Motherhood – four crazies and a cop

you are in control when God is in control of you

Do ever moments in your journey of motherhood where you wonder if your kids will ever listen? Two of my children are in public school and two are at home with me (one toddler and one older homeschooler). And because they all share a room, they are all up at 0610 when the alarm goes off (or at least within twenty minutes of the first squawk). We were headed down a path I had gone down with my oldest in the past and I did not like it. It was a fight every morning to get him out the door when he attended public school and still actually teach him some sort of responsibility to pack his own things and get himself ready. The kicking, the screaming, the attitudes. We would not be doing this again. It took away from my sanity and our relationship and was far from the wonderful peaceful mornings we are “supposed to” provide our children so they can have their best foot forward.

I bought this child a chore chart similar to his brothers, although I couldn’t find the exact same one (which wasn’t a problem until he ran out of other excuses to not do what was expected of him). I tried to offer weekly rewards like his brothers receive for completely their charts. I tried offering daily treats for no “X’s” in case a week was too far of a span to work towards at this point. I did try yelling but he is very strong-headed and only yelled back, resulting in a spanking and two frustrated people. After nights of prayer and contemplation, a peace came over me that took my anxiety away and put it on His shoulders. Finally, I told this child when the timer went off I would carry him to the bus no matter what he had done or what he was wearing (he was in his underwear at the time). 0703…0704… frantically he ran to put on his clothes and accepted the help his brother so graciously offered to help make his bed. BAM! We were out the door. Were his teeth brushed? No. Did he make his own bed? Not quite. But he was now forced to take responsibility for his actions. He needed that affirmation that it is on him. Mommy will not be doing everything for him, nor is Mommy going to freak out when he intentionally chooses not to do what is expected of him.

I’ve been re-reading this book called For Parents Only by Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa Rice. It’s geared towards teenagers but so much can be applied to all these crazy attitudes that seem to fluctuate in this house. A lot of it can’t directly be applied to my kindergartner, but a big part of what the teens talk about it how much they not only want, but need a parent to keep their cool. Not only for the relationship, but for their security as well. I had to realize that if I was going to make empty threats or get angry myself, I would be setting us both on an emotional whirlwind leading to very little compliance, let alone any good. But if I can learn and continue to hold my tongue, hold the line without flipping over it, then amazing things can start to take place. An example of emotional control for my children is most crucial. How can they ever learn to control their emotions if I’m losing mine all the time?

Now my children with all their different personalities are continually throwing me for a loop. Just when I think I have this parenting thing figured out, another emotion or new reaction comes to surface. But so is life. I used to hate the saying “It’s not about the destination; it’s about the journey.” Thankfully I am now beginning to better appreciate the journey, once I realized every destination is just a new starting point. Wherever God leads us, I know that He is in control and when I allow Him to control me and my emotions, blessing take place.

travel review: pymatuning pontoon-ing

I am no law enforcement officer so I’m not going to pretend like I actually know what it’s like to be out on the beat everyday. But I do see what it is like when an officer walks through the door at the end of his shift and hear what kinds of things he dealt with that day or night, which is why we have found it extremely gratifying to make time to get away pretty often, whether it be checking out an open house at an art center with the kids or hiking in the woods. Yes, I know there is a lot to be done at home, but the kids aren’t young forever and our emotional and mental health as well as our marriage needs refreshed.

One of our favorite now-annual trips is to rent a pontoon at Pymatuning Lake on the border of Ohio and Pennsylvania. This was our third year going with my parents (and this time one of my sisters), and is something we look forward to every year. It

is one of the few times we are all able to just sit and be still for hours on end, and just admire the creation around us. And somehow, as soon as we step on the boat, attitudes are wonderful and the kids don’t even argue. I don’t know what it is but it truly is an amazing experience!

We normally bring fishing poles, books, and maybe a few toys for the kids. And lots of snacks! This vast body of water allows us to just stop thinking about everything that has to get done and just be a family. If you or anyone in your family are feeling burnt out or just need some time away together, any type of boat trip is an amazing experience with so many benefits! I am highly considering moving to a house boat actually… everything seems to be so perfect on the lake!

