We've made it! Congratulations CTC II-13!

Congratulations to the 95 new officers of the California Highway Patrol!  March 14th marked the end of 27 weeks of intense training for CTC II-13.  It was so great to see so many families and friends show their support. 

I couldn't sleep the night before and woke up by the time B. had to wake up and return to the Academy.  I started getting ready at 6:30am, even though I wasn't planning on leaving the Hampton Inn across the street until 8:15am.  I thought the girls would be hesitant to be left at the CHP Childcare, but they both kept asking, "When are you taking us to daycare?"  They were the first ones to be dropped off.  I want to say there were at least 10 cadets staffing the childcare center.  There were tons of toys set up on mats and a movie section setup for the kids.  I'm really glad they provided this option because I know the girls would not have sat through the entire graduation.  

I got to the traffic circle just in time to see them march in for inspection.  They all looked great in their new uniforms.  I did get a little misty seeing him for the first time.  I'm so thankful that B.'s family took some great pictures to share with me.  I was too excited and just kept taking pictures of his face, totally forgetting to step back.  I loved that he smiled when the CHP Executive Staff were shaking his hand. 

We left the traffic circle immediately after the first row was done.  Good thing we left at that time, since the gym was filling up fast.  All eight of us were able to sit together and I was able to get an aisle seat, since I would be leaving part way to bring the girls in. 

They marched in two by two down the center aisle.  B. marched right past me, but my camera wasn't fast enough to capture it.  It was a great ceremony and I did have to hold back tears a few times during the Commissioner's speech.  It was long road for both the cadets, their significant others and families.  It was just a very proud moment to know what we all went through to make it to graduation day. 

I love that fact that they allowed family members to approach the stage to take a picture of their officer as they were presented their badges.  I brought the girls up with me because I knew they would not stay back at their seats when I left.  The Senior Volunteer asked me if I wanted the girls to go on stage and take a picture with B.  Of course I jumped at the chance.  The girls did great.   I unintentionally started a trend of bringing children and family members up on stage, receiving their badges is a perfect opportunity to share with your loved ones.  Thank you, Commissioner Farrow for allowing all of us to do that.  B. told me later that he was freaking out when he saw me put #2 up on stage.  He said, "We didn't practice that."  It all turned out ok in the end.

The badge pinning ceremony was a perfect way to end the graduation.  The officers marched out to their designated spots and presented their badges for pinning.  I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to close the pin again, as I messed up at his CO pinning years ago.  The girls were right there to watch their Papa receive his badge.

Thank you to all of B.'s family and former co-worker for driving all the way to West Sacramento to share this special day with him.  It means a lot for all the support you have shown him and our family through this journey. 

A final thank you to B.'s roommates. The bond the three of you have had during this 27 week Academy is amazing. I could not have asked for two better guys to share and support him through this. I wish the two of you the very best. I hope you all keep in touch and all six of us can get together soon. 

In closing, Graduation Week is filled with so many emotions and stress.  Take the time and take it all in.  Here are my Top 3 for Graduation Week:

1)  I really wish I made more of an effort to meet the wives and girlfriends I had communicated with via Facebook and email leading up to Graduation week.  I'm not the most social girl and am very shy in new environments.  I'm usually the wallflower that stands back and observes instead of jumping into the crowd.  Break out of your bubble and say hello to those you have made contact to at the Grad party and family seminar.  I'm sorry to those I made eye contact with, but didn't step up to say hello.  I wish all of you and your officers the best during break in and beyond. 

2)  I debated about the Capitol Run and am so glad the girls and I went up there.  Yes, it was extremely early and really didn't last very long, but it was so worth it to see the effort and dedication the cadets have put in over 27 weeks. 

3)  You will be bombarded with request for tickets to graduation.  Take care of your family and those who have shown support throughout your officer's academy.  We were able to allow two more adults to attend graduation by having our girls go to the CHP Childcare for the majority of the graduation.   At ages 2 and 5, they had more fun playing with toys that sitting in a gym for an hour and a half.  #2 sat quietly for the last 30 minutes because she had an iPhone in her hand.

If you haven't noticed I've changed the title of this blog to CHP Wife, but will be keeping the chpcadetwife blogspot address.  I've been asked in the past week if I intend on blogging during B's break in.  As time permits, I hope to continue providing updates.  Thank you for following our journey.  I hope it has been helpful.  Please feel free to email me directly at amynoellemaia@gmail.com.  Time for me to soak up some time in the next nine days with my CHP Officer. 

