Zach's Turn

Bryce already got his 'brag' spot on my blog, and I promised Zach would get his turn soo here goes.

The three of us kids were...well...unruly as children. I highly doubt 'unruly' does our craziness justice, but the blog would be entirely too long if I went into detail. I am sure you all guessed that I was the angelic one who was always brought into trouble by my crazy brothers, clearly not my fault (mom don't laugh). Ok, so not really. We all took our turns leading the 'adventures' and enjoyed testing anyone who crossed our path. Bryce had a 'terror time' in his early years and I am sure they will be revisited while he is at college. I made sure to leave my mark over the years but would consider my 'terror time' the teen years. And, Zach, he has had a constant 'terror time' in my opinion, but his reign of terror was definitely in his early 20's, so now it is time for him to settle down :o) And I believe he is on his way to normalcy.

On Easter, we all got to witness Zach's baptism. He has been involved in a men's bible study and working really hard on bettering himself. He has a fabulous girlfriend (if any of you know me...it is quite difficult to obtain my approval when it comes to my brother's girlfriends). My opinion, good or bad, is always known. Love ya Brittany! Needless to say we (I) are very pleased with the road big brother has chosen.

Zach's job has been another 'battle' so to speak. For a few years after college he spent all his time working a Lowe's...obviously this is not what he went to school for. But eventually he got on at Peoria County Jail as a correction officer. With his law enforcement degree he was hoping to be on the streets but nothing was working out so he took the jail job. It was always entertaining when people would ask where the boys were...We would answer "Oh Bryce is still at Metamora playing football and Zach is still out at the County Jail" We often had to clarify this was a job not a punishment. Some people had looks of horror if we did not catch it early.

While Zach was working at the Jail he was constantly trying to get on at a department where he could work the streets (as a police officer of course). This process takes forever. Literally, the applicants must go through physical, emotional, psychological, and knowledge based tests. They had to pass lie detector tests, physicals that lasted 2-4 hours, and interviews. If they fail any or do not meet expectations they must start all over again. Zach was so close a while back and his lie detector test was 'inconclusive' so he started all over again. He breathed a sigh of relief when he finally passed everything this spring. HORRAY

On May 7th, the whole family go to go to City hall and watch him get sworn into the Peoria City Police Department. It was quite exciting!

Zach and two other guys swearing their lives away.

The whole family there to Support Zachy-poo. (L-R) Aunt Connie, Bryce, Me, Dad, Zach, Mom, Aunt Georgia (missing Leon because he is snapping pics)

The Sibs. Bubba's eyes are close but that's ok, we know he is special.

The badge....soo exciting

And of course it was in the middle of the day so i had two little munchkins following me around. Luckily they were very very well behaved. And Miss Caitlin thought her glasses would be a great addition to the outfit. Those of you with difficult children know that it was not even worth it to request that she take them off while in City Hall...just not even worth the battle.

So now Zachy is away at police training for 3 months. If he doesn't die or get kicked out he will be back and ready to work the streets in August. Police Training is a lot like Military boot camp so we pray he doesn't go insane. After all, Zach is the most 'delicate' out of use three siblings. Haha Love you Zach! Congrats and Good Luck