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