So close...so scared...

I graduate in 4 weeks. I'm not ready for this! Part of me is so done with the academy, and the other part of me feels like I haven't learned a thing and I still need another year in the academy. It's just such mixed emotions going on! Despite the fears that seem to be pulsing through my veins, I am very, very excited to get out on the streets are start being a cop! It's (almost) a dream come true!

Exciting events have transpired since my last post. I qualified in shooting, which basically means I can hit the target. Firearms ended up being pretty darn fun! And cold. We spent a lot of time at Camp Williams...in the snow...shooting guns...ya, not on my list of favorite things, but it's not the worst thing I've done. It was fun seeing myself and the other cadets progress and become good shooters! We had a good time. Everyone wanted to borrow my big, pink ear covers. Or my owl mittens that are actually the best mittens ever because they are big enough to put hand warmers in. Do you know how hard it is to load a magazine with freezing fingers? Near darn impossible. One of the instructors said my mittens were almost as cute as my ear covers. I have to kind of feel like a girl while I carry a gun, wear pants that do nothing for my backside, and march around in black combat looking boots.

I also can officially chase someone in a high speed pursuit. Not that I would ever want to after all the videos they showed us of officers killing people while going through a traffic light at 100 MPH, but I could do it! I really enjoyed the driving at the academy. It was really fun to drive fast and be running lights and sirens and talking on the radio and just having a good time! Despite the fact that I really struggled with backing up through the cones, I enjoyed myself. And we didn't have to start till 10 AM on driving days. I got to sleep in till 8. It's a miracle. Truly a miracle.

I have discovered my calling in life. Accident investigation. Ya, of all the different areas of police work I could desire to work in, I choose one of like two areas in police work that requires math.

Katie + math = kasdjf;anei;touairu092384

Ya...it's about like that.

But I love accident investigation! I loved that someone can go to a crash, look at the vehicles, draw a picture, take down some measurements, look at some tire skids, do some math, and BAM! Here's how fast they were going when they hit, what directions they came from...blah blah blah. I love it. SO MUCH. Again, just following in my dad's footsteps. He was an accident investigator for a long time. It must be hereditary.

With every positive comes a negative. I never want to be on SWAT. I do not enjoy hunting bad guys. Especially hunting bad guys in dark rooms that are waiting to shoot you with rubber bullets. They can see you but you can't see them! And it's awful. And scary. I went full on "code black." AKA - I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE **** TO DO SOME I'M JUST GOING TO HIDE BEHIND MY PARTNER AND DRAG US BOTH OUT OF HERE!!!!!! Scary stuff going down.

So life is good! Phil's cute as ever. I love him a lot. We have fun together. I can still throw him down like a boss. And ya, that's the update for now! Until next time...

KTD

He got me Alfie Boe tickets for Valentine's. He loves me.

THIS GUY! I love him!

Pink muffs. 'Nuff said.

I seriously love these kids. They make my life happy.

It's seriously been since July?

I thought I was so up to date on my blogging, but considering I just checked and I have not blogged since July, I should probably pick up the slack! Sheesh! I suppose I'll just start with some highlights as to not make this post 100000000 pages long with all the excitement going on in our lives!

According to the last blog post, I had just tested with Sandy City Police Department. That was the first time I tested! I tested again in October, again, for the experience of testing so I could go to other agencies and test. But...good things happen, Heavenly Father knows what's best, and I still have a hard time believing it, but I was hired! I know, I know, you're all thinking, "Well your dad is the chief, of course you got hired!" But the nice thing about police testing, is it's just that...TESTING! I had to earn my spot by passing a physical test, a psychological test, a background, and interviews. The one thing I know my dad and I both agree on is that I had to earn my spot. I would not be rewarded for being his daughter, (Even though being his daughter is a great reward! Oh gag me cute!) so I know that I deserved being hired. Anyways! Rant over for that one.

