Kid's Calendar

You know your kids are anxious for fire season to be over and Daddy to be home more, when you see this on their calendar.

Of course we know that fire season really never ends (at least in CA) but for Daddy's crew is laid off in early November.  We are literally counting the days until Daddy is home more!!

It's the simple things.....

Occasionally I love to slip a note in my husband's lunch box.  And one day I knew he was leaving for a fire when the kids & I stopped by the station to give a hug & kiss good-bye.  I ran out to his truck and stuck a note on his steering wheel that said "I love you".  That was about 2 months ago.  The other day he drove his work truck home (we live on the FS compound) and I saw he had taped to his dash near the radio, the I love you note.  I couldn't help but smile when I saw it. Knowing he didn't just take it down when he saw it and toss it in the trash, rather he taped it where it was visible to himself and a testimony to others of our strong love.  I'm sure it's a reminder that back home, is the woman who supports him, encourages him and loves him.  So proud of my Wildland Firefighter and honored to be his Wife!!

It also made me realize how much our guys miss us when they're out on assignments....

It truly is the simple things in life that mean the most!!!

If you don't do something simple for your man, I'm challenging you to do it now.  And if you already do something, leave a comment in the comment section so we can all see other ideas!!

What's it like being a Firefighter Wife?

Yesterday I had to go to get my cell phone screen replaced at the mall.  I told the man one of my husband's firefighters referred me to him.  He said "Oh your husband is a firefighter, I give firefighter discounts."  After conversing with this young kid (anyone 20 years younger than me is a kid....LOL) about things, he said "So what's it like to be a Firefighter wife?"
Although I can list off things us wives are capable of doing when our guys are at work, it caught me off guard.....

Hmm....... What is it like?  

Not sure what's harder being a Wildland Firefighter who is gone from his family a lot, or being a Wildland Firefighter Wife who misses him terribly!! Don't get me wrong, I know their jobs are hard,  they work long hours, miss meals, go days without showering, work in extreme heat & at times difficult terrain, carry heavy packs, and can at times are sleep-deprived.  I know my job isn't tough like that, but sometimes being the Strength behind the Boots feels just as hard!  Just like our Firefighters, a Firefighter Wife must be strong and brave.

Making plans during fire season, means you have to be flexible! Knowing at anytime he can be called out for the next assignment, knowing he can be gone up to 21+ days.  Days-off aren’t guaranteed and appreciated when they get them.  We have to get used to going events alone, canceling plans, and taking care of the kids alone. A firefighter wife needs to be brave enough to investigate a noise heard late at night and help kids get back to sleep after a nightmare.  She needs to be capable of handling small emergencies (esp. with children). Mostly it’s about taking care of things that are usually divided between us, which now are my responsibility alone.  While they are gone, holidays happen, bills need to be paid, appointments need to be made, the lawn needs to be mowed, the car needs repairs and we need to tuck kids into bed at night and know how to answer questions like “When will Daddy be home?  Does he think of us when he’s gone?”  Some nights are lonely laying down to sleep next to his pillow.  Falling asleep to the late night TV show, rather than the sound of his breathing.  The quiet night noises are really quiet when he’s gone.  There’s many sleepless nights, especially if we know they are working night shift.  When he’s gone text messages mean the world and are extremely treasured.

Just like being a Wildland Firefighter is a rare breed, I think so are the ones who love them!!

(I wouldn't want to married to a man who is anything but a firefighter.  I love being married to a man who is as passionate about his family as he is his job.  As a 3rd generation Wildland Firefighter Wife, this is the life I wanted and prayed for.   I've been happily married to my Wildland Firefighter (Hotshot Superintendent) for 20 years and look forward to many many more with him!!)  

We call it the IF season.....

I've taught our kids that during the fire season months, we use IF a lot.

Can we go do a family day this weekend?  "IF Daddy doesn't leave for a fire"
Can we sit outside tonight and hang out by the fire pit?  "IF Daddy doesn't leave on a fire."
Will Daddy be able to go to Back-To-School night?  "IF he's not gone on a fire."
Can we go to breakfast on Dad's day off? "IF he's home"
Want to play a family game tomorrow night? "IF Daddy isn't gone on a fire."

