Week 11 (Day 53 of 130)

So they have passed the 10 week mark. B. ended week 10 with a bang. Last Friday was his first day at the range. B. had been looking forward to this since day one.  He said the Smith and Wesson is a lot heavier than anything he has ever shot. He said he had a lot of fun and caught the eye of a  master. Not too many lefties out there, so you kinda stick out. Not to mention trying to track down a left handed holster. I probably called at least 15 companies with no luck. I even called the manufacturer directly and it would still take three weeks. Luckily, there was one left at the PX this past Monday. I did find an awesome deal on the tac light. Watching "End of Watch" over and over again did have benefits. I knew exactly what a tac light was. Thank you Jake Gyllenhaal. 😊

Not only did B. get to shoot, he got to drive really really fast. It was introduction day to high speed last Friday.  They hit speeds near 120 mph. I car imagine going that fast. 

The weekend flew by. The 48 hours or so that B. is home seems to go by faster. I took the girls to my mom on Saturday, so B. could get a few hours of solid studying in. He's tried studying with #1 around, but she kept writing on Post Its and sticking them all over his makeshift office. I set up a desk/table in our lower level so he wouldn't be tempted to watch YouTube on our computer. I think it has worked on pretty well. We may need to put an actual desk down there. 

Monday was a really long day for B. We probably talked on the phone for less than five minutes. I had some friends over last night as well, so the girls went to bed way past their normal bedtime. 

I got a chance to talk to B. a lot longer tonight, but he didn't get to talk to the girls. They were both asleep by the time he called. I'm hoping #2 would just fall asleep on her own. It is still taking at least 45 minutes for her to fall asleep and I have to be laying next to her. 

He passed High Speed today on his first attempt. I've heard High Speed is another difficult section like skid pan. So relieved we will not have to worry about last and final attempt for this. It was not a good feeling to have. 

I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week. #1 is off all next week. Thankfully, my parents will be able to watch her as I am trying to save my hours for March. They will be measuring and weighing the cadets on the Training Table after the Thanksgiving Break. Crossing my fingers that B. gets off the training table. He has lost at least 20 pounds since he arrived. 

That's all for now. They're getting closer. 

1/3 of the Way There (Day 45 of 130)

B. has completed nine weeks. It seems like it has gone by in a flash, yet there are still 18 weeks to go. We are still taking it day by day. It still only gets harder from here. We got to visit B. on Wednesday for only the second time since the Academy started. The girls were so excited to see him. We went to Fuji Sushi in Downtown Davis again. What a difference a few weeks made? UC Davis had just started classes the first time we went. The restaurant was packed back then and parking was a nightmare. Fast forward to this past Wednesday, the restaurant was pretty empty and parking was a breeze this time. Hopefully, we get another Wednesday soon. We will try a different meeting spot next time.

B. had his Vehicle Code in his hand all weekend. He studied in the car, he studied at home, he studied at a restaurant. The Vehicle Code is their Bible. It's the bread and butter of the CHP. There are so many numbers to remember. So many different variations.

On Saturday night, we finally had a chance to sit down and watch a movie together. B. had been talking about watching, "End of Watch" for a while now. I really enjoyed the movie. Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena were awesome partners. It was very emotional to watch as well as it hit close to home. As they said in the movie, it takes a strong woman to marry a cop. But fingers crossed, we are still months away from B. heading out on the road, but this will be our life. You always kiss them goodbye because there is always that chance they may not be walking back through that door. I've read several blogs of CHP Wives that you need to have friends that are wives of law enforcement officers, they will understand what you are going through. Even now, we have friends that question B.'s decision to join the CHP. "Isn't this dangerous, wouldn't it be safer if you did something else?" B. isn't one to sit around and be complacent. He wants the challenge and thrives in that environment. The danger of this job definitely weighs on my mind, but I know he is getting the best training available to keep him safe.

The uniform companies have already made their first visits to the Academy. It feels a little early to be thinking about uniforms at this point, but it takes at least three measurements, so there are starting now. I was shocked at the prices, but $1260 does provide a lot of uniforms. I'm looking forward to the day to see B. in that uniform. They still have a long way to go, but they're getting there day by day.

Almost 8 Weeks Done, Happy Halloween! (Day 39 of 130)

I've been MIA for nearly three weeks.  It's been so hectic, even overwhelming in the past few weeks.  I've had my share of temper tantrums and meltdowns that I wonder, this is all going to be worth it?  I know it will be, but being the sole parent at home has taken its toll.  Working full-time, with swim class, and dinner, plus homework on top of that is exhausting.  By the time B. comes home on Friday nights, I'm pooped.  After we put the kids to bed, we take our places on the couch to catch up on the week and have B. catch up with his DVR.  I'm usually passed out within ten minutes.  B. will stay up for a few hours before waking me up to go to bed.  So much for our much needed conversation. 

At last count, the cadets who withdrew did so voluntarily.  In the last three weeks, the academy class has been losing cadets due to not passing tests.  They work so hard to get to this point.  A few have left for not passing a written exam on their second attempt.  The most recent ones are not passing skid pan.  This exam is no joke.  Just search CHP Skid Pan and see what it's all about.  B. could have been one of those cadets.  I was so stressed and anxious when he told me he had one last attempt at passing.  I couldn't sleep that night.  I couldn't eat.  Luckily, on his Wednesday restriction they did not make them write memos that night, they allowed a group to practice on the skid pan for three hours.  B. felt good about the practice session and said it all clicked.  Not knowing when he was going to take it again killed me.  As we were told at orientation, "No news is good news." Not hearing from him during the day was good.   The weekend rolled around and it seemed to weigh on me more than him. B. passed skid pan on his last and final attempt.  I can't tell you what a relief it was after he told me.

