"Whatever you are, be a good one." -Abraham Lincoln

I had a law professor who always put quotes up to start each class.  Most of them were in one ear and out the other, but for some reason this one stuck.  Maybe it is the simple elegance, my interpretation being that it doesn't matter what you are as long as you are honest and competent.  I think I also liked that it doesn't limit you to being any one thing.  It suggests that you can wear lots of different hats but that you should wear each one well.  He was not my favorite professor, nor my least favorite, but he was a good teacher and he taught me virtually everything I know about criminal law and procedure.  Little did I know at the time how important that would be, since, as I have mentioned before, I never guessed I would end up being a criminal defense attorney.  Sadly, I found out last week my professor passed away.  He was in his forties.

So, where am I going with this?  Well, I guess I have been thinking a lot about my career lately and, if you have followed my blog in the past, you know that I really struggle with working full-time and wanting to be home more with Elliot.  I also had an epiphany that I have been looking at my job all wrong.  I keep telling myself that this is the "in-between" job, that being in criminal law is just something to do until I get my dream job, that this is definitely not my career... I have decided to stop doing that.  If recent events have taught me anything, it is that life is short.  Too short to tell myself that this life I am living, the career side, is not really my life.  I have decided to embrace it and take change as it comes.  I am a criminal defense attorney, and I hope I can say I am a good one.

But, here's the big news, ba ba ba bum (that's a drum roll): I will not be a defense attorney for much longer.  After Thanksgiving I applied to be the Assistant Prosecutor at the Yakama Nation.  It was a last minute decision to apply and based on some kind of crazy things going on with my current job, which I won't delve into :).  Just before Christmas they offered me the job.  I didn't immediately accept because I was comfortable where I was.  However, the deciding factor came when I met with the boss to negotiate terms and I asked if I could come on part time, working 30 hours per week, and allowing me to stay home with Elliot an extra day plus a few more hours every week.  She agreed.  It was basically a done deal for me at that point because this was the best possible solution.  I could continue to work, to keep my skills sharp, and to be home more with babykins!  So I am excited to report I will be starting there on the 22nd.  Wish me luck!

Speaking of people who are good ones, babykins is 7 months today!  Here are some pics to keep you from being totally bored:

Pertinent stats:
Teeth count: 3 (2 bottom, 1 top)
Favorite foods: boob milk, bananas, pears and oatmeal, prunes, sweet potato puffs, mixed veggies, green beans
Least favorite foods: apples (weird, right?), banana yogurt, broccoli and carrots with cheese
Favorite mode of transportation: laundry basket
Newest mode of transportation: crawling!
Number of actual words spoken: 0
Favorite activity: 3-way tie between playing, taking baths, and reading/chewing books
Number of times Mommy has been overwhelmed with love and pride: infinity