The Verdict is in....

This is where I have been spending the last eight days of my life - the Ada County Courthouse in Boise Idaho.

It was an unseasonably warm April afternoon in 2004 when I was driving my dodge stratus listening to my newly purchased CD and dreaming about new loves, boating, schmorgasborgs, and snow cones.  You see it felt as though summer was just around the river bend (should I marry Kokoum?) and I was thrilled for the change in the air.  Plus it was Friday and back then that meant a variety of things could happen from a night game of tennis, to crashing the young single adults dance, or creating a hand clap band.  Needless to say, a few things were on my mind as I approached the section of lights on state street that I will refer to as "Does there seriously need to be this many lights in a row" and for short term will be referred to as "Stop Light City".  Now the stupid thing about all these lights from about 13th street to 25th street is that they aren't timed lights.  Everywhere else in the City of Trees if there is a section of lights in a row they are timed but oh no, not this section.

So there I am just driving along through Stop Light City when I notice to my right out of my peripheral vision, a car suddenly comes to a screeching halt.  It is about this time that I realize I am heading into the intersection and once there I decide to look up at the light.  Once I looked up, I saw the very color I was hoping I wouldn't see - that being red of course - and took appropriate action to slam on my breaks and make a gurgled noise in my throat that I figured would help stop the car at a faster rate.  Just as I am slamming my breaks, a white object was looming in front of me.  I thought for a split second of the split second that all of this took place that I might be able to stop and avoid said object.  Unfortunately, I was unable to stop and hit what happened to be a van on the back quadrant (you may say I T-boned them).

I think I said the word crap and avoided the swears (to my credit) and then proceeded to a nearby parking lot to get information and what not.  Thank the stars alive nobody was hurt and we chatted and I cried and then the police man came and I didn't get a ticket and we all went on our merry way.  I chalked it up to learning experience and got on with my life.

Almost seven years later and after my marriage, graduation from college, Zac's graduation, a move to Berkeley, trips to Mexico, Washington DC, Ohio, California, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, a move to Scottsdale Arizona, a move to Chandler Arizona, the birth of my first born son, and tons of other adventures in between, I was being sued by the man in the van that I hit.  Why you say?  Supposedly this 'fender bender' has caused him years of pain and suffering and thousands of dollars in medical bills.

For the past week and a half, I have been stuck in a court room from 9-2 everyday with a 12 person jury trial dealing with this weak little accident.  I THANKFULLY have had my mother here to be able to help me out with Cru.  They have basically set up shop in a conference room on the back side of our court room where he could sleep and I could feed him.  She took him on walks and has been the ultimate lifesaver in all of this.  This trial has been set, moved, canceled, and settled for almost 4 years now and the dude finally got his day in court with me.

Thankfully I have an ALL-STAR counsel that have been working on this case for years and have found over 1,000 pages of medical history on the man I hit.  It basically boiled down that he claimed he received a closed head injury from this accident which has caused him to be unable to sing publicly, caused tinnitus, caused the left side of his face to sag, made him anxious, caused his allergies to get worse, and caused him to forget things and caused problems with his speech fluency.  He told 3 or 4 doctors that he did not hit his head in the accident (and it was documented) and then about 2 years later he suddenly remembered that oh wait! he did hit his head.  The evidence was stifling but you just never know how a jury is going to rule.

The icing on the cake was a video that is on the Internet that was found of him at some Christian news channel in Colorado.  In court he was this fragile man who couldn't hear, think, or respond to questions because he was in so much pain and confused.  His head shook worse than a leaf in Autumn and I really did feel bad for him (not thinking that this accident ever caused this, but that in fact he was pretty ill).  So then this video was found and WOAH it was a completely different person.  Full of energy and could speak well and answer questions with no problem and didn't even show his head shaking once!  I think the jury saw right through that.

So yesterday the verdict came in.  I was found unanimously guilty of inattentive driving (which I thought might happen).  He was found not guilty of inattentive driving (which I also thought would happen).  So then it came down to the damages that would be a awarded.  SIDE BAR: In closing arguments my lawyer asked that the jury award him $25,000 or less (because I did cause minor whipblash and minor damages to his car) and his lawyer asked for $250,000 to cover future medical expenses.  I was expecting the jury to come back with $25,000 or more.  So to my surprise, the judge read that the jury awarded him $4,100.  You should have seen my lawyers face - his eyes were bigger than Cru's and his mouth opened up and then he smiled from ear to ear.  We couldn't have asked for a better verdict.  My insurance was going to settle with him for $38,000. Whoops on his part.  I think the jury was TICKED that this silly little accident turned into an eight day trial!  I don't blame them.

Needless to say it was a draining week and a half, full of TONS of information and I did get to learn a lot how the judicial systems works.  I felt like justice was served in this case.  Me and the bailiff became buddies and traded candy throughout the trial.  We had to do it discretely because he isn't suppose to show bias.  He said if we got caught he was going to tell the judge I made him give me candy.  His parting words of wisdom were "Don't get in anymore accidents!"  And I hope I never have to do that again.

