Gosh

So today was a mixture of emotions. Happy, sad, content, thankful, sad some more...you get the idea.

Before I go any further, let me just say that Tanner's concert last night was AWESOME. Man, I was so impressed! Now mind you, it was only a 20 minute concert. Yes, you read that correctly-20 minutes. They warmed up for 15 minutes, in order to play a 20 minute concert. It's ok though, it was great no matter how long they played. It was neat to see all 165 kids on stage and hear the sounds they were playing-they really sounded great! It was so fun and I honestly can't wait until the next one.

Now back to today.

Every year our department does a "Shop With A Cop" program. We pair underprivileged kiddos with an officer and they go shopping together. They get to spend $175, with 80% going towards clothes and necessities and 20% going towards a toy. We also partner with the McDonald's that's inside of Wal-Mart. They provide breakfast for the kids and their families, along with the officer's.

This is my favorite day of the year as far as working at the Police Department goes. I love it. I love watching the excitement on the kids faces when they get there. I love how appreciative most people are. I just love it. I've worked with the program for the ten years I've worked at the PD. I started out shopping with the kids, but now do more of the administrative stuff (contacting the families, making sure everyone is there and that we stay within the budget, etc).

Anyway, this year we helped 139 kids from 61 (I think) families. The kids ranged in age from 6 weeks to twelve years old. It was so much fun! I could tell so many stories about the different kids and their families. One of the Capt's took pictures and maybe I'll be able to post some of those later in the week. My favorite story of the day came from a ten or eleven year old boy who came in to shop with his younger brother. My Lt. was sitting next to me behind the registration table in plain clothes (his normal "uniform"). When we got the boys and their Grandma checked in, I turned and asked Lt. Lewis if he could take this family shopping. Scott said "Sure" and stood up. All of a sudden, the oldest boy...in complete awe and amazement...said "HEY! HE'S UNDERCOVER!" He was just in such awe and admiration. It was so tender. He was so excited to get to go shopping with an "Undercover." This is a day that these kids will likely remember for the rest of their lives. I'm so privileged to get to have such a small part of it.

We were at Wal-Mart from 6:00am until 11:30am. Talk about a long morning! It was definitely worth it thought, let me tell you!

Once we got back to the PD, it was back to life as we knew it. ICK!

A few weeks ago, one of our officer's got very sick and was in a lot of pain. Two Dr's told him that he had a hernia and scheduled him for surgery. Unfortunately, these Dr's were wrong. Come to find out, after going to Chicago to the Cancer Treatment Center of America, Craig was diagnosed with Stage 4 Sarcoma cancer. We found out today that his prognosis is NOT good. Craig is in his early 40's, has been married for less than two years, and has a 14 and 19 year old step sons.

The PD is devastated to say the least. This is our second officer in just months, who has been diagnosed with a terminal cancer. It's so bizarre and so sad. Talk about a helpless feeling too.

One of our guys had an idea of holding a pancake breakfast in Craig's honor at the Fayetteville Applebee's. It's going to to be this Saturday from 8:00-10:00 and is an all you can eat pancake breakfast. Tickets are $5, with $3 of that going straight to the Chastains. There are several of us who are trying to help get this pulled together and get tickets sold. If any of you live in the Northwest Arkansas area, PLEASE try to come out this weekend to Applebee's and help support Officer Chastain.

Because I went in so early I was able to take off work early and take Tanner to get her hair cut. We came home after that, took our baths and put our jammies on-all before 4:45! It's a cold, dreary night and we thought it was best spent in our jammies! Steve thought he was going to have to work late, but was able to get away on time, thank the Lord! I made pancakes and bacon for dinner and we've had a relaxing, perfect night. I feel very content and very blessed to have my happy, healthy family home with me tonight.

So there's my day in a very large nutshell. See why I said I've had a realm of emotions today? It's been a great, but draining day.

I think as soon as Tanner goes to bed at 8:30....I'm going to follow right behind her.