If you have time afterwards, the Spillway is a wonderfully disgusting, yet simple place to go for a stroll, feed the carp, and maybe even stop for ice cream. It was only fifteen minutes from the livery and made for a peaceful ending to our day before our long drive home.

the will i aspire to

I will strive to drink at least eight glasses of water everyday so my body can remain clean and healthy.

I will do my best to eat a nutritious diet so I can never look back in regret while suffering with a disease that could have been prevented.

I will exercise regularly to keep my body active so I can live to the fullest and be available to serve in any capacity to which I am called.

I will read at least fifteen minutes from a good book every day so my mind can continue to be stretched and I can learn or be reminded of good principles to follow.

I will read a passage from my Bible every morning so I can know God’s will for my life a little better each day.

I will pray every morning for the wisdom and guidance needed for the day so as to know where God wants me in that moment and the best way to respond in any situation.

I will pray every night for protection, healing, and any other need for those around me and for myself so as to continue to remind myself prayer is a powerful tool and a way to bring us back to our Heavenly Maker.

I will hug my babies tight everyday so I will never regret not doing so, and if today be my last with them, that moment of love can be at the forefront of my memory.

I will love others with all I am so that it can never be said I didn’t care.

I will not hold tears back when others are mourning so as to allow healing to take place with them and within me.

I will serve everyone I can in any way I can with my family being first so as to hear “Well done thy good and faithful servant” in the end.

raising warriors

I was racing through Target again, all four in tow. We used to try that sit-down cart where two kids could get strapped in near me and then the other two would either just walk next to me or sit on the back of the seat with his feet on the seat itself. This was fun for a while, so long as everyone sucked it in when trying to pass through a tight aisle with oncoming traffic. But then the baby started walking… and climbing… and conniving. Since that no longer worked, we found that the two middle kids like to sit in the basket of a normal cart (as long as they can use the scanner on the Target app) so once they climb in, I quickly strap in the little one before he can let out too many wails and quickly start moving, allowing him to forget about the trauma he just experienced. Meanwhile, I get a quick glance around—gotta watch your six—and as usual, I see a few glances peering our way. Some days I feel like a freak show prancing through the grocery store with my monkeys hanging all over the cart cooing and screeching. But that’s life. With hubby on shift work, I don’t have time to wait for him to have time to stay with the kids so I can pick up some diapers and protein bars. We just make it work.

What gets me in these situations though is when my oldest child, who is extremely helpful but refuses to stay “in the boundaries” suddenly whispers to the two-year-old, “Wanna race?” or something along those lines and suddenly speeds up behind me or towards another customer, having to suddenly jerk the cart to a halt causing all of those in the cart to either wack their heads or begin laughing hysterically to yet again, draw attention to the circus act in the middle of the store. One time I had to jump in front of the cart to intervene between him and a lady being pushed in a wheelchair through the aisle perpendicular to us, casted leg straight out. I’ll admit my blood pressure raised pretty quickly, although he really wasn’t going that fast (more so lack of paying at this point).

This is my choleric—the high A personality who loves adventure, challenges, and just does not want to be told what to do. We have had some challenging days, trying to help him understand that I do not just “tell him what to do” because I want to control him or boss him around, but that I really do want what is best for him. Anyone with a strong-willed child can relate, I’m sure. As hard as it is to raise them, these are the children that will grow up to change the world. All of my children have it in them. But that’s okay, because the rule-breakers and boundary-pushers will fit the old adage, “To make a difference in the world, you must be different than the world.”

