Tuesday, March 20, 2012

WBTB

I haven't posted in a while, truth be told I've been way too busy enjoying this beautiful weather until it's time for Peyton to go to bed!  I love this weather, 75-80 degrees, light until 8pm...this is why I love NC! 

This post is devoted to something very special and important to me.  A few months ago a girl I've known for years invited me and some of my friends to an LEO Wives get together.  We wanted wives from all different departments and agencies to get together for some girl time.  For those of you married to an LEO, you know how important a support system is.  We wanted to grow our support system.  We had such an awesome time and came back with several new friends, so we had another get together and invited even more women.  From there we thought, hey lets take this even further. 

Our fearless leader (and Director), LaDonna, talked to the Wives Behind the Badge Organization and got us approved to start a North Carolina based auxiliary committee (check out our blurb)! We obtained approval with the state of North Carolina to conduct business as a nonprofit and we have already gained a great deal of support from several other ladies and law enforcement agencies!  The WBTB organization is an awesome nonprofit 505(c)(3) charity which is based out of CA and is expanding nationally.  North Carolina has nothing like this to support LEO families and has been in desperate need. We knew there were probably many families out there that could use a place to go, or people to call.

There are national level programs such as:

Families Behind the Badge – designed to extend the same support we offer on our main Wives Behind the Badge forums to the extended family members of law enforcement officers.  All family members are welcome – parent, grandparents, siblings, children, cousins, etc.  There is a special secure forum for the children ages 12-17 of officers to connect and share with each other called Blue Line Kids.            

Scholarships – two scholarships per year – one for the dependent children of law enforcement officers and one for the spouses of law enforcement officers.

Blue Line Kids – As mentioned above, a secure section of our FBTB forums just for the kids ages 12 to 17.

H.A.L.O.S. – (Helping Aid Lost Officers Survivors) offers sympathy and support in the event of a line of duty or off duty law enforcement death.  A beautiful condolence card is sent to each family with the contact information for an Angel (volunteer) who is ready to help with any support needed.  Contact: h.a.l.o.s.@wivesbehindthebadge.org·          

Resource Assistance – a large part of our work and our volunteer hours are dedicated to providing law enforcement families with resources that are essential and beneficial to them.  Available by State or by Type.

We've had Meet and Greets and recruited a lot of new volunteers recently and have picked our very first fundraiser event!  I'm so excited to see where this goes and so proud of all the women that have put in such hard work to get this group going! 



Monday, March 12, 2012

Weekend Recap - Long with Lots of Pics, You've Been Warned

This weekend was an absolutely amazing one.  The awesomeness started on Friday evening.  I finally had my interview for my new position once our agency completes our merger and it was such a huge weight off my back.  I was one of the first interviews for our level, but I wanted to get it over with so I could enjoy my weekend without stressing.  Friday night was low key...lots of snuggling with the munchkin, then the hubby went out to work in the garage after Peyton went to bed and I spent my night cuddled in the bed with a movie and a big bowl of ice cream. 

Saturday we decided to hit up the Museum of Natural Sciences.  A friend of mine recently took her daughter and I really wanted Peyton to experience it.  I'm not sure why I hadn't thought of it sooner.  It's FREE, totally kid friendly, and I remember loving it when I was little.  Oh my goodness, we had so.much.fun!  We walked every inch of that place over the course of 2 hours and my 22 month old didn't whine or complain the first time (and used the potty there 3 times, woo hoo).  She "ooh'd" and "ahhh'd" at every exhibit.  She did so well, we took her to the gift shop and told her she could pick out anything she wanted.  After walking around the store for 20 mins, my sweet girl picked out a small 50 cent dinosaur eraser that she lovingly named "Tiny".  It really melted my heart.  After begging her to PLEASE pick out something else too (I never knew I would have to force my child to spend money), she settled on a $1.00 stick of rock candy.  Edwin and I snatched a larger dinosaur for her as well, just in case she wanted something else to play with later.  I'll have you know, she kept Tiny close all weekend and showed him to everyone that came by.  Who knew she could love an eraser so much. 














After the museum we grabbed lunch and barely made it home before she was out like a light.  We spent the afternoon playing outside.  Edwin and I were supposed to have dinner with friends, but Nonnie has been sick so we had to cancel our plans at the last minute.  Instead we got some amazing subs from one of our favorite local delis and a Redbox movie and had a little at home date night.


Sunday the hubby had a man date with his friend and they spent the entire day at a car show.  Edwin entered his latest project in the show and actually came home with an award.  While they were gone Peyton and I had a Mommy/Daughter day that didn't involve even leaving the house.  Peyton unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, I haven't decided) inherited my OCD for cleaning and loves to help.  She'll wipe the tables down with Clorox wipes, help me Swiffer the floors, empty trash cans, you name it.  We spent the day doing some serious cleaning (mixed in with playing of course) and it must have worn her out because she ended up taking a 3 hour long nap....it was Heaven.





I would like to point out one thing I didn't mention at all in this (extremely long) post...meltdowns.  Why, you may ask?  Because there weren't ANY!  That's right, we had an entire weekend with 0 meltdowns or tantrums.  Total bliss!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Past Few Days in Pics

We've been keeping things low key the past few days, it's been nice.  We have plans every weekend in March already, so I'm enjoying our relaxing nights at home.  Evenings have been spent lounging on the couch and cuddling...Peyton is an awesome cuddler (when she stays still for more than 5 minutes).  

Here are some pics from the past few days, and yes they're all of my little DIVA!





    (please excuse the mess in the background, I was doing some bedroom redecorating)