We're Home

We've had quite the time here the past few weeks.  Last night was the first night in about two weeks that I finally got to sleep in my own bed.  And that only lasted for about 3 hours-but it was a good 3 hours.  We have been to Idaho to see Mack - Zac's youngest brother - return from his mission from the Ukraine.  It was a great trip and it was fun to see everyone.  Mack got to come home to a new nephew and niece so that was quite exciting.  Here he is with Cru.

Here are the two newest additions to the family. Cru and Emmi

They had fun kicking on the floor together.  At least I think they did.  It was really fun to see all of our family and for everyone to meet Cru.  I like these two pictures from our trip. So presh.

We got home on Labor Day and decided to watch the BSU game with some friends here in the AZ.  While we were walking up the stairs to their place we had an accident.  The stroller we were carrying (with Cru in it) broke and Cru hit his head on the concrete stairs and stroller.  We rushed over to the ER since he was unconsolable and waited.  We were all in our BSU gear and had recorded the game so everyone kept coming up to us wanting to chat football but we kept saying "DON'T SAY ANYTHING!"  As we were in one of the waiting rooms, the TV on the other side of the wall turned on to you guessed it - the game.  Zac and I ran out of the room and roamed the halls so we wouldn't hear the game.  Then a worker, seeing us in our blue and orange, says "HEY! You guys are up by six!!" And then we yelled at him.  Cru got a catscan and found out he had a fractured skull and there might be bleeding internally. 

Not taking ANY risk, the hospital called an ambulance to shuttle us over to the Phoenix Children's Hospital.  We were admitted to the PICU unit and finally got settled in at about midnight.  Poor little guy was SO tired from the whole day anyway (flight home and hardly no nap) then add this pain from the fall, orders not to eat, as well as nurses hooking up IV's and poking and prodding him, well - he was so sad.  Not as much of a wreck as mom though.  He got an MRI and we found out there was no bleeding on his brain so we were relieved to say the least.  We stayed in the PICU three nights because we found out his heart rate was very high.  We found out he was anemic and the doctors ordered a blood transfusion because his little heart was working way too hard and he needed iron rich blood.  If we wouldn't have been in the hospital, who knows how long we wouldn't have known about this.  The transfusion was a success and we were able to come home yesterday.

Here he is all hooked up to the machines in the hospital.  We were taken very good care of.

His little head is all swelled up and he is pretty tired right now, but he is laughing and smiling occasionally so we are very happy.

I am so thankful to all of my fam and friends that prayed for our little guy.  It was such a frightening experience for us but things looks like they are going to be okay.  We are glad to be home and so thankful for our little boy.

Music

There is nothing like good music.  It is amazing to me how there are so many types of music out there and what I like doesn't mean you will like it.  Although I think you should--unless you have a black shirt on with skulls and wings decal and possibly the name "Megalatron" or "Death Birds" across the middle.  Then I can pretty much guarantee you won't like my music.  However--I can go for a good old Dragonforce breakdown every now and then.  I would pay to play any instrument as well as those guys.  Plus an asian that has a British/Asian accent and can make a guitar sound like a Mario Brothers game is A+ in my book. 

It was a cool fall night my senior year in high school when music as I knew changed forever. Luckily I was able to meet a kid named Eric Bower who knew I yearned for something SPACTACULAR when it came to music.  He was in the back of my car one night flipping through my CD's and kept commenting on them like "OH! You like Built to Spill?  You have Sunny Day Real Estate? I love Elliot Smith!"  And I replied something to the effect "Yeah, I love a good band!"  He then asked me "Have you ever heard of Emo?"

Now now.  Emo back in the day (yes I am now 27 and can say back in the day....especially when you are at the start of a new trend) so, as I was typing....Emo back in the day was not some creepy kid sitting in the corner with too short of bangs to tuck behind his ear but too long to not be in his eyes constantly so he swishes his head back and up to the right to keep them from blocking his vision completely while wearing too tight of pants and hoodie sweatshirt and possibly some eye liner on. NO no - Emo was simply a type of music.  The end.  It was a type of music that I like to call: punk gone soft.  Singers would lyrically "put their heart on their sleeve" and the guitars wreaked of intricity.  So anyhoo, Eric says to me "Have you ever heard of Emo?" to which I of course had not heard of.  Then he says "Have you heard of Jimmy Eat World?"  And I had not heard of whatever that was either.  Thinking it was another type of something I said "What is a Jimmy Eat World?"  He then said in a most excited voice "I'm about to change your life"

Later that week (the cool fall night that I started with) while driving on Eagle Road next to Banbury (I think we were going to a corn maze), Eric popped in a CD and said "Check this out."  What began to play is the song that changed my outlook on music.  I had no idea at the time how much this song would impact my life as a musician, my wardrobe, my money, my memories.  If you would like to hear the song-----which I think whoever the three of you are reading this should---------click on Rollerqueen on my music player right now.

