Update! It has Been Awhile!

Wow! It has been awhile since I shared with the world the fascinating details of my daily life.  I thought I would take the time to sit and write out a quick update.  Let me start with the girls.  All three are loving school and doing very well.  All three are making Daddy proud with their love of Stars Wars, followed by Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones and Harry Potter.  They love the movies so much that for Halloween A was Queen Amidala; H was Galadriel from Lord of the Rings; and M was Hermoine.  After watching the movies (or at least hearing the movies while they are playing) I am getting pretty good at singing the theme songs.  I also do a decent rendition of the "My Little Pony" song and some of the songs from "Phineas and Ferb".  It is a special talent.  A's now has a favorite composer, John Williams.  No joke, she will watch the movie credits just to see who the composer was for the music.  She is getting pretty good at knowing John Williams' music! 

As for Brian.  His office went to ten hour shifts at the beginning of October, and he is loving them.  I was not so sure about them, but I have to admit he is more of a human being during his work week.  He uses real words now, not just grunts.  :)  He also went to the swing shift, and apparently he likes it because he signed up for them again.  With the swing shift he gets home around 12-1am, and is able to get up with us in the morning.  Which means he gets to see the girls before school.  He is also awake for his first day off, which is nice.  However, with swings he does not have a partner, and the number of accidents can be crazy.  

Okay, now for the real reason I am writing... Brian got pulled over on his way home this morning for speeding!!  I don't know why, but I find this to be hilarious!  I LOVE the fact that he got pulled over.  It is just like when he super glued the super glue container to his finger. (I can't even type that without laughing!)  So funny!  I also love the fact he didn't get a ticket.  Here is how he said it went down:

CHP: "Good morning sir, I pulled you over for your speed."
(Brian calmly hands him his DL and police ID, doesn't say anything...)
CHP: (To his partner.) "Hey, he is one of us!  So what office are you out of?  What class ?" (More CHP talk) "Well have a nice day! Drive safe!"

If it had been me there would have been a lot of me saying "I'm sorry" and praying he/she asks why I have the star on my DL. 

So that is that! Brian got pulled over! (Hee hee)  He is loving his job!  The girls are doing great! I am still busy with all the fun and blessings in my life.  :)  All right, I am calling it a night!

Blessings,
~Cara

Yes, I am alive!

I know it has been a ridiculous amount of time since I have written a blog.  For those who have noticed the absence, I am sorry.  I hope it makes you feel better to know that Brian has been hounding me to write one since July.  :)

So, you are probably wondering what life has been like since Brian has been off Break-In.  To sum it up...busy!  He is loving his job!  He has been working weekend graves, and it has not been that bad.  It is a little harder to make plans with friends who work "normal" hours, but it is not impossible.  I feel like we are getting used to this schedule, and of course that means that it is changing soon.  In October his office is switching to ten hour shifts and Brian will switch to swing shift.  Brian is happy about this change, but to be honest, I am not so sure.  Like all shifts, it will have good things and bad things, I am just hoping the good is in a larger quantity.  I know I shouldn't worry.  Especially since I know at the end of October it will hit me that I am surviving the dreaded change.  I will say to myself, "Huh, I am living through the dreaded change. Guess it was not that bad".  Yes, I talk to myself, usually in my head, but not always.  Don't judge. ;) 

The girls are doing great!  A just had her 8th birthday, and invited all the girls in her class to the party!  It was CRAZY! There was also a slumber party, but with only five girls. (THANK GOODNESS!!)  She is now a big 3rd grader!  H just started 1st grade, and is, so far, loving it.  M is going to all day preschool two days a week, which leaves me childless two days a week!  The first day is already filled up with working at the Pregnancy Help Center.  The other day happens to be one of Brian's days off, which means DATE DAY!!  Date day is sometimes spent doing not so "date" things, like cleaning out the garage, but still, NO KIDS! :) Both A and H are playing soccer, luckily on the same team.  Brian has only been able to make it to one game, but he takes them to practice the majority of the time and let's M tag along.  Which is nice, because it gives me a break and him Daddy daughter time.  My girls have such a great Daddy!  :)

As for me I am as busy as ever. Besides all the normal stuff and being a taxi for the girls, I have been working more at the PHC!  I also met a new friend a couple months ago who just happens to be a Chippy wife!  She fits right in with the BFF and Bestie at the play dates and movie nights!  My kids love her kids! Our husbands have stuff in common.  So her family has become apart of our family.  Both Brian and I feel very blessed to have the friends we have, and we are happy to have them join the family.  Plus, it is nice to be able to have "my husband is working/ the kids are driving me bonkers/ I don't want to be by myself" play dates with her.  I really feel it was a God thing that I met her.  I was beginning to think I was not going to find a friend that was 1) in the CHP family, 2) was local, and we could actually do things together, 3) had similar beliefs/ lifestyles.  Don't get me wrong, I love my friends that I already had.  Each one is special, amazing, and unique; but, according to the books and the people who ran the spouse panel, it is important to have friends inside the CHP.  I already had my friends I made during the academy, but none of them are near me.  When I mentioned to Brian how I was feeling, he told me to pray about it.  The next day she came into the PHC to interview to be a volunteer.  COME ON! Isn't that awesome!  It is not often that I get and answer to a prayer that quickly!  THEN, a couple weeks later, I ran into a friend from high school who is also a CHP wife!  Now she comes to the "my husband is working/ the kids are driving me bonkers/ I don't want to be by myself" play dates. I don't know if you can tell but I feel very blessed lately!

That is about it!  Things are going good.  Blessed and busy!!  Hopefully, I get the chance to write again soon.

Blessings,
~Cara

Bye Bye Break In!!

Today was Brian's first solo day!  Friday was his last day of Break in, and after ten months, the training is finally over.  He made it with out any extensions!  Woo-Hoo!

I was going to write during fourth phase, but it was only a week long.  Plus I had M's birthday party to prepare for, so time was very limited.  For fourth phase Brian went back to the day shift.  Which means his commute home is crazy long.  When he is on graves his commute is opposite of the heavy traffic, but on days, he is in the heavy traffic.  He will finish out the month on the days shift and then he will be back on graves, so he only has to deal with the traffic a few more times.

Someone asked me how I feel about the shifts, days vs. graves.  So I thought I would do a pros/ cons list for both.  I would like to say that I am new at this.  I might feel very differently in a couple of months. :)  Also I am not including anything about safety/ dangers.  Just my opinions on daily life stuff.

Graves:
Pros:

• Commute.  Brian is in a much better mood when he has not been sitting in traffic for two hours.
• I feel like I get more things done at night.  Mostly because 1) the girls are asleep, and 2) I get bored so I might as well do something productive. I have no one needing my attention.  Plus I can watch whatever I want on TV!
• I feel like I talk to Brian more.  This is because we talk a lot on the phone while he is commuting.  Hands free of course!!  We get to have our "how was your day?" conversation.
• From 10 pm on, he has a partner.  (Okay, I guess this could be counted as a safety thing. Oh well.)
• Brian is able to get a quick work out in before going to bed.  Workout lowers stress = better moods.  Plus, it keeps Brian in his current size so we do not spend money on new uniform pants.
• When I leave the house, I don't have to lock the dogs out.

Cons:

• His first day off is spent sleeping.  He gets home around 8 am and then sleeps until 2 pm.  Makes it hard to plan anything on those days.
• If he gets off late, the girls (when in school) do not get to see him.
• We have to go into quiet mode during the day, at least upstairs.  Makes it hard to do any cleaning.

Days:
Pros:

• His first day off is actually off.  He wakes up with the rest of us and we can have the full day.
• I get to see Brian more, even if he is getting ready for the next day.
• When he gets off on time (and traffic allows) he can see the girls before bed time.
• I sleep better when Brian is home.
• Easier to clean upstairs.

