Summer Reading

As you may know, I'm on vacation.  Instead of getting a head start on my book club books, I am catching up on some blogs that I follow.  I should say, before I started blogging, I didn't really read any blogs.  But I was missing out!  There is some good stuff out there.  It's probably a good thing I didn't know about these while I was working, because it would have been too tempting to push document review aside and read about something of real substance.

In any event, I wanted to share some of these, because they are amazing.  So if you have time on vacation, or are bored sitting at work, you should check these out. I've broken them into categories for your reading convenience:

Favorite Mom Blog

I know it's mainstream, but I absolutely love Kelle Hampton's blog, Enjoying the Small Things.  Her birth story about her second daughter, who has Down syndrome, made me cry heavy tears.  But the great thing about her blog is it is so happy!  I always feel good after reading it.  She is an amazing writer, she's beautiful, her kids are beautiful, and her pictures are amazing.  Okay, maybe I want to be her.  A little.  

Favorite Legal Blogs

One of my favorites is Attorney Work Product.  The author is a mom who is building a solo practice, and another baby.  She has a very sarcastic sense of humor that makes me laugh out loud.  (Her recent post on Jehovah's Witnesses, entitled The Crazy Cult is a personal favorite.)  Her blog is a mix of commentary about the law and life in general, but whatever the topic, it is always an entertaining read.

A bit more serious, Every Six Minutes is a blog written by a former Simpson Thacher senior associate.  She details her decision to leave biglaw in eloquent detail, and I have to say it was a Godsend for me to find, as it provided me with some reassurance when I was still reeling from the shock of leaving my career.  I really relate to her post, The Straw that Chipped the Camel's Back, where she describes getting $700 tickets to a Giant's game , spending the whole game checking her blackberry, and wishing she could trade her expensive seats for crappy seats if that meant she could just enjoy the game (or her life, for that matter).   I think any biglaw associate can relate...

Favorite Blog that Will Make You Cry
Warning: this one is a little depressing.  I found it because it is written by a friend of a friend.  Basic story:  happy couple has adorable toddler.  Husband gets diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer.  Two weeks later, wife gets diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer.  Pretty unbelievable.  The story was even featured on the Today show.  In any event, they both are in the throws of treatment now, but they are handling it with such grace.  The blog is called Family "BOND"ing Time, and you can also make a donation here.

Favorite Local Blog
For any parent in the DC area, you should check out No Monsters in My Bed.  It has so many practical tips for things to do with kids - places to go, books to read, crafts, vacation ideas, etc.  Not to mention, her pictures are amazing.  It has become one of my go-to resources.

All Time Favorite Blog
A few weeks ago, I randomly happened upon the blog, Praying for Aviana.  I honestly don't know how I found it - I think it was referenced on another blog I had been reading.  In any event, throughout the weekend, I couldn't put it down, so to speak.  I read the entire thing - all 574 posts!  It is written by a mom who adopted her daughter, Aviana, from Guatemala.  When Aviana was almost three, she was hit by a car and suffered a traumatic brain injury.  It has been an uphill battle ever since.  I am sure there are many blogs out there that detail a tragic event and the subsequent rehabilitation and recovery, but for some reason, this one just captured my heart.  Jen, the author, writes with such sincerity and emotion.  It makes you want to jump through your computer and do something to help out - anything.  In any event, I am hooked and think about this family often.  Though it is obviously a depressing story, it is also inspiring and uplifting.  It is a true love story at its core. Check it out, and you'll see what I mean.

Anyway, enough of blogging for today.  Braden has been tugging at my arm for the past 15 minutes.  After all, we are on vacation!  It's time to go enjoy.