get away with it he would make them pose before leaving for college every semester. Just so you can feel our pain I posted our pic from the first day of school of my senior year (1997).

Well this morning was the first day of school at the Bunch house as well. Chris is taking a class and the only time they had that worked with his schedule was 7:30 am - 8:45 am MW. When Chris told me what time his class would be I swear I thought I heard Gabriel's trumpets sounding cause to even think that Chris would be able to function that early must mean the end is near. Anyway, I got up extra early so I could make breakfast for him. I thought I would take the opportunity to break in the waffle maker we got as a wedding gift. This turned out to be a bad idea because I could not find the instructions but figured all I needed was to plug it in, spray it with cooking spray, and pour in the batter. I don't know what happened but they stuck and they were incredibly dry.

After spending 10 minutes with Chris while choking down our waffles I knew that getting him outside for a first day of school picture was not even a remote possiblity so this is what i got...

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!!!!

This is why I love my job...

I typically always have a case of the Monday's and today was no different until this little exchange between Jason, my boss, and myself. Just to give you a little background info one thing that drives me nuts about working for attorneys it that if they don't want to talk to a client they tell the receptionist to put it to their assistant. This would be all well and good except for half of the time I have not been updated as to the happenings of the file and I always find myself having to make up an excuse for why the attorney can not talk to them (ie they are in a meeting). The main reason I hate it when attorneys do this is because I DON'T HAVE A BAR CARD!!! I am not allowed to give legal advice so most of the time I can not even answer their questions. I am forced to just take their name and number like the attorney's answering machine is supposed to do. Anywho, this morning this scenario began to play out. The receptionist, Nancy, buzzed me and said that Mrs. Smith (Please note this is not her real name) was on the phone and that Jason asked that I talk to her. GREAT!!!! After my brief phone phone call with Mrs. Smith who barely speaks English, I sent Jason the following email.

Me: Since you were in a “meeting,” please return a call to Mrs. Smith and give her an update on that letter she brought to you. She can be reached at 123-4567.

Jason: I do not need interruptions while I’m trying to play on the Internet. Thank you very much.

Me: I am so sorry to have interrupted you. Please let me know when you get the highest score on Bejeweled and you will once again be available to work.

Jason: I don’t play bejeweled. I play bloxorz and luxor.

I have an even funnier post but I am saving it for tonight. Laters.

Couple of Quick Ones

I have to tell you guys about 2 things that happened yesterday that made me laugh...

1) In case you did not know, I work as a legal assistant/paralegal in estate planning and probate. Because some of you are too young to have had to deal with probate it is a legal process to settle the estate of a deceased individual. In Texas it usually involves having a hearing before the county judge and a person is appointed to oversee the affairs of the estate including the paying of debts and distribution of assets. Anywho, yesterday afternoon I got a call from a client who was in a state of panic (most of which was self induced). She said, "This is Mrs. Petrakis. Jason was my attorney this morning for my PROBATION HEARING." It was all I could do to not bust out laughing. I wanted to correct her but I knew it was not worth it. She is what Jason and I like to call "A Crazy." I hope you all think it as funny as everyone in our office did.

2) As usual, I went home at lunch yesterday to check on Allie. Typically after I let her outside and fix my lunch I turn the TV on and watch the mid-day news on our channel 7. For some reason yesterday I decided to channel surf. As I scrolled through the channel listing I noticed that the timer was set to flip to a couple of different movies only they were set for the TV in the bedroom where Allie's kennel is instead of on the TV in the living room. I thought it was odd since typically if Chris is going to record something he sets it to the TV in the living room and the movies set for the timer where Devil Wears Prada and You've Got Mail. So I called Chris and asked him why the timers were set to which he regretfully confessed that he had set the timers so Allie could listen to "girly movies" while we were at work. OMG!!! As much as he would hate to admit it my 6' 4", 240 lb husband spoils Allie as much, if not more, than I do.

Lastly, if you did not know Casting Crowns new CD, The Altar and the Door, comes out August 28th. If you have a Family Christian Bookstore in your neighborhood for every CD you pre-order they will send one to the troops. You also only have to pay $11.97 as opposed to $17.99 when they release. If you click on the CD below you can listen to their first single.