Cons:

• Commute.  Seriously.
• No quick workout for Brian.
• Night time productivity is at an all time low. Unless I stay up super late...like tonight.
• No phone conversations.  I am asleep on his way to work, and on his way home I usually busy with dinner and bed time prep.
• When I leave the house, I have to lock the dogs outside and they tear up my yard.  They dig in the flower beds and vegetable gardens! Grrrrr! 

I think that is it.  That is how I rate the shifts.  :) I guess I can keep you all updated as my opinions change, but for now I need to go to bed.  I have a play date at the park in the morning.  :)

Blessings,
~Cara

Sicky Poos and More... :P

Once again, it has been awhile.  Since my last post we have celebrated H's 6th birthday, Mother's Day, and other things.  As a family, we passed a around a nasty cold.  Just when we all recovered from the cold, H came home early from school with a fever last Tuesday.  She really had a fever and spent the day sleeping, watching TV, and looking like a zombie.  Then Wednesday morning M came down with the a stomach bug, so I had two sickies on the couch vegging out.  Both were fine by Wednesday evening. So Thursday morning, H went back to school, until I got a call from the school that she had a stomach ache and fever again.  I picked her up, but she did not seem that sick. By the time we got home, her fever was gone.  She played normal and ate normal the rest of the day.  She was fine Friday and over the weekend.  No stomach issues and no fever.  A, however, tossed her cookies while at the park Saturday evening.  Her fever did not hit until Sunday morning.  And it was a doozy!  All day Sunday and Monday she had a fever and laid around looking like a zombie. Yesterday, Monday, M had a doctors appointment for her preschool physical, so I took her while Brian stayed home with A.  On my way to the appointment the school calls and said H was in the office complaining of a stomach ache and had a fever, again.  And again, once I picked her up she was fine.  No fever and full of energy.  Stomach ache my tush, she downed her lunch and asked for more.  The doctor suggested I make H stay home from school today, just in case.  A's fever was gone this morning, but she was still a little sluggish, so she also stayed home.  Tomorrow, both will go back to school and hopefully they stay there all day.  Or so help me...

As for Brian, he is doing well.  He is still in third phase.  For him, fourth phase is being postponed (NOT EXTENDED) a week.  His FTO for fourth phase (same FTO as first phase) is taking the Sergeant's test the week Brian was scheduled to have fourth phase.  So he will just have and extra week with his current FTO.  Brian also received a subpoena for his first court date next month! Kind of exciting now, but I am sure it will get old real fast.  :) Other than that, just the normal DUI, tickets and reports.  Lots of reports.

That's about it.  Nothing really interesting.  Which makes me think once Brian is done with Break-in I might retire from my blogging career. :)

Blessings,
~Cara

Update! Phase 3 Starts This Week!

Can you believe it?!  Phase three...time is flying.  So far Brian is doing pretty well on the job.  His daily scores have been decent.  He is feeling more and more comfortable with the area. He is still learning a ton.  He always has a story to tell me, and I have been brushing up on my 10 codes so I have an idea of what the story is about.  At home, we have all settled into our schedules and our routines.  So all is well.

Okay now that the update is out of the way, let's talk about driving.  This is my way to give you all a fair warning.  So you cannot say you were not warned.  Before the Academy, Brian was a pretty safe driver.  Nothing crazy! Used his blinker; made smooth stops; moved at the speed of traffic; overall a safe nerdy driver.  During the Academy, he drove a little faster and showed off a little.  It made me a little nervous, but whatever.  Now he has been out on the road and has had two different FTO's give input on his driving.  Now he drives like a maniac!  I kid you not!  No more smooth stops.  Getting off and on the freeway is a terrifying experience!  Blinkers are no longer used.  He is that guy who makes you think "crazy driver".  Seriously, my stomach spends way too much time in my throat.  DUDE, where is the CODE 3?!  (Like how I did that?)  I know I am not alone.  Other wives have shared in my terror.  To top it off, as we go down the road (at break neck speeds) he points out all the violations.  Example: "Tags", "cell phone", "riding to close", "unsafe blah blah blah".  I know Brian would not do anything unsafe with us in the car, BUT it still does not feel so safe to me.  

It is funny; however, when we are driving along and Brian notices a violation and he forgets he is in our car.  :P  He gets all frustrated because they are talking on their cell phone right in front of him and not even trying to hide!  Then he remembers that 1) he is not on duty, and 2) he is not in a patrol car.  So of course they do not care if he is right there.  :) 

The rest of daily life is as busy as ever.  Busy, but running almost smooth.  No illnesses, no major drama, just normal everyday stuff.  :)  Brian is pretty excited to have some newer newbies joining him at the San Jose office when the next class graduates! ;)  Congratulations to all who made it!  :)

Well, I think I will call it a night.

Blessings,
~Cara

Half way Done with Phase 2!

I know it has been awhile.  Last week was pretty full.  We had something going on everyday!  AScentsy/ Grace Adele party, movie night, PHC, MOPs, and the normal everyday stuff.  Friday night we had a super fun double date night with my BFF and her hubby!  Saturday we decided to take a day trip to Columbia State Historic Park, which is something we do at least once a year.  Usually we drive up a way that is not super curvy, because H and I tend to get car sick.  This time however, we went a different route, because we knew there was a big to do in one of the towns and traffic was going to be bad.  So we thought we would be smart and take the other way up, even though it is a bit more curvy.  Everything was going okay.  We were about five minutes from Columbia and I was just starting to regret going the curvy way, (but was still okay) when H says "I don't feel good...I think I am going to throw up".  Before I could remind her of all the hidden throw up bags near and around her, or before Brian could turn into the gas station parking lot, A announces that H is "throwing up on the floor".  Poor thing.  So Brian pulls into the parking lot, I get and open the back door... yeah, at that point I knew I would not be helping Brian clean up the mess.  Luckily we had a change of clothes for H.  I cleaned her up and changed her clothes.  By the time Brian had cleaned up the mess in the car, everyone was feeling better.  Needless to say, but we went home the other, less curvy, way...with the windows down.

Last night Brian started his third week of  phase two.  Graves are so much different than days.  During phase one, Brian mostly issued tickets.  He had a few accidents, stolen cars, but it was mostly tickets.  During the last two weeks, it has been mostly DUIs.  Although, last night it was a pot hole that took up the most time.  A very angry vicious pot hole, that caused damage to over ten vehicles that dared to take it on.  Sounds like a fun night.  So far graves have not been too bad, which is somewhat of a surprise.  Brian comes home most mornings just before the girls and I head out the door.  The girls get a chance to love on Daddy before going to school.  Brian and I get in a short conversation (and some lovin') before I have to turn into drill sergeant mommy to get out the door on time.  Once we are out the door, he crashes.  For the most part, when he is upstairs sleeping, we just pretend he is not home.  I can't make the girls be silent as monks, but they understand that Daddy needs to sleep, so they keep it down.  Plus Brian can sleep through anything.  I will say, his three day (night, you know what I mean) weeks are so much better than his four day weeks.  Not a big surprise.  :)  That one day does make such a huge difference.  This week is a four day week, so he will come home Saturday morning and then be dead to the world for half the day.  So we have Saturday night, Sunday and Monday.  Tuesday he sleeps and then goes to work.  On his three day week, he is dead to the world half of Friday.  So we have Friday night, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday he sleeps.  It doesn't sound like much of a difference, but it really is so much better. :) It looks like he will be staying on his current schedule for phase three, but that is not set in stone.  I wish they would hurry up and set it in stone.  H's birthday is next month and I need to know when to schedule the party. 

Speaking of H's party, I need to go and get some work done on her scrapbook so it can be ready for her party.  :)  Good night!

