Work

I know it was months ago that I posted about getting a spot on the UHP DUI Squad, but believe it or not it's taken until this last week to get released from Salt Lake County! It's taking some getting used to. The one and only responsibility I have at work now from the time I check on until I check off is to find impaired drivers and take them off the road. I get to work with such a talented group of guys. To say it's motivating is such an understatement. This story is from one who I have the privilege of working alongside each night:

Today (Sept 4th, 2009) is the one year anniversary of my ex-wife’s tragic death. She, Rebecca, was killed traveling home late from Hurricane to St. George, a trip she had made a hundred times before. In an instant, she, her unborn child (9 mos) and her small daughter Bo, age 2, were killed in a flash by an impaired driver who had taken the prescription drug “Ambien” prior to making a quick trip to the store. The driver, now, completely asleep on drugs, crossed over the two way road without slowing and ran head-on into Rebecca and her VW Jetta with his pickup truck, killing her and her unborn child instantly. She was literally crushed. A senseless moment that should have never of happened. Emergency crews arrived 20 minutes later and Bo died at the hospital a short time later. I remember getting the phone call late that night, which my wife Kristyn answered. On the other end of the phone was Rebecca’s Mother. She explained in a matter of fact way, to Kristyn about the incident. I could instantly tell there was something wrong by the look on Kristyn’s face. She turned to me and said in shock “Rebecca and Bo were just killed in a car crash”. I could feel the blood run from my head and drain to my feet. The energy was sucked out of my body in an instant and I sank to the floor in a crumpled mass. Never have I felt that kind of grief or loss in my life. Thank goodness for my understanding and loving wife Kristyn as she tried to give comfort to my shock. She was there helping me as we both had difficulty trying to understand what this meant. The next morning I had to tell my two daughters that their mother and baby sister were no longer with us, and their unborn brother would never see a day of sunshine. I comforted them as best as a father could. We cried together. In a year from now, most people will not give much thought to her death. In 5 years, even less people will remember. However, she should have lived another 50 years or longer, not including the years her children should have lived. I will remember.
I am a Trooper for the Utah Highway Patrol. I take people to jail every night for impaired driving, and yet, I could do nothing to stop this incident. I felt helpless. I still don’t completely understand it all, but, she will be missed by many, including me. May she rest in comfort and happiness in the presence of God.

This is what I get to go out and try to stop from happening. I love my job :)

6 Months Old

Our baby Holden is already 6 months old. I can't believe how much faster it goes by when you have 2 kids. I feel like he was just born and now he is half way to one. Crazy!!! Here are some facts about him right now:

- He rolls every where and scoots.

- He is going to be crawling anyday. He can push up onto his
knees and rocks back and forth.

- He still just has the 2 bottom teeth, but the dr. said the top
ones will be coming anytime.

-Loves playing with his sister. She is the only one that can
get him laughing really hard.

- Loves, loves, loves his mommy. If I'm in the room he keeps
his eyes on me. If I am holding him and then hand him to Zach
he starts crying and gets mad. Sometimes he will hold onto me
tight if Zach comes up to talk to him. Doesn't want Daddy
to take him away. So funny!

- Loves putting everything in his mouth. Anything he grabs or
you give to him goes straight to the mouth.

- He is a catnapper. 20 minutes here, 20 minutes there.
Not a good thing.

- He is eating big boy food. Loves Rice cereal, green beans, applesauce,

mixed fruits, and oatmeal.

- Six month Stats:

Height: 26.8" 65%
Weight: 16.3 lbs 25%

He is following in the steps of Ella-taller then average and underweight. He is such a joy to our family and we love him more and more everyday. Can't wait to make many more memories with him!

He rolled over to our table then got stuck so he decided to take a nap!

Ella thinks the nutcracker is her brother also so he took a nap.

Such an imagination she has.

Not too sure what was going on.

Found mommy! Love these two sweet kids!

I think you can totally tell they are brother and sister.

So cute!!