Year's End

I cannot believe that the first decade of the 2000’s will come to a close in a few short hours. Wow! I can’t really say “where has the time gone?” because I can remember vividly the events that have made this the most important decade of my entire life (marriage, babies, etc..)

2009 has been a year of turbulent ups and downs for the Kent family. There were some really high points, like going on our Grand Canyon adventure, as well as our trek north. The kids are perpetually learning and Kevin and I have grown closer as partners in love for life. This year has also had the lowest of the lows, with Kevin’s mother’s trial and sentencing, and my own brother’s suicide attempts.

I can say for sure that I am glad that the ‘2009’ chapter is coming to a close. I can only pray that 2010 holds for us all the blessings that come with being a family who serves Christ and keeps Him the center of their lives.

For the first 21 days of the New Year, Kevin and I have made a commitment to God and self, to fast and pray. Kevin will be joining numerous members of the church on a “Daniel” (fruits, nuts and veggies only) fast for 3 weeks, and I will be doing a “normal” (liquid-only) fast for the same amount of time. Though there are numerous reasons to fast, and there is biblically sound evidence that fasting, praying, and giving are the 3 principles Christians should adhere to (check out Matthew 6), this fast in particular is deeply significant to me. First of all, it is my very first attempt at a 21-day fast. (Whew! – Pray for me!) And secondly, I am hoping that God will use the opportunity to help me release all of the negative and bitter feelings that I have let control my emotions recently. I will be doing my absolute best to keep you informed of my progress. Although I can say that I have ‘cheated’ a little already, allowing myself to have coffee and tea during this time. Due to health reasons, and because of my medications, I have to take in a supplement like protein shakes or broths also. If I attempt this fast without them, and continue to take my hormones as usual, I will most assuredly end up in the hospital, dehydrated. So thanks, to Dr. Hickox for reminding me of that one little detail. Lol…..

I hope that you all have a safe and happy end-of-the-year celebration. May the Light of the Lord continue to shine!

See ya next year!!!

ILEFSA.org - nothing's wrong with a shameless plug!

Starting January 1, 2010 the new International Law Enforcement Family Support Association website will be up and running!

The two most awesome friends a girl could have are the masterminds (to be fair, one is more mastermind than the other. It's Erica's baby). I am so blessed to be able to be a moderator.

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Here is my bio, for those of you who arent connected to the current AH site:

"My name is Julie and I am so excited about ILEFSA and the opportunity to support this organization. You’ll see me on the board as SwatWifey.

Although I may be young, I come with a lot of experience. I was a police cadet with our department for years, before quitting so I could date ‘the man’. I’ve known him since he was in the police academy (2001). I was actually in the police academy when we found out I was pregnant, so I dropped out to be a wifey and SAHM. We have two children, a girl and a boy, (almost) 4 and (almost) 2.

My husband is very goal-driven, and is a member of the SWAT team, Honor Guard, and K9 unit. (Bronx, the 5 year old Belgian Malinious/partner is the biggest pain in the butt of them all!) He is a Defensive Tactic/Weaponless Defense instructor and Cadet Advisor, and serves on various other committees within the department. He also likes to work nights, which is an adventure in itself.

We have traveled through the spectrum of emotions together, from devastation (losing a k9 partner, a baby, and being passed up for promotions) to elation (getting married, having 2 babies, getting a Life Saver award, being assigned to SWAT, K9, Honor Guard, and practically everything else.) Trust me when I say, I can relate to you!

I don’t care what anyone says, there is much hardship in a police marriage. What people on the outside just don’t understand is that the life isn’t all glamour and peace. It takes a lot to keep a police marriage going, and I believe that every woman needs a support structure. I am hoping that ILEFSA can be that support for you, a place full of women who know, like you, what it’s like to be married to ‘the man’.

So sit down and pull up a keyboard. Come chat awhile. We can’t wait to meet you!"

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I would like to invite everyone to come to the forum, and join in the fun. I can personally vouch for these ladies, and I can assure you that the site has the most updated security system in place, and the women that are connected to the site are all verified wives/gfs of current Law Enforcement Officers.

Due to all the recent ambushes, attacks and executions of police officers, I believe that everyone who loves a LEO should have a support system. Through this site, I have laughed, loved, and grieved along with women in the same position as me. It has been an enriching experince, one I hope you would enjoy too.

So come stop by and say hello!!

A lot to catch you up on

Dear faithful Kent blog readers,

I regret that I have been less than a faithful blog author these past few weeks. Alas, time itself has eluded me more frequently than it has during the same season in recent years.

My recent blog inactivity can mainly be attributed to the unfortunate circumstances surrounding my brother. Though I cannot bare to repeat everything that has transpired since that fateful November day, I can say that Ryan is currently at home with our parents, and trying to get better.

