Raymore City Council Meeting

Here is a rare post from Jon instead of Jen.

Monday, I had the oppurtunity to speak at our City Council meeting in support of a bill that will allow people to defend themselves with the most appropriate tools, even while inside city buildings. Currently, most common self-defense weapons are banned from city buildings, and we actually heard the Mayor and a councilwoman suggest alternatives such as salt shakers and chairs to ward off violent, armed, criminal attackers.

A friend of mine made some excellent factual/legal comments, and then I made some comments regarding my personal experience (see the video). Then the bills were read, and then extensively and humorously debated, but I didn't put that two hour video here. After we heard various gems of wisdom such as how the Kirkwood, MO City Council was asking for it, and that the Ft. Hood shooting could have only happened at an Army base because [unarmed] Marines would have been more courageous and stopped the [armed psycho] guy, eventually it went to a vote. We got a veto-proof majority of votes in favor, but this is just first read, so it will have one more vote, and then a veto-override vote (the Mayor talked to me after the meeting and promised to veto it).

Sheriff's Citizen's Academy

Jon and I "graduated" from our Sheriff's Citizen's Academy class last Wednesday and let me tell you, I am sad that I won't be going to the Sheriff's office this Wednesday. It was so much fun learning about the Sheriffs Office (dispatch, investigations, patrol, courts, jail...). We had a great time and HIGHLY recommend for anyone to check out to see if your county offers something similar. This is our class.

We had some really annoying storytellers, but mostly it was a great bunch of people. They guy on the left in the red shirt is our sheriff and I REALLY like him. This is the first thing you see when you go to our Sheriff's office website:

"The Sheriff has issued a message to anyone with the intent to criminally victimize citizens in Cass County;

CRIMINALS BEWARE, Citizens in Cass County have the right to self protection."

AMEN!! How can you not like him!!!

A few weeks ago I got to sit in at dispatch and listen to all the 911 calls on a Friday night. I was expecting to hear some crazy stuff, but apparently Cass county isn't too exciting. The most we hear about was some cows on the road and a few suspected drunks. But today I got to sit in at the jail and that was really interesting. I REALLY enjoyed it. I was there for 7 hours and I was siting in the master control station (the person who opens and closed every door and pretty much communicates with any prisoner for any need they have, which was A LOT) for the men part of the jail. The lady in there watched over all the men (from Minimum to Maximum security). It was amazing how sweet she was to all of them, no matter what they were there for and the even more amazing them was how SUPER NICE they were to her. It was really an eye opener to see what a prisoner life is like and what it is like to be the deputy over them. In another few weeks I get to go on my ride along. I'm sure that will be fun too!!!

Story Time

Jon told Dallin to pick out a book to read so Dallin brought over a book and the kids climbed up on daddy and got comfy and Jon started to read. I looked over and this is how I found them...Apparently Elise wanted to get very comfy. She's not only lying on Jon but Dallin too; with her finger in Daddy's mouth as he tries to read and Dallin leaning his elbow on Elise. They are so funny!

Yee-Hah!

For Halloween this year Dallin changed his mind at least 4 times of what he wanted to be. He wanted to be Spider man, then a Cowboy, then an astronaut, and then a fireman. So I finally was able to get him to make up his mind to be a fireman (although I had already found an adorable cowboy costume for $2). But when he saw how cute Elise was as a cowgirl, he wanted to be a cowboy too. For Jon's work party the kids were a cowboy and a cowgirl. Super cute! And for Halloween Dallin got to be a fireman and due to toddler difficult, Elise was a cowgirl again (I had a cute pirate costume for Elise that she REFUSED to wear). The kids scored so much candy that we gave at least half of it to my dad to eat. They both had so much fun this year! And by the end of the night Elise was saying "treat" and "thank you" to just about everyone!

Kids

Where did my baby go? All I can find is this grown up girl...Dallin and I made brownies on Friday for Daddy since my mom and I were going to Time Out for Women all weekend (which was SO good!!!). Dallin REALLY enjoyed cleaning up! Oh...and the black eye is courtesy of Elise. But that is another post all together.

The other day I walking into my very messy living room to find this:

It was so cute that they were just laying there cuddling with each other. I love these moments...

Daddy and Son Bonding

For Dallin's birthday, Jon took him for a special night time date to an observatory (since he has been really into space) to look at the stars and learn about black holes. Jon was a little nervous when they got there and it was too cloudy to look through their telescopes since he figured he would be so excited about the lecture part. But after an hour lesson on black holes Dallin actually loved it! Jon said he was quiet and listening the whole time. They went out for ice cream afterwards and when they got home Dallin told me all about it. He asked if he could go back so we know it was a hit! And here is a picture he drew on his new Art Easel of Daddy and him with their coats and hoods on going to the observatory. What a cute boy!