The Most Awesome Thing Ever

So, hubs is going on mids Easter Sunday night. We decided today that we would go just the two of us and have our final 3D/4D ultrasound of the baby. We've been dying to see what he looks like and with all the new technology we just couldn't help ourselves. I'm 34 weeks and the timing was right. They did all the measurements and fun stuff like looking at arms & legs and re-confirming he's a boy, etc. But then the most awesome thing ever happened. As the tech was starting to show us his amazing little face, hubs leaned down and talked to him sweetly through my belly.... this is what happened:

He made the most adorable smile at the sound of hubs voice!!! Such an amazing moment. I'm in love all over again!!!!!

Thank You Jesus and God for BOYS

I am surrounded by friends who are mothers to little girls. And although kids will be kids, it got me thinking about the many (many, many, MANY) reasons I am so thankful to be having my third BOY...

Firstly, I do not understand little girl politics. Like, you can't invite so and so to the birthday party because even though she may be your own daughter's friend, she is also friends with the "enemy". What?.. no, really, what?

Then there's Justin Bieber. I don't even know where to begin. I just learned who the dude was like two weeks ago. And I hear there is this, um, "Bieber Fever"??? Little boys don't listen to this stuff, and if they do, I blame YOU - mom and dad. Sorry but.. BLEH (shuddering). Wonderful, hilarious example here: http://2setsoftwins-helene.blogspot.com/2011/03/i-confess_18.html

Squeals and whining and what are those things called?? Oh yeah, emotions. Good LORD. I really love that if I tell my boys "no", they aren't afraid to bellow a wisecrack or throw out a smart remark in bold tone. I can handle arguing, smart-mouthing, even disrespect. I cannot, however, handle whining and crying. It's like the time I told Mr. Pants I was not going to buy him a monster truck and he said to me, "But I'm your best friend.. and I am NOT an asshole either, mommy."

Fashion: my boys could care less if they are dressed in someone else's clothes, let alone clothes that match. My friend's daughter cried for an hour because her SOCKS weren't the exact same shade of pink as one tiny little frilly thing on her t-shirt. I wanted to paralyze her vocal chords. My boys only think it's time for a bath when they can actually smell themselves and start searching their clothing for the source of the mysterious death/garbage/dirty feet odor. My kids will wear socks that don't match, a shirt that they aren't sure where it came from and on occasion, things that don't even fit. But they won't whine and cry over such fashion faux pa as the wrong color shade.

Being scared of creepy-crawly things on the ground. I watched a little girl at my son's preschool have an absolute panic attack over two microscopic ANTS on the sidewalk outside. She was literally sobbing and whining some unintelligible garble as though a knife-wielding attacker had just run up to her. Good Christ almighty. Mr. Pants thinks a baby crib is for housing pet chickens. Bugs? Oh he thinks those are for trapping with his hands and, on occasion, smashing. Depends on his mood. But I have NEVER, ever heard him go into hysterics over something with more than two legs.

And then there is the obvious. If I had a daughter, and if she survived to adolescence, ONE of us probably wouldn't make it much further than that. I can't imagine dealing with the "you just don't understand me" hormones or the "he really DOES love me" episodes.. or the PMS...

People say that children are a gift from God. I say give me the boys and you can keep the girls.

Time Is Cyclical, Not Linear

When I met hubs, I loved listening to him talk about philosophy, history, police work and all sorts of stuff. One of the things he opened my eyes to is something his Irish ancestors believed: time is cyclical, not linear. You don't just go from point A to B, etc., but can come back to many points in time, including where you started.

I am more than pleased to say that he is officially getting off of administrative duty and going back to the street. It has been three long years full of fear, doubt, anger and suffering - part of which forced him off the street temporarily and put him behind a desk. I am so happy for him and happy for me, too. After everything that has happened, I never thought I would say I'm glad he is going back - but I am. I had gotten so used to the chaos, the politics, the unfriendly schedule.. when it changed, WE changed.

That life is all we ever knew. And as much as I would find reason to complain, I had no BIGGER reason to complain than seeing the guy I love lose his identity and (almost) his passion.

So, as a cheers to us - here is my adorable hubs, fifteen years ago when he first started, in what he calls his "death photo"... charming, isn't it? I think he's a stud.

Totally Wiped Out

Well, the lunch was a HUGE success yesterday. I was at the hall with all the other PO wives and we had everything set up and beautifully decorated. I spent Saturday baking all of the desserts. Six gooey butter cakes, four brownies with frosting, and a DOZEN other cakes with different frostings.