We joke and say IF like it's a statement.  For non-fire families, they might be like "that stinks."  But as the years have gone by, being a wife and now mother living in this life, it's more of a surprise when Hubby is home at night, or gets his days off.  I usually expect a phone call during the day, saying they're leaving on a fire; more than him walking through the door at night.  Fire season takes it's toll on the family plans, and has changed things last minute but we've learned to be flexible.

That's why hugs & kisses are so important each morning when Daddy/Hubby heads out the door to work, we just don't know IF  he's coming home that night.

I count the days until the end of fire season, when he gets to stay home and use annual leave to be with us.  I love sitting next to him at night on the couch, or cuddle time.  I've learned to appreciate what we get, when we get it.  

Our kids are getting old enough to understand, that it's Daddy's job.  He would rather be home with us, playing games, family days or BBQing with us.  But we have to also know that our plans could change.  It's just the way this life in the Wildland Fire Service is!!

** Praying your hubby/boyfriend has had a safe season.  And that those of us carrying on the home front when they're gone are doing well, too **

Firefighter Fatality

Incident: Lolo Peak Fire Wildfire
Released: 16 hrs. ago

Sheriff McDermott is sad to announce that a firefighter assigned to the Lolo Peak fire was killed Wednesday afternoon. The Missoula County Sheriff's Office is conducting the coroner investigation.

Further details will be available once the investigation is complete and family members of the victims family have been notified.

Please keep wild land firefighters on the Lolo Peak fire and firefighters across the nation in your thoughts and prayers.

Always hits close to home.....please pray for family and fellow co-workers

Firefighter Fatality

Incident: Lolo Peak Fire Wildfire
Released: 16 hrs. ago

Sheriff McDermott is sad to announce that a firefighter assigned to the Lolo Peak fire was killed Wednesday afternoon. The Missoula County Sheriff's Office is conducting the coroner investigation.

Further details will be available once the investigation is complete and family members of the victims family have been notified.

Please keep wild land firefighters on the Lolo Peak fire and firefighters across the nation in your thoughts and prayers.

I read on another news site that other firefighters nearby were performing life saving measures but sadly he did not survive.  So very sad!!  Keep them all in your prayers and especially for this young man's family & coworkers.

I knew it......

So my friend who I hang out with A LOT during fire season, and we were sitting here visiting in the living room.  Hubby called to tell me they working extended staffing tonight.  Then a few minutes later as we were visiting I hear on the scanner "-------- Hotshots phone this office" (from Dispatch).  I told her, "well that's a fire order you watch."  And about 3 minutes later the house phone rings, (hubby's caller voice on the other end) saying "they were ordered immediate need so they're leaving to --------."  I looked at my friend and said to her,  "well want to stay for dinner?"

We are always sad to see Daddy leave, especially quickly like that!!!  But as I told my friend, this is how life is during fire season........LOL  just never know if he'll be home.

"We are leaving for a fire...."

Yesterday my husband's crew had to work an overtime day (normal day off).  They were on at 0730 and "off" at 2000.  So I decided to make some enchiladas for his crew for dinner.  Mind you, it's a Hotshot Crew and there's 20 plus hubby (Superintendent).  So I make 40 enchiladas, and plop them in the oven.  I called my husband to tell him "there's 5 minutes left to cook and I'll bring them down to the station."  About 5 minutes after that phone call he calls, "Well never mind that, we're leaving for a fire assignment."  So we headed over to the station (live next door) to say "good-bye to Daddy" and give hugs & kisses.  I joked with the firefighters and said "you can thank me for getting you an order."  I told them another time I'd make them dinner.
If you've been married in this profession long enough, you know that (during fire season) if you make a nice dinner or go shopping, they'll get a fire dispatch!!!  Can't be mad, just have to be understanding.
So I shared the enchiladas with the neighbors and froze one dish.  So the food wasn't wasted.

Got to learn to be flexible!!!