OK it has been a few weeks, I apologize. For me it has been a vey exciting few weeks. We are all adjusting to the new baby, job and life in Georgia.
The baby is doing great! Every once in a while he will sleep consecutive hours during the night, that makes momma very happy. Makenna loves her little brother, most of the time. She is a pro at giving him his pacifier and she has started to imitate mommy in hushing the baby... it's adorable!
Socially we are doing ok, it's nice to be close to my sister, but we definitely miss our old friends and church family. We are making new ones to replace all the ones we lost... very hard process;~)
The job is keeping me on my toes. I love it so far. I have a couple of weeks left in training, then I'll be out on my own... scary thought! I have to say that the most surprising thing I have found so far is the amount people lie! I suppose it shouldn't be a surprise... but I am befuddled by the deceitfulness we encounter. The thing that really gets me is people lie about things that the police already know the answer to. Example scenario:
Have you had anything to drink tonight...(I ask the question though the flammability of their breath makes it obvious)
They answer
I'm going to tell you the truth ( I have learned in my limited experience that the preceding phrase is code for "I am about to lie to you) I haven't had anything
I say are you sure (opportunity to come clean)
They say OK I'm not going to lie (although they just did by claiming none) I think I had one. (I think I had one... listen if you really can't remember, you have to think the answer is at least 6)
Then my favorite... they will say I will prove it to you. ( I think that they think that I will say that's OK you must be fine because despite your glazed over eyes, breath that is more flammable than a Christmas tree in February and your inability to stand { something my 2 year old has mastered} your willingness must mean your innocent, go ahead and drive!)
But my actual response is something like, great take a deep breath, blow out until I tell you to stop.... good, that's enough.... oooo look the little box says that greater than 10% of your blood is alcohol.
And the response comes....ok I had 2 beers!

Makes me think of this verse
The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful. Proverbs 12:22
I say to God why do they do this, lie to me when I know the answer already. I get disgusted and then God reminds me
I do this to Him. I try to conceal things I have thought, said or done. All the while God knows. I am reminded by Paul of who I am
26Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
1 Cor 1
The only difference should be is that I know who I am and what God has done for me, therefore I strive to please him by my thoughts, words and actions.

I'll post pictures later, but your going to have to trust me for now... Cayden Marcus is here! Tam did an excellent job last Thursday delivering him and despite his paternal genes he is adorable! Makenna has had some issues adjusting to her new baby brother (she is a tad more emotional) but all in all she is a great big sister. She loves to hold him and hates it when little Cayden cries. At first when he cried it freaked her out but now she just says, "it's ok little guy!" Very cute. Another great blessing has been Tam's mom being around to help out.
Other than that, the job is great, new and exciting every night I work. I just got a new back-up weapon, a sig p232 stainless. It's very nice! My prayer is that I would be able to keep an eternal perspective and look for ways to make an impact for eternity in this job.
To the multitudes reading this, thanks and God bless!

Time is ticking away until Tamara, Makenna and I get to meet the special boy that God has created. This has been an unbelievable year of transition and throughout the year God has demonstrated his supremacy, control and will. This next stage of transition for the Tappan family should be great! We sure do appreciate the prayers and encouragement we have received from our families and our former church family out in California. Praise God for all He has done.

I have been duped!
OK, I can't believe what just happened. You have to understand that during the course of me explaining how I have been bamboozled, I will divulge characteristics of myself that may harm any previous preconceptions one may have had regarding a former Marine tri-athlete and current law enforcement officer. Therefore you must understand during the time this occurred I was acting completely outside of any relationship to any of the above.
So, I rent this movie under the preconceived notion is based on a true story, Akeelah and the BEE. As I watch the 11 year old rise from the streets of Compton, overcoming sociological barriers as well as her own fear while being coached by a man that must deal with his own tragedy, along with her own community pitching in (including notorious gang members) to help her win the Scripps national spelling Bee...I was literally audibly whimpering. I decided I wanted to find out more about this little champion who accomplished so much. Google search... return... I have been ripped off by Starbucks (producers of the movie). It's not enough that they charge me $4 for a 10 cent cup of coffee, now they want to play with my emotions too! Have you no decency you dealers of mediocre overpriced addictive fanciful drinks? There is no Akeelah, she was an imaginary character created to make me cry like a 12 month old ripped away from his mother!

