Working With Daddy

Kate's Charity Work

If an 18 month old ever needs a resume, then Kate is well ahead of the game on building her own curriculum vitae. I am so lucky to be able to spend a lot of my time with my girls. Often this leads to some childcare issues and I have to depend on the kindness of others to put up with my kids. I serve on the board of Neighborhood Housing Services, which is an incredible charity providing housing counseling and foreclosure assistance to those in the Birmingham area. This month I had to bring Kate to our monthly board meeting. NHSB is amazingly kid-friendly --- or at least no one seems to mind the antics of my children.

She behaved very well (primarily because I let her share my Chick-fil-a lunch). The highlight of the meeting was when she walked across the room and began to help herself to some chocolate in a candy bowl. I did not know her eyesight was so well developed! Believe it or not we were actually able to conduct some good business at our meeting.

Kate Goes to a Client's Office

I met with a client to discuss a lease agreement. We decided to meet at the client's office. Kate was out of school and I had the pleasure of spending my day with her. I decided to take a risk and take her to the client's business. My hunch proved correct and the place of business was most kid friendly and in fact my client had her two young daughters with her. Kate had a great time and I was actually able to do some good work.

Kate and her new friend.

Casual Day

One of the benefits of having my own practice is that I set the dress Code for the office. On days like today (when I have no client meetings or court appointments) I generally dress casually (golf shirt, shorts and sneakers with no socks). There is always the risk that a client may drop-by. I had such a drop-by today and had to endure some good natured kidding about my dress code. Fortunately, my client did not mind my casual dress and in fact I believe he was a little jealous.

Amazing Vacation

The entire family (along with my in-laws and my sister-in-law and her family) had an amazing vacation in May at Club Med in Florida. I was able to work just a little, but I actually enjoyed the rest and relaxation so much that I did not work near as much as I had planned (probably a good thing).

A great sunset

Sarah on the archery range. She was actually very good.

Nana and the girls

My brother-in-law and I participated in a sailboat regatta. We finished dead last in the first heat, but I am most proud of our second place overall finish. I must admit that I did not know a thing about sailing prior to this event and I only served as an ornament decorating the deck of the boat.

Seminar Day

I had an opportunity to attend a NBI Seminar on Trust Administration today. The primary reason for my attendance was to speak for about an hour on the issue of ethics in a trust practice. I decided to stay for a few extra hours to see if I could learn something from the other speakers.

The highlight of my day is that I had lunch with my girls at my wife's office. My wife had a client meeting today, so she needed me to sub for her for an hour or so. Lunch was wild as always and I probably let the girls eat more sweets than actual lunch food (such is the prerogative of a Dad).

Grace and I had a most interesting conversation when she asked me if she could eat a lollipop that my wife had in her office. I told her "no" and her response was "ok, I will wait until you died [sic] and then I will decide if I will eat it." She added further that "when you died I will be old, so I will not need you to take care of me." At that point I must admit I had my feelings a little hurt. I asked her if she would miss me and she responded, "no, I'll see you in heaven one day."

Once I overcame my surprise about the nature of our conversation, I began to reflect on the fact that children can speak about death with incredible ease, whereas we as adults become instantly uncomfortable with any mention of the subject. Death is just a part of life and for Christians we see it as the beginning of our new and better life. Perhaps I should accept this as a lesson from my 'wise' 4 year old.

Bye Bye

Due primarily to my car being in the repair shop, I have had an opportunity to work a lot at home this week. My 15 month year old has been a frequent companion. I have had to make numerous phone calls to clients, which is always dicey with a little one in the room. Nevertheless, she becomes quite enthusiastic at the end of each call, for every time I say bye or find myself about to say bye, she starts chirping 'bye bye, bye bye, bye bye." If we have been on the phone this week, I am sure you may have received this extra "bye."