I am confused by you. How can you not know the ins-and-outs of your children? If your 19 year old son fell asleep watching little T, how could you think your 14 year old daughter would be any different? Why do your children have a hard time babysitting their brother for such a short time, if indeed it was a short time, without falling asleep. It sounds like a deeper problem to me.
Are your children on drugs? Are you even home enough to notice if they are?
The story goes that your 14 year old fell asleep and your 9 year old left and went across the street. Shocker.
The 3 year old followed, but the 9 year old told little T to go back to the apartment. Which he didn't. Are you surprised? Isn't that what he did when the 19 year old was watching him?
He started wandering around, shorts on backwards and shoes on the wrong feet. Still in diapers, your 3 year old son is alone on the streets. Thank God above for the heart of my husband who took such care with your little one. More care than he has seen in a while, he never once mentioned going home, or wanting his Mommy. Isn't that sad? Do you weep for your irresponsibility?
This son of yours is a month older than my daughter, so I know the world of a 3 year old intimately. Trust me, I do. How can you not leave your children in appropriate care? How can you have not spent enough time with your son that he doesn't know your name? His own name, even (short of (Tay-Tay that is)? How can he still be in diapers? What is his care during the day, if he cannot put flip flops on the correct feet, or put his shorts on with the tag in the back? Who is responsible for this little boy? Obviously, unfit mother, you are not.
I pray for you. That CPS will be a wake-up call to you, and that you start doing the best you can for your children. They deserve it.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Doggie Drop-Off
Today Kev had to jam to work early (black pajama monthly qualifying). So we, the kids and I, decided to load the dog into MY car and take him to Daddy at work. The dog never gets to ride in my car. I just dont like the hair that gets all over. It's not that bad, but I just don't like any of the doggie-clean-up.
We had to wait for Kev to get out of breifing to get the dog, so the kids and Bronx were rolling around on the grass outside of the PD together. It was pretty funny. 
Visiting Aunt Anna
Wednesday the kids and I went down to Riverbank to see my Aunt Anna and visit with my cousins. I also went to pick up my great-great grandmother's rocking chair.
Here are a couple pictures from lunch at Del Taco. Justice playing with Daniel. She kept getting stuck in the slide. It was funny.
We had a great time, as slways. We need to do that more often!
The kids were tuckered out and fell asleep on the ride home.
The kids were tuckered out and fell asleep on the ride home.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Quick to listen, slow to speak
James 1:19-20: This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God (NASU).
When you're faced with disrespectful, disobedient or rebellious behavior, it is natural to get angry. Unfortunately, the natural response is least likely to uncover the heart issues underneath a person's (or your child's) bad behavior. This is because the "anger of man" obscures righteousness. The anger of man is self-centered, and is focused on the target of the bad behavior (or the parent).
This verse tells us that a better response is to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Listening carefully, speaking little and guiding a person (or your child) on an exploration of the motives behind his behavior can lead to the sort of insight that points the person (child) toward the righteousness of God.
Replace anger with empathy, and see what happens. Responding to an angry person, (or disobedient child) with empathy rather than anger is difficult, but the reward is great.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Why I Hate The Dog (the backstory)
"He is a work tool. NOT A PET. NOT A PET. NOT A PET." I repeated those words over and over and over when Kevin decided that he wanted another K9... Yes, another!
Backstory: In October of 2005 we got our first K9. Cinta. A Hollandeese Shepherd. She was an amazing trial dog and won Kevin a few plaques and trophies during competition. BUT (isn't there always a but?) Cinta was not a functional police dog. Meaning, she would not - NOT - bite anyone. After a few opportunities to prove her worth, the department gave up on her.
Cinta was our first "pet" together. She kept me company through long graveyard hours before she qualified to be on the street. She kept me company during the day when Kevin slept. She slept on the bed with me, and no where was off-limits for her. She spent (what I experienced of it) my pregnancy as my constant companion.
