Beauty and the Police

This is why I never had journals. I can never keep a journal or diary going for a consistent amount of time. I don't know if it is that I run out of things to say, or if I just am trying too hard to find the right words to place. I guess I'll get to it when I get to it. Wes still loves being a Police Officer ( I feel like that is never going to change). I find that he cannot wait to go to work and when he gets back, he's ready to still be there. Don't get him wrong - he likes having breaks, he is just really passionate about what he does. I digress... Trying to keep up with this again..we'll see!

Today is Saturday...oh wait...I mean Tuesday. Well it's Wes' Saturday. And so our life goes for the next year-ish. Today is Wes' first day off on his regular shift. He loves going to work every day and frankly I'm surprised that he even took a day off. I mean, the guy can't even stop thinking about work. For example:  For the past couple of nights, Wes and his BFFL have invited their wives to join them for dinner at places in their beat. Now, this is nothing fancy..I mean, lets be honest..its going to be free for them and probably a discount for us. These last two nights we've dined at Mazzio's and Bueno.  Both delicious, but both were filled of other noises... Wes' buddy has an earpiece that he has hooked to his radio so that no one around him hears what goes on at any time.  Wes has not graduated to the earpiece I guess, because our mood music at dinner time usually consists of calls from the radio hooked to his right shoulder and blaring in ...

I only really have a couple issues  regarding Wes working as a Police Officer is his schedule.  I knew he would get a lame schedule...but the more I think about it - this one REALLY stinks.  Wes is going to work from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m Thursday through Monday. Yuck. Having his 'weekends' be on Tuesdays and Wednesdays will be a total bummer...but I will look forward to Date Night being on Tuesday nights now! Isn't there some kind of dinner deals around here then? Maybe some Tuesday Night Movie specials!? I hope so... Another thing I am not looking forward to is going to parties and birthdays without him. This season is the worst, especially since both of us have our birthdays during December. Looks like everyone will have to enjoy a Wednesday or Thursday night party when it comes to  having us there! I mean, of course I'll go to these things...but it get old going alone after a while.  I just have to remember that this is what he wants. He loves going to w...

Both Wes and I have things that we would like to have, not only because we like them - but because they are useful! Lately, Wes has been talking about getting certain things for Christmas, or perhaps because he just wants to have them. Which I am TOTALLY FINE WITH because I know that it will make him happy. It is not the same for how he feels about my "slight" obsession with anything Vera Bradley. While I have tried to explain why I like it and that I buy it on sale/clearance etc., or other people purchase it for me - he is still not fine with it. I feel like I'm not hurting him at all with my love for it, so I'm not sure what to do! I mean, what I want and what he wants are pretty much the same thing! Let me do some comparisons:  Wes would make great use of this Oakley heavy duty bag for all of his Police knickknacks. And I would make use of this large duffel as well. For my awesome knickknacks. And then we have outerwear: Wes can utilize these ne...

Today Wes and I went on our 2nd annual trip to a pumpkin patch located about twenty minutes south. We went last year with a close family and this year, we added another family to our excursion! We took pictures on pumpkin piles, looked at the animals, went through a corn maze (well...it was a maze for the three year old...the corn was maybe three feet high...), saw some camels (yes...) and got to go through a wonderful dark hay maze that Wes kindly referred to as "The Hay Closet" where he was allergy choked. Ahh yes...wonderful times. :) But we did have a great time, and what a great way to spend our evening together before he went back to work! After dinner and watching the new episode of Psych ( LOVE ) my friend drove me home and on the way I was expressing to her about feelings about graveyard. After reading some of my co-wives and girlfriend's opinons I started to really question about how I felt. Am I being normal with perfectly being okay all the time?! Should I b...

