So, What's it Like Being Married to a Cop?

I was getting a little frustrated with Tyson's work schedule for a while. We weren't seeing each other and it was taking a little bit of a toll on me. I just miss him, and it's hard not knowing if he's okay out there on the streets. Also, it's a little lonely at times. With THAT said, I found this interesting, yet VERY true and funny article written by a police officer's wife about being married to a police officer. After reading this article, it made me feel better because I realized that I'm not the only one who experiences all of the "fun things" that come with being in a relationship with a police officer. If you read it, it gives a whole new respect to a police officer's family. After reading this article, these are the things that I found that are SO TRUE with what Tyson and I experience now:

When I kiss Tyson goodbye and tell him to be safe, I wonder if that is the last time I will ever see him.

I have to be self-sufficient.

The article says that the wife has to keep the kids quiet while Daddy sleeps. Well, I have to keep the dogs quite while Dad sleeps.

Holidays together are almost non-existent.

The pay is terrible for such a risky and dangerous job.

You sleep alone almost every night.

When you think you're going to get that little time alone, he ends up having to stay later because of some late arrest, traffic stop, or someone calling out of work. Basically, it ruins the rest of the day because he has to sleep all of it.

I have learned where to sit in a restaurant with him so he has the best vantage point.

Although there are some yucky things that come with the position of becoming a cop's wife, there are some advantages!:

I know I'm protected when he's home.

I find out all of the juicy details and the dirty scoop on the "big wigs" of the city.

The news sensationalizes everything, so I get to find out the truth of the matter.

I get to hear the most adventurous stories that not all husbands can come home and tell their wives.

These are the main points that this author wrote in this article that was TOTALLY about our life right now. I laughed the whole time because it is SO TRUE!!! Anyways, I brought this up because I thought that it would be interesting, and it gives insight of how different life is when you're a police officer or you are marrying one. Below is the article. I do recommend reading the article. It is very informative, and you'll see how much Tyson sacrafices to do a job that pays him next to nothing, yet, he loves doing:

http://www.officer.com/web/online/Police-Life/So--Whats-it-Like-Being-Married-to-a-Cop/17$29366

The Two Boys

I have finally gotten a chance to take new pictures of Rosco in his growing stages. The link will be posted at the end of this blog along with pictures of my wedding bands. All of the photos you'll see of Rosco are of Tyson working on his bite work and prey drive. It's really neat when you see it in action. Again, this Wednesday, Tyson took Rosco to training and he continues to impress Bob our trainer. The trainer and the other fellow officers started hiding dope in cars for Rosco to find, and he found it every time. Rosco is only 14 weeks! I'M EVEN IMPRESSED! The chief of Montgomery County PD (I think) was completely impressed as this was his first time seeing Rosco. He told the trainer that he wouldn't find it, and sure enough, Rosco proved him wrong. Bob is continuing Rosco on bite work, and ROSCO LOVES IT! He thinks he's playing. In about two weeks, we're going to have to stop him on bite work because he will be loosing puppy teeth. We don't want to hurt our baby! I know I talk about Rosco more than I do about Precious, but he's changing every day since he's a new pup. The only thing that changes on Precious is her haircut, and sometimes that's too scary to talk about. HA! She knows she's still my number one!

On another note, Tyson and I have officially ordered the save-the-date cards, so they should be at our apartment any day now for us to send out. I've checked out my month by month lists of things to do, and we're on top of everything and on schedule....if not a little ahead! We're so close to getting the BIG part of the wedding paid for, so then, we'll have about 8ish months to save up here and there for items that aren't included in our package. But, there's not much! I'm so excited! I know Tyson was stressing about all of this, and soon he will be able to relax.....................................hopefully...................that is if I can keep him from looking way too far in the future and taking things day by day. A little at a time that is. It is so amazing how involved and on top of everything he is with the wedding planning. You don't normally see grooms doing this. But, it is so helpful since I'm pretty much doing this on my own. I'm so excited to hear that Tyson is going to cover his Wednesday night extra job for the next two weeks so he can have a full 2 days off. I FULLY support him doing this because he needs a break, and we need some time together. His schedule is tiring both of us out right now. Right now, he's off getting a massage. Good for him.

All in all, everything is going good at the future Sutton household. Busy as usual! Don't forget to take a look at the new pictures of Rosco! Also! I have a few pictures up of the engagement ring as well as my wedding bands!

THE PICTURES OF ROSCO AND MY ENGAGEMENT RING AND WEDDING BANDS:

http://picasaweb.google.com/reannins

Ring, Dog....Life....