Just 12 hours left!

I really should be sleeping, but I'm too excited to go to bed. With the lack of sleep this week, I should have been asleep hours ago.

So many events have gone on leading up to Graduation tomorrow. The girls and I made it to Capitol Run on Wednesday morning. I woke up at 2:45am to pack breakfast and load up the car. #1 must have been as excited as I was because she popped right out of bed and walked herself down to the garage. #2 was sound asleep and I was able to buckle her into the car seat with no problem. The freeways were obviously pretty empty at 3:00 in the morning. I made it to the Academy a little after 4:00am. Other families were arriving too. Around 5:15am we walked over to the Academy gates to find a spot. It was cold with the wind, but it so worth it hearing and then seeing the entire Cadet class run by led by a motorcade. As soon as they left the Academy gates, we jumped in our car to head for the a State Capitol. I just followed the Good Day Sacramento News van. We saw cadets coming over the Tower Bridge. What a sight to see. They ended up on the back steps of the State Capitol where they ended their run with knuckle push-ups. We got to take a few pictures with B. before he boarded a bus back to the Academy. We headed back home and made it by 8:30am.  I could've taken the girls straight to school but we ended up napping until 11:00am. 

I dropped them off late to school since I needed to head back from the Graduation party. So grateful that our neighbors could watch the girls overnight so I didn't have to drive home and back the very next day for the family seminar. The Grad party was fun, we sat with B.'s roommates and were planning future vacations together. Like I've said before, I'm so glad they clicked so well as roommates and now I've done the same with their girlfriends. 

I attended the Family Seminar this morning. They provided so many details in a four hour period. Some of the information was scary to hear, but a reality check on the inherent dangers of the job. The best thing was hearing from the three CHP wives, Frances, Erin and Vicki. They gave first hand details on what it's like to be a CHP Wife. They all handled their homes and husbands differently. There is not just one way to do things. Do what's best for your situation. They all mentioned that you will become best friends with other LE or CHP wives. These other wives will understand your reality and not question why your husband is unable to attend this function or that birthday party. 

After the Family Seminar, I met up with B. to head home and pick up the girls from school to turn right back around and head back to West Sac for the night. We had dinner with the roomies one last time as Cadets at our favorite spot, BJs. We realized this is the only restaurant we ever get together at. Hopefully this is not the last time we do this. Maybe Vegas next time . 

I'm so excited for the Graduation tomorrow. 27 weeks of blood, sweat, and tears. CTC II-13, you've made it. Congratulations on an awesome accomplishment and best of luck in the field. 

Last Sunday good-byes! 5 days to go!

We made it to our last Sunday night good-byes.  It really didn't phase the girls tonight, since we will be driving up to meet B. for dinner to celebrate #2's 3rd birthday tomorrow.  It looks like I will be making five round trips to and from West Sacramento this week.  Good thing, we are only 75 miles away from the Academy.  I'll be making the trip twice on Wednesday.  I had initially decided not to go to the Capitol Run on Wednesday morning, but after reading what an experience it is, I decided tonight that I was going to go with the girls.  I know it's super early, but it's a part of graduation week I don't want to miss.  The girls sleep like a rock, so I'll be able to carry them to the car without waking them up on Wednesday morning.  I'll drive back home after get the girls situated with their aunt, so I can get ready for the Graduation Party.  I won't be able to stay after the Graduation Party, since my sister in law has her kids to take care of too.  Our neighbors will be taking the girls to school on Thursday, so I can attend the Family Seminar.  I'll head back home one more time to get the girls and check into the hotel for Thursday night. 

B. and I discussed this weekend what tips or advice I could share on here this week.  After the last few weeks, his number one tip is, "Don't get sick!"  If you do get sick, report to the Staff Office immediately and get quarantined.  B. had been sick for several weeks thinking it was just a cold.  Well, that "cold" turned into a midnight ambulance ride and a trip to the UC Davis ER.  B. had pneumonia.  I had spoken to him a few hours before, he said his chest hurt, but he was going to sleep it off.  I missed the text he sent at midnight that he was at UC Davis.  I had no idea he was there until one of his roommates text me around 6:00am  to see how he was doing.  B. wasn't answering his phone and I was starting to freak out.  His roommate got back to me and said he was still at UC Davis and told me he had pneumonia.  I finally called the Academy to find out where he was.  The Staff Officer who answered the phone was the officer who had just taken B. back to the Academy.  I was just minutes from taking off to UC Davis to see him.  We just received the bill today for just the ambulance ride, $2,944.17.  My sister asked, "Is that a limo ambulance?"  I had no idea an ambulance transport cost that much.  Luckily, Kaiser covered the entire amount. 

