It is official - time is going slower and slower.
CC has 9 weeks left. The first 10 or so weeks went by really quickly. It was almost as if Sunday evening went and Friday afternoon came all within the same day! Now, the days are going by much slower. This whole life of being apart is going day by day, instead of days at a time. It seems that most days we talk for about 10 minutes and we're done. Things aren't as exciting. Things are getting old. I figured this would happen in April. :(
It also seems like he's a real cop now too. He's starts tactical driving this week, and he's super excited.
Last weekend, he got fitted for his body armor. I went with him to the Law Enforcement Supply store, and it was all too real. Lots of gadgets. I know realize that we are going to spend lots of money on gadgets (see this post)! They asked him if he wanted a soft plate or a hard plate, and of course I jumped at the answer, "HARD!" Then they asked if he wanted some extra material around the side so that there wasn't a gap that a bullet to go through, and "OF COURSE!".
We watch lots of Police shows these days. I'm actually starting to enjoy them. CC is really into Southland, but I am having a hard time jumping into it in the middle/end of the season. Maybe next season. I do enjoy Police Women on TLC though and the SWAT show on the Crime Investigation Channel.
I really think this is sinking in. He's 9 weeks away from being a police officer. (besides his field training) Tests are getting a little harder. Instructors are getting harder. Workouts are getting more intense.
I think he's going to be great! He even got an email this week from one of the new lieutenants in his department that told him he was doing great and representing them well. That kind of makes him (and me) feel really good about this life change!
62 days til graduation....(and back to a somewhat more normal life!)
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Half-Way
CC is halfway through Academy. Well, almost. 12 weeks left (halfway would be the end of 11, but the 11th week starts this week, so it feels better to say it's already over.)
I have been doing fine so far. Like I always say, it's not ideal, but we're dealing.
For some reason, him being gone is starting to get to me. I miss having him here. I miss just laying on the couch during the week watching our shows together. I miss having dinner at the table with him. I miss getting to snuggle with him in bed. And when he does get home, most of the time he wants to just chill. I have to do so much on my own during the week, that when he's here, I don't want to do anything by myself, and that's not always what he has in mind.
But, I also have to realize that when he gets back, that doesn't necessarily mean that I'll have all of those things again. This is kind of something I can wish for, but who knows what shift he'll have. I just have to pray that God takes care of us and continues to help me not be "needy."
On top of that, CC's agency gave him a credit card to put his expenses on. They originally told him to just make sure that he got receipts and that they were travel related. He gets to his agency this weekend to turn in some receipts, and he finds a note in his box. This note lets him know that they will only pay for gas for one trip there, and one trip back. They also are expecting him to repay the account for the previous gas purchases. So, if we add this up, this is approximately $40 per one way trip. 2 times a week = $80. 10 weeks= $800 that is going to have to be repaid, as well as the other 12 weeks that are going to have to be taken in order for him to come back each weekend. So, needless to say, this sucks. The deal is that he is given a certain living amount to be there. He's been living very cheaply on food so that the majority of the money could be sent on his trips there and back. Now, if they won't let him spend it on gas, he's decided he will probably be going out to eat for every meal. It just doesn't make sense. He originally said he was going to ask the chief about it, but then again he didn't want to make a bad impression. He's going to spend the money he's given, just now it will be on expensive food instead of getting to come home. Either way, this is no fun. This also means that he might not be home every weekend. Agh.
Anybody want to contribute to the gas fund?! (just kidding....sort of :)
"When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need." Psalm 138:3
I have been doing fine so far. Like I always say, it's not ideal, but we're dealing.
For some reason, him being gone is starting to get to me. I miss having him here. I miss just laying on the couch during the week watching our shows together. I miss having dinner at the table with him. I miss getting to snuggle with him in bed. And when he does get home, most of the time he wants to just chill. I have to do so much on my own during the week, that when he's here, I don't want to do anything by myself, and that's not always what he has in mind.
But, I also have to realize that when he gets back, that doesn't necessarily mean that I'll have all of those things again. This is kind of something I can wish for, but who knows what shift he'll have. I just have to pray that God takes care of us and continues to help me not be "needy."
