Hubs worked all weekend. The kids and I had various things going on, much as we do every weekend when he works. It dawned on me Sunday afternoon while the kids and I were trying to get ready for the week ahead that, Hey we have only Hubs about 45 minutes ALLLLL WEEKEND. Now let me just say that his schedule was Friday and Saturday 2pm-2am, then Sunday he worked 1pm-1am. We text rather often and even chatted on Facebook briefly, and somehow managed to find, agree upon and reserve a vacation home for our annual family trip. He did get to come home fairly close to his actual time to get off work, but we were all asleep. Even with that, it still kinda sucks when you realize you haven't seen your spouse in pretty much 3 days. So last night, he had some time to burn, so he came home a little bit early. I was snuggled in the bed watching Nights in Rodanthe. Hubs finally comes to bed, and puts his cold feet right up against my warm legs. Normally he does this when I am almost totally asleep and I will admit to not always being nice when he does. Last night however was a different story. I was just happy to have his cold feet home and snuggled up next to me.
A lot of times we take time together for granted, then there are times when you just can't imagine them not being there. Those are the times that you just need to see them or talk to them, or just in general know they are there and are ok.
Hubs is home tonight, and it is raining here all day, so Thing 1 and 2 don't have ball practice. We actually have a night at home to get a couple of things taken care of at home, and I can get cookies baked for snack for the kids ball game tomorrow night. There are very few dull moments in our home especially this time of year, but I am more than grateful that Hubs is going to be home tonight to spend it with us.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Words you don't dare say
Last night the hubs was working his usual noon to midnight shift. We met for supper like we usually do-we try to eat supper together at least one night when he is working, simply for the fact that we would like to see him. The patrol officer working shift was leaving the same restaurant, after eating with a group of deputies. As he was leaving Thing 1 told him to not stir up too much so Daddy can come home on time. The patrol officer then said the words that are basically a shifts kiss of death....I have a feeling it is going to be quiet tonight.
I get a text about 1030, that says "I am gonna be very late getting home, got a D#$@ 10-73."
For those of you unfamiliar with 10 codes or may have varying codes....its a crazy person. That means sitting at the hospital with said unstable person so that the doctor can evaluate them and decide if in fact they are 10-73 or just need a few minutes to calm down. If they are the former, then the officer has to sit with them until a bed opens up for them and a deputy can transport them to the waiting facility. This has been known to take HOURS.
Hubs got into bed about 330 this morning. I will be telling him when he goes on duty tonight to tell the other officer to keep his mouth closed about what he thinks the night will hold. It is basically Murphy's law. If you say that it will be quiet on shift, then all hell will break lose. If you say you want a busy night (more than likely) it is gonna be dead as 4 o'clock.
Hopefully though, when he goes 10-42 tonight, it will be close to midnight, which is what time shift should end.
I get a text about 1030, that says "I am gonna be very late getting home, got a D#$@ 10-73."
For those of you unfamiliar with 10 codes or may have varying codes....its a crazy person. That means sitting at the hospital with said unstable person so that the doctor can evaluate them and decide if in fact they are 10-73 or just need a few minutes to calm down. If they are the former, then the officer has to sit with them until a bed opens up for them and a deputy can transport them to the waiting facility. This has been known to take HOURS.
Hubs got into bed about 330 this morning. I will be telling him when he goes on duty tonight to tell the other officer to keep his mouth closed about what he thinks the night will hold. It is basically Murphy's law. If you say that it will be quiet on shift, then all hell will break lose. If you say you want a busy night (more than likely) it is gonna be dead as 4 o'clock.
Hopefully though, when he goes 10-42 tonight, it will be close to midnight, which is what time shift should end.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
When Daddy has school
The hubs has been in school off and on the last few weeks and this week it has been "Fundamentals of Investigations". Last night we all got home, he sat down in his recliner with his stuff from the week and started studying because he has a test today.