I've mentioned advice number two before, save some money before you start the Academy.  The CHP Academy will cost you a small fortune.  Even before day one, you start buying stuff you will need at the Academy.  Your first big item is probably your boots, all leather that can get a mirrored shine.  Then the purchases start piling up little by little.  It also doesn't help that there are a million purchases from the vending machine that accepts debit/credit cards.   5 Hour Energy Drinks are nearly $3 each.  The "Gold" Uniform package is $1375 with taxes.  The State provides a 12 month, no interest loan that will cover $750 of your total, so you will still need to come up with at least half.  Also make sure your car is in working and legal order before you arrive at the Academy.  I believe they ticketed cars during the first week that had violations.  B. had his windshiel replaced that week before the Academy.  Lots of things that you don't consider that cost a chunk of change. 

Rounding out my top three words of advice, try to make contact and relationships with others who are going through the same experience as you.  I had no idea there was a FB group for CTC II-13 until maybe 6-8 weeks ago.  I have met other wives and girlfriends who have found my blog.  Since I haven't revealed B.'s name on here, some Cadets have come up to him to see if this blog was about him based on stories or experiences I have shared about him.  It was also great to meet B.'s roommates and their girlfriends.  The three guys have bonded so much over the last 26 weeks and it was nice to meet their significant others too.  B. wanted to show them what married life was with two young children.  B. and I feel we are still young or at least young at heart.  I didn't feel old, until I realized that B.'s roommates were born when I was a Freshman in high school.  They probably haven't watched the "Fresh Prince of Bel Air."

I can't wait for all the Graduation festivities this week.  CTC II-13 you've made it.  It's time to celebrate. 

11 Days to go!

B. went 25 weeks before being restricted on a weekend.  (Really with under two weeks to go, he puts me under this stress!)  He along with a large group of cadets had to remediate and retake the 8 hour accident investigation test over the weekend.  That meant he would not be able to come home at all, so I decided to pack up the girls on Friday afternoon and head up to West Sacramento for the weekend.  The Hampton Inn across the street from the CHP Academy would be our home for two days.  We didn't get to spend all that much time with him, but it was the fact we got to see him. 

We had dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Old Sacramento.  #1 chose it, but hardly at a thing.  She picked it because she thought we would be going to the park.  We had gone to an Old Spaghetti Factory about three years ago in Concord that had a park across the street.  Keep in mind it was cold, dark and pouring when we went out to dinner on Friday night.  The things kids remember. 

B. had to be back at the Academy at 0600 on Saturday morning.  We had hours to kill before his study session was over, so we headed to the Vacaville outlets.  #1 pick out some super cute shoes at the Vans Outlet.  She may be only five, but she definitely knows what she wants.  We of course had to visit the Jelly Belly store.  Jelly Beans at 10:00am is a little early for me, but hey we were on a mini vacation. 

B. was done by lunch time and was craving Fuji Sushi in Elk Grove.  We hadn't been there, since he graduated from his previous Academy nearly four years ago. Lunch was good even though it was crowded.  Luckily, #2 fell asleep on the car ride back to the hotel.  She ended up sleeping over three hours. 

I was nervous for B. and really couldn't sleep on Saturday night.  He had to report again by 0600 and wouldn't be done until the late afternoon.  We couldn't stay and meet him for dinner on Sunday.  I thought I could at least sleep in until check out time, but the girls had other ideas.  They were both jumping around by 7:00am!  They can't wake up on their own on a school day, but on a day when they don't need to get up, they're up super early.  I just don't get it.  We were out of the hotel by 8:30am. 

The girls were tired early and both went down for a nap by noon.  It gave me a chance to relax and lay on the couch.  I don't remember the last time I did that and actually read a book.  I kept checking my phone, waiting to receive a phone call.  Finally, around 4:30pm, B. calls saying he was done.  He felt good about his report.  I was finally able to let out a sigh of relief. 

CTC II-13 received full Senior privileges tonight.  They are now able to leave the Academy after instruction is complete.  We were hoping to meet B. for dinner on Wednesday, but he needs to take a bilingual test to see if he qualifies to be a bilingual officer. 

I can't believe there will only be ten days left tomorrow.  I could have never imagined making it this far.  I'm looking forward to all the graduation festivities next week.