Meeting his Heroes...

Hunter has been taken to Dr. appointment after lab test after Dr. appointment in these past few weeks, and after a few emails between myself and our local Fire department as well as my neighbor getting in contact with a relative who is a Fire Captain, I was able to bring Hunter and Emma to see 2 Fire Stations here in Fremont.

At our first visit, Hunter was extremely quiet. He didn't want to shake anyone's hand, or climb in the truck, or wear the sticker, or the hat they gave him, but the whole way home after an extensive tour from the sweetest Firefighter, he was a chatty cathy and went on and on about how much fun he had at the Fire Station!

Today our neighbor whom the kids call "Uncle Chris" because he really is more like an Uncle than just a neighbor, took us to visit his Uncle who is the Fire Captain at his station. The kids got to see both fire engine and truck and then walked into the kitchen area and were greeted by an entire table of real Fire Fighters!! Hunter was a little star struck. He was smiling this huge grin, but wouldn't leave my side. Emma on the other hand was all flirts and giggles, and when they handed her a lollipop and said "Thank you.." all sing songy I swear every fire fighter in there said "Awww." and one said "I think that was the cutest 'Thank you' I've ever heard." HAHA ya...come by at about 7:45pm when she's cranky and mean...then see how you feel.  The kids had so much fun and enjoyed their green lollipops at home while they ran around fighting imaginary fires.

I was so glad to take Hunter for a trip outside the house that wasn't another Dr. appointment. I hope to bring Hunter back again, the first fire station we visited said we were always welcome to come back. I want Hunter to get used to seeing new places and meeting these Heroes. Maybe we will bring a plate of cookies next time. :)

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Waiting for the Fruits

When Jason and I moved into our house we live in now back in 2012, we looked at the giant Bush/Tree in our backyard in confusion. It was the only thing in our backyard that was green and we had no idea what it was. I planted bulbs along the opposite side of the yard, and trimmed our rose bushes, and watered the mystery bush. Everytime I went outside to water our plants I would water that bush. Would it yield fruit? "Maybe in the spring.." I thought to myself. Then Spring came, and Summer, and Fall and then Winter again. Still no fruit. Still I watered. Finally in Feb of 2015 Jason came excitedly inside saying "There's fruit on the bush!" I got so excited, and I ran outside. Sure enough there were tiny orange fruits that we later found out to be Loquats. After all these years, and all the watering, it finally yielded some fruit, and it was FULL of fruit.

I stood outside in the sun, a break from our few days of rain, with my red colander in hand and I picked the loquats from our tree while my children played in the grass. This month has been especially difficult, with Jason's Union on Strike, still not being hired by any local Police, Hunter's diagnosis of Tourettes accompanied by Anxiety and possibly other things we will need more tests for. Its been a true test of my resilience as I dealt with real grief and the delay of dreams I had for myself. I've struggled with anger, confusion, and feeling guilt, but continuing to press forward. I couldn't help notice the small message in the fruit I picked with my hands, rolling their fuzzy plumpness in my hand before placing them in my colander. The faith that if I continue to water my faith, even in seasons of dryness, that eventually it will yield fruit, or at least the hope of fruits. I have to see the small blessings in this tough time. The joy of being a surrogate again! The love I receive from my children all the time, the support of family ready to catch me if I need. Its all watering my soul, and I will continue to water one day at a time.

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