A whole lot of nothing...
I figured it was time for an update, but really wasn't sure that anything in my life has been exciting enough to actually warrant one. The way that my wife loves and supports me is always worthy of note; the cuteness of my little girl deserves notation and the overwhelming grace that God shows me day after day deserves praise. I really have so much!
Other than that... I can't figure out how to get my wireless connection up and running and I keep breaking cell phones.

I was there!
The homecoming of the New Orleans Saints to the Superdome was an amazing event. The emotion was overwhelming, not a single person in the Dome could have possibly not been moved by the evening. Two things really stood out to me; 1) U2 & Green Day singing "The Saints are coming" the fans were rocous! 2) 23-3, complete domination.

OK, OK, I need to be much better about keeping this up. I really plan on it and now it should be easier, THE ACADEMY IS FINISHED! That's right, I am finally done. Last night were the graduation ceremonies. My goal from the beginning was to glorify God by my attitudes and actions throughout the academy. It is my prayer He was. The experience to me was invaluable. I met some remarkable people that provided me with an example of what Law Enforcement Officers should be. As I was telling a family member today, the most significant thing that I learned during the academy didn't come from one of the classes or defensive tactics or driving or shooting... it came from the lives of the Lieutenants that worked with us daily. Thank you, you know who you are, but you could never know the impact you had on me.
I know this was brief, but it will have to suffice until next time.

OK I missed a week, but I think it's ok, because I'm pretty sure no one knows about this yet. In the last two weeks some entertaining things have happened at the academy. First, I got chosen for my second stint as class guide ( aka: the whipping boy that is held responsible for every mistake the class makes). I am actually enjoying it. The second thing that happened was the pistol range. Now that was fun! Oh how I wish we had more time there. I was sooo close to shooting a perfect score, I missed it by one inch. I am having trouble getting over that inch! 6 weeks down 3 and a half to go...
Other than that life is good at home, Tamara and Makenna continue to be a huge support for me in the academy. I couldn't do it without them. Tam and I will be celebrating our 5th anniversary on the 19th. Tam's mom will also be coming out next week, which should be great. It will give her a "grown up" to converse with rather than just the rivoting usual conversation she has with Makenna day after day.
Another thing, if by some wild chance there is someone out there that does read this and you happen to be a follower of Christ, pray for us, it looks like we will be looking for a church home again.

How modern of me I'm blogging. Well, here are the Tappan's on the flip-side of one of the largest life-change I have ever had. I never saw it coming, but at the same time it seems like it has been planned since my birth. After nearly a decade of time spent in vocational ministry in Southern California, here I am in a suburb of Atlanta chasing after a career in law enforcement.
You would think that after a month solid of being yelled at, put down, and worked tirelessly I would be asking myself "Why?', but really I'm not... I'm loving it. I just completed the first month of the Clayton Regional Law Enforcement Academy, known state-wide for it's difficulty and atmosphere. Beside the commute and the hours it has been great. Speaking of the commute, I think I moved to the only place on the planet with worse traffic than Orange County. I sure can pick 'em. This past week has been by far the most exciting week I have had during my time in the Academy...EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operation Course). It was like Disney Land for gowm men. Imagine a large, water soaked, teflon coated assphalt area; a 1993 Crown Victoria with over-inflated, bald tires; keys to said car; a four point harness and helmets that look like they were left-overs from the prop room from the movie SpaceBalls. Oh the fun! Next week gets even better, a shiny new Glock 22 and near unlimited rounds and targets that light up and twirl... beats it's a small world any day!
Alright, I will try to remember to keep up with this, maybe an update after the range...we'll see. I'll also try to get Tamara to throw in some updates as well. Until then
...Press on toward the goal to which we have been called.