On top of that, CC's agency gave him a credit card to put his expenses on. They originally told him to just make sure that he got receipts and that they were travel related. He gets to his agency this weekend to turn in some receipts, and he finds a note in his box. This note lets him know that they will only pay for gas for one trip there, and one trip back. They also are expecting him to repay the account for the previous gas purchases. So, if we add this up, this is approximately $40 per one way trip. 2 times a week = $80. 10 weeks= $800 that is going to have to be repaid, as well as the other 12 weeks that are going to have to be taken in order for him to come back each weekend. So, needless to say, this sucks. The deal is that he is given a certain living amount to be there. He's been living very cheaply on food so that the majority of the money could be sent on his trips there and back. Now, if they won't let him spend it on gas, he's decided he will probably be going out to eat for every meal. It just doesn't make sense. He originally said he was going to ask the chief about it, but then again he didn't want to make a bad impression. He's going to spend the money he's given, just now it will be on expensive food instead of getting to come home. Either way, this is no fun. This also means that he might not be home every weekend. Agh.
Anybody want to contribute to the gas fund?! (just kidding....sort of :)
"When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need." Psalm 138:3
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Police Gear
CC is very lucky at his agency because he has almost everything he will need provided to him. Since we live in a big area, this is one of the perks for this particular agency. He is provided his gun (I believe a Glock 22), his hand cuffs, his OC spray, his flash light, his uniform, and all of the necessary duty belt items. When we began looking into this profession, there were several places that he wanted to work that looked like it might cost a great deal of money to get into because of all of the equipment he would have to supply himself. But, after he got hired on in his current agency, I was relieved. Since we are young, we don't necessarily always have a lot of extra money just laying around to fund a new career choice! So this was a blessing to us financially and a weight lifted off of my shoulders. CC was also excited about this as well.
Until Academy.
First came the flashlight. He didn't like something about the one they provided, so he started researching new ones. He got one for Christmas, but it wasn't something that he thought it was, so he sent it back and figured he'd wait to get a different one when he'd seen more. (And I loved the post by HF on A Police Wife, so I will definitely share this review with him and maybe we can save a little bit of money!)
Then came the hand cuffs. His agency provides one set, but it's "crucial" that you always have 2 pairs on you. So, he "needed" to go to the Law enforcement supply store to get another pair that also weren't as stiff.
Now it's the gun. CC is a skinny guy. And here in TX you must conceal your gun off duty. So, the Glock 22 is just too wide to conceal easily without have a huge, awkward bulge on his side. So now we're looking into purchasing an off-duty gun.
I am not a gun person. I've never been around guns, I've never liked guns, I don't ever intend to have to use a gun. This whole career change, of course, is going to bring me around guns much more frequently (as CC will probably be carrying his gun at all times, now which one is still the question). So, the thought of one gun was hard to imagine. Now, knowing we will probably have 2 guns in the house while he's home is even harder to imagine. I know I'll come around. And after my incident after serving on a murder trial jury (the jury was threatened by the defendant's friend) I have agreed that I will at least learn how to use the gun for safety. But still, that doesn't mean I'm going to go buy one on my own! I know time will help me get used to them, but I just don't like them.
We went from not having to buy anything except boots to practically buying a new duty belt! (I know, that's an exaggeration!) I'm hoping that this is not a habit that will continue, but I'm sure it only gets worse as he is introduced to more and more products out there that are the new "cool" thing to have!
Do you have husbands like mine?! Should I go ahead and prepare myself for buying new gadgets regularly?
Until Academy.
First came the flashlight. He didn't like something about the one they provided, so he started researching new ones. He got one for Christmas, but it wasn't something that he thought it was, so he sent it back and figured he'd wait to get a different one when he'd seen more. (And I loved the post by HF on A Police Wife, so I will definitely share this review with him and maybe we can save a little bit of money!)
Then came the hand cuffs. His agency provides one set, but it's "crucial" that you always have 2 pairs on you. So, he "needed" to go to the Law enforcement supply store to get another pair that also weren't as stiff.
Now it's the gun. CC is a skinny guy. And here in TX you must conceal your gun off duty. So, the Glock 22 is just too wide to conceal easily without have a huge, awkward bulge on his side. So now we're looking into purchasing an off-duty gun.
I am not a gun person. I've never been around guns, I've never liked guns, I don't ever intend to have to use a gun. This whole career change, of course, is going to bring me around guns much more frequently (as CC will probably be carrying his gun at all times, now which one is still the question). So, the thought of one gun was hard to imagine. Now, knowing we will probably have 2 guns in the house while he's home is even harder to imagine. I know I'll come around. And after my incident after serving on a murder trial jury (the jury was threatened by the defendant's friend) I have agreed that I will at least learn how to use the gun for safety. But still, that doesn't mean I'm going to go buy one on my own! I know time will help me get used to them, but I just don't like them.
