Week 22! Less than 40 days left of the academy experience! Then it is on to the experience of "break-in". This weekend we had Brian home for both days! It was nice, especially since it will be the last full weekend for Brian until the weekend before graduation. So we stayed home most of the weekend. One last relaxing weekend. :)
On Friday, Brian earned back his CHP shirt, so he is no longer wearing his shirts with his name written in small marshmallow letters. When I asked Brian -jokingly- what took him so long, he said he is really good at flying under the radar. :) At the academy that is a blessing. Today at the academy things were pretty quiet. Classes and written tests. They did lose two more cadets to high speed, such a bummer this late in the game. :(
So tonight is New Year's Eve and I am allowing the girls to stay up. I am not too sure I thought this through... I might regret my decision soon. :) Right now they are being good, but I am not sure they will all make it to midnight. M is currently trying to climb into my lap and is demanding my attention. So I am cutting this one short. Happy New Year! May your year be blessed! Good-bye 2012 and Hello 2013!!
Blessings,
Cara
Monday, December 31, 2012
Thursday, December 27, 2012
CHP Academy Days 135-143, Christmas Whirlwind and Four Day Weekend!
I hope everyone had a great Christmas! It was great to have Brian home for four days, but it flew by a little too quickly. Saturday, we had Christmas with Brian's whole family. The girls ended up spending the night with Papa and Vava (Brian's parents), giving Brian and I a chance to see a movie with my BFF. The plan was to see This is 40 but we ended up seeing The Hobbit. It was good, even with out Legolas. ;) I guess we will just have to wait for The Hobbit- There and Back Again. ;)
Sunday, we went to church and was joined by my mom and niece. After church my dad stopped by our house and we had a quick gift exchange. It was nice getting to visit with him. After the visit Brian took Thing 1 and Thing 2 and went out in the pouring rain to do some Christmas shopping for my gift. They came home hair dripping! The rest of the evening was spent wrapping the presents for the girls and watching Christmas movies.
Monday, our friends came over to spend some time with us. The kids did some crafts while us moms got caught up. We plan on going up to visit them while the girls are out of school. :) We had Christmas dinner at Brian's parents house followed by a gift exchange. The girls were spoiled big time and had a blast! Tuesday, we stayed home and had a nice quiet family Christmas. We got up early, opened presents then had an awesome breakfast of ebelskivers. We watched each of the movies the girls received; Tinker Bell- The Secret of the Wings, Brave, The Lorax, followed by a round of Just Dance. I had a really great picture of Brian shaking his groove thing, but it mysteriously disappeared off the camera. It was like someone knew I was so going to post it on Facebook. :) Before dinner I cut Brian's hair- cannot have him looking like "a Hippie" when he got back to the academy. :) After dinner he said his good-byes and left for his really short week at the academy.
Today my mom watched the girls while my niece and I ran a few errands and did some lite shopping. I had to stock up on batteries and I was in desperate need of new socks. It was Target, so of course I ended up getting a dozen other things. :)
Brian's day at the academy started off with an early dose of PT. Surprisingly early. Brian also got to show off his mad skills during a DUI review session-Jeopardy style. Brian was voted the smartest from his team and was sent into the final Jeopardy round. Brian needed to know the name and maker of the instructor's favorite beer. The question really could not have been easier for Brian with him being a beer connoisseur. :) In other news, he was given a memo today with information he needs for his ride along at the office he will be working out of after the academy. (San Jose! No moving for us!) They also had another fitting for their uniforms today. I received a picture, but I am not allowed to show it to anyone. However, I can tell you, he is a hottie-patottie! :)
Well it is late, and I have a date with the gym tomorrow morning. So it is time to call it a night!
Blessings,
~Cara
Sunday, we went to church and was joined by my mom and niece. After church my dad stopped by our house and we had a quick gift exchange. It was nice getting to visit with him. After the visit Brian took Thing 1 and Thing 2 and went out in the pouring rain to do some Christmas shopping for my gift. They came home hair dripping! The rest of the evening was spent wrapping the presents for the girls and watching Christmas movies.
Monday, our friends came over to spend some time with us. The kids did some crafts while us moms got caught up. We plan on going up to visit them while the girls are out of school. :) We had Christmas dinner at Brian's parents house followed by a gift exchange. The girls were spoiled big time and had a blast! Tuesday, we stayed home and had a nice quiet family Christmas. We got up early, opened presents then had an awesome breakfast of ebelskivers. We watched each of the movies the girls received; Tinker Bell- The Secret of the Wings, Brave, The Lorax, followed by a round of Just Dance. I had a really great picture of Brian shaking his groove thing, but it mysteriously disappeared off the camera. It was like someone knew I was so going to post it on Facebook. :) Before dinner I cut Brian's hair- cannot have him looking like "a Hippie" when he got back to the academy. :) After dinner he said his good-byes and left for his really short week at the academy.
Today my mom watched the girls while my niece and I ran a few errands and did some lite shopping. I had to stock up on batteries and I was in desperate need of new socks. It was Target, so of course I ended up getting a dozen other things. :)
Brian's day at the academy started off with an early dose of PT. Surprisingly early. Brian also got to show off his mad skills during a DUI review session-Jeopardy style. Brian was voted the smartest from his team and was sent into the final Jeopardy round. Brian needed to know the name and maker of the instructor's favorite beer. The question really could not have been easier for Brian with him being a beer connoisseur. :) In other news, he was given a memo today with information he needs for his ride along at the office he will be working out of after the academy. (San Jose! No moving for us!) They also had another fitting for their uniforms today. I received a picture, but I am not allowed to show it to anyone. However, I can tell you, he is a hottie-patottie! :)
Well it is late, and I have a date with the gym tomorrow morning. So it is time to call it a night!
Blessings,
~Cara
Monday, December 17, 2012
CHP Academy Days 130-134/187, Tragedy and Blessings
Like most of you my heart was broken Friday. I sat at home Friday morning sobbing and fighting the urge to grab my keys and drive straight to the school to get my girls. As it was, they had a minimum day and I was still there 45 minutes early. I was not the only parent to get there early. I was not the only one who asked the people in the office about what is being done to keep our children safe. I was definitely not the only one who was holding on to their children extra tight.
I sat at home and watched the news, where it was repeatedly said that there can not be an armed guard at every school. But that schools are targeted because they are unprotected. I am not one to push my political views on to others and I am not looking for a debate, but I will say this: Why? Why can't we have a trained professional stand watch over our innocent children and their teachers? A sheepdog watching over the sheep. Would we send our children to a school that did not have fire sprinklers or fire alarms? No, because what if there is a fire? Sadly, bad guys are bad guys. Evil is obviously out there. And they don't care about what rules and laws we make. I want to be clear and say that I am not saying that we should give teachers guns. I just don't want our schools to be unprotected. My rant is done now.
We decided to share with our girls about the shooting. They would have heard about it anyways, and we felt it was important that they heard it from us. We explained that there is evil in the world, but that does not mean God has forsaken us. That is why we have a savior and one day all will be made right. We prayed for each of the victims (now in Heaven) and for the loved ones left behind. We prayed for all those who survived, for all those on the scene, those who helped. All whose lives will be forever changed. We prayed for those brave people who risk their own lives everyday to keep us safe. "Like Daddy when he is done with school," said A. The girls handled everything pretty well. They understood that their school leaders are doing their best to keep them safe. And no matter what God is in control, even when we cannot understand and are heart broken.
At the Academy, week 20 is under way. Today Brian had three out of the nine scenarios. He is pretty sure he passed all three. It is not all good news at the academy. Last week they lost ten cadets! Today they lost at least one, and he was the husband of my friend. I met her at the orientation and have kept in contact with her since. We have prayed and cheered for each other since the beginning. I am saddened that he will not be graduating in February. When we started this I had no idea that I would be so anxious to see the other cadets do well.
Sometimes it is easy to forget what blessings God has given. Tonight I am listing off my blessings again. I have my three beautiful talented girls that can make me want to pull my hair out, but also make my heart smile with joy. All of them are happy and healthy. At some point tonight one of them will get in bed with me and hog my pillow, but I am okay with that. I also have an awesome husband who puts up with me and loves me. He is hard working, God fearing, faithful, extremely smart, he makes me laugh, he is my best friend, and he is pretty darn good looking (bonus!). I grew up in a crazy but loving family that never say good-bye without a kiss, a hug, and an "I love you." I married into a great family and now have a great extended family. I have friends that are more like family and are real true friends. The biggest blessing I have is HOPE. No matter how crazy this world gets, I know where I will be when it is all said and done. To sum it up Love, Joy, and Hope are pretty good blessings.
Blessings,
~Cara
I sat at home and watched the news, where it was repeatedly said that there can not be an armed guard at every school. But that schools are targeted because they are unprotected. I am not one to push my political views on to others and I am not looking for a debate, but I will say this: Why? Why can't we have a trained professional stand watch over our innocent children and their teachers? A sheepdog watching over the sheep. Would we send our children to a school that did not have fire sprinklers or fire alarms? No, because what if there is a fire? Sadly, bad guys are bad guys. Evil is obviously out there. And they don't care about what rules and laws we make. I want to be clear and say that I am not saying that we should give teachers guns. I just don't want our schools to be unprotected. My rant is done now.
We decided to share with our girls about the shooting. They would have heard about it anyways, and we felt it was important that they heard it from us. We explained that there is evil in the world, but that does not mean God has forsaken us. That is why we have a savior and one day all will be made right. We prayed for each of the victims (now in Heaven) and for the loved ones left behind. We prayed for all those who survived, for all those on the scene, those who helped. All whose lives will be forever changed. We prayed for those brave people who risk their own lives everyday to keep us safe. "Like Daddy when he is done with school," said A. The girls handled everything pretty well. They understood that their school leaders are doing their best to keep them safe. And no matter what God is in control, even when we cannot understand and are heart broken.
At the Academy, week 20 is under way. Today Brian had three out of the nine scenarios. He is pretty sure he passed all three. It is not all good news at the academy. Last week they lost ten cadets! Today they lost at least one, and he was the husband of my friend. I met her at the orientation and have kept in contact with her since. We have prayed and cheered for each other since the beginning. I am saddened that he will not be graduating in February. When we started this I had no idea that I would be so anxious to see the other cadets do well.
Sometimes it is easy to forget what blessings God has given. Tonight I am listing off my blessings again. I have my three beautiful talented girls that can make me want to pull my hair out, but also make my heart smile with joy. All of them are happy and healthy. At some point tonight one of them will get in bed with me and hog my pillow, but I am okay with that. I also have an awesome husband who puts up with me and loves me. He is hard working, God fearing, faithful, extremely smart, he makes me laugh, he is my best friend, and he is pretty darn good looking (bonus!). I grew up in a crazy but loving family that never say good-bye without a kiss, a hug, and an "I love you." I married into a great family and now have a great extended family. I have friends that are more like family and are real true friends. The biggest blessing I have is HOPE. No matter how crazy this world gets, I know where I will be when it is all said and done. To sum it up Love, Joy, and Hope are pretty good blessings.
Blessings,
~Cara
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
CHP Academy Day 129/187
Today for me was a day of maintenance. I had two different maintenance men working in our home. One was for the dishwasher, that is still letting me down. Turns out there was something wrong with the valve, so now we are waiting for the part. The second maintenance guy fixed the toilet that has been running 95% of the time. He also looked at the gate and confirmed it needs to be replaced. I guess Daisy is not a Houdini after all, she was just taking advantage of the dying gate. He also sent the word out to the correct people about the small swamp forming in the front yard. So, hopefully, all the problems will be fixed by next week. :) I also had some time to work on a few crafts and wrap a few presents. The girls and I ended the day with homemade pizza and The Grinch. Overall a good productive day.
Brian's day was very full of activities. They had their first graduation practice! Talk about motivation! He said it was a very basic run down of things will go, but still...wow! He also had four hours of Spanish- DUI practice. Then he had fountain ceremony practice. In the afternoon they had the DUI scenario, during which Brian got to wear beer goggles. :) The cadets also got together and worked through a system to try and figure out where everyone is going after graduation. Nothing is official but it looks like San Jose may be where Brian is going. San Jose would mean a long commute, but no moving. It was our second pick but it also had eleven openings. I am not going to get too excited until we get the official word, but it is some nice motivation!
Only two days left of week 19! Brian just told me tonight that he is planning on coming home Friday night! We might actually get to have him home two nights this weekend! Which is good since I promised the girls we would make our gingerbread house this weekend. :)
Well it is getting late and I still have a lot of work to do. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Brian's day was very full of activities. They had their first graduation practice! Talk about motivation! He said it was a very basic run down of things will go, but still...wow! He also had four hours of Spanish- DUI practice. Then he had fountain ceremony practice. In the afternoon they had the DUI scenario, during which Brian got to wear beer goggles. :) The cadets also got together and worked through a system to try and figure out where everyone is going after graduation. Nothing is official but it looks like San Jose may be where Brian is going. San Jose would mean a long commute, but no moving. It was our second pick but it also had eleven openings. I am not going to get too excited until we get the official word, but it is some nice motivation!
Only two days left of week 19! Brian just told me tonight that he is planning on coming home Friday night! We might actually get to have him home two nights this weekend! Which is good since I promised the girls we would make our gingerbread house this weekend. :)
Well it is getting late and I still have a lot of work to do. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
CHP Academy Day 128/187
Hello Everyone! I picked up the item I won! As you can see, by the picture, it counts down to Christmas and it is pretty big. It has a button on the front that makes the screen glow super bright red. The girls love it! So much so that I already had to get on them for pressing the button too many times. :) Before our trip to pick up the Santa, M and I had MOPs. The MOPs meeting ended with a performance by the 3-5 year olds, including M. It was adorable! Some of the bigger kids stood right in front of M, so she was a little difficult to see. She kept leaning around them and waving -princess style- at me. She was so proud of herself. :)
Not all of today was fun and games. Daisy, who looks like a cute and innocent Boston Terrier, escaped today. TWICE. The first time was while we were at MOPs. I blocked off the gate that she escaped from and felt pretty confident in the finished job. Well, I was wrong. When we came home from picking up the girls from school, there was Daisy, running down the street to greet us. Happy as can be! She must not have been able to see the death-to-you look I was giving her. Of course, she looked like she took a bath in a mud puddle, so I had to give her a bath. When I was finished, I cleaned up the bath tub, gathered up the towels, turned around and there was Hans getting into the bath tub for his bath. So both dogs got baths, the bath tub was cleaned twice, and then the girls got their baths. In the end I felt pretty productive, even if I did smell like wet dog. :)
There was some bad news from Brian tonight. His room mate did not pass high speed today. Week nineteen and he is headed home. Brian was pretty down tonight. Which is not a surprise, since in the last 18 weeks he has spent more time with his room mates than he has his family. Brian and his remaining room mate do not really have time to dwell on it though. Tomorrow, they have their DUI scenario that they need to focus on. Not to mention the preparations for next weeks scenarios! Tomorrow, they also are turning in the dream sheets with all the openings in order of preference. So tomorrow is another full day!
