T minus 3 days

For those who don't already know I have been working as a Detention Officer for the last 5 1/2 years.  I have to say it has been an "interesting" job.  I have met some great people and made some amazing friends along the way.  And yes, I have tons of stories about things I have seen and done (some stories require a strong stomach).  Everyday was something different.  I have served chow, searched cells and responded to multiple inmate disturbances.  I have escort inmates to court and assisted the Deputy Sheriffs with crowd control during mass protesters.

Many people were shocked when I entered the Detention Academy.  They said they pictured me as more of a teacher or nurse but never something in this line of work.  You know the old adage of what doesn't kill you makes you stronger?  Well I have to say it is very true.  I was required to go out of my comfort zone and learn to be assertive.  This job molded me (or should I say remolded) me into who I am today.  

I learned that I have the ability to hold my shoulders high and I can do anything I set my mind to.  I am no longer the girl who quietly keep her opinions to herself.  I learned that I am a strong and independent individual.  

Well with all that this job has given me it is time for me to move on.  My family is relocating to Washington state to begin a fresh chapter in our book.  With much thoughtful prayer we have decided that this is the path on which we have been set on.  We have put our faith in Heavenly Father's plan for us.

So I officially gave my notice at work and have completed the paperwork.  I am off tomorrow on my regular day off and will then have only 2 days of work.  It will be strange not to be having to wake early to go to work!!!!

And so it begins...

I will admit I am no good at keeping up with journal entries.  However, with my family beginning a new chapter I figured it was about time for me to begin to keep record of important (and often funny) things that happen in our lives. 

Let me start my very first blog entry with a look at how our wacky adventure began:

Scott and I met and began dating in September in 1991.  Yes, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we were high school sweethearts.  He was a big, bad senior and I was a meek little sophomore.  We entered into married bliss in December 1994 at the Silver Bell Wedding Chapel at 2:30 am in Las Vegas, NV. 

I know what you are thinking,"Those two are crazy!"  The crazy part about it is we flew to Vegas in the middle of the night, dared the freaks in the court house to obtain our marriage licence and then once it was all over flew home and both went to work.  We didn't see each other again until the next morning.  What a honeymoon! 

You're probably thinking with the quickie wedding that we must have been expecting.  Well my friend you would be wrong.  Now don't get ahead of the story.

We were married for 18 months when our first little bundle of joy entered into our lives.  Weighing in at a whopping 6lb 4oz, our precious Alexis screamed her way into the world.  Alexis has no fear for trying new things.

Scott and I figured we did such good work when making Alexis we decided to try it again and along came Elizabeth.  Not only was she bigger then Alexis by about 4oz, she also knows how to express herself and has always had a keen sense of style (we always go to her for fashion advice).

Following the girls (I know they are a tough act to follow) along came the boys.  Christian (6lb 12oz) was the strong silent type.  He was my quiet observer (by that I do mean WAS).  He is extremely athletic and and competitive.  Then along came Garrison.

Topping out as my largest baby (7lb 7oz) Garrison is a character.  He also is my only blondie.  Garrison has enough energy for two kids.  The things that comes out of his mouth make us laugh on a daily basis.  He literally climbs the walls.  It's no wonder we call him Spiderboy.

So there you have it, a very brief history of us.  I know I have a tendency to be long winded and if you managed to read your way through this post from beginning to end without yawning or falling asleep then I have at least peaked your interest enough (hopefully) to read on and join us in our new adventures.