The Life of a Fire Wife

He sent this to me and I just could've written it myself. Good stuff for anyone who knows this kind of life intimately. While it may not apply to many who read this, it is a very honest glimpse into our life.

The Sleep Deprived Firefighter

Life in Pictures: about 90 of them

7 months!

The joys of hangin' with the girls. This just made me laugh.

Grayson's surprise 16th birthday party, an old fashion scavenger hunt and the hunt stunts required. One of the 16 things on the list...a picture of the teams in pyramids. Lots and lots of laughs. 

Maybe this team cheated a little and found a willing photographer at the party hosting house. They returned a little earlier than their rivals due to the 30 below temps that drove them home to hot chocolate. To their credit, most of the list was achieved in the nearby neighborhood before experiencing frostbite.

The 16th birthday 16 item list. Good ole door to door knocking and all the fun that resulted. 

1. Old shoe

2. Toothbrush

3. Old key

4. Qtip

5. Recyclable item

6. Pencil

7. Pen

8. Broken toy

9. Toothpick

10. Hairband

11. Old book

12. NC state related item or NC state shape

13. Texas state related item or Texas shape

14. Band aid

15. Baggie of dog food

16. Picture of scavenger team doing a pyramid. 

I guess when you only get snow once every 12 months you have to experience it with your whole body....including toes. This was before flopping down in it and making snow angels.

Shift night party buddies. The background taking place is on the obnoxious side. Heaven forbid your head get cold but don't worry about the entire rest of your body. The baby girl sure is sweet....and quickly learning how to steal the show. 

Living the real life Game of Thrones forest of white. Pretty enchanting.

Guess who needs a bed lowered....right now. But she's entirely happy about it. 6 months and she has figured it out. This girl has places to go and people to see.

Daddy time. 

Early morning quiet.

Not feelin so hot. Sad pathetic baby girl. Organizing, cleaning, schooling, unpacking, sorting, donating, rearranging....while she hitches the ride of comfort. 

Talking to her baby. 

The very face of strength, perseverance and determination and the smiling eyes of triumph. This sweet girl ran 7 miles without stopping with a time of 86.48 minutes. A mere year ago she was not even able to run two entire minutes. So many tears and so much frustration a mere year ago. Now she finishes 7 with a smile and barely out of breath. How proud I am of how she has grown in so many ways. She is my motivation to get back in the game. My new running buddy.

Entertaining each other while clothes inventory is taken.

Kitchen help of the day. Some pretty good...and fun...company.

The novelty of coconut oil, iron skillet popcorn. It just never wears off. Why this is so amazing to us I'll never know...but it is an every night affair with everyone filling the kitchen to watch it pop.

Rowdy games of Mad Gab. 

Finishing it all up without any central heat and an indoor temp of 34 degrees. Fun days!

Sweet snow bunny baby.

The final days of The Love Project

Celebrating rain and warm Dec temps.

When shopping gets really fun. And yes...these really were in the men's clothing section. How can one pass that opportunity up?

Lots and lots and lots of laughs. 

...and the female version of the outfit!

The Captain & Tennille duo. Who can resist this level of 80's hotness????

I don't think anything in life ever prepared for me just how much fun these years would be. Someday there will be a blog post about our experience thus far with the teen years. How much I love this crew and this time in life with them.

When kitchen duty is no fun without a backpacking buddy. Maybe she's a little spoiled when she rarely ever sits still and is never...ever....alone. Makes for a pretty sweet, happy girl though.

Everybody there...minus the picture taking one.

The acrobats at play.

Hiking the trails.

After the storm passes.

Sunrise.

Waitin' around for the guys.

Maybe when you're #12....

Out doing business. Random note....these would be the bangs that she let a feral red headed 3 year old lovingly inflict upon her.

Finalizing the deal on his new set of wheels. Their new project. Great running condition. Ready to pour some of their own love into it. Should be looking pretty sharp by the time he hits the road.

Some sister talk.