Chris Swanson, Undersheriff in Genesee County, Michigan and motivational speaker talks about three types of people in the world—the sheep, the wolves, and the sheepdog. The sheep are the majority. People who go to work, hang out on the weekends, do their thing. Nothing wrong with that. We need all types of professions and the world would be boring if everyone was the same. The wolves, he says, are people who are aggressive and will use that aggression to inflict harm on the sheep often for personal gain. But the sheepdog have been blessed with the gift of aggression, as well as a compassion for the sheep. Now I am not intentionally grooming my children to go into the military or law enforcement, but I can’t help not see it in them. When other children would run and hide, my kids tend to choose to confront the situation. I see it when one of my children tell me if a bad guy comes in our house, he’ll punch him in the eye, despite our trying to teach him that he needs to get Mom or Dad or call 911. Nope, he’ll take care of it. I saw it today when that same child was trying to “tickle” the neighbor girl with a giant branch with leaves on it. Everything he does is intense. I believe that’s part of a warrior mentality. They definitely get it from their Dad.

Thinking back to a need for sheepdog in this world and what plans God might have for my children, I try to roll with the punches (sometimes literally), all the while teaching my warriors to do the dishes, scrub toilets, shake hands like a young man because that’s what you are, respect females (my husband is great at teaching them this), and take responsibility for their own actions when too much of that gift of aggression comes out. And they better kiss their mom good-bye, I don’t care who’s around. They may be hard to raise and often downright embarrassing at times (normally that’s just regular home behavior that suddenly becomes horrific when it takes place out in public), but raising strong-willed children on a solid foundation is what this world needs. Do I do it perfectly? Absolutely not! But once I came to the understanding where God wants our family and what He is doing through us, I am much more able to look to the future and be proud these guerrillas are ours, even when it’s hard.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth” (Psalm 127:3-4).

travel with kids: three beaches—cocoa, ormond, and daytona

Most families have a dream to embark on a trip to Disney. We wanted to get the whole experience, but my husband and I agreed we didn’t want to spend more than one day there. Beginning with Disney on our first full day in Florida, the boys didn’t mind going back and forth on the ferry in order to leave mid-day to relax. In fact, it ended up being of their favorite attractions. I highly recommend using the FastPass app if you don’t want to spend hours of your day in line. We knew we had to make the most of our minutes in the park.

The boys loved the ferry ride to and from the parking lot at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Trying to cram as much as possible into one day, we actually left the park, took naps and went for a dip in the pool at the hotel, then returned two hours later to the get the full experience, fireworks included.

After a crazy day of Disney, we took the family to Cocoa Beach to recover. This was the kids’ and my first time at the ocean, which of course Lake Erie did not compare. Although this beach did not have life guards, it was very clean and not very crowded. The kids had an amazing time, which anyone who has ever taken their kids to the beach already knows how wonderful a place it is.

The next day we found an educational, historical outing at The Casements—the winter home of the late John D. Rockefeller. Affectionately known as “The Jewel of Ormond Beach,” the tour provided an insight to the social and everyday life of Rockefeller and the local area. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated as a Florida Heritage Center, teaching visitors about the “Birthplace of Speed” and culture back to the early 1900’s. Although our children wouldn’t consider this their favorite stop on our trip, we did not have one complaint of boredom, and the vast amount of pictures lining the walls and intricate structure kept them intrigued, as well as the enthusiasm of the tour guides. I would recommend leaving the stroller in the car, however, being there are stairs to climb with no elevators available from my knowledge, and limited space in certain rooms. Entry and guided tours were both free at the time of our visit.

Upon finding The Casements, we decided this would be a wonderful history lesson, elaborating on a historical figure with whom we were familiar as Clevelanders.

Traveling just fifteen minutes down the shoreline, we embarked to the infamous Daytona Beach, where we found the Museum of Arts and Science, a great place to take the kids (included with the ASTC passport program http://www.astc.org/passport/ if you are a member elsewhere). We began our trip to the museum in the planetarium, partly because learning about space fascinates us and partly because we wanted to relax for a bit. The first gallery explored was expounding on the history of racing that we had just learned about at the previous stop, as well as antique machines used by the Coca-Cola Bottling Company founded right in this city, which my mom really enjoyed, being a huge Coke fan.

From there, we enjoyed the more interactive galleries with various science stations and a play pizzeria for the younger ones. Here we learned facts such as “Americans eat 350 slices of pizza per second,” and other fun statistics. At the bottom of an almost hidden staircase was a music corner where the boys could jam away on various styles of drums and other percussion instruments.

