The Windy City

I had such a fantastic time in Chicago!! It has to be one of the coolest places I have ever been!! It makes Phoenix suck even worse than before...no subway...sub-par shopping...no amazing buildings...no great lakes (litteraly!)...

Chicago has it all; great shopping, amazing architecture, mass transit in several forms, a great lake, and food to die for...

Some New CSR's

I thought I would share some info on a couple child restraints I learned about at my conference…These two (2) seats are the two (2) that I liked the best overall. I provided links so you can read more about each seat if you are interested. Neither of these two (2) seats are rear-facing. (Photo"s Courtesy of Safeguard http://www.safeguardseat.com/ )

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=7391

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=5970t=5970

Chicago Baby!!

Sunday March 25th

I am in Chicago for several days attending a traffic safety conference called Lifesavers 2007. I have been planning to attend this conference for a few months & was super excited about not only the education/training, but seeing Chicago.

I was scheduled to leave on a direct flight from PHX to O'Hare on US Airways...sitting next to 1 of my friends Jimmy.

The flight was suppose to leave @ 12:17, but got delayed until 3:04pm. I was excited about the delay because it gave me more time to finish homework, clean the house, etc.

Rob was a tad bit late picking me up & because I was in a hurry...I-10 was closed. It took an extra 25 minutes to get to the airport.

Rob called US Air @ 1:45pm & the automated chick said my flight left...yes LEFT...@ 1:40pm!!

I called Jimmy & he was @ the airport, but @ a sports bar killing time...not @ the gate. He ran to the gate & the plane was still there, but they were boarding the plane.

I got to the airport @ 2:15 & had already missed the flight. They stuck me on another flight...in coach...next to the fattest, smelliest stalker type man...that looked down my shirt the ENTIRE flight (@ what I'm not sure, but he was looking).

After the fat man took up all of his seat & 1/2 of mine...& watched me instead of the movie...I finally made it to Chicago!! Luckily Jimmy & his friend Mike waited for me @ the airport...so I could catch our ride to the Hilton. It was also lucky because psycho stalker followed me through the entire airport...he even stopped when I stopped...until he saw the 2 large...not fat like him...standing guard-1 on each side of me.

I was so happy to get to the hotel & go 2 bed..!! I needed a massage & sleep SO badly...I got the sleep...the massage comes on Tuesday..!!

Modern Day Torture Chambers

Today we went in for Carsen's 4 year well check where he was 40 inches tall and 38lbs (50th %ile for height I might add) and Jake's 1 year well check where he was at 321/4 inches tall and 23 lbs (90th %ile) . While at our visit all I could think was that these rooms should be called torture chambers instead of examination rooms. First, the parents are tortured by being put in a hot or cold 8x8 cell, where there is no where to set your child down and nothing for your child to do. So when you have three (3) children in the same room, all climbing the same walls, you just want to run down the halls screaming. This doesn't actually happen until they begin breaking out four (4) needles per child and start sticking them randomly in arms and legs of children you are trying to hold down, and yet comfort at the same time. The torture does not end there unfortunately, it follows you home, usually in the form of a nice fever and very grumpy children.

NAU or BUST!

Today I was able to get together with many of my good friends from NAU undergrad years (93-96). We met at a park with our families and had the best time sharing memories, updating each other on our families and just being together. Anthony and Jake weren't feeling well and had to stay home, Carsen refused to be in the photo, but Derek and I were able to represent. Go Lumberjacks!

Bowling!

Carsen has been asking to go bowling for weeks, so today we finally went. Carsen was so excited the first time the ball rolled down the alley and knocked down a few pins. Derek, his friend Justin and Carsen were able to bowl two quick, fun games with down time only for snacks and icees. Game one: Carsen 59, Justin 64, Derek 71. Game two: Carsen 70, Justin 63, Derek 71!

We're Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo...

Robyn and I took our kids to the Wild Life World Zoo today. It was beautiful, overcast and a bit rainy. The weather turned out to be perfect. Derek ran all over the zoo taking pictures of every animal with the camera. Carsen collected leaves to feed every animal and Jake made howling noises at every animal. Sydney loved the baby tigers and I loved the baby giraffe. The kids all enjoyed feeding the giraffes. All in all it was a great day.

Guilty or Not Guilty

Everyone that knows me knows that I love my job...I love going to work everyday...I love taking dirt bags off the street...I love getting to get most of my frustrations out at work...I love that I get to see this world outside the bubble...& I have always loved going to court to see what happens after we are done with our part...

