A Walk on the Wild Side...

So after about a week of not really posting anything real relevant to our lives, here we go...

Take a look at these 2 cute kids and cute doggie...


On Monday, May 4th we lost all 3. Yes all three, at one time!

The story goes:

Foxy has had some issues lately with not letting me let her outside. I don't know why that is or how to go about correcting it, as it changes daily. Anyway, on this particular night, the kids are playing outside and I am cleaning up dinner.

I then notice that Foxy has left a trail of urine from the front room, all around our bed. I am trying to get it all cleaned up and take care of a whiny, clingy baby all at once. The next thing I know, Tanis comes in from outside and in so doing allows Milo to escape.

Shaylyn tells me that she will get Milo for me. I tell her to not chase him, but follow him, so we know where he is and I will send Daddy out. Well, Eric is in the restroom and I knock on the door. He tells me to wait just a minute...So, I do.

When he gets out I explain what has happened. So he walks out the door to look for the 2 kids and Milo. He comes back after a few minutes and decides to take the car. He is gone for about 10 minutes and when he arrives home, he doesn't have the kids or the dog with him.

Enter our neighbor girl, Faith. She runs up to Eric and asks if he's seen Jake. (Another neighborhood kid) Eric says no, and then figures that this kid must've followed our kids. Well the parents of missing kid, Jake have called the police and happen to live right next door to the bishop and our good friends, so they are out looking.

Somehow the word gets around that our kids and dog are missing as well. So the bishop, Eric and our good friend are out looking. Meanwhile, the cops stop by our house and after talking to me find out that not only is Jake missing, but so are Lex & Shaylyn. The cops try to get a description of what the kids are wearing, and I can't really even remember.

The cop I am talking to gives me a phone number if for some reason, the kids get found by someone else. A good neighbor is keeping me company at this point, and it's a good thing, cause I was going crazy!

About 15 minutes or so after talking with the cops, Jake's Dad drives by and tells me that the kids were found. They were found a good 3/4 a mile away, according to Eric. I call dispatch and tell them the kids were found and then call Eric and tell him where they were found. Eric meets up with whoever (I wasn't there, I am unsure of some details) and picks the kids up after the Sheriff has a little talk with them.

Eric is fuming mad at the kids and I am trying to tell him to calm down. They were just obeying what I told them to do. (I never figured they'd go as far as they did. I figured at worst, they'd get bored, turn around, come home and forget about the dog.) Milo, however, still hasn't been captured.

Eric heads back out to find Milo. About 10 minutes after he left, there is a knock at the door. It is cute little Faith again, only she has rounded Milo up and he runs in the door. Turns out Faith and her mom saw Milo run by and were able to chase him back home.

I call Eric and let him know and he lets the cops know and comes home. This whole thing started around 6:30 and ended around 8:30. It was a crazy night, and I was so thankful that everyone was safe. I only had a small glimpse of what people with missing children go through and it is one of the worst feelings in the world for a parent!

I am just so thankful to everyone who helped. Especially a lady in the ward, who just happened to be friends with Jake's mom, who happened to get a phone call, just as she was heading out. She is the one who found the kids, and I am thankful it just so happened to be one of Shaylyn's aquaintence's moms, otherwise I don't know what would have happened.

The next morning, I had to get up early to go to the zoo field trip with Shaylyn. I wasn't one of the "Parents" but Shaylyn really wanted me to go.

At first, I figured, "Okay, I'll go and just ride on the bus." But the Friday before when I talked to her teacher I found out that I wouldn't be able to ride on the bus and I'd have to drive myself. Well, I am a wuss driving some places, and the zoo is one of them. So we decided we'd all go as a family. Eric was going to take the day off anyway.

It then turned out that Tanis had CRT testing that day, and we wouldn't be able to go as a family, as I really didn't think taking him out of testing was a good idea. So I practically begged for a ride with a neighbor. :D

However, in the mean time she had met up with a couple other mom's in our ward and it was decided we could all drive up together. It was great and I am glad that turned out.

At the zoo, we divided up with our kids' groups. The group Shaylyn was in had 4 kids, 3 of whom had their mom's in the group as well. This turned out to be a good thing. These mom's were awesome and so very laid back. We were able to go on the train, the carousel and browse the gift shop. One mom paid for kid #4's train ride, one mom bought him a little something from the gift shop, and I took care of the carousel ride for him.