Well, I think that covers everything from today. I should probably go to bed now since I have to be able to entertain a three year old tomorrow.
Blessings,
~Cara
Monday, December 10, 2012
CHP Academy Days 124-127/187; A Short Weekend
So this weekend was another short one. Brian came home Saturday afternoon and left early Sunday evening. I know we are lucky to see him for even that short amount time. There are a lot of families that have not seen their cadet since Thanksgiving. This coming weekend will not be any better. He doesn't have class, but he will getting ready for scenarios and needs to be at the academy.
While he was home this weekend, he wanted to show off some new moves he had learned. The girls loved watching Daddy toss me around and beat up on me. Hans; however, did not. First, let me be clear: Brian was not hurting me. He was very careful. Hans did not know this and was very upset. He growled at Brian! Not the playful kind of growl, but the "I am warning you, back off" kind of growl. He tried to keep Brian from getting close to me. Needless to say he was happy when the demonstration was done. The other thing that happened is H woke us up Sunday morning because she swallowed a dime sized ladybug necklace pendant. She wanted to clean it...and the bathroom sink was not good enough. So now we are on "ladybug-in-the-poo-watch". Apparently, she did not think the lecture I gave M the day before applied to her. The lecture I gave her about NOT putting objects into the holes in her head after she stuck a bead up her nose. So that was our weekend.
Today was pretty uneventful. Dropped the girls off, went to the post office, then I tried to get some work done at home. I did not get much accomplished since M was being so rambunctious, so I gave up and decided to talk a walk instead. I made M walk most of the way since she had so much energy and the stroller had another flat. It ended up being more then 1.5 miles, but she took a great nap afterwards! I went all pampered chef today and made M a small batch of homemade (healthy) potato chips to go with her lunch, and she actually liked them! So that was my day.
Brian's day at the academy was a long one. He didn't get back to his room until after 10:30. He sounded exhausted. He had his first day of EVOC- Code 3 and passed. They also had the Physical Fitness Test again. He didn't make it back on the training table (Yay!) and he increased his score by eleven points! They had their Wet Lab for DUI which means they had a bunch of drunk junior cadets walking around. Company B also had the remediation for the pistol today, both of Brian's roommates passed! Sadly, they did lose three cadets today. The day ended with a night shoot, which is fun but makes for a long day. Tomorrow is another long day for Brian. One of his roommates is facing his last chance on high speed and could use some prayers. Brian and his roommates have bonded, it would be extremely hard on them if one failed out. All the cadets, and their loved ones, could use a boatload of prayers. The next couple weeks are full of very stressful, do or die, situations.
Tomorrow I am taking M to MOPs. :) Our MOPs group is collecting toys for CHiPs for Kids. :) Brian took a toy to the academy this week and now I get to take a toy! I might make a trip to Hallmark to pick up an item I won. That's right! I won something! Now I cannot say I NEVER win anything. I am a loser no more! It is slightly creepy Santa thing, but it still counts as winning. The girls will love it, and that makes me happy. Now it is time for lights out.
Blessings,
~Cara
While he was home this weekend, he wanted to show off some new moves he had learned. The girls loved watching Daddy toss me around and beat up on me. Hans; however, did not. First, let me be clear: Brian was not hurting me. He was very careful. Hans did not know this and was very upset. He growled at Brian! Not the playful kind of growl, but the "I am warning you, back off" kind of growl. He tried to keep Brian from getting close to me. Needless to say he was happy when the demonstration was done. The other thing that happened is H woke us up Sunday morning because she swallowed a dime sized ladybug necklace pendant. She wanted to clean it...and the bathroom sink was not good enough. So now we are on "ladybug-in-the-poo-watch". Apparently, she did not think the lecture I gave M the day before applied to her. The lecture I gave her about NOT putting objects into the holes in her head after she stuck a bead up her nose. So that was our weekend.
Today was pretty uneventful. Dropped the girls off, went to the post office, then I tried to get some work done at home. I did not get much accomplished since M was being so rambunctious, so I gave up and decided to talk a walk instead. I made M walk most of the way since she had so much energy and the stroller had another flat. It ended up being more then 1.5 miles, but she took a great nap afterwards! I went all pampered chef today and made M a small batch of homemade (healthy) potato chips to go with her lunch, and she actually liked them! So that was my day.
Brian's day at the academy was a long one. He didn't get back to his room until after 10:30. He sounded exhausted. He had his first day of EVOC- Code 3 and passed. They also had the Physical Fitness Test again. He didn't make it back on the training table (Yay!) and he increased his score by eleven points! They had their Wet Lab for DUI which means they had a bunch of drunk junior cadets walking around. Company B also had the remediation for the pistol today, both of Brian's roommates passed! Sadly, they did lose three cadets today. The day ended with a night shoot, which is fun but makes for a long day. Tomorrow is another long day for Brian. One of his roommates is facing his last chance on high speed and could use some prayers. Brian and his roommates have bonded, it would be extremely hard on them if one failed out. All the cadets, and their loved ones, could use a boatload of prayers. The next couple weeks are full of very stressful, do or die, situations.
Tomorrow I am taking M to MOPs. :) Our MOPs group is collecting toys for CHiPs for Kids. :) Brian took a toy to the academy this week and now I get to take a toy! I might make a trip to Hallmark to pick up an item I won. That's right! I won something! Now I cannot say I NEVER win anything. I am a loser no more! It is slightly creepy Santa thing, but it still counts as winning. The girls will love it, and that makes me happy. Now it is time for lights out.
Blessings,
~Cara
Friday, December 7, 2012
CHP Academy Day 123/187, A GOOD Day! :)
Brian passed high speed!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK THE LORD!! WOO-HOO! Such a relief! Can you tell? :) Thank you to everyone who said a prayer and sent encouraging words.
Besides being awesome and passing high speed, Brian had a full day. They had a couple of guest speakers that came and spoke to the cadets. Brian said both were very interesting. Then Brian explained how he got a few new bruises. Would like to tell you how, but I didn't get that cleared. He found out that the class he was supposed to have Saturday 1-5 pm was moved to 8 am-12 pm. Which means he will be home earlier! :) Still nothing on the dream sheets, except that they are not ready yet. :)
Besides praying a million times, I also had a pretty busy day. A good thing when you are trying not to think about something. I got the the girls to school on time! (We were running a little late this morning because I almost forgot to put dinner in the crock-pot.) Then M and I headed over to the church for growth group. Today was the last day of the semester and that means party! There was a ton of delicious food, Christmas music, communion, good conversation, and even a gift exchange. I received a very cute travel mug! I needed a cute travel mug. The one I usually use was free from the dentist office. Not cute. :) After group, I took M to my mom's and went to the pregnancy center. I was pretty busy today at the center so time went by pretty fast. I didn't have time to stress out over high speed. Once I left the center time slowed down. I cleaned the kitchen, made cookie dough, put dinner on the table, and cleaned the kitchen again. I was just about to start rolling out the cookie dough when Brian called.
The girls were actually pretty good today! Minimal fighting. It was nice. They were pretty excited when Brian called and said he had passed. Well, A and H were excited, M only jumped up and down because her sisters were jumping. :)
Well the cookies are done, boxed up, and ready to be delivered, so now I can go to bed. I am pooped. Thank you again for all the prayers, love, and support!
Blessings,
~Cara
Besides being awesome and passing high speed, Brian had a full day. They had a couple of guest speakers that came and spoke to the cadets. Brian said both were very interesting. Then Brian explained how he got a few new bruises. Would like to tell you how, but I didn't get that cleared. He found out that the class he was supposed to have Saturday 1-5 pm was moved to 8 am-12 pm. Which means he will be home earlier! :) Still nothing on the dream sheets, except that they are not ready yet. :)
Besides praying a million times, I also had a pretty busy day. A good thing when you are trying not to think about something. I got the the girls to school on time! (We were running a little late this morning because I almost forgot to put dinner in the crock-pot.) Then M and I headed over to the church for growth group. Today was the last day of the semester and that means party! There was a ton of delicious food, Christmas music, communion, good conversation, and even a gift exchange. I received a very cute travel mug! I needed a cute travel mug. The one I usually use was free from the dentist office. Not cute. :) After group, I took M to my mom's and went to the pregnancy center. I was pretty busy today at the center so time went by pretty fast. I didn't have time to stress out over high speed. Once I left the center time slowed down. I cleaned the kitchen, made cookie dough, put dinner on the table, and cleaned the kitchen again. I was just about to start rolling out the cookie dough when Brian called.
The girls were actually pretty good today! Minimal fighting. It was nice. They were pretty excited when Brian called and said he had passed. Well, A and H were excited, M only jumped up and down because her sisters were jumping. :)
Well the cookies are done, boxed up, and ready to be delivered, so now I can go to bed. I am pooped. Thank you again for all the prayers, love, and support!
Blessings,
~Cara
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
CHP Academy Day 122, Prayers for High Speed Needed!
Hello everyone! Some of you already know that Brian has his last chance at high speed tomorrow, 1 pm to 3 pm. LAST CHANCE!!! It is crazy to think that if he doesn't pass he could be out after 17 1/2 weeks. Kind of a bummer! I was freaking out, so I sent out a mass text message asking friends and loved ones to pray for Brian. My phone went crazy. I received SO many responses! I got a response even before my phone was done sending the message. Friends posted the request on Facebook so people we don't even know are praying for Brian! Brian received so much love and support I had to tell him. He was very grateful! He is feeling pretty confident, but he was happy to have all the extra prayers. I would be lying if I said I am as confident, but I am much more calm about it after sending out the prayer request. :) Since he is testing later in the day, it is very likely I will not know how it went until after dinner.
Brian had a good day at the academy today. He did not lose any blue cards during inspection. He really enjoyed PMA today. Learned some useful moves. He found out that on this coming Monday-assuming he will be there- he has the PFT (Physical Fitness Test) again. He is not worried about it, but said it would be a bummer if he had to go back on the training table. :)
My day was spent making salt dough cookie ornaments for A and H to give their classmates. It was my first time making salt dough and half the batch got really dark. In the end they turned out pretty cute! They just need to be painted. I made an ornament with M's hand print! Super cute! I also spent a large amount of time on Pinterest today. Apparently I pin more when I am stressed. FYI, the salt dough was idea from Pinterest. :) M was pretty well behaved today. Her sisters, however, were not so well behaved. The drama queens strike again! Bed time was a blessing.
Well tomorrow is a big day. I should probably go to bed.
Blessings,
~Cara
Brian had a good day at the academy today. He did not lose any blue cards during inspection. He really enjoyed PMA today. Learned some useful moves. He found out that on this coming Monday-
My day was spent making salt dough cookie ornaments for A and H to give their classmates. It was my first time making salt dough and half the batch got really dark. In the end they turned out pretty cute! They just need to be painted. I made an ornament with M's hand print! Super cute! I also spent a large amount of time on Pinterest today. Apparently I pin more when I am stressed. FYI, the salt dough was idea from Pinterest. :) M was pretty well behaved today. Her sisters, however, were not so well behaved. The drama queens strike again! Bed time was a blessing.
Well tomorrow is a big day. I should probably go to bed.
Blessings,
~Cara
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
CHP Academy Days 116-121, Week 18!
Week 18! God willing, at the end of this week Brian will be two-thirds of the way done! Last week, there was rumor that the dream sheets were going to be passed out, but that did not happen. Brian was home for only one night this weekend. I didn't think it would make much of a difference, but it was much harder on all of us Sunday night. He differently procrastinated when it was time to go back to the academy. Yesterday, Brian finally had his third chance at high speed. He did not pass. He has one more chance and he assured me that he will pass. The instructor said he has nothing to worry about, he will pass next time. I am trying my hardest not to freak out. I keep telling myself it really doesn't do any good, it is not like I have any control over what happens. I just really hope Brian doesn't have to wait another three weeks for his next chance. I'll end up with an ulcer. :)
Today, the staff officers reminded the cadets that they still own them. :) Brian lost a few blue cards, spent extra time on his knuckles, had his boots tossed around his room, and was left with a dusty pillow. (If they find dust they leave it on your pillow, kind of gross.) On the plus side, he certified in Spanish PMA, so he is good to go there. He also got to do some night shooting tonight. Overall, today was a long day.
The last week for me has not been anything special. The majority of the last week has been spent:
Blessings,
~Cara
Today, the staff officers reminded the cadets that they still own them. :) Brian lost a few blue cards, spent extra time on his knuckles, had his boots tossed around his room, and was left with a dusty pillow. (If they find dust they leave it on your pillow, kind of gross.) On the plus side, he certified in Spanish PMA, so he is good to go there. He also got to do some night shooting tonight. Overall, today was a long day.
The last week for me has not been anything special. The majority of the last week has been spent:
- Preparing for Christmas while keeping a budget.
- Trying to keep the Christmas decorations safe from little hands and paws. (And teeth.)
- Breaking up fights between my girls and fights between the cats.
- Trying to reason with a three year old. Which, by the way, is not possible.
- Trying to keep the above mentioned three year old entertained.
- Trying to ignore the whining, tattling, and overall typical drama queen behavior. Seriously, girls are such drama queens! I am a girl -an emotional girl- and even I am left confused by the drama! :)
- Plus the normal everyday stuff. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
CHP Academy Days 114 & 115/187
So I am going to start off today's post by saying...I have a video of Brian being tased. A fellow cadet filmed it on his cell phone and Brian had him email it to me. I have to say I am extremely proud of him! He handled it really well. In the back ground, you can hear others crying out in pain, but Brian just made a sound like Chewbaca groaning. Honestly, the sound he makes is funny. It is very confusing to watch; because, it hurts to see him in pain, but I have to laugh at the sound he makes. I am still not sure what is tougher to watch; Brian actually being tased, or Brian waiting to be tased. He was so nervous. To make matters worse, the instructor played a joke on him. A cruel joke. He called out the "taser, taser, taser" warning but did not tase him. Brian was all prepared, you can see him flinch, and nothing happened. Then the instructor said "Alright, now are you ready?" Poor Brian. I am absolutely not allowed to post, Facebook, or email the video. It is forbidden. So if you want to see it you have to come over to my house.
Other than getting the video, nothing really exciting has happened. I think my dishwasher is broken. The dishes are not getting clean. It is a huge bummer when you have to re-wash dishes that have already been washed. It kind of turns me into a bear. A bear, that for some reason, my girls cannot help but to poke. I forgive them, but only because they actually cleaned their bedroom! Then they kept it clean!! :) The highlight of the day was when M told me she loved me and I was her best friend. AWWW, I know, right? That was quickly followed up by her lunch order. I am not joking, this is seriously what she said: "I love you Mommy, you're my best friend. I want a hotdog and ketchup for lunch. No bread, just hotdog and ketchup...and a cheese stick...some crackers...maybe something else...and milk...no bread. Please." At least she remembered to say "please".
