AMEN

Happy Easter.

PRETTY IN PINK

As I rounded the corner up cardiac-hill to go to the Petterson Event Center this was the scene that awaited me. There were hundreds of police officers lined up waiting for their fallen friends. It took my breath away.

They brought Stephen and all the officers in one at a time following the marching bagpipes and followed by there family. The girls Jennifer and Brooklynn were dressed in their bright pink Easter dresses, each was holding one of their mother's hands. Shandra looked so beautiful.

(Side note: Some of you may be wondering why have been stealing pictures from the news instead of taking some for myself. These events have been so reverent and solemn it would have almost seemed sacreligious to pull a camera out.)

BAGPIPES

I don't think I will ever get the absolute silence and then those ringing bagpipes out of my head. It will be a memory that will stay with me throughout life. I love you Shandra. I am so sorry.

PITTSBURGH MORNS

Today was a very emotional day.



Isn't music so powerful? I love this song and have felt particularly moved by it today.

SERVICES

All three officers, Paul Sciullo II, Eric Kelly and our dear friend Stephen Mayhle will be at the City-County Building beginning Wednesday at 3 p.m. You can come by for the viewing, it will go from 3 pm until everyone who has wanted to has paid their respects. (It will be a closed casket viewing.) The address is 414 Grant St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. All of Pittsburgh is invited. This is the first time a police officer has fallen in the line-of-duty in over 18 years. I am certain all of Pittsburgh will come out and I have heard police officers from all across the country will be comming, including some of the officers from the California district who were affected by a similar tragedy one week ago. Also, there will be a public memorial service at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Petersen Events Center in Oakland. Everyone who can, should attend. You should head out early. If you have questions, again e-mail.

MISSING YOU

Aren't they the cutest family? I am saddened today to let my friends and family know that mine and Sierra's dear friend's father and husband was killed today in the line-of-duty. He was a real hero. Stephen, if you are listening to this, you are right it isn't just firemen, police officers are heroes too. (He use to always tease that everyone was always excited when firemen showed up. They were the real heroes, he would say as he rolled his eyes.)

If you would like to send a card, e-mail me at lcmcknight@gmail.com. I will let you know their address. I am grateful for my faith today. I know Stephen is lovingly watching over his family. I know Jesus Christ will walk with them today and every hard day to come.

URBAN GARDENING

Who wants to garden this year? Well, every year I have made sparse attempts. We have moved every year, so although we have planted we have never harvested, which was sad. Last summer I heard rumor that you could rent a garden plot up in Stanton Heights. I looked around and researched it, but I always hit dead ends. I should have been a little more aggresive.

This year I have found the rumor is true. You can rent a plot for $15.00 a year. This includes all the water you will need. They also have a few tool you can use. The man in charge of plots is Jim Tunney. His home phone number is 412-441-3958. He says as of now they have plenty of plots available. The plots won't be available until May. May 2 at 10:00am they are having a meeting at the cemetery office on Butler. I will be there.

If you are interested in gardening this year then come and garden with me. For those of you who don't know, tomatos grow like weeds in Pittsburgh. The soil is great. Ashley Clark grew some beautiful cilantro last year. You could easily grow a salsa garden. I bet you could grow really yummy strawberries. I know a lady up in Butler who could teach us how to can what we grow. Also, for those of you who don't live in the area, you can garden on any abandoned lot as long as it is owned by the city and you get a garden waiver from the city. All the information I have obtained is on this website, growpittsburgh.org. Let's all get out and grow something.

WALK AND BLOW

MJ has developed a lot of leg strength lately. She is really enjoying her walker. This walker has a stationary post and it pivots. She's been walking in circles today. She has worn a circular pattern into the carpet. Look at those chubby buff legs. She is so dang cute.

Her sister has taught her how to blow on people's skin to make obnoxious nosies. When MJ is in a playful mood she will bury her little head in my neck and blow until she can make a sound too. She has gotten pretty good at it. A huge grin spreads across her face whenever she is able to make a really loud noise. I have been trying to capture this on video but have been unsuccessful. Look for a clip in an upcoming post. It is only a matter of time.

Funny thing Sierra said today....

CC: Mom can we go to that Chineses place, so I can hug that little man again. That will make me so happy.

Mom: What? (Before you get all creeped out envisioning us at a Chinese restaurant with CC hugging a decrepit Chinese short Chinese man, which was the exact vision passing through my head at the moment.)

CC: You know the place we went for Adalie's Birthday?

Mom: We went to Chuck e Cheese not Chinese.

SCAREY MONKEY

Well, Sierra and I went to the Thrift store yesterday. We were browsing for a particular item and we noticed there were no toys in the store. The toys are typically the number one attraction for Sierra. I will typically let her chose one she likes to entertain her through the store while I shop. (We never take the toy home.) I let her chose a few books to take home. I found a cute hat for my sister's baby. Suprisingly, I found a brand new Easter Veggie Tales movie. I was impressed by my finds. While we were at the checkout Sierra said to the cashier, "Hey, where did all the toys go?" She replied, "It is against the law now for thrift stores to carry toys because of all the lead based paint in Chinese produced toys." I told her how sad that was. She mentioned she felt it was particularly sad for there store because they would research the recalls and not put toys out that were on the recall list, but they had to abide the same law as all the other stores. Sad. She asked Sierra if she had seen Barbie Island Pricesses. I said that she owns and loves the movie. Her daughter is starting to out grow Barbie. She brought the monkey to give away. The monkey is a charicter on the movie. Sierra was thrilled and loves her new toy. It talks and gives kisses. Madison won't stop smiling and laughing every time Sierra shows it to her. I think its a little scarey looking. Despite mixed reviews on the appearance of the monkey, we all feel it was a really kind gesture from a complete stranger.