After sticking with the pink/black/white blog titles that I have been - I have decided to step out of my comfort zone and re-design my blog. I am sure that this does not matter at all - I mean let's be honest ~ it's what I'm writing that counts...doesn't it?!  Nope. No it is not. I see all of these other cute blogs as I am perusing through blogspot..and I can't help but envy their creativity. Well no more! I know this may not be the "cutest blog on the block" but it is different and by golly..it took me a long time to do this!!!!  So high-five to those of you that can re-design web pages in a flash! Just be proud that I wrote code today! (P.S. I'd love to hear what you think!)

I thought there was a lot Wes had to remember when he was leaving for the academy.  He had to remember to take his bag, make sure his outfit was just right and then take his weapons. Pretty simple. Now it is another ball game.  Wes has this meticulous, and often time consuming ritual that he goes through before every shift. I am sure he is not the only police officer that does this - but watching him the other night makes me think - wow. First he has to make sure his favorite black compression shorts and a fitted underarmour shirt are clean and read to go. This can either be right out of the dryer - or somewhere on the floor/bed of the guestroom. It is all a sea of black to me. Second, he puts on his socks and nicely pressed pants.  Third, he puts on his belt and his kevlar vest. This is my personal favorite part because the look on his face when he tightens the vest is priceless. Like he is trying to squeeze himself to death. Fourth, he puts on his shirt...

There is a Police Officer's Bible. I haven't had the chance to purchase it for Wes, but I know it is something he would love to have and take with him in his car.  I did have the opportunity to look through it this weekend (thank you, Mr. Robison...you have been such a great conversation for Wes!). It is a version I am not familiar with (HCSB), but it has amazing prayers, and information in the back of it.  It also has a devotional section. I know that Wes is in need of a Christian connection at his work right now. He listens to his bible while running on the treadmill at the gym - but I feel that he isn't getting filled. I cannot wait for him to find that link within the force. I know it is there - I have heard about groups and so forth.  He can get an 'official' cross to wear on his uniform as well. I guess I am thinking about all of this because we have plans to go see 'Courageous' this evening. It is such an amazing story, and we loved Facing...

We are on the 2nd to last major shift of the FTO phase. Wes will be on his own in a little over a month's time! We are so excited. Don't get me wrong, he likes having a guy in the car that has more experience, but some things he knows that he just needs to learn himself. Right now, we are on Graveyard shift (which is really night shift...just from 9:30 - 7:30). I love how they call it Graveyard. It makes it seem so much more ominous, intriguing and scandalous.  And when I was looking up the origin of it's meaning, I came upon just that... 'Life in the 1500s': England is old and small and they started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a "bone-house" and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, one out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they thought they would tie a string on the wrist of the corps...

Being a Police Officer's wife is new to me. Wes has only been an officer for a couple months now, and I am adjusting to schedule changes, new traditions, being alone during church service, holding down the fort during fellowship with other couples and friends. I have gotten used to it, and I am getting in a rhythm and I am very happy and proud. I am still sad about what occured to our great country on September 11, 2011. Anytime I see any footage from that day, I tear up. I felt for the daughters, the wives, the relatives of the people effected by this. I have had these feelings for nine years before this. Every year on this day, it feels the same, such sadness. Today is different. This year is different. I now look at the footage and I only see Police Officers and Fire Fighters. I only see the people with uniforms on. I only think about how they are covered in the dust of the Twin Towers and yet are scrambling to get back to search for survivors. Heavenly Father, bless them and...

I really do. We got a two bedroom apartment now so that people can come stay with us! I was so excited that I even convinced my husband to get us a King sized bed so that our Queen could go into the new guest room! Little did I know...that when I told Wes that he could keep his Police things in the "GUEST" room that this would somehow translate to "POLICE" room when it came from my mouth to his ears. Oh, yes...we have had people stay here. Yes...we have had people over for dinner. Alas, it is still apparent that this is no guest room - but a place that has holders for all of my husbands things. The end of the bed/entrance to the closet. Someone thinks that putting my woobies ontop of his things will hide it... Ahh yes..that is the BED. AKA, shelf. Somewhere amidst these things is a wonderful display of Wes' treasures...somewhere... Needless to say, I'd like to have a garage...office...something. Where I never have to enter. Ever. P.S. Da...

