Week 3 Done (Day 15 of 130)

Weeks have never gone by so fast, except when I was on maternity leave.  I can't believe B. has completed three weeks already.  It was nice to see a few pictures posted on the CHP Recruiting Facebook page.  It gives just a small glimpse of what he's doing.

The weekend disappeared again.  On Saturday, we surprised my parents with an anniversary gift.  We were all suppose to go on a family vacation for their 40th anniversary next year.  With #1 getting into transitional kindergarten this year and B. getting a job with the CHP, scheduling a multi-family vacation is very difficult. My parents are loyal 49ers fans from the last 60's and have had season tickets for a long time.  With the 49ers moving to Santa Clara, they would be losing their season tickets.  My sister and I came up with the idea of getting them season tickets at the new stadium, since our parents would never do it themselves.  Our husbands were on board, so we went down to Santa Clara a few months ago to secure rights to two tickets at Levi's Stadium.  We presented them with a picture of the view from their seats, photo of the seven of us at the 49ers' Sales Office and pictures of the grandkids decked out in 49ers gear.  They were totally surprised.  We couldn't wait until next year to give it too them, since the season would have already started.  It was a small fortune for the seat license, but they have done some much for all of us.

B. was able to join us for a few hours on Saturday before heading home to study and rest.  It is so hard to get things done with the girls around.  They haven't seen their Papa all week and just want to spend time with him.  It was best that he could get some quiet time.

B. actually left the house by 7:15 tonight as planned.  We all had dinner together and got to say goodbye.  Last week, he left super late and I had to put the girls to bed before he left.  It's the hardest part of the weekend.  We all know that he has to leave, but it still sucks.  #1 cried a little when B. closed the garage door.  Looking at her made me tear up as well.

Start of Week 4.  We won't see B. until Friday.  Until then.

Wednesday Night Liberty! (Day 13 of 130)

Just came home from spending a few hours with B. on his Wednesday night liberty.  Got off work a little early to get the girls and head up to meet B. for dinner.  I'm glad there's three of us because carpool saved us a ton of time.  We hung out at the Vacaville Outlets until B. called us.  I did a little shopping with the girls.  We went to the Hello Kitty store, Jelly Belly and Carter's.  Good thing we were only there for an hour, otherwise I would have spent a lot more.

B. called around 6:00pm and we headed into Davis to eat at Fuji Sushi.  It's an all you can eat Japanese restaurant.  There's another Fuji Sushi in Elk Grove. We all ate really well.  #2 demanded to get out of her high chair after 20 minutes.  That's about the length she will sit still.  We had to hand each of them our iPhones, so we could have a conversation.  I was so glad we got to see B. during the week.  It just makes the week go by faster.  He'll be home in just two days.

The girls fell asleep on the ride home.  It's definitely harder to carry them to bed when there's only me.  It doesn't help that we live in a tri-level and their bedroom is on the third floor.  They aren't getting any lighter either.  B. was still awake when I got home and we got to text a little more.  When he got back to the Academy, he was greeted with a memo and was instructed to turn in a blue card.  That makes 3 gigs for the week, so no Wednesday Liberty next week, right after we got a taste of it.  

Week 2 Done (Days 6-10 of 130)

I figured I would post once a week now.  The girls and I got to talk to B. every night.  We had a really clear FaceTime on Wednesday, since he got liberty and went off campus.  I think we've given up trying to FaceTime when he's in his room, the reception is bad and we hardly ever get a clear picture of him.

 This week seemed to go by really fast. Work is keeping me busy and of course the girls are a handful at night. Somehow I found the time to read the Cross Series Trilogy by Sylvia Day. If you are a fan of Fifty Shades, you'll like these books too. The books were a super fast read and I ended up reading one book per day.

#1 drew her Papa a great picture with a police car.  It had a pink star on the door.  #2 is even saying, "Papa is training."  I'm still letting them sleep in our bed during the week.  It just makes me feel safer that the three of us are all together.  The Cal King is definitely not big enough for the four of us when B. comes home for the weekend.  I found myself sleeping at the foot of the bed. 

B. said that Friday was by far the hardest day.  He's thinking they poured it on because Cadets were focused on going home.  B. is one of many at the Training Table, where they regulate what and how much you eat to lower your body fat percentage.  B. says he's hungry all day.  He definitely looks skinnier than when he left. B. has to write down everything he eats while he's up there. 

B. got home around 8:30pm on Friday.  The girls downstairs waiting for the garage door to open.  Their smiles are so big when they see their Papa arrive home.  I can't imagine being in B.'s shoes, not seeing his little girls during the week.  There have only been three nights where #1 was not sleeping in the same house as me and it was only because #2 was born.  I have yet to be away from #2. 