Brian had mostly a quiet day at the academy. He said range was fun and involved a lot of exercise. He still has not had another chance at High Speed. It has been a few weeks since his second attempt. So far, that is the only thing he has not passed yet. Hopefully he will get his next chance soon.
Tomorrow is Thursday and that means Growth Group, Pregnancy Center, and movie night. At least that is what I think is on the schedule for tomorrow. :) 'Night everybody!
Blessings,
~Cara
Other than getting the video, nothing really exciting has happened. I think my dishwasher is broken. The dishes are not getting clean. It is a huge bummer when you have to re-wash dishes that have already been washed. It kind of turns me into a bear. A bear, that for some reason, my girls cannot help but to poke. I forgive them, but only because they actually cleaned their bedroom! Then they kept it clean!! :) The highlight of the day was when M told me she loved me and I was her best friend. AWWW, I know, right? That was quickly followed up by her lunch order. I am not joking, this is seriously what she said: "I love you Mommy, you're my best friend. I want a hotdog and ketchup for lunch. No bread, just hotdog and ketchup...and a cheese stick...some crackers...maybe something else...and milk...no bread. Please." At least she remembered to say "please".
Brian had mostly a quiet day at the academy. He said range was fun and involved a lot of exercise. He still has not had another chance at High Speed. It has been a few weeks since his second attempt. So far, that is the only thing he has not passed yet. Hopefully he will get his next chance soon.
Tomorrow is Thursday and that means Growth Group, Pregnancy Center, and movie night. At least that is what I think is on the schedule for tomorrow. :) 'Night everybody!
Blessings,
~Cara
Monday, November 26, 2012
CHP Academy Days 108-113; A 4 Day Thanksgiving Weekend
Hello everyone, hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. The weekend did not seem very long, but it was nice having Brian home. Thanksgiving was spent at home with my side of the family. We had a lot of yummy food and then vegged out while watching Polar Express. Friday, the harvest decor went down and the Christmas went up. Saturday morning the girls put the ornaments on the tree, then went and spent the night with Brian's parents. They had a blast, completely worn out Sunday night. :)
The weekend was very relaxing for Brian. Which is good since today he introduced to the taser gun. He said it was pretty painful and he is happy that it is done. He did go into more detail, but out of respect, I will not repeat it. I will, however, tell you I laughed so hard I couldn't breathe. It was filmed... :) So that is how Brian spent his day. He learned about the taser, got shot with the taser, then shot the taser. Great way to start off week 17!
My day was not as shocking as Brian's. :) I drove my mom to her doctor's appointment, so I spent most of the day reading a book. That is it, nothing exciting. Tomorrow should be fun, I have a MOPs meeting! :)Maybe I will have something to write about.
Blessings,
~Cara
The weekend was very relaxing for Brian. Which is good since today he introduced to the taser gun. He said it was pretty painful and he is happy that it is done. He did go into more detail, but out of respect, I will not repeat it. I will, however, tell you I laughed so hard I couldn't breathe. It was filmed... :) So that is how Brian spent his day. He learned about the taser, got shot with the taser, then shot the taser. Great way to start off week 17!
My day was not as shocking as Brian's. :) I drove my mom to her doctor's appointment, so I spent most of the day reading a book. That is it, nothing exciting. Tomorrow should be fun, I have a MOPs meeting! :)Maybe I will have something to write about.
Blessings,
~Cara
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
CHP Academy Days 102-107/187
Once again the past week has been full. Thursday, Brian got to feel the pain of OC Spray. He said it was one of the most painful experience of his life. Second only to actually being on fire, even then it was a close call. He sent me a picture of his face and I can confirm that it looked like he was not having fun. By the time Brian came home on Friday night he had boxed, got sprayed with OC Spray, and passed his certification in pistol, rifle, and shotgun. So week 15 was busy for Brian. Once he got home the weekend flew by! A had her first real sleep over at her friend's house Saturday night. My mom watched H and M so Brian could take me to Breaking Dawn. Yep, I have an awesome husband. Sunday, we went to church and then out to lunch with Brian's parents. Then it was time for him to leave.
Nothing special happened on Monday. I did twist my ankle, which is never good, and that kind of put a damper on the rest of the day. The quick trip to Wal-mart for the last of the Thanksgiving supplies did not improve my mood. At the Academy Brian had a quiet day. He found out that on Monday they will be using the taser gun on him. That was the highlight of his day.
Today, both A and H had shindigs in their classrooms since it was the last day before the Thanksgiving break. A's class joined the rest of the second graders and had an egg drop. The principle had the honor of dropping the wrapped up eggs from the roof while the children chanted "DROP THE EGG!". It was all very exciting. After the egg drop M and I headed over to H's class. On the way she got distracted, tripped me, and made me re-twist my ankle. Now I am gimping around even more. :/ We got to H's class in time to make a few crafts. H was having a blast, but M was reaching her pre- nap limit. So after crafts we headed home so M could have her nap.
At the Academy Brian had his Felony Stop test today. He feels that he did well, but his instructor did not say whether he passed or failed. He said it was awesome (sarcastically) to hear the cadets in company A get their turn with the taser today. Apparently there was a lot of screaming. I might have to take it easy on the teasing him about the taser this weekend...maybe...probably not. I can always wait to see how often he joins in with my brother in teasing me on Thursday. He is excited to get a four day weekend this week! Especially since there are a lot of Saturdays coming up that he will spend at the Academy.
Tomorrow is going to be spent preparing for Thanksgiving! Cleaning and baking should take up the majority of the day. I have a craft for the girls to do to keep them busy. Hopefully it works! :) Fingers crossed that everything goes according to the plan. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Nothing special happened on Monday. I did twist my ankle, which is never good, and that kind of put a damper on the rest of the day. The quick trip to Wal-mart for the last of the Thanksgiving supplies did not improve my mood. At the Academy Brian had a quiet day. He found out that on Monday they will be using the taser gun on him. That was the highlight of his day.
Today, both A and H had shindigs in their classrooms since it was the last day before the Thanksgiving break. A's class joined the rest of the second graders and had an egg drop. The principle had the honor of dropping the wrapped up eggs from the roof while the children chanted "DROP THE EGG!". It was all very exciting. After the egg drop M and I headed over to H's class. On the way she got distracted, tripped me, and made me re-twist my ankle. Now I am gimping around even more. :/ We got to H's class in time to make a few crafts. H was having a blast, but M was reaching her pre- nap limit. So after crafts we headed home so M could have her nap.
At the Academy Brian had his Felony Stop test today. He feels that he did well, but his instructor did not say whether he passed or failed. He said it was awesome (sarcastically) to hear the cadets in company A get their turn with the taser today. Apparently there was a lot of screaming. I might have to take it easy on the teasing him about the taser this weekend...maybe...probably not. I can always wait to see how often he joins in with my brother in teasing me on Thursday. He is excited to get a four day weekend this week! Especially since there are a lot of Saturdays coming up that he will spend at the Academy.
Tomorrow is going to be spent preparing for Thanksgiving! Cleaning and baking should take up the majority of the day. I have a craft for the girls to do to keep them busy. Hopefully it works! :) Fingers crossed that everything goes according to the plan. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
CHP Academy Days 100 & 101
So I am really excited to tell you all what is in store for Brian tomorrow, so I am just going to give the highlights of yesterday and my day today. :)
Yesterday- Also known as Day 100!
I am hoping that my day tomorrow is better and less painful then Brian's. I have the normal Thursday stuff, except no movie night. Tomorrow night is the PHC Banquet, the biggest fund raiser of the year. Now it is time for bed.
Blessings,
~Cara
Yesterday- Also known as Day 100!
- Went to MOPs. The craft was a chore bucket. Very cute, but I already have a chore chart. I think I will make my an menu bucket. In all honesty, I will probably never get around to finishing. :)
- The girls wanted to see who the One Direction of my era was, so of course I went onto YouTube to show them videos of New Kids on the Block and then some of N'sync. It was hilarious! While watching the NKOTB video of "Please Don't Go Girl", M asked "Is that a girl or a Boy?"
- For Brian- it was a quiet day at the academy. Not much to report.
- Went to Save-mart and bought the turkey for Thanksgiving. Bought one and got one free! I cannot believe Thanksgiving is in one week!
- I spent a large part of the day on the internet shopping for Christmas. In total I bought 14 presents. There was a lot of research involved and I was pooped when it was over. On the bright side, I think I am done with A! Woo-hoo!
- After picking up the girls, I drove over to the food bank and dropped off the free turkey.
- On the way up to meet Brian I found out that someone used Brian's debit card in Maine and Indiana. Pretty sure it was not Brian. So now we get new cards.
- We had dinner at Chick-fil-a and it was de-lic-ious!
- Brian passed his pistol certification today!
I am hoping that my day tomorrow is better and less painful then Brian's. I have the normal Thursday stuff, except no movie night. Tomorrow night is the PHC Banquet, the biggest fund raiser of the year. Now it is time for bed.
Blessings,
~Cara
Monday, November 12, 2012
CHP Academy Days 94-99/187, Week 15!!
Day 94 thru 99 have been busy. I know... what a surprise. Last week Brian passed five out seven techniques for handcuffing/ searches. The two he did not pass are pretty much the same thing and he is already feeling pretty confident about retesting. At home the girls and I just stayed in the groove of things.
This weekend was great! Brian's parents took the girls early Saturday afternoon and kept them over night. It was nice to have time to catch up with Brian. We went out to dinner (thanks to who ever bought me the gift card for my b-day), then took the dogs out for a night time walk. It was nice to reconnect. Sunday, at church the pastor started the new series "Hope for Troubled Time", except he didn't really get to the "hope" part. :) Still very good! After church we went home, had lunch, Brian watched the Niner's game and did his laundry. Brian needed to get back to the academy early, so of course the game went into overtime. After the game, I quickly cut Brian's hair and sent him on his way. Only 12 more Sunday night good-byes!
Today was the start of week 15! A and H had the day off for Veteran's day. So I had made an appointment to get their Christmas pictures taken. But first I had to take them to Target to buy black stockings. Of course you cannot go to Target and get only one thing. I think it is impossible and maybe against the rules. I left with: two Christmas presents, Christmas lights, two head bands (for pictures), napkins for H's Friendship Feast next week, Dixie cups, and who knows what else! Oh and the stockings, I would have been so mad if I would have forgotten the stockings! The pictures turned out pretty cute! We had a heck of a time getting all three girls to look at the camera and/or smile. Even in the individual pictures. They would look at the camera and not smile, or have a great smile but be looking off in the wrong direction! :)
Brian passed his certification in rifle today! Wednesday is the day for the pistol certification and shotgun is on Thursday. His day ended really early, he called before 6:30 and was already done with his studying. He mentioned this weekend that life at the academy was starting to change. It is not any easier, but they are being treated differently. He said the staff/ pt officers even, sometimes, joke around -mostly at the expense of the junior cadets. They still yell at the senior cadets, just not as much as the yell at the junior cadets. :)
Tomorrow is day 100! It is hard to believe that we are in the triple digits! I am going to spend part of day 100 (yay!) at my MOPs meeting. We are doing a craft- it should be fun! :)
Blessings,
~Cara
This weekend was great! Brian's parents took the girls early Saturday afternoon and kept them over night. It was nice to have time to catch up with Brian. We went out to dinner (thanks to who ever bought me the gift card for my b-day), then took the dogs out for a night time walk. It was nice to reconnect. Sunday, at church the pastor started the new series "Hope for Troubled Time", except he didn't really get to the "hope" part. :) Still very good! After church we went home, had lunch, Brian watched the Niner's game and did his laundry. Brian needed to get back to the academy early, so of course the game went into overtime. After the game, I quickly cut Brian's hair and sent him on his way. Only 12 more Sunday night good-byes!
Today was the start of week 15! A and H had the day off for Veteran's day. So I had made an appointment to get their Christmas pictures taken. But first I had to take them to Target to buy black stockings. Of course you cannot go to Target and get only one thing. I think it is impossible and maybe against the rules. I left with: two Christmas presents, Christmas lights, two head bands (for pictures), napkins for H's Friendship Feast next week, Dixie cups, and who knows what else! Oh and the stockings, I would have been so mad if I would have forgotten the stockings! The pictures turned out pretty cute! We had a heck of a time getting all three girls to look at the camera and/or smile. Even in the individual pictures. They would look at the camera and not smile, or have a great smile but be looking off in the wrong direction! :)
Brian passed his certification in rifle today! Wednesday is the day for the pistol certification and shotgun is on Thursday. His day ended really early, he called before 6:30 and was already done with his studying. He mentioned this weekend that life at the academy was starting to change. It is not any easier, but they are being treated differently. He said the staff/ pt officers even, sometimes, joke around -mostly at the expense of the junior cadets. They still yell at the senior cadets, just not as much as the yell at the junior cadets. :)
Tomorrow is day 100! It is hard to believe that we are in the triple digits! I am going to spend part of day 100 (yay!) at my MOPs meeting. We are doing a craft- it should be fun! :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
CHP Academy Day 93/187
So the girls and I have a deal; if they have their room clean and are ready for bed by 7:30, I will read a chapter (or two) from The Chronicles of Narnia. Tonight at 7:29, just as I was about to go upstairs, all three girls started screaming for me. Apparently, instead of straightening up their room, they decided to play with some glow sticks that A got from her soccer party. One started to leak, and since I had warned them previously that the stuff inside is poison, they started to freak out. By the way they were screaming you would have thought it had gotten all over the place, but there was one tiny glowing spot on the sheet and two on M's blanket. I finally got them to calm down, made them wash their hands, and then noticed their room was a mess. So after all that, I didn't even get to read to them. :(
Brian's day was a long one. He had his first day of high speed. He said it was fun, but he didn't pass. He gets three more chances, starting tomorrow. He is not very confident that he will pass tomorrow, but he is confident that he will pass at some point. :) He did pass his basic stop test tonight! Yay! Tomorrow he has PT at 4:45 am, then his certification for handcuffing & searches. He better pass that one! Seriously. :) He is feeling pretty good about, but you never know. He does have liberty tomorrow night, but we are not going up to see him. He is going to spend his evening practicing out at the range. I am okay with that. So tomorrow for him is busy.
Tomorrow should be another quiet day at home. I should go grocery shopping, but I am not feeling that plan right now. :) The only plan I am feeling right now is bed time. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
***Side note: Today is Election day. Proud to say I did vote, not today, but a couple weeks ago. I would have to drag M down to the polling place which would be no fun. I am not going to say whether or not I am happy about the out come. But isn't it nice to know that no matter who is in office, God put them there? Biblical. All part of a perfect plan. Who am I to argue with God? I do believe it is my duty/privilege to vote, but my faith does not lie in politics. :) I will say that I am happy that the election is over. The mud slinging was ridiculous! Kind of made me sad.