For those of you who are unbeknownst to the issues that have befallen us, here is a quick synopsis:

In November, Ryan ran away to Montana and tried to commit suicide by ingesting a cocktail of prescription/recreational drugs. He was, by the grace of God, spared. After recovering a few days there in Montana, Ryan was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder and sent home (dad went to get him and fly him home). Ryan was an outpatient with mental health services in a Sacramento facility. He spent a brief time there as an inpatient, following an explosive rage episode.

2 days after discharge, Ryan again attempted suicide. This time was slightly more serious and spent time in the hospital in the Emergency room, in an ICU room, and in a regular room with a 'round the clock "1 on 1" aide.

Christmas was definitely more stressful for us this year, as Ryan's moods are grossly unstable. But somehow we managed to host a Kiddie CHRISTmas party, and play hosts for CHRISTmas day festivities.

Here are some pictures that have commemorated our Advent season:

The Kiddie CHRISTmas party:

Shana, Kellen, Sundey, Camille, and Gage doing crafty things

Katrina with Elijah and Tyler making beautiful wreaths, snowflakes and trees

Justice decorating a CHRISTmas tree.

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DelOsso Farms, December 2009:

Kayden and Justice

my 3 goofballs!

Justice, a beautiful wreath-girl. haha

again, my goofy fam

Justice as a tree.

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CHRISTmas Eve 2009:

Justice and Kayden in front of Grammy's tree

Kayden and his new Choo-Choos

Justice and her new Zippy video game system.

The fam with Santa and Phil. (Thanks, Steve!)

me, Dad, Justice, Ryan, and Kevin, Mom and Kayden

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CHRISTmas day 2009:

The kids' stockings

My livingroom looked like Toys R Us vomited all over it!

The Happy Birthday Jesus balloons we sent to Heaven, complete

with Merry CHRISTmas messages for Bubba, Mama Honey, and Grandpa.

The cupcakes I made and Justice helped decorate, to

celebrate Jesus' Birthday.

Update on Ryan

Thanks, everyone for all the prayers and concern. Ryan is doing.... as well as can be expected.

We know that the battle will be ongoing, but we continue to lean on God for support and strength, and we continue to do our earthly part by being there for him, and showing him the joy life has to offer.

He was officially diagnosed with Bipolar 2 Disorder, and is on the various medications that accompany the diagnosis. He is being treated as an outpatient at Sierra Vista in Sacramento (it's more like north Elk Grove...). He is still not out of the woods, as the stablizers take 3 - 4 weeks to be completely absorbed in his system.

I would like to encourage you all who know Ryan, and the situations we have faced these past few months, weeks, and days, to continue to lift him up in prayer.

A very special thanks to Sandy and Renee, who have gone above and beyond the traditional boundaries of friendship and familial-relations to make a difference in this situation. Your calls to Ryan in Billings meant so much to him, and to my family. Thank-you both, from the very deapth of my heart.

Just Like Daddy

We had some amazing pictures taken of the kids this week, with all of Kevin's work gear. Justice wore his Honor Gaurd uniform shirt, and Kayden wore his regular Class B uniform shirt.

It was very fun to watch the kids discover att the cool things that Daddy gets to play with at work.

Here are some of my favorite shots. We ordered our pictures, and since we are going on vacation, won't get them until we return home, late the first week of December. Enjoy!

(Shout-out to Bre: you did a great job! Thanks!!)

this ^ is my favorite pic of Justice!

this ^ was the one we ordered. Ke lilked the close-up, and it is very similar to the pictures take 2 years ago.

this ^ is the picture that we ordered of the kids. the goofy expressions on their faces is typical of them, and that's exactly what I wanted to capture.

I am torn on "favorites" of Kayden. I love this one ^ and the next one. They are both so cute, but we ordered the next one. Since we got a close-up of Jus, we thought we'd do a close up of Kayden too, and get one of them together that shows all the gear we set up.

this pic ^ is also adorable. when he wasnt screaming, he took some cute pics!

Daddy's boots are still too big, but it made for a cute picture! lol

Park Playday

Tuesday the kids and I went to the park with Shana, Sierra, and Kellen. The kids had fun running around and expelling all that energy before Daddy got home from the SWAT school in Monterey.

"Cheese!"

"Cheese!"

I dont know what they were looking at.. They always have fun swinging together.

This is how Kayden goes down the slide by himself. He cracks me up! What a big boy..

Halloween photos. Part 2

"Dorothy" and "ToTo". We visited some friends of ours and they have a cute little lunch dog. (I call small dogs lunch dogs instead of lap dogs because they look like they would be lunch to my big dog!)

Kayden and Bubbo while we were trick-or-treating at Grammy and Poppy's. Poor boy HATED that costume!

Kevin and I. 10.31.09

The pictures that we had Bre Wentz do at BW Black and Whites. It turned out sooo cute!

Halloween photos. Part 1

cookies Justice and I made 10/30

making trick-or-treat bags at the Alpha Xi Delta/Downtown Turlock Halloween Carnival 10/31

Kayden and Justice in the maze at the Carnival.