Wes has been out in the field for the past six weeks and it has gone great, minus the fact a that little sleep takes place.  The fact that he gets no sleep may or may not be Wes' least favorite part of his job. Wait...no...he really despises wearing wool and a Kevlar vest in 104 degree temperatures. Maybe that's a tie?!  Well anyway - it is a bummer because he LOVES to sleep.  The job is going really well otherwise. He LOVES learning new things and he is really good at it (being a teacher, I am going to entitle myself to give these kinds of assessments...even if it may mean inflating my husband's ego a smidge). Out in the field, he got a few "least acceptables" and a few "most acceptables"  every night for the first few weeks. Now, he is getting most acceptables way more than least acceptables!  Ok, let me get these braggin' shoes off... This shift has been great for Wes. He learns so much, and he gets great calls. However, because it is from 4:30...

Wes has been in the field for two weeks now but this was the first week for me to be back to work as well. It was a definite change all around. While I am perfectly capable of being by myself, it is really different. But we have a schedule, and it works for us. Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start (holla to my Sound of Music home slices): 4:00 a.m. (ish): Wes gets home, kisses me to let me know, and goes to watch Sports Center until he is ready for sleep. 6:00: I'm out of bed. 6:05-6:15 Shower 6:16-6:20 Dress, get Wes' Uniform out of the dryer. 6:21-6:35 Iron Wes' Uniform and place it on the chair. 6:36-7:25 Make lunch, finish getting ready, pack up my things, etc. Kiss Wes and leave. 7:30-4:00 p.m. At work. (3:30 Wes leaves for Work). 4:15 p.m. Home 11:00 Bed It works for now, but in the mean time, I live for text messages, the feeling of Wes hugging me and for those THREE DAYS off that Wes gets!! :o) Until then, I'll be ta...

...And now back to our regular programming. Finally. Finally it is over. Finally I can have a peace of mind knowing that he is an OFFICIAL Police Officer. What an amazing accomplishment for Wes. I am so proud of him for getting through what he did.  This past week, Wes' mom, step-dad, dad, sister and brother-in-law came out to see his graduation. If it weren't for previous engagements, my family would have been here too...but I know they were cheering him on from Oregon and Indiana! We are both so blessed to have family that care abotu is and continue to pray for us. I love it.  The graduation ceremony was nothing I'll ever forget. It was simply amazing. As you walked into the gym, you entered the back of rows and rows of chairs with a middle aisle. At the back of the gym stood Police Officers and two Police motorcycles positioned at each end of the aisle. Since we got their early, we were positioned in a prime row (3!) and ready for the procession.  As 11:00 rolled a...

Don't worry, I have not perished. I have not been suffocated by gun cleaner, nor have I tripped and fallen over the gun-belt on the floor.  I am still here, still in the heat (literally...101 degrees yesterday) of the academy. But there has been some interesting events happening since my last post, so let me do my best to update on those. First of all, many of you may know that I flew out to Oregon at the beginning of the month to see my mother in the hospital. Without going into crazy details, you can check out her story/progress at www.caringbridge.org/visit/janetreiter2011 This last weekend, we moved into our 2nd apartment! It was an adventure. We are now on the top floor (3rd floor). Wes was not so happy about this...and my unsuspecting helpers (he...he..he...sorry ;o) ) were probably not thrilled either. They helped and smiled while doing it, though!! I am forever grateful. You are all loved and cherished friends that I will do whatever for. Thank you.  We are n...

Ok - So this year hasn't been the best year of remembrances for me.  I hate, hate, HATE using the excuse of my first year of teaching, my first year of marriage, Wes in the academy, and my first year away from my family as an excuse...but MAN..it has been TOUGH. Mainly, I am referring to birthdays that I have been forgetting. Wes has never been a big 'birthday' person, so this is definitely not up to him. For me, though...I know how important these days can be for people. And here I am...forgetting all of them. I even have a CALENDAR with them all on there! How can this be? My priorities need to get straight, and I apologize to my family and friends that I have been forgetting. So right now, I'd like to say Happy Birthday to those that I have missed this year. I appreciate you and I love you.