Blessings,
~Cara

Phase 2 and Grave Shift

So tonight Brian started Phase 2.  It is also his first shift on graves.  His new FTO still remained somewhat of a mystery when he left today.  He had not officially met him.  None of the other trainees had him for phase 1, so it will be a surprise!  To make sure he started his week well rested, he stayed up until 2:45ish this morning.  Sounds backwards, but then he slept until noon.  The girls and I stuck with our normal schedule.  A quieter version of the normal schedule.  My goal was to allow Brian to sleep, undisturbed.  However, when I came home from taking the girls to school, the lawn care guys were here, and I had left our bedroom window open!  I felt so bad!  I hurried into the house and ran upstairs, only to find Brian sawing logs.  He didn't even notice the lawn mower, weed whacker, and leaf blower outside our open bedroom window.  I guess I will put off buying some ear plugs for him.

Brian left for his shift the same time I was leaving to get the girls from school.  A and H were a little bummed that they missed seeing Daddy today.  All three of them were crying at bed time, "I miss my Daddy!", but I am pretty sure that had more to do with them getting in trouble for the state of their bedroom.  No joke, I could not see the floor, not even a tiny bit.  Needless to say, they will be cleaning their room instead of playing tomorrow.  Or else the bad cop (aka Mommy) will be back!

During dinner, H told me she played bad guys and officers during recess.  She told me all about how she arrested her friend with pretend handcuffs.  :)  She is a mini Daddy, and proud of it!

As for our back yard, we pretty much finished it.  Just need to get the grass to grow and add a few finishing touches.  Overall, not bad for our first landscaping job!  

Back fence...

Side fence...

New box and path.  Brian made the box!  It is amazing!

 Hopefully, I will be able to keep everyone updated on how phase 2 is going.  It should be easier since Brian won't be home to distract me.  :)  For now, I need to go to bed.  Being the bad cop, wears me out.  Good night!

Blessings,
~Cara 

Look What I Did and an Update :)

During the last week Brian and I decided that it was time to tackle the backyard, hence the pretty flower.  When we moved in last year the backyard was a disaster zone, and it has remained that way.  Gophers, a giant cactus, patchy grass, and weeds ruled the backyard.  I already wrote how I started destroying the cactus.  Well, it is no more!  I showed that cactus who was boss.  Well I did for the first 98% of the job, then Brian finished him!!  Then, on Saturday, Brian made me a planter box for a veggie garden.

Does it not look awesome?!  We cleared the ground together, but he made the box.  That baby is sturdy!  :)  We planted two zucchini plants. The third as supposed to be bell peppers, but I grabbed the wrong one.  So instead we have a caliente pepper, which are MUY CALIENTE!  So if any of you likes the feeling of your mouth being on fire, please let me know, I have some peppers for you. :)  Not bad for our first project!  Brian is making another box this weekend, but it will be bigger then this one.

One Monday, I started "our" second project.  I cleared the ground for another flowerbed.  Then on Tuesday, after A's dentist appointment and two trips to Home Depot, I finished the project.

First half...

Second half.

Not perfect, but come on, I did it all by myself!  Yes, I did hurt myself once.  I smashed my finger between two of the cinder blocks.  It hurt really bad.  I was thinking a lot of bad things, but only managed to say "OH! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!".  Then I practiced labor breathing techniques.  It still hurts.  Today, after taking the girls out for breakfast and the mall for our super fun girls only time, I cleared the ground for the second box and a pathway. Since that is the project for Saturday, I thought I would get a head start.  It feels good to get stuff accomplished, but I am sore!  I will get a rest tomorrow, since it is Thursday and I have other things on my plate.

Tomorrow is Brian's last day of phase one.  Next week he starts phase two and switches to grave shift.  It should be interesting for all of us.  Brian has not met his new FTO and is both nervous and excited for the change.  At home, we just got use to his current schedule.  He is gone before we get up and gets home (if he comes home) right before bedtime.  Now he will be leaving just as I am leaving to pick up the girls from school, and coming home (if he comes home) just as we are leaving to take the girls to school.  There is a chance that, even if Brian makes the commute home, A and H will not see Brian at all on the days he is working.  It is just another new normal for us, and we will have to get use to it.  And we will, just in time for it to change again.  ;) 

Well I should get to bed.  The girls are on Spring Break this week, but still want to wake up at the break of dawn.  I can only ignore them for so long before they attack me.  Tomorrow they will be especially excited because we will be getting ready for our big trip on Friday.  On Friday we are going to the San Francisco Zoo with Brian's academy roommate and his family.  We have not taken the girls to San Francisco yet, so we are all pretty excited.  Plus, Brian and his roommate can refresh the BROmance. ;)  Good Night!

Blessings,
~Cara

It Has Been Awhile...

Wow, it has been awhile!  The last week and a half has been crazy.  Poor M caught a stomach bug and was miserable.  A was awarded "Student of the Month" for the second grade!  She then used that to get us to stop at Baskin Robbins during a family walk.  "Look!  There's the ice cream place!  You know we haven't celebrated my 'student of the month', yet."  Smart little cookie.  H has been surprising us with her mad reading skills.  So much for spelling things out to keep secrets from the girls.  Our car spent a couple days in the shop, where they told us it was time to look for a new one.  :(  Oh, and today I decided the big ugly cactus in our backyard needed to go!  I destroyed 90% of it and now I just need someone to come finish the job and get rid of the evidence for me.  Any takers?  ;)

At home, it feels like we are getting used to Brian's work schedule.  Which is good, but phase 2 starts after Easter, and that brings a new schedule.  We still never know if or when he is coming home.  Last week we were pretty lucky!  He had a couple short shifts and came home each night. 

When he comes home during his work days, he;

• greets me, 
• unloads his stuff;
•  goes in and kisses the girls; 
• washes the blender cup (breakfast drink) and coffee cup;
• restocks his lunch bag;
• eats dinner while talking to me;
• sets up his breakfast drink and coffee maker for the morning;
• takes a shower;
• comes back down the stairs to tell me good night;
• goes to bed, and is sawing logs 5 seconds later.  Then he is up and out by 3:45am.  

On his days off, he jumps into the family schedule.  I make sure he gets enough rest, works out, eats healthy-ish, has enough time to do his work stuff, and gets family bonding time.  He makes sure he fills the roles of Daddy and hubby. 

At work, Brian has been busy.  He has recovered 3 stolen vehicles, written a bunch of tickets, spent a shift with a dispatcher, and helped out with his first fatality.  He is improving in a lot of areas, but still needs practice.  Overall his daily scores (from his daily evaluation) are better than we expected they would be during phase 1.  Very proud of him!

Well I should probably go bed.  A lot of stuff to do tomorrow!  Good night!

Blessings,
~Cara

Just Checking in...

So we are now into the second week of Brian being out on the road, and it is going good.  So far this week Brian has recovered two stolen vehicles.  Here is a tip for you:  be careful buying a car on Craigslist. If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is and if you buy the car, don't be surprised when a CHP officer shows up and tows it away.  Just saying.  He also investigated two different hit and run cases. 

The last two weeks have also been very humbling.  Brian knew, coming out of the academy, that he still had a lot to learn.  The last two weeks Brian has been relearning how to drive in traffic, where to stand, and how to multitask on a whole new level.  All of our driving lives we have been told that the safest thing to do is move with traffic.  That does not work when you are in a patrol car.  No wants to speed past the cops, and that makes for a traffic break.  Brian's FTO told him he needs to drive through traffic the same way a shark swims through a school of fish.  Faster than traffic, to keep traffic moving, but slow enough to see violations. As for learning where to stand; at the academy when they were practicing traffic stops, interviewing witnesses, etc. it was not done in active traffic.  Brian is having to learn to pay attention to his surroundings, and to stand in the safest spot.  He is also having to learn to listen to the radio, while writing reports or while driving.  I feel Brian is at a disadvantage when it comes to this, because as a parent you develop the ability to block out annoying sounds.  Brian is having to learn how to overcome this skill at work. ;) To sum it up, break in is a learning process. Brian's FTO tells Brian what he needs to work on and Brian works on it.  So far Brian is improving!  He is being compared to officers that have been on the job for years, he was not expected to be at their level.  It is not all bad.  Brian's report writing skills are pretty awesome!  He also knows the vehicle code pretty well for a newbie.  Area orientation is another area in which he is excelling for a newbie.  I am very proud to see him doing his best.  He is willing and able to learn, and knows he has a long way to go.  He takes everything his FTO gives him and will put it into practice.

