He gives me so much blogging material sometimes...
In the almost 3 years he's worked for the SO, he's only called me from there a very few amount of times. If he has a chance to change shifts/days off, he might call me, and the few times he's had to go to the hospital I'll get a call.
He came in today and told me he was crazy last night and almost called me several times. First-a little background-he has been given the job of Officer in Charge two nights a week. That means he has to act like a Sgt (go in early, stay late, and run the shift-but with no extra pay). They're also short handed and way full with a neighboring county's inmates adding to the bulge. So, he's having lots of those nights when he just goes and goes without having a chance to sit down.
So, with that atmosphere, he goes in last night and gets the run down from the previous shift. Lo and behold, Shane knows the guy in the holding tank. It's only happened a few times that he's known who he's booking in. There's been a distant cousin he grew up around and a guy or two who we've gone to church with. Last night he was just about to blow his top-it's so hard to book in a friend. It embarrasses both of you.
So, this morning we're doing our own shift talk-you know when I give him the latest family news and he fills me in on how work or whatever is going. The girls are especially needy for Daddy on Fridays since they've gone a few days without really seeing him. After we get them settled elsewhere, he's trying to talk to me but keeps falling asleep and mixing his sentences with nonsense as he fights drifting off. He told me two of the other county's inmates left this morning and took all their stuff with them. He stressed that last part, and I said, "Wow, I bet the property room is empty now!" He woke up a bit and just laughed...
I wanted to take a picture of him trying to read this morning. After the above happened, I turned off the light and started to leave. He said, "I need that on, so I can read." We both knew how that would go, but he tried anyway. I took a shower and went back in the bedroom to get dressed. There he was, book on chest, snoring. Poor guy. He's been trying to read that book for a week and is probably only on chapter 2!
I do love having him home during the day, it's nice...although I thought this morning that most people probably get in their recliners at the end of the day and talk. I have to crawl in bed with my husband to visit. Ahh, the joys of the night shift :)
Friday, May 30, 2008
Friday, May 2, 2008
Gun Control
You know, there are just things a wife of an LEO (or just a concealed carry guy) has to consider in life that others don't...
Is this purse big enough for his gun (not that I want it in my purse mind you, but you know how it is...)?
When he got out of the car, did he take his gun (or am I going to jail if I get pulled over)?
The kids have friends coming over, get the gun out of the living room!
Yes, dear, I'll check to see if Oklahoma is a recipcrocating state before we leave (we all know what that means and how to check it). Just an aside-what happened to the packing.org site-it had the most well organized info on the web and it's gone!
We also know what it means when he says, "How do I look in the back?" and he's not asking if those pants make his butt look fat.
Is this purse big enough for his gun (not that I want it in my purse mind you, but you know how it is...)?
When he got out of the car, did he take his gun (or am I going to jail if I get pulled over)?
The kids have friends coming over, get the gun out of the living room!
Yes, dear, I'll check to see if Oklahoma is a recipcrocating state before we leave (we all know what that means and how to check it). Just an aside-what happened to the packing.org site-it had the most well organized info on the web and it's gone!
We also know what it means when he says, "How do I look in the back?" and he's not asking if those pants make his butt look fat.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Hey Ladies...
Have you wondered where I've been? Well, this blog is just a challenge for me, in a way. I don't want to just write random stuff here. If I don't have something good to say, I tend to not say anything at all. I don't want to waste your time, after all. But I do think about this blog a lot. Too bad there's no counter for all the thoughts...
If you don't read my other blog, you might not know I'm pregnant with our fifth child. That is almost hard for me to write. I'm still getting used to the idea...I'm 1/3 of the way through and just finished my first trimester. The nausea is fading, thankfully!
I have wanted to post some thoughts about LE men and how we all know they get harder; more cynical the longer they stay in LE. I thought this was just a given. I've read about it over and over and I have even seen Shane get slightly more caloused.
However, in the last few months, I've seen a change. He's softened a bit. Now, first I need to say he's not mean or rough or anything, never has been.I've never even worried much about the changes. The changes I've seen probably couldn't even be noticed by others, it's very subtle.