B. and I love where we live right now.  We love our neighbors and the distance it was to our jobs.  Having B. so far away wishes I was closer to my parents and sister's family.  We are close enough, yet just far enough where it isn't convenient to see each other more during the week.  We've discussed the possibility of moving closer in the future.  We don't want to disrupt #2's preschool, so we will be staying put for the next few years. 

They've lost three Cadets so far.  I think they are now a class of 140.  Two weeks down, twenty-five to go. 

The 1st Weekend

No one really ever wants the weekend to end, unless you have to work them.  This Saturday and Sunday felt like the shortest weekend EVER!  Like B. said when he came home, "I'm here, but I'm really not here."  He had so much stuff to do and study.  So we could spend some time together, I helped him stencil his PT shirts and quiz him about codes and his Cadet SOP.  He made a huge stack of flash cards.  I would ask him a code and he would provide the answer.  If he answered incorrectly, he would drop and do ten push-ups.  We did this all weekend.  He even got kicked out of the car to do push-ups.

We stayed up way too late on Saturday night, but it seemed like we got a lot done.  Those of you with short last names will feel very grateful when it comes time to stencil PT shirts.  They even shorted the names to only seven letters, but it still took 45 minutes to do one shirt.

There is so much information they need to learn in such a short amount of time.  One cadet left on Friday.  CTC II-13 is now down to 142 cadets.  The attrition rate for females in the Academy is 70% and for males 40%.  Those numbers are crazy considering that less than 1% of applicants are hired.

The girls loved having their Papa home.  #1 started soccer today.  She loved it!  It is so cute watching U-5 kids run around after a soccer ball.  #2 spotted a park as soon as we pulled up and immediately wanted to go there.  So we took turns watching #1 during her class/game, while the other one was at the nearby park with #2.

As much as I know B. would love to spend time with the girls on weekends, he could really use the time to study.  We discussed the possibility of him staying up at The Academy on weekends and have us meet him up there for lunch or dinner.  Although, he has a table set up for his CHP stuff, the house is definitely full of distractions.  Before The Academy began, we planned on going up to have dinner with B. on Wednesday nights.  We knew that the first two Wednesdays would not be liberty nights.  After talking about it this weekend, the girls and I will probably not make the drive up there.  It's a valuable six hours B. will have to take care of things.

Like they told us in both orientations, take it one day at a time, one week at a time.  I think we all survived week one.  There were no tears at our good-byes tonight.  #1 even asked B., "When are you leaving?"  I know she didn't mean to sound like she wanted him gone.  We're ready to start Week Two.  One down, 26 to go.

Week 1 Done (Day 5 of 130)

Week one is in the books. B. didn't get home until past 9:00 last night. #1 and #2 were so happy to see him. They would usually be in bed by then, but it was Friday and their Papa was back. B. was exhausted. He said the week was rough. He said, "I'm home but I'm not really home. He has a lot to study this weekend. I set up a table and chair for him to study at away from the computer. I took the girls out this morning so he could get situated.  Lots of flash cards being made.  I'll have homework too helping him stencil all of his PT shirts.  Really wished we had a shorter last name for stuff like this.  Hoping to go out for dinner as a family tonight.  B. will be leaving shortly after dinner tomorrow.  He says he will need to be up by 4:30AM on Monday morning.  26 weeks to go. 

Day 4

I can't believe it's Thursday.  This week has gone by so fast, yet so slow.  B. comes home tomorrow! He doesn't know if they'll be released at 5:00pm or at 8:30pm like it has been during the week.  The cell reception in his room was really bad tonight.  It took a long time to connect through FaceTime and even then we could only see if for a few seconds at a time.  We finally gave up on FaceTime and just talked on the phone.  I could actually hear him when it was just a phone call. I'm really excited to see him tomorrow night.  He'll be home for a little under 48 hours.  The plan is for him to leave on Sunday after dinner, so he has some time to get ready for the week ahead. 

I went to #1's Back to School Night.  In hindsight, I really should have left #1 at home.  I couldn't pay attention to what her teacher was saying.  I wanted to speak to her after her presentation, but #1 darted out of the room and ran out to the playground.  I was not a happy camper after she did that.  #1 cried all the back to the car.  She didn't want to leave school  She loves school and seems to be doing really well.  She's the youngest student in her class by three months. 

