Truer words have never been spoken.
Lately 5ohHubby has been working overtime like its going out of style. And sometimes.. I wish it would.
Now, as far as this whole police wife life thing goes... I feel like I'm kinda cut out for it. I don't mind the long hours because I think the extra days off are worth it. I'm ok with holidays & birthdays on the wrong day and going alone to parties. I like to hear about the crazy stuff and I pray hard through the dangerous stuff. I guess I can deal with the give and take in this job because its the whole reason we moved here, so I kinda knew what I was getting myself into in the first place. Its something I chose just as much as he did.
But weeks where overtime is readily available and often necessary, they're hard... on all of us. Its hard to see him sad to miss out on time with his mother and mine when we only see each other a few times a year. Its hard to see 5ohBaby walk around the house looking for him and calling out "Oh? Daddy? Oh?" Its hard to know that the extra hours mean extra hours of danger. And it can be hard when all you wanna do is throw yourself a mini-pity party
So instead, today I am choosing to be thankful. We have seriously been blessed beyond belief and blessed beyond what I deserve.
I am thankful for a good job in these rough economic times.
I am thankful that if we save our money and budget properly we can afford awesome trips
I am thankful to be able to stay home with 5ohBaby when I know many mamas who want to and can't.
I am more than thankful for this man who works so hard to provide for his family.
I am thankful that he loves his job. I mean really loves his job.
I am thankful that he loves us. I mean really really loves us.
I am thankful for financial freedom and security.
And so, dare I say it, I am thankful for overtime.
Great post Ashely :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post. Sometimes when our wants and needs come in to play, it is hard to stay thankful for overtime and late nights at work. I myself struggle when my partner is home late, but I remember why he does it in the first place - to benefit me and create a happy life for us and then I am thankful. So thankful that someone is willing to put in the hard yards to help create a great life for us.
ReplyDeleteGood way to look at it :) I noticed you mentioned more hours of danger...Being a LEO is definitely one of the toughest jobs out there and is not for the weak. When you have those worries, remember to trust in his training to handle those dangers like they were second nature.
ReplyDeleteMy fiancee is a police officer and i couldn't have wrote this better myself. I am home with the kids (i do work very part-time) He works very late hours & i don't think anyone gets how hard it is unless they are with a police officer. I can't sleeping until he is home (even if that means 3am when he finally gets home). Over-time is the best & the worst. It does allow me to be able to stay home with the kids which i am thankful. Thank you for this post. (:
ReplyDeleteWe work with the local police department hand in hand since we own an impound yard. It is hard when the hubby is gone but you have a great attitude. Just stay thankful! I am going to read this post when I need I reminder!
ReplyDeleteI feel like I could have written this post myself! As a fellow 50 wife it is so hard especially with kids. Police officers are a special breed and for them I am thankful. My daughter walks around looking for dada too and breaks my heart but hes out there supporting us doing what he loves to do!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, love your blog design! Second off you are very strong.... I could not handle the overtime and holidays on the wrong day! You go girl!
ReplyDeleteGreat attitude!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I will try to remember your perspective when my love texts me right at his shift end saying he just arrested a drunk driver! thanks!
ReplyDeletegreat post...I am gonna try and remember your perspective when my love texts me right at his shift end saying he just arrested a drunk driver! thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI totally get it - my husband works overtime EVERY SINGLE WEEK. In fact, its so bad that if he only works 40 hrs we're strained budget wise because the reality is we are used to the OT paychecks. I'm pretty lucky though in that his OT is always early a.m. so the part I miss out on is the alarm not going off daily at 5 a.m. and late night snuggles because my man is passed out. But I agree, in this economy I'm so so so thankful that he has a job where they not only pay him but want him in more to pay him more.
ReplyDeleteAww sweet post!
ReplyDeleteBrian works 60 to 70 hour weeks 8 to 10 months of the year; however we don't get overtime pay. Darn accountants salary. Totally understand how hard it is esp with a little one. So thankful for all the first responders who work hard to keep us safe.
ReplyDeleteblessings.
Jac
Love this post and I know exactly what you mean. Sunday was my husband's first day off in 3 weeks, along with working long hours. He has been working like crazy and I am thankful for it but I miss him so much at the same time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great attitude!!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and love love love it! This is a great post and it definitely sounds like you are a great police wife!
ReplyDeleteLindsey
www.creativelyclassy.blogspot.com
I am stopping by from Living In Yellow and I seriously had a little mini dance party when I read that you went to FSU! I am a senior here right now and I absolutely love it!! Go Noles!! I think we can go all the way to the National Championships this year! If I get lucky enough to have a cute little baby like yours one day, I have no problem turning my degree into a MRS. Don't tell my parents that though ;) Your little one is so lucky to have a mom at home though. My mom stayed at home with me and my siblings and it was seriously one of the greatest gift ever.
