My Brother the Fire Fighter

I believe that there are only a few times in someone’s life when you just feel overwhelmed with pride on behalf of someone else. I am not talking about “one of the best days of your life” like getting married or having a child, but rather a huge sense of accomplishment on behalf of someone else and the great feeling that comes because you are lucky enough to be a part of their life. Well, this is the first time in my life, so far, that I have felt that. You see, my brother Brian, is officially a Fire Fighter/EMT for the city of Tucson, AZ.
I was able to attend his graduation ceremony on Thursday 6/19 and Friday 6/20. I would believe that most of you that read this blog know Brian and the kind of person he is. Brian has a huge heart and doesn’t have an enemy in the world. If for some reason you don’t like Brian, there is something seriously wrong with you. Brian is a carefree soul yet a great friend to many and will be there to help you out in a jam. (Why do I feel like I am writing an obituary here?!)
Those who are going to be working with him will realize quickly that he is loyal and will have your back in whatever you do. You are lucky to have such a friend. I have always looked up to my little brother (literally and figuratively) and have even more of a reason to do so now.
I think one of the reason’s I am so proud of him is that he is so passionate about everything he does; he seems to want to do everything! It seemed for a few years that he had a new passion about a career every few weeks. I will be honest and say I was a little worried about him for a while, yet at the same time a little jealous because I don’t have that passion towards any career. Except for maybe a few years ago, when I was intent on being a fire fighter myself and realizing it was too late for me because I wouldn’t be able to care of my family if I did (no regrets!). So, for him to follow through on this was a real big deal, especially because he has been working at it so hard for at least the last year or so. He went through EMT training, community college fire academy, and then was blessed enough to get hired his first time through for TFD (22 week academy). I understand that even in Arizona it takes three to four times through the tests before they will hire you and he got through on his first try!
So here’s to my little brother the Fire Fighter! Good luck bro and be safe!
(I finally got a picture up, too bad it's really dark. Brian is in his uniform and has his badge on his left side. The badge is a lot heavier than it looks!)

Jeremy's Birthday

This Sunday, the 22nd is Jerm's 32nd birthday! He'll be going out of town this Thursday until Saturday night to go to his brother Brian's Fire Academy Graduation. We are very proud of Brian! And, Jerm is also getting his new bike, that, thanks to my Uncle Scott is awaiting him in Mesa. Jerm is very excited about it and I'm sure will be posting pictures of it on here for all of you to enjoy! Anyway, I wanted to post his wish list for those of you who may be interested. Please don't feel obligated! It is a wish list, so there are some expensive things on here!
Here it is:

Tools
Sawz-All
19V Cordless drill
Jigsaw
Big Tool Box on Wheels

Movies
Return of the King (Extended Version)
Jason Bourne Trilogy
Transformers
Indiana Jones Trilogy
Long Way Down

House Related
Entertainment Center
Matching Couches for living room
Railing for upper backyard
Lighting for outside house
Wood to make a work bench
Lighting for inside garage

Motorcycle Related
Gift card for Cycle Gear
Helmet Cam (ebay user “extremehelmetcams” seems to have the best ones)
Hydraulic Motorcycle work stand (approx $200)
Camelbak backpack w/ new bladder (not too big of one. Probably HAWG size)
Riding gear
Scott 89Xi Desert Goggle ($50)
No Toil brand air filter cleaner and oil

Other
iTunes Gift Cards
Apple A/V cord to use video iPod as output ($20)
garden kneeling pads (one for work and one for the garage)
Bike light for his bicycle and a flashing red one for the back

If you want to know what I got him, you'll have to call or email to find out. I don't want to give anything away! We're going to celebrate with a little cake and ice cream on Sunday and his favorite meal of homemade taquitos and guacamole. I hope it's not too hot!

Santa Barbara Trip

Jeremy and I decided that since we are having a baby for our anniversary, that we better get away for a couple of days before I get too huge and before the baby comes. We chose Santa Barbara which is always so nice. The weather could not have been more perfect! We found this great Bed and Breakfast with awesome service and very yummy food. It also had a double jacuzzi in the room!

We got up there on Friday night about 6 and rented Segways. When Jerm told me what we were doing, I was like, okay, what are Segways? I did know what they were, but had forgotten their name. His mom had the idea to do it and it was sooo fun! These machines are so cool and you can just relax on them, as much as you can while standing. The guys who took us on a tour took us all the way down to Butterfly Beach which happens to be in front of the Biltmore in Montecito. It was gorgeous! No butterflies this time of year, but the sun was starting to go down and it wasn't too cold.

After the Segways and a great missionary experience with Bill our guide, we went to the FisHouse which was soooo good! Jerm and I shared some Mahi Mahi with Mango salsa on top, and for dessert we had Bananas with pastry on top, drowned in a caramel cinnamon sauce and vanilla ice cream.

The next morning we got up to a delicious breakfast on the patio that started off with homemade granola, fresh cut up strawberries, than a Baked Egg dish finishing with Blueberry muffins. We were full until about 2PM. We strolled around the Mission and saw all these cool sidewalk chalk drawings. We're not talking kids drawing, but portraits and amazing works of art! Then we drove up to the Botanical gardens and did the mile walk around and saw some gorgeous red Woods. Poor Jerm was a little nervous for most of the walk because the trail was lined with poison oak and he is pretty allergic to the stuff.

After a nice nap and lunch at Anderson's on State Street, we got a one hour massage! Wow, was that heaven! These two ladies who worked on us were so good! Mine had been a midwife before and knew exactly what to work on to make my hips feel better. I definitely want to go back before I have this baby. We walked out of there with these huge smiles on our faces! If you've never gotten a professional massage, it is well worth the money!

Our dinner that night was descent, but I don't think Jerm and I would go back there. It was a little too pricey for the quality, but we still had a nice time.

It was just great to get away and relax. Thank you Mom and Dad and whomever else for watching and loving our kids.