WSP Graduation

Andre is officially a Washington State Patrol Trooper. It is amazing how much work he put into this and what he went through. I got to ride home with him on Friday night and he told me some about some stuff that I had no idea about before then; it gave me a whole new outlook on how hard his training really was in so many ways.

Graduating from the WSP Trooper Basic Academy is a very cermonial event. Jeez, you get to shake hands with the governor...more than once! Gov. Gregoire is a big supporter of the WSP; her dog's name is even Trooper.

I flew to Seattle on Thursday morning and drove down to Olympia from there. I got to the academy at about 12:30 and was able to get a good seat for Andre's diploma and awards ceremony. He, of course, got his certificate of completion for Trooper Basic, and then barely missed out on the top cadet award for shooting. He was so close that the guy who got it is named Andre, too (what are the odds).

After the open house I drove to Tumwater/Olympia to meet up with our girls, my parents, and in-laws. All was good. They drove over and we met up in time to have a good dinner and then get to bed early (ish).

We got to the Capital campus about Noon on Friday. We got a smokin-awesome parking spot (a reward for clean living) and had time to walk around and check stuff out. As we walked into the legislative building (that's where the big dome is), we ran into the son of one of Tom's friends. Barrett (that's the guy's name) is the aide to Rep. Hewitt...so we got a tour! It was cool--we got to see the senate "floor" and the caucus room. Good stuff. Lots of marble (the building). It was really beautiful.

We then headed outside to watch the cadets (they were not troopers, yet) drive up in formation w/their lights going. The effect was impressive. They then marched inside...we ran behind them (they marched fast). We had a chance to visit for a bit, then the ceremony began. It was pretty short, amazingly. They took their oath and then received their commission cards from Gov. Gregoire and Chief Batiste.

THEN, we went to the governor's mansion for a reception. All of the new troopers (no longer cadets) had their pictures taken with the governor. Except us. We also got a picture of Olivia w/her daddy and the governor. It was so cute!!! I can't wait to see it. We were just standing around and the guy in charge asked if the the girls wanted to take a picture, too. Victoria was such a pill and refused, but Olivia was cool with it. I'll post the picture whenever we get it.

And then that was it. We picked up my rental car and returned it and headed home. Me and my WSP Trooper husband.

I've added some pictures...sorry the quality stinks. We need a new camera! If/when I learn how to add video, I'll try to post the cars driving in and some of the ceremony.

Historical Events

My students and I watched the inauguration of Barack Obama today. This year was the first time ever that I've seen so many of my students interested in the presidential election. I think the reason they were so interested is because there was someone running who captured their attention--whether they thought he should win or not.

We have former students who went to the inauguration (with 2.5 million other people). I'm hoping that we have a chance to hear what their experience was like. I'm watching inauguration ball coverage right now...I dig her dress. It's cool, but I think that she is feeling a little awkward in it--the train seems to bug her. Not that I'm a fashionista.

On another note, we had our second soccer "practice" today. The girls go back and forth--sometimes they want to participate, sometimes they don't. Olivia sat on my lap most of them time. Victoria got upset because she got run over--not that she doesn't run other kids over when she's going for the ball. It's funny to watch them play; they're pretty darn cute!

Changing topics again...I've been worrying just a little bit about Andre's chosen career (there is a small safety issue) lately. I can deal with it, though, but sometimes my brain goes into overdrive with "what ifs." So, today, the girls and I were on my way home from soccer and a KPD car came up behind me, lights and sirens going, went around and took off. I thought, "I hope Andre is ok...I wish my cell phone wasn't completely dead right now...what he/someone was trying to get ahold of me." The girls and I got home probably two minutes later and, lo and behold, our house phone was ringing. I raced to answer it and it was Andre. He was calling to tell me that he knows his schedule for next month. Weird, eh? I realize those of little faith think that's a coincidence, but I believe that he subconsciously knew that he should take that particular moment to call me.

I RSVP'd tonight for the reception at the Governor's Mansion. I felt a little ridiculous spelling out nine names for our guests. But jeez, what are we going to tell our families--thanks for making the trip all the way over here, now beat it so we can check out the gov's place? Please. Now I just need to make a dinner reservation for Thursday night and I think we'll be all set. I think everyone is excited. I talked to Andre's mom for about 10 minutes this evening and his grandparents are going to go--said they wouldn't miss it. They are so proud.

No more toddlers

I guess that we officially have no more toddlers in our house...Olivia turned 5 on Dec. 30 and Victoria turned 4 on January 17. They had so much fun on their birthdays and were super cute. They both got toys and clothes and, of course, ate a ton of cake. Olivia wanted a Hannah Montana party, so that's what she got. Why she loves Hannah Montana so much, I do not know, because she has never seen the show. Not once. A demonstration of the power of marketing. Victoria wanted a "pirate cake just like Daddy's." Last year, Victoria was barely 3 at Andre's birthday and the girls picked out a Pirate's of the Carribean ice cream cake for him. She remembered it and that was exactly what she wanted. So I ordered one...with pink border, though.

Graduation is coming up

Andre's graduation ceremony is coming up. It's very exciting; he finishes his coaching trip this week. We are going to an open house at the academy the day before graduation. Graduation itself takes place in the Capitol Rotunda (very beautiful) and is followed by a reception at the Governor's mansion (sounds much swankier than it actually is, I am sure).

I am really hoping we can plan a couple of trips once Andre is settled into his job. I want to try to do a short weekend in Vegas during spring break b/c my national boards portfolio is due prior to that--so I will need a vacation! Then, I'm hoping that we can go somewhere fabulous for our 10th anniversary (yes, it's already coming up...in August). We also might try to go to Portland this weekend with our girs. We'll see--I probably need to stay home and work on my national boards.

Things I do instead of working on National Boards

So, tonight, instead of working on my National Boards, I have been updating my Goodreads list. I discovered that I have read quite a few more books in the past few months than I realized; however, I have a long way to go on my list of 100. I'm currently reading The Berlin Stories, by Christopher Isherwood, which is pretty fascinating so far. One of the better ones on the list, in my opinion...but I'm only in the B's.

I also discovered that I could add a widget to my blog that shows the books in my "read" shelf on the goodreads site. How fun is that.

Ok, back to work...I'm actually accomplishing a lot tonight...determined to get this damn entry finished tonight so I don't have to work on it tomorrow when I go in to school (I have other work to do!). I can't believe winter break is over. So sad. It went by faster than any other winter break has ever gone by in the history of having winter/Christmas breaks.