Gags allowed.

One year ago this weekend, we were living in Ohio and pondered the possibility of packing up our lives, moving back to the mitten without any promise of a full time job. It wasn't that we didn't like Ohio, we did (I did a lot, actually.) and we left some great friendships behind.. we just never felt settled.

I've always been proud of my husband, but this past year, I've never been more proud (gags are allowed). I mean like bumper sticker on a mini-van proud.

Brian always wanted to pursue a career in firefighting, but timing never worked out for him. We took this year as an opportunity for him to make that happen and he is five (!) classes away from graduating and only two (!) months away from being an EMT.

I can honestly say that I can not picture him doing anything else for the rest of his life.

It has been hard. He is gone every single night of the week to school and balances his job at camp on top of that. It has been a financial sacrifice (even though we still have way more than we need) and when he leaves in the middle of the night for a call, rarely can I go back to sleep.

This week we've had many conversations about how much can change in one year and we are so thankful that we didn't stay comfortable. I can't imagine missing the opportunities we've had.

Here is what is crazy: It started with a prayer, a simple one; Lead me and I will follow.