In November 2006, my dad bought Cinta and the department got Kevin a new K9 partner. This one we had for a couple weeks before she (we appropriately named her "Zero") developed an eye infection and lost an eye. This obviously is NOT the makings of a good K9 partner, so the department asked for another dog to be shipped to us, from the kennel in N.C. that gets the dogs from Holland. Well, dog #3 never made it. The night before she was set to fly, she got ahold of the kennel owner's daughter's jacket, and ate it. The zipper got caught in the dog's small intestine, and we don't know what actually became of her.
In January 2007, after months without a K9 partner, Kevin gave the department the go-ahead for another dog. Yes, my husband decided that he wanted another K9... My first thoughts? "What the....?!"
So, a male Belgian Malinios came to us in January 2007. I got to name him, as long as it "sounded tough".. I am a HUGE Yankees fan, and we tossed around "Joe" and "Jeter" and "Babe" until Kevin finally agreed to Bronx. He is a goofy dog. I mean, he acts like a retard. He thinks that he is a lap dog and wants to cuddle all the time. His tongue hangs out the side of his mouth and he just doesn't look smart. In May of 2007, Bronx qualified for street patrol, and has gone to work with Kevin every day since.
Present day: Bronx lives with us, but he is not a house dog. Yet.
Kevin is slowly trying to butter me up for the "okay" to let the dog come in and officially be part of the family. I am resistant because I was heartbroken when Cinta didn't work out. Yes, she was just a dog. Is. And yes, I still get to see her whenever I want out at my parents' place. But I just know if I let this dog into my life, my heart, that I will end up having to be sad over the dog. I just don't want to be disappointed again. Circumstances are different this K9 around, and Bronx already has a street bite to prove his worth, but...
Bronx has been allowed to come into the house a few times this week, when Kevin has come home for his lunch break. He is confined to the rug by the door. But Justice LOVES him. She pulls on his tail, and tries to ride him like a horse. He LOVES the attention from her. I think that it is good for Jus to be around a dog, as she is still showing signs of fear from when Cinta bit her in February.
So, I guess I am being worn down, and the fact that I even blogged about it will probably make Kevin think Ive made up my mind. Geez. Sometimes I wish life could be simpler. At least a little thing like a dog shouldn't be so complicated. But add a badge and hundreds of hours of training, and there you go: instant confusion.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Marriage Longevity
Marriage.
It just seems nonexistent anymore. My parents, however, celebrate 28 years of marriage on July 26th. (tomorrow).
Congrats, Mom and Dad. Thank-you for being dedicated to your vows and for making your marriage and our family important. I cannot tell you what it has meant to me, to see you both still together, married, and loving eachother.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
Justice's Karate Lesson #1
Today Justice had her first Karate lesson. It was...an experience, to say the least. Here are a couple picturesof Jus uring class, and a video I took from my phone of Jus getting some one-on-one time with Chris, a friend and the instructor
I dont know yet if we are going to stick with this one, find another dojo to try, or what. I'll keep everyone updated.
Justice did the knife-hand strike faster than anyone so she got to be in the front of the class!!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Bronx
Bronx is our almost-5-year-old Belgian Malinouis. I say "our" in that he lives at our house and acts like a pet. Bronx is no ordinary dog. He is Kev's partner. He is 3ed in a line of partners Kev has had in the past 4 years. We have had Bronx for 2 1/2 years now. He was a puppy when we got him, in terms of K9 training, as he was a little over a year old.
Bronx still acts like a puppy. He loves to play and be with the family. He acts like a lap dog, always wanting to be the center of attention, and right in your face. He is great with the kids and is so easy going. He's also a big doofus. He doesnt look like the pick of the litter, and his personality matches. He really is a big, dumb lover of a dog.
But Bronx is special. He is a good partner for Kev and has a bite to add to his street cred. He is ruthless and scary while 'on the job' and I would suggest NOT running from this particular pooch.
The difference between work and home for Bronx is like night and day. Even when the boys come home for "lunch" break at 10pm, Bronx turns off his work-mode and goes right in to playing-with-kids-mode. 
Recreational Drug of Choice...
COFFEE
Ah, yes. Coffee. Almost anything will do.
Decaf.
Starbucks, Seattle's Best, Peet's.