So I started the police academy in January. I won't lie, that first week sucked. I hated getting up at 5 am, I hated the fact that my uniform shirts were about 15 sizes too big, I hated being there for 11 hours a day, and I hated the instructors. But after a couple weeks of adjusting to that schedule I have come to enjoy it! The physical training is hard. I attempted keeping track of how many push ups we were doing, but the one day we did 300 I just gave up on keeping track. I'm getting swol. The classroom work was pretty brutal because most days it was 10 hours a day of law classes. Which the law is important, don't get me wrong! I mean...I am a LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER! But 10 hours a day of search and seizure was just....blah. Then throw beastiality, the 10 Amendments, and object rape into the blender and you just have a smoothie full of fun! Defensive tactics is a good time...until you get partnered up with guy who goes all out, 100% and slams you into the ground to the point that you can't breathe...and then it's not fun anymore. (I never partnered with him again.) Phil is hating it because I come home and practice all sorts of fun wrist locks and take downs on him. It's awesome being able to throw him around!

I am now in the second block, which is the official law enforcement officer block. We start firearms on Monday. I'm nervous. SO SO NERVOUS! Growing up my dad always said, "Don't play with guns! Don't touch guns! EVER!" And then we would see pictures of people with their heads blown off and I knew never to touch guns. Now I'm not only touching them, but I am carrying one on my hip! And have the possibility of using it! After practice I know I will be more comfortable with it. It's like...hmmm...what is it like? Maybe like the first time girls wear a bra. It is terribly uncomfortable at first, but after awhile you stop noticing...and eventually don't want to go anywhere without it! But I know at the end of a long work day, I won't mind taking it off. ;)

Going through the academy has really helped me gain more of an appreciation for law enforcement. Growing up with a dad in law enforcement, I thought I knew what I was getting into. But now going through the training, watching videos of officers getting killed, and seeing the dangers that are really out there, I am grateful for all those who decide to serve our communities. It truly is an admirable profession, but I don't consider myself "admirable" by any means. I just didn't want a job where I had to sit at a desk all day! I am grateful for the opportunity I have to serve and protect my community.

In other news, Phil is still an accountant, being smart as ever and working his bum off. He coaches UVU lacrosse in the evenings and is now a Sunday school teacher for the youth in our ward. He's such a stud muffin! We don't see each other a whole lot, as I am gone by 6:15 every morning and in bed asleep by the time he gets home at night, but I am grateful for our hectic schedules because it means we are working hard to become successful. I am very grateful for a husband who let's me follow this crazy dream of mine and become a cop! He was very excited the other day when I brought my gun home. Now all the sudden I am real cool! :)

Life is good. Throughout this journey of the academy I have become so much closer to my Heavenly Father. This life can be so hard. We have experiences that make us want to quit. Then the little miracles come that remind us that someone else is in charge and knows what we are going through and not only knows it, but allows it, and will comfort us through it if we ask. I have been amazed by the tender mercies I have noticed. Anything from a text from my Grandma saying she is praying for me to getting a good nights sleep when I was beyond stressed. A goal I set at the beginning of this year is to spread more good on social media. So I think I will link a conference talk at the end of each of my posts. Read it! This talk is one I listened to the other morning while I was getting ready. Elder Nelson is a stud.

That's all for now!

KTD

We went to Reno in...well honestly I don't remember when. Maybe October? So here are some photos from that trip! And just a few other shenanigans.

I can never think of a good title...

Summer time is fun. And hot. I can't decide if I like it or not! Just when I think I do, I walk outside and immediately start sweating and it's gross. I can only take off so many layers of clothing to cool off! I would say I'm having the time of my life working outside, but alas, I do such a good job inside that I have only worked outside about 3 times. Oh well. Gotta celebrate the little wins - like when I get to go outside to pick up the employee log for the day.

