Wow were we excited to have our dad home!!! Thursday night was filled with so many fun stories from the week, "Daddy look at this", and please sleep with me. The kids couldn't have been happier.
Friday, Tyler gave in a let Tallon stay home from school so that they could have more time together. We worked in the yard, went for a Ranger ride, shot Easter eggs, and went for a hike. We were exhausted that night but so grateful that we had all day to spend as a family. Tallon and Uncle Dirt even hiked to the star and survived which was a lot of fun for Tallon, not so much for Dirt.
Saturday we woke with big plans for the day. We didn't quite know what they were, but we knew we were going to be enjoying the sunshine. Tyler had the great idea to take Tallon out on the flat bottom boat and do some fishing, so we started making arrangements. We went to the neighbors (Tallon's 2nd home) to get Tal and Orrin so they could get ready and this is were our adventure began. Tyler walked around the end of the trailer and yelled "Oh my hell the house is on fire!". Thank goodness he wasn't looking at our house. Unfortunately he was looking at the neighbors home and 4curious little boys watching the fire. Tyler yelled at the boys to go to our home and asked Brixton where his dad was. He told Tyler that his dad and mom were in the house, so I yelled through the front door, "Brook, your house is on fire", great way to announce yourself isn't it. The fire was just in the garage at this point and all the kids were safe so we were somewhat under control. Andy came out of the house and ran into the garage and started getting the truck and car out. His truck was on fire and I was freaking out that it was going to blow up with him in it. A neighbor, and fellow fireman, came screaming up on his four-wheeler and got the other car out. Tyler had 911 called and hoses hooked up by now and people started coming from everywhere. They got the propane unhooked and started hauling things out of the house even before the fire department had time to show up. The local National Guard was doing their training up the street and when they saw smoke here they came a running. It was truly an amazing sight to see the response of people that came to help. It is times like this that I am so thankful to live in the close community that we do. The firemen came and did their thing and in 20 or 30 mins the fire was out. We were really worried about the amount of damage that the house had sustained. The garage was a complete lose, and to our amazement the house was PERFECT!! No damage but 2 windows and some burnt siding. The smell of smoke inside was next to nothing! What a miracle. We were in the house an hour after the fire department left packing up Brook's kitchen and some belongings so they would have things for that night. Neighbors had laundry done and returned in a matter of hours, and their belongings were moved out to their shop and unloaded by about 40 friends and neighbors. Brook and Andy were moving in a few weeks to their new home and wow did they get moved in a hurry. Maybe a bit sooner then expected but moved none the less.
I am so thankful for the many miracles I witnessed that day. The kids were safe, the family was safe, hoards of people came to the rescue, tears were shed by friends and strangers alike, and the house was saved.
There is still a lot to do and things to go through but I am so thankful that their family is safe. We have been friends for a long time and next door neighbors for the past 6 years. Our children are like siblings and we love their family so much. I am extremely thankful for the safety and protection that was present on our street that day.
Yes, they do know what started the fire and no, I am not going to put it here for everyone to read. We are too busy counting our blessings.
Sunday was filled with thankfulness for our many blessings and sending Daddy off to work for another week. We have shed many tears this week end. Some of joy, some of loss, some of thankfulness, and some of missing a loved one. No wonder I have a headache and cankles.
Friday, Tyler gave in a let Tallon stay home from school so that they could have more time together. We worked in the yard, went for a Ranger ride, shot Easter eggs, and went for a hike. We were exhausted that night but so grateful that we had all day to spend as a family. Tallon and Uncle Dirt even hiked to the star and survived which was a lot of fun for Tallon, not so much for Dirt.
Saturday we woke with big plans for the day. We didn't quite know what they were, but we knew we were going to be enjoying the sunshine. Tyler had the great idea to take Tallon out on the flat bottom boat and do some fishing, so we started making arrangements. We went to the neighbors (Tallon's 2nd home) to get Tal and Orrin so they could get ready and this is were our adventure began. Tyler walked around the end of the trailer and yelled "Oh my hell the house is on fire!". Thank goodness he wasn't looking at our house. Unfortunately he was looking at the neighbors home and 4curious little boys watching the fire. Tyler yelled at the boys to go to our home and asked Brixton where his dad was. He told Tyler that his dad and mom were in the house, so I yelled through the front door, "Brook, your house is on fire", great way to announce yourself isn't it. The fire was just in the garage at this point and all the kids were safe so we were somewhat under control. Andy came out of the house and ran into the garage and started getting the truck and car out. His truck was on fire and I was freaking out that it was going to blow up with him in it. A neighbor, and fellow fireman, came screaming up on his four-wheeler and got the other car out. Tyler had 911 called and hoses hooked up by now and people started coming from everywhere. They got the propane unhooked and started hauling things out of the house even before the fire department had time to show up. The local National Guard was doing their training up the street and when they saw smoke here they came a running. It was truly an amazing sight to see the response of people that came to help. It is times like this that I am so thankful to live in the close community that we do. The firemen came and did their thing and in 20 or 30 mins the fire was out. We were really worried about the amount of damage that the house had sustained. The garage was a complete lose, and to our amazement the house was PERFECT!! No damage but 2 windows and some burnt siding. The smell of smoke inside was next to nothing! What a miracle. We were in the house an hour after the fire department left packing up Brook's kitchen and some belongings so they would have things for that night. Neighbors had laundry done and returned in a matter of hours, and their belongings were moved out to their shop and unloaded by about 40 friends and neighbors. Brook and Andy were moving in a few weeks to their new home and wow did they get moved in a hurry. Maybe a bit sooner then expected but moved none the less.
I am so thankful for the many miracles I witnessed that day. The kids were safe, the family was safe, hoards of people came to the rescue, tears were shed by friends and strangers alike, and the house was saved.
There is still a lot to do and things to go through but I am so thankful that their family is safe. We have been friends for a long time and next door neighbors for the past 6 years. Our children are like siblings and we love their family so much. I am extremely thankful for the safety and protection that was present on our street that day.
Yes, they do know what started the fire and no, I am not going to put it here for everyone to read. We are too busy counting our blessings.
Sunday was filled with thankfulness for our many blessings and sending Daddy off to work for another week. We have shed many tears this week end. Some of joy, some of loss, some of thankfulness, and some of missing a loved one. No wonder I have a headache and cankles.
