John's Off Duty Discovery

Sunday afternoon around 5:30p.m I decided to get motivated and go out for a quick walk/run. I was feeling inspired by Kadi's progress with her daily jaunts through our neighborhood. I have also been inspired to get ready for my brown belt test in a couple of months. This was my third walk/run of the week. I asked Christine and Madeline if they wanted to come with their bikes and they did. We walked to the end of the paved section of Fiddlers Reach Road and said hello to the horses at the farm. Then we started headed back which the route takes us to the bottom of the Fiddlers Reach boat landing on the Kennebec River. The kids had left their bikes at the top of the hill and walked down with me. I got to the bottom and noticed a green Volkswagon parked near the landing. I got closer and noticed the the car had 4 occupants and the driver suddenly rolled her window up as I walked by. I thought I smelt a strong odor in the air as well. Well we walked back up the hill as I was formulating my plan. I had my phone with me but no credentials. I also did not want to put the kids in harms way. I decided to run home, in hopes that I could suit up and return with my cruiser to follow my instincts. I ran realy fast all the way home. I beat the kids who were pedaling fast. I arrived at our house and ran right inside. My Academy drill of instructor would of been proud that this 36 year old cop could still run as fast as I did. I threw off my sweatshirt and put on my police jacket and duty belt. I stopped and wiped the sweat off my brow (bucket). I grabbed my cellphone, radio, and ran out the door. I called my dispatch and told them where I was headed. I pulled down the boat landing and found the car and its occupants still there. Well the pictures tell part of the story. The driver was suspended for O.U.I along with all her occupants. None of them had a license. They all had cans and bottles of open beer shoved everywhere and full one's on the floor. I searched the vehicle and recovered two plastic baggies of Marijuana as well. The driver was out on bail and was in complete violation. A passenger in the rear was on probation for OUI neither were allowed to consume or possess alcoholic beverages! A Sheriff's Deputy backed me up and knew all of the occupants. I knew one of them in the back. One of the female passengers told me that she recognized Madeline from one of her friends parents day care! Not bad for a days work on my day off!

Last night my sister Meredith had a small get together at her house. My Brother Keith and Sister in Law Barbara were visiting from Utah. My sister Betsey, Brother in law David and Brother in law Robb and nephew Bryan were also there. John was home with the kiddos. It was fun to see all of them and get caught up!

Our Newest Energy Saving Adventure!

So last week John decided it was time for a Clothes Line to help save on Electricity. It is 80 feet long and extends from our Bedroom window to a Backyard tree. Our Washer is upstairs so this makes it convenient. Hanging out the window has been a joy! I wonder what our Neighbors think............ At any rate we're hoping our Electricity Bill will go down dramatically, will let you know in a later post.

April Vacation!

We have had lots of fun this April Vacation. Our friends from Massachusetts came up for a few days. Melissa and I have been friends since 10th Grade, yes about 20 years! She has the 3 boys and I have the 3 girls- it's funny how that happens. The Weather was Fabulous so we explored some of the Beautiful parts of the Maine Coast from Pemaquid Point Light House to Popham Beach. The girls had a blast playing with Camden, Bennett and Dawson and were very sad when they had to say Goodbye to them yesterday. Thankfully we'll be seeing them again in July.

Caroline had a great time with cousin Carson at the Children's Museum!!