I go about the business of being a mom. Getting little boys homework folders signed, and supper cooked, and laundry going and just things in general done. The hubs says you may have to give me this test in a bit. I said ok (of course what else would I say). Then the kids set down in the living room to read and he starts asking them questions.
I got so tickled. I said Cop's kids...learn the fundamental of investigations right along with the Cop.
I will admit the three none LEO in our family did pretty darn good on the test seeing as how we don't do investigations.
It caused a flash back to BLET. I will be the first one to admit, parts of that were craptastic. When he was learning take down tactics and pressure points. Guess who got to learn them by example? Yep you guessed it. So I will say thought that is handy knowledge to have. Ya know just in case I ever have to take someone down and all.
I realize that each profession has it's own quirks and stuff, but seriously a 9 year old and 7 year old answering questions about fundamentals of investigation is hilarious.
I go about the business of being a mom. Getting little boys homework folders signed, and supper cooked, and laundry going and just things in general done. The hubs says you may have to give me this test in a bit. I said ok (of course what else would I say). Then the kids set down in the living room to read and he starts asking them questions.
I got so tickled. I said Cop's kids...learn the fundamental of investigations right along with the Cop.
I will admit the three none LEO in our family did pretty darn good on the test seeing as how we don't do investigations.
It caused a flash back to BLET. I will be the first one to admit, parts of that were craptastic. When he was learning take down tactics and pressure points. Guess who got to learn them by example? Yep you guessed it. So I will say thought that is handy knowledge to have. Ya know just in case I ever have to take someone down and all.
I realize that each profession has it's own quirks and stuff, but seriously a 9 year old and 7 year old answering questions about fundamentals of investigation is hilarious.
Friday, January 17, 2014
A first in our house
Last night was a first for us. A bomb threat was called into one of our local businesses and it and the surrounding businesses had to be evacuated. Thankfully it was a hoax, and all was fine. However this business is on my way home. So the kids and I were coming home from haircuts and supper with my mom and her husband, and we see the mass of flashing lights, both blue and red, and the mass of first responders of all types. My kids asked what was going on. I had to call a close friend of mine to find out, since her husband is a fireman that was on scene. She said it was the bomb threat. So I (possibly a mistake) told the kids, that someone called in and said there was a bomb at the store. Well we get home, and I tell little boys to go get baths, and I notice that my youngest is crying. This is not totally out of character for him, he is a bit emotional at times.
My oldest son hugged him and asked what was wrong, and my youngest turned to me and said "Mama I am worried about Daddy". Let me just tell you, that hits you hard. About the time he was saying what was wrong, I got a text. That said basically, that he would be late, he was trying to come home and see us, but couldn't and that he loved us. So I tell the boys, "Look Daddy is fine, he is texting me, he is ok and he loves you"
That thankfully got them settled, but up until they went to sleep they were asking if I had heard from their daddy.
Right before they went to bed, I got my youngest son in my lap, and had to look at him and explain, this is our life honey, this happens. Daddy is called to do this job, and that means at times he is going to be in very dangerous situations. We just have to have faith, that God will bring him home to us and if we are really scared, then we pray. So my youngest son crawls up in my lap and we prayed for safety, not only for my husband but all of the ones out there.
It dawned on me, as much as I try not to let the worries of the lifestyle show and get to us, it does take a toll on the little guys. Thankfully Hubs made it home safe and sound at his regular shift end time. The best part is we have the entire weekend to spend with him.
My oldest son hugged him and asked what was wrong, and my youngest turned to me and said "Mama I am worried about Daddy". Let me just tell you, that hits you hard. About the time he was saying what was wrong, I got a text. That said basically, that he would be late, he was trying to come home and see us, but couldn't and that he loved us. So I tell the boys, "Look Daddy is fine, he is texting me, he is ok and he loves you"
That thankfully got them settled, but up until they went to sleep they were asking if I had heard from their daddy.
