Firefighters...

Our most favorite field trip, so far this year, has been to the fire department. Alaina and Hudson were so excited, but Benjamin wasn't so sure about the whole idea. We figured out that Benjamin remembered Santa driving through our neighborhood on a fire truck in December. He was scared to death even after Santa threw candy off the truck and waved at us.

So upon arrival at the fire department, Benjamin wouldn't allow me to put him down. He held onto me for life. Eventually, he started warming up and we had such a great time. This field trip was definitely educational and most definitely fun.

Several years ago, we lived in a three story, townhouse with a total of 5 other connecting neighbors. One Saturday morning, I was up early and on my way out to a fitness convention out of town (the days when I was really fit..sigh). As I was leaving, I noticed smoke coming out of the neighbor's townhouse, just two doors down. I woke up Joel and then called the fire department. Long story short, they had left a smoker on from the night before...on their deck...which was two decks down...if you can imagine. We knocked on the neighbor's door and can you believe that they didn't know their house was on fire?!!

We woke up the other neighbors and then soon the whole neighborhood was outside on the other side of the street watching the firemen do their thing.

I remember sitting across the street, with our three young children, watching this neighbor's entire townhouse (all but the front wall...amazing. Maybe because it was brick) burn to the ground. At one point, I had the thought of running back in and getting pictures off the wall. The fire had spread into our next door neighbor's townhouse and it was just inches from destroying our townhouse.

I remember praying that God would stop the fire before touching our roof. I remember being so at peace, even with the thoughts of losing our 'things.' Now, just writing it, makes me fearful, but then, I remember having such peace and being so thankful that God had me up early (which is a total miracle in itself..really) or this family and maybe others, would have died.

Praise God, the fire stopped right at the edge of our roof.

Then, we moved into our house where we currently live, in a new neighborhood. A few years later, our neighborhood family stood outside watching one of our dear neighbors, almost lose their house to a fire. Part of it was very damaged by the fire and all of it was smoke damaged. Besides knowing the family, the hardest part was realizing that we had the exact house plan.

Then, just last year, we grieved with Linny after her fire.

After these experiences, this field trip meant so much more. These men are heroes in every way. They stay at the fire department sometimes for 24 hours shifts, missing dinner and time with their family.

They know their job is dangerous. Even then, they sacrifice. And sometimes, it's their life.And sometimes, they allow homeschool groups like ours, to enter their "home" and share their stories.

We learned so much and had so much fun. If you want to learn something new (or something you should have already learned), homeschool your children. I'm always learning...