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.

This is amazing!!

I absolutely love this clip!!!!
I am going to give it a permanent place on my blog (when I figure out how to do it :)
I have watched it multiple times and Sis especially loves it too.
When I watch it, my spirit is filled. I know Elder Uchtdorf is speaking truth.
What a wonderful tool for good from the Church.
Did I mention how much I love this video?!!

Six More Weeks of K&B

So I know I've mentioned before how much we love the Elders serving here in MD. They are part of our family, adopted uncles you might say. We thought we were going to lose one or both on the last transfer, but the groundhog must have seen his shadow because we have six more weeks of Elders K&B. Waahoo!

I had to include this from Sis' writing journal. 

I love this pic because she got all the Elders names right and Et is kicking the cake like a soccerball. She's is too much! Her artistic mind blows me away sometimes!

Spring Scavenger Hunt

Despite what I think most days, spring is actually on her way. To prove this to my contradictory brain, I took the kids on a scavenger hunt to see if we could discover any clues. 

I knew spring had made an appearance somewhere in Bolton Hill and I was determined to find it. We were blessed with such a beautiful day and spring seemed to be everywhere. Not only were my toes warmed but so was my heart. And now I can wait a bit longer for spring to make her appearance because I know she's on her way.One of the things I love most about early spring bulbs is their tenacity. They can be buried under inches of winter mulch and snow and still find a way to break through. Often they are the smallest flowers of spring but they are so determined. Makes me want to spend time with them - maybe some of that determination will rub off.

If I had stayed any longer in UT, I would have planted a witch hazel. 
This will be my mode of gardening this year - pots.
Look at what these snowdrops had to break through to see the sun. Serious determination there.

I think this is a flowering quince. I am going to walk by everyday to check its progress. Quince is one of my very springtime favorites.

The first daffodils of the year here in Bolton Hill. Yeah!!

Crown Imperial is one of my favorite springtime too. It look so out of place and yet so striking.

*I am still working on my garden blog, hoping to launch on Monday. My first post may have similar pics to this one, but I hope it will be interesting enough to check it out. I'll post the link on Sunday PM or Monday AM.