Before leaving the area, we had to swing by the Daytona International Speedway, just to tell my dad—a huge NASCAR fan—we saw it in person. Tours run throughout the day, but can get pretty pricey for a large family unless you, too, are a die-hard fan. Also, as a plug for the local I-HOP, they had wonderful service and good food, and the waitress didn’t seem to mind us hogging the table for an extended period of time while we goofed around between bites.

Finally, we traveled to the infamous Daytona Beach and Pier. I would not personally recommend Daytona Beach as a wonderful place for children, after seeing a half naked man in his wheelchair waiting near the pier for loose change. I have nothing wrong with a man collecting change in his wheelchair, but when my husband points out his lack of clothing below the waistline aside from a small towel, then I reconsidered coming back with the kiddos. We did not swim at this beach, but we did catch the sunset from the pier. This was definitely worth the trip to this city. Roller-coasters and bungee-rides were nearby if you’re into that, but we were pretty spent and decided to wrap up our vacation without the thrills.

Beautiful sunset views from the Daytona Pier made the perfect ending to our final evening in Florida.

As you already know by now, we like adventure and we are frugal. Spending money on another night at the hotel made no sense to us when we would have to leave mid-sleep anyways, so we headed over to the airport to doze in the parking lot until four in the morning when we would head in to catch our flight. On a side note, we flew in and out of Orlando Sanford International Airport, cheaper and less busy, but still good service. Our flight was delayed after we had already boarded, but it made for a mini party once we were back off when we found out friends of ours were on the same flight with their little one. Often these unplanned moments make for the best memories. Overall, it was an amazing trip we and our children will look back upon with joy for the rest of our lives.

travel with kids: cleveland

I never truly appreciated Cleveland until I had kids. I grew up about 45 minutes away from downtown in a rural township in the middle of nowhere. Cleveland was like this incredible far-off land, filled with adventure and danger. After meeting my now-husband in college and moving to the suburbs, our first child was born which began a whole new view of the world around me.

We began doing story-times at the local libraries, leading to some awesome park programs at the Cleveland Metroparks. Whether you are looking to do some hiking, attend a photography class, go snowshoeing or swimming in Lake Erie, the Metroparks has a variety of programs for young and old, as well as some amazing trails throughout the 23,000 acres among their 18 reservations.

University Circle, less than fifteen minutes from downtown Cleveland, has a ring of intriguing museums, many great for children. As much as

we love the Cleveland Museum of Art, it can become stressful having a hawk-eyed security guard following you and your train of children around ready to pounce at any sudden movements. I don’t blame them, but it gets old. They do have a digital art area designated for kids where they can design pottery, digitally paint a self-portrait, and swipe various designs on a giant touch screen to compare lines and curves in different famous pieces of art. All of my children love it (ages nine through two), although I would prefer my children to do more creative activities with physical materials. I guess my biggest disappointment with this is knowing what the kids’ studio used to be—magnetic blocks, hanging sculptures, puppets, and a corner divided from the rest of the studio by a wall of drawers filled with all kinds of materials to build with, puzzles, and other creative items. But times change, and one day I will have to accept this digital age in which we now live.

Our favorite museum in this area is the Cleveland Museum of Natural History where the majority of the exhibits are hands-on and

virtually unbreakable (yea!). After seeing the dinosaur skeletons, we normally venture to the evolution exhibit and discuss how humans are not derived from monkeys, despite popular belief and public school curriculum (I have this conversation with a different child every time we go). Usually by this point, we’ll head over to check out the temporary exhibit which last time was a thrilling display of underwater luminescent creatures with different games and other interactive activities. We have been to this museum dozens of times, and each time the temporary exhibit has never ceased to interest my children. They do a fantastic job and we always learn something new. Most recently added was the outdoor Perkins Wildlife Center, where the kids visit raccoons, coyotes, birds, bobcats, bald eagles, and even a porcupine, and take a climb through the netted tunnel pretending to be like the foxes above them. This museum is always a great time, and even the planetarium shows deliver (and make for a nice nap in the dark for the littlest one…and sometimes Mom hehe).