HOUSE OF COFFEES!
My new favorite thing is to make strong - not quite espresso- Folgers French Vanilla coffee in my coffeemaker and put it in the fridge for a few hours. When it it thoroughly cold, I put some in the blender with some ice and a scoop of International's Vanilla Cafe' and a splash of milk. I blend on 'high/liquefy' for a good minute, and viola - the perfect summer treat for a coffee-aholic.
mmmmmm....... maybe I'll go make myself one now!
A Good Mommy
So I just got off the phone with my favorite Aunt in Virginia, we were praying for my cousin Cassandra. Afterwards, Justice asked me to pray for her. Sure, honey, no problem.
After I am done, and we say our "Amen"s, Justice tells me that she wants to pray for me. "Ok..."
"Father God, please help Mommy be nice and lovin' to me. In Jesus' name, Amen"
Out of the mouths of babes, I tell you!
Well, if that doesnt motivate me today to be a good mommy, I dont know what will!
(not that Im not a good mommy everyday, but maybe I'll let her have some ice cream or something. lol)
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
More Kiddie Pool Pictures
Justice and Daddy in the pool..
Kayden was so happy!
Justice jumping in the pool...
...and making a big splash
Kayden playing with the sprinkler pool
The kids getting in the pool. SO CUTE!
Justice in the pool
Poppy helping the kids get the grass out of the pool
Justice jumping in the pool again.
I love this handsome man!
Mommy playing with the kids in the pool
Video of Kayden getting in the pool....SO FUNNY!!!!
My Mommy
My mom is an amazing woman. Sunday she will celebrate surviving life with my dad for 28years.
That is nothing to sneeze at, concidering there arent many marriages anymore
that strive for longevity.
Mom, you are stong and beautiful.
Thanks for being a great mom
and sacrificing life for me.
I love you.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Yogi at church!
Sunday we went to church with Poppy and Grammy and Bubbo.
Bear Creek is trying to get it's congregation motivated to attend it's annual
summer picnic. What do you think of when you think 'picnic'?
Of course! Yogi and BooBoo!!
They were so kind to let Kayden take pictures with them.
He loved Yogi, and Yogi even let Kayden pull on his nose!
Park Playdate
Saturday I took the kids to the park for a playdate with
some good friends,
Elijah and Tyler (and their mommy Katrina).
Justice, Kayden and Elijah had a great time playing in the water
(the park had a small waterpark- a'la sprinklers).
Tyler enjoyed hanging out and the playground, and
wasn't a big fan of the in-your-face-sprinklers.
It was a lot of fun. It got hot pretty quick, and the slide started
to burn their little bums,
so we took the kids to Wendy's for lunch.
Then, it was most definately naptime
(read: Kayden started throwing his 'I need a nap' fit).
The Hess' are such a fun family we hope to hang out with them more!
Justice and Kayden getting dry on a park bench
My kids playin in the sprinkers
Elijah and Justice
Kayden was so funny to watch. He didnt mind the watersoaking him, as long as he had his sippy cup.
This is something NEW for my boy.
He will not - and I repeat WILL NOT -
ever sleep in the car. Gives you an idea about
just how much fun he had!
He wore himself out!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Pizza-what?
Dinner when Kev is working is always pretty easy. My goal every night is basically to get something that resembles dinner on the table around 6pm. I confess, I occationally serve such nutritional options as hotdogs, mac n cheese, and pizza poppers (homemade of course). I don't usually get too creative on friday nights, especially friday nights before the long 4-day-weekend. Tonight I made pizza-bread, mom-style. My mom used to make this for my brother and I when our dad worked nights. I used leftover spaghetti sauce, covered some open, face-up sourdough sandwhich rolls with it, and topped it with grated cheddar and mozz cheese. Put it in the oven until the ceese was melted and the rolls got a little color.
But is it really pizza? Maybe Pizza-esque? The vague hint of pizza? Yeah...notsomuch. Oh, well. They ate it! (And they loved it!)
But is it really pizza? Maybe Pizza-esque? The vague hint of pizza? Yeah...notsomuch. Oh, well. They ate it! (And they loved it!)