More pics of Allie and a weekend update

Well we had another busy weekend. I worked around the house on Saturday while Allie was at the groomers. We took her to a new groomer and let me just say that it was quite the experience. He was very nice man but very much on the gay side and took his job very seriously. It was all I could do to not burst into laughter when in a concerned tone he asked "What is your overall goal for what you want Allie to look like? Would you like to see her with flowing long hair or short manageable hair?" I have never had such a high maintenance dog but it is only fitting seeing as how I am so high maintenance. Anyway, she turned out great. The pics below are from before her hair appointment.

Yesterday we went to my parents to celebrate my mom's 48th birthday!!! Allie and Chris provided the entertainment as always and fun was had by all. Happy Birthday Mom!!

An update on the ministry front...after last weeks brow beating at church Chris and I spent the week in prayer about where God might have us serve. Yesterday at church Chris signed up to be a carpenter for the youth group and help with the building of sets. With his love for carpentry he really felt like God could use his skills in this area plus he thought the fellowship with other men who enjoyed the same hobby would prove beneficial. I am so proud of him and his commitment to jump in head first. Chris was not raised in a very active church setting so I think he was a little nervous but he talked to the youth minister last night and is really excited. I felt that the Lord was calling my back to youth work as well. I was a youth intern after my freshman year of college and taught Sunday school in the youth for several years at my old church. I was really excited when I the youth minister called last night. After I told him my background in youth he said he had been praying that God would bring him someone with a passion for youth and a willingness to teach and he thought he had just the thing for me. (Drum role please!!!!) Chris and I will now be hosting a group of 7-10 GIRLS 2 Sunday nights a month for small group time. Isn't that awesome!!!! I am so pumped. I think Chris is a little more on the hesitant side as he was raised in a house of boys and is always quick to point out little girls misbehaving at the mall and say "We are soooo not having girls!" Anywho, I am excited. We are also going to start helping with Epicenter, the youth fellowship that meets at the church on Wednesday nights. Please be praying for the young girls who God will put in our home and that He will begin preparing our hearts for what He has in store for us. Also, please pray that God will give Chris and I the strength to make it with our crazy work and school schedules to be totally committed to His work. I know that if we are faithful God will sustain us.

I hope you have a blessed Monday. I leave you now with some pics of Allie.

This is the bone Chris HAD to get Allie. I tried to tell him it was too big!!!

Allie's new outfit!!!

We hope Aunt Ashley will still love us after her Sooners get whooped up on this season!!!

Good Luck Andrea!!

I have been holding off on posting about my friend, Andrea's, departure from Amarillo to start her new life at Texas Tech Law School mainly because I made her a photo album as a going away present and I did not want her to get a sneak peek. You may remember my mentioning of Andrea a couple of posts ago and how much I admire her and her ability to set goals for herself and actually accomplish them. I seem to struggle with this concept at the least bit of discouragement or hardship. Anywho, for Andrea's going away she invited a few friends to the Aaron Watson concert at Midnight Rodeo. In case you were wondering, I have not darkened the door of the Midnight Rodeo in several years but for Andrea we made an exception. We had a great time although, Chris and I were ready to cash it in by midnight. Here are a few pics of the night...

Aaron Watson

Andrea & I

Chris & I (my husband is weird but cute)

Ty & Chris (Did I already mention how weird my husband is??)

Andrea, We will miss you greatly but I am glad you are only a couple of hours away. We wish you the best. Love you.

New Blog

I have a new blog to add to my list!! My friend from high school, Melissa, has a blog about her family. Melissa is an amazing child of God as well as an awesome friend, wife and mother. I can't wait to read all about the journeys God takes her family on everyday. I forgot to mention that her husband, John, went to SJCA too I just have more stories about Melissa from our world famous basketball trips. Maybe I will have to share some later??

GOOD MONDAY DEAR FRIENDS!!!

I hope everyone's week has started off splendidly.

First, I want to give a shout out to my blog friend, Suzanne, for hooking me up with a new layout. I have no idea how she did it so she has earned valuable points in my book for her computer skills.

