A Familiar Feeling

I spent last week in Ohio with my sister and her family. It was a wonderful visit and could only have been made better by being able to blog every day and record every blessed moment. I did want to share one experience in particular that was much needed. I think we all have moments like these, whether they be in a garden or not, and they are such a blessing. Its a bit of a story, but I'll try to keep it as brief as possible.

My sister and I decided to tackle a project in her yard while I was there. First of all, she has a great space. Her garden is on two levels and they are connected via a stone staircase, maybe 12-14 steps. The staircase has seen better days and it was needing major repairs. (At this point, they don't know how long they are going to be in Cincy, so they don't want to invest a load of money just to leave it in two years.) We started the project on Friday and moved along nicely until the weather decided it was through being nice and we got rain. With only two stairs left to go, we thought it would be easy enough to finish on Saturday. Now Saturday night was "girls night" (friends and Twilight @ 8:30)and church was at 9am Sunday, which meant we needed to wrap things up by 7:30 - 8pm at the latest. Late afternoon Saturday, we finally got around to mixing the mortar and it was slow going. The bottom of the concrete bag was full of lumps and solid cement chunks, but we managed to mix one load easily enough. The kids were needing dinner and bathes. The house needed straightening and we both needed showers but I was not going home without that staircase being complete. With one more batch to mix Lou went in to get things in order and I was left alone. For those of you who really know me and know how I lived in my garden, you know this was a gift. I was so tired physically. The mortar was too wet and I was discouraged. The inner me was determined to finish but my body was spent and I just wanted to call it quits for the night. But I didn't, I couldn't. As I stopped to listen to the sounds around me and take in the fading light I was filled. I suddenly recognized this scenario from countless other nights in my life. The light pouring through the windows making shapes on the grass; looking at my hands and not being able to see what I was doing but not yet wanting to go in; my arms and legs being so worn-out and cold but not minding a bit; knowing my kids were inside, happy and warm; listening to the nightlife awaken and begin their symphony; and clinging to whatever light I had, to just do one... more... thing... This was played out before me in my mind and I felt so grateful to have been blessed with that moment. It filled me up and made me feel more whole than I have felt in months. (As silly as it may be, I have tears spilling down my cheeks as I write. That is how much it moved me.)

I don't know exactly why I share this with you except that I know there are times in our lives when we have so much going on around us and so much to take care of, that we get lost. Not to say that we don't know what is important, or that we are not doing the "right" things, but that little pieces of us get lost along the way. Sometimes it happens slowly, over years maybe and other times it can be a matter or weeks or months. Well, that had happened to me. And although I knew it was happening, I didn't stop it. I just didn't think it would have such an effect on me, closing off that part of me, even for a time. But it did. This isn't the first time I have felt I was missing some part of me and honestly it probably won't be the last, but it made me more aware. It made me want to take better care of myself and the gifts and talents God has given me. I want to feel as whole every day as I did sitting in the perfect dusk of my sisters' garden.

100 Pushups - 200 Situps

Last night Jon and I started a new challenge. Have you heard of the 100 pushups training program?  I discovered it awhile back but never really considered doing it until I realized that we are right around the corner to summer and now it suddenly seems like a great idea. I was so excited that Jon agreed to do it with me - a first I might add. Basically, its a 6-week program designed to increase your strength through push-ups. By the end of the six weeks, the goal is to be able to crank out 100 consecutive push-ups, not the girly variety, but the tough ones. I think the thing that hooked Jon, besides me batting my eyes at him and kissing him a lot, was that its not a huge time commitment daily, weekly or long-term. Its ten minutes a day, three days a week for 6 weeks. Easy breezy! We did the initial test to see what level to train at and I was impressed with Jon's strength. He blew me away. So we are beginning tonight and will finish mid-May. I will keep you posted as we progress. 

As to the sit-ups portion of this workout, I will be going that alone. I have not given up hope that Jon will join me, but for now, I am flying solo on this one. Same idea, same time commitment, same type of goal to reach. I did better on these than the push-ups. What can I say? I have weak upper-body strength. There is a link to the situps site on the pushups site if you are interested. Also, if you have an iPhone there is an app to help track your progress or you can print out a complete program - PocketMod style. And if that isn't enough, there is a free tracker on the website to record your progress. So give it a shot. Summer is just around the corner and I think we could all use a little work on our swimsuit bods. And who doesn't have ten minutes?

