Seriously

Josh said I only post goofy pictures of him on my blog so here's the one they took after Church Sunday for the new ward directory. No trace of goofiness.

A Presidential Independence Day

***Long post alert! This is instead of writing in my journal!***

Happy Independence Day! We started the day with the ward pancake breakfast. It sprinkled on us a little bit, but it was a nice temperature and the boys had fun playing on the slides. Our neighbors Jeff and Melanie came and met a lot of people. They seemed to have a good time.

At home we had hot dogs and cantaloupe for lunch, followed by naps for everyone. What a treat for me and Josh! Michael woke up first so Josh took him outside for a walk while I stayed home and waited for Sam to wake up. When Sam woke up I took him outside for a walk too. It is so nice to have some one on one time once in a while. We walked over to the gas station by us that is waiting to be torn down. It's fenced off and the pumps are boarded up. There is an enormous back-hoe tractor parked there and Sam walked me in that direction and kept pointing to it and saying "Wow!" We followed a yellow butterfly for a while and then ran into Josh and Michael and walked home together.

It was starting to rain and the real dilemma began. Josh had an invitation to watch the National Mall fireworks on the White House lawn but the weather forecast said the entire area would be covered with thunderstorms on and off all evening. We didn't want to miss this opportunity (no chance of being invited again next year with the change in presidency) but we were nervous about taking the boys out in what could be terrible thunderstorms! Our friends Jeff and Melanie came to the rescue and babysat for us so we could leave the boys at home, snug and dry in their beds, and brave the elements alone.

We were so glad we went! It would have been impossible with the double stroller and two toddlers who hate sitting down for too long and tend to run away at warp speed when they're in a crowd. Without them, though, it was fantastic!

The highlight was the unexpected presence of President and Laura Bush! I had run down to get our little cups of vanilla Blue Bell ice cream when I heard cheers and applause erupt from the nearby crowd. When I got back to our blanket, Josh said, "Turn around." President and Laura Bush were standing on the balcony of the White House. I could hardly see him without my glasses on, but I could tell it was him. I've never seen a US President in person before and it was so amazing! The crowd sang him "Happy Birthday" - his birthday is July 6th - and then we all turned around and watched the fireworks on his front lawn!

I felt like crying as the fireworks went off and the music played over the speakers. "Stars and Stripes Forever," the 1812 Overture, all of the military themes. I felt like our Nation still has strength and moral character, deep down, even if it's covered up with materialism and selfishness. I felt a loyalty to the country and imagined the Bush family taking in this last July 4th celebration in the White House. What memories they will have.

When it was over and we were walking back to the Metro we saw a bus from Walter Reed Military Hospital drive by. It was full of recovering soldiers. We were solemnly reminded of the price that has been paid for the freedoms we enjoy and were so thankful for the sacrifice of those men and their families. They have acted on the same feelings of duty and patriotism I had and what do they get for it? I wanted to tell them all I appreciate what they've decided to do with their lives and help that positive message overpower the ridicule they so often face.

While we were still walking to the Metro a family walked up behind us. They were on vacation and all wore trash bags over their clothes to try and keep dry. Their heads were wet and the dad asked the mom if she was doing alright. She said, "I am walking in the rain, on the 4th of July, with my family, in the Nation's Capitol. It doesn't get any better than this." As if that wasn't enough, her little boy then added, "Patriotism swells in the heart of the American Bear." I think he means a Bear rank in the Boy Scouts. There was almost a moment of silence as we were all touched by this innocent little comment. It was so sweet.

When we got home we turned on PBS and watched the fireworks all over again! We said, "Oh, remember that one? That one was great." I felt a little bit crazy doing that, but it was fun. Then Charlie Rose came on interviewing David McCullough. He was so interesting to listen to. I found it so refreshing to listen to a wholesome, intelligent, interesting man on my TV for a change. Josh and I both got the learning bug and pulled out some history books to answer questions the interview brought up. I'm heading to the library this week to get McCullough's book on John and Abigail Adams' letters. Evidentially Tom Hanks is involved in making it into a movie. Then we got online to find out why they always play the 1812 Overture on July 4th. It turns out it has nothing to do with the War of 1812, but it was very interesting to learn that Tchaikovsky wrote it to signify the Russian army's defeat of Napoleon's invasion. It starts out with themes from the French national anthem and finishes off with the old Russian national anthem - the Russian melody takes over the French melody and pushes it out, just like the army had done.

Well, since our camera is broken there are no pictures. But, the people we watched the fireworks with said they'd send us some, so if they do I'll post them later.