The "other" side...the legal/court/attorney side fascinates me...the jail side fascinates me too...but that part is so nasty that the court side is much more appealing...literally...

I have been the "case agent" on a case of mine that went to trial 10 days ago...I have been able to sit next to the county attorney throughout the entire trial...it's been great because this county attorney has been awesome & wants the defendant to go to jail as much as I do. He really believes in the case & has done a great job..!!

However...I have also been working my regular shift for most of the trial & the little to no sleep is starting to take a toll on my body & my brain. I also had the 3 boys during this thing...luckily over the weekend for most of it...

The basics of the case are this: a 16 year old girl told the 26 year old father of her child that she wanted to break up because he moved to Mexico & she was sick of not having him around. She told him she met someone new...& he couldn't see the baby anymore.

The next day the boyfriend showed up at her house...broke in with his cousin & beat her nearly to death...punched out her teeth with his gun...smacked her repeatedly in the head with his gun...punched her...kicked her...etc...then he made her clean it up with bleach...then she had to take a shower & do his laundry to get the blood out...) This guy needs to be somebody's bitch for awhile...the entire neighborhood was too afraid to tell us anything...

He attempted to duct tape her wrists, ankles, & mouth...so he could get her in the trunk & take her out to the desert. The 16 year old girl fought her way free & complied with his demands...so he wouldn't kill her. He wanted the baby...so they went to get the baby & she was held hostage by the boyfriend...everytime she went for the phone or the door...he grabbed the baby & threatened her that she would never see the baby again if she told...or got medical care...

We luckily found the house he was holding her & the baby at. When the cousin was taken into custody...the boyfriend fled out a 2nd story window...and the 16 year old went to the hospital...the baby was unharmed. When another officer got the cousins story & I got the victims story...we talked & realized they were the same. We thought the boyfriend was still in Mexico...& unfortunately he got away before we knew he was here...

After submitting our report...arresting 2 out of the 3 suspects (one lady was involved also), getting what evidence there was at 3 different crime scenes...the boyfriend was hunted down by some of our "people"...he's facing quite a bit of time for our charges...& I was able to get DNA from the 16 year old & her baby so he can be charged with sexual conduct with a minor (under the age of 15 is a higher felony...she was 14 at the time of conception...& he is facing possession of drugs for sale charges as well (that's why he was in Mexico...he was avoiding prosecution)...

The jury got the case this afternoon & will hopefully reach a verdict by the end of tomorrow...

Life as a Mother

So...I dropped my 3 sons off @ their Grandparent's house on Sunday afternoon & drove quickly away before I could get any more of those "Please don't go!" looks from Carsen and his big brown eyes.

Unfortunately for me...I felt sad without those boys within the hour. This weekend was supposed to be a good source of birth control, but instead I think it did the opposite. Not that I don't love my life the way it is...coming & going as I please...without loading anyone in or out of their car seats...or changing diapers...etc...

I finished up work/court on Monday (I am working a crazy/day shift schedule this entire week) & headed for the parking garage. I hopped in the mom-mobile, dialed grandma to make sure my babies hadn't been bored to death by Grandpa all day & headed back to the west valley to snatch them up.

After we got home...we watched Arthur...had a snack & the 3 boys bathed. By the time they were dry & dressed...bedtime was here. I think the boys were asleep before the lights were out. They didn't even giggle...the house was quiet & I think this mom is equally as tired...but I didn't get to play at Grandma's all day..!!

Day 2 in Tahoe

We have been enjoying the beauty of Tahoe. Today we took the complete drive around the lake and stopped a few times to enjoy the gorgeous scenery. Anthony and Ryan had a quick snowball fight. Ryan missed Anth and Anth hit Ryan in the private parts. For dinner we ate at Hard Rock, a first for the Richards. After we went to the Improv and had a little chuckle. All in all I think Ryan and Michelle are really glad they invited us. Who wouldn't be. We are FUN and pretty!

Field Day

Derek had 1st grade field day on Friday. Some of the fun activities were a water relay race and a parachute game. He was more excited about the snack bar than the games. It was a record breaking 99 degrees outside!

"Will You Marry Me?"