Right before they went to bed, I got my youngest son in my lap, and had to look at him and explain, this is our life honey, this happens. Daddy is called to do this job, and that means at times he is going to be in very dangerous situations. We just have to have faith, that God will bring him home to us and if we are really scared, then we pray. So my youngest son crawls up in my lap and we prayed for safety, not only for my husband but all of the ones out there.
It dawned on me, as much as I try not to let the worries of the lifestyle show and get to us, it does take a toll on the little guys. Thankfully Hubs made it home safe and sound at his regular shift end time. The best part is we have the entire weekend to spend with him.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Can I just say it sucks???
I am well aware of what I should expect being an LEO wife, but let me just say that this new schedule sucks. I know I shouldn't complain, I know beyond anything else I am lucky that my LEO is not a statistic, and I know that we will eventually get used to it again. Until then, I will think it sucks.
The transition is a bit much for us, and by us I mean the who family. Even the dog is thrown for a loop. The kids can't seem to keep up with who picks them up from school on what day even though that part hasn't changed. It is just the sum of the whole getting to us.
I am sure in a few days we will all be fine, but until then, and until my sleep gets back on track, I want a nap, and I want my hubby home when I take it (none of which will happen).
That is my rant, I won't (well will try not to) do it again. I feel better now, but I still want my nap.
The transition is a bit much for us, and by us I mean the who family. Even the dog is thrown for a loop. The kids can't seem to keep up with who picks them up from school on what day even though that part hasn't changed. It is just the sum of the whole getting to us.
I am sure in a few days we will all be fine, but until then, and until my sleep gets back on track, I want a nap, and I want my hubby home when I take it (none of which will happen).
That is my rant, I won't (well will try not to) do it again. I feel better now, but I still want my nap.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Change is coming
Anyone married to an LEO knows that shifts change and schedules change are not uncommon. Well I get a text Tuesday saying the Hubs' schedule is changing....the next day. Yep so my little world of him home every night and every weekend is no more. I was not happy I assure you. We have gone back to the every other weekend 2 on 2 off. This in theory is awesome because he is home during the week and can get things done. It sucks in reality because he will be working odd hours, coming in all hours of the night, and working every other weekend.
This is a common schedule with LEO and it is one we dealt with for the better part of 10 years. It was very easy to fall into the routine of it when we had no choice and knew no different. Now that we have had "normal", well giving it up is going to be rough.
All of it reminds me that all (well most) LEO spouses are in fact married single parents. It makes you appreciate quality time together. It also makes you annoyed, and frustrated and can make you grumpy.
I know adjustment will take a bit of time, for myself and the kids, and the Hubs but I have a feeling it is going to take longer to get adjusted to that than it did the last change which ROCKED!!
This is a common schedule with LEO and it is one we dealt with for the better part of 10 years. It was very easy to fall into the routine of it when we had no choice and knew no different. Now that we have had "normal", well giving it up is going to be rough.
All of it reminds me that all (well most) LEO spouses are in fact married single parents. It makes you appreciate quality time together. It also makes you annoyed, and frustrated and can make you grumpy.
I know adjustment will take a bit of time, for myself and the kids, and the Hubs but I have a feeling it is going to take longer to get adjusted to that than it did the last change which ROCKED!!
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Myths about being married to a cop
I am a creature of habit, and one of my habits to get my day started is by reading certain blogs. I do this every morning before I start actually working. Being a mom of boys I like to read boy mom blogs, and as a cop's wife I obviously like to read cop's wife blogs. One particular post that I read got me thinking. She posted about 5 myths to being a doctors wife (read it here you will appreciate the humor and honesty that it gives as do the majority of the post-the others are about food). This got me to thinking, what are myths about being a cop's wife. There are several both funny and not so funny that come to mind.
1)Myth:
If my husband stops you, then you can say oh, your Janelle's husband and that will get you out of a ticket.
