Rolling along in Phase II.

Last week was National Police Week to honor those LEOs who have lost their lives and to thank those who serve us now.  I decided to bring in a basket of Popcornopolis for B.'s office.  I ordered mini cones of popcorn and put labels on them.  "Thank you for all you do.  Enjoy the Cop Corn."  It was a gift from the girls to the office. I was super nervous before dropping them off.  I had never been to B.'s office yet and he wasn't there when I dropped the basket off.  I introduced myself to the Officer at the counter and was on my way.  I guess the Cop Corn was a hit, since B. told me everyone was snacking on them during lineup. 

Since B. started Phase II on weekend graves, I've packed up the girls and head to my parents for the weekend.  For the past two weekends, the girls have been at each other's throats.  Do the terrible threes and fives exist?  If #1 gets in trouble, #2 turns on the perfect little sister mode.  Then if #2 does something, #1 steps it up.  I thought my head was going to explode at dinner on Saturday.  I swear I had to say sit down and eat at least 50 times.  My younger sister says, "That's why you only want two kids."  It's almost back to Academy life, I am the single parent for at least three days a week.  Although, I am staying with my parents the rules at grandma and grandpa's are more lax.  My parents allow me to parent the way I usually do and try not to overstep.

I heard Dream Sheets are out for CTC I-14.  It's such an overwhelming decision to rank where you could possibly live for the next year and possibly beyond.  No one from CTC I-14 will be coming to B.'s office, so his seniority will remain near the bottom. 

I am looking forward to attending a seminar presented by Vickie Newman: Surving Law Enforcement - A Spouses Perspective.  Vickie spoke at the Family Seminar the day before graduation.  She has been a CHP wife for over 25 years and raised four kids.  I'm going to the seminar with one of B.'s roommate's girlfriend.  I was hoping all three of us could go together, but our schedules didn't line up.  So I can't wait to see her too.  She's going through the same experience with her CHP Officer.  I'm crossing my fingers that the roomies make it through Break In and the six of us can celebrate.  I know the three of them miss each other, but there just isn't enough time in the day for them to catch up or even check in.  The girls are trying to keep those connections for them.  I try to text the girls at least once a week to see how things are going.  Graveyard shift has been quite an adjustment.  But it will all be worth it in the end.

I feel like my weekend never started, but here I go into the new week.  Have a great Monday!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day, especially to all the CHP moms. It takes a lot to be a CHP mom. 

Wow, I can't believe it has been nearly a month since I've posted. B. survived Phase I of Break In. There is so much information thrown at them. Learning your area is one of the biggest things during Break In. B. would spend every available moment driving his beats. We had even spent Sunday afternoons as a family driving around. The girls would have a DVD playing and he would tell me where a beat started and where it ended. He had also gone out to drive after the girls and I went to bed. He said driving at night is a totally different beast.

B. downloaded the P. Scanner + app on my phone so I could listen to the CHP scanner in our area. I need a 10 and 11 code cheat sheet to understand all the scanner traffic. It was very cool to listen to. I even heard B. on the scanner one day. 

After learning your area, developing your radio ear was the next big thing. For me listening to the scanner on and off took a lot of concentration, let alone hearing it for 12 hours. I noticed the cadets at the Academy are now wearing radios. It's great that they are getting a jump start on that. 

We are five days into Phase II and said goodbye to day shift. B. went onto weekend graveyard. He leaves the house around 4:15 pm and comes home around 7:30 am. Having a three year old is not condusive to a graveyard schedule. When she is awake everyone is awake. There was a line in the movie, Frozen that describes #2. "The sky's awake, so I'm awake." She will not let her Papa sleep, so we have decided to pack up for the weekend and stay at my parents. It allows B. uninterrupted sleep and the girls get to see their grandparents. 

This weekend was the first of many missed holidays and parties due to the CHP life we live now. B. missed our nephews first birthday. The girls told their Papa all about it. We planned to go out for Mother's Day, but he was beat when he got home. We ended up having McDonald's drive thru for breakfast. It didn't bother me as long as we we're together. 

I think that's all for now. CTC I-14, you're almost there. You're in the homestretch. The last ten weeks are going to fly by. 

As always, please feel free to contact me through my email: amynoellemaia@gmail.com

Thank you for reading!