At home things are a little different.  We are adjusting to Brian's new hours.  Having him home more is wonderful, but our schedules are having to be re-arranged.  Plus I am never sure if Brian is coming home or staying at my brother's.  Brian has decided if he able to get out the door an hour after his shift ends, then he is coming home.  It is still like the academy in that I am still doing everything I was doing then on the days that Brian works.  Even if he comes home, it is only to get his stuff together and to sleep.  In some ways it is harder.  When Brian is home he wants my attention, and I want to give it to him, which means stuff goes undone.  The stress of the job is a little higher for him and that means a little added stress for me.  When he was at the academy I did not have to worry about what he was eating.  Now I have to make sure I have food that he can take with him that is both healthy and convenient.  Apparently I had gotten out of the habit of shopping for a family of five, because I am having trouble keeping my pantry stocked.  To add to it, the girls have been acting up lately, like they always do when there is a change to the every day normal.  A feels it is her job to argue even the tiniest detail with me.  She has not learned to turn away from me when she talks under her breath.  I have said to her many times lately, "you know I can see that you mouth is still moving, and I can read you lips".  She also has decided "crazy" is in right now.  One day last week she got sent out of her classroom twice for not settling down.  H is turning in to a hypochondriac/ drama queen who likes to spit.  M has been throwing pretty impressive tantrums.  They all have a bad case of selective -hearingitis. So, yeah, it has been fun. 

Alright, it is late.  If I go to bed now, I get to sleep in the same bed as my husband for a couple of hours. :)

Blessings,
~Cara

Definitely a Night for a Glass of Wine!

Okay, so normally the part of the blog about my day is kind of boring and the part about Brian's day is fascinating.  Not the case today.  I can honestly say that I was terrified tonight. 

Most of my day was boring.  The highlight was buying a case for my new phone.  Then I took A to her Bible study.  Our church is on the outskirts of town right off the freeway.  I was on the freeway when I saw, what I thought was an accident scene.  My first thought was that it must have been a bad accident because there were cops and fire trucks EVERYWHERE!  I tried to get off the freeway was made to get back on, that's when I noticed that all the streets where blocked off.  I thought "WOW, this is a really bad accident" and even started praying for who ever was in the accident.  I told the girls not to look, just in case, I did not want them to see anything to bad.  It wasn't until I got to the church that I found that it was not an accident but a man with a gun.  I had called my BFF to say we were running late and was still on the phone with her when I was told what was happening.  The people at the church had everything locked down, but kept things running smoothly.  Even though I trust the people at the church to keep my baby safe, I decided to stay.  There was no way in Hades I was leaving A!  Or my BFF's kids for that matter!  My BFF and her husband were stuck in traffic on the freeway.  She had already dropped her kids off and had gone to go get something to eat.  I hung out in the lobby and things seemed to be calming down outside. Brian called and was telling me about his day (few tickets and a small accident).  While I was talking to him, I noticed a large van pull into the church parking lot and a lot of people got out.  It was kind of hard to see, but it looked like they were wearing helmets and matching clothes.  Shortly after, a couple came to pick up their daughter. The husband had a police scanner and had a better idea what was going on outside.  While I was still on the phone with Brian, he informed us that the man with a gun was at the propane place in a propane truck.  He might have already shot someone, might have a hostage, and was threatening to shoot the tanks.  Oh, the van in the parking lot... the swat team.  The propane place is just down the street, I could easily run the distance.  Which means WAY TO CLOSE for comfort!  At that point Brian told me it would probably be best to get the kids and get out.  I was on board with that idea.  I called my BFF, who was still on the freeway and also very close to the propane place, and gave her an update.  She gave the clearance for me to take her kids.  I grabbed my girls and her little boy, then ran next door to get her daughter.  The swat team was standing out in the parking lot.  There was the helicopter with the spot light on in the sky.  As I was driving away, a news van was coming down the road.  Meanwhile, on the freeway my BFF's husband, with some interesting maneuvers, got them out of traffic and turned them around.  I met them at my BFF's parent's house.

The situation is over now.  The man is in custody, and the person who was shot should be okay.  I know the Bible promises that the world would- for a lack of a better way to say it- go to hell in a hand basket, but it sure seems like the process has sped up lately.  So many officers have been shot and killed lately, two just yesterday.  Violence is a everyday thing.  I am sad to see the world going in the direction it is heading.  I do have hope though, because of my faith.  The Bible does promise all the bad stuff, but it also promises that God wins in the end.  So I am on the right side.  I know eventually everything will be made right.  That is what gets me through.

As for Brian...his FTO is a nice guy.  He is making his time with Brian a learning experience.  He is not using his time to belittle or degrade Brian.  Brian has already learned a lot!  Last night Brian came home- he was off on time- he was exhausted, both emotionally and physically.  Today was a longer day so he is a my brother's house, but will be able to come home tomorrow night.

Well, I am pooped! Tomorrow I have to take A and M to the dentist to get some work done.  SO not looking forward to that!  Then I have the PHC, and then movie night! (Brian will be sleeping up stairs.)

Blessings, (Trust me, I am counting mine tonight.)
Cara

Yes I am Still Alive! :)

I know, I know it has been awhile!  Having Brian home has been cutting into my blogging time.  It is like he wants me to pay attention to him!  :)  Having him home the week he was off was so nice!  It was no longer three against one, and I got a break from being the bad cop.  I actually got to be the good cop a few times!  :)  His week off was filled with activities and chores, and he was choosing to be busy.  He could not sit still!  He asked me to make up a "Honey Do" list for him to accomplish.  I thought I made a pretty LONG list.  I thought it was full of wishful thinking, but he finished it...in a day.  Then he made his own list, and finished that also.  Brian would sit down for a minute and I would think he was finally going to relax.  He would fidget then jump up and start on something else.  He picked the girls up from school; picked up dog droppings; worked out (CrossFit); studied his Beat guide/ maps; re-arranged his stuff; cleaned out and organized our files; helped with my chores, and kept M entertained while I did some spring cleaning.  At one point I did say "DUDE!  Sit down and relax!"  :)  We also had a date night and had a family fun day.  Of course the family fun day involved driving around San Jose.  :)  I have to say, I am seriously happy I do not have to learn my way around San Jose.  No joke, we were going north on one freeway, when all of the sudden without taking any exits, we were going south on another freeway!  All the freeways look the same, and you cross the same avenue/ parkway multiple times.  I would be lost, so it is a very good thing it is Brian who has to learn his way around, and not me!

Brian reported to his office on Tuesday at eight in the morning.  It was a little nerve wracking, because that was all he was told.  We had no idea what the rest of the week would look like, what days or hours he would be working.  His whole first week was spent on paper work, re- certifications, and training.  Some of his newly minted officer friends started break in with their FTOs (Field Training Officer) during their first week.  Brian's office spends the first week in training on everything from the computer systems to "Don't do 'this' because you will get you fired" training.  The system in the cars they use is a new and fancy system, so Brian spent time training in those.  Needless to say, but he found the new system to be exciting.  Due to the training he as able to come home every night, but that will not happen any longer.  The commute is long, and with the hours that Brian will be working, we thought it would be best if Brian has a crash pad closer to the office.  (Academy part deux!!)  Brian starts his first phase of Break in tomorrow with his first FTO.  He got pretty lucky for his first phase!  His FTO has been on the job for more fifteen years, so Brian's will be working weekday days his first phase.  Hopefully his FTO will be full of wisdom that he will be willing to share.  To be honest, I have heard some Break in stories that were not very pleasant and are very humbling. (Academy part deux!)  Praying it goes smoothly!

So that is what has been going on here!  Just catching up with all the stuff that has been put off the last six months.  :)  I plan on keeping the blog up and running through Break in, (unless I am told not to) so I will do my best keeping you all in the know.  :)  But for now I have to go to bed, M and I have MOPs in the morning. 