#2 got to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa while we were at #1's school.  Times like this makes me wish we lived closer to them.  They don't mind driving the 30 minutes to our house.  I love where we live now, but there are definitely plans in the future to make a move to another city. 

It looks like I'll actually go to sleep before midnight tonight.  TGIF!

Day 3

B. got to Facetime with #1 and #2 tonight.  They were so excited to see their Papa.  The reception up at The Academy is not good.  We kept getting the poor reception message where we couldn't see B, but he could always see us.  We got to see his roommates and their room.  Every cadet is still there.  Good to hear that no one has quit.  B said his days start around 5:00am. 

I found out that the uniform company never entered his information into their system, that's why his uniforms were not there on Day1.  I was told they were putting a rush on them and hopefully he will get them on Friday.  For now, he is borrowing pants from one cadet and a shirt from someone else. 

#1 had swim class tonight.  She's doing so well.  I had originally changed her classes to Saturday only, so I wouldn't have to take #2 with me to class.  The two days a week have made such a big difference.  Maybe she'll be a swimming fish by her birthday. 

#2 gave me a run for my money tonight.  It took an hour and 45 minutes to put her too bed.  I can only blame the terrible twos at this point.  She will not just lay down and sleep like #1.  I just have to remember #1 gave us the same problems at this age. 

I was so happy to see #1 and #2 light up when B. appeared on my phone.  They truly miss him even after just three nights.  They ask every morning if Papa is at work.  It's so hard to explain to a 4 and 2 year old that Papa is away for training for his new job and he only comes home on Friday.  It was so cute when #1 ask B. tonight if she could see his car.  She was referring to the squad car that we have been showing her on the freeway.  She wanted to see the star on the side. 

I had no idea people could find my blog.  When I signed in yesterday, it said I had 28 views and tonight it said 41 views.  I've only told a couple of my co-workers that I started a blog, but haven't told anyone how to find it.  I'd like to help a future Cadet Wife as well as document this journey for B. while he is away.  It's also been a way for me to write down how my days have been going. Thanks for reading. Good night.

Day 2

B. called tonight around 9:00pm.  Or should I say 2100 hours?  It was the first time I heard his voice since he left.  He sounded tired, yet had energy.  He said day one was crazy to say the least. It didn't start at too well.  They didn't have his uniforms.  He got yelled out by every Staff Officer for not having uniforms.  We faxed the uniform order less than 24 hours after he was offered the job.  I had even called the uniform company to confirm.  Guess that will be my first phone call tomorrow morning.  It was great to hear his voice, even if it was only for a few minutes.  #1 and #2 were already asleep so they didn't get a chance to talk to their Papa.  They both asked where he was tonight and I had to tell him that he won't be coming home until Friday.  I've let both of them sleep in our bed.  They always end up in our bed anyways.  The kids have been great the last two days.  I love being able to pick them up earlier.  I'm glad I have this seven hour work day.  Having to do the extra hour at home isn't too bad.  The house is super quiet and I'm able to concentrate.  Hopefully, he'll get a chance to call again tomorrow night.  There is definitely no liberty tomorrow, so we won't be driving up to meet him for dinner.  Day 2 is in the bag.

Day 1

It's been a long day. Woke up around 4:45am to send B. on his way. He looked great in his suit. The haircut will take a bit of getting use to.  I thought I would get emotional saying goodbye, but I didn't. I know I'll see him on Friday.  

#1 and #2 were great this morning. They both asked where Papa was and both replied, "Papa is at work."  I'm super grateful work has allowed me to work seven hours in the office and one hour at home. Although, I didn't start my hour until 10:00pm because #2 did not want to sleep. 

My parents came over tonight to watch #2 while I took #1 to swimming. I feel bad that we are cutting back on swim lessons. I really can't handle both at the pool. My mom is a rockstar. After watching my nephew for nine hours, she still has the energy to come over and watch #2, plus cook and pack dinner for us for the next few days. 

I didn't get a chance to talk to B. today, but he did manage to send a text at 11:51pm. He said it was a crazy day, but he will get a chance to call tomorrow. I can't imagine all the stress and yelling he got today. The short video they showed at orientation was enough for me. I can't wait to hear how his first day went. 

The Night Before

It's the night before the Big Day. We went up for Orientation today and got a tour of the Academy. It's where B. will spend the next 27 weeks. He's nervous, but very excited. I know he will do well.

We have been telling #1 that Papa will be gone for training to be a police officer. She has been saying ok all week until it was time for Papa to say goodnight. "Please don't go."  I know this was breaking B.'s heart. 

27 weeks sounds like a really long time, but as they said today. Take it one day at a time. Day One starts in six hours.