Washington D.C. Day 1

Riding on the Metro, every morning. Convenient, but annoying. A necessary evil, but better than driving around in the traffic.
Our first day was spent at 2 Smithsonians: American History and Natural History, as well as the National Archives. We ended the night at Starbucks: reading, drinking, and people watching. So many business minded people that I'm not used to seeing, being in the medical realm all the time.

First sight of DC

Gotta admit, national monuments everywhere you went, pretty cool. One thing to see them in pictures or on tv, another to see them in real life. I really enjoyed the Mall. If I lived there, I would run all around that area. So nice!

Reading President Kennedy's speech

Natural History Museum

Walking to the Starbucks.

We spent 30 minutes goofing around taking pics in front of the monuments. However, most of them did not turn out. Look close and you can see the capitol.

We took 700 pics between the two of us, these are only a few. I'll try to post some from every day to give a glimpse of what we did. Good to be home, so tired of go go go.

Washington District of Columbia!!! Here I come!! So excited for the next 8 days of adventure and touring and just being. A much needed vacation, a much needed trip.

I

Can't

Wait

What will make it great? Going with my sister. Seeing my friends, Al, Pamela, and Rachel. Love love love those girls. So good for my heart they are. Time away from work, time away from home, time away from the every day of life. Time for museums, shops, vendors, metro, being tourists, planning, laughter, tears...I am going to enjoy every minute of it. Its a long trip, but so worth it.

A cry of unbelief

Oh Life. I try and figure you out, think I've pinned you down, then you turn on me again. I am again resigned to the fact that I will never figure it out, as much as I might try. Once I resign to the fact this is how it is, I become discontent and start all over again. Especially when I wish my life was quite different than it is now. I see my life as a black and white photo. My friends who have families, husbands, children, jobs they love...they live in color. For now I live in my black and white.

Will one day I look back and see this time was that of vivid color? Is God able to redeem all things? I don't believe it, every day I doubt it. Every day I borrow the faith, optimism, belief of those around me. Until mine comes back, Lord, help my unbelief.

My cousins, aunt, and uncle came into town this week, so I got to spend several evenings with them. So good to see family here.

Caleb and I took a lot of silly pics trying to get just the right one

He's totally excited by it all

My Uncle Bill was sick, or Bill was ill. So I was his stand in for several dinners with my Aunt Susan. Seriously, I love this woman!! She's my mom's oldest sister, an awesome lady!

One night I carved pumpkins with Katie. October 7 was a day of firsts. First time Katie had carved pumpkins (gasp!) and the first time she officially became Mrs. Yates. Here's how we spent the evening:

I love when your married friends still hang out with you. My worst fear is that I'll get married and I'll get lame and not hang out with people. In my attempt to combat that, I just make my married friends hang out with me regardless. Not that I have too many.

Lovin' this fall weather and all it brings!! Crunchy leaves and acorns, cooler weather, windows open, pumpkins, squash, fall decorations, the anticipation of the holidays that are to come. I love the warmer weather and going to the beach, but that has to come to an end sometime. So glad when we get a break!!

Hello, Fall weather! I'm so glad you've come!! Today in attempt to not think, I went on a great run. It was actually enjoyable, who would've known? An hour and 10 min later I found myself back at home. Not all running, mind you. I'd call it more of a shuffle. I can't wait to do it again tomorrow!

There is nothing better than the feeling of zero preconceived notions and no feelings of condemnation. So freeing....

Could it be that the many roads
You took to get here
Were just for me to tell this story
And for you to hear this song
And your many hopes
And your many fears
Were meant to bring you here all along

I am loving Andrew Peterson's Many Roads. Go listen, or at least look up the lyrics.

I think my hopes and fears were meant to bring me here all along.

I love bluegrass music...Pandora Nickel Creek and Chris Thile stations. They have played nonstop on my computer over the past 2 weeks. Love it... Seems so fitting for the fall.

Happy October! I can't believe its October!!! This month I am going to Washington D.C.! I'm so excited. I have never been to the city, so I am looking forward to exploring with my sister, Natalie. I am also looking forward to seeing my sweet sisters, Alex and Pamela! I love those gals so much!!!

As I sit on my couch I can see across the street to the little family that lives there. They have two very cute little girls. Looks like there was a sleepover last night because Mom and Dad are picking up friends. Ah, the days of sleepovers. I loved the anticipation that maybe this Friday, I could spend the night at friends or I could ask to have my friend spend the night. And I still have sleepovers.

Breakfast this morning with an old roomie, Kristina. We ate at a local cafe....yum so good!! We plan on being regulars so one day they will know us by name and get our drinks and food ready when we walk in. Disney today with Ashley and Jon! Can't wait, it will be a good one!