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. 

19 days to go.

I love how the number is shrinking.  I also love the fact I have worked my last weekend day for at least a month.  B. was up at the Academy this past Saturday driving the new CHP Ford Explorers.  He said they had a lot of fun driving the vehicles like they stole them.  It will take several years before they get their hands on these Ford Explorers as the Crown Victorias will be passed down. 

I had to work another Sunday opposite B.'s Saturday.  We had dinner as a family on Saturday night and all ended up sleeping fairly early.  I dreaded waking up at 6:15am on Sunday.  I had to look on the bright side.  I have nine more works days until I'm off for ten straight.  I'll be off beginning the Monday of graduation week and won't be returning to work until March 24th.  I haven't had that much time off since my maternity leave with #2. 

We missed out on having dinner with B.'s roommates and girlfriends last Wednesday.  B. wasn't feeling well and didn't want us to drive all the way there.  We did meet him for dinner on Friday.  People are not kidding about the traffic on Friday.  I hit the freeway by 3:00 pm and it still took nearly three hours to get to West Sacramento.  I was so tired and hungry by the time we got there, we ended up eating at the Panda Express across the street from the Academy.  It wasn't exactly what I had in mind for Friday night dinner, but it worked.  There isn't much else to report for right now.

 Once again, sending my thoughts and prayers to the Law and Gonzalez families.   Rest in Paradise. 

25 days until Graduation!

Sorry I've been MIA for a few weeks. Thank you CHP Cadet Fiancé for checking in on me tonight. I'm still here. I've been working at least one weekend day since the middle of January. It doesn't help that B. has had something on Saturdays every weekend in February and I've had to work the Sundays. We have hardly seen each other during the weekends.

It seems like a billion things have happened since I last wrote. Ride Along weekend was two Saturdays ago. It hadn't rained in months and it decides to rain hard on that day. I was working that same day, but I was thinking about B. All day and how he was doing. He said he had a great experience. He met a few of the officers and were all very cool to B. He was amped after his Ride Along and had a ton of energy when he got home. 

My little app tells me there are only 25 days until graduation. 25!!  Never in a million years would 23 weeks go by so fast. At the beginning of this journey, 27 weeks sounded like an eternity. CTC II-13 had their first graduation practice this week. I know graduation day is a very special day and you want to be able to share it with everyone, but like I've heard and been told by CHP wives, this day is about your Officer and the family who has supported them through this journey. You won't be able to please everyone or even include all those who want to be there. 

Looking forward to meeting up with B.'s roommates and girlfriends again. Glad we've been able to make the connection and hopefully we can keep it going after graduation. Like I mentioned in a previous post, the bond you make during your Academy days will stay with you forever. 

Sending my prayers and condolences to the CHP Fresno families for your loss this morning. RIP Officers Gonzalez and Law

7 weeks to go! (Day 102 of 131)

I feel like I haven't written in forever.  So many things have happened since I've written.  Dream sheets came out.  It must have been so nerve wracking for the Cadets.  I know I've been anxious for them for weeks.  What were we going to do if B. didn't get an assignment close to home?  We own our home, our girls are in school, and I had a job close by.  I know many families with be moving across the state to keep their families together, while others will be apart during the work week for at least the next year.  Luckily, B. got his first choice.  His commute into his office will be a few minutes shorter than mine.  It will be the first time we will be working in the same city, since we met each other. 

I finally got to meet B.'s roommates and girlfriends.  I can't believe it took 20 weeks for all of us to get together.  It was a great time getting to know one another.  So glad that B. has great roommates.  I hope they keep their bond and connection together for years to come.  You never have an opportunity to spend so much time together experiencing the same things.  Even as a married couple, we will never spend 24 hours a day together for 27 straight weeks going through such stressful situations.  I hope these is another chance for us to have dinner before graduation week. 

I've lost track of the days since I worked last weekend and will be working again this weekend.  Both B. and I will be working on Saturday, so the girls will be going to my parents on Friday night and spending Saturday with them.  I don't know what I would do without having my family available to help.  I believe the Cadets have something going on every Saturday in the month of February.  Ride Along weekend is next Saturday.  So excited for all the Cadets to meet their new office.  The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter.  We are almost there!