Monday, November 5, 2012
CHP Academy Days 86-92/187, Week 14
The past week has been full! Saturday, we had the baby shower! It went pretty well, no major hiccups. Sunday we just stayed home and got ready for the week...week 14! Only 13 more Sunday night good-byes. :)
Today was all about getting caught up. I did some of the stuff I put off last week. The day was going smoothly, until after I picked up the girls. A had her end-of-the-season soccer party at five, so I thought I would run to the store before going to the pizza place. It was supposed to be a quick in and out stop. We ran in, got our two items and and went straight to the check out. The second the transaction was completed the computer crashed. Of course they wanted to make sure transaction went through. So they asked me wait (with all three girls) while someone in the office verified. They said it would only take a few minutes. THIRTY minutes later... no joke...they said I was good to go. Yep, they forgot about me...did I mention that I had all three of my very impatient children with me. Super fun!
After the soccer party, we came home and I noticed our gate was open and Daisy was gone. Little Houdini has gotten out before, but it has been months since her last adventure. So I loaded up the girls in the car and started driving around looking for her. Found her running down the center of a busy street. She was filthy, her white spots were brown and black. During her post adventure bath, I noticed she had cuts and scraps all over her body. :( Now she sleeping next to me, snoring.
Today, the new cadets arrived at the academy! Brian said they looked overwhelmed and terrified. :) He said he can remember the feelings like it was yesterday, but at the same time, it feels so long ago. He got to teach a few newbies how to make their beds, put their uniforms together, and got to answer some of their questions.
Brian passed his Physical Performance Test today! Brian was pretty confident about this the test, so it was not a surprise. Still, one more thing that is now done! Today at the range, Brian got to shoot all three weapons. Very exciting! Tomorrow he starts high speed. He is not expecting to pass the first time, since most of the cadets don't. Then tomorrow night he is going to be tested on pulling a car over. (Not sure of the actual name of that test, sorry.) So tomorrow is a busy day for him.
Tomorrow, for me, is another catch up day. Hopefully the day goes by smoothly for all of us. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Today was all about getting caught up. I did some of the stuff I put off last week. The day was going smoothly, until after I picked up the girls. A had her end-of-the-season soccer party at five, so I thought I would run to the store before going to the pizza place. It was supposed to be a quick in and out stop. We ran in, got our two items and and went straight to the check out. The second the transaction was completed the computer crashed. Of course they wanted to make sure transaction went through. So they asked me wait (with all three girls) while someone in the office verified. They said it would only take a few minutes. THIRTY minutes later... no joke...they said I was good to go. Yep, they forgot about me...did I mention that I had all three of my very impatient children with me. Super fun!
After the soccer party, we came home and I noticed our gate was open and Daisy was gone. Little Houdini has gotten out before, but it has been months since her last adventure. So I loaded up the girls in the car and started driving around looking for her. Found her running down the center of a busy street. She was filthy, her white spots were brown and black. During her post adventure bath, I noticed she had cuts and scraps all over her body. :( Now she sleeping next to me, snoring.
Today, the new cadets arrived at the academy! Brian said they looked overwhelmed and terrified. :) He said he can remember the feelings like it was yesterday, but at the same time, it feels so long ago. He got to teach a few newbies how to make their beds, put their uniforms together, and got to answer some of their questions.
Brian passed his Physical Performance Test today! Brian was pretty confident about this the test, so it was not a surprise. Still, one more thing that is now done! Today at the range, Brian got to shoot all three weapons. Very exciting! Tomorrow he starts high speed. He is not expecting to pass the first time, since most of the cadets don't. Then tomorrow night he is going to be tested on pulling a car over. (Not sure of the actual name of that test, sorry.) So tomorrow is a busy day for him.
Tomorrow, for me, is another catch up day. Hopefully the day goes by smoothly for all of us. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Monday, October 29, 2012
CHP Academy Days 81-85/187, Week 13!
Sorry, once again I slacked off and missed a whole bunch of days. Thursday, it was too late to write by the time that movie night was over. We watched Paranormal Activity 2. We spent most of the movie hiding behind our blankets. After the movie- to help us forget what we watched- we watched an episode of Saved by the Bell...we went all old school. Then we watched some Dave Barnes videos on YouTube. Super funny! You gotta love that guy! Movie night was not over until 1 am!
On Thursday, Brian's company got in trouble, so bye-bye Wednesday liberty. Again, it had nothing to do with Brian. We thought it might be this Wednesday, which would have been a bummer! Brian's class was reminded, again, that they are the worst class ever! That they are on their way to never obtaining senior status and things will never get easier. So that was his Thursday.
Friday A and H had a jog-a-thon at school. During the morning assembly A and H got called up to the stage because they followed The Rule of the Week- listen intently. Only A went up to the stage, H didn't hear her name called. :) I guess she was not listening intently at that moment. Later when it was time for the kindergarteners to run, she took off before they said go... so much for the rule of the week! :) They said it she was half way round the track before they got her to stop! A's class was number one in the school for the amount of money brought in! Second year in a row. A is super excited, because now they get a pizza party and an ice cream party. Friday at the academy was graduation day. It was very motivating for the juniors. Brian was on quad duty so he got to witness the wives/loved ones pinning the badges on to their officers. Very exciting!
The weekend was just a normal weekend. Nothing really exciting happened. Except Brian using me as a guinea pig for the sobriety test and me getting sick. I thought I was dying. But that is not important, and I really don't want to think about it. Or do it ever again. EVER. AGAIN. So the most interesting thing to happen this weekend was...we carved pumpkins Saturday night!
M wanted a silly one with a mustache and big smile. A wanted one that looked like a scary witch. She was very clear on what she wanted for the teeth. I carved those two, but I was not really sure how to pull it off. H wanted a super scary one, that was also a vampire. I think Brian did a pretty good job!
Today is the first day of week 13! I spent most of the day working on baby shower stuff. I figured since the shower is this upcoming weekend, I should probably finish everything. :) The only other thing we had today was soccer practice. Overall not a bad day.
This week Brian and his classmates are the only cadets at the academy. They were warned about this week, "Hell Week". Surprisingly, he said it was not that bad. He had some good news today. He got retested today and he is no longer on the training table! That means, not only does he no longer have to eat the diet food, but he does not have to speed twenty minutes everyday writing down everything he eats! Also his name was not the restricted list as of today! So he is planning on coming home Wednesday night to see the girls in their costumes. Things are really picking up for them at the academy. Brian said that next week is crazy full of tests! One test (final, really) is for a class that they started today. This weekend should be fun! We only have a soccer tournament, baby shower, multiple tests to study for, and all the normal weekend stuff. :) Looking on the bright side though...this Wednesday...the day after tomorrow...is the HALF WAY POINT!!! Oh yeah! :)
Well it is late and I have to get up early tomorrow. I have a dentist appointment tomorrow morning for a cleaning. BOO! :( I am not excited.
Blessings,
~Cara
On Thursday, Brian's company got in trouble, so bye-bye Wednesday liberty. Again, it had nothing to do with Brian. We thought it might be this Wednesday, which would have been a bummer! Brian's class was reminded, again, that they are the worst class ever! That they are on their way to never obtaining senior status and things will never get easier. So that was his Thursday.
Friday A and H had a jog-a-thon at school. During the morning assembly A and H got called up to the stage because they followed The Rule of the Week- listen intently. Only A went up to the stage, H didn't hear her name called. :) I guess she was not listening intently at that moment. Later when it was time for the kindergarteners to run, she took off before they said go... so much for the rule of the week! :) They said it she was half way round the track before they got her to stop! A's class was number one in the school for the amount of money brought in! Second year in a row. A is super excited, because now they get a pizza party and an ice cream party. Friday at the academy was graduation day. It was very motivating for the juniors. Brian was on quad duty so he got to witness the wives/loved ones pinning the badges on to their officers. Very exciting!
The weekend was just a normal weekend. Nothing really exciting happened. Except Brian using me as a guinea pig for the sobriety test and me getting sick. I thought I was dying. But that is not important, and I really don't want to think about it. Or do it ever again. EVER. AGAIN. So the most interesting thing to happen this weekend was...we carved pumpkins Saturday night!
Today is the first day of week 13! I spent most of the day working on baby shower stuff. I figured since the shower is this upcoming weekend, I should probably finish everything. :) The only other thing we had today was soccer practice. Overall not a bad day.
This week Brian and his classmates are the only cadets at the academy. They were warned about this week, "Hell Week". Surprisingly, he said it was not that bad. He had some good news today. He got retested today and he is no longer on the training table! That means, not only does he no longer have to eat the diet food, but he does not have to speed twenty minutes everyday writing down everything he eats! Also his name was not the restricted list as of today! So he is planning on coming home Wednesday night to see the girls in their costumes. Things are really picking up for them at the academy. Brian said that next week is crazy full of tests! One test (final, really) is for a class that they started today. This weekend should be fun! We only have a soccer tournament, baby shower, multiple tests to study for, and all the normal weekend stuff. :) Looking on the bright side though...this Wednesday...the day after tomorrow...is the HALF WAY POINT!!! Oh yeah! :)
Well it is late and I have to get up early tomorrow. I have a dentist appointment tomorrow morning for a cleaning. BOO! :( I am not excited.
Blessings,
~Cara
Thursday, October 25, 2012
CHP Academy Day 80/187 A Very Long Day!
Wednesday started off a good day...until five minutes before we left. The girls were upstairs getting jackets and backpacks. I had my purse in one hand a breakfast drink in the other heading toward the door. Then I heard a loud bang and meow/howl cry from upstairs. A few second later A came running down the stairs freaking out yelling "Willow is bleeding!" My first thought was that her incision on her tummy had burst open, and I was about to be doing some nasty stuff. It turned out it was only her newly de-clawed paw. M, who looked like she was about to cry, had stepped on it and it was bleeding a lot. I decided I should take her back to the vet to have them take a look.
When I picked her up last week, the woman said if we had any problems we could bring her back to get it checked out. That there is "always someone in the office that can take a look" and they would know if the doctor was needed. So I grabbed the cat box, wrestled her in, loaded everyone up in the car, listened to her howl all the way to the girls' school, and then howl all the way to the vet office. Got to the office and there was no one there who could tell me if she was okay. There was only the receptionist, who made me an appointment for later in the day. So we turned around and drove home, Willow howling the whole way. I ended up canceling the appointment because as soon as we got home Willow was fine. She was running around the house and terrorizing the other pets. So that was our excitement for the morning.
I did get to drive up to see Brian today. I was excited because I was going to get there a little earlier than usual and we would not be out so late. Just as I was about to get off the freeway Brian called and said he would be late. I thought "no biggie I brought stuff I can do". I waited two hours before Brian showed up. Needless to say, I got really bored and I got home later than normal. The reason Brian was late is kind of a long and boring story that had nothing really to do with him. The end result was he was late, we were both starving, and now he has an extra liberty next Tuesday evening.
He got to speed four hours out at the range today. He shot the shotgun! A lot!! It is funny how excited he gets when he talks about shooting. He is scheduled to go back out for another four hours tomorrow. He also got his score back on his midterm today... he got a 94! I guess I should probably plan a dessert for this weekend.
Well it is really late and I am pooped. Tomorrow is another full Thursday!
Blessings,
~Cara
When I picked her up last week, the woman said if we had any problems we could bring her back to get it checked out. That there is "always someone in the office that can take a look" and they would know if the doctor was needed. So I grabbed the cat box, wrestled her in, loaded everyone up in the car, listened to her howl all the way to the girls' school, and then howl all the way to the vet office. Got to the office and there was no one there who could tell me if she was okay. There was only the receptionist, who made me an appointment for later in the day. So we turned around and drove home, Willow howling the whole way. I ended up canceling the appointment because as soon as we got home Willow was fine. She was running around the house and terrorizing the other pets. So that was our excitement for the morning.
I did get to drive up to see Brian today. I was excited because I was going to get there a little earlier than usual and we would not be out so late. Just as I was about to get off the freeway Brian called and said he would be late. I thought "no biggie I brought stuff I can do". I waited two hours before Brian showed up. Needless to say, I got really bored and I got home later than normal. The reason Brian was late is kind of a long and boring story that had nothing really to do with him. The end result was he was late, we were both starving, and now he has an extra liberty next Tuesday evening.
He got to speed four hours out at the range today. He shot the shotgun! A lot!! It is funny how excited he gets when he talks about shooting. He is scheduled to go back out for another four hours tomorrow. He also got his score back on his midterm today... he got a 94! I guess I should probably plan a dessert for this weekend.
Well it is really late and I am pooped. Tomorrow is another full Thursday!
Blessings,
~Cara
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
CHP Academy Day 79/187 More Pumpkins
Today was not that interesting of a day. This morning we were running late, but I got them to school on time. H had her little shindig at school today. It was super cute! They showed us what they had learned in sign language and about the life cycle of an apple tree. They sang songs and showed us their art work, mostly apple stuff. I brought H home after school, so she did not get to go to Kids Care, and she was bummed. We pay for her to go because it is actually cheaper than the gas for me to make the extra trip, but she loves it! She never wants to stop coloring the picture she is working and leave with me. It is always "can you go get A first, then come get me," or, my favorite, "Aaawww man". :)
After we picked A up from school, we stopped by a local fruit stand and the girls picked out their pumpkins. We learned that it is a lot less stressful if you get them at the fruit stand. Quick and easy! I jokingly told the girls that they can only pick pumpkins that they could carry... they took me seriously. I had to repeatedly tell them that the didn't have to carry the pumpkins! A and H picked out normal size pumpkins, but M picked out a small dinky little thing. It only cost a dollar! I tried to talk her into one that was a little bigger. I am not sure if carving tools will fit, but she would not budge. :) So I guess pumpkin carving is on the to-do list this weekend. We have to wait for Brian because we make a competition out of it. :)
Brian's day was better than yesterday, but busy. PT was not that bad. In PMA they covered the last handcuffing technique. In range they started learning about rifles, so that was exciting. Tomorrow the senior class has their capital run. Brian and his fellow junior cadets get to line up, get down on their knuckles, and encourage the seniors as they run up to the gate on their way to the capital.
Brian has liberty tomorrow evening and I will be driving up to have dinner with him. Besides driving up to see Brian, my day should be pretty boring. One can only hope... :)
Blessings,
~Cara
After we picked A up from school, we stopped by a local fruit stand and the girls picked out their pumpkins. We learned that it is a lot less stressful if you get them at the fruit stand. Quick and easy! I jokingly told the girls that they can only pick pumpkins that they could carry... they took me seriously. I had to repeatedly tell them that the didn't have to carry the pumpkins! A and H picked out normal size pumpkins, but M picked out a small dinky little thing. It only cost a dollar! I tried to talk her into one that was a little bigger. I am not sure if carving tools will fit, but she would not budge. :) So I guess pumpkin carving is on the to-do list this weekend. We have to wait for Brian because we make a competition out of it. :)
Brian's day was better than yesterday, but busy. PT was not that bad. In PMA they covered the last handcuffing technique. In range they started learning about rifles, so that was exciting. Tomorrow the senior class has their capital run. Brian and his fellow junior cadets get to line up, get down on their knuckles, and encourage the seniors as they run up to the gate on their way to the capital.
