Books shaped my life (but obviously not my bangs)

This is my 6 year old me.




And this was one of my favorite books.

Who doesn't love Huckle and Lowly Worm.

I still have my original copy. Sigh.

Thanks CW.

A bad attitude and a question

I really don't mean to be all humbug but...

The thought of going down to our crawl space, lugging up all the plastic bins, the enormous Christmas tree, the lights... it all has me feeling a little overwhelmed.  One reason could be that when I mentioned decorating the house to the Princess she said "can't we just get one of those little table trees and call it good?"  So if my kid doesn't even care, why should I?

I will NOT be going anywhere come Black Friday.  I think I will be doing most of my shopping on line this year.

I have not even pulled out our collection of over 100 Christmas CD's yet.   Maybe that is part of my problem.

So I ask you, how do you get excited for Christmas?  What traditions do you have that help make Christmas feel "real"? 

Our trip to Washington D.C.  was great.  Every time I go there, I get a renewed sense of patriotism.  This time I really needed a strong dose of that.  You just can't help but feel it when you look at all the things our founding fathers did for this country.  Inspired men and (women).

The National Archives

The Declaration of Independence

 

Probably my favorite building in the entire city.  Seeing the Magna Carte, the original Bill of Rights, and what's left of the Declaration of Independence.  Amazing. There is a sense of reverence in that building, and rightly so.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

They do this every hour, and the respect and precision are amazing.  When we first got to Arlington Cemetery, there was a military funeral going on.  We saw them hand the folded flag to a man (a father?) and then it ended.  Later at the changing of the guards ceremony, I looked over and there was the man standing, watching the ceremony, clutching the flag.  

We then headed to the Vietnam Memorial.  I didn't take any pictures there that day.  It was the day before Veteran's Day and there were so many Veteran's there, in uniform, openly weeping.  I just felt I needed to respect their privacy.  It was a touching time.  

One of the main reasons we went to DC when we did was because of a case that was being heard at the Supreme Court involving the City of Pleasant Grove (where my husband works).  If you haven't heard of the court case involving the 10 Commandments, go here.  

Here is PG's Mayor waiting to be interviewed by the media.  

There was a huge group on the steps for this case.  It was really exciting.  

The attorneys for PG being interviewed

The black suit is alive and well in Washington

The Princess had fun at the different Smithsonian museums.  

Here she is with a statue from Easter Island

I picked out a little something for myself while I was there.  

This was next to the Hope Diamond (my pic of that didn't turn out) 

A really cool sculpture from the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden

The view from the Jefferson Memorial

My sister and I rented paddle boats one year and went all around the tidal basin.  I've never been during Cherry Blossom season though.

Old Ebbitt Grill

We eat here every time we come to DC.  It is the oldest pub in Washington.  

Then we visited the United States Marine Corps museum.  Since two of our sons are Marines, it was extra inspiring.  The building is designed to be shaped like the statue of Iwo Jima.  

I think we walked the entire district of Columbia at least twice.  I know we walked this:

And it was worth it.

I woke up with hope

Hope for a new beginning.  Now I don't care who you voted for, or even if you disagree completely with Obama.  Like it or not, he is now our 44th president, and I for one will be supporting him.  I would love to see this country learn once again to respect the office of the presidency.  Having a president instead of a ruler is one of the things that makes us great.

And I still think this applies: "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law."

Here are some things I loved about yesterday.

The Princess asking me if I voted yet.  3 times during the day - by text and at home.  (I did)

Seeing long lines on the news (happy that so many people voted) but not having to wait more than 10 minutes to vote myself.

Voting next to my husband (and for once not canceling each others vote).

R writing in The Princess because he "wanted to be the very first person to vote for her for President".  

The Princess getting upset because YW went long, and she wanted to get home to watch the results.

The look of hope on the faces of the crowds.  It's been a long time since we've seen that.

McCain's humble concession speech.   Very classy and dignified.

Obama's talk of us having a "Spirit of service, a spirit of sacrifice, and to look after one another".  (Sounds like some of the same things I hear in General Conference.  (DO NOT send me hate mail - really.  I know some don't agree with any of this, and that is another part of what is great about America)

And the best thing about today?  Looking over my Ambien induced notes from last night and seeing this written.  "I wonder what kind of puppy they're getting?