...Apprehention...

Sometimes 'familiar territory' is the unknown. That is certainly the case for my family. Kevin and I have been plagued with uncertainty for much of our marriage. I admit that sometimes it is easier to "let" things happen, than express exactly what it is you "want" or "hope" will happen, and risk being disappointed with reality.

Kevin was selected to be the new temporary School Resource Officer. While part of me is absolutely thrilled, I admit that I am apprehensive about this reassignment as a whole. SRO means day shifts, no more graveyard. It also means working 5 days per week, with weekends off. Kevin currently works what is called "four tens" but equals out to 80 hours every two weeks. It is actually 5 days of work one week, and 3 the following week. The trade-off is that we won't have those fabulous 4-day weekends twice per month, for less hours-per-day spent at work.

I don't know if I'm going to like this....

I know that it is new, and like all new things will need some getting used to. But Kevin has worked nights since before we were ever even a couple (it's been over 7 years!) and the entirety of our relationship has been built upon the concept of surviving nights. Thinking about having Kevin home every single night is confusing. I admit that I like my space. I have a routine, and prefer my alone-time after I put the kids to bed. Now, I realize that Kevin only works 16 "nights" out of every month, but the first night home on his 'weekends off' are spent sleeping, as he is in recovery-mode, trying to catch up on sleep missed throughout the week. So that is 4 additional nights that I get "me" time. That's roughly 20 out of each month! I will now be sharing the bed, the couch, and (eek!) the remote with my husband EVERY NIGHT OF THE WEEK!!

Those challenges seem comparatively more mild to adjust to, than the realization that I will be losing my DAYS with him. Every two weeks, Kevin gets a 4-day weekend. That means 4 DAYS awake, during sunlight. As winter approaches, I know that the days get shorter and the possibility of him being home at all while it is light outside is diminishing. Except every Saturday and Sunday, which -if you know Kevin- won't be spend doing much, because there are "too many people out on the weekends and everything is more expensive."

In conclusion to this post, I would like to add that I am infinitely proud of Kevin. I am truly happy for him and would gladly sacrifice my hours of time alone for even a few short minutes with him. As long as he abides by my routine.

...I'm joking!...

...Finally Caught up?!...

First of all, I would like to say that I am not completely against cheerleaders, as a populace. I a against ritualistic "dancing" that exploits a woman's sacred body, and barely-there outfits that any high school girl should be ashamed to wear.

That said, I am not one of those moms that pushes her agenda onto her children. Morals and values, yes. Agenda, no. SO, with much reluctance, I signed Justice up to do a cheer clinic through Lodi High. It was a nightmare. I can barely stammer out the complete details without my blood pressure raising to unsafe levels. SO, to spare you all the distressing details, let me just say that 1- inexperienced little girls should NOT be included in lifts by unqualified "lifters", 2- ALL support staff/ cheer advisers/ coaches should be trained in first aid and CPR, and a first aid kit needs to be present at each practice, and 3- when an inexperienced FIVE year-old had a legitimate injury from your cheerleaders DROPPING said five year-old from a lift, show some sympathy. Don't just look at the concerned and upset parent, and say to them, "That's cheerleading."

Now, on to better things:

Justice and Kayden renewed their commitment to Christ through prayer on September 5th.

It was beautifully unscripted, and the words of love, dependence and willingness to follow flowed through their lips like ..... well ..... like the more beautiful thing anyone has ever heard.

It made Kevin and I shed tears of joy and awe at the mighty grace of God.

On September 8, 2011,

my dad, George Lauchland,

turned FIFTY!!

We celebrated in style at Habenero Hots with the Martinez Family. Good food, and excellent fellowship.

Dad, I love you. I am so proud to be your daughter. I look up to you and I am grateful for you.

I wouldn't be who I am today if I didn't have you as my earthly father, for whom I am most thankful to my Heavenly Father for.

September 9, Justice's class went on Field Trip #2 to Mickey Grove Zoo!

It was a lot of fun to see the kids interact with eachother without the usual confines of the classroom walls. Kayden and I got to go, and experience everything right along with Justice.

It was a blast, and I am looking forward to the next one (Kahler Dairy).

As September 11th marked the Tenth Anniversary of those gruesome terrorist attacks on American soil, Lodi chose to honor those who's lives wee lost, with a tribute and ceremony on the 10th. Kevin got his first experience as leader of the LPD HG, and we were proud beyond words to be able to go and watch him. The kids were particularly interested in Kevin's uniform, which they had never seen before. "Mommy, why is Daddy wearing that funny hat?" -Justice.

These pictures melted my heart and made me realize that blessings are often looked for in the big things, but found in the small.

..Dan and Brenda...

August 27th, 2011 we were invited to a ceremony honoring marriages, and the renewing of mrriage vows for friends that were elebrating their 10th Wedding Anniversary.

It was beautiful.

...August is Gone...

...and September is 1/3 over... And I am left wondering how time has escaped me...

To catch you all up on ALL the comings and goings of the Kent clan, I'm going to be brief, and use multiple posts. So please bare with me and I'll do my best to keep it simple so you aren't as dizzy and confused by the whirlwind of activity as I am.

No one ever told me that my life would get BUSIER once the kids were in school, and if they did, I didn't listen. Lesson learned.

August was probably one of the busiest months that I have ever had, since becoming a wife and mom. Seriously.

I am struggling, even now, to pinpoint a place to start updating you. I left off after the 3rd.

August 4th I saw Dr Gill for my "infection" - which just turned out to be a suture stuck in my healing incision, that had to be CUT OUT (with no numbing agent! - I'm savage. lol)

August 6th we were blessed to celebrate and fellowship with our fellow Evening Service volunteers for the 1-Year anniversary (in Oct) of Pastor Bobby's service. It was really fun to get to chat and bond with people outside of the church building... But we had to leave early because Kevin had to work.