Blessings,
Cara

We Made It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW!  I cannot believe it is over.  Yesterday Brian went from cadet to officer.  I watched him receive his badge and get sworn in.  Then I stood in the quad at the academy and pinned his badge on him.  I was prepared to cry like a baby, but surprisingly I did not cry!  I got teary eyed a few times, but that was it.  Maybe I was just in a state of shock, or maybe I was just super focused.  Either way the whole day was amazing!  I am so proud of Brian.  He has worked so hard the last twenty seven weeks.  He has grown and became stronger than ever before.  He has always been one of the best men I have ever known and now he is even better!  So proud of him!

Although Friday was the big day, the week was full of stuff.  First there was the capital run Wednesday morning, then the party Wednesday night.  The party was so much fun!  It helped to already know many of the wives.  It was nice to see Brian and the other cadets finally relax.  It was also nice to meet the people that Brian has been talking about the last six months.  Thursday morning was the family support seminar.  The class was a little overwhelming but full of great information.  During the four hour seminar we were warned that Break In is the academy part deux.  Another four to six months of stress.  Needless to say, I will be taking advantage of this week Brian has off.  :)

Well I guess I should spend some time with my OFFICER husband.  :)

Blessings,
~Cara 

CHP Academy Day 185/187 CAPITAL RUN!!!

Today was the capital run!! It was AMAZING!  I barely slept last night which is ironic since I did not have any children with me.  My alarms- I set two, just in case- were set for 3:30 am and I think I woke up every half hour.  I met some of the other wives at Starbucks at 4:30 and walked over to the academy gates by 5:00.  It was cold! I was wearing two sweatshirts and I was still cold.  There we were standing in the foggy cold, holding our home made signs, when all of a sudden we hear our cadets, loud and proud, off in the distance.  It was really cool!  The fog made it kind of mysterious and awesome!  (The fog also made it impossible to get a good picture!)  It was SO exciting!  No joke I started to tear up a little.  Everyone was pumped, even the cadets!  I could not find Brian in the group, it is amazing how hard it is to tell apart all the different bald heads!  I still still cheered my loudest!  I was a WOO-girl this morning.  :) 

After all the cadets ran by, we all loaded up and headed over to the capital.  I rode over with one of my friends and her adorable daughter.  Once the cadets arrived at the capital, the captain gave a speech.  The speech was so inspirational.  It was really hard to hold back the tears.  Alright...I was not completely successful at holding them back.  I tried to distract myself with the steam rising off the heads of the cadets, but it did not work.  After the speech the cadets went to take pictures.  I snapped a few pictures, but they did not turn out so great. 

If you look carefully you can see the steam coming of the cadets heads.  After the pictures the cadets came down and did knuckle push-ups while yelling "CHP!".  I did get a few moments to see Brian, which was a surprise!

The whole experience was so amazing!  It was totally worth waking up and freezing.  I do not have words to describe all the emotions that I went through this morning.  :)  Or how proud of Brian I am!  Just awesome.

The only thing I have to do today is get ready for the party tonight.  I am excited for the party tonight. :)  Well I should probably take a nap or something.  If I can...writing this has me all pumped up again.  Or is it the three cups of coffee?  :)

Blessings,
~Cara

CHP Academy Day 183/187, Week 27... The Count Down Begins!

Monday of Week 27!  It did not go according to the plan...not a surprise.  Just means I have more to do tomorrow.  I needed to take the car in to get a SMOG check.  I thought it would be a fast and easy thing, but I was wrong.  Try #1-Brian had taken it over the weekend but the place was closed for the weekend.  Try #2- I drove over at about 9:30 and saw that there was a sign taped to the window that said they would open at 10:00.  I thought "no big deal, I will wait".  I watched a lot of people come and go.  At about 9:55, M (who was getting very antsy) and I got out and walked around.  A man walked up tried the door, pulled out his phone and called the number on the window.  He turned to me and said "the owner said he is about an hour away. He is stuck in traffic".  Fine, I will go home, wash some dishes, do some laundry then come back.  I get home and the sprinkler guys are in the front yard and informed me that the water was turned off.  Okay so no dishes or laundry, fine, I will work on other stuff.  Try #3- At about 11:15 I drove back over to the SMOG Check place...still not open.  Again I wait, and again I watch people come and go.  And again a person calls the number.  (Is that a small town thing?  The place is not open so you call to see why they are not open?)  Again the person tell me that "the owner is stuck in traffic, he is an hour away".   Really?!  Is "traffic" code for "I over did it during the Superbowl"?  Try #4 was a success!  I went after I picked up A and H from school. 

I am excited for tomorrow!  Even if my list is a mile long.  :)  It is a large possibility that I will get to see Brian after I get to Sacramento!  He had liberty tonight and thinks he will again tomorrow night.  Yay!  To add a little frosting to the cake I also get to get a mani/pedi tomorrow thanks to my awesome mother-in-law.  I might have to pay for M to get her nails done too, since she is going with me.  Maybe I will be able to talk her out of it.  ;)

Tomorrow is the start of all the week activities.  The rest of the week should fly by at lightening speed!  :) I should probably start packing now...I guess I will call it a night.    

Blessings,
~Cara

CHP Academy Days 180-182/187, Last Sunday Night Good-Bye!!!!!

Last Sunday night good-bye!  Tomorrow starts week 27!  That is week 27 out of 27!!!!!

This weekend veered a little off the plans we had made for this weekend.  The plan was Saturday we would visit our new beautiful niece who was born on Friday. Then we would make a stop at Costco, where part of our purchase would be pizza (take-&-bake) for our family movie night.  The first thing that went wrong was I woke up with a cold Saturday morning.  So I did not get to go to meet our niece.  Another detour was the repairman, who I was expecting Friday, came on Saturday to finally fix the dishwasher.  Which of course is a good thing, especially since I have been waiting since December.  When it was time to go to Costco, Brian volunteered to take all three girls so I could stay home.  Told you my husband was awesome!  When I knew they would be home soon I went into the kitchen to preheat the oven.  It would not turn on.  Stove works...no oven.  So I finally get my dishwasher fixed and now my oven is broken.  Luckily, my BFF let us use her oven and saved our dinner.  Sadly, by the time our dinner was ready and home it was too late to watch a movie with the girls.  Instead we watched a couple episodes of My Little Ponies.  Today we stayed home from church due to my annoying cold.  We watched the Superbowl with the girls.  M was adorable and repeated everything we said.  The girls sat and watched the whole game and were a little disappointed that "our team" lost.  After the game I gave Brian his hair cut and sent him one his way for his last week at the academy.

This week should be crazy.  Monday and Tuesday I will spend preparing and packing.  Tuesday night I am staying in Sacramento.  Wednesday morning is the Capital Run, where the cadets run from the academy to the capital.  I will be joining the other wives/ families in cheering our cadets on as they leave the gates of the academy.  Then we will meet the cadets at the capital where there will be a speech given and pictures taken.  Wednesday night is the cadet party.  Thursday morning is the Family Support Seminar.  Friday, of course, is the BIG DAY!  WOO-HOO!!! :)  Big week!!

Now I should probably get some sleep so I can get rid of this annoying cold.  Don't want to be sneezing during the graduation.  :)

Blessings,
~Cara

CHP Academy Days 177-179/187

One week from tomorrow!  :)

Things at the academy are still rolling.  Classes have started and ended this week.  The graduation ceremony has been practiced.  PT has been tough.  This morning Brian and the rest of his company were late to training because of a "miscommunication".  Then after the cadets had finished wrestling around and beating each other up, two cadets were diagnosed with pink eye.  Pink eye, to me, is a lot like lice.  When someone mentions lice my head starts to itch and I get the jibblies.  When pink eye is mentioned my eyes start to itch and I get the jibblies.  So yeah, now two cadets are quarantined and all the rest of the company are watching for symptoms.  Wouldn't that be great, to have a bunch of cadets with pink eye for graduation?  The senior cadets were also given senior privileges, which means they can play pool and basket ball if they have the time.  It also means extra nights of liberty, not that there are many nights left.  Tomorrow Brian has his last day of PT! 