The Children’s Museum of Cleveland just recently moved out of University Circle to the former Stager-Beckwith Mansion on Euclid Avenue. We have only been to this new location for a birthday party, and it kept me on my toes with its double humongous tree-house style playgrounds, although the majority of the walkways and tunnels are large enough for an adult to chase their toddler through. The Wonder Lab is a hands-on water room with lots of activities to do for all ages, and the location where my children spent most of their time. We did not make it upstairs due to a time shortage since it was a group-outing, but if your child is artsy, that would be the place to go!

Most recently we visited the Great Lakes Science Center in downtown Cleveland. It is right along the coast of Lake Erie, making for some great views from the top floor.

We decided to get our membership here this year, allowing us to take our time on the first two floors. We began with the Nasa Glenn Visitor Center, full of information and history of our local astronautical heroes. The boys were not super impressed, primarily because they were expecting more simulator-style attractions here, although Casey’s (age 5) favorite exhibit out of everything we saw was the lunar rover, able to be controlled from the other side of the room.

The Cleveland Clinic Dome Theater shows at the science center are free with membership, a wonderful benefit, but still worth the cost if you are just visiting the area. Amazon Adventure, the true story of how the young Henry Bates’ risked his life for science in the Amazon rain forest in the 1850’s, happened to be playing which the boys not only enjoyed, but were zoned in the entire forty minutes. After this, it was lunch time so we pulled out our packed lunches as normal and my mom purchased a lunch from the cafe. She shared her tomato-spinach grilled cheese with which was too

much for her, and it was DELICIOUS, and only $6.30 for the sandwich, waffle fries, and a drink—as a side note :). Another forty minutes was spent in the ”TapeScape Sticky Science” temporary exhibit. This was ingenious how they took everyday objects—stretch wrap and duct tape—and not only displayed the science and history behind it, but created a massive playground from it! I truly appreciated the TotSpot mini structure for the two-year-old who my mom graciously watched while the other three ran around like wild banshees.

We finished the day with a quick a trip to the “Cleveland Creates Zone,” which was a bit chaotic to keep track of all four with the set-up, but still fun. This area was all hands-on activities with the classic science center stations such as the parachute launch, light sculptures, and even a duct tape area where kids can make a duct-tape hat or their own duct-tape shoes.

After four hours, we were all spent and decided to save the third floor, which includes dozens more hands-on exhibits and an entire play area for the younger ones, for next time. This place is a must-see if you are coming to Cleveland with kids!

for once they cared

“For once, people actually gave two sh**s.” These are the words that came from my husband’s lips as he described what he felt passing hundreds of people in his patrol car among the procession. This was no parade with candy and clowns. This day was different. This was a sea of blue escorting the recently fallen officer to the auditorium where hundreds of law enforcement officers and family would gather to honor a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Please understand my husband has the utmost respect for the public. He cares, otherwise he wouldn’t be an officer putting his life on the line to serve and protect every day. But with all the backlash and disrespect law enforcement receives in today’s society, it was amazing for him to see cars pull over on the overpass to pay their respects by silently watching the procession of law enforcement vehicles, led by the hurst and family. Employees from local retailers, passerby’s, and even the staff of a dentist office led by a gentleman in scrubs stopped their daily routines to come out and support the blood and blue family.

My four boys and I stood near a group of other police wives and their children to watch as the line of flashing lights drove by, displaying our thin blue line flags the kids made earlier in the day. The image will never leave my mind—a sea of flashing lights covering the highway coming over the hill, a wave of red and blue in utter silence. It just reminded me there is strength in numbers and the law enforcement community not only has numbers, but it truly is a brotherhood like no other. I was blessed to feel the love of a sisterhood as well among the families, after being invited to a play date with two wives I just met that day, as well as learning of the childcare network one of the police wives group set up so the wives of the local officers could attend the funeral. There is an amazing trust that cannot be broken by shots from an irate criminal or a liberal media.