Brian has liberty tomorrow evening and I will be driving up to have dinner with him. Besides driving up to see Brian, my day should be pretty boring. One can only hope... :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Monday, October 22, 2012
CHP Academy Days 74-78, A Full Weekend and the End of Fall Break!
Hello all,
Today is day one of week 12! Our weekend was full! A had two soccer games on Saturday, then lunch with Brian's parents. Saturday evening was spent at the pumpkin farm/ corn maze with our whole gang and the BFF's gang. We did two of the mazes, went on the mystery tour, did the petting zoo (saw the Zonkey- half donkey, half zebra), and some of us did the haunted house. By some of us, I mean the brave ones...the BFF, her oldest daughter, and myself. :) Don't get me wrong, we screamed like little girls, held on to each other for dear life, and there may have been some running...but we still did it. :) Sunday, after church, was spent doing all the stuff we did not do on Saturday. There was a lot of stuff to get done!
Today was the girls first day back to school after the Fall Break...and it was awesome! They drove me CRAZY last week. Today it was back to a normal schedule. :) M and I had a nice quiet day at home. So nice...until nap time...when she decided to sneak into the bathroom and use toothpaste to make art on the counter. Lovely.
Brian had fun today...that is fun in a sarcastic way. It started off last night with some confusion about whether or not PT and/or PMA was canceled. To make a long story short, there was a surprise wake up call and Brian got to run in the rain. Then after lunch, they got to have another session of PT as punishment for not having good team work. A PT sandwich! Yay! The funny thing is, tomorrow morning was the only time they were scheduled for PT this week. Now, when they go in, it will be their third PT session of the week. His day ended with a late voluntary -not really- session of PMA. Tomorrow he has a mid-term and he has stuff scheduled until 10 pm, so it will be another long day.
Tomorrow I was supposed to go to MOPs, but H is having a culminating event in her classroom during that time. It is a way to show off what they have been learning, so I will be attending that instead. :)
Well that is it, now it is time for bed.
Blessings,
~Cara
Today is day one of week 12! Our weekend was full! A had two soccer games on Saturday, then lunch with Brian's parents. Saturday evening was spent at the pumpkin farm/ corn maze with our whole gang and the BFF's gang. We did two of the mazes, went on the mystery tour, did the petting zoo (saw the Zonkey- half donkey, half zebra), and some of us did the haunted house. By some of us, I mean the brave ones...the BFF, her oldest daughter, and myself. :) Don't get me wrong, we screamed like little girls, held on to each other for dear life, and there may have been some running...but we still did it. :) Sunday, after church, was spent doing all the stuff we did not do on Saturday. There was a lot of stuff to get done!
Today was the girls first day back to school after the Fall Break...and it was awesome! They drove me CRAZY last week. Today it was back to a normal schedule. :) M and I had a nice quiet day at home. So nice...until nap time...when she decided to sneak into the bathroom and use toothpaste to make art on the counter. Lovely.
Brian had fun today...that is fun in a sarcastic way. It started off last night with some confusion about whether or not PT and/or PMA was canceled. To make a long story short, there was a surprise wake up call and Brian got to run in the rain. Then after lunch, they got to have another session of PT as punishment for not having good team work. A PT sandwich! Yay! The funny thing is, tomorrow morning was the only time they were scheduled for PT this week. Now, when they go in, it will be their third PT session of the week. His day ended with a late voluntary -not really- session of PMA. Tomorrow he has a mid-term and he has stuff scheduled until 10 pm, so it will be another long day.
Tomorrow I was supposed to go to MOPs, but H is having a culminating event in her classroom during that time. It is a way to show off what they have been learning, so I will be attending that instead. :)
Well that is it, now it is time for bed.
Blessings,
~Cara
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
CHP Academy Days 72 & 73/187
Hello everyone,
Yesterday for us girls was quiet. The only excitement was picking Willow up from the vet. That trip led me to the conclusion that IF we have to move, I am investing in kitty tranquilizers. Willow not only howled ALL THE WAY HOME, she also relieved herself in the carrier. Kitty usually howls and throws up every single time she travels in the carrier. Hence the tranquilizer. Willow is doing fine, but she is having some trouble getting use to the cone. Every time she tries to look up while sitting, she falls backwards. I will be honest...I laugh every time. :) Today was just as quiet. M got a hold of some markers and came out of her room with rainbow arms, so that was pretty exciting. Apparently, it did not occur to her sisters to stop her...no, they just set back and watched...probably gave her some artistic advice. :)
Brian learned how to clean his gun yesterday. Pretty exciting. Last night the cadets had an extra night of liberty as a reward for donating coats. Of course, they didn't find out about it until after dinner, so we did not go up to see him. He said he thought about driving home to surprise us, but he knew if I saw his car pulling in the drive way on a Tuesday, I would assume the worst. He was right, I would have been freaking out! :) So instead he went to Walmart with his roommate and then to the frozen yogurt place. It was nice to get away from the academy for a few hours, especially since he was not sure if he would get to tonight. He did...he went out for more frozen yogurt.
Today, Brian said the day was long. He did get to shoot! But the day involved a lot of punishment. Nothing targeted directly at Brian, just the group as a whole. The PT staff is still handing out the punishment for the stuff from last week. It didn't help that they were a minute late this morning. Today during range, an instructor came out to tell them -very loudly with passion- that about half the class failed the tests they took yesterday. Brian is pretty sure he passed, but does not know for sure because the scores were down by the time they got back from range. So there was punishment for that and there was more punishment for mistakes made during range. Sounds like a fun day! No wonder Brian went out for frozen yogurt.
Tomorrow is Thursday which means growth group in the morning! Then I have a mini shift at the PHC. Followed by MOVIE NIGHT!!!!! Big day tomorrow and I need sleep. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Yesterday for us girls was quiet. The only excitement was picking Willow up from the vet. That trip led me to the conclusion that IF we have to move, I am investing in kitty tranquilizers. Willow not only howled ALL THE WAY HOME, she also relieved herself in the carrier. Kitty usually howls and throws up every single time she travels in the carrier. Hence the tranquilizer. Willow is doing fine, but she is having some trouble getting use to the cone. Every time she tries to look up while sitting, she falls backwards. I will be honest...I laugh every time. :) Today was just as quiet. M got a hold of some markers and came out of her room with rainbow arms, so that was pretty exciting. Apparently, it did not occur to her sisters to stop her...no, they just set back and watched...probably gave her some artistic advice. :)
Brian learned how to clean his gun yesterday. Pretty exciting. Last night the cadets had an extra night of liberty as a reward for donating coats. Of course, they didn't find out about it until after dinner, so we did not go up to see him. He said he thought about driving home to surprise us, but he knew if I saw his car pulling in the drive way on a Tuesday, I would assume the worst. He was right, I would have been freaking out! :) So instead he went to Walmart with his roommate and then to the frozen yogurt place. It was nice to get away from the academy for a few hours, especially since he was not sure if he would get to tonight. He did...he went out for more frozen yogurt.
Today, Brian said the day was long. He did get to shoot! But the day involved a lot of punishment. Nothing targeted directly at Brian, just the group as a whole. The PT staff is still handing out the punishment for the stuff from last week. It didn't help that they were a minute late this morning. Today during range, an instructor came out to tell them -very loudly with passion- that about half the class failed the tests they took yesterday. Brian is pretty sure he passed, but does not know for sure because the scores were down by the time they got back from range. So there was punishment for that and there was more punishment for mistakes made during range. Sounds like a fun day! No wonder Brian went out for frozen yogurt.
Tomorrow is Thursday which means growth group in the morning! Then I have a mini shift at the PHC. Followed by MOVIE NIGHT!!!!! Big day tomorrow and I need sleep. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Monday, October 15, 2012
CHP Academy Days 66-71/187, Week 10 down, Week 11 is Up.
It has almost been a week since I wrote last. The last week for me included: sore throat, minimum days, snotty noses, soccer, coughing, baking sugar cookies, and basically more being sick. The last week was no fun for me. Brian's week involved: getting his gun, getting his bullet proof vest, wrestling, and getting in trouble for fist bumping after his wrestling match. He also received a card from a couple that was in one of our previous growth groups. (Brian led that group, it was on Romans. He did a great job, if I do say so myself.) It was very touching that they cared enough to remember him. Their son is a CHP officer, so they know what Brian is going through. Brian was very grateful for the card.
Today, after dropping Willow off at the vet, was more fun for me. It is Fall Break for the girls, and we went with some friends to Micke Grove Park today. The zoo is tiny, but it was enough to entertain the girls. They had a blast with their friend, which is special because she is moving away this weekend. Of course, I had a blast with my friend (another previous growth group) who I will miss getting to talk to everyday. Thank goodness for Facebook!
Brian's day was very eventful. It started off at 4:45 am for PT, where they were informed what their punishment was going to be. The punishment is for something that 99% of the cadets had nothing to do with, but since they are a team, they all get punished. The punishment for the whole class is that everyone will have marshmallow letters for the remaining time at the academy. All those who had earned (or kept) their CHP shirts are now back to marshmallow letters. I think I was more upset about this then Brian. The announcement was followed by PT which involved a whole lot of legs. Squats, then lunges, more squats, more lunges and then a nice three mile run. :) The day also involved a lot of clothes changing, which Brian is not a fan of since he is such a slow poke. Then his company (as a whole) was five minutes late to PMA. That translate to a lot of knuckle time...A LOT! He also got his name tag today. The majority of the time we were on the phone was spent polishing it. Thank goodness for bluetooth, he can work and talk to me.
There was some good news today! Brian passed his Baton Certification! Yay!! Such a relief for both of us! He also spent four hours out at the range today. First time shooting his gun! He said it was fun and cool. He also said he was pretty good! So his day was another roller coaster...
Tomorrow the only thing I have planned is to pick up Willow -poor thing spayed and de-clawed on the same day. Kitty has been in the best of moods since dropping Willow off at the vet, I can't imagine why... :)
Enough gibber jabber, time for bed. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Today, after dropping Willow off at the vet, was more fun for me. It is Fall Break for the girls, and we went with some friends to Micke Grove Park today. The zoo is tiny, but it was enough to entertain the girls. They had a blast with their friend, which is special because she is moving away this weekend. Of course, I had a blast with my friend (another previous growth group) who I will miss getting to talk to everyday. Thank goodness for Facebook!
Brian's day was very eventful. It started off at 4:45 am for PT, where they were informed what their punishment was going to be. The punishment is for something that 99% of the cadets had nothing to do with, but since they are a team, they all get punished. The punishment for the whole class is that everyone will have marshmallow letters for the remaining time at the academy. All those who had earned (or kept) their CHP shirts are now back to marshmallow letters. I think I was more upset about this then Brian. The announcement was followed by PT which involved a whole lot of legs. Squats, then lunges, more squats, more lunges and then a nice three mile run. :) The day also involved a lot of clothes changing, which Brian is not a fan of since he is such a slow poke. Then his company (as a whole) was five minutes late to PMA. That translate to a lot of knuckle time...A LOT! He also got his name tag today. The majority of the time we were on the phone was spent polishing it. Thank goodness for bluetooth, he can work and talk to me.
There was some good news today! Brian passed his Baton Certification! Yay!! Such a relief for both of us! He also spent four hours out at the range today. First time shooting his gun! He said it was fun and cool. He also said he was pretty good! So his day was another roller coaster...
Tomorrow the only thing I have planned is to pick up Willow -poor thing spayed and de-clawed on the same day. Kitty has been in the best of moods since dropping Willow off at the vet, I can't imagine why... :)
Enough gibber jabber, time for bed. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
CHP Academy Day 65/187. Pumpkins, Corn Maze, and More!
Tuesday of week 10! Today's outing with the MOPs group was super fun, but exhausting! We were told we could either meet at the church at 9:15 to car pool or we could just meet at the farm at 10:00. I thought: "hey I have a few extra seats, I can car pool." So I showed up a little early to the church and waited...and waited... apparently I missed the memo that said no one car pools. I was not the only one, there was one other mom that showed up to give others a ride.
When we got to the farm, there was one other mom and employees...that was it. I was expecting to have one of the leaders there to tell us where to pay for the activities, what the plan was, or something. The other moms were no help, because this was their first MOPs outing...it was like the blind leading the blind. It was not until I taking pictures of M sitting on some pumpkins that I saw some of the leaders and other moms in line to pay. I thought, as did the other newbie MOPs mom, that the day would be planned out. That we would do stuff as a group for the first little bit and then we would be allowed to run wild. I was wrong, there was no plan, but that is fine. We still had fun.
We started off in the Kiddie Land on the Jumping Pillows. I have to tell M once a day, at least, to stop jumping on her bed. I was sure she would love jumping on the giant air pillow...and she did...for a total of 30 seconds. Then she made me nervous on the playground. She is a fearless little monkey. We spent some time climbing on the giant tractor tires before heading off to the petting zoo. After dealing with some extremely pushy goats, we went on a tractor ride. Then we had a quick lunch. I would have gone home after lunch, but M really wanted to do the corn maze. We got half way into to the maze, and M started to whine. We made it out, M was super proud of herself. :)
We also had a parent teacher conference with A's teacher. She is also doing well in school. No surprises there. :)
Brian was issued his gun today. He was taught how to hold it, load it, unload it, all the basic important stuff. He tried to sound like it was no big deal, but he was pretty excited. :) Other than that his day was long, but nothing else exciting.
Tomorrow is Wednesday and Brian has liberty. The girls also have a half day and A has soccer practice. Sounds like it is going to be a long day, but who cares, we get to see Brian! :) Oh, sorry for any grammar/ spelling errors, it is late and I am not proof reading tonight. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
When we got to the farm, there was one other mom and employees...that was it. I was expecting to have one of the leaders there to tell us where to pay for the activities, what the plan was, or something. The other moms were no help, because this was their first MOPs outing...it was like the blind leading the blind. It was not until I taking pictures of M sitting on some pumpkins that I saw some of the leaders and other moms in line to pay. I thought, as did the other newbie MOPs mom, that the day would be planned out. That we would do stuff as a group for the first little bit and then we would be allowed to run wild. I was wrong, there was no plan, but that is fine. We still had fun.