It was such an uplifting weekend. Saturday and Sunday were fun as well with a family jog along the C&O Canal by the Potomac, a visit from Cuz Emily and the Scharman gang, a bbq with the Lowe's, and friends over for dessert last night. We continued the "learning bug" by reading some poetry and the Declaration of Independence last night before we went to bed. I don't think we've ever done that before.

Rehoboth Beach: 10 Years and 2 Kids Later

I have to preface this post by telling you where I am writing it. I am babysitting for our darling next door neighbors. Their baby is asleep. I am listening to i-Tunes and blogging while Josh is at home feeding the boys dinner and putting them to bed without me. Who got the better deal here? When I left Sam was crying bloody murder to see me heading for the door. I hope they will eat for him and not just throw their food all over the floor. They do it just to make him mad - they seldom do it while he is at work.

With that out of the way, I got pictures of the beach! I had a stomach virus on Wednesday so Josh stayed home from work to take care of the boys while I went back and forth from the bed to the bathroom. He took them out to run some errands and developed the film for me. CVS sells cd's with your pictures on them so I do have them digitally.

Our trip to the beach was so fun. Cousin Lydia spent the night with us to help us prepare and drove out to the beach with us. She helped me pack and helped entertain the boys and pick up their toys when they threw them down in the car. They absolutely love her and miss her when we don't see her for a little while.

It's a 3 1/2 hr drive to Rehoboth, DE. About half-way there Josh said, "Now it feels like summer!" I think it is so important to get a change of scenery once in a while to remember where your routine stops and your life begins. We really got to relax and unwind, all in one day! Rehoboth is where Josh and I spent our honeymoon 10 years ago! Like most beaches, it hasn't changed at all. Same salt water taffy shops and grainy sand, but we have changed and have these 2 cuties to show for it!

I had imagined Sam and Michael calmly sitting in the sand, playing with the buckets and shovels we brought. That must be what 10 month olds do at the beach. They were running all over the place destroying other peoples' sand castles, stealing people's toys, and running into the ocean! We spent at least 30 minutes holding their hands and lifting them up out of the surf every time a wave came in. Michael was sweet and took us each by the had for a little walk up and down the beach. We love the feel of his little hands in ours.

Michael did take a long enough break to have this "con" (versation) with his aunt Debbie.
We were only there about 3 hours and were absolutely exhausted! Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I was up most of the night before (until about 4am) with Michael and his teething pain. It took me until the 3rd time he woke up to figure out what was wrong and give him some ibuprofen.
We stopped at Sonic on our way home, gulped down our enormous hamburgers and gave the tater tots to the boys. Sam was asleep before we pulled out of the parking spot and a few minutes later Michael was asleep too.
At home we actually got everything put away and, except for the laundry, it was like we hadn't gone to the beach at all. Not bad for one day! There was something so calming about just seeing the big, blue ocean and nothing else. I highly recommend it!

We continued the fun weekend taking the boys to see the temple Sunday evening. They were both impressed and kept pointing to it and asking us to tell them what it was called. You can see Michael was ready for bed by the time we left, but they loved it and love the picture we have of it at home. Sam pointed to the picture of the temple and said "happy!" Hearing that makes US happy!

Monkey

Meet Monkey. That is as creative as I get on names, so he'll have to wait until Michael can talk for a better one. After the boys were born their Aunt Sarah and cousins Rachel and Brooke sent us a box full of gifts. In the box was this stuffed animal monkey. I thought it would be rude to give it to Sam as he actually LOOKED like a monkey when he was born, down to the same hairline and pokey-outey ears, so Monkey was given to Michael.


I tried to get him attached to it last spring, but it was a one-sided relationship and Michael didn't pay any attention to him. (I can't get that picture to rotate around.)



Now, however, they are inseparable. Michael feeds Monkey, brushes his teeth, brushes his hair, and kisses him on the lips a hundred times a day with a loud "Mmmm!" Before bedtime and naptime we walk around the house together looking for Monkey and calling out his "name." When we find him Michael bursts into an enormous smile and reaches out for his little friend. He's had a few baths in the washing machine and is holding up well. So here's a long-overdue thank you to Aunt Sarah, Rachel, and Brooke for what has turned out to be a match made in heaven.

Michael dropped our camera a week or so ago so we haven't been able to take any new digital pictures. I am taking some pictures with a disposable camera we've had in the cabinet for about 5 years. I hope the film isn't too old. Anyway, until we fix it or get a new one, I'll have to use old pictures.

We're going to the beach with my sister Friday and hopefully she can take some pictures and share them with us. Wish us luck with no naps and trying not to burn the boys! I think they will be in heaven as water and sand are their 2 favorite playthings.

