Fire Station 117

Today we took a trip as a family to Fire Station 117 right here in Lancaster, Ca. 

Most of the guys were out on a call, but the very friendly fireman that was there

gave us the royal tour. He is a Water Tender operator. We learned that the fire engine holds 500 gallons of water, but the water tender holds a whopping 3,000 gallons! That's a LOT of water! 

Erik got to take a RIDE in the water tender and operate the  sprayer that's on the front of it from 

inside the cab. Then they took a spin around the neighborhood.

When they came back they hooked up a hose and Erik got a firefighting lesson. Emily got in on that fun too.

Then Erik got suited up in the turnout gear. He says it was HEAVY! The fireman even entrusted Erik with an AX, which Erik accidentally dropped and almost chopped the guys leg off....that was fun. lol

The captain, engineer, and paramedic returned from their call and we got the see the big engine. 

Erik and Emily stood next to it for a size comparison photo. 

It was a REALLY great learning experience and LOADS of fun! I can't say enough

how far above and beyond he went to make us feel welcome! Totally made Erik's day, maybe even

his SUMMER. There are lots more great photos that I will post later too. These are just a few of the highlights. If you get a chance, stop by your local fire station and thank the guys that put their lives

on the line daily to ensure our safety. We plan on making them some goodies and taking them

to the guys along with some prints of these great photos to thank them for their

hard work and generosity!

The Four Unheard of Words

This morning started with a bit of breakfast, and a trip to a nearby park.

It wasn't too hot yet so I thought I'd let the kids play for about an hour before we

headed off to the fair grounds to turn in my photo entries.

Erik made friends instantly and ran off to play.

Emily explored some tunnels and slides and found out that even the 

bouncy padding, once covered in sand, can give a little knee a hard time. 

We found our way over to the swings that gave us a good view of

bro bro.

Erik and his new found friends were sneaking around with swords and grenades. {sticks and fists full of sand} Emily found this quite amusing. 

Erik was warned not to touch the lava...to which he replied, 

"Guys...I have special lava shoes."

But of coarse, I mean...it was obvious.

he he he.

He was the recon team. Setting out with the oh so dangerous 

mission of  scouting for teams of monsters. 

Every mothers worse nightmare. Why couldn't he pick a safe job....

Like supplies or accounting? lol.

It neared 10am. So our time at the park was expiring. 

In the past I have learned, that going straight from the playground

to the car often results in a meltdown. 

Now what we do is find a nice spot in the shade a 

little ways away from the general play area, 

and we sit and cool down with a little water, 

and a small snack before we finish our trek to the car. 

That way by the time we finish our drink and snack

and walk to the car talking about what else our day will hold,

the playground isn't on the front of their minds and we can

get into the car without it feeling like wresting two 

hell hounds into a tub of holy water. 

As we were relaxing in the shade I heard four little words that I have NEVER

heard out of a child's mouth while at the park before....

"We're ready to go."

One of the other two boys was also leaving, and the third said to his mom and sister

"We're ready to go...without Erik here it's not as fun."

It makes me proud that today Erik was the adventure leader. It makes me a 

little less anxious about the impending social awakening he is about to 

experience once he starts school. Today, was a great day. 

Life from the prospective of Breakfast

A pastor and his wife were debating who should make the coffee for breakfast each morning. The wife says, "You get up first, YOU should make it."

The pastor replies, "You're in charge of all the cooking duties, it's YOUR job."

The wife thinks for a moment and says, "The BIBLE says that the man should make the coffee."

The pastor laughs and says, "If you can show me where in the Bible it says that, I'll make the coffee and never say another word about it!"

She grabs a Bible, and points out that atop MULTIPLE pages it says,....HEbrews.

In life we are often presented with a choice. To see what we have. Or what we don't have. 

This morning was not unlike many other mornings. I would get up with the children, make breakfast, referee a fight or two before even making it to the table. Beg my keurig to work it's magic, then forget about said product of genius. Among having an involved debate about which breakfast food item would grace the table this morning, dealing with little e's melt down over her milk being in the wrong cup, "stop throwing your food, eat like a human, not like a pig, sit up at the table, turn around....you can feed the fish AFTER you eat, yes you have to eat that, you picked it....half an hour or more has passed and here I sit with cold coffee and a stale almond poppy seed muffin. Breakfast. 

In an attempt to be momentarily transparent I will admit that sometimes I am not 100% mentally present at breakfast. I am day dreaming of being embraced by a big fluffy robe. Sitting in Moro Bay over looking the ocean sipping a hot cup of coffee. Peacefully enjoying the taste of my Brulée, Soufflé, Flambé  french toast that my charming husband brought back early this morning from Frankie & Lola's on the embarcadero. The smell of the salty air. The sweet sounds of fishing boats leaving the bay. The occasional squawk of a seagull. 

Brought back to reality by the realization that wasn't a sea gull, little e is squealing again because BIG E told her not to eat her yogurt with her hands. The world is ending. Like the unruly waves of high tide my life is crashing over me. And it could not be any closer to perfect. I am so very blessed to spend each and every day shaping the little beings that God has entrusted me with. I have a husband who loves me, and proudly serves his country; going to work every day to ensure our liberties as Americans stay in tact. I have two children so beautiful that in the last 5 years i have NEVER gone into public with them and NOT been stopped by a stranger wanting to pay a compliment. Our family resides in a home we can call our own. I have a growing business that provides me with an outlet to practice my passion while blessing others with life long memories, frozen in a photograph. 

Sure, I may rarely eat a hot meal, but I wouldn't change it for anything in the world. This time I have with my children so small, and still wanting to be at the same breakfast table as me will pass too quickly. So for today I will choose to view life from the perspective of breakfast. Chaotic, cold and stale at times, but bestowed upon me as a gift. 

I Hate Photogenic People!

Okay...So, obviously I don't. Photogenic people are what makes up 99.8% of my business. But when I am trying  failing at taking a self portrait, for a split second, I just might.

I'm a photographer who VERY much enjoys being BEHIND the camera.

 I see beauty in so many things. Old things, New things, red and blue things...Just kidding.

I love to photograph old buildings that have been long forgotten by all but time.

I love to photograph a child laughing, the flower of a weed growing, a person who's wrinkles are only rivaled by their wisdom.

I see beauty in the way a mother cradles her new child. In the face of a man lost in the eyes of his wife. 

A great photo can be found in anything! The freshly snow capped mountains. A tree in the desert. The color of leaves as they succumb to the changing of seasons. I love photography.

Come along on an adventure with me as I take in all that life is. I will show you my life, through my lens.