Set Another Place This Thanksgiving

Where to begin...... I guess I could tell you that it dates back to the beginning fo February 2014.

Then fast forward to March 11, and a hiking trip with my mother and the boys. 40 acre rock is where we went. The 8yo and I hiked down to a waterfall and back up. I was more than winded. I couldn't seem to catch by breath, and was looking around for a respirator. I knew that I wasn't THIS out of shape. I realize that we spent a good bit of the winter indoors, but I had been hooping, so keeping up my "fitness" even on the days when we didn't get outside.

Something was up, and I had a pretty good idea what it was.

On the way home I stopped by CVS and picked up a few things, and headed home. After dinner, I decided that I would investigate a little more. One trip to the lady's room, and a very emphatic, "son of a monkey" later... there it was. Clear as day. ....

We're going to have a baby.

I went to the kitchen to grab the Hubs, and bring him to my new found discovery. He put on his reading glasses and read the directions several times, and in a very matter of fact tone, determined the test was faulty. I explained to this dear sweet man that you don't get false positives with these things, but I'll take another one first thing in the morning.

With sleep still in my eyes, and knowing what the result was going to be before I even got started, I took another test. Yep. Positive. Wow.

But... but... but... we were happy with our family of four. We were okay with it being just our two boys. Not to mention that *I* was DONE having babies. Now, George on the other hand, would have 10 kids running around if he had his way, but me? No way man, I had a real bad case of the OH HELL NO'S.

God had other plans.

I'm sure He is up there laughing.

We are now heading into our second trimester, and have had the appropriate genetic tests completed and are awaiting those results. So far, other than constant morning sickness and a little bit of low iron, things are going great! The boys are excited to have a new addition to our little family, and everyone is hoping and praying for a little girl. (No one is praying harder than me tho!)

Think Pink! Think glitter and tutus!

I will be honest, it took a while for it to really sink in with me, and for the shock to wear off, because I was content with just the fellas. I know that God has His hand in this, and that if He leads you to it, He will lead you through it. I have faith that everything will be wonderful and our new bundle of love will be healthy and bring us more joy than we ever anticipated.

Becker- Party of FIVE!

Our due date is November 8.

What 2013 Taught Me....

I have always heard that the older one gets, the faster the years seem to go...

I believe that to be a true statement.

It's hard to believe that here we are, almost an entire month into the New Year, 2014.Every year, is another chance to grow, and learn.

So what did I learn last year?

I learned that "seasons" for a television show are really too short.

I have learned that, as hard as I try, I still can not make gravy... well, at least not the edible type.

I have learned that time is valuable and that the first sip of coffee is just as invigorating as the last....as long as it's hot.

Nature is all encompassing..... even in the city.

Camping helps to breathe new life into your soul...and grows your appreciation for insect repellent.

The best things in life, truly are free..... trying to explain that to your mortgage company is a different story.

Hard work really does pay off.... until your oh so clever husband shows you an easier way.

Just because something is "one size fits all", doesn't mean it should be tested.

$500.00 can buy a lot of things..... and apparently a months worth of air conditioning, in the south.

You really can do anything you set your mind to... except fly.

Laughter really is the best medicine..... unless you are in the bathroom.....alone.

Pajamas are appropriate attire..... for Walmart, apparently.

True friends are rare....and so is cheap gasoline.

Air fresheners really make your home feel happy....unless the dog just passed gas....no air freshener can hide that.

Having a sense of humor is paramount. ...especially at the DMV...and the gynecologist. 

Political conversations always end poorly.... unless there's a punchline.  (bah-dum-dum)





I'm truly looking forward to learning more in 2014.

 

It Was Like A Vacation....

As I sit here at my desk, looking over the list of things that I need to catch up on, while waiting for my coffee to brew, and still wearing my pajamas, I can't help but feel as tho I am returning to work.

You see, for the past two weeks I have been out of town working. An opportunity came up for me to be able to earn some extra Christmas cash, so, I pounced. (In this economy, I'd have been crazy not to!)

For the past two weeks, I woke between 6:30 and 7:00am. I was showered, dressed, and out the door by 7:45. I stopped on my way to grab a cup of convenience store coffee and cranked up the Christmas tunes, to help lift my spirits. I worked, for the last week, outside, in rain, wind and cold. Yes, really. I honestly was chilled to my bones, some of those days. I kept my eye on the prize and pushed on. I dealt with unpleasant people and people that just warmed my heart. Some of these people that I encountered honestly made me feel like a princess. They would put up my tent, add walls to said tent in the rain, and even bring me a small space heater, to try to help keep me warm. (the heater wasn't the best, but it helped, and the thought behind it warmed me on the inside)

All of it, in the "normal" sense of events, was work. I was clocked in, clocked out, ate lunch, and received a paycheck. It was work, in every sense of the word.

