Comments for Country Wife Chronicles

Comment on Lessons Learned After 5 Years as a Wildland Firefighter’s Wife {Part 2} by Ashley byrd

Ashley byrd — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 01:11:52 +0000

My husband joined the wildland team last year and my heart soooo related to what you wrote. Thank you for your openness as I have felt the same way on many of these. this is our second crazy fire season and my husband's about to head out on assignment. I try to dive into these weeks of him being gone as an opportunity to have more quality time with my kids and to eat things we typically don't get while my husband is home. (He's a type 1). We usually have a movie night with oreo cookies or an ice cream party. And we have a nice choclate chip pancake breakfast. It helps the kids transition a bit easier

Comment on Lessons Learned After 5 Years as a Wildland Firefighter’s Wife {Part 2} by Joann

Joann — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 21:07:00 +0000

My husband working as a wildland firefighter the past 9 years he’s now full time year round and I believe that hardest part is with our two young children and his absence but lucky we talk as much as we can over the phone and I explain to the children why he’s gone for awhile it takes some time to get used and adjusted when he leaves and returns but some how we survive. Lower expectations is great idea and when he returns we do something fun as a family. I’m very fortunate that when he is home he helps around the house and kids.

Comment on Lessons Learned After 5 Years as a Wildland Firefighter’s Wife {Part 1} by Lyn

Lyn — Sun, 03 Sep 2023 06:24:23 +0000

Im a wife of a new wildland firefighter. This says its all.

Comment on Lessons Learned After 5 Years as a Wildland Firefighter’s Wife {Part 2} by The Country Wife

The Country Wife — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 18:10:04 +0000

In reply to Alyssa.

Alyssa,
I am so glad you have found value in this blog post and I pray you will find more helpful information on the blog–be sure to check out the Fire Life tab for all Wildland Fire Wife resources! Thanks for being here 🙂

Comment on Lessons Learned After 5 Years as a Wildland Firefighter’s Wife {Part 2} by Alyssa

Alyssa — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 21:01:05 +0000

Thanks for this, I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog. My husband’s taking his first assignment on an engine this summer and I am so stressed preparing to be without him given that I work full time and we have two boys under 2. But my husband just completed his training last week and is really excited to give this a shot, so we’ll see where this new potential career takes us!

Comment on Lessons Learned After 5 Years as a Wildland Firefighter’s Wife {Part 2} by The Country Wife

The Country Wife — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 23:07:33 +0000

In reply to Becky Suenram. Becky, Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thorough response to my blog post--no matter how "late" you found it! ;) I am truly touched that what I wrote resonated with you and helped you to feel less alone in this wildfire life we live. It is definitely hard to find people who truly "get it" and that is my hope in writing these types of blog posts here on Country Wife Chronicles, to invite a community of wildland fire wives to connect and find solidarity with one another as we encourage each other in our relationships! So, thank you for being here. :)

Comment on Lessons Learned After 5 Years as a Wildland Firefighter’s Wife {Part 2} by Becky Suenram

Becky Suenram — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 00:33:38 +0000

Hi, my name is Becky. I just now have found this on Pinterest but, am I FOREVER grateful I did! Late or not!

There are so many perspectives you nailed that SO many people in municipal fire lives don’t get, or in my area, CalFire wives don’t get or understand because their men get to have one shift on, one shift off and sometimes hotels, where as wildland firefighters like my Hotshot firefighter don’t. So to hear things I’ve only thought inside my own head actually said aloud exactly like I’ve thought are so reassuring!

Also, we are only 4yrs in on the wildland fire season. Married for 2, but we are just now learning many of these 10 steps/ways to help get through this uncharted lifestyle! As we have figured many of these ways out there are also many that your experience has helped give me more perspective on that I think will help us find our way back into “our groove.”

In the last 4yrs the hardest part for me and my husband has been how we work as a team and grow as a couple in the offseason, but once fire season comes we get set back in our relationship and become more of the “single” mindset versus working together… I become either too independent and am not around when he gets off an assignment as I show horses or, I cancel all plans and sit and wait for him to return…. He comes home tired and cranky,talking to me like a crew member versus his wife and we don’t get to make the most of his 2 days off before he is off again! Then we start all over again come winter in our communication and finding our groove as a team and couple… it’s the wildland relationship cycle I call it! But, this year, so far we seem to have our “kinks” worked out and an understanding of what we need from each other and how to not let others who don’t get this life, affect us and our expectations of each other or our wants and needs of each other.

As you said, I’ve learned to not expect anything other than being glad he’s home safe and sound. I have found letting him sleep and rest the 1st day home, while I do his laundry, helps him get caught up on his “to do” list before being called out again, which allows us to have 1 whole day together of peacefulness versus him stressing about what he needs to get ready before getting the “call”.

I am so thankful to have found this blog/newsletter and look forward to reaching out to people who truly understand this lifestyle!
God bless you all and your Wildland Firefighters!

Comment on An Overdue Update… by The Country Wife

The Country Wife — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 19:39:56 +0000

In reply to Laura Doxey. I promise you'll be one the first to know when it is available to purchase! Love you LaLa!

Comment on An Overdue Update… by Laura Doxey

Laura Doxey — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 00:07:44 +0000

I am so happy and proud of you and for you! I have loved reading CWC since the beginning and look forward to reading more from you! Please sign me up to purchase a copy of the book or if it’s easier for you, I will order from Amazon.
Love and miss y’all!

Comment on An Overdue Update… by The Country Wife

The Country Wife — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 14:29:34 +0000

In reply to Nancy Jones. Thank you Nancy!