Sometimes, you just have to mess with your kids. Isn't that what they are for haha? Anyway, Jeff and I were sitting in our living room contemplating what our day would entail. We came up with two ideas: to hike Cowles Mountain and to go to the movies. We came to the agreement that we would see "The Gray". Since it started at 2:05 PM, we figured why not pull Kekoa out of school early so he can come as a nice suprise for him. We don't get to spend as much time with him as we would like so this seemed like a great idea. Besides, the kid is a straight "A" student. He deserves a treat once in a while.
Anyway, Jeff decides to call the school to let them know we would be picking him up at 1:15. They told us they would have Kekoa waiting in the office for us when we arrived. I told Jeff once the teacher tells him he is being picked up early, he may think something is wrong. Why not go with it and make him think he has some crazy doctor appointment? Well that is exactly what we did. Jeff and I planned out the whole thing and agreed we would tell Kekoa we came to ge him early because he has a physical for baseball and it includes a hernia check as well as a new procedure.....a rectum exam. I wasn't sure he would fall for it but let me tell you, he did hahaha.
Jeff and I completed our morning hike and made it home just in time to take a shower and get dressed before we had to pick up Kekoa from school. We arrived at his school and went straight to the office. As Jeff was signing him out, Kekoa comes to me with a worried look on his face asking, "Mom, am I in trouble?" I respond to him and tell him that he is not in trouble. I told him baseball now requires the players to get a physical and we were going to the only opening they had for the next month. His next question to me was, "Do they do the turn your head and cough test?!" I was trying so hard not to laugh as I responded, "yes, they do the hernia check as well as a new test they now require. A rectum exam." The three of us continued to walk to the car and I could tell he was not quite sure what a "rectum exam" was. He of course thinks it has to do with his genitals and asks, "is that a wiener check?" Jeff responds by telling him, "you are getting a butt check." Kekoa seemed to be in disbelief and said, "But I didn't wipe (the kid has jokes).!?" but quickly chimes in again and says, "just kidding just kidding!! How do they look in there? Do they have to go in my butt to look?" This is the part I had to look away so I wouldn't blow the whole prank and start laughing. Jeff told him how a rectum exam was conducted as I was turning my head away from both of them. "They stick a probe up your butt with a little camera and once it is in there, it expands and pulls your butt apart." Kekoa gets a look of shock on his face and says, "man I am nervous now."
As we drove towards the movie theatre, Kekoa is still in belief that he is getting a very serious physcal. Jeff continues to tell him how they don't put anything to lubricate the probe and how it might hurt. We pulled into the Edwards Theatre parking lot and told him he had an appointment with "Dr.Edwards." Kekoa says "is it an appontment with Edwards cinema?" We starte laughing thinking he had figured out we were not going to the doctor but to movies instead. He then asks us if we were going to the docotor before or after the movie. Jeff and I start laughinng even harder and finally tell him flat out that he does not have a doctor appointment for his butt. He started laughing and gave us the typical teenage response of, "dude you guys suck!"......he still thought it was funny and was a great sport about it. We got away with a funny joke and enjoyed the movie too :) Messing with your kids is fun sometimes ;)
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Making a Difference...
Being a police officer, you wear many hats. Besides the obvious role of arresting people who commit crimes or citing people who commit traffic violations, we are also expected by most of the public to be able to do or know anything under the sun. One moment we may be a marriage counselor during a domestic violence, and the next moment we may be consoling a family for the death of a family member. Sometimes we get called because someone just wants advice, they can’t get their child to go to school, or they simply just want a shoulder to lean on.
The walks of life we encounter are so large I can’t even talk about it all in one day. Most of the time we don’t deal with the most well behaved cliental in our society (90% of the time haha). Sometimes, you may deal with someone so rude or see something so horrible it will ruin your day…... Or sometimes your whole week. Some things you see will stick with you forever…..good and bad things. Sometimes, you get the opportunity to do an act of kindness for someone you don’t even know and hear an, “I appreciate you”. Those days make you walk away from your job feeling good. Feeling like you made a difference in someone’s life. I know I can’t change the world but I can sure try to do my best with the resources I am given to help ;)
Today at work was one of those days that will stick with me forever. Jeff and I came across a young lady who truly impacted my outlook on life. Her sincerity and friendliness warmed my heart and I will never forget her. It all started when Jeff and I were investigating a hit and run collision near a Starbucks. Jeff was parked in the parking lot while I was inside the establishment giving the victim some information regarding his report. When I came back outside and sat down inside the police car, Jeff showed me two yellow bracelets that said “Livestrong“ on them (many people are very familiar with these). He told me a woman had come by the car and asked if, “you and your partner would wear them.” Jeff told me the woman had little to no hair and was most likely a cancer patient. A survivor maybe? I opened up the packaging and put the bracelet on. Jeff did the same.