ReplyDeleteit's extremely hard to be a police wife. You hit on some great points. I do a lot of things alone or don't do them. Because he's working and we only have one car. The danger aspect gets to both of us. But the benefits are amazing. I'm so proud. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, you are in my head this week for sure! The meth lab calls, the death investigations, and just plain 'ol overtime! And yes, I have become confident going to the birthday parties with three kiddos alone as well. But, you are so right. God has blessed us richly with brave men that keep both their families and communities safe!
ReplyDeleteMy husband is an EMT and we are dealing with lots of overtime at the moment. We are on week two and he has been home 2 days. It is really tough on us and some days it is really hard to keep it together. Our first baby is due in 3 months and that is when it will begin to really be difficult on us both. Thanks for posting topics that are near and dear to my heart.
ReplyDeleteAshley Richards
aprichards.blogspot.com
It makes me very happy to read this.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing your sweet heart!
ReplyDeletexo
I totes feels ya girlie. My hubs works like no joke.. and sometimes I get frustrated that he can't say no... especially since he's not getting paid the millions of dollars he is so worth! But all in all, we have to be their biggest supporters, right?! After all they are great cheerleaders for us!
ReplyDeletexoxo, Bev
Oh my heart was thinking the same exact thing this morning. I woke up a bit earlier and grabbed Judah from his crib so he could snuggle with me. As soon as he saw me he said "ahh mama" (what he calls me) and I brought him to my bed and he looked around and kept saying "dadee dadee" and my heart was a bit sad knowing that Scott had to work extra long hours again tonight. But then I was hit with that wall of gratefulness in knowing that I can stay in and snuggle with my sweet Judah and not have any other plans today but to hang out with each other because I can be a stay at home mom, that I am blessed that Scott has had his job for such a long time (especially in this economy) and I am so blessed that we get to travel with him sometimes (because of his frequent flyer miles) since Judah has been born we have been on the west coast/up and down the east coast and Florida. Also that i am blessed that Scott takes the Lords commandment to provide for his family very seriously and he works his hardest to do so.
ReplyDeleteSo the overtime stinks sometimes, but I am used to it and it sure does make those extra random days off so much more fun :-)
Thanks for posting this. My hubby is in the academy right now and works much more than 8 hours a day without getting paid for any overtime. It took such a long time for him to get hired and even though I am TOTALLY thankful he has the job, it's hard to remember when I can't talk to him all day! I loved this and love your blog - please keep writing!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that you can be thankful for overtime! I also experience a lot of what you're saying here....except the danger part. That would be hard. My hubby's a nurse, so there's really no danger involved whatsoever. But 12 or 16 hour shifts, working nights, weekends, holidays--and all that overtime stuff too, that part is the same! I don't have any babies to play with though so I'm grateful for relatives who include me in their holiday celebrations and stuff, otherwise I'd feel like an orphan. But I'm grateful for all those who do the work that's needed at the not-so-convenient times.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post! As the wife of a state trooper, I know just how you feel.
ReplyDeleteAaaand again, I can totally relate to this post!! I feel like I'm cut out to be a Military Spouse, but every now and then the deployment gets to me. I have to remind myself of the good, and then I can go back to supporting my soldier.
ReplyDeleteWow!! You are one selfless lady!!! Don't you love though how the Lord knows what we can and can't handle!! Way to choose thankfulness!! :) Great example! :)
ReplyDeleteI have a love/hate relationship with overtime/side jobs. I hate cancelling plans or not making any at all to accomodate the extra work but I'm also SO grateful to not only have the opportunity to get the extra cash but that I have a husband who puts in the long hours willingly! He worked side jobs basically every moment he wasnt working his regular shift all last summer in order to pay for my gorgeous engagement ring in CASH :) Those are priorities I can get on board with!
ReplyDelete--Amanda
Www.imarriedthedeputy.blogspot.com
What a wonderful post! New follower :) My husband has been thinking/praying about going into law enforcement. The job he has now hasn't been too stable lately, so I know that law enforcement would be better. He wants to help people & our community. I struggled with the idea of losing $ because he gets paid good now, but I am okay with the idea now. I have prayed & prayed! He needs to be happy with his career, something he isn't right now. He has talked about, if he gets a job, doing side jobs & stuff to help us out. I know he would though. I absolutely love this post that you wrote! Any pointers for me/him/us!? ha
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