It's a long road...and then it turns.

Well, here we are. I (Jon) start with the KCPD on Monday, I've left what was the longest tenured job I've ever had (Men's Wearhouse), and left it all in God's control. I still have to do a lot of work; but I think I've prepared as well as I can. Sure, I could've done a lot more running than I did, but I guess we'll see how much that comes back to bite me in the butt. I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to pay my first month's insurance premiums- they make us pay a month in advance- so that will definitely be interesting. Had to buy my beautiful, fashionable, black boots...talk about a change. I go from picking my shirt, tie, and suit every day to a choice of blue, blue, or hey, if I'm lucky...blue! I guess being at the apex of fashion isn't a big concern when you're busting baddies or saving babies. From all reports, the academy's going to be a para-military setting, so I'd better get used to getting yelled at from time to time. My biggest problem will be not laughing while some large man is screaming at the guy next to me. I'd rather laugh than cry, I guess.
So, why? Why turn away what was basically a cake job that paid ok for something that is infinitely more challenging, but doesn't pay that much better? Simple, really. I can come home after a long day, be exhausted, and know that my energy was actually spent on something worthwhile. I get to know that a child might just have a better future because I helped put the drug dealer next door behind bars. But there's always another one. Always another drunk driver, always another shooter, always another druggie trying to make his living off the sorrow and death of other people. That's why we're out there. Because for every scumbag, there are 50 people busting their butts to provide for their children. There are students in colleges all over the country who are quite literally defenseless against any maniac who may want to come onto their "gun free" campus and start shooting. I can't protect them from my chair. I'd like to have a utopian worldview- to hold the belief that people are good, that the world is right, that we will all eventually be communists with no greed, no hunger, and no possessions- but that is simply not a realistic pattern of thought. Not so long as the Bible is accurate...which means forever. As long as people are born into sin, and have that predisposition, there will always be heinous, evil acts done to people who don't deserve them.
I was too comfortable to join the military- too happy with living in my house, in my borders, in my little bubble. This is my attempt to make up for that- to do what I believe is every man's responsibility, to protect and provide for those he loves. That doesn't mean pinning on a badge, or becoming a marine, or putting on a cape and mask and jumping off rooftops- at least, that's not what it means for everyone. It means making sure that you are doing your best to ensure that those around you have every opportunity they deserve to live, and to be free. My dad said often, "The only thing society owes you is an opportunity." So I have finally begun to realize mine.
In other news, Jess will begin her new job at Truman Med center on October...12th, I think. She'll be admitting patients into the ER...yay! 3 12-hour shifts will be different, but I'm sure the off days will be nice as well. While I'm going from 7-4 5 days a week, she'll have time to take care of the dog, or whatever else needs to be done, and I'll have plenty of time to study...while we still get to actually see each other. Life's beginning to turn; it's taken awhile, but with God's grace, we held on. Now we need to slap ourselves for doubting as much as we did.

Omaha 2009

We recently took a trip to Omaha as a quick get-away before Jon starts the police academy. Jon grew up in Omaha ages 6-12 but hasn't been back since they moved to KC so it was a big blast from the past weekend for him! I couldn't believe it but he managed to find his old house, his friend's houses, his school... I'm not sure I would have been able to do all that after 13 years. Oh his memory...

First we decided to stay somewhere a little more fun than a hotel so I found what is apparently the only Bed & Breakfast in all of Omaha haha But the Cornerstone Mansion was definitely a great choice. It was beautiful and we would recommend it!









We got in on Sunday evening so we didn't do much until Monday. That's when we hit the Omaha Zoo and later a minor league game, the Omaha Royals! More on the game later. The Zoo was definitely a blast and we got some great pics ~

This one was a beautiful waterfall in one of the exotic exhibits they had~




Gotta love the penguins! We spent quite a bit of time there watching them~There were some baby penguins who were no doubt showing off and hilarious to watch!


Apparently this is a kilpspringer (whatever that is)~I was just entertained at getting a pic of him with his mouthful hehe


We got most of our entertainment out of the gorillas, monkey's and this particular orangutan. Meet Fu Man Chu~He was obtained by the Zoo in the 60's and they soon found out he has the ability to create tools...and use them! He got wire from a light fixture and figured out how to unlock the pad lock and let him and his friends out! He also figured out how to hide it within his mouth so no one could find it. After several mornings of lose animals and finger pointing they figured out his trick. He was simply the biggest of that species we'd ever seen...Simply amazing.




We also got a couple of shots of the gorillas. The one by the gate was banging on it quite a bit either a) showing dominance or b) wanting inside although at that point no one was going to open that gate! haha




And yes, this a gorilla pouting. No joke - funnies thing ever


After the Zoo we had lunch, drove around town a bit and headed back to rest up for the game. We got to the game super early because my dear husband is way to used to going to the major league games where there's actual traffic... But for $10 a piece we got seats 2 rows back from the field, just to the right of home plate ~ very cool!


While we were passing the time before the game began a girl came over and asked if we would like to be part of an on-field game between innings. Well we said yes before we knew what we were agreeing to (never a good idea) but even after she told us Jon thought it was the coolest thing ever. I was nervous that I would make a fool of myself in front of... okay so a couple hundred people who I'll never see again... But that's not the point! ;o) I knew I was being a pansy so I sucked it up - Well as you can see in the pictures below, it was quite the experience. The game was (and we were competing against another couple on the other side of the field) to basically pop balloons between us-sounds easy enough but...we had to do it *their* way. So I was standing about 15 feet from him, took a balloon and ran towards him. We pretty much bear hugged/chest bumped to pop it. While I ran back to get another one he was setting up a chair so when I ran back towards him I gave him the balloon and sat on it on his lap to pop it... The last one was the one I chickened out on but for good reason! I grab another balloon but this time he's lying on the ground. They said basically body slam him but I was sure I was going to crush him LOL He kept telling me not to worry about hurting him but apparently I love him too much for that because just as I got to him I chickened out and the picture tells it all. I kinda fell forward...kinda on him...kinda not LOL That balloon was of course a little harder to pop then but we got the job done. Fortunately everyone in the stadium agreed we won (it was really close) so... yay!







Tuesday we checked out of the B&B and checked out a couple of museums before heading home. First was the Durham Museum which was a renovated Union Station with all sorts of exhibits from 'back in the day' ~ We love this historical stuff although I admit I get a bit picture happy haha Later we went to the Strategic Air Command museum. Being an Air Force brat it's always cool to see the planes and Jon (fitting enough) has always had a fascination with them. Naturally I got more pics there as well. We checked out one more local eatery for lunch and made our way back home.

Instruments of torture? No...medical tools! Eek...



Means of communication... I'm thinking people said less back then haha





They had statues like these all around the lobby and they were motion sensored which was weird but they'd start talking like they were going through it all over again. Saying goodbye and whatnot.










I'd often heard Omaha is a great vacation spot and I always thought they were crazy but there is plenty to do tourist-wise to fill a couple days and the Cornerstone Mansion is a great place to come back to~I have a feeling we'll be back :o)

p.s. Way too many pics to post here so check out my Facebook for the rest of our trip!