Cop Family

As of June 25, 2012, our family is officially a "cop family".  Michael was hired as a police officer and began working full time in the field training program.  This is something that he has worked toward for a very long time.  We are thrilled with his new career, but are also very conscientious of the fact that he is now in a very dangerous job. 

 

We have had a very interesting few months since my last post.  It has been stressful at times, but now things seem to be getting back on track.  Both boys are back in school and loving it.  They began playing fall baseball this week and are super excited about the season to come.  Makenna began dance class again and really loves it and is doing well at her pre-school. 

 

We had a lot of fun this summer too.  We were fortunate enough to be able to enjoy a wonderful weekend at Weeki Wachee Springs with some dear friends and got to swim with the manatees.  The kids and I also went to the movies, cooked, swam, painted, swam, went to the park, splashed, and had a wonderful summer.

In Memorium

Four years have gone that you aren't here,

The love I have is still so clear.

The void you left is smaller but present,

Our memories of you are ever pleasant.

Papa your advice rings true

To hold those close that we love, we do.

I miss your smile, your laugh, your sneeze,

But I see you in the things I do,

In Riley, in Conner, and Makenna too.

Life goes on as is evident

In my goals and accomplishments you are my catalyst!

Challenges

What would life be without challenges? Michael is in his final 7 weeks of the police academy. He has been attending evening classes with two Saturdays per month for about 120 days while working full time. On February 3, he was let-go from his job due to company restructuring. Surprisingly, I did not freak out like I did when this happened to us just after I found out I was pregnant with Riley. For some reason, I felt at peace with what was happening. I had been thinking about this exact thing for a little while before it happened, the what-ifs and how-are-we-gonnas. I think that I have finally allowed God to be back in control of what is happening with me and my family. It is hard at times to have the faith no matter what and to let go of the control, but truly after my accident, I KNOW that I am not in control of anything. I believe that God has a plan for our lives and that we are the path He has set for us. I also realize that for the next few months we are going to be on an extremely tight budget, but so far, we have been able to continue to pay our bills, provide for our children, and love each other. I get the overwhelming feeling every once in a while, but I pray and am filled with that peaceful feeling again and I know everything will be ok!

On a positive note...Michael has started the process to get hired as a police officer. He is scheduled to take his civil service exam, which is invitation only, for March 14 and the process will continue after that.

Photos I took of us...