February Baptism!
For some reason the YouTube video of my baptism will not post to my actual blog, like the cardboard testimony did. (which is up, by the way, if you havent seen it)
So here is the link for my baptism, with my little brother Ryan.
Enjoy!
Friday, July 17, 2009
What is up with all the sadness? Oh, well...
Death is a part of life. We have to die to be able to spend eternity with God, except for Enoch and Elijah (Gen5:24/2Kings2:11), or being caught up in the Rapture. 'Dying' isn't (and shouldnt be) hard for Christians to comprehend, but death is a difficult concept to grasp sometimes. I consider myself a good Christian. Of course, everyone has room for improvement. Ive never claimed to be perfect. But, I accepted Jesus as my Savior years ago, and I love God. I do my best to walk the straight and narrow, and devote my life to His service. BUT... confronted with mortality in the form of familial death, I admit, I question myself, my mortality, my faith, even God. I know, who am I to question God, right?! Really, I mean I completely understand. But the human of me want to know the 'why'. Maybe Ive convinced myself that it is a primitave need, the wanting to know. (Maybe thats how I deal with my bossy inner-child). Why?! Is that such a big question? 3 letter. Why? Why, God, does it hurt so bad? Why, God, did it have to be him? Her? Why, Father God, must we suffer this painfully devastating loss to be eternally satisfied with You in Heaven? Why now? Why not then? ...There are literally hundreds of similar questions; some specific, some general. I get so annoyed that I even want to know why. Yet, the yearning for fleshly answers continues to haunt me. Is it good that I recognize this? I know Im still learning. Maybe faced with the ultiamte satisfaction, the opportunity to ask God "why?", maybe I wouldn't. Maybe I dont want to know the answer. God knows best (obviously), and I don't "need" to know.
SO does the rational part of my brain make quiet the irrationality of my questioning spirit? Maybe (that seems to be my answer du jour -sorry). Maybe it's just time I go to sleep. And dream that one day, we will all be together again in Heaven. And then, on the glorious day, I know in my heart that the "why" won't even matter. (Thank You, Jesus!)
Larry Dean
"A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour." -Unknown
This quote struck me sad. It reminds me of my Bubba. My maternal grandfather. I remember years and years ago being at my aunt's (anna) and watching a home movie that my Bubba had made, and it was a lot of scenery. A lemon tree, maybe?
He passed away in January of 1998.
I can't say I actually remember much of him. I cannot for the life of me remember his voice, and that makes me immeasurably sad. I do remember the sparkle in his eyes, the stories he would read to me, and some other random memories that pop up when I think hard like, "Wait up, Larry, I've got ta put my teeth in" and "Bubba! Where you go-in?". Every year since I was a freshman in high school, I have sent a green balloon with "Happy Birthday, Bubba" written on it, up to Heaven. I even tried to have my daughter on his birthday. Well, I ended up in the hospital with contractions, anyway.
I never remember him mad or sad. I guess I'm lucky. When I grow up, I want to be happy, just like my Bubba.
Monster In-Law FOR REAL!!!
The beginning seems like a natural place for this story of greed, deception and heartache to unfold.
Let me start off by saying that I have never liked this woman. We have never gotten along, and if you continue to read on, you won't blame me for the blatant rude comments about her.
I first met her at a city council meeting honoring K (my then-boyfriend) as a life saver. We had been dating exclusively for a few months already and I was practically living with him! She walked up to where K and I were standing, and tried to nudge me out of the way to tell him about "this nice girl I think you would get along great with". Ggrrr. But whatever. I wasn't worried about that. Like I said, we were already pretty serious.