Sunday August 7th, my good friend Jennifer Griffin was baptized! Praise the Lord! It was a really awesome experience, and I am proud of her. Way to go, Jenn!

Monday the 8th, Kevin and Sgt Jacobson brought out their Patrol vehicles to St. Peter for Justice's Kindergarten class to check out. They talked to the kids about 911 and emergencies, and also about stranger anger. Here are a couple pictures from the day:

The very next day, Tuesday, Kevin and I did a K9 demo for Justice's class. It was fun, and the kids seemed to REALLY enjoy playing with / watching the dog. I'm sure Bronx was happy to get the activity, and I know that it reminded me of just how fun K9 was. I don't know if I "miss" it, but it is nice to look back and actually remember the good times.

The Willow Creek Association Global Leadership Summit was August 11-12, and Bear Creek Church was one of the satellite locations. I was blessed to volunteer during this event, and also glean from some of the dynamic speakers!

Thursday the 11th was the back-to-school-night / ice-cream social for St. Peter. I was (unofficially) names the PTL Secretary. WOW! Way to jump in, huh?

Kevin and I realized that August 17th marked the 7-year point of our relationship. Of course, the day flew by without fanfare, but I think that it is worth mentioning that this was the first time we "forgot" to celebrate it. We ALWAYS go to Stings for dinner on the 17th of August, since in 2004 that was where we went for our first date. It is great to take the kids, and share with them some of our memories. I think I need to plan a "date" for us, soon! I definitely missed it this year - even if no one else did.

August 19th, Kayden and I got to go with Justice on her first field trip! We walked to Lodi Fire Station #4 and got to check out the inner-workings of Fire Fighter life in the station.

The kids loved it, and got even more excited (if that is possible!) when they were allowed to climb in the Fire Engine! Kayden was included in most of the activity, and I really believe this was the final push he needed to get out of those pull-ups! (more on that later)...

Here are some pictures from Field Trip #1:

Saturday, August 20th is a day that I will not soon forget. Kayden Noah put on big boy chonies, and has NOT looked back! He is officially a big boy. We are on week 3 and have had only one (yes, ONE) accident. I am SO proud of my boy. I spent a grand total of (drum roll).....

1,955  Days   -- or --   279  Weeks and  2  Days.... That is over 5 years!!!!!...

changing diapers / pull-ups.

I feel liberated! Anyway, congrats to my boy!

Just two shot days later, I was again reminded that my children are growing at an increasingly rapid pace: Justice lost her first tooth!! She was super excited, and the tooth fairy was exceedingly generous: a $2 gift certificate to Baskin Robbins for a scoop of ice cream, a dollar, and two chocolate tokens. She is such a big girl, and has such a giving heart - she gave one of her chocolate tokens to her brother!

Stay tuned for more recent events!

...Resolve...

I recently had the opportunity to coach someone through a very tough situation. Very tough. And I realized that I, too, struggle with this issue - putting spouse before God.

I mean, shouldn't the Heavenly Father be at the top of a short list?

When agonizing over what to say, and how to approach a delicate situation, I was struck with a sudden thought: we are made of flesh, clothed in sin. It is not supposed to be easy for us to get this one important principle right.

We must purpose every day, every hour, every minute to put God first in our lives.

It is going to be difficult. It has to be.

Think about it - aren't all the good things always the hardest?

We must set our minds on things not of this world, and determine to breathe in that life-giving air.

We are meant to rotate around the Son. Not around the spouse.

God has called us to Eternal Life. But we can't just accept it, can we? Our instincts and humanism make us complicate even the simplest of things. Our minds just fail to understand that the gift of Love and Life is free. We bind it with rules and stipulations that were not intended by the Almighty.

My friend decided that s/he was going to pray for God to remove the temptation.

But God spoke to my heart, and revealed that it is not about removing the temptation, so to speak. It is about us resolving to not be tempted. "...lead us not into temptation..." (Matt 6:13) doesn't necessarily mean that God will remove us from the temptation. I believe what He is saying is that the temptation will still be there, sitting in the middle of the road. We must choose to accept the help of the Holy Spirit to detour around it. Not to go wading through the muck and mire of satan's schemes.

Luke 22:40 reads (as Christ goes into the garden at Gethsemane to pray) "And when He arrived at the place, He said to them (His disciples) 'pray that you may not enter into temptation.'"

It doesn't say that Jesus told them to pray against temptation, but that they wouldn't fall into it.

Do you see the difference?

I feel like my prayer life can use a revival. Like I have been granted this amazing gift of knowledge.

And I will resolve not to go about my days as if this revelation doesn't matter.

I will purpose to put my God before my spouse.

He died on that Cross for me. He shouldered that abuse for me.

He knew what was waiting for Him, and He faced it, thinking of me!

How much more should I honor Him?! More than I can even grasp...

"Worthy is the Lamb..." Rev. 5:12

...Dragonfly...

I snapped this awesome picture of a dragonfly on my antenna. Justice was a little freaked out by the bug, and after I told her they were harmless, she insited that "they aren't".. I guess the 'dragon' in dragonfly has her a little scared.

I am reminded that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Dispite the delicate wings and tiny structure of this dragonfly, God has made me even more complex.

I am the work of the Master Creator, lovongly molded by His mighty hands.

...KINDERGARTEN!!!!...

August 1, 2011 marked the first day of Kindergarten for my sweet girl. She was so excited, counting down the days, then the minutes until school started. Here are some pictures from the first day:

 look at this big girl!

 she is all smiles!

 got the backpack on, ready to go!

 Justice and Kayden

 signing in on the first day

 Justice's desk

 the theme of 2011-12 is "Lead". Psalm143:10

Family photo after day 1 in Kindergarten.