Loss, saddness, and a harsh reality......

This weekend was hard, it was full of loss and the reality of the world we live in.

It was a time when I realized just how blessed our family is every time Bryan walks in the door from work. Yesterday afternoon the Oakland Police Department lost 4 officers in a senseless shooting in the heart of East Oakland. It was a somber time for all the law enforcement agencies in the Bay Area, for the many officers that were on scene, and the men and women that knew and worked with the officers that lost their lives. These men had dedicated their lives to protecting and serving a city of Oakland and the people in it. These men had families who will never get to experience the joy of them walking in the door after a long day of work.

It is a reality that everyone in law enforcement has to face and accept. Not a fun reality but a very real one. I was reminded last night that I need to thank God every morning when Bryan walks in the door.......even if he is late, or in a bad mood. I need to be thankful.

I think what a lot of people who do not know someone in law enforcement don't realize is really how hard this job is. They go to work everyday knowing that 90% of the people that they are going to have to deal with will NOT be nice to them, will yell & curse at them, try to harm them or make threats at them. Yet every one of these men and women are 100% committed to their jobs and love every minute of it. Kind of backwards!

So I urge you tonight to pray for the families of the four officers killed yesterday and for the whole department. Also if you have family in law enforcement, let them know how thankful you are for the job they do day in and day out. It is not everyday that cops get a 'thank you'.

Here is a link to the what happened in Oakland if you had not seen it:
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Two-Officers-Shot-in-Oakland.html

I think we have a Spidermonkey!

Bryan had the kids at baseball practice yesterday and I got this picture emailed to me. I had to laugh because this girl is such a little climber. Bryan said too that she was on her way down at this point.

Yes, we are the proud parents of a little Spidermonkey!

March Race: Shamrock 5K Fun Run

This month we made it a family......after watching me run last month Bryan decided he would run with me at this race. Which was a lot considering he worked a 12 hour shift, got home at 6:45am and then we were on the road at 7am to head to the race Needless to say he is sound asleep upstairs right now. Two other deputies were running the race with us so their teenagers were nice enough to take the kids over to the park and play with them while we were all running.

It was a bit on the chilly side and there was a mist in the air, but right when the race started the weather was perfect. The course was a nice flat route through Dublin with just one little hill, so it made for a good race. There were a little over 1500 runners, Bryan finished 175 overall and was right behind him at 202. I was happy with my time since I shaved 2 minutes off my last 5K. No pictures this time.....I need to be better about getting the camera out.

Not sure what the race for April will be yet, there are a few different options that we have.

The Ramp

A few weeks ago Chris asked if we could build him a ramp for his bike. Chris had been on one at a friends house and had been talking about it since then. I figured we would wait until Papa & Nana were here and he could ask Papa to help him build one.

On Tuesday after school Bryan, Papa and Chris headed to Home Depot to get the supplies. Little did I know what kind of ramp they would be building. When I came home I saw this nearing completion.....

They built an adjustable ramp that starts at 8 inches and can expand up to 2 feet. Just what we need; as if our kids were not accident prone enough without the help of a bike ramp to catapult them through the air. I have to admit though the ramp is pretty cool. Bryan was even able to go off it on his bike so we know the thing is secure.

Heading up the ramp is serious business

Look at him go.... he is in heaven with this ramp now and we are enjoying watching the joy it brings to him and all the kids in the neighborhood.

So thank you Papa for a really cool ramp.

Trip to the Zoo

We took full advantage of the beautiful weather on Monday and Bryan's parents being in town from Florida and went to the zoo. I forgot how much I loved the Oakland Zoo and the kids had a blast running around looking at the animals and being with Papa & Nana. Dani was very proud of the fact that she went pee twice at the zoo......quite an accomplishment for her. Good thing too becuase I was a total space cadet that morning getting out of the house and totally forgot extra Pull-Ups.

Mr. Turtle was enjoying all the green grass

Dani would have scaled every fence to get a closer look at the animals if we let her.

I think this was the first time Chris asked to get his picture taken.....EVER

Dani was wondering if the elephants would enjoy her rainbow colored goldfish.

The boys in the tree!

I have never laughed so hard as I did watching this giraffe try and reach the water.

Me and my girl.....gee you think we look a like :)

Tigers will always be my favorite.

Something about seeing Daddy with his little girl makes my heart melt!

Opening Day

The flag was flying and the sun was out......a perfect day for some baseball. Today was opening day for Tracy Babe Ruth Baseball. They put on a great Opening Ceremonies, get all the teams out on the field, throw the first pitch, have some great food and some games.

This year Chris is on the A's. he is having a great time and is very excited for the first game next weekend. I was just happy that he did not get on the Dodgers, I just don't know if I could have supported the team.

After all the formalities the 5/6 league then had a base running contest. Chris was hilarious running the bases and was even more excited to get a medal at the end. He ran it in 18.5 seconds. We were proud. It is going to be a busy season with 16 games and practices twice a week but we are looking forward to it.

Ready to run the bases
Rounding third going so fast the hat was flying

Look mom I got a medal

Dani had to indulge in a hot dog while waiting

Mommy and the little slugger!

Happy Birthday Rex

Today we celebrated one of our four legged family members birthday's. Sir Rex turned four today. Bryan was training with the rest of the K9 unit at church today when someone asked how old Rex was.....he then realized that he was 4 and today was his birthday.

Me being the complete dork I am insisted that we stop by this frilly pet store in town and get Rex a birthday treat to celebrate. Bryan and I stopped in there and picked out these cute little doggie cupcakes. Now try explaining to a 2.5 and 5.5 year old that the dog can have cup cakes and they can not. Not easy.

The kids sang to Rex, we let him enjoy his treat and have some fun in the house! Rex had a great birthday. Happy Birthday Rex!