Eight weeks left! (Day 95 of 131)

It's been a good week after a very trying weekend.  B. completed all his scenario testing this week.  Another hurdle done.  We actually got a chance to visit him on Wednesday.  It makes for a really long day, but we love being able to see him.  We ate dinner at Broderick in West Sacramento.  The food was great.  They have a bunch of smothered fries and their salads are humungous. 

Dream Sheets came out this week.  All the conversations we had about which offices would be his top 3 ended up not having any openings.  It was definitely a surprise.  We had even considered putting in an interdistrict transfer for #1 in one of those cities we thought B. would be going to.  I really feel for those families that will be moving across the state or for those planning on commuting really far from home.  One of the positive things that has come out is making connections with several other wives/girlfriends of CTC II-13.  I had no idea there was a FaceBook group for this class.  Hopefully, they will find out for sure next week where they will be assigned. 

We made another payment towards his uniform.  Thankfully they have a payment plan.  I know the cadets are loaned $900 for the first set of uniforms.  Does anyone know when they actually get the money to pay for them?  If there is one piece of advice I can share, it is have a savings account set up prior to starting the Academy with a couple thousand dollars in it.  I feel like B. has had to buy so many things.  All of them totally necessary.

I feel like I've been saying there are only eight weeks left for the last two to three weeks.  We are getting so close.  Hang in there everyone.  Hopefully the Dream Sheet assignments will settle some nerves next week.  To class CTC I-14, you've made it through two weeks.  25 to go. 

Week 19: When will you be home? (Day 88 of 131)

This weekend has been one of the hardest, if not the hardest since B. started the Academy.  The girls were awesome during the week.  I didn't have to beg anyone to eat dinner.  We even went out to dinner on Friday night before B. came home.  It must be all the excitement of seeing their Papa, that everything goes out the window when he comes home.  I know the Terrible Two's exist.  Is there such a thing as the Fiesty Five's?  #1 gave both of us a run for our money this weekend.  I felt like I was yelling the whole weekend.  If it wasn't for one thing, it was definitely something else the next minute.  B. and I felt bad after laying down the law.  "She's only five."  I know this is all a phase, but it definitely challenged me as a parent this weekend. 

To add to all the chaos in our household, #2 is potty training.  She's doing an awesome job at school.  When she gets home, it's a different story.  She totally understands the concept, but it missing the time by just a little bit.  We came home one day and I said, "Let's go to the potty."  I hear her say, "I already did, Mama."  I'm thinking, wow she got to the bathroom all by herself.  Yay!  She was waiting for me at the top of the stairs, standing in a puddle that had flowed down a few steps.  I couldn't get mad at her, since she already had a plan to get clean clothes.

I know there are many other wives/girlfriends/partners asking themselves, when will they be home?  I don't know how single moms/dads/grandparents do it.  I had the "I can't do it alone" moment(s) this weekend.  If may not change very much when B. returns home, since Break-In is a continuation of the Academy.  Who knows what shift he will end up with?  They asked the Cadets for the Social Security numbers last week, so it sounds like the Dream Sheets will be coming out soon. There are about seven offices that are within 35 minutes are our house.  It gives B. several options to consider.  Hopefully those offices have openings.  The previous class only had San Jose or the Los Angeles area. 

The Cadets has a very tough week ahead of them.  It's Scenario Week.  There are over ten scenario tests for them to complete and pass.  Lots of studying.  B. is probably not restricted this week, but with all the tests, we will not be meeting up with him on Wednesday.  Hang tough.  61 days until graduation.  (Crossing my fingers.) 

Week 18! Pick up day for CTC 1-14 (Day 83 of 131)

We're down to single digits in weeks left at the Academy.  You can feel the light at the end of the tunnel.  B. was tased on Wednesday.  He said it was the most painful thing he has ever felt.  He suggests that anyone about to be tased should comply with the officer who has the taser.  There are still lots of scenarios and testing to be done in the next nine weeks.  But the thought we are that much closer feels good.

Pick up day for CTC 1-14 is tomorrow morning.  Best of luck to the new cadets.  It's a lot to take in on the first day for the cadets and families.  I was just as nervous that morning.  It's the uncertainty that makes you feel uneasy.  I didn't get a chance to talk to B. on the first night, just a late night text.  Be supportive of your cadet.  Be there to listen.  They will be so much going on in their Academy life, little things at home can wait.