At home the girls have been driving me bananas!  The fighting, bickering, whining, teasing and talking back is getting old.  Not to mention, the number of times I have been woken up at night.  Night before last they took turns every hour.  It could be just me, but I swear it has been worse this week.  At least their room is cleaner than it was last week.  A did say something sweet today.  She told someone I should not have to clean up something because I already do everything for them at home.  I think it came from the talk Daddy gave her last night after dinner about her attitude.  It was nice not to be the one who was giving the talk.    

This week has been dragging!  I am happy tomorrow is Friday and Brian is coming home for the weekend.  Next week still seems far away.   One more week...  :)

Blessings,
Cara

CHP Academy Days 174-176/187

Hello everybody!  So Saturday Brian had the fun experience of CS gas.  He said it was like drowning while being on fire.  So I guess the moral of the story is, do not get involved in a riot, or any situation where CS gas will be used.  It will not be fun for you.  His company actually had an extra strong dose of the gas because they had a few cans that were about to expire.  The instructors and the cadets with military back ground agreed that it was worst experience they have had with CS gas.  So, yeah, it was bad.  Brian did it though and I am so proud of him.  When he came home Saturday evening, it was like he was actually home.  He was not distracted or stressed.  It was nice to have him HOME.

Saturday for the girls and myself was fun.  The girls and I went to the mall to finish my shopping.  Mission Completion!  We went into all the stores that little girls love.  A spent her own money and bought herself sunglasses, and a little bag of stuff at the Sanrio (Hello Kitty) store.  H only had a dollar to work with, so she bought herself a Hello Kitty pencil.  Made her happy!  I also spoiled my girls a little.  Everyone got new shoes!  (Trust me, they needed them!)  I also bought A and M new earrings and -since she refused earrings- H a new butterfly bracelet.  It was a nice Mommy & Daughters Day!  I was ready for a nap by the time we got home.  :)

Sunday, we got to attend church, another sign that Brian was more relaxed.  After church, Brian did our taxes and helped around the house.  I am telling you guys, he was a different cadet this weekend!  He headed back to the academy much later than usual with his hair slightly longer on top than usual.

Today, was not so great for me.  The Check Engine light came on in our main mode transportation.  (Stupid Check Engine Light!)  A very annoying and stressful situation.  So I dropped off the girls at school.  Then I drove to the gym, and while waiting for my BFF, I called and made an appointment to take the car into the shop.  It would seem like I was on top of things, like I had my stuff together, but no I totally was dropping the ball.  I totally failed today, a big fat "F"!  Here is why: at 9:30 this morning I was supposed to meet with H's speech teacher.  While I dealing with the car stuff (stupid check engine light) the appointment just got forgotten.  I remembered around 10:00.  I had that "OMG!" moment.  I did call the office and rescheduled while apologizing profusely.  I cannot believe I missed an appointment.  It is a good thing the academy is almost over, I swear I am losing my intelligence.  I.Q. is dropping.  :)  The problem with the car was the spark plugs, all of them.  Apparently they were the originals, the ones that should have been replaced before we even bought the car.  Not only the spark plugs, but the wiring around the spark plugs.  It could have been worse, but I was really hoping it was just the gas cap.  The whole day was not bad, I did get to spend some time with my BFF, both at the gym then for coffee.

Today at the academy, Brian spent most of his day in class and doing paper work.  They also had a small review on vehicle code to refresh them.  Brian said he got back his report from his report writing class.  He got a 93 on it!  They also found out that there was money left over in the cadet party fund.  (The cadets paid extra dues every month to pay for their party.)  The extra money is going towards buying each cadet a flat badge to carry in their wallets.  Plus they are also making a donation to the Officer Kenyon Youngstrom fund to help his family.  I am happy with the way they are using the extra money.

 Tomorrow I will be playing catch up.  I had a long to do list today that did not get done since I was not able to come home.  Hopefully I will have no more surprises!  Unless the surprise is good, of course.  :)  Like Starbucks being delivered to my door...or something... ;)

Blessings,
Cara

CHP Academy Days 170-173/187, Two weeks from today!!!

Two weeks from today, God willing, I will pin Brian's badge on his uniform.  :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)  
I am 100% sure I will need water proof mascara. ;)

The last week has been crazy full at home!  Here are the highlights:
1) Parent teacher conferences:  So proud of my girls!  It always feels good when other people praise your children.  :)  Both girls are doing well!  A is moving right along and improving.  H has already completed (sometimes exceeded) the Kindergarten standards.  P/T conferences mean minimum days, and minimum days mean normal schedule is thrown out the window. 

2)  Ordered the cake for Brian's Graduation party.  Not only is it going to be delicious, but it is going to look awesome!  It is going to be decked out in CHP stuff! 

3)  We had no internet Wednesday and Thursday.  Wednesday it was an area outage so there was nothing I could do, but I did get it fixed Thursday!  It is a good thing that I can multitask since I was on hold for awhile.  The plus side of the internet outage, I got a lot of sleep Wednesday night because I got bored and there was nothing good on television.  :)

4)  Thursday was a very busy day.  M and I went to the gym, then we babysat for a friend.  Well M played, I babysat.  The children were great!  M had a blast!  Then I had the Pregnancy Center while the girls went to my mom's house.  The day ended with movie night! 

5)  Today we met my mother in law for lunch.  Then she took the girls so I could meet with H's teacher.  After the meeting I went out shopping for clothes and bought my outfit for the Graduation!

At the Academy Brian finished up his emergency medical response training.  He passed both his written and practical test. Today he got his badge number!  Very exciting!!  He ranked #6 in his class overall.  Not bad since there are 87 cadets.   He also found out that he got 99.5/100 on his Investigation for grade- the big eight hour test.  So proud of him!!  He came home tonight -yes I am ignoring him right now to write this- but he is heading back up to the academy early tomorrow.  Tomorrow is the day he gets to experience CS gas (tear gas).  Yay him! 

Well I guess I should pay attention to my awesome husband now while I have him at home.  :)

Blessings,
Cara     

CHP Academy Day 169/187, Holy Cow it was a Busy Day!

What a day!  The girls had the day off, but still woke up at the first hint of the sun rising.  Around seven I was woken up and handed a note that read "please make us breakfast now".  I guess I should be happy they said "please".  So I got up, mostly because a three year old, a five year old, and a seven year old do not come with a snooze button.  Once everyone was dressed and fed I took the girls to my mom's and headed to the gym.  You know you have had a good work out when your phone feels like a ten pound weight that you cannot lift without your arms shaking. :)  After the gym, I had a parent teacher conference with A's teacher.  I felt bad for going stinky, but the list of things to do was just beginning.  After the conference it was back to my mom's to get the girl then it was home again.  Once home I fed the girls lunch, made sure everyone used the potty, and loaded them back up in the car.  We drove down to visit my friend at Hallmark.  On the way we stopped at the party store to pick party supplies for Brian's graduation party!  :)  Just in case you missed it... graduation party decorations =  :)!  At Hallmark I got to visit and pick up Valentines day cards.  Then we ran over to Micheal's to pick up stuff for the baby shower, then it was finally time to go home!  Once home it was time to make dinner while helping A finish up her Twenty Book Challenge that is due tomorrow. 