We went from not having to buy anything except boots to practically buying a new duty belt! (I know, that's an exaggeration!) I'm hoping that this is not a habit that will continue, but I'm sure it only gets worse as he is introduced to more and more products out there that are the new "cool" thing to have!
Do you have husbands like mine?! Should I go ahead and prepare myself for buying new gadgets regularly?
Sunday, February 21, 2010
A Lot going on
Once again, I've gone about a month without any updates! I'm telling you, I think I'm just a once a month blogger!!
But I do have somewhat of an excuse these days.
February has been a very busy month at our house. CC is still away during the week, so it's up to me to take care of everything at the house. He's doing really well still and seems to be learning a lot. He is continuing to practice his new knowledge when he comes home. Last week, he came home wanting to show me how to get out a choke from behind. Little did I know, that being gentle meant that I was going to be thrown over his shoulder onto the floor. Boy that was a mistake....but I've learned my lesson and now I will not be the volunteer for his practice techniques. He's in the middle of traffic law right now so he's talking a lot about how people are driving, and now using the minimum requirement while driving (like using the blinker only once to change lanes, turning into whatever lane he wants, being the first in the intersection, etc.) I have a future blog coming soon about all of the laws I find weird or interesting to know. I'm not quite ready for it yet, but it will be coming soon!
On top of just the separation of us, I was recently diagnosed with PCOS, which isn't a life threatening thing, just messing with my hormones. This could make our ideas of having a family soon a little bit harder, but I'm staying positive and hoping that God and my treatment plan will relieve some of the stress this diagnosis comes with.
And just last week, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. My parents live about 5 hours away, so I don't get to see them as much as I'd like sometime, so weve been on the phone quite a bit just trying to catch up on the most recent doctor visit and what happens next. We are in prayer for her. This is her second round with cancer. She fought it like a champ 18 years ago, so I know she can get through this. God is in control. My dad is a trooper too. He lost his sister a few years back to cancer, so this has been hard on him, not to mention his second round to go through with my mom.
I'm having Spring Break soon (since I'm a teacher and all....it is one of the best things about my job!) I was planning on going and spending some days with CC down at Academy instead of him coming home for the weekend, but that has now passed and it looks like I'm going to spend that time with my mom. We're not sure how she'll be feeling, but it will be fun for me to visit and be as much of a support as I can.
I, personally, have had a very stressful month so all of this just kind of piled on us at once. I'm getting through it thanks to my friends and family. And I am continuing to remind myself that God is in control!
I'll keep you updated. :)
But I do have somewhat of an excuse these days.
February has been a very busy month at our house. CC is still away during the week, so it's up to me to take care of everything at the house. He's doing really well still and seems to be learning a lot. He is continuing to practice his new knowledge when he comes home. Last week, he came home wanting to show me how to get out a choke from behind. Little did I know, that being gentle meant that I was going to be thrown over his shoulder onto the floor. Boy that was a mistake....but I've learned my lesson and now I will not be the volunteer for his practice techniques. He's in the middle of traffic law right now so he's talking a lot about how people are driving, and now using the minimum requirement while driving (like using the blinker only once to change lanes, turning into whatever lane he wants, being the first in the intersection, etc.) I have a future blog coming soon about all of the laws I find weird or interesting to know. I'm not quite ready for it yet, but it will be coming soon!
On top of just the separation of us, I was recently diagnosed with PCOS, which isn't a life threatening thing, just messing with my hormones. This could make our ideas of having a family soon a little bit harder, but I'm staying positive and hoping that God and my treatment plan will relieve some of the stress this diagnosis comes with.
And just last week, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. My parents live about 5 hours away, so I don't get to see them as much as I'd like sometime, so weve been on the phone quite a bit just trying to catch up on the most recent doctor visit and what happens next. We are in prayer for her. This is her second round with cancer. She fought it like a champ 18 years ago, so I know she can get through this. God is in control. My dad is a trooper too. He lost his sister a few years back to cancer, so this has been hard on him, not to mention his second round to go through with my mom.
I'm having Spring Break soon (since I'm a teacher and all....it is one of the best things about my job!) I was planning on going and spending some days with CC down at Academy instead of him coming home for the weekend, but that has now passed and it looks like I'm going to spend that time with my mom. We're not sure how she'll be feeling, but it will be fun for me to visit and be as much of a support as I can.