Truth:
If my husband stops you and you reference me, all that will do is get you sitting on the side of the road longer with him asking how you know me. In fact, if my husband is the officer that stops you, you most likely deserved it because he is one of the few officers that I know that hates writing tickets, because it just leads to more paperwork. Who really wants to spend their day doing paperwork.
2) Myth:
We own stock in doughnuts...
Truth:
It is OK to admit to the fact that we all make police jokes about cops eating doughnuts. It is the most common thing they get picked on, you know it, I know it. I have joked with Hubs a few times about it. The sad reality is that in my house he will be the last one to eat a doughnut (unless they are the homemade fried biscuit kind that you dip in powdered sugar and who can resist those). You can walk in my house at any given point and time and would not find doughnuts. The kids went through a brief stage of wanting the powdered sugar kind (Hello Sweet Sixteen!!) but after dealing with cleaning up the mess and all that, they are a rare purchase as well. Now I can't speak for all LEO households but I can for mine and that is our truth.
3) Myth:
The radio (scanner which ever you prefer to call it) stays on all the time.
Truth:
It is never on at my house unless he has come home for a meal and is still on duty, or is getting ready, or if he gets a call that says hey we have this and this going on we may need you to come back to work. I have a firm rule that when we are home we are home. We do not talk about work unless it is something that is going to directly effect our family. When we are home it is family time. When he was a road officer and worked nights, I refused to listen to a scanner. I finally was asked why I didn't listen by a non LEO wife I simply explained that 1) I have a house to tend to and two children running around, and didn't want the extra noise. Reason 2) is the most honest sincere police wife answer I could give. I don't want to hear my husband get shot in the event something happens. Plain and Simple. If something happens that I need to know I will be told. Until then ignorance is bliss.
4) Myth:
I can't sleep when he works nights.
Truth:
Here again this is applies to my household only, I can not speak for other wives. When my husband and I first got married and he went back to work he was on night shift. So I started out sleeping in our bed with him not home. I never had an issued with not sleeping good with him not home. Along came the kids and one of our boys refused to sleep when his dad wasn't home unless he was in our bed. It was the only time he wanted to sleep in the big bed. So he did, mostly so I could sleep. Then the kids got bigger and started staying in there beds and Hubs still worked nights as part of his rotation. I still slept amazing. I got the whole bed. I wasn't being routed out of my side of the bed (after almost 10 years he still takes up the whole bed). I on occasion looked forward to him being on night shift. I could get to bed at a normal hour and get a good solid night's sleep. Now that he is home every night and weekend, it is a bit different. When he gets called back into work late at night it takes me a bit longer to go back to sleep mostly because I know something is wrong. But I can finally fall asleep and sleep nicely. Basically I can sleep no matter what, or where.
5) Myth:
Cops make mega bucks.
Truth:
Pardon me while I roll on the floor laughing hysterically. This is a myth of epic proportion. You will NEVER hear a cop say they do it for the money. If they do, then they must be minimalist. Please never be disillusioned enough to think that any amount of money is worth risking your life. LEOs along with soldiers are both highly underpaid and under appreciated. Most LEO families that I know are 2 income families just because well you can't make it off of one. I am not sure who came up with that idea but they are so so SO wrong.
6) Myth:
The dangers of the job don't phase you.
Truth:
I think this is one place I can speak for all spouses no matter what their LEO does. The dangers of the job are always in your mind. However if you dwell on it, you will in fact drive yourself crazy. You know that every time they walk out the door they are just one call away from possibly not coming home. That is why when they leave for work, you need to always tell them you love them, just in case. You learn to make the most of the time you have together. LEO life and families learn that it is more about quality time than quantity time. You learn what counts and what doesn't. Yes, I worry. Yes, there have been times I have been to worried to sleep. Yes, we have been in restaurants and he has had to run out because of a chase and it scares the crap out of me. More than anything I know this is what he was meant to do and where he is suppose to be and that gives you a bit more peace of mind.
1)Myth:
If my husband stops you, then you can say oh, your Janelle's husband and that will get you out of a ticket.
