Visiting Mommy's Work

Sophie has been asking me for a long time to take her to my work so she can see the big firetrucks.  A wonderful opportunity presented itself and my Chief told me to bring her on out so everyone could meet this little one they hear so much about. 

Sophie was thrilled! 

I picked her up from school and to the airport we headed.

First thing she got to do was drive across the airfield. One of my police officers escorted us to the firehouse.  He had his lights flashing and Sophie couldn't believe that we got to drive right past the big airplanes.

After meeting some of my co workers we headed out to the Bays to see the big trucks.  Our trucks are not like the regular red firetrucks most people are familiar with.  Ours are special trucks equipped to handle airplane fires and rescues.  They can move very quickly and handle extremely high heat that is caused by jet fuel burning.  They can also spray water while they are rolling.  The red firetrucks have to be connected to a hydrant.

Officer Payne was assigned to Rescue 49 and we were lucky he was.  He is a great tour guide and has been a fireman at the airport for a really long time.  He was also great with Sophie!  He showed her the in's and out's of how the truck worked.

He let her try on his boots or I guess I should say he picked her up and sat her in his boots.  They were really big and heavy.

She got to try on his helmet.  Just like the trucks, these helmets are especially designed to fight airplane fires.  The face shield has a coating with 14k gold in it to be really efficient at reflecting extreme heat.

And then Sophie got to ride across the airfield in the firetruck.  She got to blow the horn.

Her favorite part was getting to shoot the water from the firehose across the airfield using the robotic arm.  

This is a photo of the firehouse.  It sits in the middle of the airfield.  Most every night I sit on the porch in a rocking chair eating my dinner and watching the planes take off. It's an amazing view! 

Sophie had a wonderful time visiting my work. I love the way she calls the guys I work with, "the fireman's" in her sweet little voice.   I am so glad I  finally got to let her meet them.  I feel very blessed right now to have this job.  Airports have always fascinated me.   Now that Sophie has seen where mommy has to go 4 days per week, she seems a little better with it. Not so clingy when I leave.  It has helped her put a place and people with the word, "work" and to better understand where I'm going when I have to go.

And of course everyone I work with fell madly in love with this sweet little one.  My Chief asks me everyday now, "how is Sophie?" or "what's Sophie doing today?"  Before we left she was showered with Fireman coloring books, pencils and stickers.  It was a good day and a good time.  I'm so glad she finally got to go.

Hi Ho...Hi Ho...

It's Off To Work I Go........


Tomorrow morning bright and early I will head out to my new job.  It feels strange to type this.   I guess that's why I have put off blogging about it or maybe it's because I was hoping that if I didn't write about it it wouldn't happen.  The last time I worked was about 5 years ago.  I did it for a year to help raise money for our adoption.  Other than that I have pretty much been a stay at home mom since Madison was born.  


I don't mind working.  I have nothing against it really, I just love being at home.  The biggest problem I have with working is that Sophie is 3.  It is such a cute age and I hate to miss any of it.  The other issue is Madison.  He is a Senior and this will be his last year at home and I hate to miss out on any opportunities to be with him since they are few and far between.  I have to compete for his time with his job, friends, school and Kaitlin.  Now I'm working too.  It's going to be rough.


Even though I am dreading this new role of "working mom", I can't help but acknowledge God's hand in it.  It really is a blessing.  When Camden and I began discussing me getting a job there was certain criteria that had to be met in order for it to be beneficial for our family.  This job not only met that list but has exceeded it in many ways and the timing has worked out perfectly.  


I'm going to work at the airport and my official title is Communications Specialist.   The job actually seems pretty interesting.  I have spent the last 2 months going through pretty rigorous testing.  There was drug tests, background checks, fingerprinting.  I had to take a psychological profile that had 429 questions on it.  The absolute worst was the polygraph test.  I was told it was fun and interesting to see how it is done.  WRONG!  It was a horrible experience and I almost told them to  "take this job and shove it!" before I even started.  I've gone through customs twice in my life in countries that were considered "socialist."   That was a breeze compared to the polygraph test and I had nothing to hide!  I kind of feel sorry for criminals now.


All that being said, tomorrow I will head out of my house on a new adventure.   Praying each day for God's grace to show me how to manage all the things I am now responsible for.


"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will recieve an inheritance from the Lord as a reward."  Colossians 3:23-24.