It was quite hilarious that the Marshals actually fought over who got to take one whole gooey butter cake with them! Talk about a compliment!! :)

There was one thing that took me by complete and total surprise and made me very sad, besides the obvious. When the family came in, so did my friend from the department. (She dated my cousin for many many years and we became close during that time.) She looked distraught and after the events calmed down a bit, she came over and gave me a huge hug. She proceeded to tell me that she was with the Marshals serving the warrant that day. I had forgotten that after she made Detective, she was assigned to the Violent Offenders Unit. She is the officer who actually put out the aid call and helped carry him out of the house. I was so sad for her. I just hugged her and told her that she was one of the strongest women I know and that I was going to keep her in my thoughts and prayers and reminded her to take care of herself and her two beautiful kids. She told me she had cried so much she couldn't cry anymore but that the visits with the Psychologist will start on Tuesday and she is on leave for a bit so she knows she will make it. What a reminder of how difficult a job and all of the things that can go wrong in an instant.

Hubs and my bro came down when their shifts ended and ate and hung out... one of the highlights of the day was after the Marshals were "feeling good" (ahem).. they all decided that the pipers would switch instruments!! The pipers took the drums and the drummers took the pipes.. it was HI-LAR-IOUS!!! Got good video of that.

They also played three great little sets (the right way, ha ha) and it was just amazing.

I think the most amazing part of my day was when Stacia Hylton, Director of the US Marshals came into the kitchen and with tears in her eyes told us how thankful she was for all we had done. She said, "You know, these Marshals don't get to live near their families.. so when you ladies get together and do things like this, it reminds them they really DO have a family, no matter where they're at.. thank you all from the bottom of my heart. We were completely overwhelmed to see all that you were able to do with only a couple of days notice. Your time, effort and care mean more than I can ever express."

She was just an amazing woman. I don't think the day could have ended any better than that.

I call it a huge success!

Humbled

I was humbled this morning when I was asked to help host the funeral lunch for the family of U.S. Marshal John Perry this Sunday.

When the Marshal's service called, we were anticipating about 100 folks coming in from Washington and the rest of the country, but were moved to find that they will be rounding up 350+ leos and bringing them in for us to feed and entertain.

I am honored to be serving Marshal Perry's family and all of the folks in law enforcement. Here's hoping my service is up to par.

Please say a prayer for his wife and three children.

http://www.odmp.org/officer/20773-deputy-marshal-john-perry

What's New?

I've been on hiatus for a bit. Just a lot going on with us. License issue over, civil suit heading toward high gear... getting ready for this baby... I'm running myself in circles.

I only have 11 weeks left until Mr. Baby arrives. Holy crap, where did time go? I have all the "stuff" I need, just have done absolutely nothing in the nursery. Like move out the office furniture, paint the walls, reassemble the crib, haul in the dresser and rocking chair... but I did buy the paint. Doesn't that count for something? And it's no-voc so I can actually participate in the painting!

My basement storage room looks like a diaper warehouse. Decided to stockpile like 3 industrial size boxes per month since month 1. So glad I did. Made it easier to spend the money in advance. All of the baby clothes are washed and hung neatly in the closet and I picked up the last few things at Babies R Us. Baby bathtub, new stroller, bibs and burp cloths. I honestly can't think of anything else I need since I still had everything from previous baby.

Trying to keep my exercise up, although I am whimping out and have admittedly eaten like crap. SOOOO mad at myself. Damn girl scout cookies. Now that I've devoured most of them, I actually have returned to a more agreeable diet for a pregnant chic. Lots of fresh fruits and veggies, oatmeal, grilled chicken and occasionally a bite or two of red meat for the iron. No more pasta (didn't eat a lot of that anyway due to hubs), bread or fast-food.

Yesterday I felt like a cow that had been tipped. I love being pregnant, just hate having to go through this stressful legal crap at the same time.

The plaintiff's attorney was really grasping at straw's hoping we had a clause in our homeowners policy that covered civil suits.. uh, wrong! We were able to confirm with our agent that our policy strictly covers incidents related solely to our property. This type of civil suit would be covered under an umbrella policy, which we do not have. Yay us.

From what our team said, that really stuck it in and broke it off for the greedy, malicious piece of crap suing hubs. So much so that they anticipate the case being withdrawn. "With the cash cow gone, the attorney no longer has a real interest and will not recoup his costs in this federal case....".

I'm just tired of being tired.. and stressed.. and nickel and dimed to death. We WILL win, damn it.

Happy Valentine's Day to me

Hello wifeys out there. How many of you are celebrating this joyous day without the hubs? It's ok, we're all pretty much used to it by now, right?!

I am lucky enough (or unlucky enough, depending) that I can catch lunch with the hubs today. Woo hoo.. and the kids are at school (bonus!). He is working noons.

To start my day off right, seeing I'm pregnant and all, I've jumped right in with a gluten-free chocolate cupcake with strawberry icing and a very large cup of decaf coffee. This baby is going to hate me shortly, but for now I am happy to be indulging in this sinfulness.

I have to say that I have never been huge on Valentine's day, but it is a day I stop to remind myself that even through all the b.s. and tough times, I do love my sweetie. He is a great husband, an amazing father and my best friend!

Hope you and yours enjoy each other today, however you can! Love notes on the refrigerator, breakfast, lunch, dinner or midnight snack. Even over leftovers.