Week 10, Day 2

Luke Update:
Not much to report. Completed and passed his midterm DT skills test, but we weren't worried about that one since he attends all the extra DT sessions each morning. He is an actor for the senior class during their mock scene finals. Basically he and others will be posing as the bad guys inside of dark buildings and will try to beat up, run from, or just cause trouble to the police officers. He's pretty excited to dress and act like a punk. Thursday he will be sitting down with TAC Officers and will be informed on how they think he is doing. What they say will be relayed to his department whether it's good or bad.

Saturday Luke and I enjoyed a delicious (and expensive) dinner at Anthony's while Kelsey and Annie babysat Gwen. We went all out and purchased happy hour drinks, soup, entrees and dessert. I was pretty nervous about the bill, but throughout dinner Luke kept saying "Go all out". Once he got the bill and saw the amount a big smile spread across his face and he sad:
"There. I made up for taking you to the food court last week". (Note: I asked him to take me to the food court. They make the best Indian food this side of the border)

After dinner we walked along the pier and stumbled across at least two, but maybe three weddings. Back at the car Luke insisted he give me a Field Sobriety Test before driving. I kept giggling which he claimed meant I was guilty about some other crime. He gave me the test three times before he was convinced I could drive. I never did make it through a complete one without laughing, but I did get us home safely.

Sunday morning came and since I was still getting over a cold we went for a walk at Boulevard instead of attending church. Of course the walk led us to Fairhaven, which led us to Skylarks, which led us to a delicious breakfast under the big tree along the cobblestone path. After breakfast we headed back to Boulevard and spent an hour or so barefoot walking along the grass and playing with Gwen. I also told Luke that if I were to die, he needed to remarry as soon as possible for Gwen's sake. I then gave him a list of girls he could marry that I thought would make a good mother to Gwen. He thought the whole conversation was completely ridiculous, but I felt better knowing my baby would always have a Mommy. I also asked him if he had a list for me and this was his reply:
"Yeah, no one I know".

Eventually we left and I quickly made Luke his favorite Blueberry coffeecake to take back with him to the academy. I wish every weekend could be as lovely and simple as this one. Friday can't get here fast enough!

Luke giving Gwen a crawling lesson

Week 4, Day 4 - A New Life

Luke Update:
Luke and his class will be spending the next few weeks at the firing range with their guns. Last Friday they practiced drawing and firing drills. Halfway through the day their training officer threw in "cardio firing drills". Its one thing to draw and fire when you're concentrating and breathing is slow and steady, it's a whole different game when firing while out of breath with the blood pumping through you head which slows your thinking. The officer would have them sprint a mile or do 20 burbees (sp?) and then draw and fire. They also did the same type of drills when practicing handcuffing. He has a huge exam tomorrow. I looked over his notes and wow, some of the definitions of the law are confusing! He got in "trouble" for leaving his wedding ring in the gym. The TAC Officer said he had to do a "self-report" to his wife on why it was left there.


This morning found me on the floor playing with my daughter. The sun was streaming through the windows, I had coffee in my mug next to me, and a tank top and skirt on me. It may sound like a dull morning to you, but I found myself wondering:

"Does it get any better than this?"

Between sips of coffee and little baby giggles I came to this conclusion: Nope, it doesn't get better. 


My days of waking up at 4:30 and heading to the office at 5:30 are over. Company parties, department lunches, co-workers birthdays, non-stop calls, and answering hundreds of e-mails daily are no longer part of my life. I've traded it in for baby squeals and screams, spit-up covered shirts and dirty diapers, cooking, shopping, and cleaning. I cannot tell you just how big a change this is for me. I started working at age 14 and never stopped. Even while in college I took on three jobs to pay the bills. I never could imagine what it would be like to no longer have a "real job". I loved working and being part of the office dynamics and drama. It was exhilarating, entertaining, and kept me learning consistently. Not to mention, I loved the paychecks!


Now I wake up at around 7:00. I feed my daughter, get a cup of coffee, throw in a load of laundry, and play with her. What a change from before! Sometimes the stir-crazy creeps up on me and sometimes I long for the learning and adult interaction I would receive from my job. I worry that I may be losing brain cells since my only companion is a 4-month old baby. I wish I knew what was going on in my department and I hope someone is taking good care of my dear customers (especially the retired war veteran who would call me daily from Niagara Falls, NY). Even though my life is new and nothing is the same I can honestly say:


"It doesn't get any better than this"


"A baby in the house is a well-spring of pleasure, 
a messenger of peace and love, a resting place for 
innocence on earth, a link between angels and men."


 ~  Martin Fraquhar Tupper

Week 2, Day 1

Luke Update: 


Aced his first test (which some of the seniors says is the hardest one), is a contender for class president (I have mixed feelings about that), and is drowning in assignments! Saturday we were up well past midnight working on papers, memos, and case studies. He lost 4 pounds the first week and weighs less than he did on our wedding day (has lost a total of 27 pounds since March). Personally I like a man who is not skinny so I am looking forward to putting some meat back on him once this is over. My favorite part of the weekend was learning the defensive tactics he was taught. If I'm ever in danger of being arrested, I have a pretty good idea of how to get away since I know what moves they're gonna use....not that I'm planning on getting arrested anytime soon. He is struggling with time management and prioritizing his projects so he will have to get a handle on that, but overall week one was a great success! It's still a long, long road in front of him though and he still has doubts that he will pass everything in order to graduate. 


Did you Know:
Bullet proof vests have an expiration date on them and,
22% of rookie cops will wear sunglasses while it is dark outside. Cool dudes ya know..


Week two is starting out much harder than week one for me. My motivation and energy is way down. It took all my will power just to throw in a load of laundry this morning. I miss him much more this week and can't wait for Friday. Gwen is my little sidekick though and we have lots to do together, but right now that little sidekick needs to take a nap!

Saying Goodbye