Weekend in the Capitol

(Our beautiful Capitol Dome...)

I am not really one of these ultra political people. I try to follow the issues and keep up with the challenges surrounding our government. I really try to keep up and understand the current debates. I'm definitely finding that I am more conservative in my thinking as I get older. I have opinions, but I don't try to force them on others, however, I'm always up for a great debate (but I don't want to seem like a fool when I debate).

I definitely believe that God should be present in all we do, and that the Founding Fathers had some really radical ideals.

This weekend we visited the Capitol, and I found myself inspired. I'm inspired that this country's government is based on freedom and self-governing. I'm inspired that I have that choice to get involved and encourage others to do the same. At times I feel desperate about the apathy concerning the current state of affairs... but I don't feel hopeless.

(kids on the metro)

We had a lot of fun walking around the Capitol and D.C. The kids loved being on the metro, and we all enjoyed eating at the Hard Rock Cafe (soooo fun!) On a whim, we also visited the Ford Theatre and stopped by the Spy Museum to grab some information for a future visit. I think it will be fun to experience the spy life (for a brief moment, anyway). Tommy can't wait for the spy museum!

(Mark with the King of Hawaii)

Danielle seemed most interested in the architecture and beauty of the Capitol, while I enjoyed the history of it all. Katie liked to spin under the dome, and Tommy liked the statues. Mark, I think, was happy to be along, spending time with all of us. We got to hang out with our good friends across the street, so that made the experience even more fun!

(Lincoln reading to Danielle)

All-in-all: a good time!

too busy

It has been busy here this past week! Due to snowmaggedon, a lot of appointments were re-scheduled for this week. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were spent driving around from occupational therapy, to labs, to psychiatry, to psychology, to radiology, to allergy shots, to dentists and to dance... whew! I'm tired just writing it all out. The thing is, though, that these are things that need to be done. They just happened to all fall together! I was lamenting to my husband this week that we should just move; that the pace of life is just too hectic here in NoVa. In a moment of pure brilliance he said something very philosophical to me... He said, "It isn't where we live. If we move to another place, these things will still be there. They don't schedule themselves on the calendar... We do. We are the ones writing things that need to be done on the calendar. We are the ones scheduling dance, and therapy, and play dates."

HMMMMMMM....

So, of course, as I look at this monstrosity of a calendar that I've created, I find myself struggling with just what NEEDS to be done, and just what is there because I think it needs to be there. The doctors, dentists and therapists, obviously, are important. They can't go. We home school, so don't the kids need socialization? (yes) The girls love dance, can I really consider stopping it? (probably not) Do I need to schedule things all the time? (most definitely, not)

So, how did this happen? How did we get so busy?!

I think in an effort to do the best job possible for the children, and to try and be "balanced" between homeschooling and socializing (for all of us, me included) we've overbooked. Even my husband is going non stop between his school work, his fire-fighter/ paramedic work and flight-medic work. He doesn't even have time to just play, really. He loves his work (well, most of it, anyway), but we are hardly home together.

Anyway... stuff to work on, stuff to make better. There is always room for improvement, isn't there? I pray for wisdom and patience. Especially during this season of Lent, we should pray and ask for guidance from our Lord. Doing something for God, and time spent in intimate conversation with Him are vital components for faith this season. I know that the more we fill our lives with Him, his Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, the less things we will need to fill our time and our lives with.

Happy Valentine's Day!

It was a good one, as far as Valentine's Days go. I used to dislike this holiday and dread it. I was never that girl that had a boy friend, or got love notes, or got flowers sent to her. Nope, I was the girl who wore black on Valentine's Day in protest of boy friends, love notes, and flowers. It was actually pretty miserable, as I remember it. I guess I'm remembering high school, though, and not the fun days of elementary school and candy... lots of candy. I'm better, now.


Now, Valentine's Day is a day to relax. Naps are actually the best gift ever! I get flowers (usually drawn on scraps of paper). I get love notes (from my 3 kids, and occasionally my husband). I have a boy friend (2, actually: my husband and my son). I get candy (and chocolate, and brownies, and tonight I even had a margarita). I even wear red instead of black. It is all good, better.

Today's holiday was especially sweet because we were all together. The husband was home after a week of 24 hour rotating shifts, being stuck up in the throws of snowmaggedon. We went out to eat all together (yea! Mexican food... love those warm corn chips!) After eating out, we went to church. The songs were good, and the message was about love, and the promises we have in Christ. The promises God made us. We are living in an imperfect world, and there are a lot of catastrophes. There is hurt and pain. God will work toward good, though, for all those who honor and believe in Him. It's a promise!

grey skies

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in
it!

# 2

Round 2. My snow covered driveway. Again. I should just name this blog
the snow blog!

Again? Seriously?!

This is what it looks like tonight out my front door. Tired of snow pictures?


Again, I am blessed with forced seclusion as the roads are impassable, and it JUST stopped snowing. Again. We have like, 23-25 inches on the back deck (again), and the snow is piled up on the driveway, the sidewalk, and my trees and bushes. A few (big) branches have fallen off the pine trees in the back yard, and I think the bushes out front may be permanently deformed. I am, however, safe at home. I have heat and electricity. I have milk and toilet paper. All is good.


(you can see the branches on the ground)

(the snow covers our air unit)

I learned this afternoon NOT to attempt to make bread (even in a bread machine) without appropriately dated bakers yeast. It does not work. Honestly, it is comical the way food turns out when I am thrown into the mix!

It has been a busy week. School went well but the kids are a little put out. They don't like having to do school when they know the county has cancelled public school. Even when I point out that they have less days in school, and less hours, it doesn't seem to help. I guess that is what you would call character training. Hopefully, it will all pay off. I keep on praying about it... that it all works out well.

We've had a few precious moments this week. I allowed my 12 year old to stay home by himself one night for a few hours. He assured me he wouldn't answer the door, plus, " I have ninja skills, mom!" My middle, sweet daughter made strides toward forging a friendship with a girl she has admired and looked up to for some time. She invited the child over, they played and talked. Danielle hurts so much for her best friend that lives over 3000 miles away (much like me), so I realize how hard it must be to reach out again. So, this was a really good thing. Katie has just been a love bug, and a snuggle bug. She always has been cuddly, and funny. She makes us all laugh. She has been so sweet this week (especially, so).

I'm praying for my husband. Once again, in the midst of severe weather, and crisis-level staffing in the county, he has risen to the occasion, and reported for duty. Power is out all over NoVa, the roads are terrible, but he's out serving the public. WE love you, Mark!

Finally a Seattle visit

Fay Bainbridge Park

I haven't exactly been in the best of places lately. I've been a little down, and missing friends (especially west coast friends).

I've even found myself in the angry category. .. Angry at many people for a variety of reasons.

Last week, Wednesday, the tide started to turn. I was detained in Borders with a cup of coffee bought by my caring husband; and my children were sequestered in the children's section to pour over some books at their speed, salivating the whole time. Also there were no phones ringing, no knocks on the door. Some items were discussed. Some feelings were explored. I feel like I'm in a better place.

I did make a HUGE trip to Seattle, by myself. God bless the spouse and the parents who made it all possible! And, God bless the friends who supported and prayed for me. I know I am loved. I know I need to stop the guilty feeling when I step into doing something for myself. Thank goodness for prayer, and good old fashioned therapy. It really does help!