"I can't believe I'm getting paid to do this!"

Monday the 26th brought an event that Jay has been looking forward to ever since he first applied to the CHP: his first day on the EVOC course! Just between you and me, I think getting paid to drive a patrol car at high rates of speed was his whole reason for considering the CHP as a career in the first place. Helping people, shemlping people, it's all about the car! Of course I'm kidding. (No, I'm not.)

So, given my statement above, it shouldn't surprise you that it was "the best 4 hours" he's had at the Academy thus far. He called me that night and was as giddy as I've ever seen (heard) him, and that's including after I said I would marry him! He spent the majority of the conversation giving me the details, but I have to admit I don't remember much because I'm old and have 3 young kids that feed off of my remaining brain cells.

What I do remember is this:

The cadets go to EVOC in small groups and are taken for a "ride-along" across the course with an instructor so that they know what they're supposed to do. Of course, they only go through it once with the instructor so it's not like they're very prepared when they get in the car by themselves, but that didn't stop Jay from being excited. He had the patrol car window down and yelled (probably in the same giddy voice he used on the phone with me) to Fernandez, the cadet next to him, "Isn't this cool?!? I can't believe I'm getting paid to do this!"

He then proceeded to drive the course 4 or 5 times, moving in and out of cones, doing various moves and stops as he was instructed. He was also required to back-up for about half a mile "as fast as he dared," and then whip the car into a parking space. He couldn't tell me how fast he got up to because he obviously couldn't turn around and check, but knowing Jay I'm sure it was pretty fast. He was actually being tested on all of this, and he passed!! Whoo hoo!! The first phase of EVOC is done! Up next: The Skid Pan. Yes, it's as daunting as it sounds.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

The longest 3 days & the shortest 4 days

For a short week, Week 6 sure did drag.

For Jay, it was a tough week physically because he started double PT and had it all three days. (Double PT means he does his company's floor workout then stays in the gym and joins the next company for their floor workout. He then goes on a run with that company. Ugh!)

It was tough academically because they had a pop quiz on Monday which at least half of Jay's class failed. The half that failed do not get liberty this coming Wednesday. And yes, Jay was in the half that failed.

It was a tough week emotionally because an officer was killed in the line of duty over the weekend prior. The cadets (along with the family, other officers, the CHP Commissioner, and the Governor) attended a bell-ringing ceremony in his honor on Monday. It is a terrible loss for the CHP family and obviously brings home the fact that Jay's chosen career is a dangerous one. We don't focus on that too much, of course, but it's always in the back of our minds. For more information on Officer Miller, click here.

So, needless to say, Jay was beyond exhausted when Wednesday finally came. Surprisingly enough, though, the staff let the cadets out early (gasp!) and Jay surprised me by showing up on our doorstep 2 hours earlier than normal! It was a happy ending to a long 3 days. I'm not even going to tell you why my 3 days were long, because frankly I just don't have the energy right now. It's amazing that I'm awake enough to even type right now.

Anyway... as is always the case, the next 4 days moved at the speed of lightening.

Thursday we had a very nice Thanksgiving at my mom's house, and then Friday we took a long winding drive into the Los Gatos hills to cut down our Christmas tree. We busted out the Christmas music and everything. We spent that afternoon decorating and telling the kids to stop touching the ornaments.

Friday evening my fantastic mom-in-law watched the kids while Jay and I did a little Christmas shopping. We were also going to see Enchanted, but we are getting old or something and decided to go home and sleep instead. I've heard good things about that movie though, so hopefully we'll get a chance to go another time.

Saturday we had a nice family day and took the kids to see Bee Movie, which they enjoyed, even if Beatrice spilled her water all over the theatre floor. Oh, Jay also helped my sister move that day. Dang ... we really had a busy weekend! Sunday was church, hanging out with Betsy, and saying a tearful goodbye to Jay. Blegh. It's really weird to dread Sundays, but I have to admit that I do. I only have to say goodbye 20 more times, though... I can do that.

Oh, and how could I forget? Our washing machine decided to gush water out all over the laundry room and kitchen floor. Good times!!! Luckily my landlord rocks and is having a new one delivered on Friday.

If you see me wearing the same jeans 3 days in a row, you'll know why.

Natalie's Thanksgiving Feast

On Natalie's last day of school last week, they had a Thanksgiving Feast with the other kindergarten class. Natalie's class was the Indians, the other class was the Pilgrims. They traded beaded necklaces, signed their names on "Plymouth Rock," and ate a turkey lunch together. Good times were had by all (except me, because I was battling a screaming baby, a feeling-left-out toddler, and a kindergartener who didn't want me to leave her side).

Pilgrims & Indians, chillin' together

Bea enjoying some time on the kindergarten playground

Models in training

In honor of Thanksgiving

Some Things That I'm Grateful For
Written by Amy
(Sung to “My Favorite Things”)

Finding a twenty in my back pants pocket
Going to LaFondue for the chocolate
Shopping at Target all by myself
Jay finally hanging up that new bookshelf

Moving from our old downtown neighborhood
Reading my scriptures (like I know I should)
Dancing and laughing with my hubby Jay
When the kids stop fighting and happily play

Austen and Potter and Halpert and Beasley
Never getting morning sick just kinda queasy
Winning at Skeeball with the highest score
These are some things that I’m grateful for

When Natalie whines
When Bea screams
When I’m hopping mad
If I remember all of my blessings
Then I won’t feel so bad!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

(and to clarify, the mention of morning sickness does NOT mean I'm pregnant!)