Justice got a pink bird painted on her hand - who knows where she got that idea!

cousin Rebekah and Justice in the bounce house.

nothing's better than homemade birthday gifts! Justice made Bek a tiara and a cute AXD tote..

Happy (early)20th, Rebekah!!

"Blindtober" for baseball.

It's no secret to anyone who knows me, that I am a Yankee fan. So it is with a slightly prejudice heart that I address the following issue : the umpires. Yes, baseball fans, our achelis heel. The burr in our sides. The 'blue'. There have been some particularly heinous calls this October, leaving one blogger to call it "Blindtober".

Last night, game 2 of the World Series, was no exception to the bad-calls phenomenon that is plaguing baseball. To start things off, I must recognize that the Yankees have prospered at one time or another - as every team has - from a bad call by an Ump. I do not believe that the Yankees' have piggybacked the questionable calls in their favor all the way to the world championship series of games.

However, do I believe there were unquestionably bad calls during the ALCS? Yes. Do I believe that Utley got a bad call last night? Um, sure. But I also saw that Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard grabbed the ball off the ground, which was ruled a catch, and Posada and Johnny Damon (who hit the line drive) were called out on a double play when both were quite obviously safe, since the ball quite obviously (I saw dirt puff up!) hit the ground.

Maybe having instant replay would be good for baseball. Maybe human error is part of the rich history of the game of baseball, and who is Bud Selig to change it? Maybe the addition of a replay machine would continue the downhill slide into the oblivion of mockery that the steroid debacle started? Who's to say?

But I do know that game 3 of the 2009 World Series is on tomorrow, and I also know that I wouldnt be anywhere else but on the couch, watching it - save for those pesky trick-or-treators that ring my bell.

Here am I! Lord, send me!

Take my will and make it Thine, it shall be no longer mine.

Wow. What a powerful prayer of surrender!

Thinking this week about my aging great grandmother, and pondering the frailty of earthly living, I am struck by the phrase strong-willed. Though my memories of this wonderful lady aren't of her being necessairily strong willed, but it got the spaghetti thoughts flowing, and I ended up at strong willed.

Strong. Willed. For devout followers of Christ, shouldn't that be a bad thing, in the context of how the rest of the world views it? Strong. Willed. Strong is a good thing. Strength in Jesus is most insurpassable. But only strength in Christ. Not fleshly muscles that wither away (not implying the being physically strong is a bad thing). Strength of Godly character. Strength in faith. Strength in love. Willed. Implying that the will of the person is their own. That they have their own agenda. That they are obstinate, even. Resisting authority.

For Christians I think that it is important that we recognize the will of God is the will we should have. The only will. Knowing that He knows best, believing that He is the ultimate Authority. Relinquishing our lives, our hearts, desires, goals, to His plan for our lives. Pastors often talk about submitting to the will of God. But I don't want to just submit, like a broken being. I want to thrive in the will of God. I want to be joyful in the will of God. I want to spend eternity in the will of God.

Happy Fall, Everyone!!

I love autumn! I love decorating my house for fall. I have to concede to Kevin every year and put out a few Halloween (my least favorite holiday) decorations. But for the most part, everything is kept very fall-ish. I leave it all out until after Thanksgiving , when we (for reasons I cannot understand – Id prefer to wait until Dec 20th) decorate for the Christmas season.

I bought this pain and painted the welcome sign and added it,

and I added the cute little scarecrow! I think it turned out adorable!

Here is my yard. Our painted pumpkins, and some fake ones that are carved that we

put out every year. I love the fall-feel of our little yard!

Here are some more of our pumpkins. This is not all the decorations

we have out, but I didnt want to take a picture of every little sign!

A few of the decorations in the house. There is quite a bit more, but again,

I didnt feel like taking pics of every little detail!

The Pumpkin Patch

Monday we went to Del Osso Farms to pick out our pumpkins and enjoy some family time. It’s a fun tradition Kevin and I started for Justice’s first harvest season, so this was our 4th trip. This year my mom went with us. It was a lot of fun, Kevin and Justice shot the pumpkin blaster, the kids ran through the hay maze, and Kevin and I even got to zip line. Something we haven’t done since our trip to Kauai. The kids got to pick out their own pumpkins, which we took home to paint. Yes, we paint our pumpkins every year. They are a little more personal for the kids, since neither is old enough to wield the sharp instruments needed for carving, and we can leave them out as decorations until Thanksgiving! Here are some pictures from our day:

Kevin and Justice shooting some targets with pumpkins

Kayden in the kiddie haybail maze

Justice in "Jail".. the look on her face is priceless!

Grammy, me, and Justice

Me on the zip

Kevin and I after our rides

Our attempt at a family photo

Kevin hauling Kayden and our pumpkins!

Kayden painting his pumpkin

He did a good job!

Justice painting her pumpkin.

"ah-done dad"

Jus decided she wanted to paint the whole thing white.

Daddy helped Kayden paint his name on his pumpkin.

Me and my pumpkin.