Changes

Changes. I like that word. At the first of the month, Amy and I turned our Toyota 4 Runner back in. This was a hard thing to do, as we loved our 4 Runner, and the Toyota reliability. Amy shed a few tears over the loss, but in my kind, sensitive, loving way, I reminded her, that when you've crashed as many cars as I have, "It's just a flippin' car." We had it detailed before turning it in, and it worked out well for us. It sure looked great after doing this, but we decided to check the equity in it before we bought it. We would have lost a LOT of money, so turning it in was the right choice for us.

As the month progressed, Spencer was disappointed that Obama won the election, so he took a school purchased US news report, drew a bulls eye with an arrow through it, and put it on a picture of President Obama's forehead. He then stuck his pencil through it. Yep. We got a letter on that one. I just don't think I've convinced him that we need to support and unite, and then take exception to the ruination of our country during the next opportunity. We'll see how it goes. He has been going to the orthodontist, and has an appliance in his mouth designed to create space so his teeth grow in properly. We get to adjust it every day.

Morgan school district choose to have all the students in the elementary school share their story telling skills with their class mates. The class winners will then compete at the first of December. The winners in each grade get to go to Weber State to compete in a story telling festival. Connor read and memorized Mercer Mayers "I was so mad" and won his class contest. He goes in front of the first grade on December 4th to try and win his grade level. He worked hard on this, and does a great job with his delivery, stomping his feet, and everything.

Amy overcame her disappointment later in the month, though, when she let me get rid of her Saturn. I hated that car. We replaced the 4 Runner and the Saturn with a new Camry.

I like this car a LOT more than the Saturn. This one Amy doesn't have to worry about putting miles on. I like knowing she will get to and from work safely.

I also can't believe Amy talked me into going to Blanding for Thanksgiving. I scheduled a training session at the college there on Friday, the 28th, so we'll be taking the unmarked patrol car, and working the day after the holiday. This will be the first time in three years that we've actually gone to Blanding. I would rather have gone to North Dakota. I will take my camera, though, and hope to get some pictures of the sunsets. There is nothing I know of like the sunsets in Southern Utah. I also expect the results of the Lieutenants exam to come out by the end of December to see where I placed. This is probably the last year I'll be willing to move anywhere.

Halloween Party!!

Of all the days of the week to have Halloween, this year landed on a Friday. Thursday, after finishing a workout consisting of back and bicep work followed by a short 5 mile jaunt, I settled in for the rest of my work day. As I was evaluating the radar course I had just completed teaching to the cadets in the academy, Amy called. Of course, she's the priority of my day as she is my world, so my attention immediately went to her needs and issues. She asked if I would care if Ashley and mabey her mom and dad came over on Halloween. Being as focused as I often am on her needs and wants, I, of course, said "yes, absolutely. It'd be great fun."

So, Friday afternoon, Ashley, Josh, Kaybree, Daimen, and grandpa and grandma came over, which was wonderful, just so we clear that up right up front. Seriously. Morgan was having a trunk or treat for the little ones on main street at 3:30, followed by a carnival. We decided not to go, and to just let the kids play while we hung out. Great.

Monday, we carved pumpkins with my buddies family. He was in San Diego finishing the last of 8 weeks of training in administration of the lie detector tests we like to give to lying sacks of sh** who like to be less than truthful during our POST investigations.

Mabey we should have just shown them our sweet pumpkin carving abilities. Mabey THAT would intimidate them into telling the truth.

So, anyway, we finished dinner(s). and headed out for the evening. Living where we do, we chose to go up hill first, knowing it would be all downhill from there. Yes, some of the neighbors had full size candy bars. Reeses, M&M's, etc. Sweet!! Spencer dressed up like the Grim Reaper, Connor like the master chief on Halo. Kaybree was naturally a beautiful witch instead of an ugly one, and Daimen was Batman. Until he stepped on his cape and fell backwards off the porch. Then he was tired, and Amy got to carry him around. Luckily, it only took about an hour and a half or so before we got to this point. In the mean time, grandpa and grandma got to give out tricks or treats in our absence. So all in all, it worked out well for me. The only problem is going to be getting rid of the candy before Christmas. It usually takes us a while. The good stuff goes before Thanksgiving, then the Sweet tarts and flavored tootsie rolls hang on for ever. That's what a trash can is for. Sometimes it's good to be the garbage disposal for the family. This is, after all, the role of a father.

After tiring the kids out, and then jacking them up on sugar, we decided to try a game until the sugar rush was over. My wonderful, sweet, beautiful, gorgeous, competative wife begin to get a little fired up, so Ashley wisely choose to end the game prior to the shedding of blood. Well played, Ashley. Well played. We sure enjoyed seeing those who came, and appreciate their willingness to come spend time with us.

The boys had the end of the semester within the last couple of weeks. Connor is reading exceptionally well, and is doing some math. He is a great student, and has an awesome teacher for first grade. He likes school, and is happy there. Spencer is also doing well in 5th grade. This is the year they start with the letter grades. I guess straight A's isn't bad. He is having fun at gymnastics, and Connor was asked to go to the same class as Spencer. Not bad to have a 6 year old and a 10 year old in the advanced class. Kaden is getting straight A's as well. We let him choose, and he picked guitar lessons over basketball this year. We're just happy he's doing what he wants to do.

Amy has been doing great at work, and is feeling a lot better following removal of her sludge baby. The father of the dentist she works for died Thursday night, so she has been extra busy arranging the schedule. She also got emotional when we turned our leased 4 Runner back in. We are waiting for final billing to replace it with something else. She'll get what she wants, as she usually does, as far as a replacement is concerned.

I passed all parts of the promotional exam. This includes the written exam, PT test, interview, and in-basket. A list should come out in December sometime with the placement. We'll know then if we will be invited to interview for any potential Lieutenants positions based on roster ranking. I am currently enrolled in school, Tuesday and Thursday nights from 8-10:30 p.m. I am down to 7 classes to receive my bachelors. The one class at a time makes it easier to struggle through, but drags it out significantly.

Speaking of dragging things out, I have scheduled a class in San Juan county on November the 28th. We'll go to Blanding for Thanksgiving, then I'll teach field sobriety refresher and introduction to Drug Recognition the next day. We're looking forward to our first visit to Blanding in 3 years. Should be fun.