I tested with the Sandy Police Department! What a fun experience! I was really worried about the physical test, but I won't lie...I kicked it in the trash!! The oral interview was a good learning experience, and it was nice having my dad that could talk to the people I interviewed with to find out ways I could improve. I did good, but not quite good enough to move on to the next phase of testing. That's ok! I'm proud of how I did, and I'm excited to apply at other agencies now that I know I won't pee my pants when I have to jump 15 inches off the ground. (Among other bodily functions that happen when I exercise. That's enough.)

We tried a DELICIOUS new recipe. It was one that when I took a bite I said, "Wow Katie, you have outdone yourself!!" Oh nom nom. Bacon and cheese manicotti? Ok. If I have to.

Look at that cheesy deliciousness. And it is so easy!! Thank you Giada! (The recipe can be found HERE!

While I was waiting for the manicotti to bake, I cleaned my EVOO holders. (That would be EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL. Rachael Ray reference.) Rub a dub dub, EVOO holders in the tub! They were so cute in there.

When I just uploaded this pictures, I realized I didn't upload a few from our last trip to Disneyland. have a glance!

I think these are two of my favorite boys. Hyrum LOVES Phil!! They are two peas in a pod! And I think they ate half that bowl of grapes that night.

Selfie with Jessie!!

Lily's face...Classic.

Hyrum had a major creepy eye going on!! I wish this picture did it justice.

This is the precise moment their lives were forever scarred. 

These kids were too fun!!

We went to the David Cook concert on Saturday. Here's a fact about my relationship with my husband. I like to leave certain passions of mine out of our relationship until the last possible minute. I don't want to scare him off with how much I love certain things! For example, dogs. I. LOVE. DOGS. So much. The more dog kisses, the better! I read a book about dogs like I read the scriptures. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because the dog show is on. I mean...it's bad. Anyways. David Cook happens to be one of these obsessions of mine. I have loved him ever since he was on American Idol and sang "Always be my Baby." Youtube it. It will change your life, I promise. Who knew a Mariah Carey song could be so good!? I LOVE HIM!!! And apparently the fact that I knew the words to every song and what CD it was off of just made me an ultimate nerd! I just like to call myself a fan, but whatevs. I've been to three of his concerts now, and he never disappoints!

Can you say cutie patootie!? I can. Cutie patootie!!

 Dave, (Yes, we are on a nickname basis.) kept talking about "Archie" and how he needs to come entertain the crowd, and WA BAM!! Out comes David Archuleta and serenades us! Dave even sang backup! Seriously...it was a moment. I think I cried. Actually, I know I cried.

Look how cute they are together!! They should tour together. I've never really been a big Archuleta fan, but he actually really impressed me!! That kid can SING!! I don't think he has ever sung a bad note in his life. Very, very talented. I bet he prays before he sings. 

Funny story. The last David Cook concert I went to, I met President Uchtdorf. Yes. The Silver Fox. I was really torn because as I was waiting for President Uchtdorf, I was standing about 10 feet from cute David's dressing room door. I felt like Olaf on Frozen. "Just knock...knock...why isn't she knocking?" WHY WASN'T I KNOCKING!?! I asked the little security lady if I could, and she said, "Would you rather meet a Prophet of God, or a singer?" Really lady? You can't ask me that question when both are in the same area!! Not fair! I HIGHLY recommend everyone go to a David Cook concert. It might have been on of the best concerts I have been to! Some singers come to perform and they end up talking half the time! Which is great if you're funny like Dave Matthews or David Cook, (even though he didn't talk half the time) but I bought tickets to listen to the MUSIC!! SO PLAY IT!! And really sing. Don't lip sync. That's garbage. Why are you famous if you can't really sing? (COUGH..TAYLOR SWIFT...COUGH!!) Sorry. Sorry. I'm done. Rant over. David Cook is hot. Oh...did I just say that?

Look how cute we are? I love him. Even more than dogs and David Cook. I hope that makes him feel special. :)

That's all for now. Until next time.

-KTD-