I, personally, have had a very stressful month so all of this just kind of piled on us at once. I'm getting through it thanks to my friends and family. And I am continuing to remind myself that God is in control!
I'll keep you updated. :)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
YAY!
After 3 full weeks of Academy, CC has been ranked #1!!!!! I'm so proud of him!
On a sadder note, his partner from the same agency did not pass his exams, so they sent him home. Luckily, CC gets his own room now and doesn't have to listen to him snore anymore! I know CC was really routing for his pal. I also think that CC was a good witness with his spiritual life. It's sad that the relationship has been shortened and the opportunities have been shortened, but I hope what little time they had together CC was somewhat of an influence on him. Their agency has offered him a "guard" job, so at least he'll have a job, just a pay cut. (And not quite as exciting!)
I married a special man. This type of stuff makes this whole separation worth it! I love him! :)
On a sadder note, his partner from the same agency did not pass his exams, so they sent him home. Luckily, CC gets his own room now and doesn't have to listen to him snore anymore! I know CC was really routing for his pal. I also think that CC was a good witness with his spiritual life. It's sad that the relationship has been shortened and the opportunities have been shortened, but I hope what little time they had together CC was somewhat of an influence on him. Their agency has offered him a "guard" job, so at least he'll have a job, just a pay cut. (And not quite as exciting!)
I married a special man. This type of stuff makes this whole separation worth it! I love him! :)
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Apologies
I apologize for not updating since CC left for Academy! I have been keeping myself very busy to help the time pass! I tend to be a workaholic when I need to be!
CC has been out of town in Academy for 2 1/2 weeks now! It is actually happening!
He entered in a class of 13 (this was much lower than he expected, but still a good class). He drove down with his partner (another guy from the same agency going together) the Sunday before and got the lay of the land! Luckily, CC's agency provides a hotel and money for food and travel. 9 of the other cadets are also staying in the hotel, so there is a good crowd of people there for support and studying. He has come home each weekend, so it hasn't been too bad!
CC and I did long distance for 2 1/2 years before we got married, so this relationship on a phone thing is not new to us! The first week of calls was always exciting! He would go on and on about the different things people said and were doing. He talked about his performance and how he could do better at different things. He talked about how things were different than he expected.
By the third week, the conversations have changed! Now, we're talking about interesting facts about the penal code, as well as how much studying he has to do and how he should go. I can sense in his voice the stress of studying and how hard he wants to do well. He has very high expectations of himself. (That's a good quality I know, but some nights I wish he would be a slacker!) He is definitely still enjoying it and really searching to learn more. He's done very well on his quizzes, and got the highest grade on his first exam! As of right now, he's ranked #4, but feels he is probably higher since not all of the quizzes have been added into that ranking (only his lowest scoring quiz) He's a smart guy! When I hear things like that, I feel privileged to be married to a man like him!
Now me, I'm hanging in there. The first two weeks, I packed my schedule full of things to do. I think I was home maybe an hour each day by myself and then I went to bed. I've been able to have dinner with friends I haven't seen in forever. This week has been different! I don't have anything on the schedule until Thursday and Friday. It's been nice to get to sit on the couch and be a bum! I don't think I could do this every week, but it is nice not to be so busy! I've been staying late at school these last few days doing work. Each morning I wake up and realize it's another day closer to CC coming home! I also have a count down on my refrigerator that I cross off each day to remind me that we're getting closer to the end!
The hardest part has been dealing with some medical issues that I can't have him there with me to support me. It's all very minor, but when I wish he was at the appointment with me to hear the reality of the situation, and not the dreamed-up-oh-my-gosh-is-this-happening situation.
I'm a strong person. I can do this.
Honestly, I'm glad he's away at Academy. He will do so much better because he doesn't have distractions. He's with the people he studies with all of the time. He's with people he can ask questions to all of the time. He doesn't have to worry about getting the dishes done. He doesn't have to worry about what I have planned for him to do. He gets to concentrate on being his best. And that's all I want for him!
133 more days!
In the mean time, I'm going to go make more throw pillows for my bed! :)
CC has been out of town in Academy for 2 1/2 weeks now! It is actually happening!
