It's 4:30 pm on Sunday, May 11th and the rain is pouring down.  My wife Sharon is out doing errands and I'm home with the three kids. 

My 9 year old daughter Eva is working on a puzzle, my 6 year old daughter Mary Walton is painting on the kitchen floor, and my three year old Thomas is throwing things down the steps.

It's nice to be home. 

This weekend is the tail-end of a frantic eight weeks since the legislative session ended on March 13th.  Since that time, I've tried six cases (including a jury trial last week) and argued countless legal motions.  Basically, all my work backed up during session and then it came due. 

During that time, I've also participated in 15-20 community meetings or forums, including the trip down to Wise a month ago.  This past Friday, I joined Vivian Watts in speaking to the Little Run Civic Association at Canterbury Woods Elementary in Annandale.  It is vital to speak to community groups after the session concludes -- you have to articulate your record. 

Fortunately, I've had a chance to get outdoors.  Saturday I ran the Mantua Elementary 5K in a downpour and pleasantly suprised myself by running 22:45 (it's a very hilly course). 

Then yesterday afternoon, when the skies cleared, I took Thomas fishing at Burke Lake Park.  Actually, I did the fishing and Thomas threw rocks in the lake.  Shockingly, no fish were attracted by our unusual methods. 

Today is Mother's Day so it's a day to say "thank you" to my wife Sharon -- we bought her a new dress and flowers -- as well as my mother Mary Petersen.

A good day to be home with the family. 







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