Today at the Academy, Brian spent his day in emergency response class.  So far he has learned how to make a splint and how to treat a chest wound.  He also had his written CPR test today.  Tomorrow should be about the same.  Not much to write about.  :)

It came up again today about how I am going to deal with worrying for Brian's safety once he is out on the road.  It is a good question.  In all honesty, I am a natural born worry wart.  I worry about anything and everything.  I even worry about worrying.  I know it is a sin, but I struggle with it.  In the last 12.5 years of marriage I don't think there has been a day where I have not told Brian to be safe and then said a prayer for him.  I do the same for my girls.  I always say "I love you.  Have a good day.  Be good and be safe."  I leave the good part out for Brian, I just assume he will be good.  :)  At the beginning of this journey I was sure I was going to have a stroke because of worrying once he was out on the road.  It is no secret that there have been days during this experience that I was worried about Brian making it through the academy.  So it seems a little unnatural for me to say I am not freaking out with worry.  Will I be praying for my husband every single day? Yes of course!  I am not stupid!  I know that God is in control, he has a plan, and he loves us.  I also know the academy has prepared Brian for his career.  The training he has received is the best and he is not even done yet!  I have to have faith that God and the training will keep him safe.  Being in a constant state of fear is no way to live.  It gives you gray hairs...ulcers...and wrinkles.  Besides God does not want that for us.   

Well tomorrow M and I have MOPs, plus I am hoping to get to the bakery to order the cake for the graduation party.  Again, graduation party = :)!!!!!! Still amazed we are almost done!

Blessings,
Cara

CHP Academy Days 163-168/187, Week 25!

Tomorrow is day number one of week 25!  Week 25/27!  As M would say: "Wicka Wicka What!" 

This last week was busy, but full of yucky illness.  Poor M woke up one morning, climbed into bed with me and then threw up.  It did not last long, but then I started to feel under the weather.  No fun, but I hope it is done now.  Friday night we got a surprise when Brian came home!  Which was awesome!  You know the academy experience is stressful when your husband calls you early on a Friday afternoon and you answer the phone "Is everything okay?  Why are you calling me this early?" while you try and remember what exactly was on the agenda for the day.  :)  Of course it was nothing, his classes just ended early. 

This last week at the academy Brian had his last PMA class where they emptied out the knuckle push-up bank, a grand total of 200 knuckle push-ups.  In Brian's Unusual Occurrence class, he got to teach the section on air craft crashes.  He got to tell his story about his helicopter crash, and apparently he was a big hit.  The cadets started their emergency response class this week, and Brian got certified in CPR.   Busy week!

Saturday morning did not start off on the best note.  The toilet flooded.  Pretty sure someone flushed a toy, and I am pretty sure I know who.  It was a huge mess, and I had to get creative to clean it up.  In the afternoon A had a birthday party at Build-A-Bear Workshop so the rest of us walked around the mall killing time.  I did some shopping for clothes to wear graduation week, since I am running out of time. (Yay!)  Ended up procrastinating a little longer!  :) After the party we went out to Applebees as a family to use up some gift cards.  The girls had a blast!  Daddy even let them have dessert!  :)  Brian spent some time this weekend decorating his PT shirts to represent San Jose.  He also got to watch the 49ers work their way into the Super Bowl!  Besides the toilet, the weekend was great! 

This week Brian continues with his emergency response class, at some he will learn how to deliver a baby.  He also get to experience tear gas on Saturday, not something he is excited about.  At home we have parent teacher conferences and I am starting work on decorations for a baby shower.  I can almost guaranty that it will be busy week.  :) 

Well it is time to call it a night.
Blessings,
~Cara 

CHP Academy Days 159-162/187, Week 24!!!!!

WEEK 24!!! This time twenty-four weeks ago I was terrified and overwhelmed!  Unsure we would ever get this far.  Today I sent out Evites for Brian's graduation party!  Totally confident that I will be pinning a badge on Brian in a few short weeks.  Amazing!  :)

So Friday, Brian had his eight hour Accident Investigation test.  According to him, he nailed it!  He will find out officially that he nailed it sometime during the next week.  Friday night, I dropped off the girls, drove up to Sacramento and had dinner with Brian, some of his fellow cadets and their wives.  We had so much fun!  It was fun to meet the other women in person, to put a face and voice to the names I see on Facebook.  Plus, it was fun to see Brian with his cadet friends.  Since Brian came home with me Friday night and needed to be back at the academy early Saturday morning, we had to get up and leave the house by 5:00am.  It was definitely a Starbucks morning!  It was worth it though!  Sunday was just a quiet day at home, so nice!  The only down side of Sunday, (besides the Sunday night good-bye) was the color crayon that was in the laundry load of the girl's school uniforms.  A blue crayon....GRRRR!  I was able to save most of the clothes.  I will have to replace some, and some of the shirts can only be worn under the jumpers now.  I am pretty sure who it was that had the color crayon in her pocket, but I am also sure she doesn't remember putting the color crayon in her pocket.  :)  So all three girls got the "no color crayons in the pockets/hamper/ anywhere other than the color crayon box" lecture. 

Today was productive day!  I finished over half of my "To-Do" list, including the gym and grocery shopping.  The fact that I took all three girls to Walmart should earn me extra productive points.  I even pushed around the cart with three seat,  AKA the bus cart. I choose the bus cart because H twisted her ankle (something that happens about every other day) in P.E. and was milking it for all it was worth.  Funny how her limp kept disappearing or switching sides.

Brian's day was pretty mellow.  They were told how many tickets they are supposed to be getting for graduation.  :)  They also had a class in probation and parole.  They were supposed to have a guy who was on probation come and speak to them, but he was not able to come since he was arrested today.  :(  Sad really.  Again the day was pretty mellow.  

Well now that The Biggest Loser is over, (yes, I am one of those nerds who watch the show) I can go to bed.  Good night everyone!

Blessings,
~Cara

CHP Academy Day 158/187, A Long but Good Day.

Today was a full day.  After dropping of A and H at school, M and I met up with my BFF at the gym.  At the gym my BFF and I kicked our own tushies.  :)  I might be feeling it tomorrow.  After the gym M and I rushed home so I could make myself not stinky, then it was off to the PHC.  The highlight of the day was getting to take all three girls to the dentist office for their cleanings.  I have to say I was so proud of them.  Six months ago I took all three and cried on the way home.  A behaved so badly and I was SO embarrassed!  I lectured her all the way home, while crying!  Today, although A was not perfect, she was so much better than last time.  She allowed them to take X-Rays, huge improvement!  H and  M just sucked it up and got the job done.  :)  I ended the night with my BFF and movie night!  A long day but over all a good day.

Brian also had a long but good day!  He passed all the parts of his PMA certification.  His uniform fit and is hanging in his locker ready for graduation.  He did well out in EVOC, and had fun learning something new.  He also got a 100% on his drug test.  Tomorrow is going to be a very long day for him.  They have their eight hour accident investigation test.  A big deal.  I have no doubt that Brian will do well, but please remember him, and his fellow cadets, in your prayers.

Tomorrow night I am driving up to have dinner with Brian, some of the cadets, and the cadet's better halves.  I am excited to meet some of the women I have "talking" to on Facebook.  Honestly, I am also a little nervous to meet new people. (I don't always give the best first impression.)  Mostly I am excited.  I am sure we will have fun!  Brian is coming home with me tomorrow night, but has to back up to the academy Saturday morning for the community service project.  Still...I get to see Brian tomorrow night!  And we are having a grown up dinner!

Alright, I need to go to bed.  I am meeting my BFF again at the gym for another tushy kicking.

Blessings,
~Cara

CHP Academy Days 155-157/187

The last few days have actually been pretty quiet here at home.  A and H are loving being back at school.  Monday morning was a little rough getting them up and out the door on time, but they are were so happy to see their friends again!  M has been attached to my hip and loving the undivided attention.  She is also loving her "new, new school" AKA the kids care at the gym.  (Her "old school" is the child care during growth group.  Her "new school" is MOPS.)  Everyday when I pick her up she informs me that 1) she did not talk to anyone; 2) whether or not there was someone new; 3) every single detail of what she did from the moment I dropped her off to the second she sees me and yells "Mommy!".  I only understand about half of what she says, but she is pretty stinkin' cute!