The Senior Class graduated 47 new officers yesterday.  B. said it was a great sight to see the new officers freshly badged with their families to share the moment together.  Today was the first day for the Junior Class to be the only ones at the Academy.  They usually call this "Hell Week."  With additional Academy Staff available, they just have that many more eyes to find things that are wrong.  So we will be missing out on Wednesday Liberty again.  We've only be able to visit B. once since the Academy started.  I'll sacrifice Wednesday Liberty for him to stay apart of this Academy class.  As B. has said, " You can't take away my Wednesdays if I don't expect them." 

This is the first Halloween without B.  I wish he was here with us tonight.   It was great seeing #1 and #2 enjoying themselves so much.  They are at such a perfect age.  Old enough to hold a conversation with me, yet still babies with such an innocent look on life.  It was definitely a crazy and tiring day.  #2 was sent home from school with a stomach bug, meaning that she can't go back until Monday.  Luckily my parents were able to watch her this afternoon, so I could run back to #1's Harvest Festival.  Drove back to my parents to meet up with them and #2 and head over to my sister's to Trick 'O Treat with my baby nephew and brother in law.  #2 is staying with my parents tonight as I have to go to work and #1 has school.  This is the first time in her life that #2 has been apart from me at night.  It didn't bother her one bit that I was leaving.  She said good night and see you tomorrow.  I was expecting more drama, but she loves her grandma and grandpa and wouldn't mind sleeping there more often.  After our short good byes, #1 and I were headed home.  #1 was asleep within five minutes of getting into the car.  Two rounds trips later, here I still am at 11:10PM on Halloween night.  Good night.  Happy Halloween.

Five Weeks Gone By (Day 25 of 130)

25 days of the Academy are in the bag.  The lack of sleep continues, but it seems like B. is in more of a routine now.  The weekends are still filled with running errands and attempting to catch up on sleep.  As much as B. wants to catch up with family and friends, there are really only 48 hours of him being home.  The weekends seem so rushed.  Sunday afternoons/evenings are the worse.  B. tries to soak in as much time with the girls as he can.  I'll leave to run errands and he'll take the girls to the park. 

B. was on restriction again this past Wednesday.  We've only been up there once since the Academy started.  He thinks he'll be losing a few more in the next few weeks.  He's really looking forward to not being on the Training Table.  B. has lost about 15 pounds so far.  He says he's usually starving by 9:00 at night.  The feeling of being hungry at night must suck.  You can't just run to a fridge.

#2 asked B. on Friday and Saturday, "Papa, no training tonight ok."  I've been telling her that her Papa is away at training and he will be home on Fridays.  She's only two, but she knows what's up.  People have told me, she's too young to understand where her Papa is.  B. came home with two Matchbox sized CHP cars for the girls.  They love them.  We told them, this is what Papa will be driving.  #1 sees the squad cars out on the freeways.  We are trying to help them understand why Papa is away so much.  They tend to act out a little more when B. is home.  I'm no longer the sole enforcer when B. is here.  They think they can get away with a little more.  

We have  dry erase calendar where I mark off the days B. has been away.  I think it will get a little harder as holidays roll around.  He won't be here for Halloween.  I know I'll have to take lots of pictures for him.  Hopefully, the connection is good, we may be able to FaceTime that night.  I was planning on staying local for Trick 'O Treating, but I can't handle both girls alone.  

The cadets are still a long way from filling out their Dream Sheets, but I wanted to make sure B. had our Deed of Trust ready to turn in.  I'm glad there is priority given to those who own a home.  B. mentioned that the Senior class was offered San Jose or Los Angeles.  What happens to those who live in the middle?  I'll worry about that in about twelve weeks.  

Hoping this week goes by fast.  I'm only working three days this week.  Thank you Columbus Day and doctors appointments.  Week Six here we come.  

Week 4 Done (Day 20 of 130)

It's hard to believe that Week 4 has come and gone.  Time has never moved so fast.  The girls and I definitely have a routine done during the week.  And when B. comes home on Fridays, it is the fastest 48 hours.   Hardly enough time to spend with each other.

B. says the yelling is still a daily, if not hourly occurrence.  The days are still super long.  PT days usually require a 0320 wake up time and they usually get back to their rooms past 2000 hours.  B.'s best friend is 5 Hour Energy drinks.  He usually has to drink one on PT days to get through the entire day.  I went to Business Costco to pick up two boxes for him.  It's definitely cheaper than paying $2.50 at the Academy vending machines. 

B. started EVOC on Friday and he loved it.  Who gets to drive 65 mph backwards? He is definitely looking forward to spending more time on EVOC and ready to hit the range in a few weeks. 

B. is restricted again this Wednesday, so we won't be heading up there yet.  He thinks it might be a few more weeks before we get to have dinner as a family on Wednesdays.

I wish I had more to share, I'm so happy and proud that B.has made it through the first four weeks.  It still get harder and tougher from here, but the first four weeks tests a lot of cadets.  I believe they have lost six cadets so far, one due to injury.  Onto Week 5.

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.