I'm pretty easy going and I get along well with most people, despite being a self-proclaimed 'introvert' (to put it nicely). Something about her just rubbed me wrong. I was raised with basic moral principles; don't lie, steal or cheat, and don't associate yourself with those that do. So as K and I began to get more serious, she became more of a pain. No, not the gentle pain of a headache after a staring contest with the computer screen, I'm talking full-blown migraine. And she just wouldn't leave us alone. She had to involve herself in all aspects of K's life and it got annoying pretty quick. Seriously, I am amazed we had any time at all to be "in-love" (kwim?), between her million-times-a-day phone calls and her frequent pop-ins to our house. But we did and I got pregnant (for full details see the blog about my Justice). I guess that's when her world fell apart. K and I decided to do right by our child, and by God, and get married. She even HAD to go with my mom and I to pick out MY wedding dress! She was involved in basically all the planning and it became a circus. Nothing was how I wanted it. (Except the pew bows, thanks, Mom!) But I was 37 weeks pregnant, so I wrote my pickiness and complaining off as hormones. WRONG. Hindsight is always 20/20. I didn't get much of what I wanted for my wedding ceremony (again, praise God for my mom who stood up for me and my pew bows)! And now its gone, only to happen to this woman once in a lifetime. Ok. So she even has to pick where we honeymoon-that we went on a year later.
12 days after we said "I do" we said "hello" to baby girl Justice. And she immediately took control. She had to buy this and that and whatever for Jus and even asked me to pump a couple bottles of breastmilk to keep at her house! Eew! No!
All this time she is opening credit cards in her name and in her (now ex-) husband's name and even K's name. Totaling over $400,000 in debt! And, she'd been telling us all she was "dying from cancer". (Back story: in early 2003 she had her thyroid removed and was given an unheard of 95% prognosis for full recovery. According to her cancer doc who testified in court, she's been cancer free since then). What a lying, conniving woman, right? She took the lie of "dying" so far, she made K go with her to the cemetery to pick her plot!
So, now, she won't wear the same outfit twice, and has to have the best of everything. So... We've since found out that it was more people she was scamming, from the travel agency that she owned, and the total she scammed is much much higher.
She needs help! After a while of everything being her way, we stopped most contact. She was allowed to come around occasionally, to see Jus. I felt guilty, but God was telling me to be on guard. For good reason! After I had Kayd, she only saw him twice. Once while I was in the hospital, and once at church on the day of his dedication.
When the DA filed charges, and court proceedings stared for all her scamming, K tried to be a good son and tell her how things work. Ugh! She actually told her son, to his face, "I want nothing to do with you". What kind of a mother is that???
She was finally tried in a court of law and a jury found her guilty of 13 felonies. She was, to the relief of all her victims, finally booked into jail, sentenced to 5 years 4 months.
FINALLY, at long last, she was sent to VSPW in Chowchilla, where she will most likely serve 2 years of the sentence before being paroled. We haven't heard from, seen, or talked to this woman in over a year. Thank God! She was still lying to people up until she was taken out of court in handcuffs. She perjured herself on the stand, and make a mockery of K to his grandmother -her mom- when he was forced to testify against his mother. Yeah, she is a piece of work!
I think that about covers it. The basics, anyways.
Here are the links for the various articles that appeared in our local newspaper - much to the embarassment of K and our family:
(sorted by date, oldest first. Newest last.)
How Do You Write?
I was intrugiued by this internet story, and thought Id share, just incase you don't read the Yahoo! news briefs. (Ya, like this is "news"-right?) Anyhow, I found it interesting, and while I am not going to post the entire story, you can follow the link and read all about it for yourself.
Some handwriting expert said that the best indicator of handwriting is when the subject writes in cursive, even though the person may not always write in cursive. (Like me). The expert makes the subjects write "she sells seashells by the seashore".. Hmmmm......
If Your Writing Slants…
To the right: You are open to the world around you and like to socialize with other people.To the left: You generally like to work alone or behind the scenes. If you are right-handed and your handwriting slants to the left, you may be expressing rebellion.
Not at all: You tend to be logical and practical. You are guarded with your emotions.
If Your S’s Are…
Round: You are a people-pleaser and seek compromise. You avoid confrontation.
Pointy: You are intellectually probing and like to study new things. The higher and pointier the peaks, the more ambitious you are.
Open at the bottom: You might not be following your heart. For example, you always wanted to be an artist, but you have a career in finance.
Printed: You are versatile.
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