Well, Tyson and I jumped the gun and already bought my wedding band, or should I say, wedding bands. It is actually a solitaire enhancer that has two bands that wrap around the engagement ring. They both have diamonds going around the bands, and it really showcases the engagement ring since it is so unique. When we were talking about what we were going to do for a band with my engagement ring, I had this idea in my head that I did not want an enhancer because I thought it would be a little much since the engagement ring is so lavish in itself. After looking at a few places, Tyson really wanted to look at rings at Jared's since he's such a fan of that place. We saw many that worked, but none that we LOVED. Tyson suggested looking at enhancers. I was a little hesitant, but, ironically, it ended up working out the best. Let's just say it definitely screams, "Hello I'm married," and when all three rings are attatched..............OH BOY does it sparkle! I kept asking the jeweler with worry that my hand was too petite to have the amount of rings that I had on my hand. Both Tyson and the lady reminded me that it looked beautiful. All in all, I LOVE it! It makes the whole package look different, and there are things about this wedding that I want to be a little different and not so traditional. Also, it definitely accentuates the engagement ring (which is an heirloom I might add), and shows of the beauty of it. It's perfect and I'm happy.

Tyson took Rosco to training today and they started him on bite work. From what I hear, Rosco is did awesome for his very first time!!! The trainer predicts that he will be ready for competition NEXT YEAR! I was amazed because I thought that was a little early, but they see him really progressing fast. I'm proud of my boy! He's such a smarty pants! Rosco keeps growing in size. I'm going to have to post more pictures. He's getting so big! He's starting to tower over my little Precious, but I don't think she's noticing it......or maybe she does???? But, she still plays with him and gets along with him really well. She'll jump on Rosco, and Rosco will lie on his back to let her win, so she'll growl pretending to be a big mean dog while she's pouncing on him. It's HILARIOUS!!! I'll have to post a video of it.

On a final note! I would just like to say that I'm finished with all of my classes this semester and I walked out with ALL A's!!! I think I'm motivated to wear one of those big sashy type of things around my shoulders at my graduation next year since I never got to wear one for my high school graduation.......HA!

Engagement Photos!

We have officially taken them, and they are now up to view! Yayyy!!!

Our friend Lauren so graciously took the time out of her day to take our pictures for us. I was so grateful. They turned out BEAUTIFUL and I am so excited! I love looking at them over and over!

Below is the link to the pictures. The ones I posted are almost every single one we did. We actually took about 240, but I didn't post all because some were doubles.

Right now, we're in the process of choosing which ones we love and then getting them all re-touched and fancied up. The one's you're viewing are the raw originals. Let Tyson and I know which ones you like! We would love your opinions since we love so many. It'll help us narrow it down.


HERE ARE THE ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS:

http://picasaweb.google.com/reannins/EngagementPhotos

Take Your Fiance to Work Day

I would just like to say that this Tuesday, May 6, Tyson and I are going to take our engagement pictures!!! YAY!!!! I can't seem to decide on what we're going to wear. I'm toggling between two ideas. I'm almost thinking that I might just have us bring the two outfits I'm considering to be photographed in since I can't make up my mind. Oh decisions, decisions! But, anyways, hopefully we'll get the pictures developed quickly after taking them so I can post them up for everyone to see.

This past Wednesday, I stayed home sick, and I pretty much layed on the couch all day. Tyson was gone all day at K9 training, and when he got home, he was supposed to go to his extra job. I was looking all sad and everything because we never get to really be with and see each other often, and I most certainly was sad that I was going to stay at home sick by myself. All of the sudden, he got this bright idea to bring me to his extra job. It is one where all he has to do is sit in his car and watch over a business. This was a PERFECT opportunity for us to spend time with each other because he couldn't grab the remote and watch the T.V. HA! All in all, it was nice to spend some quality time just sitting in a car together.

While Tyson was at K9 training this Wednesday, the trainer told Tyson some more stuff that he's figuring out about Rosco. Apparently, while the trainer was teaching Rosco to "Platz" (lie down) Rosco was lying down, but, at the same time, creeping towards the treat. The trainer kept saying, "Ah! Fooey!" to tell him, "No," and that he wasn't going to get it till he was pefectly lying down. After a few of the Ah Fooeys, the trainer was talking to Tyson. All of the sudden Rosco sneakily just lied down still. The trainer told Tyson, "Aha! Did you see that! He knew all along, but he's looking into how to do the least amount of work to get the treat! He's smart." Basically, the trainer says we have a very smart dog. This can be both good and bad. It's good because he'll learn quickly, but it's bad because he will try to out smart us. We're going to have to keep on our toes with him. Overall, Rosco is quite the handful and is TOTALLY different compared to what Precious was like as a puppy. I tell Rosco every day, "I'm glad that I'm young while raising you or else I wouldn't be able to keep up with you." I still love him to death though even if he drives me crazy most days.

The Break is Almost Here!!!

Ah yes! I have one more class day until I'm OFFICIALLY on a break. Well, actually, I have another class that goes till May, but it's a joke. I'm getting the tough class out of the way. I had my exit conference with my professors and they had GREAT news to tell me! Let's just say I got three "A's" for their class. This one class equaled three classes in one, so that's why I get three grades for those that don't know. Buuuuut.....I did receive some other excellent news that I'm only keeping to my family and REALLY close friends.

