When I went into work yesterday, like most days, I had no idea what would happen. I was glad when my partner asked if I wanted to go into the field. It was a crisp clear day out and I knew sitting at my desk would not be pretty. I reserved a car and we loaded on our equipment. She has been sharing tidbits of the the recent problems she was having with one of her sex offenders. It is very intense case and she needed to check in on him after he left her a slippery message.

After getting to his apartment building the maintenance man let us in and we started knocking on his door. He was very garbled and minimal responsive through the door. He wouldn't open the door even after we demanded him to. We asked him if he wanted an ambulance and he just grunted. He's an addict and has severe mental health issues.

We contacted our senior officer and after a few phone calls and some lights and sirens we had three police cruisers, the fire and rescue squads. When the police started talking through the door he perked up a bit and kept repeating that he didn't need medical attention and told us to go away. Meanwhile, we got keys for the door from the property owner but he had changed the locks. The officers repeatedly reminded him that his PO could enter his apartment at any time and he insisted on talking with his attorney. They were about to bust in his door but after about 45 minutes of banter he opened it. The cops circled him to make sure he wasn't flailing needles around and we went to the back bedroom where we quickly discovered the victim of his original offense. We had to arrange to get a copy of the Order of Protection brought to us because the tracker no longer had it on record. He was arrested and we searched his apartment with our search team for the next few hours and were able to add several scary things to the violation.

It was crazy and one of those learn as you go situations but our director showed up and complimented us on how we handled the whole thing. I was exhausted. Glad the girl is safe.

Things that made me grin today...

~ Abel told me I am his best friend in the whole world.

~ My niece was actually awake when I held her and looked me in the eyes for the first time!

~ I started work at 7am (not grinning) and got to leave at 4 (grinning).

~ Watching Abel interact with friends at dinner.

~ Scott asked me if he could do my laundry.

~ Getting to say "10-4" three times on the radio while out in the field today and my partner rolling her eyes.

~ A friend stopped by to drop off DVDs just because she knows I will enjoy them.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
-old irish blessing

I am doing the new Auntie dance!!

Violet Mary weighing in at 8lbs 6oz and 21 inches! Wooohooo... and Lora is my new hero and the ultimate Wonder Woman. No meds, no nothing... just 17+ hours of pain and wonderment. Thankfully, there were no complications and everyone is resting. She is the sweetest little baby girl ever created.

No pictures yet because I grabbed the camera very early this morning and didn't know the battery was dead. Tomorrow I will have the goods.