Fireman Appreciation Night --Family Night

This day was perfect (aside from the fact that the battery from my camera went dead in the middle of our festivities...thus the lack of pictures). We hardly started school let alone finished it and we hardly ate a decent meal all day (at least I think we ate something at some point). However, we did something today that we've wanted to do for a long time, and it makes me so happy.

Our little Eagle Homeschooling group has decided to dedicate the first Monday of each month to community service, as families for family night. Tonight our family was in charge of the event and we decided to have "Fireman Appreciation Night."


The evening began with song and prayer. Then a Volunteer Fireman (lady), Shauna, gave the kids the basics of Fire Do's and Don'ts. She was fabulous and had adorable little firehats and fireman treats for each child.

Then every child was given a pillowcase to decorate with fabric markers. Justin and I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning yesterday to write all their names on each one.

The kids were so creative and had so much fun with their masterpieces. They did a great job.


For treats we had a little competition. Most families brought an edible "fireman theme" sculpture. There were 3 delicious and very cute fire trucks and a burning building. We gave water guns to the winners (to keep near their beds in case of a fire :). Here is Justin's firetruck.


The families involved in this group are so amazing. We love doing things with them!

Tomorrow we will all go to the fire station for a tour, and then will present our gifts to them. I can't wait. I feel so eager and anxious to finally offer my very sincere appreciation to the firemen who helped us when Oakley died.

This is the note we will give them with the pillowcases:

To the amazing firefighters of Eagle Idaho

In Memory of Oakley Neyman
and in recognition and honor of 3 wonderful firemen
Brad Stewart
Alfredo Mojica
Mike Lavarello

We offer a small gift and our heart felt thanks to you all.
we are so grateful for the service and dedication
you so graciously offer to our community.

May the many nights spent away from your home and family
(and comfy beds) in our service
be a little more cozy & pleasant
with your personalized pillowcases...
created by many little hands
that love and appreciate their firemen!!

Thank you!

Then I wrote a special letter for the 3 firemen that actually came to our home on that Christmas morning:

Dear Firefighter Stewart,

On March 15, 2000 we lost our first born little boy who lived only 3 days. He was perfectly healthy, so when he went to sleep and never woke up, it was quite a devastating shock for us. When we found him, we called 911 and immediately 2 firemen were at our door. They were so competent! This gave us the courage to put our little boy (still possibly alive) into their hands. They worked with Jacob, and did what they could until transporting him to the hospital. an hour later, the emergency doctors announced that there was nothing more to be done. Jacob could not be saed. So much had happened, and so many more things had yet to be done before we could leave. we were in the middle of such an awful nightmare. Yet I distintly remember looking out of the waiting room doors and seeing the2 firemen talking to one of the doctors. It touched me that they stayed around for so long to find out the outcome. I knew they cared.

The Year before last Christmas, we had almost an exact replay with our 3-year old son Oakley. Christmas Eve he cught a virus that made him nauseous. With no other alarming symptoms, we put him to bed with hopes that he would be able to enjoy a fun Christmas morning. We had NO IDEA of the tragedy that was to come. We were stunned to find Oakley cold and lifeless in his crib early that morning. Again, I made that call to 911, and again the fireman (YOU!) were at our door in no time at all. With the same competence and compassion, you cared for Okaley the best you could. In Oakley's case there was nothing you could do for him. But you did so much for us. You were there--and on Christmas morning no less. You came--so quickly. You were competent. You were compassionate--for us, you were the first to witness the death of our son, and the first to hear our grief. Thank you for your kindness & grace, for your sympathetic heart and listening ear. You were exactly what we needed to get us through the horrible morning.

May you know how much we appreciate what you do and the sacrafices you make to serve us and this community. This is a small token of thanks, but it is heart felt. Thank you. May God bless you always.

Sincerely,
The Neyman Family
Geoff, JaNae, (Jacob), Justin, (Oakley), and Max