My baby brother

 My little brother Doug is a Battalion Chief for the Edmond Fire Department in Oklahoma. He has been on the job for 23 years now. During this time he has responded to countless emergencies and unfortunately has seen his share of disasters. He was on the scene, searching through the rubble after the bombing in OKC. I can't begin to imagine what he has seen and dealt with during his career.

Monday he drove south to Moore and his team was assigned to Plaza Elementary. Below is something he shared with us.


Thanks everyone!! I have to share a quick story and a lesson I a 23 year veteran of the FD was reminded about this morning by a new recruit we just hired with 3 WEEKS on.

Yesterday afternoon we responded to Moore and got our assignment to go to Plaza Elementary School to assist with search and rescue. Once there, the new recruit was simply assigned to start cutting 4x4 posts into 2' sections. That's it, just cut as many 2' sections as you can with the lumber we had to use as cribbing. Mind you he is standing in front of a horrific scene and his job was to cut boards that will be used to support weakened concrete. At first he thought surely there is something more I can do. However, this morning when we returned to the station and we gathered as a group to debrief. It was then that he shared his story and the task he was assigned. He also shared that at first he was aggravated about his assignment, but finally it hit him, his portion of the mission was to produce cribbing that would be used to keep responders and victims safe. His portion although seeming trivial it was a small part of a huge effort to provide comfort and closure to a lot of people.

Long story short, not one first responder can do their job without the support of every Oklahoman. Whether it be getting involved in local government, volunteering at a local charity or donating goods or money, it takes a team to be successful. A Oklahoma team I'm proud to be part of!!

Doug generally keeps his feelings pretty well hidden, he has never really talked about what he saw at the OKC bombing site with me and doesn't like a lot of attention for what he does. It is his job, he loves it and that's enough.

But, I am his big sister and since our Mom is no longer here to brag on him, I am going to. He probably wishes I wouldn't, but I just can't help myself. I am so very proud of what he does on a daily basis. He is a good man, husband, father and brother. His chosen career has meant he missed out on some things with his family. But that's ok, he was out there helping other families. We all make sacrifices, but our First Responders very often make the ultimate sacrifice, as witnessed recently in West, Texas.

So, if you love a First Responder, give them an extra hug today. We all get a little complacent and forget what they do for us, until something like Moore, Oklahoma happens and reminds us.

Thank you for all you do Douglas,
I love you,
Sis

 



Praying

My heart is broken for the people of Moore.

Praying for all those affected by these horrible storms...

For Sale

Well, we did it.

Our house is officially on the market.

Not going to lie, just a little scared about this. I have always felt very confident in our other moves. I am sure I will get there with this move, just not quite there yet.

But I know God has a plan and I have to trust that everything will happen as it is meant to be. As one of my darling daughters (Alissa) said, Everything will be fine in the end, if it isn't fine, it isn't the end....

Hope she is right.

Home

Home

It has been six weeks and four days since I was last home.

So much has happened, I really don't know where to begin.

But here goes...

We left on the 16th of March for a weekend in Bristol TN and a Nascar race on St. Patrick's Day. We had a great German meal in Knoxville on the 16th and then drove into Bristol on the 17th. It was a great time and a good race. We spent that night in Pigeon Forge, TN. It sure has changed since the first time we stayed there in 1978! And the hotel we stayed in was much nicer as well.

The next day was the 18th and our 36th wedding anniversary. We spent the day driving to Cincinnati so that I could be there with Kari for the birth of our third grandchild. Ed flew out the next day for Atlanta and back on Thursday. He left that Sunday to come home and we began our wait.

And we waited...from winter...








To Spring, we waited....

And waited.....



Finally on the 8th of April, things began to happen and at 8:25 on April 9th, sweet Lovella Ruth was born!! She weighed 7lbs 10 oz and was 20 inches long. And very overdue!! Kari was a trooper and made it thru without any medications.

 And just over 24 hours later we were home.

My favorite quote of the day was when Eli was told it was a girl, he asked if it was a squirrel! I hope he wasn't disappointed.



It was a whirlwind after that, taking care of two little ones, a house, dog and new Mommy. On the 25th, Alissa, Brek and Oliver came in for Eli's 2nd birthday party. Ed, Kaci and Lovella arrived the evening of the 26th and we partied on the 27th. The days went by so quickly and soon it was time to take Alissa, Brek and Oliver back to the airport. And then it was time to say our goodbyes...

After 6 weeks, I was ready to be in my own house, but I was not prepared for how difficult it would be to say goodbye to my babies. I lingered as long as possible and for the first time, Eli was crying as we left, begging us to not leave. Oh my goodness, my heart was breaking. This is just so very hard and I don't know if I will ever get used to it.

Thank goodness for Skype....

Now, it is time to get busy and get this house on the market so that we can sell it and decide where we are going to go next.

Wish me luck!