Being A Police Wife..I Mean Pizza Wife

There have been a few stories that have happened over the past few months that typically don't happen to the average family, but to the police family.  We typically order a pizza...oh, let's say once a week for dinner.  We do prepare a nice salad to go along with..if that sounds any better. The kiddo's need those veggies, right?  So, let me set this story up for you.  I met DH for lunch one day at this pizza joint downtown.  He had off, I was working near by, kids were at school, we take date time when we can get it.  Well, the host was someone who my DH had arrested on DUI a few months earlier.  Well, OK, we knew this because he was our host before and made a comment to DH.   A few days earlier, he had arrested the waitress for stealing and was under investigation for some other things.  We didn't think she'd be working, but the host as he walked into the kitchen yells, "Guess who's here.  And you're going to wait on him."  Yeah, very loud for everyone to hear. So, my DH gets up and says, "Sorry hon, we're leaving."  As we walk out, the host (who turned into this punk) sees us leaving and says, "Hey, don't leave, I'll serve you if you want."

So, let's fast forward a few months later.  We order pizza (not from the same place).  We are waiting and waiting and waiting.  An hour goes by (with two very fussy kids..and me drinking my red vino till the pizza comes), when we get a phone call.  Well, our wonderful pizza delivery boy gets pulled over to tell us he'd be late cause he got pulled over "by a cop".  Nice....DH turns on his radio and see it's his buddy that pulled him over.  So, he gives him a call on his cell phone while the guy is still pulled over.  It would have been very humorous, except the pizza guy had been arrested a few weeks prior to that...and now he is delivering to us...and knows where we live.  So, we call the pizza place and cancel our order.  Poor kids...had to fix them something in the house.  We're running out of pizza options folks!  Does this happen to you?

Tune in for some more police stories that have intertwined with our personal lives.

That Pill So You Can't Have Any More Babies

Scenario:  The kids are sitting at the kitchen counter stools eating their dinner.  We just went through the Pharmacy drive-through so I could pick up "the pill" which I was a day late. 

Me: (swallowing pill)
Jake:  "Is that the pill so you can't have any more babies?"
Me:  "Yes, you and Jordan are all I need"
Jake:  "I don't want any more brothers or sisters.  I just want Jordan."
Jake looks at Jordan
Jake:  "Jordan, I was waiting for you for awhile.  When you were a little baby, I was waiting for you to grow and grow. I wanted you for my sister."

Yep, got teary eyed on that one.  Don't know where it came from, but was the sweetest darn thing.

OMG My DH is an AH! LOL!

So, hubby asks the other day, "What does DH stand for?".  I know he likes to read my blogs cause in his silly, sarcastic way, he always brings up little things I say and we get in the lovey dovey battle of him being an arse.  So, in Stella's world, "DH" has always stood for "Dear Husband".  Isn't that sweet?  I asked my hubby what he thought it meant and in his manly state, he said "Da Husband"...what?  This isn't "Da Bears".  So, he thought I made this up and I said, it's web terminology like, LOL or OMG.  DH is just another one of them.  So, the rest of the evening, he said that my next blog would be, "OMG, my DH is such as AH."  He continued to mention it throughout the evening, so I told him he'd be reading about himself online next...Here's my promise to you love! And, to think I also made a promise to you 9 1/2 years ago.  But, the funny thing is, I did google "What is DH?" to make sure I was using it right....because DickHead did  pop up?

Framing the Future

This past October, I was an integral part of my children's first school fundraiser.  Now, I'm pretty proud of the laboratory school where my children go, as it is one of the highest quality 3 months - 5 year schools around!  We held a fundraiser where we brought in over $20,000.  Not bad for the first fundraiser we ever did.  Our event was called, Framing the Future.  We took the children's artwork and had a silent auction on the artwork which went over well.

So, on Friday, I picked up my 2 1/2 year old daughter with numerous painting projects that she did that day.  Now, I have a tupper ware bin for my son and daughter, where I put the "good" projects...all the others get tossed, or to be environmental friendly, ahem...recycled.  But, I saw these 6 paintings and they were pretty great!

And well, I got an idea for a lovely last minute gift for my family.

I went to Michael's and bought five 5 x 7 frames (on sale for $3.49 each).  Then I bought five framed mattes (is that the right word for $1.49 each).

I also purchased these cute little heart and flower shaped buttons to glue on to the frame after I was done.

It took me a few minutes as I framed the pictures just perfectly and cut them out.

I cut out the picture and added it to the frame.

I added the cute little buttons as the last touch, and call it, "Designs by JoJo 2009".