Every time I hear this song, I go back to that night.  I can even feel the maroon upholstery of his car and smell the crisp fall air drenched with raging teen hormones (my best friend Megan was in the car and she was in TOTAL like with Eric).  Delicious.  I am still a major Jimmy fan and am hoping to see them at the end of October.  One of the highlights of moving to Arizona was to say that I was moving to where Jimmy Eat World is from.  (Zac's old boss is neighbors to the drummer, and one of my dear friends who shall remain nameless made out with the guitarist in college).  I was gawking at her in amazement when she told me and she was glad that I thought that was one of the greatest things EVER. 

I begged Eric to get me a copy of the CD and he burned me a whole compilation of stuff he got from Napster (back when it was free and downloading one song took 15 minutes)  and I paid him two bucks to cover the cost of the CD.  Best two bucks I ever spent.  Since that time I have been to un-numbered concerts, bought un-numbered CD's, and continue to search diligently for new music and great bands.  It is crazy to think that was over ten years ago but Jimmy continues to be my all around favorite band.  New CD in less than a month!  HOLLER!

Moving is Like Labor

According to my mother, moving is like labor.  You forget how awful it is until you're in the thick of it.  I have to somewhat agree; however, I got a better prize at the end of labor-plus I was chalk full of drugs which was the greatest thing EVER, I don't care what anyone says.  We have moved 20 miles south to the thriving city that is Chandler, Arizona.  We moved for one reason-to save money and time spent in the car. Okay so that is two reasons.  Also, a change of scenery and our lease was up.  So we moved for many reasons-whatever.  Don't get me wrong-I loved Scottsdale for many reasons but I figure I am only 25 minutes away so I won't get all nostalgic. We were VERY fortunate to have Peggy and Jake fly all the way down here just to help us move.  We have the greatest family ever--seriously.  Yes it was a good excuse to see their new grandson and nephew but holy crap-I don't know what we would've done without them!

That is only half of our crap.  I can't imagine what it is like moving an entire house.  It gives me the puke in my mouths just thinking about it.

We are all moved in and really enjoy the first floor (minus the incessant visits from ear wigs and the two black widows we found outside on the porch).  Jake killed one of the ladies and screamed when he accidently missed her and then couldn't find her-but then he did and smashed her to smithereens.

Baby Cru and Baba

Uncle Jake got horfed on.  Sick but also funny.

Me n my boy

Zac n his boy

Jaitz n the boy.

At Least

At least one of us is working out.

The Cabin

There are many luxuries in this life I can surely pass up and then make fun of because that is how I cope.    One luxury I have had the fortune to bum off other people are cabins.  I LOVE cabins.  There is something about the fresh air and pine needles that scream my name.  These past couple days I was able to venture to Munds Park with my bud Gina and mooch off of her fortune which is her parents own a cabin.  It was SUPER nice to get out of the heat for a bit and it was my first road trip with Cru.  I was a little freaked-not gonna lie-but I felt way reassured to be traveling with a pediatric nurse.  Cru traveled like a champion and it was good practice for Gina since she will have her second chow in about a month.  Solid.

This is basically the same picture that was taken before our Thatcher trip except my second chin is bigger.  DANG!  I even took another picture because the first one was alllllll chin.  Notice how I tried so desperately to avoid it but alas, it was mostly in vain so instead I look like I have a major underbite.  

This is Ella who is not looking at Cru but is passed out.  It made me giggle.  Ella is hilarious and enjoyed helping me out with Cru.  She was quite fascinated with breast feeding-another good practice session for when she has a baby brother.  She got my hooter hider and fed her baby bear and even burped it.

Here are the two goo's hanging out.  It was way fun to be up there mixing up our daily routine which is eat, sleep, stare, repeat.  Highlights of the trip were the infamous bathroom stop for Ella, stroller walk in the wind, Mormon Lake, wild flowers, movie night, fresh air in the windows, fab food, Ella eating a flat of strawberries, crazy stories, Cru being totally entertained by the celling fan and many more.

Before we moved to AZ I was looking at a map to see if there were any lakes near by.  I found Mormon Lake and thought "Sweet-it doesn't look to far away from Scottsdale, I'm a Mormon so it's gotta be a good lake, and I hope someone has a boat-yet another luxury I must mooch."  We headed on over since it is not very far away and I was so excited to see a sweet mountain lake.  As we approached with a sign that said "Welcome to the Village of Mormon Lake" I looked around thinking I would see boats, fishermen, and jet skis when instead I saw this.

No kidding.  This is Mormon Lake.  Also called Mormon pond.  If you notice the vast meadow in the background you are looking at what use to be Mormon Lake.  It has dried up for a reason unknown to me.  I guess it was recent because Gina remembers it being an actual lake when she was younger.  TRAJIC!  However-the lodge has a stellar restaurant and we had lunch there so that made me happy.

Kick-in-the-pants.

The dog is snoring right now

I didn't know what to title this post.  He really is snoring right now and it is OUT of control.

I swear it isn't just gas anymore.  Hooray!