The "Finnster, et al."

On a random Saturday in September (I can't remember which), I joined my GET (Gallatin Emerging Talent) group in face painting at the Sumner County Relay for Life.  It was a beautiful day, and I got to put my non-artsy skills on full display - a.k.a.- on Sam and other children's faces. One girl at the end of the night asked me to paint a red panda.  I didn't even know what a red panda looked like, but luckily Google saved the day.  I am a terrible painter, but the parents seemed to understand that we were collecting money for cancer survivors. This is Cornelius from Finn's baseball team. Earlier in the day Will worked out with me.

Now that the boys are at DA, they have a much earlier and more hectic morning.  The boys get up at 6:00 a.m. and have to be in the car by 6:45 a.m. in order to get to school at 8:00. This would be much easier if they weren't little boys.  No matter how efficiently I get them up and dressed, they always manage to find some way to get behind and stress their father out.  Mornings at our house are completely chaotic! On the other hand, Will's mornings are quite relaxing.  After Finn and Sam leave the house. I finish getting myself ready and then around 7:15 I wake Will up.  I get him changed and dressed before we even leave his room.  Once downstairs he sits on the stairs while I put his shoes and socks on.  Currently he only wants to wear his "blue shoes."  These are Sam's old Saucony shoes that at turquoise blue. He refuses to wear any thing other than "blue shoes."   Will isn't much of a breakfast eater, so I hand him his mi...

This year for Finn's actual birthday, he wanted to go to Filly's Game and Grill for supper.  You can tell by these pictures exactly why he wanted to go.  Filly's is a 90's themed sandwich shop on the square.  They have a lot of old video game machines and old video game consoles. Will was more interested in the original "Trouble" game.

On August 31, 2018, Judge Howard was officially sworn in as the Juvenile Court Judge.  Shortly thereafter, I was officially sworn in as the Juvenile Court Magistrate. The election was long, cold and emotionally challenging, but this day made it all worth it.  Several people from our office came to the swearing in ceremony.  Cindy is the person in the front.  She is my assistant and my constant source of encouragement.  Next is Callie, Leigh, Nancy and Jared. Judge Howard being sworn in by Judge Hunter. The 2018 County Officials Tammy, Judge's Assistant and Alan, our Judicial Clerk made it into this picture. Next we went for burgers at Chili's with our team - Evan and Kee. Kee, mean mugging me. After lunch we went back to the office where Judge sworn me in. 

I am just taking a few minute to brag on my children (and on myself) for some of their accomplishments this year.  The first picture is Sam's Social Studies Test Grade.  We studied hard (really hard) for this test and our work showed.  Sam earned a 109. This is a picture of Finn after his first (an as it turns out, only ) hit in baseball this year.  Even though the game was in Westmoreland, we were all able to be there for Finn's big hit. 

Well, it is high time that I updated the name of my blog.  Seeing as how I have birthed two additional people since the initial naming of the blog over nine (9) years ago.  I always meant to rename it, but my best intentions went by the wayside, as they often do. Several family members over the years have reminded me that the other boys may feel slided if the blog is only in Finn's nickname.  Well today I remedy that and unveil the new and improved blog name:  The "Finnster, et al."  Et al.,is a latin phrase/abbreviation  meaning  “and others.” It is used to shorten lists of author names in text citations to make repeated referencing shorter and simpler. This is acceptable in both the APA format and in legal writing.  Now Sam and Will are included in the title of my Blog.  My conscious is clear.  :)

One Sunday this month, Will and I kept the nursery.  I hate keeping the nursery.  I don't really like to hold other people's babies.  That being said, there was need that needed to be filled - and I wanted to fill it.  Will wasn't really that great of a helper.  He was a bit older than the other babies and spent more time trying to get away from them.   I brought an apple for Will to eat for snack.  All of the other babies saw Will eating his apple and tried their best to get it from him.  Finally I locked him in a crib so that he could finish his apple his peace.  He was very happy - especially when I started changing diapers in the next crib over.  Will would peer over the crib and antagonize the babies.  Then he would kick the side of the crib and laugh.  He was really quite funny.   As for that apple, Will finished it - the whole thing - core and all. Sam telling me that I make THE BEST ice cream...