We started off in the Kiddie Land on the Jumping Pillows. I have to tell M once a day, at least, to stop jumping on her bed. I was sure she would love jumping on the giant air pillow...and she did...for a total of 30 seconds. Then she made me nervous on the playground. She is a fearless little monkey. We spent some time climbing on the giant tractor tires before heading off to the petting zoo. After dealing with some extremely pushy goats, we went on a tractor ride. Then we had a quick lunch. I would have gone home after lunch, but M really wanted to do the corn maze. We got half way into to the maze, and M started to whine. We made it out, M was super proud of herself. :)
We also had a parent teacher conference with A's teacher. She is also doing well in school. No surprises there. :)
Brian was issued his gun today. He was taught how to hold it, load it, unload it, all the basic important stuff. He tried to sound like it was no big deal, but he was pretty excited. :) Other than that his day was long, but nothing else exciting.
Tomorrow is Wednesday and Brian has liberty. The girls also have a half day and A has soccer practice. Sounds like it is going to be a long day, but who cares, we get to see Brian! :) Oh, sorry for any grammar/ spelling errors, it is late and I am not proof reading tonight. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Monday, October 8, 2012
CHP Academy Days 61-64/187, Weekend fun & Monday.
Hello Everyone!
It was awesome having Brian home this weekend. Our weekend was packed full of fun and work. Saturday started off with an 8:00 am soccer game. Then we swung by Target to pick up supplies for Brian. Then we went to the Pumpkin Street Faire. Had lunch at the local Greek burger place for lunch, where I talked Brian out of eating the Athens Burger. Every time he eats that burger he smells like garlic for days! It radiates off of him!
Our local neighborhood park was hosting the Law Enforcement Car Show. We had planned on walking over and taking a peek, but after driving by we decided to just stay home. It turned out we didn't miss anything, because the parade route was right in front of our house. ALL the sirens going at once... Oh and it was nap time! The rest of the weekend was spent working on stuff. We did go to church on Sunday, but then it was back to work. By the time Brian left Sunday evening, his homework/studying was completed, his laundry was done, I was arrested both in English and Spanish, and his hair was freshly cut.
Monday for me was fun! Dropped the girls off at school on time, early even! Yay me! Returned home, got a good work out in. Then put on Dan Zanes concert for M and got to work on my Bible study. Still learning so much! I got to show off a little to Brian this weekend. Normally, Brian is the know-it-all when it comes to Theology/Bible study, so for me to actually know something that he doesn't know is AMAZING!
After finishing the study M and I loaded up and drove to the mall to meet our friends. We had lunch, got to visit, did some shopping. Overall, we both had a blast! Plus I bought soap, a Christmas present, and two neck ties for A and H. On Fridays they can wear ties with their uniforms. A's tie is neon pink, and H's tie is neon green. I wanted to get them bow ties...bow ties are cool...but I could only find one.
After the mall trip it was home to get grab all the soccer stuff then off to get the girls. I had a parent teacher conference with H's teacher. H is doing very well, the teacher sang her praises! (Pat pat on the back.)Then it was straight to soccer practice. That was it, that was my day.
Brian got to drive again today. He said it was a blast. Like racing go-carts, only with a full size car. He started off as a passenger and said that is was an experience. Actually he said "holy crap it was crazy". He said once he started to drive it didn't feel as crazy...just awesome.
He also had his first uniform fitting today. So that was pretty exciting. He also put on his new fancy holster on to his belt today, along with a few other things. Still no gun, but he is scheduled for range tomorrow. He started learning how to talk on a radio. He said it is similar to using a radio in the helicopter. So I guess being a helicopter pilot is paying off. Interesting note: Brian said that all the cadets that have a pilots license (at least from his squad) have passed their driving test on the first try. It might be a coincidence, but still interesting.
Tomorrow M and I are going to the pumpkin patch with the other women at MOPs. She is so excited! Then I have a parent teacher conference with A's teacher. I also need to remember to stop by the pet store and buy a giant bag of "your dog is super old" dog food. The day should be fun!
Blessings,
~Cara
It was awesome having Brian home this weekend. Our weekend was packed full of fun and work. Saturday started off with an 8:00 am soccer game. Then we swung by Target to pick up supplies for Brian. Then we went to the Pumpkin Street Faire. Had lunch at the local Greek burger place for lunch, where I talked Brian out of eating the Athens Burger. Every time he eats that burger he smells like garlic for days! It radiates off of him!
Our local neighborhood park was hosting the Law Enforcement Car Show. We had planned on walking over and taking a peek, but after driving by we decided to just stay home. It turned out we didn't miss anything, because the parade route was right in front of our house. ALL the sirens going at once... Oh and it was nap time! The rest of the weekend was spent working on stuff. We did go to church on Sunday, but then it was back to work. By the time Brian left Sunday evening, his homework/studying was completed, his laundry was done, I was arrested both in English and Spanish, and his hair was freshly cut.
Monday for me was fun! Dropped the girls off at school on time, early even! Yay me! Returned home, got a good work out in. Then put on Dan Zanes concert for M and got to work on my Bible study. Still learning so much! I got to show off a little to Brian this weekend. Normally, Brian is the know-it-all when it comes to Theology/Bible study, so for me to actually know something that he doesn't know is AMAZING!
After finishing the study M and I loaded up and drove to the mall to meet our friends. We had lunch, got to visit, did some shopping. Overall, we both had a blast! Plus I bought soap, a Christmas present, and two neck ties for A and H. On Fridays they can wear ties with their uniforms. A's tie is neon pink, and H's tie is neon green. I wanted to get them bow ties...bow ties are cool...but I could only find one.
After the mall trip it was home to get grab all the soccer stuff then off to get the girls. I had a parent teacher conference with H's teacher. H is doing very well, the teacher sang her praises! (Pat pat on the back.)Then it was straight to soccer practice. That was it, that was my day.
Brian got to drive again today. He said it was a blast. Like racing go-carts, only with a full size car. He started off as a passenger and said that is was an experience. Actually he said "holy crap it was crazy". He said once he started to drive it didn't feel as crazy...just awesome.
He also had his first uniform fitting today. So that was pretty exciting. He also put on his new fancy holster on to his belt today, along with a few other things. Still no gun, but he is scheduled for range tomorrow. He started learning how to talk on a radio. He said it is similar to using a radio in the helicopter. So I guess being a helicopter pilot is paying off. Interesting note: Brian said that all the cadets that have a pilots license (at least from his squad) have passed their driving test on the first try. It might be a coincidence, but still interesting.
Tomorrow M and I are going to the pumpkin patch with the other women at MOPs. She is so excited! Then I have a parent teacher conference with A's teacher. I also need to remember to stop by the pet store and buy a giant bag of "your dog is super old" dog food. The day should be fun!
Blessings,
~Cara
Thursday, October 4, 2012
CHP Academy Days 59 & 60/187
Hello everyone,
I had planned on writing last night, but after I got home from dinner with Brian, I decided that first I needed to do my Bible study. You know, the one I needed to have done for today's growth group. So I sat down to get started on the study, and then I started falling asleep...
Seeing Brian was nice, he was doing great. He said he got to practice handcuffing while speaking Spanish. He also said he figured out a way not to handcuff my ear, so when he practices this weekend on me my ears will be safe. For those who need to be told...get your mind out of the gutter...you dirty birdie. You know who you are. ;) Brian said that tomorrow he is scheduled for Enforcement Tactics (ET) pick up day, and he doesn't know what to expect. Usually "pick up day" means a lot of yelling and stress, but he was also warned not to fall asleep. I guess he will figure it out tomorrow.
Today was a normal busy Thursday. Since I didn't finish my study last night I had to do it this morning before group. So I sat at Starbucks this morning working on it, while Auntie A entertained M. Apparently, M is a big fat cheater at Tic-Tac-Toe. :) Group was great! Learning so much already. Interesting tidbit, Martin Luther was not a big fan of James, even referred to him as "Jimmy". Okay, maybe it is just interesting to me. Don't judge. :) The PHC was pretty quiet. So quiet that the other ladies left a little early, and then, of course the phone started ringing off the hook. :) That was my day.
As for Brian, let us start of with the good news. He had a good day. :) He got to do a mini scenario! He got to go out for a domestic violence call. Man, I would love to be a fly on the wall. Well, maybe not a fly, flies are nasty and they get swatted. A ladybug or butterfly would be okay. They are cute and no one swats them. Anyways, I would love to see some of the stuff Brian talks about. He said he did a good job! There is also some excitement happening next week, but I don't want to spoil it. :) Now, for the bad news... they lost two cadets today to the skidpan. They are the first two to fail out. Brian said it was pretty emotional. Both, however, plan on returning to the academy next year. Prayers for Brian's room mate, he is doing his final try on the skid pan tomorrow. While you are at it, go ahead and pray that Brian doesn't fail out on anything. :) Seriously...
Wow! This is a really long post! I think it is time for me to stop rambling. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
I had planned on writing last night, but after I got home from dinner with Brian, I decided that first I needed to do my Bible study. You know, the one I needed to have done for today's growth group. So I sat down to get started on the study, and then I started falling asleep...
Seeing Brian was nice, he was doing great. He said he got to practice handcuffing while speaking Spanish. He also said he figured out a way not to handcuff my ear, so when he practices this weekend on me my ears will be safe. For those who need to be told...get your mind out of the gutter...you dirty birdie. You know who you are. ;) Brian said that tomorrow he is scheduled for Enforcement Tactics (ET) pick up day, and he doesn't know what to expect. Usually "pick up day" means a lot of yelling and stress, but he was also warned not to fall asleep. I guess he will figure it out tomorrow.
Today was a normal busy Thursday. Since I didn't finish my study last night I had to do it this morning before group. So I sat at Starbucks this morning working on it, while Auntie A entertained M. Apparently, M is a big fat cheater at Tic-Tac-Toe. :) Group was great! Learning so much already. Interesting tidbit, Martin Luther was not a big fan of James, even referred to him as "Jimmy". Okay, maybe it is just interesting to me. Don't judge. :) The PHC was pretty quiet. So quiet that the other ladies left a little early, and then, of course the phone started ringing off the hook. :) That was my day.
As for Brian, let us start of with the good news. He had a good day. :) He got to do a mini scenario! He got to go out for a domestic violence call. Man, I would love to be a fly on the wall. Well, maybe not a fly, flies are nasty and they get swatted. A ladybug or butterfly would be okay. They are cute and no one swats them. Anyways, I would love to see some of the stuff Brian talks about. He said he did a good job! There is also some excitement happening next week, but I don't want to spoil it. :) Now, for the bad news... they lost two cadets today to the skidpan. They are the first two to fail out. Brian said it was pretty emotional. Both, however, plan on returning to the academy next year. Prayers for Brian's room mate, he is doing his final try on the skid pan tomorrow. While you are at it, go ahead and pray that Brian doesn't fail out on anything. :) Seriously...
Wow! This is a really long post! I think it is time for me to stop rambling. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
CHP Academy Day 58/187 Cooking Show!
Besides the cooking show tonight, my Tuesday was just like any other day. Walk in the morning, cleaning in the afternoon. Boring stuff.
I did have a great time at the cooking show with my friend. It was our third year attending, and our third year not winning any of the awesome prizes. Not even a potted plant! Oh well, still had fun! Now I feel like baking, must be the side effect. :)
Brian's day was quiet. He is scheduled to go out to the range next week. He is pretty excited to start shooting! I would be a nervous wreck. :) Tomorrow he has a test, but that is all the excitement planned. Brian said another two cadets called it quits today. That makes it four so far this week.
I forgot to mention that Brian's class blog is up. CHP blog, cadet class 12-111. They are usually a week or so behind, but it is still an interesting read.
Tomorrow is Wednesday, and Brian has liberty! I get to drive up and see him! That also means I will be up late tomorrow night, so I should probably get to bed. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
I did have a great time at the cooking show with my friend. It was our third year attending, and our third year not winning any of the awesome prizes. Not even a potted plant! Oh well, still had fun! Now I feel like baking, must be the side effect. :)
Brian's day was quiet. He is scheduled to go out to the range next week. He is pretty excited to start shooting! I would be a nervous wreck. :) Tomorrow he has a test, but that is all the excitement planned. Brian said another two cadets called it quits today. That makes it four so far this week.
I forgot to mention that Brian's class blog is up. CHP blog, cadet class 12-111. They are usually a week or so behind, but it is still an interesting read.
Tomorrow is Wednesday, and Brian has liberty! I get to drive up and see him! That also means I will be up late tomorrow night, so I should probably get to bed. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Monday, October 1, 2012
CHP Academy Day 57/187
First day of October and week nine! Today I put up the Halloween decorations! It was a little strange because it was super HOT today. It is not supposed to be hot in October. It is supposed to be time for hot tea, a blanket, and a good book. I would like my fall, please.
Today also involved a trip to Costco (never fun with all three girls) and soccer practice. The soccer team is showing improvement and that includes A. Which is a very good thing.
After practice we came home, A and H were super excited about the Halloween decorations! The girl's room was a disaster zone, but I was too tired to actually make them clean it up. Instead I gave them a laundry basket and a time limit. Told them to fill the basket with all the toys that were left on the floor. Thinking it would make it more like a game, which would keep the fighting down. I was wrong.
I finally got the girls in their beds, although it took forever for them to actually fall asleep. Each of the girls came down stairs at least three times for one reason or another. The last one down the stairs was H. All I did was give her "the look", and she turned around and went back upstairs. I don't know what she told her sisters, but I didn't hear another peep. :)
Brian's day was pretty quiet. If you call getting yelled at and being called names as being pretty quiet. He had two written test in EVOC today that he is pretty sure he passed. They also had some vendors come to talk about their uniforms. Talk about the uniforms and the fact that the senior class is graduating on October 26th has most of the cadets encouraged. Especially with a new class of cadets starting on November 5th, they will no longer be the newbies. That being said, two more cadets dropped today, one for a medical reason. That has to be hard; to have the heart for the job, but the doctor says you cannot continue the program.
Brian is still going strong. He is doing well in all his classes, which is no surprise. He is feeling confident about re-testing for his baton certification. Yeah, that has not happened yet. He needs a little more practice hand-cuffing. I say that because he practiced on me this weekend, and he got my ear- it hurt! Overall, Brian is doing well! He even got a complement on his bed making and his locker last week. Not from a staff officer, of course, but from an instructor. He was giving a tour and randomly pick a room to show. It just happened to be Brian's. :) I told him, since he was so good at making a bed he could put the clean sheets on our bed. Then he made some comment about how lucky I was to have a fitted sheet. :)
Well tomorrow is Tuesday and I have a date with my lovely friend to go to a cooking show. This will be our third time going and I always have so much fun! I am excited! Maybe I will win something this year... :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Today also involved a trip to Costco (never fun with all three girls) and soccer practice. The soccer team is showing improvement and that includes A. Which is a very good thing.
After practice we came home, A and H were super excited about the Halloween decorations! The girl's room was a disaster zone, but I was too tired to actually make them clean it up. Instead I gave them a laundry basket and a time limit. Told them to fill the basket with all the toys that were left on the floor. Thinking it would make it more like a game, which would keep the fighting down. I was wrong.