As my people know, Anthony was forced to marry me and never proposed. We had been dating for 5 years and decided it was time buy a house together. In doing that he still never proposed, so I TOLD him that we had to get married. He never asked so I told him that the wedding was going to be March 29 at5:30 pm. I guess he agreed because he showed up. He offered to buy me a ring at that time, but I wanted to use my mother's ring that she had given me when she passed away. I have had to tell everyone that Anthony never asked me and I forced him to marry me. Now as our 10 year anniversary approaches, we decided to celebrate in Lake Tahoe. Last night we went to dinner at Scusa, a very delicious and quaint restaurant. After eating my favorite Alfredo and shrimp pasta, Anthony leaned over and kissed me and told me he loved me. He then proceeded to say the words I have always wanted to hear, "Will you marry me?". I of course said, "no" thinking he was joking and teasing, but then he said it again and pulled the most beautiful diamond ring out of his pocket. I excitedly said, "YES!" and kissed him back. I think it means even more 10 years later. He does love me and he has made our story all that much more exciting!

Richelle...Richelle...Richelle...

If anyone has noticed...Richelle hasn't blogged in quite some time. She has been using the excuse..."My computer won't let me sign into the blogger." But now that I am the Mommy of 3...& have been living in Richelle's world...I thought I'd sign on & blog about it. Funny...I'm sitting at Richelle's computer...guess the "I can't sign on" excuse will have to be replaced..!! :)

They Say Luck Come in Sevens

Who ever said that luck comes in the form of the #7 clearly didn't have 7 children. For whatever reason...I agreed to watch Richelle's 3 boys ALL weekend...& then some how I was chosen to also watch Regina's 4 children...I'm still not sure how that worked out..??

As much fun as getting little to no sleep is...in Richelle & Anthony's bed...while they are both in it still...it's even more fun to open your burning eyes to see two (2) little boys smiling at me...after they climbed into bed with me & I begged them to quietly pretend to sleep for any length of time...I could hear even smaller voices than theirs...

But how would Jake & McKenna have even gotten out of their beds & down the hall & into the kitchen to begin tearing the house apart..?? Since nobody wanted to own up to it...I guess it's a mystery...

Jake was not ready to be awake...neither was I...but he got to take a nap at 9am & I am still sitting here getting to mediate a different dispute between different children every 7 minutes...

Oh...You Needed a Man...!!??

So there I was...minding my own business...@ 22nd Street & Camelback Road...when my old partner Amy got sent a call & needed back-up. When nobody answered...& it wasn't a call any cop should go on alone...I answered up & headed that direction.

We pulled up at the same time...and made our way to the complainant...(the lady who called)...she told us that when she had left her home earlier in the night...she had shut & locked the door with her two (2) dogs inside...she said a neighbor found the dogs wandering outside with the door wide open after she left.

We didn't see any signs of forced entry...but we needed to search/clear the house before we left...just to make sure nobody was inside...

The lady had two (2) HUGE dogs on very long leads...so I asked her to wait a few hundred feet away for our safety & hers...I asked Amy to ask for an additional unit to respond...clearing a house needs at least three (3) officers...

Since the lady's house was one (1) of several on a huge piece of property....she had met us near the front and escorted us back...When I knew we had two (2) more units on their way to us...I walked over & asked her if she wouldn't mind walking down to where she had met us to escort the other officers back to her home...

She immediately said, "Oh...You needed a man!?" Well...I am not easily offended...but I have never been so insulted..!! I of course wanted to smack her...but had to settle for telling her off...which if course made her ask for my supervisor...who just happens to also have a vagina.....

This dumb lady told me that I need counseling (which I'm not saying isn't true)...but she said that I had been "ribbed" by too many men and that I was acting as if I were only 13... The lady pretty much tried to tell my boss that Amy & I didn't know what we were doing...& that's why we called for more officers..."they were just walking around the outside of the house looking at it..."

I guess it wasn't a possibility that Amy & I knew exactly what we were doing...which is why we called for more officers...she just assumed since we had vagina's that we were incompetent & needed a man to tell us what to do & how to do it...she told my boss that she didn't say it to be insulting...but didn't have an answer when asked what she did mean.....oh yeah...she also tried to say that teaching is a male dominated profession...& that I should have had more compassion for her situation because I am a woman...but instead I yelled & made her even more shaky...blah blah blah

As we all walked away...she said that every profession is male dominated & that we (women) all just do what they (men) say...

p.s. this is a way longer story...I'm just too tired to write more...plus my contacts are out & I left my glasses upstairs...so I can't see what I am even typing...

Our Own UFC...Pump It Up Style!!