Cars, and Trucks, and Planes, Oh My!

This is Sam at his best. Josh's boss gave us this Richard Scarry book "Cars and Trucks and Things That Go" and we thought we'd see if Sam liked it. Turn up your volume and see for yourself! It's a little fuzzy because I standing far away and zooming in so I wouldn't distract him with the camera. It's a little long, but it's fun.

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First Haircuts

If you can't read that certificate it says, "This is to certify that Michael has bravely met all of the requirements of receiving his first haircut and has graduated from babyhood on the 16th day of May in the year of 2008. Ceremonies took place at: Senate Hair Care, Delaware & C St, NE, Washington, DC 20510."


We bit the bullet and cut of the curls. Not completely, mind you! We took Michael and Sam to the barber shop in the basement of the Russel Senate Office Building and Barber Dave Knight (no relation) did the honors. He's been cutting Josh's hair for 6 years and basically gave the boys the same cut.

Michael got through it with a fixed gaze at me or his dad in the mirror the whole time.

While Sam needed the distraction of his favorite toy ever, the Blackberry.


I don't know if I agree with the certificate that they've graduated from babyhood, I'm not read for that, but they are definitely acting like toddlers and even go off to nursery in a few weeks.

Josh got his hair cut when the boys were through and I tried taking them up to my old office to say hello to a few folks, but everyone was already gone for the weekend. I was smiling the whole time we were there because I am so grateful I don't have to work there anymore! No offence to the Senate, I am just so much happier doing what I love most everyday: taking care of Michael and Sam, up to my elbows in laundry, diapers, and hugs and kisses!

Something Borrowed . . .

Last Saturday Josh and I went to the wedding and reception for his former co-worker. It was a beautiful event downtown and we were planning how to attend for months. The wedding was at 2:30 pm and the black-tie reception was at 6:00 so we had to get babysitting arranged for the daytime as well as the night. Since it was the same day as prom, we got 2 14-year old girls from church to come from 1:30 pm until 11:00. I think they had an experience of a lifetime!

The wedding was held at St. Matthew's Cathedral in downtown Washington, DC. We'd never been there before and it is gorgeous! I was distracted by all of the mosaic artwork and Josh had to jab me once during the actual vows to pay attention to the wedding instead of the cathedral! I think it's where JFK's funeral was held. The bride arrived in a white Rolls Royce and wore a rented necklace of 20 or more carats of diamonds.

I had been stressing out about what to wear to the reception for months. Black tie in the spring? At a wedding? For a Mormon? I bought 4 things and returned them all. I tried on 8 dresses from friends and settled on one that looked pretty, young, and modest all at once without looking like a prom dress, a mother of the bride dress, or a bridesmaid dress. Josh helped me look for dresses online for hours and finally said, "You are going to look so different from every other woman there. I am so proud of you." That's all I needed to hear to feel good about being the only modest woman at this party. During the wedding ceremony someone read out of Romans about respecting the body and not heeding the dictates of the times'. It was ultimately a passage about love and I would post the reference but it wasn't in the King James Version language so I'm not sure where to find it, but I felt very good about being modest again.

The reception was fun. It was held at the elegant St. Regis hotel with cocktails in an outdoor courtyard surrounded by azaleas and pink and white blooming dogwood trees. The flowers in the centerpieces alone must have cost thousands of dollars. The bride wanted a "pink explosion" and I think she got one.


We knew a lot of people there that Josh used to work with and we had a nice time. We all left saying we need to get together again soon. Dinner was corn chowder with a miniature crab cake, fois gras with a carmelized mango sauce (disgusting), Chilean sea bass with cream ginger sauce, steamed carrots and asparagus, a small filet mignon with truffles scented mashed potatoes and green beans garnished with tempura scallions. All this is from memory! It was a delicious change from Costco chicken and tuna casserole.

After dinner there was a live 80's band and Josh and I danced for about 15 minutes. This is the first time I've ever actually seen Josh fast dance. He was good and, of course, funny! We had a blast. I fell in love all over again with my 32-year old husband in a tuxedo. When we got married he didn't know how to put on a tux and now he looks so comfortable in one. Never pretentious, he just knows how to be himself.


It took a lot of preparation for us to leave the boys and get dressed up, and it took some time to recover! The boys were very clingy the next couple of days, but it was worth it. I felt like my smile was going to crack my cheeks and that I would start crying tears of love for this man who took me on as a work in progress and has patiently helped me grow up . . . just a little!

Until next time, "Walk Like an Egyptian!"