For two weeks, "work" was my life. I was out of town, so my children were not with me. They were being cared for by their Daddy, and my Mom.

I missed them.

Terribly.

Today, as I sit here typing this out, waiting for my coffee to finish brewing, and still wearing my pajamas at 8:30am, I feel as tho all of that, was a vacation.

As I sit here looking over bills that need to be paid, appointments that need to be made, or cancelled, and the ever growing list of the things I must do before Christmas, I just can't help but feel like 2 weeks of "no responsibilities", was really a vacation.

With that being said, I will gladly take my responsibilities as a stay at home, homeschooling mom, over being a working mom, anyday. :)

Off to read some Christmas stories to my sweet little fellas.

Being a police wife is hard

It sucks.

Somedays.

Others, not so much.

Being a police wife means that you will never know when your husband will be home from work.
Being a police wife means that there will be nights that you sleep alone, or don't sleep at all, because you can't stop worrying.
Being a police wife means getting that last minute call that says he'll be even later than planned, because he has a search warrant.
Being a police wife means fishing bullets out of the dryer.
If you are married to an over achieving police officer, it will mean that your spouse has signed up for yet another special force.
That will mean even less time at home, than what you currently have.
Being a police wife means that you will encounter "badge bunnies", and some of them could even be within the department.
Being a police wife means that you have to trust, harder than you ever have, that the love he has for you and his family, is enough to resist any type of temptation.
That part isn't always so easy.
Being a police wife means there will be Christmas's celebrated on the 27th, or even the 30th.
Being a police wife means knowing how to totally rock a holiday, birthday or anniversary, no matter when it is celebrated.
Being a police wife means there are others that experience the same things you do.
Being a police wife means that your fellow LEO wives, will become your sister's, of sorts.
Trust them.
Being a police wife means knowing how to budget on an officer's pay, and making do, and sometimes not.
Being a police wife means that you may sometimes have to leave a public place, restaurant, shopping center, movie theater, etc. because your husband spotted someone that he has arrested.
You have to be okay with that.
Being a police wife means that the date night that you have looked forward to for three months, could quickly be interrupted if your husband sees a crime taking place.
You have to be okay with that too.
Being a police wife means that your husband may need to respond to a call out at any moment, interrupting your family time.
Being a police wife means that more times than not, you have to be mommie AND daddy.
You may have to grow to like playing football.
The way boys play.
Ouch.
Being a police wife means that the chances of your two little boys growing up and becoming police officers are pretty high.
Being a police wife means knowing that if your husband dies, all the funeral arrangements are already made.
Being a police wife means that you won't go through that alone.
Being a police wife means that he will come home and take his frustrations of the day out on you.
You don't have to be okay with that.
You can always remind him that you are not the enemy.
Being a police wife means being supportive, even when you can't find the courage.
Being a police wife means you will get asked questions about law enforcement.
It also means that you most likely will not have the answers to those questions.
So you'll get stared at.
In a confusing tone.
Just laugh.
Being a police wife means that your life is not everyone's idea of normal.
Your children may stay up until midnight, just so that they can get a glimpse of Daddy when he comes home.
Being a police wife means that you can easily become cynical to the world, because your husband is.
Be careful with that.
Being a police wife means that it's not always going to be easy.
Love him anyway.
Being a police wife means that you will go to funerals of fallen officers.
It means listening to your husband tell you stories of his friend that killed himself, because the pressures of the job became too much.
Being a police wife is really not as glamorous as they portray it to be, on tv.
I know these things because I am a police wife and I know that our family is stronger because of it.

~Carrie Becker

Letter to my 16 year old self.....

A few blogs that I follow (The Path Less Taken and freeplaylife)  are writing letters to their 16 year old selves. I think this was prompted by a great book by, Joseph Galliano titled, "Dear Me". You can purchase the book, here,  and a kindle version is also available.

So I sat around yesterday thinking of what I would tell a younger me, if given the chance. Would I give witty advice? Sarcasm? A tearful warning? No matter the advice I would give to a younger me, I can tell you that, without a doubt, ALL that I have experienced in my life, has made me who I am today. Without all those bumps and bruises, I wouldn't be me. There are a few things that I would change, and much that I would not.   My life is a testament that I am not, nor have I ever been perfect, but I AM perfectly me, and THAT is worth it all.