He's tired. Most days he comes home now and he has just ran 5.5 miles at the academy. This is all in preparation for not only chasing down bad guys but for their participation in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics this morning at 6:00 A.M. in downtown Tulsa.  So, last night after dinner, I found him under the covers, eyes closed at 7:30. I couldn't believe it. I am definitely married to a Night Owl so this was a new adventure! I can never go to bed THAT early, so I fed my usual Bravo addiction - a little Bethenny Every After mixed with Real Housewives of the OC. Splash a little My First Home and House Hunters from HGTV and finish it off with The Voice and I was out like a light. I never even heard him leave this morning! I know he had to leave at 5:15 to get downtown early enough (about a 15 minute drive). Hope he had fun...thats the last thing I'd want to do at 6 a.m.  A picture snapped for me by a Dad in my class, another Police Officer. Wes is...

Serving and Protecting! No one, not even the sun, will get to our little friend Ava!!

This is truth beyond anyone can imagine. Wes has always* (for what he can pretty much remember) had a dog in the house. Correction - had a dog...around the house. For it was not allowed inside because it was a husky and they don't like being inside :o). ANYWAY - he loves them. He loved his old husky and he loves his parent's new husky (coincidently named "Niko"....when I'm there...it gets very confusing.  "Where's Niko? Under the deck" Me: "Um..actually I am right here...".  This goes on and on...) Wes and Niko - Thanksgiving Snow When we pass a dog in the street...he will pet it. When he hears a dog bark, something inside of him decides "Oh! Maybe I should bark too! Maybe I know how to communicate with dogs!! Scientific Breakthrough!!!!!!!!!!!" And I am stuck next to a barking human.  Please, please don't start talking about General, the Phi's St. Bernard. Oh lord...the converstation will turn for at least an hour b...

This past week I was privileged enough to go to Atlanta, Georgia for the Orange Conference.  What a BLESSING it was for me. It was the BEST worship I have ever been to on top of all the amazing information I got from the conference. Changed my life. While I was gone, Wes had to stay here and continue on with the Academy.  This was BY FAR the worst week ever. On Tuesday, he was sprayed with OC Spray (extreme pepper spray). He was shot in the face with it (close distance), then he had to go through a scenario and eventually then he could go wash off. To wash it off, he had to rinse with water and Dawn Soap. He was literally pouring it INTO his eye! He said it felt better doing that then having that stuff on his face. Poor kid.  He also poured milk on his face, rinsed with cold water...but nothing helped. He just had to handle it!! Swollen, dawn soap running down his face...extreme pain!! He was also standing in front of fans for some minor relief. Trying to feel b...

We are very blessed in the fact that Wes is now making a significant amount more than he used to working at the bank. And while we can pay off more debt at this rate, I still find that a significant amount of money is being designated towards supplies for the Police Academy. Now - I understand completely. I do. Being a teacher, I realize the need for supplies...especially when you are not given any funds to get them by your company. Lord knows I have bought so many things over the past year or two for classrooms and myself to better the students experience. The supplies for the academy, though, are a wee bit different than pens, pencils, boarders, posters and hand sanitizer. We're talking endless supplies of square pieces of cloth to be pushed down the barrel of his shotgun and pistol, bottles of different solvents and solutions to spray down and foam up the barrels for 'superior shine' and of course, the never-ending supply of the actual long tool that thrusts these com...

Some of you read my blog title and giggle. But I tell you, my friend, this is no laughing matter.  I BEGGED for that kitchen table. For months, it went without chairs. Just a poor, helpless giant side table to our couch. Begging to be ate at. Begging to have green placemats adorn her top .  Get scalded by hot food and feel the chill of ice on glasses with the leftover of a ring from the moisture. Then, one day, she was introduced to her 4 counterparts. What a lovely set they made.  Dark brown "wood", easy to clean. This was the life.  I remember getting excited when making dinner so that we could sit at our new table and chairs. Running to the drawer with the placemats and napkins, knowing full well that it was just Wes and I eating ---but who cares!! I like having things look just so! Setting out the cloth napkins with the napkin rings on the top of the plates  (even though paper towels will be used). It's the idea of it. Just having that place to eat is a lu...