As we sat in the same parking lot typing a report, I saw the female who gave Jeff the bracelets exiting the Starbucks. Her vehicle was parked next to ours. The female was wearing a purple velvet jogging suit. It appeared that she had lost all of her hair minus a little bit of fuzz. Since our window was rolled down, we held our wrists out of the window and thanked her for the bracelets. She responded by saying, “Please pray for us.” We told her we would and the female began to get inside her car. I looked at Jeff and told him I really wish I could hear her story. Jeff responded by asking me if I wanted to go stop her and say a prayer with her. I told him “sure”. We exited the vehicle quickly and stopped her before she could drive off. As Jeff opened her car door (and before we could even ask her what her name was) she stated, “I am so tired.” I looked at her face and saw that she was crying. Jeff and I held out one hand each and she grabbed on while still crying. Jeff asked her what her name was and she told us it was, “Debra.” We all bowed our heads and Jeff led us in prayer. It was a beautiful prayer. A prayer that asked for healing in Debra’s life and thanking God that we crossed paths with someone so great. After the prayer she looked up and told us how wonderful we were. She kissed and hugged us both. Without even asking her what her story was, she began to talk. She told Jeff and I she has Leukemia and was given 11 months to live. She has been battling the nasty disease for three years and recently decided to stop treatment so she could live the remainder of her life without anymore hospitals or medicines. She was “tired.” She went on to tell us about how she just planned her own funeral and her decision to be cremated. It broke my heart to watch her cry and to hear the pain she was enduring. Though she had a roller coaster of emotions, and despite her situation, she was so positive about everything. The conversation continued. We spoke of her journey with cancer, her 4 kids, her grandkids, her life growing up, how people raise their kids now a days, and about God. We even got a few giggles out of her J It was a breath of fresh air to talk to someone as great and free spirited as Debra. It was hard to find the right things to say to her. I just stood there wishing I could say everything to take all her worries away and to make her cancer better. Listening to Debra talk all while keeping a positive outlook over such an unfortunate situation, reminded me that you can always find good in everything no matter how horrible it may seem. Her positive outlook came from her faith in God.
So anyway, Long story short (not really haha), Debra was happy we stopped and let her vent to us. She enjoyed our prayer and our conversation. It brought a smile to her face and I hope it helped make her day for just a little while. I hope she knows that she made my day and I am happy that we crossed paths with her. Debra, Jeff, and I chatted for quite some time in that parking lot. Debra began to get tired so she eventually had to leave. She told both of us that she loved us followed by a kiss on the cheek and a firm hug for each of us. She drove away and waved good bye. I hope she doesn’t stop fighting and I hope she knows that I will always remember her. She has made a positive impact on my life…..so thank you Debra! Keep fighting J
The walks of life we encounter are so large I can’t even talk about it all in one day. Most of the time we don’t deal with the most well behaved cliental in our society (90% of the time haha). Sometimes, you may deal with someone so rude or see something so horrible it will ruin your day…... Or sometimes your whole week. Some things you see will stick with you forever…..good and bad things. Sometimes, you get the opportunity to do an act of kindness for someone you don’t even know and hear an, “I appreciate you”. Those days make you walk away from your job feeling good. Feeling like you made a difference in someone’s life. I know I can’t change the world but I can sure try to do my best with the resources I am given to help ;)
Today at work was one of those days that will stick with me forever. Jeff and I came across a young lady who truly impacted my outlook on life. Her sincerity and friendliness warmed my heart and I will never forget her. It all started when Jeff and I were investigating a hit and run collision near a Starbucks. Jeff was parked in the parking lot while I was inside the establishment giving the victim some information regarding his report. When I came back outside and sat down inside the police car, Jeff showed me two yellow bracelets that said “Livestrong“ on them (many people are very familiar with these). He told me a woman had come by the car and asked if, “you and your partner would wear them.” Jeff told me the woman had little to no hair and was most likely a cancer patient. A survivor maybe? I opened up the packaging and put the bracelet on. Jeff did the same.