Dear Me,

       I know this may seem quite strange, writing a letter to yourself, 22 years in the past, but we are weird, you'll get used to it. ;)  

      I want to start by telling you that YOU are beautiful. Please don't waste another moment wondering if you will ever measure up. You will, and you will by far, exceed your expectations of yourself. YOU are amazing, yes, even at sixteen. I really want you to have more self confidence, because you will learn, that THAT is the most attractive trait you could ever obtain. 

     I also want you to know that you will meet a guy in another year, he's a total douche, avoid him. You know what, on second thought, don't. Go ahead and go out with him, you'll think he hung the moon, but he really didn't. You will think he is everything, but I can tell you now, he isn't. The ONLY good thing that will come from that relationship is your ability to not take shit from anyone, ever again. It's going to be a very rough three years with him. Oh, the first year will be bliss, but after that, it goes down hill, fast. He will leave his mark on you, figuratively, and literally. It's ok. In the end, YOU WIN. 

     Spend more time with your Grandma. I don't care how you get to see her, just go. She will pass away when you are nineteen, and your heart will shatter. Talk to her, more than you do now. Tell her you love her every single day. Take photos of her, so that you can save them for later on in life. You'll need those when times get hard, trust me. Oh, and get her to teach you how to make her nearly famous cat head biscuits. Go fishing her her, again.. and then do it one more time. She's fun, snuff, chewing tobacco and all. Make it a point to make her laugh, hold her hand, for no reason. Hug her tight. 

     I can say the same thing about your Daddy. You will lose him all too soon as well. He loved you more than you could ever know, and he didn't even have to. Listen with all your heart, when he tells you stories of how much he loved your Mom. He really did love her right up until the day he leaves this world. You will seek out a man much like your Daddy, and... {spoiler alert}... you find him.
     Try to pay more attention in history class. I know it's not your favorite, but you will one day wish you had. Apply yourself in Latin, don't just skate by. Yes, you will pass the class, but even after it's all said and done, you won't retain the information.... not that it will really matter, because to this day, you haven't NEEDED to know any Latin. Get out of the library!! Do you not realize there is an entire school full of people that you would find interesting? For every day of your high school career, you spent your lunches IN THE LIBRARY! I know you enjoy reading, but there are people out there waiting to meet you! Go!!
     You have no idea what is in store for you, just know that your life will eventually be so incredibly amazing. You're going to fall in love, for real this time, and he will love you for everything you are, and all that you're not. He will be amazing, this husband of yours. You will know, when you first see him, that HE is the one. It's crazy how it will happen. You won't have to wait too long.. you'll meet him when you are 20. All I can tell you is, don't pour the pitcher of iced water on him.
      I guess the main thing you should take from this, is, love yourself first and ENJOY LIFE. It gets SO much better!

                                                                                               XOXOXO, 

                                                                                                       Me

                                                                                               
    

   
   

New York State of Mind

The fellas and I made the trek north to NewYork, to visit family, while the Hubs is away on business. The drive was long, and trying, at times. It has been a great experience, full of wonderful learning and incredible laughter, shared with some of our favorite people.  I have so many wonderful stories to share with you, but only once we are back home, and settled in. until then, enjoy your family...live, laugh, love.

Peanut Butter Balls

For nearly 15 years, I have made peanut butter balls for my oldest brother in law. I haven't been such a great "sister" these past couple times that we have visited them. We've had two children, and sometimes, I get distracted. This tin, is the same tin that I have always used, when I bring him his favorite, homemade candy. I have told him many times, if he wants more, I need the tin back.

If you would like to make these yummy treats, here is the recipe that I use. These are approximate measurements, because over the years, I have misplaced the original. I can now tell if I need to add more sugar, just from the texture.

Peanut Butter Balls

1 small jar of CHEAP (off brand) peanut butter
1 box of confectioners sugar
1 package of meltable chocolate

Empty contents of peanut butter jar into mixer.

Slowly add the powdered sugar. The mixture will get increasingly harder for the mixer to turn, so you'll need to stop, and knead by hand.

Once the mixture is crumbly, and you can form in to balls, you've added enough sugar. (just about the entire box) Set the peanut balls into the fridge to set firm. (about 30 minutes)


While waiting, get your chocolate ready for dipping.  


Roll balls in melted chocolate and place on parchment paper to cool. 


Enjoy. :)