A few guys have come to depend on Shane for a shoulder. He's honored and humbled when they approach him and say they need to talk. When he tells me about it later, I can see in his face and tell in his voice he's almost taken aback by the idea that anyone would confide in him and ask for his advice. And it's not just other LEOs, he was even bold enough to answer an inmate's religious questions and pray with him, knowing it could be risky for his job.
I suspect a little of it is age and maturity, but I have a feeling there's more to it than that. The Lord is working in his heart and He's put some good friends around Shane to encourage him. I think this is simply the fruit of all that.
I share this not to brag on my husband (well, maybe a little...) but to encourage you. If you have noticed those little changes as well (for the worse), then don't just assume it's an inevitable part of the job. We as wives have a duty to pray for the protection of our husbands' hearts and minds. We can also pray for the right coworkers and non LE friends to come beside our husbands for friendship. The Lord is teaching me about this as it all relates to the tough field of LE and He's reminding me of the power of my prayers for my husband.
Remember, God is bigger than any LE issue and he can turn any situation around in ways we can't even imagine. So just ask!
If you don't read my other blog, you might not know I'm pregnant with our fifth child. That is almost hard for me to write. I'm still getting used to the idea...I'm 1/3 of the way through and just finished my first trimester. The nausea is fading, thankfully!
I have wanted to post some thoughts about LE men and how we all know they get harder; more cynical the longer they stay in LE. I thought this was just a given. I've read about it over and over and I have even seen Shane get slightly more caloused.
However, in the last few months, I've seen a change. He's softened a bit. Now, first I need to say he's not mean or rough or anything, never has been.I've never even worried much about the changes. The changes I've seen probably couldn't even be noticed by others, it's very subtle.
A few guys have come to depend on Shane for a shoulder. He's honored and humbled when they approach him and say they need to talk. When he tells me about it later, I can see in his face and tell in his voice he's almost taken aback by the idea that anyone would confide in him and ask for his advice. And it's not just other LEOs, he was even bold enough to answer an inmate's religious questions and pray with him, knowing it could be risky for his job.
I suspect a little of it is age and maturity, but I have a feeling there's more to it than that. The Lord is working in his heart and He's put some good friends around Shane to encourage him. I think this is simply the fruit of all that.
I share this not to brag on my husband (well, maybe a little...) but to encourage you. If you have noticed those little changes as well (for the worse), then don't just assume it's an inevitable part of the job. We as wives have a duty to pray for the protection of our husbands' hearts and minds. We can also pray for the right coworkers and non LE friends to come beside our husbands for friendship. The Lord is teaching me about this as it all relates to the tough field of LE and He's reminding me of the power of my prayers for my husband.
Remember, God is bigger than any LE issue and he can turn any situation around in ways we can't even imagine. So just ask!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
I love my bed
I wish I could take a picture of my bed, but Shane's asleep in it, so I'm sure he's appreciate it if I didn't take a picture.
First, to tie it into LE, it was a gully washer last night. Shane was at work, which is good and bad. If its going to storm, I'd rather he be home, but at least if he's at work, he's up watching the weather anyway and will call me if I need to do anything but sleep through it. Plus, it gives us the entire bed for all the girls to crawl into!
Early this morning, between four and six, I'm guessing, we were all quickly awoken by a loug clap of thunder that I'm sure initiated right outside my window. Sure enough, about five seconds later, here comes Hope. I don't mind, I kind of wanted them to all come in, like on Sound of Music, except I didn't sing, I snored :)
Anyway, I love my bed. After Hurricane Katrina, a friend of ours was trying to get a nursery ready and wanted to donate their king size guest room mattresses to a vicitim's family. I asked her, purely just for conversation's sake, if they'd found someone to take them. She said no and asked if we wanted them. On the inside I was screaming "Yes! Yes!" but on the outside I said, "Oh, well...I don't know, why don't you ask Shane?" Well, we eneded up with them, along with so much bedding I had to give some away.
We were able to bless a struggling little family with our old queen set, so it was great all around.
Then, last year, some friends went to the mission field and gave us their bed, the most beautiful bed ever. It has stained glass in the headboard (and the matching dresser) and sits on top of drawers. Another friend gave me the very quilt I'd been looking at online, so it's perfect! If I squint and try to forget the carpet square patchwork carpet from 1974, then I feel like a queen. I love the high thread count sheets (given to us) in the spring. Nothing is better than slipping into those sheets in that beautiful bed! Then having all my girls snuggle up during a predawn thunderstorm...that's just as good as it gets!