Tomorrow at the academy Brian has a very busy day.  He has his PMA test and his written drug test.  (Test about drugs, not for drugs. Just thought I would clarify.)  He also gets to go out to EVOC to learn a new maneuver.  At some point during the day there is a meeting planned where the cadets will receive information for graduation.  To start off the day the cadets have their last uniform inspection.  Not the blue cadet uniforms...the tan uniforms!  They also will be taking the class picture!  Pretty exciting! 

On a sad note, four more cadets went home today. Bringing the class size down to eighty seven and leaving only one female remaining.  I feel for those cadets and their families, being so close to the end and then losing everything.  They can start over, but that would mean starting over from the beginning!  The academy experience is not easy, not for anyone involved.  The cadets sacrifice time, sleep, and even dignity.  Their whole lives are absorbed into the academy.  Even when they are home they are not really home.  They have homework like memos, reports, studying for test, laws to remember.  Then they have the mental side of things.  Brian would stare off into space and I would know that he was running through a scenario in his head.  The families sacrifice just as much.  Obviously, time with their cadets is short.  Things go undone.  All the everyday things fall onto the shoulders of the ones at home.  If the cadets have children, the kids go with out seeing their Daddy and wives become pseudo single moms.  Even watching TV is different.  Not joking. We have had a conversation that went like this:  Brian: "Those cops would not really do that. They need blah blah blah..." Me: "It is GRIMM.  It is about mythical creatures.  I don't think they care about how realistic the show is..."  Everything is different.  It is totally worth it, but it is not easy.  I have it easy compared to some.  The academy is close enough for Brian to come on the weekends, when he is allowed.  I have my loved ones who are eager to help and often do.  I don't work full time...well not outside the home.  I found a group of great women on Facebook who are wives/girlfriends of cadets and they ended up being a great support group.  Even though I have it easy, it is still very difficult.  Again, it is worth it!  I know Brian will have a job that he loves and can be proud of, but it has been a long & crazy journey. And it is not done yet!  So if you just happen to be one of the 22,000 people who just applied-or one of their loved ones- good luck!  You can do it!  Especially my little brother and sister-in-law, definitely praying for you!  ;) 

Well so much for just a quick short blog tonight.  Sorry for the rambling.  :)

Blessings,
~Cara

CHP Academy Days 150-154/187, Ride Along Weekend!

Look at the days... 150-154!  Holy ravioli Batman!  Almost there!!! Days 150-154 were busy days.  Wednesday I spent most of the day shopping with my mom.  Thursday the girls and I drove up to the foothills to visit our friends.  We had great time!  To top off Thursday, Brian got to come home Thursday night!  This weekend was ride along weekend and the cadets were given Friday off for travel.  Since Brian is going to San Jose and did not need to travel far, he just got Friday off.  Of course he spent it constructively, he had an accident report to work on along with other things.

Saturday was the big day...RIDE ALONG DAY!  When we first started this academy experience the ride along seemed SO far away.  It was one of those things I just did not think about about because it almost seemed impossible.  Now it is over and done with which is crazy!  I was pretty impatience to hear from Brian all day Saturday, but I had a lot on my plate to keep me occupied.  The girls, my mom, my sister, and I were going to meet Brian in San Mateo at my brother's house for our family Christmas and I still had stuff to make.  When I finally got to talk to him about his experience, I could tell that he was excited.  The first thing he said was: "They treated us like real people!  We were not just fat nasties or hammerheads."  He learned a lot about the office, he got to experience traffic stops, an accident, and a pedestrian on the freeway.  Tonight he said yesterday was like he got to step out into the light at the end of the tunnel and now, going back to the academy is like going back into the tunnel.  I reminded him the light is not far off and he still has things to learn that will make him a better officer.  So he needs to suck it up and get his cute little tushie back in that tunnel and finish it!  Of course, I said it in the most loving way.  :)

I spent a lot of time this weekend reading A CHiP on My Shoulder: How to Love Your Cop with Attitude by Victoria Newman.  It was recommended by some of the officer's wives.  I had Brian pick it up for me at the PX and I am glad I did.  Some of the topics covered, we have covered in growth groups in the past.  There were things covered that Brian and I have already learned in the twelve years we have been married.  There were a few topics covered that I had thought about, but had no clue how to handle them.  Then there were things she covered that I had never thought about.  I am glad I read the book.  I found if very helpful.  If nothing else, it gave Brian and myself a lot to talk about this weekend.

This week (week 23) Brian has a couple pretty big test.  On Thursday he has his PMA certification.  He has only two chances to pass everything.  He seems pretty confident that he will pass everything and but is still going to spend a lot of time practicing this week.  On Friday he has his Accident Investigation test.  An eight hour test!  Makes me tired just typing that!  :)  Again, he feels pretty confident, but I am still going to be praying like crazy.

Tomorrow the girls go back to school.  I know I am going to miss them, but I am so happy to have them going back.  I am not the only one who is excited, the girls cannot wait.  A and H want to see their friends, and M wants to return to the center of my attention.  :) Hopefully I can get us all out the door on time tomorrow!  Fingers crossed!

Blessings,
~Cara

CHP Academy Day 149/187, A Day to Vent...

Happy New Years everyone!  Today was a day.  It started off at the gym, which was surprisingly empty.  I was sure the place was going to be packed with people with new year resolutions.  Maybe everyone was recovering from last night and the place will be packed tomorrow.  After the gym I gave the girls lunch, and got them in bed for "naps".  All three girls were in desperate need of a nap after staying up so late last night.  The problem is when they get really tired, they also get really rambunctious.  It was like trying to put three little monkeys to bed.  I ended up having to sit in the hall way so they would lay still long enough to fall asleep.  Once they were asleep I started in on my Christmas decorations.  Taking down the Christmas stuff is a bummer of a job.  The house just feels so much more dull and colder when the Christmas decorations are put away.  No more pretty lights and glittery stuff. I did it though!  Even with this annoying cold that I came down with over the weekend.  Now my house is all blah and boring looking. 

The highlight of the day was when Hans peed a gallon on my kitchen floor.  Hans is the good dog, usually.  I am not used to him being the bad dog.  Usually, when he needs to go out, he comes and nudges me while eying the door.  Sometimes he will even try and herd me to the door!  Not today!  NO, today it was straight to peeing a gallon on my floor.  (Count to ten and take deep breaths.)  Needless to say, I kicked him out.  At this very moment he is in the back yard howling along with the fire truck sirens.  Shortly after kicking Hans -and then Daisy- out, I went up stairs and guess what!  Kitty, the blind cat, missed the litter box and also left me something to clean up.  (Deep breath in...1, 2, 3...)  While up there I looked in on the girls, who were being very quiet, and there was M completely naked running around their room, which was destroyed.  Ugh!  (DEEP BREATHS!!! 1, 2, 3...!!!)  Why, you may ask, was M naked?  No idea, could not really get an answer to that question.  That girl is a wild card, you never know what to expect.

So by the time Brian called, I was just about to take up drinking as a hobby. :)  I gave up trying to make everything magical at home for Brian a long time ago.  Keeping things from him did not work for us.  He understands that when I vent, I am not asking him to fix it for me.  He just needs to listen, or pretend to listen, so I feel better.  For some reason Brian thinks I am way cooler than I am, so this arrangement works for us.  Usually when he calls I might mention one thing, if that, about the day I feel the need to complain about.  Not tonight.  Tonight it was "this happened, then that happened, then this happened and I. Don't. Feel. Good." (Yes, I know that I am somewhat of a whining drama queen when I am under the weather.)  His reaction was a simple "oh I am sorry honey".  Then he reminded me that he will be home Thursday night this week since he has his ride along on Saturday.  I feel better now, at least emotionally.  :)  Today for him was another quiet one.  He said he spent most of the day writing in classes.  They did not have PT today, the PT instructors had the morning off.  I am sure they will make up for it later this week.

So that is how the first day of 2013 went down.  Hopefully, tomorrow will be better.  Now I think it is time for bed. 

Blessings,
Cara