I am very impressed with my creative skills, as I thought I lost touch with my inner self.

Hubby came home from work at 7:30 AM this morning and was quite impressed with my creations.  I think I have a budding little artist on my hands.  A gift with a personal touch.....Happy Holidays Ya'll!!

Hoping That Phone Doesn't Ring

So, I often keep my phone on vibrate while I'm at work.  Then, I leave, shove my phone in my purse, get the kids, unload the car, make dinner, put things away....DH leaves for work around 7:00 PM.  As I finish cleaning up the kitchen, I take my phone out of my purse and instead of keeping it on vibrate while the kids go to bed, I turn it on loud.   We don't use a land line anymore and I wonder, God forbid, if anything ever happened, would I hear my phone ring if it was on vibrate?  I don't ever want that call...although DH says his Sgt. would come over to our house along with a few other guys that I know. 

I just put my phone on loud as I get ready for bed.  I hope all my friends out there never get that call....or door bell rung in the middle of the night.  Hopefully history doesn't repeat itself...I was the only one home when they rang the door bell to tell me about my Dad 21 years ago.

Be safe out there!

Turning 60 Twice

Sometimes you have to lose something to gain a wonderful gift.  A few weeks ago was my "step-dad's" 60th birthday.  The funny thing is, we actually had his 60th birthday bash back in October so family could fly out to beautiful AZ before the weather turned crappy back East.  We had 14 of his family members fly into town.  His 84 year old parents also flew all the way across the country for birthday wishes! 

Jordan and Great-Grandma Betty

Jake and Great Pops - they share the same birthday that spans 80 years!

Now these aren't my children's biological great grandparents, but they are the only grandparents my children have ever known.  I am thankful how they have shown so much love to my family, when they were just getting to know me in my rebellious teenage years.

Hanging out with cousins

Now, as I have the opportunity to spend quality time with my folks, I see how important it is to postive influences surrounding them.  I once cut out a newspaper column from Dear Abby or Ann Landers about a Stepfather's Gift, but can't find it anywhere.  If anyone comes across it, please share it with me.

So as we move toward this holiday season, I'm thankful for not just having one father until I was 12, but two.  Happy birthday Steiner....twice!  Thanks for sharing your family with me.

Fill In The Blank

So Jakey says this the other day.

___________ is better than chocolate.

Any takers?

Happy Thanksgiving

The past few weeks I have been extremely crazy and hectic feeling like there is not enough time in the day to do the things I want to do.  I'm sure many of you feel that way as well.  Right now, I am thankful that I have the next 5 days off from work and am leaving my office knowing everything else can wait.  I'll be enjoying this fine holiday with my husband, parents and children as my parents only live moments away.  From NY to AZ, I realize it does take a village to raise a family and that is why I am grateful where I am today.  Who couldn't be blessed when they have these adorable kids to raise!

Happy Thanksgiving!

From My Family to Yours

And now to bring out my personality, since I feel I haven't had time to show it...this is for all my new friends who are police wives:

WHY DID THE POLICE ARREST THE TURKEY?

drum roll please.....

THEY SUSPECTED IT OF "FOWL" PLAY!!!!

 

thank you...thank you...I'll be here all evening! And to you a good night!

Rare Form

Last evening was cozy as we all gathered on the couch for a little while and chatted as a family...OK, so maybe there was a show going on in the background....  Now, my son has never been the "nose picker", although many of his friends have been known to do it.  But, my daughter has started to exhibit some signs.  So, I see my daughter picking something out of her nose and she takes "it" and wipes it on the wine glass that was in my hand. 

Conversation went something like this:

Laughter and running around the room by Jordan after she did the deed.

Jake:  "That's not the kind of girl I'm going to marry."
Me:     "What do you mean, Jake?"
Jake:  "I'm going to marry a nice girl, someone who is nice to you, and nice to me"
            "Not someone who puts bugars on your wine glass"

You can't really see it well from this photo.  Notice there is no wine left in the glass. 

You have got to love kids!

I did it!

I drove by myself to Phoenix in traffic.  I got there without any issues.  I'm awaiting my flight back to Phoenix, and should have a quiet, late drive home.  I am proud of myself for conquering my fears.  What else is there to say?

The Honest Scrap Award

Thanks Mrs. Fuzz from A Police Wife for passing along the Honest Scrap Award. In order to accept the Honest Scrap Award you must list 10 honest things about yourself and then pass the award along to seven other bloggers.

Since I've been absent, which is equivalent to extremely busy and no time for ME, I thought I would go ahead and give ya'll some honest feedback.