This whole anti-police movement I really do believe is aimed at the wrong people. These officers being criticized so often for their attitudes towards suspects or racial profiling are really just doing their job. A lot of the training involves certain methods for a reason. They graduate police academy as “peace officers” and yet an angry suicidal pulls the trigger aimed at the very officer who was merely answering the call of a concerned estranged wife*. I believe the problem therein lies.

Often times, many of these activists speak out before having all the information, quickly assuming a badge represents a man or woman hungry for power and authority, quick to pull the trigger when his respect is at risk. Edmund Burke said, “Evil prevails when good men do nothing.” All of you good people out there who know the truth must speak out. Say hello and thank you to your local officers. Thank them for answering the armed robbery call and chasing down the culprit so he won’t terrorize your community again. Thank them for catching speeders so one more life can be spared, even if it means you may have to pay a fine once in a while for going ten over. Thank them for blocking traffic while trying to finish that crash investigation, because one day it may be you they are helping. Please teach your children that police officers are the good guys, even if they do carry a gun, because they are.

I think that’s what my husband meant—for once, even if for two seconds, people cared. People realized what these officers go through, maybe if just one day of their lives. People remembered who these officers really are. They are good men and women who feel a constant tug on their hearts to serve and protect in whatever way they are called. And in the wake of tragedy and mourning, people stopped to remember these men and women are truly servants and protectors, and really do make our world a safer place.

*R.I.P. Trooper Clark. Thank you for service. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nicholas-clark-cops-new-york-state-trooper-shot-dead-responding-to-call-over-suicidal-man/

travel with kids: fort wayne

Finding places to go with small children can be a challenge, especially when you are trying to make fun memories with ages nine to two. The older ones of course want adventure or danger. The little ones want something hands-on. And of course, Mom wants educational. I’m not sure what Dad wants. He could just be along for the ride. Either way, we found a sweet spot just a few hours away in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This city even made it on Travelocity’s “20 Best U.S. Cities to Visit With Kids” list.

If you are in town, Sweetwater is the sweetest spot for traveling on a dime. It’s completely free! (Unless you intend on going home with a drum-set from the retail section in the front of the building.) You walk through the front doors into this humongous storefront that is a musical abyss. Since this was our first stop after our three-hour drive aside from food and bathroom breaks, we went straight to the free arcade to unwind. The boys started with a round of mini golf, the older two quickly transitioning to the virtual soccer and golf simulator nearby.

Moving on after a few other games, we searched for the infamous two-story slide which I somehow ended up on with the two-year-old. After checking out the observation deck over the massive warehouse, following conveyor belts all over to see if we could track a product all the way down to packaging, we wandered the storefront, checking out guitars, keyboards, soundboards, and other percussion, my oldest son’s favorite area being the drum studio.

The next day we journeyed to downtown Fort Wayne to Science Central (ASTC certified). This place was unique, being that it was the old power plant and still had the generators in the middle of the building and an observation deck where guests can see what it was like when the plant was alive and productive. The older two enjoyed a special electricity show about the Tesla coils. Being that their mom is obsessed with the electric Tesla Model S, seeing the original idea how it all came about was intriguing (and the boys enjoyed it too ha).

Be sure to check the website for Old Fort Wayne before heading into the city. Although it was cool seeing a recreation of the fort used during the French and Indian War, the volunteer staff who operate this historical site dress in costume to bring the 1700’s to life on certain days and for special events, and the buildings are open for viewing (https://oldfortwayne.org/).