Last weekend at Pump it up...I finally got the chance to box with Mike..!! I am always telling him that I can kick his butt...& he is always quick to tell me I'm dreaming...

We wrestle...& I try my hardest...but I usually don't win...I mean come on...I'm not fighting with Ryan or something...sheesh...

So we put on the boxing gloves...& duked it out..!! We both got some good hits in...but since there were several small children running around inside the blown up boxing ring...we didn't get to try & kill each other like we wanted..!!

There was no "tap out"...so I guess we'll have to call it a tie for now & finish the UFC the next time we come across boxing gloves as big as Hayden...

California Girl

So...since we've established that Ryan is a homo...I guess I can now establish that turning 27 turned out to be quite a trip..!! Rob asked me if he could help me celebrate my birthday the Monday after...of course I agreed (who doesn't want to celebrate their birthday on more than one occasion..??)

Rob picked me up at 7am & told me to dress comfortably. He is good at surprising me, but I had NO idea what he had in store for me this time..!! As we headed to the airport...he handed me tickets for Knotts Berry Farm..!! I had never been...and he got to go every summer growing up...we've talked about going there for ever...so actually going was a GREAT surprise..!!

We flew into the John Wayne airport (Orange County)...rented a convertible...& headed north on the highway...we passed Disneyland (which about made me pee my pants)...and got some breakfast...& wandered into KBF.

It was super cool. Rob said it wasn't anything like he remembered...but since I didn't know the difference...I loved it..!! I told Rob that when you're 49...things seem quite a bit different from when you're 9..!!

We wandered around...got the mandatory Churro and frozen Lemonade...rode the old wooden roller coaster...enjoyed the weather & then decided the beach was a necessary stop before heading home. We drove a few miles to my happy place (any beach) and walked up & down Muscle Beach until we met Rob's dad for dinner. I got some new flip flops (the most comfortable flops EVER) and took lots of pics..!!

On the way home...while enjoying first class...I closed my eyes...smiled...& thought life aint so bad...but a trip to the beach every now & again was much needed..!!

The Day I Remembered My ONLY Brother was a Homo...

I was all prepared to come home from work & blog all about my awesome birthday trip to Cali...but then I made the every night mistake of checking Ryan's blog. Every time I make that mistake...I shake my head to myself & wonder how/why A) someone married him B) we are truly related C) why that someone is still married to him...I have no answers...

Here's the thing...for some reason my brother is retarded...at first I used to think it was mild retardation & that it was mostly because he's a boy...but the more I read his blog...the more severe I realize the retardation is...

#1 - no traffic cop wants to hear ANY excuse because they've heard them all...& further more...he's a traffic cop...no excuse is gonna get you outa that ticket. He lives to write you that ticket...not because of a quota, but because his family is at home having Sunday brunch & he's sitting in the median of some highway in the middle of nowhere...& he's thinking he's made some effort to make that deserted highway safer...blah blah blah...he probably speeds worse than you...so ha ha...& I'd write you a ticket on a Sunday morning...then go eat my donut & chuckle the rest of the day that I didn't let you say one (1) word of BS & you took it in the rear with that expensive ticket I wrote you in your hand...while you bitch & complain to everyone you know about what an ass that stupid red headed cop was on that highway in the middle of nowhere...& then laugh harder that you would pay all that money & I wasn't even radar certified... :)

#2 - no sagebrush wants to see your package...trust me...I've seen it...I'm surprised Michelle sticks around to see it...lol...remember that time you were in the shower in Mom & Dad's bathroom...& I turned out the lights so you would get out naked & turn them back on..?? lol...it must have been a cold shower..!! :) You did nearly slip & fall when you saw me standing there laughing...that was almost worth the visual of you in your birthday suit..!!

#3 - People named Richard aren't always right...but they are always a dick... :) For some reason the two (2) people in my life named Richard seem to think they are always right...always justified...always the smarter one... Unfortunately for them...they are both as retarded as the other...& I can kick the younger one's butt from here to that highway in the middle of nowhere...too bad Ryan wasn't at the party on Saturday...Chelle & I both coulda kicked some butt..!!

This Side of 25

We had plans to meet up with some friends at a club in Scottsdale after Michael's party last night...so we could celebrate my birthday...but we didn't leave the party until 10...& I'm sad to say that I just wanted to go home and go to sleep...no club...no going out with my friends...no celebrating my birthday...just a movie at home with some ice cream & then bed...pathetic..!!