Just 22 more to go

Week number 5 of the CHP Academy has come and gone. In the words of Kip Dynamite... "yesss!" It's so nice to have another week crossed off.

So, can you tell Jay is losing weight, or what? He's lost somewhere between 12-15 pounds in the last 5 weeks. I have great plans for getting in shape myself while Jay's away... so far I've lost a grand total of ... drum roll.... 1 pound!!! No, I didn't forget a zero, it's only 1 (one) pound. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. Let's compare my workout regime and diet to Jay's, just for fun.

Jay

• Restricted 3-meals-a-day-no-snacks-except-maybe-an-apple diet
• MWF: Wake up at 0-dark-30 for 45 minutes of intense physical training plus a 2 or so mile run
• TTH: "Optional" PT, which really means "you-better-be-there-or-else PT", where he practices physical methods of arrest or does a shorter PT workout
• 3 days a week - PMA class which includes boxing and baton practice

Amy

• Run around like a chicken with it's head cut off and forget to eat breakfast until the girls are already eating lunch and I'm wondering why I'm so impatient and grumpy. Then eat half of Bea's PB&J that she left on her plate.
• Get on the elliptical for an hour once every 5 weeks

Hmmmmm.... maybe I need to reevaluate my program. But for now, let's move on...

The highlight of Jay's week was PMA class. As you saw in the Week 4 post, Jay made a practice baton last weekend and really made it a priority to practice the PMA skills they've learned up to this point. On Wednesday during PMA the instructors called certain cadets to the front to lead the rest of the class in the various baton holds and draws, and no one was able to to lead properly. The instructor was getting highly agitated and finally yelled "Does anyone know how to do this?" Jay was the only one who rose his hand, so she selected him to lead and ... he did it! I guess the couple dollars spent on PVC pipe and electrical tape was worth it!

The next day, Company A showed up to PMA and there was a little surprise waiting for them. The PT mats were laid out in a large square on the gym floor, and a few of the instructors were dressed in heavily padded suits. They spent the next two hours "beating up" on the cadets one-on-one while the cadets tried to fight them off with a padded baton. And guess who was selected to go first? That's right! That's what you get when you show off your skills! Jay was nervous of course, but he stepped up to the plate and besides a big 'ol whack to the head, he did good and was able to fight off his attacker properly. He was then able to sit on the sidelines and cheer on his fellow cadets.

The rest of his week was the same as usual... tough PT workouts, various classes, tests, studying, boot polishing, etc. Next week he actually starts DOUBLE PT, which will last for the forseeable future. He's obviously not looking forward to that, but he's trying to keep a good attitude.

A highlight of my week was when I looked at the CHP blog and saw this picture of Jay in his cadet blues.

Another highlight of my week... the girls using me as their client as they pretended to be hairstylists like Auntie Jen.

And I think that's all for now. I'm spent. I hope everyone has a great week!

One thing's for sure...

...there's no denying that my son is one handsome dude. (Go ahead, try to deny it!) BUT, I can't decide which sister Dex looks the most like. It depends on how he's smiling. What do you guys think?

Natalie & Dexter both around 6 1/2 months

Beatrice & Dexter both around 6 1/2 months

Week 4 in review

Week 4 is done! To tell the truth, things are starting to run together, at least for me. Here’s the run-down of the last week:

Academics – the cadets are in the classroom for a large portion of their day, studying various aspects of the law. One of their most time-consuming and important classes is Vehicle Code. It is the foundation for many of the other things they will learn in later weeks. They are also continuing PMA training and will be certified on the baton soon. (I suppose that should go under PT, but... too late.)

EVOC – the cadets started EVOC this week! They met the instructors and had a tour of the EVOC course. Most of what they are doing for EVOC right now is in the classroom, but the instructors have started taking the cadets in small groups for the very beginning stages of EVOC driving. Jay has not had his turn yet but hopefully he will this week. (Craig had his turn... see the Hartley’s blog for the report!) I know Jay is looking forward to his turn behind the wheel.

Drill – The beginning of week 4 included a *lot* of drill practice in preparation for the juniors to march during the Fountain Ceremony on Wednesday. The Fountain Ceremony is where the senior class has the privilege of polishing the names of the 211 fallen CHP Officers, which are listed on the fountain in the middle of the Academy Quad. It is an honor that the cadets look forward to.

PT – What can I say about PT? It is rough to be sure, but on Friday it was, in Jay’s words, “horrendous.” Apparently a member of Jay’s company told someone that PT wasn’t that bad (whatever!), and that comment got back to the PT staff. Uh-oh. They were NOT happy and they took it out on Company A for 2 hours on Friday morning. Jay was so sore when he arrived home on Friday; he was walking like a little old man. I loaded him up on Motrin and then we prayed that they wouldn’t have that kind of PT workout again this Monday.

Liberty – I am basically living from liberty to liberty. We took a trip up to Sacto on Wednesday to meet Jay at IKEA for dinner. It was so nice to see him. It provides us all with a much needed emotional boost. Jay also came home for the weekend, and we had a wonderful time just hanging out. Betsy watched the kids Saturday night (thanks, mom!) so that Jay and I could go on a date. (We saw Bee Movie... it was pretty cute!) The weekend went by way too fast, as always. The good news is that in a week and a half, Jay will have a 4 day Thanksgiving weekend! Whooo hoooo!!! I don’t think I could be more excited.

Bea watching Jay build a practice baton

My two favorite guys, enjoying the morning together