Jury Duty and Birthday Celbration

As frustrating as it is to go do jury duty (really I hate the wasting a day waiting around) it was even more frustrating to do it on Kevin's birthday.  It was also a two day service if needed or longer if called.  I was hoping to make Kevin the best day possible since we don't have any money to really celebrate. I was going to make him breakfast in bed, let him nap and sleep in, and just do everything I could to make it a great day.  Instead I left before the kids were up and he had to deal with getting them everywhere they needed to be and all that entails.  He did it though and even did laundry and cleaned the house while I was away.  He's amazing!  I'm really lucky to have him as my husband.

I thankfully was able to go to the courthouse in Rockwood which was a wonderful surprise and blessing.  Free parking along with a shorter drive/less gas was a welcome bonus.  They have free WiFi and I secured a chair in the back without having to sit on the awful hard benches with the added bonus of a plugin!  I got back in line to check in without all my bags which was wonderful though I was getting light headed and had to sit on the ground when I was third from the front of the line.  I'm sure some people thought I was crazy but I didn't care.  I preferred that to fainting.

After getting checked in I got to work on making the new calendars for Christmas for the Grandparents and us.  We watched a short video on what it's like to be a juror and what is expected of you.  Thankfully I had already gone through it, participate on Mock Trial in junior high and High School, so I was already familiar with the process and just listened in while I worked on the calendar.

As luck would have it I was one of the last names called for the first jury.  I was disappointed since I was hoping to not have to serve so we would be able to celebrate Kevin's birthday later that night.  The Courthouse stays open till 8pm and that makes it late for getting dinner in Portland after driving home.  We were ushered into two rooms and were told to wait as the lawyers figured things out.  I was told it would be long enough for me to get my computer out which I did and continued working on the calendar.  I also lent my phone to the guy next to me because he didn't bring anything to occupy his time while there other than a notepad and pen.  I got him addicted to Candy Crush while we were waiting.  After 45 minutes or so they came back and said they settled the case and we were able to go home.  This meant we didn't have to come back tomorrow and we got finished before lunch!  I was lucky to get called early.  Yeah!!!  I hurried home and surprised Kevin.  It was awesome.  I even get paid for the day since I was called to serve.  :-)

I took the two little kids to WinCo to do our food storage shopping since we were getting low on a lot of items.  I figured this would give Kevin a chance to nap and relax.  It was exhausting pushing that heavy cart with two kids all around the store but it was worth it for a present for my love.  :-)  I love filling our shelves up with food when we get home from shopping.  It eases my mind knowing that we have food to eat.

That night Kevin opened the presents the kids had made him. It was so cute!  They worked really hard on making him drawings, cards and even wrapping everything.  I love that with no money you can still show your love for someone.

Drawing by Glenn

"I love you to the moon and back" picture by Kaila

Drawing by Addie

 Kevin's mom came and babysat for us so we headed into Portland to eat at a place we've had gift cards too for a long time.  The food was okay but it was free.  I just wish it was a little more special for his birthday.  We went to get him some drinking chocolate a couple blocks away and they ran out of chocolate before his cup was full so they refunded his money!  Another free gift.  So nice of them since it was 3/4ths full.  Kevin said it was good business.  It was FREEZING outside so I loved the break at the little cafe to warm back up some before heading to the car.  Kevin asked if there was anything I wanted but there's little there (if anything) that didn't have dairy.  I really hope after having this baby I'm able to have dairy again.

It was still early when we got back into Gresham so I text Erin to see if we could stop by her house to visit before heading home.  We didn't want to put the kids to bed.  It was a great visit with Ryan and Erin.  We stayed for an hour or so and then headed home.  It was so nice to have a night out together.  How I love my man!  He's a great husband and Father.  I don't know what I would do without him.  He's been helping me so much this pregnancy since I haven't been feeling well and exhausted all the time.  He takes care of everything, the kids, shopping, and picking up.  I've been so blessed so I'm able to sleep and relax since I only have energy for a half hour or so and then I need to nap/rest for and hour or two.  It's not very productive.

Happy Birthday Kevin!!!!

Mango with a candle...what could be better?