Erik's Trip to the National Fire Academy

I am a VERY happy wife/mommy right now. Mills and I have been "loners" for the past two weeks, and it has been challenging, but you know what they say, "absence makes the heart grow fonder." If it doesn't, it will only kill you for missing your hubby more than ever! Oh, and we did!

On January 30, Mills and I dropped E off at the airport at 7:00am so that he could make his very first trip to Emmitsburg, Maryland to the National Fire Academy for a two week Fire/Arson Cause and Origin class. He flew into Washington D.C. (actually Arlington, VA but what's the difference?) and traveled via shuttle to Emmitsburg, a tiny, almost whole-in-the-wall town, near the Pennsylvania border. It is approximately 15 miles or so from Gettysburg. So, this mama was a little jealous! My amusement for the Civil War left me green with envy! But, I was excited for him.

I was anxious about him leaving us for two weeks. Two weeks sounded more like two years, especially when I depend on E to help me out with those little mommy breaks. He is an awesome husband and father, and helps me a lot! I was sure to miss him. Mills and I made it just fine, of course. He was very good, so all in all, it was a piece of cake. I'm just tired and am glad to have E home. Thanks to Skype, we were able to see and talk to each other almost every day. He was able to see Mills playing and running as usual and throw one of his random temper tantrums. ha! Monday night, he watched him get his bath and even talked to Joey a little bit. I think Joey was more amazed and confused than ever! Skype is awesome!

E's plane was scheduled in at 6:45pm last night, and Mills got there around 6:15. This gave us time to get a quick dinner in while waiting on his plane. After finding a GREAT parking spot and venturing through crazy traffic we went inside to find that his flight was delayed until 7:13. (bummer), but ended up getting in at 7:05. I was thrilled and couldn't wait to see him. I think I got a lot of exercise last night. While waiting on his arrival, I had to do laps with the stroller around the lobby of the airport. The more I move, the less vocal Mills is. He kept waving at everyone as usual and saying, "Hey! Uk! (look)" He had his monkey with him and had to show everyone.

Daddy's plane arrived on it's new scheduled time and it took about 10 minutes for him to get to us. Mills was in complete confusion, but then reached for his daddy. We came straight home and went straight to bed!

Erik took several pictures of the campus, but unfortunately his trip to Gettysburg, the part I REALLY wanted to see, well, he forgot the camera. He was sweet to think of me while visiting the museum and bought the book, Lee for me, a biography on Robert E. Lee. I have read one before, but not this one. I know you are all thinking that I don't seem like a girl who would be in to that sort of thing, but I assure you, I am! I enjoy anything pertaining to history especially the Civil War and WWII. One of his classmates did have his camera and is supposed to be sending the pictures, so maybe I will have a few to post later.

The campus is absolutely beautiful. It is the old St. Joseph's college, an old ladies college presently turned into the National Fire Academy.

Fallen Firefighters Memorial

Erik's dorm- his home for the past two weeks