Also....do you know what this means......WEDDING PLANNING TIME!!! Now I'm able to REALLY start to focus on some things that need to be taken care of. First on the list is the engagement photos and save the date cards. I know I have been saying for a long time now that these will be finished, and I'm here to say that Tyson and I will be getting started on it REAL soon. I promise! I'm taking a two week break where I'm going to just "revive" myself and "freshen up" from this semester, and then I'm going to schedule with our friend, Lauren, to take the pictures. We are super excited!

Tyson is doing great,working hard as usual. Bless his heart. I don't know how he does it with his weird schedule, but I sure am grateful for all that he does for me so I can focus on school. It was because of him that got me those three "A's" in one of the toughest classes I've ever taken. If he didn't tell me to cut back on work, I don't know how I would have done it. Now I have to convince him to stop taking so many extra jobs and relax. He's going to wear himself thin if he keeps up with this. Anyways...He took Rosco to the Trainer and the K9 training on Wednesday. From what the trainer told him....we have a good dog. Rosco has a good bite, he's courageous, and he's going to be big for a malinois. Yayyy! I want my big boy! The only poopy thing that the trainer told Tyson is that it looks to him like we have a stubborn dog. I was like, "Tell me something I don't know!" It's okay. I love him to death. He's doing so good, and he learns really fast. He's hyper as can be, and he frustrates us some days, but he's a good boy. Once we get started with some obedience training with him, he's going to be a good dog. The one thing I wish he'd do is when I go to give him love and attention, he likes to bite out of excitement instead of "giving kisses" like some other dogs do. I wish he'd just give kisses. :( My arms sure are sore. :(

Overall, Tyson and I are hanging in there! We hope all is well with everyone!

Welcome Home Rosco!!!

Tyson and I would like you to meet.................ROSCO!

Currently, he is 7 weeks old and is the SAME SIZE as Precious. Oh yes! He's a big boy. His dad was about 90 lbs, and mom was about 60 lbs. We'll just see what size he decides to take. Rosco is EXTREMELY playful and is already quite the biter. His insticts are to bite anything in sight. Sometimes it's really annoying, but, we have to remember.... A)He's a puppy B)He comes from a background of bite dogs and C)We have to tolerate it because we don't want to discourage him from biting right now. Our trainer says we can help him learn to differentiate between what's appropriate to bite and what's not appropriate to bite.

The first night in the kennel was a bit of a nightmare. Tyson and I got absolutely no sleep! But, last night was the third night in the kennel, and he's getting better. He barely makes a peep now! He only whines a little when he wants to get out. He does not like going into his kennel. He plants all of his body weight on the floor to where we have to force him in it.

The potty training thing is going good so far. He's realized that outside is where he potties...but we still have accidents. HOWEVER!!!!!!!!!!! He gets SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO distracted when we're outside. He loves the little wood chips from the mulch and wants to chew on those. He'll start to sniff like he's ready to go potty, but then he sees a chip and pulls us to it.......COMPLETELY forgetting that he had to go to the bathroom. We're constantly redirecting! He also likes to stick his nose deep into the grass, lie down, and eat it. Sometimes he realizes outside is potty time, and sometimes he just wants to explore and play.

I would just like to say that juggling two dogs is QUITE the adventure!!! It's REALLY REALLY REALLY hard! The apartment isn't quiet anymore, and it's hard to get them both in one place at once. The best example I can give is during outside time. Tyson and I have found that we have to try to take them out one by one right now. Rosco wants to play with Precious while Precious is trying to go to the bathroom, thus, Rosco forgets he needs to go. If we do take both of them out, they are both too stubborn to come back in. If I have to take both of them out at the same time, I'll usually keep Rosco on a leash because he'll try to play instead of focus. I'll let Precious not be on one so she can go do her business while I hold him. When I'm trying to get both of them in, I'm holding Rosco in one arm while pulling Precious by the collar with the other hand (because she won't come in unless I do that). If I'm not doing that......I've got one in each arm. WHEW! I'm going to lose a lot of weight by the end of all of this!!!

Right now, Rosco is trying to be the alpha dog. It seems like he's also trying to "claim me" with Precious. When I'm sitting down and Rosco is off playing with a toy, Precious will try to come sit in my lap. I'll give her attention and love on her, BUUUUUUUUT.......Rosco will seem me doing this with her, he'll stop what he's doing and try to nudge her off of me and then HE'LL sit on my lap. He does this EVERY TIME. Apparently, he doesn't do this with Tyson. Right now, my poor baby girl isn't getting much attention like she used to . Also, they both like to play on Tyson and me, or around and near Tyson and me. They can never go off into an open space to play. They have to be touching us or something.

Anyways! Rosco is a cutie and a handful. It's certainly a huge handful with two dogs now. I'll keep you guys updated with every little adventure! Below is a link to MANY pictures of Rosco. ENJOY!

http://picasaweb.google.com/reannins/WelcomeHomeRosco