We had planned to explore the botanical gardens before leaving the city, but by the time we found it, three of the kids had dozed off and we really did not want to loose that precious opportunity to gain some miles home in peace. Instead we decided to drive the hour and a half to Toledo and stop at Imagination Station since it was on the way home anyways, but that’s for another blog.

travel with kids: pittsburgh

Looking to take a trip as a law enforcement family on a dime with little time and little kids? A membership to any of the local Association of Science Technology Centers will allow just that, guaranteed fun! (http://www.astc.org/passport/) I am blessed to receive a membership every year to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History as a birthday gift, which means free or discounted admission to multiple science centers and children’s museums in almost every state, so long as it is outside of a ninety-mile radius. Our children have become expert travelers for day trips and if it is more than three hours a way, we’ll stay a night or two.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has been one of our favorite places and the city that started our travel addiction. Duquesne Incline, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Science Center are all must do’s, although if we would have known exactly what the incline was we may not have done that one from first glance! I’m glad we purchased the tickets ahead of time. (h ttp://duquesneincline.org/)

It was an amazing experience riding a century-old cable car up the side of Mount Washington and then not only wandering the museum, offering an experience that will take you back in time when the incline was a primary mode of transportation, but getting to witness the view! Be advised, the ride up is pretty rickety, but we happened to catch one of the tour guides on the way down who ensured us our safety and explained the extensive tests the cars and cables undergo.The kids had no fear, wondering why Mom and Dad were rushing them off at the top (haha). The view from the observation deck alone was worth the udder horror on the ride up, as it overlooks the entire city.

The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is an all-time favorite for our kids. All the basics of a children’s museum are covered… the painting area, light bar play, mechanics. But what makes this place so amazing is the full-floor water play layered with a drainage floor for maximum fun. Fountains, pipes, boat racing, all kinds of activities for the kids to enjoy and lots of sitting areas for the caretakers to relax. We planned a trip back centering around this water area! Pool attire is recommended, which we will be bringing next time. Dryers and changing areas are available as well.

Once we discovered that the children’s museum and the Carnegie Science Center are ASTC-certified, we decided to go back to Pittsburgh for a day, but ended up spending so much time in the science center we didn’t make it back to the children’s museum! The cornerstone to the science center was the tour of the USS Requin Submarine complete with a full-size torpedo to greet you as you enter the sub. The history comes to life as you squeeze through the hallway peering into each room—the kitchen, the bedrooms, the closets, the engine rooms. The tour is then topped off with memorabilia from the actual soldiers who once lived upon the magnificent vessel.

We are looking forward to another trip to Pittsburgh soon, possibly doing our first full family camping trip at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park and checking out Laurel Caverns. Wherever the road takes us, we will keep making memories and appreciating the moments with our LEO.

if you only knew

Earlier today as I sat down, I decided to do a quick scroll through Facebook and saw a picture of two girls in softball uniforms, at least one of them the daughter of a police officer, with some writing on the their arms that made me do a double take. Written on them were the last names of two local police officers who were shot and killed going to a 911 hang-up call just a few short months ago. They had written the names to honor those two families who would not be showering their fathers with hugs and gifts today for the first time. If they only knew that last year’s Father’s Day would be their last with their daddies…

My heart aches for those five children who lost their fathers and the two wives who lost their husbands on that day.

As I looked around at the decorations the boys stayed up late last night to hang, it made me treasure once again every moment we have together. The morbid thought did cross my mind as we ran streamer across the ceiling and blew up balloons that there was a chance my husband and their daddy would not be home in the morning to see all that they did.

Just the other day, while I was sitting around the table having dinner with my children and playing outside, my husband was in the middle of the woods for hours with four other officers looking for a man who fled after being pulled over for a simple traffic violation, presumed to be armed. I missed this call on the scanner and was not aware of this until the following morning, but it was one of those situations that make you ensure to cherish your marriage every single moment. If I only knew what situation my husband would be in that night…

The emotional toil of being an officer or being a loved one at home, waiting anxiously for that officer to walk through the door, could make a person crazy if they focus on what could go wrong. But instead we try to focus on what could go right, look at the difference our LEO has made and continues to make, and honor the fallen who made the ultimate sacrifice. Although really it’s their families that made the biggest sacrifice. If people only knew what an officer, a soldier, any first responder really, and their families go through on a daily basis…

Most importantly, we do our best to remember that no matter what happens, we’ll all be reunited someday in a place where there is no injury, no sickness, no criminals, and no death. Knowing that is best reassurance possible.