Our week started off with a heavy dose of spiritual conviction. We went to church yesterday morning only to get nailed to the floor by our pastor. It was a good thing though, he talked about how church should be about serving others and not about "me". I know this should be a given but Chris and I could not help but feel a little guilty as we walked out the church doors. We go to the service that fits our schedule (aka Chris' sleep pattern) and even though we have only been members for a few months we have not put into it what it has put into us. Starting Sept. 9th our pastor is calling all 6,000 members to say "I'm in" and volunteer to serve in some way. Chris and I have not decided how we are going to serve yet but we definitely felt like he was staring right at us as he spoke yesterday. As if that was not enough, we went to my parents church last night to hear the "Africa Mission Team Report." They had an open microphone so the members of the mission team could walk up and tell about their experiences while in Africa. After everyone shared the mission's pastor asked the congregation if they had held a "Hometown Mission Team Report" how many people could have stepped up the the microphone. This hit me hard. I don't remember the last time I shared the gospel with someone outside of VBS or Upward. I woke up this morning still a little discouraged with myself but with optimism that I was vowing to make a change. I hope all of you will hold me accountable.

On the plus side, we take the Lord's Supper every Sunday morning at our church and then they took it at my parents church last night too so Chris and I should be set for at least a couple of months. He He!!

Chick-Fil-A gets an A++++ from Allie

Last week after Chris took Allie to the vet, they came by and picked me up for lunch. We decided to grab something at a drive through and then take it to the park so Allie could play. One of our favorite places to go is Chick-Fil-A, for many reasons...(1) They are closed on Sundays so their employees can go to church and have a day of rest (2) Their food is soooo good (3) my brother, Daniel, used to work there and his jazz band would play there on Tuesday nights (4) Service is always awesome. Now we have another reason. When we got to the drive up window the server handed us a little nugget box that said "Doggie Treats." Inside were 3 dog bones for Allie. If it is possible for us to eat there any more we will.

Firm golf outing

On July 26th we had our annual Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin golf outing. We close down the office for the afternoon and take our families to Tascosa Country Club for swimming, golf, food and fellowship. Our firm is not that large, only 10 attorneys plus 11 assistants/staff, so it really feels like an extension of my family. Here is a picture of Chris and I enjoying the pool.

Jason and I are off to Dumas for a trust closing and will be gone the rest of the day but I wanted to leave you a little something to read. Have a good one.

I am back and better than ever.

Sorry for the blogging hiatus!! I have tons of pictures to share but don't want to run out of fun stuff.

Just so you can all have another laugh at my expense here is a picture of my boss that I made the inappropriate remark to.

He is not exactly the ugliest man in the world, right?? Anyway, Jason is awesome to work with. He is only a couple of years older than me and we have the same sick sense of humor just making my remark funnier.

Here is the long awaited photo of Pei Wei from my office window. Can you smell it??

Here is the before and after of the entertainment center Chris built. We have since filled the shelves with baskets and other goodies. Maybe I should take another after picture???

And finally, here is a picture of Allie...

It is so hard to take a good picture of her when I am standing/sitting and she is on the ground since she is sooo small (she is weighing in now at 3 lbs). So I got the bright idea to lay down on the ground and take a picture of her as she walked around the corner except for when she saw me she came running full steam ahead and ran right into the camera as it snapped the picture. I still laugh out loud every time I see this picture.

Quick one

Just a quick addition to the blog while I am sitting on hold with the most ridiculously inept organization I have ever dealt with. Anyway, this morning the phone at my desk rang on the "back door line" meanin that it did not go through the receptionist. Chris is the only person I have given that number to so when it rang I automatically assumed it was him. He is off today so I answered the phone in my most annoying baby talk voice and said "Good morning sleeping beauty!!!" There was a long pause on the other end and then another familiar voice said "Well good morning to you too but I have been up since 6:00 a.m." It was my boss, Jason!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh I am totally embarrassed!!!

I have much more to post about but have not had time lately. Maybe if I am on hold for another 10 minutes I will come back on and post!! Have a good day.