Christmas Pictures 2017

We got on the ball early this year and took some family pictures. I waited until the last possible moment last year hoping it would snow and we could get some fun snowy white pictures and we just ended up freezing our butts off, sipping hot chocolate in the car every couple of minutes to warm up.  The kids were actually really great through it all but I figured it would probably be better if we just skipped that hassle and got them done just a tad early.  As usual, Kelly did an amazing job and although we had two kiddos who weren't all that into it we managed to get a couple good ones to use on our Christmas cards. Plus I got to wear a tulle skirt so all is well in the world.

Life Lately

I realize, as usual I've been slacking here on the blog, although in my defense updating this is not my top priority when I'm keeping up with the two littles.  Not to mention taking pictures is the last thing on my mind when I'm snuggling and playing with them.  I really do try to put the phone down and enjoy our time together.

We've been busy working on our Fall Bucket List and making good progress.  We've decorated the house for fall which Noah loves to help with.  We've picked out Halloween costumes, made some yummy desserts and other treats, we've been outside roasting s'mores, making fires, picking the last of the garden and eating all the raspberries we can.

We've watched way too much football for my taste, but Noah is loving it.  We even headed to to watch some GV football in person.  The kids loved it.  I crashed at the end of the night and slept like a little baby.  Two kids at a football game is tough work!  We've even taken our winter pictures for  our Christmas cards so we're for sure ahead of the game.  Now if we could just get Peyton to start walking....

Florida & Disney's Magic Kingdom Trip

We've been back from Florida for almost a week now and I really have to post some pictures!  What a fun time we had!  This was Peytons first plane ride so I was a little worried about how he might handle it.  He did great, or as good as a baby could do.  There were some wiggly times but he handled it like a champ and feel asleep for about half of both plane rides so I'll take it.  Noah is obsessed with watching movies on the iPad so he was super content and awesome to travel with.

When we got to Florida we rented a car.  It's so much easier with the kids not having to rely on someone else when getting around.  We shared a three bedroom condo with the rest of the family.  The kids and Jeff and I shared a room which wasn't the most fun with their loud sleeping, but it sure was fun and convenient to have everyone stay together.   We were out at the pool most of the time and then during nap times someone would stay back and chill while Peyton or Noah slept.

Our last day we went to Magic Kingdom.  I've never been before and really didn't mind one way or another if we ever went but I will say it's a great place for younger kids like Noah and he really had a great time.  So did the adults.  Luckily we had fast passes for all the rides we had which made it so much more manageable with an inpatient kid. Noah did so good on the rides.  He wasn't scared at all like some of the rides at Legoland in San Diego.  He even rode his first roller coaster and I couldn't be more proud.

The next morning Jeff drove the kids and I to the airport and we headed back home.  We were stopped by TSA and I received a nice little pat down.  They tested and then threw out my milk which was a huge bummer but eventually we got through.  A little stressful with one parent and two kids but we made it on our flight with a couple minutes to spare. When we finally landed I was so happy to be home.  We had a great time but the thought of everyone sleeping in their own room was so exciting.  We all slept all night without interruptions and woke up feeling much more refreshed.

You Win Some, You Lose Some

I'm starting to get really excited for the warm weather coming up.  We had such a nice mild weekend and we were able to go outside and kick the ball and catch some pretend bears with our blanket traps.  Peyton walked around the driveway in the walker while he watched Jeff and Noah run around.  Jeff also worked this weekend so we had to fill up some time with some fun activities.  Some worked, some did not.  We attempted to go on a walk on a new trail.  Peyton lost it and screamed the whole way, Noah decided he had enough after about 20 minutes and begged to go back to the car.  On the way back he fell of his bike and refused to get back on which means I pushed the stroller while I carried the bike back a quarter mile.  Needless to say, that part did not work out.  Peyton went down for a nap and Noah and I made dinner and we were back to normal.   On Sunday, we did get to make a special dessert during one of Peyton's naps.   Easter chocolate and cheesecake cupcakes topped with Easter sprinkles.  Noah is always such a good helper in the kitchen.  He loves to help me crack the eggs and use the hand mixer to mix everything up.  Of course he never passes up a chance to taste all the things.

