Baby Face

Children is something I get asked about a lot (or interrogated, depending on the person).  Joe and I are on the "no kids" path right now, but plan to reconsider the option in about 3-5 years.  However, I find people do not like this answer.  Most responses are:

"Oh, you'll have kids." with a smug smile and nod to any other nearby breeder.
"You don't know what life is really for until you have a kid."  (Really?  So those with no kids have never lived?)
"Do you just hate children?"  (Only on weekends!)

I've also noticed people ask the most inappropriate and rude questions when it comes to children.  I mean, we all know it is rude to ask people's age (specifically a woman's), but people will still ask my and Joe's age and debate how long we have to have kids.  They will ask about my weight and cycles to weasel out whether I am infertile or not.  If I was, why would I share that with the world?  What is it about the decision to have children that suddenly makes people rude?

I've tried explaining I am in law school, not exactly prime time for being pregnant or having a newborn.  Many people have done it and successfully, but it is not for me.  I want to focus on my studies and my marriage.  School is stressful enough on a marriage, let alone throwing in a baby.

SO, I have decided, rather than answer the rude "When are you going to have kids" question, I just say, "I already have 2!"  So, without further adieu, here are my adorable children:

Leo!  he is the cutest sleeper, like a bunny.

 Here is his cute face.

 This was the first picture of Callie and Leo

 Cute little Callie's face.

I mean, these little guys wake me up in the middle of the night to pee, drink water, or just because they want to snuggle.  They are basically children!  Except, you know, you can crate them, put them outside, and they cost significantly less.  PLUS I kept my figure.

First year

They say your first year of law school is the hardest.

They say your first year of marriage is the hardest.

Wedding

 Honeymoon

 Officially married!

I have almost officially finished both!  Our first year anniversary will be July 31, and my first year of law school ended in may.  It has been trying.  It is hard to be jobless and not have any income after supporting yourself for 10 years.  I am very fortunate to have a loving and supportive husband.  It is hard to spend your first year of marriage in a library, with a study group, or basically back in a high school experience (except everyone can drink, thank goodness).  The truth is, though, I wouldn't be where I am if it weren't for Joe.  He helped me gain the confidence to take the LSAT, he listened to me babble about intentional torts, second degree murder, and the rules for interrogatories.  He cooked dinners for my late night study group and dealt with my breakdowns of "I'm too stupid for law school!" 

I am also fortunate to have some of the best, most supportive friends/family ever:

The girls of my family (and Vaughn in Nicole's belly!)

 Best Friends!

People always say "marriage is work."  Sure it is.  You learn that your spouse leaves their shoes/clothes/books all over the house (me). That your spouse will ALWAYS have clothes in the dryer (him).  There are compromises to be made and fights to be had.  I don't consider it work, though.  I never considered it "hard."  I think my marriage is fairly easy.  I think some people get so involved in "working" on their marriage that they forget to just live.  You can't say "nothing" when it's something, you can't say "sorry" if you aren't and you can't say "it's okay" when it is not.  People try too hard to "not fight" that they hold on to things. So, sure it can be work, but it shouldn't be hard work.

I'm so ready for year 2, bring it on!