Truth:
If my husband stops you and you reference me, all that will do is get you sitting on the side of the road longer with him asking how you know me. In fact, if my husband is the officer that stops you, you most likely deserved it because he is one of the few officers that I know that hates writing tickets, because it just leads to more paperwork. Who really wants to spend their day doing paperwork.
2) Myth:
We own stock in doughnuts...
Truth:
It is OK to admit to the fact that we all make police jokes about cops eating doughnuts. It is the most common thing they get picked on, you know it, I know it. I have joked with Hubs a few times about it. The sad reality is that in my house he will be the last one to eat a doughnut (unless they are the homemade fried biscuit kind that you dip in powdered sugar and who can resist those). You can walk in my house at any given point and time and would not find doughnuts. The kids went through a brief stage of wanting the powdered sugar kind (Hello Sweet Sixteen!!) but after dealing with cleaning up the mess and all that, they are a rare purchase as well. Now I can't speak for all LEO households but I can for mine and that is our truth.
3) Myth:
The radio (scanner which ever you prefer to call it) stays on all the time.
Truth:
It is never on at my house unless he has come home for a meal and is still on duty, or is getting ready, or if he gets a call that says hey we have this and this going on we may need you to come back to work. I have a firm rule that when we are home we are home. We do not talk about work unless it is something that is going to directly effect our family. When we are home it is family time. When he was a road officer and worked nights, I refused to listen to a scanner. I finally was asked why I didn't listen by a non LEO wife I simply explained that 1) I have a house to tend to and two children running around, and didn't want the extra noise. Reason 2) is the most honest sincere police wife answer I could give. I don't want to hear my husband get shot in the event something happens. Plain and Simple. If something happens that I need to know I will be told. Until then ignorance is bliss.
4) Myth:
I can't sleep when he works nights.
Truth:
Here again this is applies to my household only, I can not speak for other wives. When my husband and I first got married and he went back to work he was on night shift. So I started out sleeping in our bed with him not home. I never had an issued with not sleeping good with him not home. Along came the kids and one of our boys refused to sleep when his dad wasn't home unless he was in our bed. It was the only time he wanted to sleep in the big bed. So he did, mostly so I could sleep. Then the kids got bigger and started staying in there beds and Hubs still worked nights as part of his rotation. I still slept amazing. I got the whole bed. I wasn't being routed out of my side of the bed (after almost 10 years he still takes up the whole bed). I on occasion looked forward to him being on night shift. I could get to bed at a normal hour and get a good solid night's sleep. Now that he is home every night and weekend, it is a bit different. When he gets called back into work late at night it takes me a bit longer to go back to sleep mostly because I know something is wrong. But I can finally fall asleep and sleep nicely. Basically I can sleep no matter what, or where.
5) Myth:
Cops make mega bucks.
Truth:
Pardon me while I roll on the floor laughing hysterically. This is a myth of epic proportion. You will NEVER hear a cop say they do it for the money. If they do, then they must be minimalist. Please never be disillusioned enough to think that any amount of money is worth risking your life. LEOs along with soldiers are both highly underpaid and under appreciated. Most LEO families that I know are 2 income families just because well you can't make it off of one. I am not sure who came up with that idea but they are so so SO wrong.
6) Myth:
The dangers of the job don't phase you.
Truth:
I think this is one place I can speak for all spouses no matter what their LEO does. The dangers of the job are always in your mind. However if you dwell on it, you will in fact drive yourself crazy. You know that every time they walk out the door they are just one call away from possibly not coming home. That is why when they leave for work, you need to always tell them you love them, just in case. You learn to make the most of the time you have together. LEO life and families learn that it is more about quality time than quantity time. You learn what counts and what doesn't. Yes, I worry. Yes, there have been times I have been to worried to sleep. Yes, we have been in restaurants and he has had to run out because of a chase and it scares the crap out of me. More than anything I know this is what he was meant to do and where he is suppose to be and that gives you a bit more peace of mind.
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