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