Week 17 (Day 80 of 131)

It's been a crazy two weeks. With #1's birthday and Christmas so close together, it felt like there was no time to get ready for Christmas. Luckily, I did almost all my shopping online. I love not having to fight the crowds and the boxes get delivered right to our doorstep. UPS and FedEx probably got sick of delivering to our house. Between our neighbors and us, we work the delivery guys to death. We had a great time on Christmas Eve at B.'s brother's house. Super yummy food courtesy of his sister in law. Boy, can she cook. We had a white elephant gift exchange. Everyone had a blast, except B.'s oldest brother. He drew first and got stuck with a super girly lunch bag. The next day we celebrated Christmas at my parent's. It's also my Dad's birthday, so we always have birthday cake on Christmas too. As usual, we made Dad cook his famous prime rib. Another super delicious Christmas dinner. The girls were showered with more gifts than we have room for. B. headed back to the Academy with his belly full. It sucked that he had to go back on Christmas night. The girls and I stayed at my parents that night, since I was headed to work the next morning. I don't know why I decided to work on the 26th, but it turned out to be a good decision. There was no traffic and I got to my desk by 6:45am. I never work that early since I normally take the girls to school in the morning. It was nice to get a ton of work done with little distraction. This is the first New Year's Eve I have spent apart from B. since 2001 and the first time we haven't taken a last picture of the year as a family. We started a little tradition since #1 was born to take a family photo as late as we can on New Year's Eve. #1 was just 13 days old when we took our first New Year's Eve family photo. We look completely desheveled as new parents. After Friday, there are only 10 weeks left. That number sounds so small and it will only get smaller. I know B. and his fellow cadets still have so much more to do and learn in that amount of time. I keep asking B. when Dream Sheets will be coming out. I'm just anxious to find out where he will be going. We've discussed what offices he should list first, but ultimately it is B.'s choice. March 14, 2014 can't get here soon enough (fingers crossed). 2014 will bring lots of new challenges and adventures. May the new year bring lots of happiness and success to you and your family. Happy New Year!

Week 15, Here we go. (Day 71 of 130)

We had a great weekend.  #1 had her birthday party on Saturday with about 18 other kids.  It was a rock climbing/jumper birthday party.  The kiddos weren't into the rock wall, but when it came time to the inflatable slide and jumphouse, they had a blast.  With #1's birthday so close to Christmas, she gets tons of presents at her birthday, plus Christmas presents just a week later.  B. and I figured that now she's older, she would understand the concept of donating gifts.  It worked out perfect, since CTC-II-13 is in the middle of a toy drive.  We asked #1 to choose five gifts to donate to Papa's toy drive at training.  We explained to her that there are other children that will not receive gifts at Christmas and that she is sharing her joy. 

Week 15 didn't exactly start off on the right foot.  B. left home earlier than usual, so he could get back to the Academy by 7:00pm to practice with the rest of his group.  He called around 7:30pm asking if his vest was hanging on the rail.  Of course it still was.  I had hung it there to dry on Saturday and didn't pack it in the bag.  I passed by it at least twice that night before he left and never blinked an eye.  It's a piece of his uniform he needs, so it was off to West Sac.  Luckily, I had just bathed and changed the girls, so they were already in there pjs.  I loaded up the van and we were on the freeway by 7:45pm.  The girls watched Despicable Me 2 on the way up.  They were excited to see B. even if it was for a minute.  #1 fell asleep as soon as I hit the freeway on the way back.  Of course it took #2 almost until we got home to fall asleep.  I got back to the house around 10:15pm.  It made for a long night, but it's a sacrifice a CHP Cadet Wife has to do. 

It amazes me how many hits my blog has received.  I've only really told my sister about it and maybe in passing to my co-workers, but I've never told any of them how to find it.  So seeing 1,283 hits is kinda crazy.  One of B.'s roommate's girlfriend found my blog.  B. had shared a Disney story with him and they put two and two together.  I'd really like to meet B.'s roommates and their girlfriends.  These guys spend more time with each other than they do with their girlfriends and wives.  Maybe, one day soon when B. isn't restricted on a Wednesday, we can all have dinner together.  The goal of this blog was to share my experience with others, I'm glad they found me.

I'm headbanging while I finish this up.  Good night. 

We're halfway there! (Day 66 of 130)

Thirteen and a half weeks sounds like a really long time.  If you asked me back in September how long it would feel, I would have said like an eternity.  The weeks fly by and with the holidays they move even faster. 

CTC-II-13 has been losing cadets at a higher rate with more of then entering into the EVOC phase.  They don't call the skid pan and high speed, cadet killers for nothing.  It is very difficult to put your sweat and tears in this Academy to be sent home halfway through.  I hope these cadets don't give up and work that much harder to get back in.  It must also be very hard on the families of these cadets as well.  The partners of these cadets sacrifice a lot as well while they are away. 

I can't believe #1 turns 5 next Wednesday.  We are hoping B. is not restricted next week, so we can celebrate her birthday together, but  we know it is a possibility we won't get to see him.  Luckily, we are having her birthday party this Saturday with family and friends, so B. will get to celebrate with us even though it might not be on her actual birthday.  In addition to her party, she will get a birthday celebration at her afternoon school program too.  How many cupcakes does a 5 year old need? 

The Academy days have been super long for B. the last two nights.  He hasn't been able to text or call until after the girls have fallen asleep.  They both asked for him last night.  We just count the days until Friday.  #1 tells B. every weekend that she can't wait until he moves back home.  I have to keep in mind he may be assigned a shift where he will hardly see them.  We'll cross that bridge when we get there.  There's still another thirteen and a half weeks to go. 

Week 12 Thanksgiving! (Day 58 of 130)

It was so great to have such a short Academy week.  B. came home on Wednesday night.  The traffic wasn't as bad as we both anticipated.  He was already at home by 7:15 and I hadn't left my parent's house yet.  The girls were so happy to see their Papa.  #1 had spent three days at my parents since her school was closed and #2 joined her on the third day.  I usually take the entire week off, but I am saving my vacation time for March to spend time with B. after he graduates (fingers crossed). 

Are kids hardwired to know not to sleep in when those are the days to do it?  I was looking forward to sleeping in on Thanksgiving morning since we had no where to go until dinner.  #1 and #2 were up before 7:00AM! There was no use trying keep them asleep.  We were out of the house eating breakfast by 8:00AM.  We were planning to watch Frozen on Black Friday, but ended up watching a 9:35AM showing on Thanksgiving.  It was very weird eating popcorn so early in the morning.  The movie was cute and the songs are great.  It's all we've been listening to since Thursday.  #1 even asked Santa for an Anna costume (a Princess in the movie) for Christmas.  The girls are at such a great age and are totally into the Disney princess thing right now. 

I loved being able to spend Thanksgiving with both sides of family.  It also means having two turkey dinners.  One on Thursday and another on Saturday.  B. was worried about weigh in today.  He did not want to be on the Training Table anymore.  But who can pass on pumpkin pie.  Great news, he's no longer on the Training Table.  B. lost over 7% body fat since the first measurement.  It helps that he's lost over 25 pounds.  We will also get to see him on Wednesday, no restriction this week.  Yay!

Onto Week 13, we are almost to the half way point.