Happy Valentine's Day

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We hope everyone had a beautiful Heart Day. Ours was incredibly special. Nothing too fancy (we are doing a date night this weekend, going out on V-day is insane), just a relaxing evening together full of fun gifts. We are not real big on the whole Valentine's Day thing, but this one was very special.

I could not help myself and purchased some ridiculous things for the hubby. A huge alligator with a heart in it's mouth, a coupon book( I might regret that one), a box of chocolates shaped like matchs in a matchbook case, and a musical firefighter dog singing "Fire"by the Ohio Players.

Mitch cooked a yummy dinner and for dessert...he made chocolate covered strawberries. How cute is that!? Mitch kicked it old school and gave me the most amazing bouquet of one of my favorite flowers, Sterling Silver Roses. One of the first corsages Mitch ever bought me for a high school dance was sterling roses. You usually have to special order them and he did just that. He thought it would be fun to get me something that reminded us of the beginning of our relationship, since this is our 10th V-Day.

We are so blessed to have found one another and spent the last decade growing and learning from each other. It has been quite a ride filled with so many beautiful moments. It was fun to reminisce on this very special Valentine's Day together.

Firefighter-Part 2...Photos

Final Burn Night

The Burn BuildingMitch putting the ladder up...
Fireman Mitch
The photo the proud wife took, that made it into the commencement ceremony program, thank you very much:)
Mitch and Dad
Mitch and I
Debris and Mitch
The day Mitch was given his gear, I had to try it on...ha, ha, ha

Commencement Ceremony
Mitch addressing his recruit class, training staff, and families
The Graduate
The Proud Women

Firefighter

Two years ago Mitch left his desk job at Robbins Gioia to pursue a career as a Fireman for Prince William County. He began training in January'06 with Recruit Class 2006-1. With six months of intense physical and mental training our world was turned upside down. Early morning good-byes, late dinners, and a tired husband studying until it was time to go to bed. And then it started all over again the next day:) Although, it was a bit stressful at the times, we both looked forward to the end result. It was, also, fun hearing about training, fellow recruits, and the antics of the day.
In June of 2006, Mitch and his recruit class had their Final Burns. These are held at the Prince William County Fire and Rescue . Families are invited to watch the recruit class run drills with an actual burning building. My mother and Mitch's father were in attendance. The class ran several incidents with sirens blaring and fires blazing. It was exciting to see Mitch and his fellow recruits in action.

A few days later, on June 16th-Mitch graduated. Mitch's parents, his uncle Carl , and Momma Milchak were all there to celebrate Mitch and his fellow recruits accomplishments. Mitch was asked to give a speech on behalf of all the recruits in his class. We were all very proud.

Fast forward to today...

Mitch has been enojoying his new career. He was moved to shift work after working days during his probation period. After completing his first year of probation, he was trained and turned over as a driver.

He loves what he is doing and is always excited to come home and tell me about his day. He has a wonderful support system with the fire department. It is like being part of a very, very large extended family. As mentioned several posts ago, they are always there to help. A few recruit class friends and several fellow shift workers showed up to move us into our new home. It is wonderful to have people you can count on and who you know are there for you. It is a wonderful thing to know Mitch is part of a group such as this.

This January marks two years with the Prince William Fire and Rescue. Congratulations, babe!

Luck Be a Lady...bug

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So, it started a few weeks ago. I was getting out of bed one morning and saw a bug flying around the room. After it landed on the window, I went over to dispose of it. However, after realizing it was a ladybug caught it and put it outside. After all, it is bad luck to kill a ladybug, especially one in your house or if it has landed on you. I know it is an old wive's tale, but it sounds true.
Anyway, I thought nothing of it.

A few days later anouther ladybug found it's way into our home. I saw a bug flying around the livng room and it kept hitting the window above our fireplace. I went to catch it and put it outside, it was another ladybug. As I released this one out he back patio door, another ladybug was on the wall by the door. Seriously...

So, I was leaving for work earlier this week and Mitch as sitting in the living room. I glanced up and saw a bug above the breakfast table light. I, also, saw a dark mass of "something" in the corner of the breakfast room. I was running out the door and asked Mitch to investgate and dispose. He called me ten minutes later to inform me that the bug above the light was...you guessed it, a ladybug. And the dark mass, a swarm, colony, family...not quite sure what to call it of...yep, that's right folks-LADYBUGS! He had caught them all and put them outside.

So, what does this mean. Well, people say ladybugs are good luck. While we think people make their own luck and we have had so many wonderful years together and before we met-I figure with all the activity in our house, we must be looking at an incredible 2008, ha, ha, ha. You gotta love those ladybugs:)

2008 here we come...

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Basement

The basement has been done for a couple weeks, but i have not had the time to take or post any pics, so here they are.

Christmas