Its raining here in Cincy. We're reading funny emails from a friend of my sissy's. Here's a little something to brighten your day.

How can you not love Sammy?!

Make it a great day!

Roadtrip!

Did you know?... There is no straight shot from Baltimore to Cincinnati. Tis true. There are however many little connections and switch-o's and change-o's. We were on I-70, 71, 68, 470 and others I can't even remember. I don't mind the on again- off again thing so much but none of them have the same speed limit. Plus, I felt like I could not get a single stretch of road where there wasn't construction, or construction, or construction or an accident or just general congestion. I know it sounds like I am complaining, but I'm really not. We made it safe and sound. My kids are amazing and they didn't seem to mind the delays one little bit. Plus we found a new favorite song (which I'll post sometime) that had us singing at the top of our lungs. All around a nice open stretch of highway with my shorties and a great destination at the end.

Conference Boxes

Awhile back, my parents started a tradition for their grandkids. For General Conference they wanted to help the kids to stay focused and quiet, so they came up with the idea of these fabulous boxes filled with activities, supplies and goodies specific to each child and their interests. The first year they contained a nice storage box and were overflowing with a plethora of other things. Since then each Conference season, the kids receive a "refill" package to load up their boxes. We store the boxes away each year between sessions giving the kids something special to look forward to. It has been about two years since then and now that we are living in MD they ship them out to us. We wait with great anticipation for that fabulous box.

Our package arrived today and the kids were so excited.  The rule in our house is they can see their bundle, but they can't open it until the first session on Saturday morning.  The Reese's were shared with the Elders at FHE tonight, but otherwise hands off!

My kids are already counting down the days to Conference. I love it!!

We love this tradition have found to be so helpful. Thanks mom and dad!!

A New Adventure

I started a new blog, something I have wanted to do for awhile now.  Take a gander and let me know what you need or want to know. I'll do my best to oblige. Just click on the link.

Favorite Friday... Running in the Rain and Sleeping Sis

I went running 3x this week. It felt good to be out again pounding the pavement. On Thursday it was a very gray day with a rainy mist in the air which has to be one of my favorite times to run. For safety I have to run with my phone, but I have never tried to take a pic whilst running. Check it out.
Just about this point it really started raining. Not cold, just wet. 
Obviously not running :)
Looks like I'm running fast huh? Isn't the pattern cool - the way the blurring occured I mean.
I just liked how this pic focused on the pavement in the center and blurred the rest. I thought it looked cool.

My other favorite has no pics, just an image in my mind. The boys were off camping last night which meant Sis and I had a girls' night. She had a long playtime in the tub and then together we painted fingernails, had breakfast for dinner, made cookies and watched a movie. Finally, I tucked her into my bed with three of her favorite stuffed animals and Claudio at her feet. Needless to say, she went to bed smiling. When I came in later she was snoozing peacefully. I climbed into bed and watched her sleep, something I don't take the time to do often enough. I whispered things into her little ears, telling her how much I love her and how special she is and more. I pray that some of things I said get tucked away in her mind for when she is older and may struggle with her own sense of self, but also that they may give her peace in a crazy world. I want so much to remember that moment, to have it locked away in my own mind. I imagine as she gets older there will be fewer of those perfect moments, I hope not. But I want to not forget the gifts I receive every day. Those tender mercies are what compel me to be a better person, a better mother, a better friend, just a better version of myself.

Arlington

*This post doesn't even begin to explain how it feels to walk through Arlington. It is sacred ground. I hope reading this post makes you want to learn more about this amazing place. I felt so much gratitude as I walked through and took some time to read the names on the headstones. It was a very moving experience. My pics don't do it justice.

Today we were able to go to Arlington National Cemetery for the afternoon. This was a first for all of us, but it will certainly not be the last time. I cannot tell you the feelings I felt as we walked past countless graves, many with the inscription Unknown on the stone. It was such a sobering experience.

