Joshua's Tree Decorated with Love

Our first "real" Christmas Tree.... not a rosemary bush.

A new lawyer. Really? We need more? LOL.

Watch out, world. Texas has licensed yet another lawyer.

The most important part of the 2008 Texas State Bar Exam Pass List:

Chapman,Lauren Jennifer, , ,3602
Charnitski,Jonathan Wotell, , ,3053
Chase,Amanda Lynn, , ,3160
Chase,John Harold, , ,1056
Chastain,Laura Lee, , ,1783
Chelly,Frank David, , ,1770

I had a dream the other night. I was back in college at the University of North Texas. We were sitting in the courtyard at the dorm. My friends were asking me, why are you so old. I told them, "I'm only 27, that's not old at all." But then I thought, no, I'm still 23. How did I get to be 27? I was really troubled about this in my dream. I went through my life sequence. Graduate high school 18, Begin college, Father dies 19, Second year college, Third year college 20, Fourth year college 21, Meet Joshua 22, Move to D.C., Get married 23, Move to Houston. Then, I couldn't remember anything. Total blank. What happened after I moved to Houston between 23 and 27? Oh dear. I've been in a coma, or a time warp, or worse.... law school. I didn't figure out what happened during those years of my life until I woke up, rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and rolled over to look at sleeping Joshua. My subconscious had completely removed law school from my dream world. How lovely.

I became a new person in those three years. A more critical, concerned, and careful person. A more cynical person. I learned to think. I learned to listen. (Thank you Professor Weigel.) I learned how to learn. I grew. I became hermit-like. I developed a love for sushi. I forgot how to read for pleasure. Reality shows like Project Runway were great escapes, but made me feel very guilty. Saturdays were work days. Bedtime was negotiable. I now type at superman speed. Overall, I wouldn't have done it any differently. Though, I'm not sure I would do it all over again.

I have struggled with whether I should encourage my youngest sister to go to law school. She is far sharper than me, and a million times more compassionate. She would excel. She could and I'm sure will, take over the world one day. But its impossible to describe the kinds of changes that must occur within you in order to excel. Are those changes good? Is the responsibility too great?

I did my absolute best in preparing to take the Bar Exam. Never have I been so disciplined, every day, hour after hour. Before the exam began, I reassured myself that there was nothing else that I could have possibly done. I completed every task assigned. I used every hour that I could. I took as many tests as time allowed. I managed my sleep, my health, and my time to the best of my abilities. I knocked my socks off. I was impressed at my stamina. And at the end of three months, I was worthless. So, how do parents do it - raise kids - for years - every day, every hour? Thats the only thing that I can imagine compares to the kind of effort we put forth this summer.

Joshua was my king. So supportive, so sweet. Helped me to balance life this summer. Keep things in perspective. Reminded me that the world would not, in fact, end tomorrow if I did not pass. Can't describe how much I love him. He knows it without me saying so. :) I talk enough as it is.

My only advice for future Texas Bar Exam takers is to do your very best, every day, starting at the beginning of the summer. The better you can get ahold of concepts early, the more you will be able to memorize at the end of the summer. Memorization is basically the heart of the exam. I freaked out less because I was diligent early. It kept me calm, and in control. My mental health the three months after the exam before results came out was significantly better than some of my peers because I knew I had done everything that I could over the summer.

Very grateful for the love and support of family and friends in this 3 year journey. Couldn't have done it without you. Much love - ALC