As we sat in the same parking lot typing a report, I saw the female who gave Jeff the bracelets exiting the Starbucks. Her vehicle was parked next to ours. The female was wearing a purple velvet jogging suit. It appeared that she had lost all of her hair minus a little bit of fuzz. Since our window was rolled down, we held our wrists out of the window and thanked her for the bracelets. She responded by saying, “Please pray for us.” We told her we would and the female began to get inside her car. I looked at Jeff and told him I really wish I could hear her story. Jeff responded by asking me if I wanted to go stop her and say a prayer with her. I told him “sure”. We exited the vehicle quickly and stopped her before she could drive off. As Jeff opened her car door (and before we could even ask her what her name was) she stated, “I am so tired.” I looked at her face and saw that she was crying. Jeff and I held out one hand each and she grabbed on while still crying. Jeff asked her what her name was and she told us it was, “Debra.” We all bowed our heads and Jeff led us in prayer. It was a beautiful prayer. A prayer that asked for healing in Debra’s life and thanking God that we crossed paths with someone so great. After the prayer she looked up and told us how wonderful we were. She kissed and hugged us both. Without even asking her what her story was, she began to talk. She told Jeff and I she has Leukemia and was given 11 months to live. She has been battling the nasty disease for three years and recently decided to stop treatment so she could live the remainder of her life without anymore hospitals or medicines. She was “tired.” She went on to tell us about how she just planned her own funeral and her decision to be cremated. It broke my heart to watch her cry and to hear the pain she was enduring. Though she had a roller coaster of emotions, and despite her situation, she was so positive about everything. The conversation continued. We spoke of her journey with cancer, her 4 kids, her grandkids, her life growing up, how people raise their kids now a days, and about God. We even got a few giggles out of her J It was a breath of fresh air to talk to someone as great and free spirited as Debra. It was hard to find the right things to say to her. I just stood there wishing I could say everything to take all her worries away and to make her cancer better. Listening to Debra talk all while keeping a positive outlook over such an unfortunate situation, reminded me that you can always find good in everything no matter how horrible it may seem. Her positive outlook came from her faith in God.
So anyway, Long story short (not really haha), Debra was happy we stopped and let her vent to us. She enjoyed our prayer and our conversation. It brought a smile to her face and I hope it helped make her day for just a little while. I hope she knows that she made my day and I am happy that we crossed paths with her. Debra, Jeff, and I chatted for quite some time in that parking lot. Debra began to get tired so she eventually had to leave. She told both of us that she loved us followed by a kiss on the cheek and a firm hug for each of us. She drove away and waved good bye. I hope she doesn’t stop fighting and I hope she knows that I will always remember her. She has made a positive impact on my life…..so thank you Debra! Keep fighting J
Sunday, October 9, 2011
A new beginning...
I am not a huge blogger…..mostly because there is not a whole lot I care to share and discuss with others. I have had this blog account for a while now solely to read a friends blog who is traveling in Spain. I wanted to stay in touch and read about her adventures. The only way I could comment on her stories was to open up my own account, so I did. I briefly thought it may also be fun to write my own blog once in a while. Writing helps relieve stress and it puts your feelings out on paper. I suppose the main problem I was experiencing was the very common, “Writer’s block.” Nothing really sparked my motivation enough to want to write about it. Today I actually feel like sharing a little about what I did today.
I went to church today. For some of you that may not sound like a huge deal, but for me it was. I haven’t gone to church in about 13 years. For me, it was a HUGE step. When I was a kid, my dad sort of forced the religion thing on me. He would send me cards in the mail every week with five dollars inside of it. Inside each card would be a bible verse which I was required to memorize by the next time I saw him. The first thing he would ask me when he picked me up from my mom’s house was, “Did you remember the verse I sent you?” I would just stare at the ground and say, “nope.” He would put his hand out and ask for the five dollars back if I could not recite it. That was the deal. No verse, no five bucks. How do you expect a small kid to understand bible wording?! I sure couldn’t. In fact, I thought it was boring and I grew to hate it.
Every Sunday, my dad would also drag me out of bed at a VERY early hour to go to church. He used to take me to Calvary Chapel and we would sit in the overflow room and watch a monitor with “Pastor Chuck” on it. Not only did I not understand a word he was saying, but also, it felt like he wasn’t speaking English. Not to mention, I was BORED OUT OF MY MIND. I only went to please my dad. And of course at the end of each service, my dad would ask me, “So what did you learn from the service?” I felt like saying, “if he was speaking in English I could understand, maybe I could tell you!” But I had to sit there and make something up and just let him correct me. I really would just blank out 75% of the time and only listened to enough to bring up a point to my dad at the end to make him think I was listening. So between being forced to go to church, and memorizing bible verses, I became bitter towards God and religion. My dad would get upset when I started showing this. I honestly did not “believe” in certain things in the bible. My thought leaned toward, “If I can’t see it, it must be fake.”
When I was 14, my dad passed away. Not only did that turn me away from church even more, it made me not believe in God at all. I thought, “If there was a God, he would not take my dad from me right now.” In college, I despised religion classes which I was required to take since it was a Lutheran school. The teacher would assign homework that required reading the bible and writing essays about your findings. My paper would end up bashing God. Not my proudest moments but I went through a tough period. And I BARELY passed that class hahah! I also refused to step foot in a Sunday morning service. I would just compare it to boring sermons and “thy” and “thou” bible verses.