What a view of DC!

The thing we wanted to see most was the Tomb of the Unknowns. (On a side note, I learned it has never officially been named but that is one way to refer to it.) We were so fortunate as to see the last Guard change of the day. If you have never seen this, it alone is reason enough to visit Washington. I have spent a lot of time learning more about it this week but rather than fill this post with pages of facts, I would encourage you to do the same. (I wish I had done that before we went as I didn't understand all the symbolism or the relevance of what I was witnessing.) It was so interesting to read about the ceremony and the Sentinels. Next time I will be better prepared.

An interesting fact... The Tomb has been guarded 24/7 since 1937. 
Another fact... There are very strict requirements to become a member of the Honor Guard, even height restrictions. 80% of soldiers who try out do not make it.
Fact 3... Only 3 women have ever been members of the Honor Guard.

The Sentinel's Creed

My dedication to this sacred duty

is total and whole-hearted.

In the responsibility bestowed on me

never will I falter.

And with dignity and perseverance

my standard will remain perfection.

Through the years of diligence and praise

and the discomfort of the elements,

I will walk my tour in humble reverence

to the best of my ability.

It is he who commands the respect I protect,

his bravery that made us so proud.

Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day,

alone in the thoughtful peace of night,

this soldier will in honored glory rest

under my eternal vigilance.

Simon 1971

Another Day in DC - Happy St. Patty's

This should probably be two posts because it was done over two days. However I am posting it in one, otherwise I will never catch up! 

Our friend Mike was in town for a business conference over our spring break. We got to show him around for a few days, visiting the sites in DC.  We visited the *Nat'l Archives and saw the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.  

Outside the National Archives on St. Patty's Day

Bill of Rights

The Constitution

*In the rotunda where the 3 main documents are on display, no flash photography is allowed so the pics are less than amazing. I didn't even bother posting the Declaration of Independence because it is so faded in the first place and the lighting was so low, I couldn't get a good image.

Museum of American History

How cool is that?! I can hardly believe someone - a man - actually fit inside the thing!

First elevator - really I just like the pic of my shorties. It's so telling.

The Puffy Shirt from Seinfeld

This guy kept hitting on me at the train depot.

Jon wasn't having much luck though.

If you have little girls you need to google this lady. 

This dollhouse is taller than me! It took 50 years to create.

After she donated it to the Smithsonian, she continued to "correspond" with the occupants of the little house via letters and Christmas cards. (A tad bit on the crazy side if you ask me.) 

The Nat'l Air and Space Museum (Dulles Airport)

Anyone know the significance of the Enola Gay? (I hope so. Otherwise you need to pay a visit to the library and do some reading:) The Enola Gay was the B-29 bomber that dropped the first atomic bomb "Little Boy" on Hiroshima in August 1945.
The night before the mission the pilot painted the name on the plane, after his mother. Later he admitted to being embarrassed at attaching his mothers' name to such a "fateful" mission.

This shuttle never went into orbit. It was used for testing in the atmosphere instead.

It is enormous!

Check out those engines. Pretty wild huh?

SR-71 Blackbird

This is an amazing thing to see. This aircraft was fast and flew high. 

I only post this pic because Et took it and he thought it was great. Nice hair huh? It was windy!

This was one of my favorite things to see. 

The Concorde is not as big as I had imagined but it was still pretty amazing. 

Did you know? It was only capable of holding 100 or fewer passengers at a time. Mind you they were all first-class seats.

They really packed the planes into this space. There are three walkway levels and there is something to see at every level. It was so interesting, definitely not the last time we will visit.

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

I love the whimsy these gazing balls add to the garden. 

Sis had to get a closer look. She thought they were giant bubbles.

Crouching Spider by Louise Bourgeois. 

It may not look too intimidating, but it was pretty creepy and beautiful at the same time. 

Twirling

One of the many magnolias in bloom in the Smithsonian Gardens. One of my favorites!

I just fell in love with this little beauty. She was so intent and hard at work. I was so close she kept bumping into my phone. Oh and the flowers are lovely too.