The last 2 weeks have been filled with shock, pain and sorrow as my son's fire department dealt with the loss of 19 of their brothers. Just 2 weeks earlier, these brave Hot Shots stood side by side with their fellow Prescott firefighters as they defended homes against the Doce fire. As I type this, I look out at a charred Granite Mountain. It will forever be a  reminder of this sad summer. There is nothing anyone can say or do to ease this grief. Only time will help to heal Prescott Fire and the families of  their fallen heroes. In a few days, the many generous and compassionate, supporting fire departments from around the state will return home to their own communities and our firefighters will return to service but certainly with the added weight of their pain and sorrow.


A ray of joy and light amidst the darkness was their baptism. The girls were baptized in the same small church their mother was baptized in and where many of her family events have taken place, including her own parents wedding. The girls wore cute cotton dresses and cowboy boots! Friends and family came to celebrate and my oldest son, and my daughter-in-law's younger sister were the godparents. We ask God's blessings on this family and thank Him for them every day!

Godfather Uncle Daniel and Godmother, Aunt Jessica

We seek comfort in normal daily routines. The girls are growing so fast and have started to roll everywhere! They reach and grasp for everything and are showing a keen interest in food and beverages (see photos below). They are holding their own bottles and have just transitioned to their own beds in the nursery! They are far too mobile in their cribs to continue to sleep together. My daughter-in-law just ordered a video baby monitor so she can see the girls from her room. This is a bigger and scarier transition for mom than it is for the girls, no doubt! That hallway seems so far away but I'm sure everyone will end up sleeping better (eventually).

Uncle Dan and Harper

 Uncle Dan met the girls for the first time! Since he lives in Nashville, he worries he will miss so much with the girls but he quickly jumped in to holding them, feeding them, figuring out how to fold and unfold the stroller and get the car seats in and out of the car! He was a natural! However, I never saw him near the changing table ....