Having a night shift working husband can have it's benefits :)
First, to tie it into LE, it was a gully washer last night. Shane was at work, which is good and bad. If its going to storm, I'd rather he be home, but at least if he's at work, he's up watching the weather anyway and will call me if I need to do anything but sleep through it. Plus, it gives us the entire bed for all the girls to crawl into!
Early this morning, between four and six, I'm guessing, we were all quickly awoken by a loug clap of thunder that I'm sure initiated right outside my window. Sure enough, about five seconds later, here comes Hope. I don't mind, I kind of wanted them to all come in, like on Sound of Music, except I didn't sing, I snored :)
Anyway, I love my bed. After Hurricane Katrina, a friend of ours was trying to get a nursery ready and wanted to donate their king size guest room mattresses to a vicitim's family. I asked her, purely just for conversation's sake, if they'd found someone to take them. She said no and asked if we wanted them. On the inside I was screaming "Yes! Yes!" but on the outside I said, "Oh, well...I don't know, why don't you ask Shane?" Well, we eneded up with them, along with so much bedding I had to give some away.
We were able to bless a struggling little family with our old queen set, so it was great all around.
Then, last year, some friends went to the mission field and gave us their bed, the most beautiful bed ever. It has stained glass in the headboard (and the matching dresser) and sits on top of drawers. Another friend gave me the very quilt I'd been looking at online, so it's perfect! If I squint and try to forget the carpet square patchwork carpet from 1974, then I feel like a queen. I love the high thread count sheets (given to us) in the spring. Nothing is better than slipping into those sheets in that beautiful bed! Then having all my girls snuggle up during a predawn thunderstorm...that's just as good as it gets!
Having a night shift working husband can have it's benefits :)
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Need a boost?
A friend sent me this link yesterday-it's so great! It a site that has a lot of ministries listed with links to listening to each online. Many are familiar to me, but some are not. It would be fun to experiment and find some new uplifting, challenging messages to boost us on. Some I'm excited to see: Alistair Beg, Nancy Leigh Demoss, Focus on the Family (including their kid series, Adventures in Adyssey!), and Beth Moore. Go have a peek!
FYI-I just got Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement Officers and Their Families in this week. I plan to dive into it soon!
FYI-I just got Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement Officers and Their Families in this week. I plan to dive into it soon!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Night Out
Well, well, last night was a huge, fancy smancy evening. About seven years ago, Shane and I started a Pregnancy Resource Center and each year we hold a formal Gala with fancy dinner and a pro-life speaker. We all dress up and have a great time showcasing what God has done through the ministry while gathering/sustaining support. All of us board members, staff and close friends of the ministry host tables--which means we fill up a table with our friends who don't know about the center. Shane filled up two tables with his LE friends. Most of whom I've met, but only briefly. I was so pumped about getting to socialize with all his coworkers! I couldn't wait.
That all changed 2 days before the Gala. Tuesday Shane said he thought he had the flu. Wednesday night I had to drive him to the night clinic because he was so sick. I started to fear he wouldn't get to go to the Gala and I'd be all alone with all these officers, including his Sgt. and Cpt. When I got up Thursday morning, it was reality that Shane wouldn't make it that night. I was sick to my stomach and nervous all day long. I was on the verge of tears at points during the day, dreading the responsibility of keeping the conversation going with people I hardly know without my husband there as a buffer. What if I said something wrong? What about the very likely possibility that I'd say something stupid?
Well, I didn't need to worry. I got to sit by my favorite friend of Shane's, Officer H and another good friend of Shane's were at my table, and his Sgt and another guy I don't know sat near us. They were such an easy crowd to be around, especially Officer H. She's a blast and I had a great time chatting about all things from her future costume party wedding to her & Shane's huge fear of spiders. The funniest thing was when I realized that as we were talking about guns, we were both talking with our hands and making shooting motions with our hands. I quickly put my "gun" away when I thought about how we looked.