I had such a great time being with Shaylyn and Monday night's events made the day even sweeter.

Then, this past Saturday, Lex had his first T-Ball game. He has had a couple of practices and enjoys it. He had lots of fun at him game, as well. He is the first kid in our family to show any kind of talent when it comes to ball. I am not saying he is the greatest player in the world, I am just saying that he has some natural talent and enjoys it!

I look forward to many, many more games!

And that my friends is why it's been about a week. Life has been kinda hectic. Hopefully with summer coming, things will change a bit.

What Happens Next...

Hey, Hey Mr. Policeman ... There's No Way You're Keeping Up With Me, So Go On Back To Krispy Kreme

Okay, so the title of this post comes from a Brad Paisley song entitled, Mr. Policeman. I love the lyrics in most of Brad Paisley's stuff...but that is a different story for a different day.

The other night before I was able to fall asleep for some reason I kept thinking about the first run in I ever had with the "cops."
Let me give you a little background story:

In High School my sophomore year I took Driver's Ed my first semester. (I have a birthday in the Fall) So after passing the written test with "ease" it still took 3 tries to pass the driving test. (Luckily the instructor chalked it up to nerves and passed me anyhow).

So that January I finally got my papers to go and get my license. Well, I wasn't an ordinary 16 year old kid. I didn't run right to the DMV to get my license. No, I waited until it almost expired in March and then asked my parents to take me.
My Dad was the lucky loser winner and took me to the DMV. It was PACKED that day! (Thanks again, Dad, for sacrificing your afternoon). So after waiting what seemed like hours, we are finally called up to the front desk.

I was really worried about passing the eye exam because my glasses were crappy and I didn't have the money (at the time) for contacts. However, I lucked out and a lady in the ward was actually the one to help us. She gave me more time to try and focus on the letters and I passed.

So I was able to get my license. My license then did nothing for me for the next year or two. (My parents bought a huge old "boat" for us kids to drive, but I was too prideful to drive such a big, ugly thing.)

The summer/fall before Eric and I were married I was taking a community education typing class. This was to help me with my job - I was only hired "temporarily" and I had a better shot of getting hired "permanently" if I upped my computer skills and showed an effort. Anyway, so one night Eric had to work (He was working at ZCMI at our local mall) and I had to go to class.

Somehow, Eric convinced me to drive his car to my class and then to go pick him up. (He was adament that I "learned" how to drive before we got married - thanks again, hun!)

Well I finish up my class and head to the mall to get Eric. It started getting a bit dark, but it wasn't too dark to see - it was summer after all - and I was trying to figure out the headlights. I thought I had them figured out and when Eric got off work he made me drive home.

About 3 minutes from home I get the lights and siren behind me. I was literally freaking out! I didn't know what I was supposed to do, didn't know what I did wrong, couldn't remember doing anything "illegal" or anything.

Eric had to tell me to calm down and that he would do most of the talking. So we go through the whole license/registration thing. It was a good thing that Eric was there to explain that the car belonged to his Dad, but that it was pretty much "Eric's" car.

The officer's first question to me: "Have you had anything to drink tonight?"

And he wasn't very polite about it. It struck me off guard and I was like, "Uh, no."

He then goes to his car to fill out paperwork or whatever. Eric and I are just looking at each other like, "What's going on?"

When he comes back he tells me the reason he pulled me over: I didn't have the headlights on. I didn't even notice because we were driving in well lit areas and it was a summer night. He lets me off with a warning and we are on our way.

I can't place why he asked about me drinking and the headlights (I was very naive) until I talk to Eric's aunt at work the next day. I guess that when people have been drinking they will forget to do simple things like turn the headlights on...

Now, why I shared this story with you - I am not quite sure....But it would be nice to hear other's first run ins with the cops.

What Happens Next...

Donut Break Anyone?