Tae Kwon Do Test

John started a traditional Tae Kwon Do class/program at the Phippsburg Elementary School in the fall of 2005. He volunteers his time to instruct the program and loves working with the youth of Phippsburg. He currently teaches the class twice a week for two hours a class on Wednesdays and Saturdays. There are currently fourteen students who are enrolled with 10 of them being very committed to their training. The class held its second test today April 19th. The first test was held in Phippsburg at the Elementary School in February of 2007. Today's test was held at the Lyndon Tree Meetinghouse next to the Phippsburg Congregational Church. Six students earned the right to test for their next belt some after more than three years of training. Three tested for their yellow belts Christine, Andrew Schade, and Justin Collander. Three other students tested for their green belts Truman Slocum, Zechariah Thomas, and Mikey McCaloney. All six students gave their best efforts and were promoted by John's instructor and childhood friend Sabumnim Jeff Vanoudenhove 4th Dan Black Belt in Chung Do Kwan style of Tae Kwon Do. Jeff travelled all the way up from Chicopee MA to conduct the test. Now that is a good friend you can count on! He conducted the prior test and instructed a class at P.E.S this past fall. The test included showing proficient knowledge and execution of all 16 basic blocks, kicks, and strikes. The students also had to demonstrate advanced basics such as axe kicks, crescent kicks, spinning side kicks. They then performed three step self defense techniques, one step self defense, wrist releases, choke releases, free style sparring and then finished with board breaking. Jeff announced that he would be coming back to Phippsburg in a couple of months to conduct another test for three other white belts. He also announced he would test John for his brown belt. John has been training in Tae Kwon Do off and on since he was in 7th grade. He finds teaching it to be very rewarding. He is planning to take another trip down with some of his students in the next month to train with Jeff's class in Easthampton MA. John made six trips last fall to train with Jeff's class but had to stop because of the high gas prices.

Happy Birthday Madeline!

Madeline officially turned 8 today! We celebrated by going out to dinner last night at Applebees. We had Birthday Cake at home tonight and then Madeline went to her first Activity Day Girls night at church. Time flies by so quickly, it seems like we just brought her home from the hospital yesterday!

Catching up with old friends!

Saturday night my friend Noelle, her Mom in law Fran and Noelle's 3 kiddos came over for dinner. Noelle lives a couple hours away, so we don't get to see them that often. I hadn't seen her 5 1/2 month old since December! As you can see Henry is absolutely adorable as are Kiersten and Olivia! Henry now weighs 21 1/2 pounds, at birth he was only 7 lbs 1 oz! He is a healthy boy and was content to be the only boy amongst 8 girls! The girls all had fun playing together and we had a great time catching up.

A Hannah Montana Pajama Party!

Madeline celebrated her Birthday tonight with 10 of her friends! We had a 3 hour Pajama party! It was lots of fun and a bit chaotic! The girls had a great time making homemade slippers out of Flip Flops, doing the Limbo, playing Freeze Dance etc. Pinatas are always a huge hit and due to the rain we had ours inside. John was a great Pinata holder!

Check out my Slide Show!

A couple shots of wildlife taken by John!

We love living in Maine and being surrounded by so much Wildlife. Just today, John spotted this Bald Eagle while on Patrol and I saw a beautiful deer that crossed in front of me in our little subdivision. The eagle is molting so I'm sure in a few months it will be even more beautiful. John also spotted this Barred Owl while on Patrol a couple weeks ago. John is now asking for one of those big fancy dancy cameras so that his images are even clearer, maybe when our "ship comes in" (an expression my parents always used to tell me when I asked for big items) Other birds pictured American Kestrel (smallest falcon) and Egret!!!!!

So today I had my first Mammogram! I'm 35 and have a Family History of Premenopausal Breast cancer so this is my year to start the lovely process! It actually was much easier then I expected. I think we all have been touched by someone who has had Breast Cancer, it affects so many people! Every click you make on this Breast Cancer web site helps fund Mammograms for those who cannot afford them. So click away, every day! (Thanks Cassie for the idea)

Click here for an easy and free way to help fund mammograms for those in need at The Breast Cancer Site!

These Videos were taken when we were at Disney World. We had spent the whole day at Magic Kingdom and then went straight to the Polynesian for our Luau. Caroline was utterly exhausted and was really trying hard not to fall asleep. She is very aware of what you should do when a camera is focused on you as evidenced by the second video- what can I say my kids are very well camera trained (ha,ha,ha)!

Christine singing at the Art Show!

Art Sbow!

Last week the kids had an Art Show at School. These are a couple pictures I took, Madeline with her Monarch Butterfly creation and Christine standing below her Tree house picture (her piece is the one at the top).