1)  I am attending an E-Learning Symposium in Houston on Thursday.  It's a quick trip as I fly out on Wednesday and come home late Thursday night.  Well, and here's my honesty....I have never driven to the airport.  I usually will go with family or take the Shuttle.  I really dislike driving in traffic and the Shuttle won't be available to pick me up Thursday night...so I have to drive myself...Have you been to Phoenix lately? It's like driving in L.A. Lord, let me get through this!

2)  I dislike driving in large cities...in fact, I don't do it! (unless I have too) ;(  But, I will visit my brother and sister-in-law and have that route down pat!  I think this derives from my father passing away in a car accident when I was 12. Yes, that must be it!  I could be a psychologist.

3)  I use to pride myself and being clean and organized.  Since having kids, that has all gone down the drain...look what they do to me..all their art supplies...stuffed in tupperware bins..you should see my kitchen drawers...yikes!

 
4)  I was the Sophomore Homecoming Queen in college. It poured down raining in the float and at the football game.  I was wearing a purple suit..again...yikes!  What was I thinking?
 
5)  I have no patience for complainers.  Everybody has their story, so let's make it a positive experience.  Now sarcasm if a different case.  Sarcasm can be funny.
 
6)  I'm a bit insensitive when it comes to beggers on the street.  Again we all make choices to where we are today.  There are people that work hard and have mulitple jobs just to get by.  Plus, I listen to the types of people my husband has to deal with on a daily basis, and the "common people" will never understand.  Some of these people are the ones who put my husband in harms way. Ouch...did I say that out loud???
 
7) I'd rather read a book than watch a movie; however, I am a bit obsessed by the whole Jon and Kate Gosselin drama, but I haven't even really been able to keep up with that.
 
8)  I dislike talking on the phone. 
 
9)  As you can tell from the title of my blog...I would give anything for time away...at the beach..ocean...somewhere with sunshine and water, a cold beverage..perhaps an icy beer or fruity rum drink...and a good book...now that's the life....BUT...
 
10)  I would give anything to make sure my kids are healthy and happy. They mean the world to me, and even through all the sibling rivalry, fussiness, whining, strong willed personalities...I wouldn't change a thing.  And, I think my kids are the greatest in the world.
 

This kept them entertained for an hour this weekend!

 

Remember how easy life can be!!

Watch it through the eyes of a child and it will give you perspective.

Halloween Signifies The Start of the Holiday Season

I was very excited on Friday as I took my kids to Portrait Park By J for their annual Pumpkin Patch photos.  I've been going here since Jake was born and it is now tradition to get some great (and cheap) photo opportunities.  A few days before Friday, I thought that they really didn't have an outfit to wear, so I headed over to Children's Place (Had a 20% off coupon) and found the most adorable outfits for the kids this fall.  You see, we're going to be on TV next week and also have an event in Phoenix next Saturday, so these outfits will be worn well over the next month.

The only problem is Jordan did NOT want me to take her picture.  One trait she got from both her parents is being stubborn!  But, Jakey was all about posing in his little blazer and faded jeans.  When the original pics come in, I'll be sure to post it, as it turned out really cute!

Which leads me into Halloween.....please remember what I said about being stubborn.  I decided to get the kids outfits early this year..does mid-October count as early?  For what it's worth, Jake's Scooby Doo outfit was back ordered and they came in a few weeks later.  I was very proud of my son, who decided to go with Scooby Doo over a fake "super-hero" like Spiderman (which he was last year).  It was very sweet when he told me that Spiderman, Batman, Superman are all fake superheros.  His Daddy is a real superhero...In fact, I teared up when he said that.  And, my dear daughter has been in love with Mickey...see her 2 year birthday cake my Mom made her. 

So, she picked out a Minnie Mouse costume.  So, when the costumes arrived, Jordan all of a sudden wanted to be Scooby Doo and wanted NOTHING to do with Minnie Mouse.  Hmmm, I wonder why?  So, I figured out she wanted to do anything and everything that her big brother does, so I asked her if she wanted to wear Jake's Spiderman costume from last year.  Of course, her answer is YES.  So, both kids romped around "pretend" trick or treating in their Scooby Doo and Spiderman outfits.  As Halloween approached, we headed over to my girlfriends house where we all meet up and go trick or treating. I brought the Minnie Mouse costume, but had Spiderman for back up. Much to my delight...Jordan decided she didn't want to dress up at all...so she chose to go as the "yoga instructor" in her stretch black pants and sweatshirt. (Thanks for the pic JJ)

So, even thought Jo Jo didn't want to dress up, she still had fun trick o' treatin'.  She enjoyed running up to the house and hanging with all the bigger kids and laughing and enjoying the night. Fun was had by all on Halloween night, while my DH worked downtown Whiskey Row.  Let's just say he saw some very interesting and very skimpy costumes that night.