With an empty weekend coming up and more nice weather ahead, maybe we can re-try our walk since Daddy will be home.  I'm ready to get the patio furniture out and start having dinners outside.  Not only is the sunset the best out on the lake, but there's so much less clean-up and that makes a happy Mom. 

San Diego, CA

What a great trip we had to San Diego last week.  It's taken us a couple days to recover from the time change and getting back to our routines.  Lucky for us Noah slept in a couple of mornings after our trip but we're back to normal now with an early wake up.  Peyton had a great time with Grandma but we we're all happy to see him and get some hugs and kisses.

The wedding turned out great!  We did get a little rain but nothing we couldn't handle.  Laura was a beautiful bride and we're so happy she finally made it down the isle.  After the wedding Jeff, Noah and I enjoyed an extended vacation and did lots of touristy things.  We visited a naval ship, walked around the whole city enjoying yummy food, visited Lego Land which was a blast, and even visited the seals at the beach during an awesome sunset.  We can't wait to go back to visit again since we have so much more to see.

Partners

Disclaimer:  Having been in a marriage with a shared computer many passwords are saved for many different accounts so I am using this as an opportunity to (lovingly) hijack my wife’s blog for this Valentine’s Day 2017

Being in law enforcement we use the term partners a lot, sometimes very loosely and sometimes very directly.  Some departments have assignments where officers work with each other all 40hrs a week for years at a time and others may just refer to their shift coworkers as partners.  Officers will tell you that these partners out in the field are essential to their work and also for life balance.  They are closest person to help in an emergency, the person who will help you process things that are tough to handle, and serve as a buffer to general life.  There are jokes, disagreements, achievements, successes, disappointments, and bonds that occur as a result of being with your partners all the time and there is not one person I have worked with that hasn’t helped me with some little piece of knowledge or advice that have helped make me better.

Post GVSU Football Game

The youngsters together at the 2009 MADD Awards

Similarly, and the central topic of this post, is how important domestic partners are to police officers as well.  And for me there is no person more critical to my everyday balance and growth then my partner, my wife.  Being a law enforcement partner is the worst; we work terrible, inconsistent hours, ruin weekends, sleep weird hours, mess up family time, and more.  We don’t exactly bring home a ton of positive work stories, although some are funny.  Instead you find our 3 year old son knows what a Taser is and asks if I took any bad guys to jail.  At most we go to bed together 45% of the time.  But the toughest part will always be that little doubt when I’m late or if you hear a lot of sirens going by the house.  I am in the fortunate position of knowing the situation while my wife may have to call in to check and make sure I am okay.  It has only happened a couple times but those phone calls are not fun to make for anyone.

Fortunately my wife is the best and she deals with all of these challenges I create and shoulders the load like a champion.  This was easier back before she was a mom and was given a bunch of solo free time but now with the two boys it’s a little trickier.  She willingly listens to my stories and frustrations and provides endless support to my needs, my goals, and career.  I trust her to say “hey dummy that’s a terrible idea” and sometimes (the less common) “Awesome suggestion, you should do that”.  She has without question helped me steer clear of some pitfalls as an officer and a supervisor with the insight and the viewpoint I do not possess.

This dynamic lifestyle is not without little victories.  Hugs with a bulletproof vest on are a little bit tighter even though it can be awkward to avoid touching any weapons.  Random middle of the week days off are fun to run errands and have dates.  And consistently one of my most favorite moments is when you crawl into bed in the late late night after a 10, 12, or 15hr shift after a big incident, arrest, or accident.  And there is that moment as you get settled in that my wife sometimes rolls over for a hug, or maybe just a hand squeeze or maybe just a little leg move to say, without any words, “Hey hubby, glad you’re home”, and then it’s back to sleep.

I am thankful for my partners at work, and I love my partner at home!!

Happy Valentines Day to all the partners out there supporting all the officers, hope you get to go on a date sometime this week, you know, when the schedule works out.