He entered in a class of 13 (this was much lower than he expected, but still a good class). He drove down with his partner (another guy from the same agency going together) the Sunday before and got the lay of the land! Luckily, CC's agency provides a hotel and money for food and travel. 9 of the other cadets are also staying in the hotel, so there is a good crowd of people there for support and studying. He has come home each weekend, so it hasn't been too bad!
CC and I did long distance for 2 1/2 years before we got married, so this relationship on a phone thing is not new to us! The first week of calls was always exciting! He would go on and on about the different things people said and were doing. He talked about his performance and how he could do better at different things. He talked about how things were different than he expected.
By the third week, the conversations have changed! Now, we're talking about interesting facts about the penal code, as well as how much studying he has to do and how he should go. I can sense in his voice the stress of studying and how hard he wants to do well. He has very high expectations of himself. (That's a good quality I know, but some nights I wish he would be a slacker!) He is definitely still enjoying it and really searching to learn more. He's done very well on his quizzes, and got the highest grade on his first exam! As of right now, he's ranked #4, but feels he is probably higher since not all of the quizzes have been added into that ranking (only his lowest scoring quiz) He's a smart guy! When I hear things like that, I feel privileged to be married to a man like him!
Now me, I'm hanging in there. The first two weeks, I packed my schedule full of things to do. I think I was home maybe an hour each day by myself and then I went to bed. I've been able to have dinner with friends I haven't seen in forever. This week has been different! I don't have anything on the schedule until Thursday and Friday. It's been nice to get to sit on the couch and be a bum! I don't think I could do this every week, but it is nice not to be so busy! I've been staying late at school these last few days doing work. Each morning I wake up and realize it's another day closer to CC coming home! I also have a count down on my refrigerator that I cross off each day to remind me that we're getting closer to the end!
The hardest part has been dealing with some medical issues that I can't have him there with me to support me. It's all very minor, but when I wish he was at the appointment with me to hear the reality of the situation, and not the dreamed-up-oh-my-gosh-is-this-happening situation.
I'm a strong person. I can do this.
Honestly, I'm glad he's away at Academy. He will do so much better because he doesn't have distractions. He's with the people he studies with all of the time. He's with people he can ask questions to all of the time. He doesn't have to worry about getting the dishes done. He doesn't have to worry about what I have planned for him to do. He gets to concentrate on being his best. And that's all I want for him!
133 more days!
In the mean time, I'm going to go make more throw pillows for my bed! :)
Friday, January 1, 2010
Academy
CC leaves for Police Academy in 9 days.
I never thought it would get here. He is so excited! When he got hired in June, his agency sent 4 cadets to Academy right away, and CC was in the batch that had to wait until January. The 4 are back and now he is working with them. I think it's made him want to go even more now that they are back.
Either way, Academy is going to be about 4 hours away from where we live. This means we will be doing the long distance thing during the week. He is going to try to come home on the weekends, and I'm sure I may try to go to him a few times as well. This will happen for 5 months. My entire Spring school semester. It's hard to imagine how long that really is. I can't believe he is going to be gone the entire time I'm in school! I'm sure I will be plenty busy though.
But that brings me to my question. What types of things should I expect while CC is at Academy? What are some things that I can do to help him? It's going to be hard enough just adjusting to us being apart most of the time, on top of that, I have to adjust to him learning and studying. I want to be as supportive as possible.
Also, I loved Mrs. Fuzz's post on how being a cop has changed her husband. There have been lots of great comments posted there. It's very interesting to see what types of things happen to our men!
I never thought it would get here. He is so excited! When he got hired in June, his agency sent 4 cadets to Academy right away, and CC was in the batch that had to wait until January. The 4 are back and now he is working with them. I think it's made him want to go even more now that they are back.
Either way, Academy is going to be about 4 hours away from where we live. This means we will be doing the long distance thing during the week. He is going to try to come home on the weekends, and I'm sure I may try to go to him a few times as well. This will happen for 5 months. My entire Spring school semester. It's hard to imagine how long that really is. I can't believe he is going to be gone the entire time I'm in school! I'm sure I will be plenty busy though.
But that brings me to my question. What types of things should I expect while CC is at Academy? What are some things that I can do to help him? It's going to be hard enough just adjusting to us being apart most of the time, on top of that, I have to adjust to him learning and studying. I want to be as supportive as possible.
Also, I loved Mrs. Fuzz's post on how being a cop has changed her husband. There have been lots of great comments posted there. It's very interesting to see what types of things happen to our men!
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