I finally got the girls in their beds, although it took forever for them to actually fall asleep. Each of the girls came down stairs at least three times for one reason or another. The last one down the stairs was H. All I did was give her "the look", and she turned around and went back upstairs. I don't know what she told her sisters, but I didn't hear another peep. :)
Brian's day was pretty quiet. If you call getting yelled at and being called names as being pretty quiet. He had two written test in EVOC today that he is pretty sure he passed. They also had some vendors come to talk about their uniforms. Talk about the uniforms and the fact that the senior class is graduating on October 26th has most of the cadets encouraged. Especially with a new class of cadets starting on November 5th, they will no longer be the newbies. That being said, two more cadets dropped today, one for a medical reason. That has to be hard; to have the heart for the job, but the doctor says you cannot continue the program.
Brian is still going strong. He is doing well in all his classes, which is no surprise. He is feeling confident about re-testing for his baton certification. Yeah, that has not happened yet. He needs a little more practice hand-cuffing. I say that because he practiced on me this weekend, and he got my ear- it hurt! Overall, Brian is doing well! He even got a complement on his bed making and his locker last week. Not from a staff officer, of course, but from an instructor. He was giving a tour and randomly pick a room to show. It just happened to be Brian's. :) I told him, since he was so good at making a bed he could put the clean sheets on our bed. Then he made some comment about how lucky I was to have a fitted sheet. :)
Well tomorrow is Tuesday and I have a date with my lovely friend to go to a cooking show. This will be our third time going and I always have so much fun! I am excited! Maybe I will win something this year... :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Sunday, September 30, 2012
CHP Academy Days 53-56 = Busy, Busy!
Hello everyone!
So I never got around to writing on Thursday or Friday. Thursday was a whirlwind of activity that included the normal stuff like Growth Group, PHC, movie night- The Princess Bride ("inconceivable!"), but it also included taking Ms. Chez N Crackers to H's class for share day. She was a big hit! Friday is kind of a blur. We did go to a birthday party in the evening.
Saturday was a good day. We met Brian's parents for lunch at one of the yummiest pizza places! After lunch it was off to the Flu Clinic. All five of us got our flu shots. H figured out what was happening the moment we turned into the parking lot. She cried from that moment until it was her turn to get a shot...then she screamed! Brian had to drag her to the chair, and then hold her down while everyone else watched...as soon as she got the shot she stopped. A was pretty brave until it was her turn, then she just cried and said, "no, no, no, no, no!" M; however, just watched, nervously, got her shot, whined for a second, then watched while I got mine. Later in the car the girls decided that "it wasn't that bad".
After a few more stops, the girls got dropped off for a slumber party at Brian's parents house. Then my BFF and her hubby came over for movie and game night. Super fun, even if us girls lost both games...again! Brian even got his dessert that he earned, Monkey Bread!
Today our church was celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary, we were planning on going. We got up, got ready, and then on the way to get the girls -after discussing all the things we needed to do today- we decided to stay home. It turned out that it was a good thing, but we were a little bummed we missed out on the celebration.
So this week is #9! When Brian comes home on Friday evening he will be 1/3 of the way done! He has a few test this week, but so far there is nothing super exciting planned...that he knows about. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
So I never got around to writing on Thursday or Friday. Thursday was a whirlwind of activity that included the normal stuff like Growth Group, PHC, movie night- The Princess Bride ("inconceivable!"), but it also included taking Ms. Chez N Crackers to H's class for share day. She was a big hit! Friday is kind of a blur. We did go to a birthday party in the evening.
Saturday was a good day. We met Brian's parents for lunch at one of the yummiest pizza places! After lunch it was off to the Flu Clinic. All five of us got our flu shots. H figured out what was happening the moment we turned into the parking lot. She cried from that moment until it was her turn to get a shot...then she screamed! Brian had to drag her to the chair, and then hold her down while everyone else watched...as soon as she got the shot she stopped. A was pretty brave until it was her turn, then she just cried and said, "no, no, no, no, no!" M; however, just watched, nervously, got her shot, whined for a second, then watched while I got mine. Later in the car the girls decided that "it wasn't that bad".
After a few more stops, the girls got dropped off for a slumber party at Brian's parents house. Then my BFF and her hubby came over for movie and game night. Super fun, even if us girls lost both games...again! Brian even got his dessert that he earned, Monkey Bread!
Today our church was celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary, we were planning on going. We got up, got ready, and then on the way to get the girls -after discussing all the things we needed to do today- we decided to stay home. It turned out that it was a good thing, but we were a little bummed we missed out on the celebration.
So this week is #9! When Brian comes home on Friday evening he will be 1/3 of the way done! He has a few test this week, but so far there is nothing super exciting planned...that he knows about. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
CHP Academy Day 52/187, Results of the Skidpan...
Wednesday! Got to see Brian! Now we have less then 48 hours until he is home for the weekend! Other than driving up to see him, my day was rather boring. There was Wal-mart, cleaning, laundry, picking up the girls...that was it.
Brian's day was once again eventful. Brian participated in the fountain ceremony. He started learning how to do the Field Sobriety test. He warned me that he will need to practice, so I need to plan on drinking. I wonder if it is really necessary for me to become a complete lush, or is he just wanting to laugh at me? Oh, and he passed his skidpan test on his first time! HUGE relief! He did such a great job that his instructor only talked to him to tell him he passed. So proud of him!
Well that was day 52! Over half way done with week eight!
Good night!
Blessings,
~Cara
Brian's day was once again eventful. Brian participated in the fountain ceremony. He started learning how to do the Field Sobriety test. He warned me that he will need to practice, so I need to plan on drinking. I wonder if it is really necessary for me to become a complete lush, or is he just wanting to laugh at me? Oh, and he passed his skidpan test on his first time! HUGE relief! He did such a great job that his instructor only talked to him to tell him he passed. So proud of him!
Well that was day 52! Over half way done with week eight!
Good night!
Blessings,
~Cara
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
CHP Academy Days 47-51/187!
So I didn't write yesterday because I was right in the middle of a project. I cannot believe I missed writing on day 50! Oh well, my day yesterday was not special. Brian's Monday was eventful. He learned how to handcuff someone! I have a feeling I am going to get handcuffed a lot this weekend. Over this past weekend he practiced a hold on me. Hans was not happy. He kept trying to get in between us. Brian had his second day driving in EVOC. First time doing the Skidpan. He said it was super fun! He received two good blue cards. (They have a name, but I forgot what they are called.) Two blue cards cancel out one bad blue card. He started the day off with zero blue cards built up. Then he received the two good ones, putting him at negative one. Then he had a brain fart during an inspection and lost one. So it all balanced out. He also got another 100% on a test.
Today for me was good! Dropped the girls off at school, then took Willow to get her last set of shots. Drove back home dropped off Willow. Then, since it was such a nice day, M and I walked to our Mops meeting. After the meeting we walked home, had lunch and M went down for her nap. Then it was pick up the girls, home, clean the upstairs rooms, dinner, baths (for M and H), teeth, and then bed. Then the girls got in trouble, and then bed again. They got in trouble for destroying their bedroom that we had spent the majority of the afternoon cleaning. It took only five minutes for them to make a mess of things. I can't get them to do anything in five minutes. :)
Brian's started his DUI class today, but tomorrow is what he spent most of the time talking about. Tomorrow he has EVOC again and gets to do his skidpan test. So far, not a lot of cadets have passed their first time. And just in case that was not enough to worry about, the cadets are going to be punished tomorrow by the staff officers. Sounds like loads of fun, happy it is not me! It is probably a good time to ask for some prayers for him.
Tomorrow is Wednesday and Brian has liberty, so I will be driving up to have dinner with him! It makes the week fly by so much faster. :) A has soccer practice, but the other girls will be going up with me. Hopefully he will have good news to share with us. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Today for me was good! Dropped the girls off at school, then took Willow to get her last set of shots. Drove back home dropped off Willow. Then, since it was such a nice day, M and I walked to our Mops meeting. After the meeting we walked home, had lunch and M went down for her nap. Then it was pick up the girls, home, clean the upstairs rooms, dinner, baths (for M and H), teeth, and then bed. Then the girls got in trouble, and then bed again. They got in trouble for destroying their bedroom that we had spent the majority of the afternoon cleaning. It took only five minutes for them to make a mess of things. I can't get them to do anything in five minutes. :)
Brian's started his DUI class today, but tomorrow is what he spent most of the time talking about. Tomorrow he has EVOC again and gets to do his skidpan test. So far, not a lot of cadets have passed their first time. And just in case that was not enough to worry about, the cadets are going to be punished tomorrow by the staff officers. Sounds like loads of fun, happy it is not me! It is probably a good time to ask for some prayers for him.
Tomorrow is Wednesday and Brian has liberty, so I will be driving up to have dinner with him! It makes the week fly by so much faster. :) A has soccer practice, but the other girls will be going up with me. Hopefully he will have good news to share with us. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Friday, September 21, 2012
CHP Academy Day 46/187, Movie Night and a PT threat
Thursday! Less than 24 hours until Brian is home for the weekend! Today was actually busy. After dropping of A and H, M and I went to Target. A is going to a birthday party tomorrow night, so I had to buy her friend a present. I also found A's Halloween costume so I can I finally stop hearing "I wanna be a _____ for Halloween!" So M is going to be an ladybug, H will be Alice (Wonderland), and A is going to be Dorothy(Oz, not Golden Girls)! I feel so accomplished. :)
Today was the first day back for Growth Group! So excited, and I was not the only one. M would not stop talking about all her friends. As for the the group, this semester we are doing a Beth Moore study on the book of James. It should be good! I love my group!
Then I had my shift at the PHC, which was pretty quiet. Then home for some cleaning, cooking, and breaking up fights (kids and cats). Then MOVIE NIGHT! Tonight us girls watched a football movie. That's right...a football movie..."Facing the Giants". Still counts as a football movie! The movie night experience was completed with cookies (soccer fundraiser cookies) and yummy popcorn. Oh and you can't forget the girl talk, because that is important.
That was my day, super busy, but awesome.
Brian's day was not bad. Normally on Thursday mornings his group gets up early and practice Physical Method of Arrest (PMA). However, last night they were told not to go this morning because some cadets were doing their baton certification during that time. Basically if they showed up, they would be yelled at, punished, and told to get out. So the cadets slept in, which was nice...until the PT staff found out that they were not practicing PMA. All day the PT staff said (yelled) things like "you're going to get it", "nightmare", "PT will not be fun". So now no one, but the PT staff, is looking forward to PT. Brian's group is "lucky" enough to have PT, then breakfast, and then...wait for it...PMA! Guess who the instructors are for PMA...that's right...the PT staff! :) I think Brian is needing a few extra prayers right now.
Other than the fear of PT, his day was good. He had his Ticket writing test, which he is sure he did well on. He also had a spelling/ knowledge test, which he got a 100% on! Funny fact: A also had a spelling test today that she got a 100% on. :) Hopefully tomorrow won't be that bad for the cadets. I get the feeling that Brian will be a little sore tomorrow night.
Well it is late and I have another busy day tomorrow. Brian is coming home! :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Today was the first day back for Growth Group! So excited, and I was not the only one. M would not stop talking about all her friends. As for the the group, this semester we are doing a Beth Moore study on the book of James. It should be good! I love my group!
Then I had my shift at the PHC, which was pretty quiet. Then home for some cleaning, cooking, and breaking up fights (kids and cats). Then MOVIE NIGHT! Tonight us girls watched a football movie. That's right...a football movie..."Facing the Giants". Still counts as a football movie! The movie night experience was completed with cookies (soccer fundraiser cookies) and yummy popcorn. Oh and you can't forget the girl talk, because that is important.
That was my day, super busy, but awesome.
Brian's day was not bad. Normally on Thursday mornings his group gets up early and practice Physical Method of Arrest (PMA). However, last night they were told not to go this morning because some cadets were doing their baton certification during that time. Basically if they showed up, they would be yelled at, punished, and told to get out. So the cadets slept in, which was nice...until the PT staff found out that they were not practicing PMA. All day the PT staff said (yelled) things like "you're going to get it", "nightmare", "PT will not be fun". So now no one, but the PT staff, is looking forward to PT. Brian's group is "lucky" enough to have PT, then breakfast, and then...wait for it...PMA! Guess who the instructors are for PMA...that's right...the PT staff! :) I think Brian is needing a few extra prayers right now.
Other than the fear of PT, his day was good. He had his Ticket writing test, which he is sure he did well on. He also had a spelling/ knowledge test, which he got a 100% on! Funny fact: A also had a spelling test today that she got a 100% on. :) Hopefully tomorrow won't be that bad for the cadets. I get the feeling that Brian will be a little sore tomorrow night.
Well it is late and I have another busy day tomorrow. Brian is coming home! :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
CHP Academy 45/187. One boring day and a failing day..
Wednesday without seeing Brian is not as much fun as Wednesday with seeing Brian. That being said, it will be less than forty eight hours until Brian is home. :) Today was very much like Monday and Tuesday.
Brian's day was not boring. He said it started off good, PT went well, but it went down hill from there. His group went today for baton certification. Only three cadets passed, Brian was not one of them. It just means he has to re-test. He was told his technique was very good, but on some things he was not aggressive enough. On most things he can be re-tested by his instructor, but for one thing he needs to wait to be re-tested by the sergeant to return from vacation. He promises that it is not anything to worry about. He said he is going to re-test and pass. I am not freaking out...I told him to be more like Hans. He needs to put a dent in the door! Or whatever he is hitting. :) Brian was quick to state that this should not count towards his weekend dessert.
Tomorrow the Academy is hosting a BBQ for the retirees. The cadets are supposed to visit and mingle with the retirees, but they are NOT to drink with them. Apparently, the older men try to get the cadets to drink with them and are very persistent. The cadets were reminded, many times, that it is a no-no.
Tomorrow I start my growth group again! I am excited! Not only will I get to see all the women again, but my BFF is joining! After group, I have the PHC, and then movie night! Hopefully Brian has a good day!
Blessings,
~Cara
- Drop off A and H
- Run
- Home
- Clean
- M watches a show (today was Bubble Guppies)
- Lunch
- M takes a nap
- Work on baby shower stuff
- Get M up, and go pick up A and H
- Home for a short while then off to soccer practice
- After soccer practice we met Brian's mom for dinner
- Then home again
- Got the girls ready for bed
Brian's day was not boring. He said it started off good, PT went well, but it went down hill from there. His group went today for baton certification. Only three cadets passed, Brian was not one of them. It just means he has to re-test. He was told his technique was very good, but on some things he was not aggressive enough. On most things he can be re-tested by his instructor, but for one thing he needs to wait to be re-tested by the sergeant to return from vacation. He promises that it is not anything to worry about. He said he is going to re-test and pass. I am not freaking out...I told him to be more like Hans. He needs to put a dent in the door! Or whatever he is hitting. :) Brian was quick to state that this should not count towards his weekend dessert.