So Sunday night, August 12th, we head to my grandma's house for her 88th birthday party. We enjoy all the visiting with all the family and my little brother who lives in Wyoming even made a surprise appearance. He even took the nice picture of me that is to the left....
Anyhow, because Eric wasn't feeling very well, I drove home. We are 2 minutes away from home and guess what I see...Flashing lights behind me. I start getting really ticked off not thinking that I was speeding and knowing that we couldn't really afford a speeding ticket at this moment in time. Eric keeps telling me to calm down and that I shouldn't get that frustrated and overworked when I get pulled over. Easy for him to say.
So the officer comes to the window and asks for all the stuff...License, Registration, Proof of Insurance and then walks away. He is back in only a matter of minutes and then tells me the reason he pulled me over is because our Registration wasn't up to date...OOPS! So he lets us go telling us that we need to get it taken care of because after 3 months your car can get impounded.
I was so relieved. No ticket and just a "friendly" reminder to get the registration renewed or whatever. So first thing Eric did Monday morning - take care of the registration and also got the brake pads fixed for my car. He only ended up working a total of 4 hours on Monday.
Anyway, so having the Registration complete and everything I had totally forgotten about being pulled over. Until, last night at 12:30. I worked until midnight and when I got off I was talking to one of the baggers for a few minutes.
Driving home on a 65 speed limit road I was doing good to not go above 70. Next thing I know I pass a cop hiding in an area off the road. Once again I check my speed and I am about 67 or so. Then I see the flashing lights AGAIN! At first I wasn't sure if he was coming for me, but he was.
Once again, I was ticked off! This time I knew for certain I wasn't speeding enough to warrant a ticket. But, I pulled over again...Same old routine. License, Registration, Proof of Insurance. The officer goes back to his car and takes longer than officer #1 did, so I was worried about a ticket.
He comes back after like 5 minutes and tells me the reason he pulled me over is because my taillights aren't on! He said when I put my foot on the brake pedal, the lights are on, but just driving they weren't. He asked if the car had been in the shop recently and I told him about the brake pads. I am not sure why that would screw up the taillights or whatever, but oh well.
He sent me on my way and I was really freaked out. Having no taillights driving around at midnight is pretty scary. Especially in one area of where we live where there are no street lights for whatever reason. Thankfully, I got home safely.
Told Eric about the event and so today he is going to have to take me to work and pick me up. Crazy things.
Good thing is - no tickets...Bad thing is now I feel like it's Karma or something...So weird. I'll be happy if I don't get pulled over for a VERY LONG TIME!

Hope everyone is doing well.

What Happens Next...

Opinions....

So, I need opinions with something that happened yesterday.

The kids have met 2 little boys who live down the street. The oldest is about 6 (right in between Tanis and Shaylyn's age) the other is 3. They have fun playing together and their house is where Tanis went yesterday. (Refer to previous post)

After the kids played at the neighbors home for awhile they came here. They played some video games for awhile then Tanis, Lex and the 3 year old decided to play outside. Shaylyn and the 6 year old continued their video game adventures.

So, here is what I need opinions on....

The little boys mom came to the door yesterday telling me that the cops had just been to her house. Apparently the 3 year olds and Tanis destroyed a tree next door by pulling all the branches off. (Pic is below) No one is currently living at that home, so the cops told the other mother that whenever someone moves in we need to replace the tree. (Well, DUH!)

I KNOW I am to blame at least partially because I wasn't watching them as well as I should have. What I want opinions on is this...

The guy who called the cops is an older gentleman who lives 2 houses away from us. HE KNOWS who the boys belong to as he sent the cops to the right house and he has seen me with my boys. But, instead of talking to the little boys HIMSELF, or coming and getting the MOTHERS, he calls the COPS on two 3 year old boys and a 6 year old boy! Tanis was so scared that the other mother told me he actually said, "I am too young to go to jail."

I am just wondering if I am crazy for thinking this guy was NUTS for calling the cops. Personally I think it was a waste of time and energy for the cops. If we were talking about teenage boys, I could totally see that. But as it is, I so don't understand. Eric tells me I am dwelling on the wrong thing and maybe I am. But I am just so in disbelief that someone would call the cops on little kids.

I KNOW what the boys did was wrong and Tanis should know better. We talked with him and he understands what he did and why it was wrong. The 3 year olds, however, probably didn't really have any idea that what they were doing was "wrong."

Anyway, just wanted some opinions on this....

Share ANY that you have.

:D Shilo

What Happens Next...