I probably still said plenty of stupid things, but thankfully no one let on if I did :) Oh, and the center raised $64K for the year!
Edit-in case you're concerned, Shane's slowly on the mend, but boy this flu is hard! He's pretty much one with the bed!
That all changed 2 days before the Gala. Tuesday Shane said he thought he had the flu. Wednesday night I had to drive him to the night clinic because he was so sick. I started to fear he wouldn't get to go to the Gala and I'd be all alone with all these officers, including his Sgt. and Cpt. When I got up Thursday morning, it was reality that Shane wouldn't make it that night. I was sick to my stomach and nervous all day long. I was on the verge of tears at points during the day, dreading the responsibility of keeping the conversation going with people I hardly know without my husband there as a buffer. What if I said something wrong? What about the very likely possibility that I'd say something stupid?
Well, I didn't need to worry. I got to sit by my favorite friend of Shane's, Officer H and another good friend of Shane's were at my table, and his Sgt and another guy I don't know sat near us. They were such an easy crowd to be around, especially Officer H. She's a blast and I had a great time chatting about all things from her future costume party wedding to her & Shane's huge fear of spiders. The funniest thing was when I realized that as we were talking about guns, we were both talking with our hands and making shooting motions with our hands. I quickly put my "gun" away when I thought about how we looked.
I probably still said plenty of stupid things, but thankfully no one let on if I did :) Oh, and the center raised $64K for the year!
Edit-in case you're concerned, Shane's slowly on the mend, but boy this flu is hard! He's pretty much one with the bed!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Good reads
I've spent some time on www.policewivesonline.ciom where there are excellent articles and a nice forum. While there, I've come across some books that might be helpful for LE families. I'll give you the amazon.com link along with the titles:
First, the "classic" I Love a Cop. I read this when Shane was in college. I don't love it, but it was somewhat helpful. I came away feeling the author wanted all spouses/significant others to totally bend over backwards 24/7 to meet their LE husband's needs and tip toe around their moods. Okay, I'm all for submission, and I'm all for meeting my husband's needs, but there is a balance! Anyway, it's not bad at all, I just got that feeling.
The next is the one I most want to read, but haven't bought yet. It seems to get the best reviews on the PWO forums. The author offers seminars that I also hear are great. It's Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement: A Guide for Officers and Their Families by Kevin Gilmartin.
This one has a section that describes the rollar coaster of a LEO's day-at work he's on edge, ready for anything to happen. He gets regular adrenalin highs. He's a hero. He's part of a team, a brotherhood. Then he goes home and is expected to help do the dishes, take out the trash and so on. Even if his home life isn't consumed with chores, it's still not a rush to be home, therefore many men will go to "choir practice" with they guys after work, work extra shifts, and/or other LE related activities to keep the high going. That pleases his wive very little! I don't know what solutions he gives, but I know a lot of the women who suggest this book say it really helped open their husband's eyes to what he was doing.
If you've read something that helped you, please suggest it, I'd love to check it out!
First, the "classic" I Love a Cop. I read this when Shane was in college. I don't love it, but it was somewhat helpful. I came away feeling the author wanted all spouses/significant others to totally bend over backwards 24/7 to meet their LE husband's needs and tip toe around their moods. Okay, I'm all for submission, and I'm all for meeting my husband's needs, but there is a balance! Anyway, it's not bad at all, I just got that feeling.
The next is the one I most want to read, but haven't bought yet. It seems to get the best reviews on the PWO forums. The author offers seminars that I also hear are great. It's Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement: A Guide for Officers and Their Families by Kevin Gilmartin.
This one has a section that describes the rollar coaster of a LEO's day-at work he's on edge, ready for anything to happen. He gets regular adrenalin highs. He's a hero. He's part of a team, a brotherhood. Then he goes home and is expected to help do the dishes, take out the trash and so on. Even if his home life isn't consumed with chores, it's still not a rush to be home, therefore many men will go to "choir practice" with they guys after work, work extra shifts, and/or other LE related activities to keep the high going. That pleases his wive very little! I don't know what solutions he gives, but I know a lot of the women who suggest this book say it really helped open their husband's eyes to what he was doing.
If you've read something that helped you, please suggest it, I'd love to check it out!
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