Tomorrow the Academy is hosting a BBQ for the retirees. The cadets are supposed to visit and mingle with the retirees, but they are NOT to drink with them. Apparently, the older men try to get the cadets to drink with them and are very persistent. The cadets were reminded, many times, that it is a no-no.
Tomorrow I start my growth group again! I am excited! Not only will I get to see all the women again, but my BFF is joining! After group, I have the PHC, and then movie night! Hopefully Brian has a good day!
Blessings,
~Cara
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
CHP Academy Day 44/187
Once again there was nothing really special about my day. I did take a three mile walk with M and my BFF. There is nothing like girl time. After the walk there was a quick trip to the store then it was home again. M wanted to watch Veggie-tales again. Actually she said she wanted to watch the "blue, blue, blue" one (Madame Blueberry) and the "TV Monster" one (Where is God When I am Scared?). It took a minute to figure out what she was talking about, but I got it! I got some work done on baby shower stuff during nap time, then it was time to go get A and H. Back at home the girls did their chores including: beds made, room clean, spelling words, and letters practiced. I got more work around the house done and made dinner. That was basically my day. No drama, nice and quiet.
Brian's day was another long one. Up at 4am and last class out at 8pm. He did get 100% on his vehicle code test! So far he is on track to get a home made dessert this weekend! I told him he gets dessert only when he gets As on his tests. I know it makes me sound horrible and mean, but if you know Brian, you know that he should get As on everything. The guy is crazy smart...most of the time. Plus, I know how to bake, so the threat was taken seriously. :) Three 100% in a row...I think it is working. :)
He also started the collision investigation class today. He said it was just basic information, nothing exciting yet. In the next few days he should have his ticket writing test, baton certification, and maybe the next EVOC test. I would be a big ball of stress with all that, but he is calm and just taking care of business. He said that within the last week, four female cadets have dropped out, two of them today. The senior class is down to one female cadet, the one who spoke at both orientations that we attended. I am not worried about Brian quitting. He is too stubborn. :)
Well tomorrow is Wednesday, and I will not be driving up to see Brian. :( It will just make seeing him on Friday sweeter! :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Brian's day was another long one. Up at 4am and last class out at 8pm. He did get 100% on his vehicle code test! So far he is on track to get a home made dessert this weekend! I told him he gets dessert only when he gets As on his tests. I know it makes me sound horrible and mean, but if you know Brian, you know that he should get As on everything. The guy is crazy smart...most of the time. Plus, I know how to bake, so the threat was taken seriously. :) Three 100% in a row...I think it is working. :)
He also started the collision investigation class today. He said it was just basic information, nothing exciting yet. In the next few days he should have his ticket writing test, baton certification, and maybe the next EVOC test. I would be a big ball of stress with all that, but he is calm and just taking care of business. He said that within the last week, four female cadets have dropped out, two of them today. The senior class is down to one female cadet, the one who spoke at both orientations that we attended. I am not worried about Brian quitting. He is too stubborn. :)
Well tomorrow is Wednesday, and I will not be driving up to see Brian. :( It will just make seeing him on Friday sweeter! :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Monday, September 17, 2012
CHP Academy Days 41-43/187, Week 7!
First day of week seven! Nothing really super exciting happened today. M and I went for our run and then played on the play ground. Then we came home and M watched some Veggie-tales while I cleaned the kitchen. During nap time I sewed buttons back on to the girl's uniform jumpers. Then I ironed the jumpers so the girls can wear them tomorrow for picture day. I am pretty excited for picture day tomorrow because as of right now H does not have a stye. For the last few years H has had a stye for every portrait. Now watch, tomorrow she will wake up with one. :) I got the girls from school, got home, and shoved food into their mouths for an early dinner. (Delicious food- home made Mexican pizza. You know it is good when M actually eats.) Then it was off to soccer. M and H were actually good at practice, not so much at home. Both H and M got sent to bed early for fighting. That was my day!
Brian's day was long. Up at 4 am and his last class was out at 8 pm. He got 100% on the two test he took on Friday! He feels like he did well on the vehicle code test he took today. So things were good today. Tomorrow will be another long day for him. Hopefully it will go by fast. :)
Friday evening will be the end of week seven, meaning we will only have 20 weeks left! Small milestones, but they count. :) For now I have some work to do on baby shower stuff!
Blessings,
~Cara
Brian's day was long. Up at 4 am and his last class was out at 8 pm. He got 100% on the two test he took on Friday! He feels like he did well on the vehicle code test he took today. So things were good today. Tomorrow will be another long day for him. Hopefully it will go by fast. :)
Friday evening will be the end of week seven, meaning we will only have 20 weeks left! Small milestones, but they count. :) For now I have some work to do on baby shower stuff!
Blessings,
~Cara
Friday, September 14, 2012
CHP Academy Day 40/187
So I know I don't usually write on Fridays, but it is day FORTY. It seems like I should write on day forty. :) Today was fun for me. After dropping off A and H, M and I headed over to Target to spend some birthday money. I would like to thank those who gave me money or a gift card for my tea kettle, cheap wine glasses (I was down to one), The Office season 8, and Titanic on Blu-ray. :) I will now have hours of entertainment along with some beverages. So thank you! We also walked through the Halloween section of the store. Every time one of the things would go off, M would say, not in a very convincing voice: "It not real. It just a toy. Not scary." :) After Target, I met up with my BFF at our church where the youth was putting on a yard sale. I bought the board game Cranium for $2.00! FYI- If you are going to donate a board game to a church for a youth yard sale, and have boys living in your house (pretty sure boys had something to do with it); you should probably look into the box. You know, just to make sure there are no drawings of male genitalia on the pads of paper that go with the game. Because, even if they are very creative, (there was a ninja, one was a cop, one was even a rocket ship in space with "U.S.S.R" on the side) you never know who might be the first to open said box. Luckily, this time it was the adult and not two little girls under the age of eight. :)
M was super excited because Auntie A (my BFF) bought her a bracelet that she has been proudly wearing ever since. She also had a great time of pointing it out to her sisters.
After the yard sale, the three of us stopped by Starbucks for coffee and then a very quick - and for me, free- shopping trip to T.J. Max. By that time it was time to get the girls from school. So we told Auntie A good-bye, and headed off to the school. Once we were able to fight our way out of the parking lot, we were headed to the pet store to buy the "your dog is super old" dog food. Well at least that was the plan, when we got to the pet store the girls noticed the newly opened Halloween store and started begging to go in. All three girls: "Mommy please! We promise we won't ask you to buy anything! Please! We just want to look! Mommy PLEASE!" We were not in the store thirty seconds before all three of them had said the wanted something. The funniest part was they refused to go to the "scary looking" side of the store.
After that it was home-again-home-again-jig-a-dee-jig, where we waited for Brian to come home. YAY Friday!!
Brian had a pretty good day too. He said PT was hard and included 125 nose-in-the-rings, but the rest of the day was not too bad. He had two test, which he is pretty sure he did well on. He spent the last hour of the day just waiting for five. After the week he had it was nice to have that break. So Week Six is down! :)
Blessings,
~Cara
M was super excited because Auntie A (my BFF) bought her a bracelet that she has been proudly wearing ever since. She also had a great time of pointing it out to her sisters.
After the yard sale, the three of us stopped by Starbucks for coffee and then a very quick - and for me, free- shopping trip to T.J. Max. By that time it was time to get the girls from school. So we told Auntie A good-bye, and headed off to the school. Once we were able to fight our way out of the parking lot, we were headed to the pet store to buy the "your dog is super old" dog food. Well at least that was the plan, when we got to the pet store the girls noticed the newly opened Halloween store and started begging to go in. All three girls: "Mommy please! We promise we won't ask you to buy anything! Please! We just want to look! Mommy PLEASE!" We were not in the store thirty seconds before all three of them had said the wanted something. The funniest part was they refused to go to the "scary looking" side of the store.
After that it was home-again-home-again-jig-a-dee-jig, where we waited for Brian to come home. YAY Friday!!
Brian had a pretty good day too. He said PT was hard and included 125 nose-in-the-rings, but the rest of the day was not too bad. He had two test, which he is pretty sure he did well on. He spent the last hour of the day just waiting for five. After the week he had it was nice to have that break. So Week Six is down! :)
Blessings,
~Cara
CHP Academy Day 39/187. Movie Night!
Thursday! Another good day. I spent the morning steam cleaning the carpet in the living room. Then it was off to the pregnancy center. Then home, dinner, got the girls in bed, then... MOVIE NIGHT! My best friend came over and we watched October Baby, a beautiful movie. I highly recommend it, but have the tissues ready. We are talking tears running down! I love movie night. There was popcorn, chocolate chip cookies (thanks to the soccer fundraiser), hot tea, and girl talk. It was like a big giant girly piece of heaven.
Brian did have a better day today. Today, due to some activities that he describes as "super fun, but kind of a blur", he now has a fat lip. He also said that his nose is a little sore and he has a decent size scratch on his arm. Sounds like a fun day to me. He said tomorrow should be pretty "calm". Nothing too exciting is planned. We shall see...
Well this post is pretty short...but it is bed time.
Blessings,
~Cara
Brian did have a better day today. Today, due to some activities that he describes as "super fun, but kind of a blur", he now has a fat lip. He also said that his nose is a little sore and he has a decent size scratch on his arm. Sounds like a fun day to me. He said tomorrow should be pretty "calm". Nothing too exciting is planned. We shall see...
Well this post is pretty short...but it is bed time.
Blessings,
~Cara
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
CHP Academy Day 38/187.
It is Wednesday and that means in less than forty-eight hours Brian will be home for the weekend! Today I was not as lucky with dropping off the girls off at school. Only because A wanted me to ask her teacher if her new headband she got for her birthday was okay to wear to school. The school has a strict uniform policy, which we are okay with. She was afraid she would get in trouble for wearing the headband that has a giant silver glittery bow. Super cute! I tried to tell her it was fine, but she wanted me to ask. I was right, her teacher said as long as it does not become a distraction it is fine to wear. Because of that I got stuck right in the middle of the crazy mad rush.
Once I made it out of the craziness, M and I headed off to the park for our run. The distance of the run was good, but the energy level and the time it took to complete that distance was not great. After the run M played on the playground until it was time to go. The rest of the day was spent keeping M entertained and doing odd jobs around the house.
I did drive up to have dinner with Brian. Poor Brian, he didn't have a good morning. After doing the normal PT and 100+ lunges (each leg) he got noticed by a staff officer...not a good thing. Next Wednesday I will not be driving up to have dinner with him next week. The lunges were followed by a three mile run, more lunges, and then sit ups in the dirt. He looked so tired! I did laugh at him after he did an about face when he went up to get our food. They called out our number, he stood up, did an about face and walked off! Me: "Did you just do an about face to get our food?" Brian: "No...maybe...this is going into your blog, isn't it?" Me:" Well, now it is." :) Don't worry, even with his bad day he still has his since of humor. He sent me a text while I was driving home that said I made it back safe. If you are reading this while driving you are violating section (long number) of the vehicle code. First of all, I did not read the text until I got home. Second, of course he made it back safe, we had dinner right next to the academy! :)
Tomorrow is my day at the pregnancy center, then MOVIE NIGHT! Hopefully Brian has a better day tomorrow. Either way, less than forty eight hours until he is home for the weekend. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Once I made it out of the craziness, M and I headed off to the park for our run. The distance of the run was good, but the energy level and the time it took to complete that distance was not great. After the run M played on the playground until it was time to go. The rest of the day was spent keeping M entertained and doing odd jobs around the house.
I did drive up to have dinner with Brian. Poor Brian, he didn't have a good morning. After doing the normal PT and 100+ lunges (each leg) he got noticed by a staff officer...not a good thing. Next Wednesday I will not be driving up to have dinner with him next week. The lunges were followed by a three mile run, more lunges, and then sit ups in the dirt. He looked so tired! I did laugh at him after he did an about face when he went up to get our food. They called out our number, he stood up, did an about face and walked off! Me: "Did you just do an about face to get our food?" Brian: "No...maybe...this is going into your blog, isn't it?" Me:" Well, now it is." :) Don't worry, even with his bad day he still has his since of humor. He sent me a text while I was driving home that said I made it back safe. If you are reading this while driving you are violating section (long number) of the vehicle code. First of all, I did not read the text until I got home. Second, of course he made it back safe, we had dinner right next to the academy! :)
Tomorrow is my day at the pregnancy center, then MOVIE NIGHT! Hopefully Brian has a better day tomorrow. Either way, less than forty eight hours until he is home for the weekend. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
CHP Academy Day 37/187.
Today was another good day. I got the girls to school on time, early really! I was able to get out of the parking lot by 8:00, before the mad crazy rush. Then M and I picked up my best friend and went to my first Mops meeting. It was a lot of fun! M had a blast! Then we went to Micheal's to pick up a few things I needed. M was hungry and wanted Taco Bell. She is a bossy little thing. So we had taco bell for lunch with my BFF and her hubby. Then it was home for a little bit before picking up A and H from school. That was my day! Fun, but not much to write about. :)
Brian's day was exciting! He was surprised to get his name called out to go to EVOC. He said it was fun! He got to drive in reverse as fast as he could. He said the first time he drove through each course he was a little nervous, but he got over that. He passed the first day! He also got to write a few tickets. I don't think I mentioned before how Brian is now when we drive places. He now plays a game that I call "Why you get a ticket". It involves him telling me what he noticed and the code that goes with that violation. It also involves him pointing out expired tags, him saying how long they have been expired and how soon the vehicle could be towed. (FYI, there are a lot of expired tags in our area.) It is actually kind of interesting and I am impressed with the amount of knowledge he can just spew out. I am sure he is "playing the game" to reinforce what he has learned, and not to show off! Maybe to show off just a little bit. :)
Tomorrow Brian has liberty, so I will be driving up to have dinner with him. Other than that, tomorrow should be a pretty quiet. I hope I didn't just jinx it. For now, I have a few craft projects that need my attention. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
Brian's day was exciting! He was surprised to get his name called out to go to EVOC. He said it was fun! He got to drive in reverse as fast as he could. He said the first time he drove through each course he was a little nervous, but he got over that. He passed the first day! He also got to write a few tickets. I don't think I mentioned before how Brian is now when we drive places. He now plays a game that I call "Why you get a ticket". It involves him telling me what he noticed and the code that goes with that violation. It also involves him pointing out expired tags, him saying how long they have been expired and how soon the vehicle could be towed. (FYI, there are a lot of expired tags in our area.) It is actually kind of interesting and I am impressed with the amount of knowledge he can just spew out. I am sure he is "playing the game" to reinforce what he has learned, and not to show off! Maybe to show off just a little bit. :)
Tomorrow Brian has liberty, so I will be driving up to have dinner with him. Other than that, tomorrow should be a pretty quiet. I hope I didn't just jinx it. For now, I have a few craft projects that need my attention. :)
Blessings,
~Cara
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