As I lay in bed awake most of last night...I thought about my life...& I decided maybe I don't feel 27...maybe I just finally feel the most satisfied I have ever felt. When you're 16, 18, 21, etc...getting older is scary. Now that I am the one getting older...it's a little scary...but life is much better on this side of 25.

On this side of 25...there is no drama about who will get stuck with what kitchen chores...while Ryan gets to go out side & finish playing out the last few minutes of daylight...& there is no pouting about knowing that the dishes will never be done before that stupid street lamp comes on...

On this side of 25...there is no agreeing to do the stupid paper route & then remembering how much I hate that stinkin' paper route...& I'm pretty sure...there was never any money made by me for doing that stupid paper route...

On this side of 25...there is nobody forcing me to wear the ugliest homemade clothes ever..!! (sorry mom) There is no more crying & begging for Guess jeans...or for K-Mart jeans...anything...ANYTHING...but what she made..!! Easter...1990-ish...pink & white cap sleeved top with matching skirt...is anyone remembering the torture..?? I almost died that Sunday...I was 10 years old...with ugly outa control boy hair...payless white shoes that needed to be replaced...& she wanted me to wear what..?? I know I hurt Mom's feelings...& I wore it to church to make her feel better...but damn...that was the longest 3 hours of my life..!!

On this side of 25...there is no getting smacked by Richelle...and now...Chelle & I can both kick Ryan's butt...Remember that awesome fight you two had in the kitchen...rolling around on the white tile...poor Ryan...never had a chance that time...I let me just say..."spin move"...again...never had a chance... :)

On this side of 25...I get to go to work everyday...do my best to either make a difference...or to really piss someone off...I get to go home to my own home...in my own car...listening to my iPod...or talking on my phone...I get to buy my own groceries & make whatever I want to eat...I get to work whatever shift I want...I get to take training whenever I feel like it...I get to finish school...(okay...that should've been on the other side of 25)...I get to shop & buy cute clothes...I'm even going to Chicago in March to attend a highway safety conference...

I guess after laying there most of the night...not being able to breathe because of this stupid head cold...I figured that 27 isn't so bad...I may be getting lines on my face...& I may not get carded at every door anymore...& I may not be lugging around a diaper bag, stroller, & the hope for my boobs & hips to go back to normal...but life is good...maybe old isn't so bad after all...

The Definition of Old

When I was little, all I ever wanted was to be a grown-up. I always wanted to be old enough to hang out with my older sisters...I wanted a later curfew...I wanted to be old enough to date...I wanted to look older...I just wanted to be older.

I didn't "enjoy" high school. Life was strange for me at that age...& then when life was normal again...Well...it got strange all over again. I didn't take the time to enjoy being young...to soak up living at home with little responsibility...I didn't make my own hobbies...I didn't care about a whole lot...other than Kyle...making sure Rae was where she needed to be...& how to keep the absent notice out of Dad's hands...

I turned 27 today....TWENTY SEVEN..!! I don't know what 27 is suppose to feel like...but I think I feel 27. I don't get carded to get into places anymore...I have lines on my face...I am tired all the time...and the amount of responsibility I feel sometimes...wow...& I don't even have kids..!! (you guys must be overwhelmed)

I even worry about the future...am I putting enough money away for retirement...do I have the right training so I can get the position that will be best for my family when it's time...what will my kids face in this city...what will the world be like when my kids are my age..??

I find myself looking at kids today & shaking my head...at the words they use...at the clothes they wear...(stuff I wouldn't be caught dead in)...I see Derek turn 7...Sydney a year away from driving and dating...

She sent me a text message the other day from the Apollo gym...she was at a ball game with her friends...(GO HAWKS!!)...I can't believe she is old enough to be in high school ...let alone be at MY high school...hanging out with her friends..!!

The dictionary says this about "old" :

Old = Not young; advanced far in years or life; Not new or fresh; not recently made or produced; having existed for a long time; original; Continued in life; advanced in the course of existence; Long practiced; experienced; cunning; Long cultivated; Worn out; weakened or exhausted by use; past usefulness; More than enough; abundant. Aged; antiquated;

30 used to sound SO old...now my only brother is 30 & hes isn't old...

40 used to sound SO old...now Mike (Shanna's Mike) is 40 & he isn't old...

50 used to sound SO old...now Michael is 50 & he isn't old...

OH BOY...When did we all get old..??