Today is my sister's 10th birthday.  And it is a total bummer that I will not be there for it, especially because it is TWO digits! I went back to Indiana for my Spring Break two weeks ago and it was SUCH a great time. In fact, it was such a great time that I found myself bawling my eyes out all the way home (two flights of people probably getting sick and tired of my sniffles). I know that it wasn't because I was SAD to come home...But instead sad to be leaving my family again. But I suppose this is just the facts of life when moving away from home.  Wes and I talk frequently about what we'll do in the future. We are always planning "get out of debt" strategies, house buying, children, and  what he'll do after the four year mark  at this police department is over with. While I would LOVE moving back close to family, I have made so many awesome relationships here as well as found a home church that is great for us. Also, I am not going to want to move when ...

Ahhhh it's been a while.... and by that I mean I started work again and have had zero time to update. But here we are! I have been motivated and encouraged yet again to keep up with my daily rants and raves of the Academy and Wes! Let's just say it's gotten ten times more stressful. Along with starting new activities at the Academy (Defensive Tactics and Range Days) he has new tasks at home that involve cleaning his new Glock 22C and his new Remmington 870 shotgun EVERY. NIGHT. FOR. TWO. HOURS. Yes ladies and gentlemen, two hours...of course on top of shining his boots.  He loves his new toys though. They go great with his $,$$$ radio and all of his extra police "stuff". Our coffee table.... I swear though, this guy could develop a worry syndrome by the time this is over with.  He is constantly thinking "Did I forget something?!". But I guess I would too if I had to remember all the stuff that he has to remember. Are my boots to a high sheen? Do...

It has been about three days since I have seen Wes. I am on vacation/Spring Break back in Indiana and while I am loving every minute of it, I find myself searching for Wes! What is he doing? Shouldn't he be having dinner too? What do I need to pick out for him to wear to "Special Persons" night at Griffan's school? I am assuming that these are all things that are expected to happen when you get married...you automatically have to think about what they are doing as well.  Feels strange! On an Academy note, I am sure that you read my last blogpost. Things were not well that week. I was getting extremely frustrated with the constant mess, having to listen to the Police Radio and somehow every where we went with people, that is what we discussed. This Spring Break has been a GREAT RELIEF from it all!! Wesley did get his guns this week. If you asked me to tell you what kind, I could not.  Their black...oh wait...one is a Glock. Yeah. And the other is a shotgun of somes...

Sometimes....just sometimes...I do NOT enjoy being the wife of someone in the Police Academy.

Our lives are nonstop. I feel like there is never a time to BREATH let alone write on my blog. I can't imagine what I'd do if I had kids right now too. This probably wouldn't get updated for months and months. Alas, here I am at the request of my (somewhat PUSHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ) readers ;o) haha...ready to give another account of this wondrous life.  As many of you know, I am a full time teacher.  I am sure that a thought creeping in your mind is right now would be "full time? riiiiggghhhttt...what about weekends? holidays? summers?". Without me having to go on a serious rant, let's just say you'd be thinking wrong thoughts. It is much more. Much more than I probably imagined.   Wes, for the most part, has a schedule down. To my disbelief, he still gets up peppy in the morning every day at 5:00 a.m. to go to work. I love that he kisses me goodbye, but what makes me the happiest is the fact that he LOVES what he does. For example: We were at a friend...