So what made me go today? Sadly enough, as most of you have seen on the news, SDPD has lost a lot of officers this year. I attended a few of the services. Jeremy Henwood’s service in particular is when I sort of changed my mind about church and God. Miles Mcpherson from The Rock Church spoke during the memorial service. He was entertaining! And he spoke English! I just thought, if church was like that, I would go. So my husband and I sat down and mutually decided to try it out together. Jeff, my step son Kekoa, and myself went to the night service at The Rock Church tonight. I was nervous and I felt awkward at first. Not to mention, Kekoa asked to sit in the front row. I would have no chairs or other people in front of me to make me feel a little more secure in there. As the service opened up with music, a lot of people were singing out loud and raising their hands in the air. I don’t even dance at normal concerts so this part was not my favorite…..especially in the front row haha! After the music, Miles came out and spoke. I enjoyed the entire service and understood 110% of it. I felt like crying a few times but held it in. I don’t like to draw attention to myself. None the less, it felt good to be sitting there with my husband and son. It made me feel happy inside…..a different kind of happy then if you had just won a million bucks or something.
So anyway, just thought I would share with you all. I never thought I would see the day when I would say, “I want to go to church.” Jeff and I decided to go every Sunday night…I still can’t wake up early so night service is what we settled on haha. I am looking forward to the new experience in my life and the faith is very welcomed. It is also a new bond I can share with my husband J
I went to church today. For some of you that may not sound like a huge deal, but for me it was. I haven’t gone to church in about 13 years. For me, it was a HUGE step. When I was a kid, my dad sort of forced the religion thing on me. He would send me cards in the mail every week with five dollars inside of it. Inside each card would be a bible verse which I was required to memorize by the next time I saw him. The first thing he would ask me when he picked me up from my mom’s house was, “Did you remember the verse I sent you?” I would just stare at the ground and say, “nope.” He would put his hand out and ask for the five dollars back if I could not recite it. That was the deal. No verse, no five bucks. How do you expect a small kid to understand bible wording?! I sure couldn’t. In fact, I thought it was boring and I grew to hate it.
Every Sunday, my dad would also drag me out of bed at a VERY early hour to go to church. He used to take me to Calvary Chapel and we would sit in the overflow room and watch a monitor with “Pastor Chuck” on it. Not only did I not understand a word he was saying, but also, it felt like he wasn’t speaking English. Not to mention, I was BORED OUT OF MY MIND. I only went to please my dad. And of course at the end of each service, my dad would ask me, “So what did you learn from the service?” I felt like saying, “if he was speaking in English I could understand, maybe I could tell you!” But I had to sit there and make something up and just let him correct me. I really would just blank out 75% of the time and only listened to enough to bring up a point to my dad at the end to make him think I was listening. So between being forced to go to church, and memorizing bible verses, I became bitter towards God and religion. My dad would get upset when I started showing this. I honestly did not “believe” in certain things in the bible. My thought leaned toward, “If I can’t see it, it must be fake.”
When I was 14, my dad passed away. Not only did that turn me away from church even more, it made me not believe in God at all. I thought, “If there was a God, he would not take my dad from me right now.” In college, I despised religion classes which I was required to take since it was a Lutheran school. The teacher would assign homework that required reading the bible and writing essays about your findings. My paper would end up bashing God. Not my proudest moments but I went through a tough period. And I BARELY passed that class hahah! I also refused to step foot in a Sunday morning service. I would just compare it to boring sermons and “thy” and “thou” bible verses.
So what made me go today? Sadly enough, as most of you have seen on the news, SDPD has lost a lot of officers this year. I attended a few of the services. Jeremy Henwood’s service in particular is when I sort of changed my mind about church and God. Miles Mcpherson from The Rock Church spoke during the memorial service. He was entertaining! And he spoke English! I just thought, if church was like that, I would go. So my husband and I sat down and mutually decided to try it out together. Jeff, my step son Kekoa, and myself went to the night service at The Rock Church tonight. I was nervous and I felt awkward at first. Not to mention, Kekoa asked to sit in the front row. I would have no chairs or other people in front of me to make me feel a little more secure in there. As the service opened up with music, a lot of people were singing out loud and raising their hands in the air. I don’t even dance at normal concerts so this part was not my favorite…..especially in the front row haha! After the music, Miles came out and spoke. I enjoyed the entire service and understood 110% of it. I felt like crying a few times but held it in. I don’t like to draw attention to myself. None the less, it felt good to be sitting there with my husband and son. It made me feel happy inside…..a different kind of happy then if you had just won a million bucks or something.
So anyway, just thought I would share with you all. I never thought I would see the day when I would say, “I want to go to church.” Jeff and I decided to go every Sunday night…I still can’t wake up early so night service is what we settled on haha. I am looking forward to the new experience in my life and the faith is very welcomed. It is also a new bond I can share with my husband J
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