Gifties!

Though I am mourning not being in Belize at the moment, I thought I'd update you all. My birthday, as you know, was two weeks ago. Now, my husband never ever - never gets me gifts, except at Christmas. He has surprised me over the years here and there, but his M.O. is no gifts. This is partly because when I need something, I usually get it before he gets the chance to get it for me, or we are usually together and agree to buy something or do something without thought toward upcoming holidays or birthdays.

This year the Hubby got me the best gift! Seriously! He got me a Garmin Nuvi GPS!!!! As I have successfully gotten lost in a box, this was the best gift ever. I had no idea how many ways there were for me to get home! Gosh I love that guy! :)

Just thought I'd share . . .

Happy Easter!

May the Lord bless you and yours as he has blessed me and mine. This morning we awoke to eggs and baskets and gifts. We are off to services now. It is cold and I wish I was still in Belize, but we are happy and healthy and we are loved by friends and family who we love immensly in return! Happy Easter!

Home Again

Well, we are home now. Back from Paradise. We had a wonderful time with fantastic friends, great food, good drink and I cannot wait to do it again. Now, I'll leave you with a fabulous picture from my crappy camera and I'm going to take a nap!

We be buggin . . .

Out that is! Going here. See ya in a week, if I decide to come back!

Happy Birthday

To Me . . .

I've leaving for Belize (in two days) . . .

Whoo Hoo!!!

More Birthday Fun!

I received a wonderful surprise in the mail yesterday! A Chrissy original! See, don't tell, but my birthday is this week too! What a wonderful gift, thank you so very much!!

Now, I think I will bake a cake to put on my beautiful cake plate, though my mama's dumplings look nice on it too!

Birthday Boy

Today, at exactly 6:50 a.m. five years ago, my baby was born. Wow! Five years! I cannot believe my handsome little man is five. He starts kindergarten in the fall.

He is my first thought in the morning and one of my last at night. He makes me laugh like no other. He loves me "to infinity and beyond plus 2" and I love him much more than that. He can lift my spirits when they are lowest - for example, whilst taking a shower at a hotel Saturday, he barged into the bathroom and announced "Momma! You look fabulous!" Of course, I was behind a wretched peach shower curtain and he didn't even see me, which is what I replied. He said, his voice trailing as he was leaving the bathroom - "well, I know you look fabulous, and when you come out of the shower you can see in the mirror!" Sweet boy. Full of lies, but terribly sweet!

Happy Birthday my little handsome man! I hope it is wonderful and that five is an year you remember well! The below picture was taken with my cell phone on Saturday right before the out of town wedding we were attending.

Brotherhood

When I tell people I am a firefighter (along with my husband) people are surprised. I am always surprised that they are. I live in a state with few paid fire departments. The majority are volunteer. I live and play in my community so I give back by serving with the department.

On February 29, 2008, a fire broke out in a neighboring community. All residents got out safely but one resident remembered her dog and ran back into the burning building. She didn't come out. Two young firemen - not from my department - ran in after her, they didn't come out either. The firefighters and victim were pulled to safety and rushed to the nearest burn center. The woman who stupidly but understandably ran in to save her beloved pet died. One firefighter was sent home with minor injuries. The other had severe burns to over 75% of his body.

I knew him. He was a cute and sweet and kind boy of 21. I say I knew him because yesterday he died. The pain - I cannot imagine. Not only his pain but that of his family. His brother and dad are in that department too.

Tomorrow will be the visitation and Saturday a full fallen firefighter funeral. Men and women from all over the state and country will attend to pay respects to a brother who gave his life trying to save someone else. The real heros as they say.

I will pay my respects with my flag and my badge covered in black to symbolize mourning. I will pray his family finds peace. I will pray no one in my department ever suffers such a fate and I will pray that someone steps up to the plate to fill his very big shoes. It is a brotherhood of men and women who put their lives on the line for their communities every day. It is, as part of that brotherhood that I will say goodbye to a good kid with a big heart.

I will continue to volunteer, I will hold hands of victims, I will cut cars into pieces, I will assist at burning buildings and I will remember that someone is counting on me to be there to help. So, next time you find out that someone is volunteering for their community and not just as a firefighter, don't ask why - ask why you aren't too.

10

No, not the name of a movie, not my age, my IQ, my shoe size or what guys flash as I walk by in tight jeans.

No, 10 - as in 10 days until rest in Sunny Belize. 10 days till I meet up with fabulous peeps for a fabulous time.

10 days. IT.CANNOT.GET.HERE.QUICK.ENOUGH!!!