As most, if not all of my friends/family know, my favorite animal is the Polar Bear. I have stuffed polar bears, pictures of polar bears, posters of polar bears, blankets with polar bears on them, etc. Now, I have a husband who is an official "Polar Bear"! With and for the academy, he participated in the Polar Bear Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics on Saturday! I was so proud that he was excited to do it and he did SUCH a great job.   Even though it was 42 degrees outside and 32 degrees in the pool!!  He knew it was for a good cause and it was a great way for people to see the new recruit class! My good friend and her daughter came out to watch and support him as well. So proud and we got a good laugh out of it too!! Great job APOs!! An APO and Wes walking out of the frigid water!!  His Training Officer is standing behind them on his cell...why isn't he doing this!?? haha Wes is at the top left, haha...he is regretting this decision at this point!!

Stories from the Academy are sometimes too much for me to handle (gross) but mostly, I just laugh at the ridiculousness that comes home.  I love to hear about who Wes gets along with, and who he doesn't.  I love to hear about the exercises and other things, but mostly, I love to hear about what they talk about when they are trying to not think about the craziness! By now I have already mentioned all the funny PT they have to do (bear craws, crab walks, mountain climbers, etc) but now, apparently, its not funny anymore (at least to Wes :o) ). They went through some tough PT the other day that Wes could have done without! Also, they have given all themselves rules as well (which Wes is less-than-thrilled about!). Example: Buddy System.  This is apparently a Marine Corp tactic (correct me if I'm wrong, Becca!!) but now at the Academy, no one goes anywhere alone...even to the bathroom.  My husband can't stand ME going potty when he is in the shower, let alone having so...

Weekends are special for a teacher. Like their students, they get the chance to relax after a week of non-stop everything. Lucky for me, my APO gets the weekends off as well, which for the most part, has been a blessing and a time that we can actually TALK to each other about our weeks.  Now, I get to speak with my husband, of course, every day....just not in the most preferable situations. For example, to find out things to write on my blog about his day, it usually consists of  him in the shower and me sitting on the potty lid so I can get seven minutes of uninterrupted conversation. SOMETIMES we'll get to talk to each other while he polishes his boots, but since my husband is NOT a multi-tasker, this can become a tedious task of non-stop repetition for myself.  But I have gotten better about approaching him, so it doesn't end up like this anymore: N: "So today, I introduced a history project that my students are excited about!" W: (while polishing furiously) ...

For all of you that have not seen this video yet, Wes is NOT in this video, it is from two years ago. But, he is doing the same things!!

In APO news, Wes had somewhat of an interesting day yesterday. For the first time, he actually had a good, non-stressful day! I'm glad he did, because we did not need both of us at home suffering from "this job is nuts" syndrome. He only had to do one set of push ups for missing a road name and he didn't have to do pushups for being CLOSE on a non-directional!! When he told me that I had a smile on my face and politely asked "what in the world is a non-directional"! For those who are like me - a non directional is a road that curves a lot, it does not go just north and south or east and west. Nothing I'd ever want to memorize...I have my good ol' buddy Tom Tom for that! :o)  It is fun though to test Wes as we drive somewhere...he's like my own personal GPS now around here, a Wes Wes! Wes also has a bit of another issue involving a two-year old. We have good friends here in Oklahoma that have a two-year old daughter and for the longest time, she ...

If you're not already fans and have these on your "Awesome Mix" on your iPod...you should. These are just some "new" songs I've been listening to lately that will be added to my list of songs I already LOVE and you should TOO. In no particular order.... 1. "Sweet Disposition" by Temper Trap  2. "Mad World" by Tears for Fears (Thanks Shawn Spencer...in my head always..) 3. "Little Lion Man", "The Cave", "After the Storm"  by Mumford & Sons.  4. "Heartbreak Warfare" by John Mayer 5. "Haunted" by Taylor Swift 6. "Dog Days are Over" by Florence + The Machine 7. "The House That Built Me" - Miranda Lambert 8. "Airplanes" - B.o.B. 9. "Chasing Pavements" - ADELE 10. "If I Die Young" - The Band Perry 11. "Beautiful Bride"- Flyleaf 12. "Firework" - Katy Perry 13. "Radioactive" - Kings of Leon 14. "Alive" ...