Now that Halloween has come and gone, it's officially the start of the Holiday season.  Let's plan the Thanksgiving Festivities, our trip to Greer to Santa's Workshop, and my favorite holiday, Christmas.  I love everything about decorating, making cookies, going to the Christmas parades, including the night time electric parade, caroling, all the Christmas movies....oh yeah...the holiday season has just begun!!

What Are The Odds? I Don't Do Math Well.

Picture this....(I sound like Sophia from the Golden Girls)...Sicily...1931...No really, it's a beautiful July summer weekend and I'm heading to Freedom Fun Station with the kiddos as we meet up with some friends.  There are soccer sign-ups out front, so I take a gander, as I plan on getting Jake signed up for the fall..which by the way, he continues to amaze me with every game this season.

So, I come across a reindeer (not real of course, even though I certainly do believe).  We take a gander over to the big reindeer and see that Santa's Reindeer have been kidnapped. Yes folks, it true. All of the reindeer are gone and Santa needed our help in finding them so Christmas would not be ruined this year.  Basically, you had to take a picture of it and send it to him.  So, since I always keep my camera in my big ol' Coach bag, I took it out, herded the kids together and sent in this pic.

Yes, we found Vixen!  Well, much to my surprise....OK, I'll admit, I seriously had a gut instinct we'd win this whole time, well..we actually won the North Pole Experience to visit Santa's Workshop, along with a fabulous prize package. So, we won a trip to Greer, AZ.  We get to take Santa's Candy Cane Express up to Santa's Workshop and build toys for other children with Santa and the Elves.  Then we get a tour of his workshop and go back to the log cabin where Mrs. Claus will read stories with us and we can drink hot chocolate.  There are also sleigh rides and just a good ol' traditional Christmas environment.  You should really go to the site to see for yourself as I can't express how excited I am for the kids...well and me too.  Along with this fabulous trip, we also won some other cool prizes like:

• Arizona Diamondbacks Gift Bags
• Annual Membership to the Phoenix Zoo
• Annual Membership to the Reid Park Zoo
• Weekend passes to Sunsplash and Cracker Jax in Phoenix
• Movie Certificates, Restaurant Certificates, Toy Goodies from a lot of vendors all of Arizona

It really is an amazing package.

So, now it looks like we will be on azTV - AM Arizona on Thursday, November 5th where the kids will meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and we'll be talking about winning this grand prize.  Then, we head to Stuffington Bear Company in Phoenix on November 7th where we will get the keys to Santa's Workshop and our goodie bag.  There will be additional media there as well.  So, this is my family's 15 minutes of fame.  It will be fabulous!

And I say, what are the odds...9 families in Arizona win this great trip...My family winning....you do the math!

Let's Get This Blog Rolling Already!

Well, I decided that it is time to get on board with this blogger stuff. I'm very familiar with how blogs work, hell, I even teach faculty at the college where I work how to create and use blogs, but I've never felt I had time to do it myself. To be honest with you, I've been torn in two. I have an alter ego personality. My first personality was really for educational purposes. I would post my blog about educational technology, online learning, teaching tips, but my heart was really telling me that I want to share information about being a Mom, being a police officer's wife...and really what a joy and struggle it all has been. So, when times are challenging, I always say it's about ME, Stella....and always about the beach..my happy place.

So, for my birthday weekend this year (end of August), my DH and I decided to go visit his Mom in Virginia Beach..without the kids.

It was fabulous to get away for a few days and soak up some sun. My MIL lives just a few blocks from the main Virginia Beach strip. We had fun riding beach bikes, which is not your typically sporty mountain bike..and yes, I almost wiped out. But, zooming on the beach boardwalk with a beach bike is amazing. We ate some fresh fish and got our fill of the beach. Just wish I could have spent one more day to myself relaxing near the shore.

I suppose I'll have to wait until next year..which if DH and I actually survive together, it will be our 10 year anniversary. So, of course, after we returned back to dry Arizona, I had to grab the kids and take them up to my brother and SIL for Labor Day Weekend.

They have a gorgeous pool, in which I am very jealous. But, we got to spend some quality time together. Mama at the beach the weekend before, the family all together Labor Day Weekend, well, almost all together..DH had to work...did I mention he is a police officer? So, when times get a tough...Stella is always about the beach!

Come back and visit, as I will be detailing you on the "Santa's Wonderland" Trip my family won!