Our Weekend...

Last night after finishing up dishes, I walked outside to find Nathan playing in a "dirt pile". Oh, what a proud momma I was! Dirt piles bring back so many fond memories for me of my early childhood. My brother and I would spend hours playing at the dirt pile near the swing set when we were growing up. We were definitely not afraid of any dirt... but at that point in my life I don't remember being to fond of showers...hmmmm..... that kinda sounds like Nathan too! Well, anyways Uncle Greg I hope your proud.

And today... it was in the 80's-90's outside and beautiful. So, we ventured downtown. We walked around the monuments a little bit then headed to one of the museums. I must say that Bryant and I are determined that we need a Sit and Stand stroller! Nathan gets tired of walking and we usually just have him stand on the basket or sit on top of the stroller... but, I don't think that can be too comfortable. So, I feel a shopping experience coming on...

And my blog would not be complete without a picture of Flat Stanley. Flat Stanley traveled all the way from North East, PA to stay with us for the month. Our mission was to show him around town and return him back to the wonderful little girl at Davis Primary School with some photos and a note on his adventure. This was our primary goal of our trip downtown today. Flat Stanley will make his trip back to PA on Monday. It was nice having you as our guest Flat Stanley... especially because I didn't have to cook anything special or worry about having a clean house while you where here! Buddy, you can come anytime!

Flips and Rolls...

Last night, Nathan was jumping off of the slide and into the jumpoline in the basement. Well, he was told to stop or he would get hurt and he replied with, "But mom, I want to do flips and rolls just like the girls do...". So, Bryant helped him do a somersault in the jumpoline... here's the result:

Cookie Time...

Today, the kids helped make cookies. After I mixed up the batter they...

scooped and rolled...

baked...

and most importantly ate! Of course the chocolate goes first!

Momma's therapy...

So, some of you may think that living in DC is just the coolest thing... but not this momma. At one point over the weekend I told my extremely patient and understanding husband that I just wanted to go home... to my church, my friends, my family. Obviously, that's not going to happen and after all the wishing and hoping... I knew that too. When reality sets back in, we just simply have to make the most of what we have. Afterall, God brought this opportunity to us, to prosper us not to harm us. And He has opened doors and moved stones out of the path the entire way.

Good news: I really enjoyed church yesterday. And took some advice from a very wise lady and stepped out of my comfort zone and up to the donut table and mingled with some fellow Sunday School parents. So, thanks Jen... I think all I needed was to "go get some juice"!

After church, I decided to complete the weekend therapy with a little bit of shopping. I mean typically if you ignore the total at the end of the receipt every once in awhile, then shopping can be very rewarding. I always feel so guilty about buying myself anything, especially when I have two children and a husband that also require clothing and shoes. So, after I picked up a few things for myself I headed over and grabbed some new clothes for my kiddos. Sorry Bryant, nothing for you this time.... maybe on my next therapy session purchase!

Here's Nathan rockin his new diggs... he asked what a rockasauras was... then rocked on!

Gracie is sportin her new dress and momma's new $2.80 jewelry. Gotta love sales!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29: 11

A New Day...

The past two days we've been singing, "Rain rain go away, come again another day..." and today it is 63* and BEAUTIFUL!!

Yesterday we got to spend the evening with Bryant's cousin and her family, they were in town on vacation. They came over to our house for dinner and then we went back to the hotel with them for some pool time and card games. Oh, how I love visiting with people (especially because I still know no one here)! So if you're reading this friends and family: COME VISIT ME!

Today was Gracie's 2 year check up. So, we headed south to Woodbridge... we love Woodbridge, it's so nice there (only sometimes it can be a royal pain getting there... ugh traffic). I can't remember all the stats from the appointment but I do remember that she is a healthy 26 pounder! After words, the kids and I had lunch at Chick Fil A (the Woodbridge location is the closest to us). When I told Nathan that we were going there he started singing his newest hit, "I'm in love with Chick Fil A...", those are actually the only words, he just repeats them several times.

Anywho... nice weather... yes!

Oh What a Night...

Does everything seem to happen all at once at your house? Well it does here! With Gracie being sick our nights are usually filled with crying and multiple trips to her room. So last night around 1:30 I could hear a faint cry in the distance... thinking it's Gracie I was doing my best to try and ignore it (probably hoping Bryant would get up). Then I realized it was Nathan not Gracie. It is very unusual for Nathan to cry at night unless he's had a bad dream or something along that line. So I fly out of bed (I mean FLY) and find him laying on his floor face down. So, as I go to scoop him up and put him back in bed I can see blood all over his carpet. Yikes, me + blood =not good. So, I grab him up and call for Bryant twice (because I'm sure he thinks I'm trying to con him into taking over the night shift with Gracie). Well, thank goodness for Daddy! This man knew exactly what to do and did it calmly too. Me, well if you know me well, I'm sure you can imagine what I was doing next... it involved laying on the floor hoping to not pass out. Seriously, I'm speakin the truth! Not sure if it was the flying out of bed part only to be met with the adrenaline of finding a hurt child or the sight of blood... but, that's me! Anyways, Bryant decided that Nathan didn't need stitches (although we're sure if we would have taken him in he would of gotten at least one) and we had lots of Steri-stips (thank you Adam J) and antibiotic ointment... so Bryant played doctor. Then, Nathan and I sat up and watched The Little Mermaid... and then finally returned to bed (well, the futon... together).

Man, I just want to sleep through the night once!

Forgetful Minds and Runny Noses...

OK, so maybe that shouldn't be plural. After all we only had one forgetful mind and one runny nose today.

Bryant was able to get 3 tickets to the Easter Egg Roll at the White House today, and he had planned to take both the kids. Well, that is until Gracie got felling cruddy... So, Bryant and Nathan ventured off to the White House today to roll some Easter Eggs, dance to music and make a jump rope craft. (There was lots of other activities there for them to do, but there was lots of lines too!)

Forgetful Mind: Bryant.
He forgot his cell phone and the memory card for the camera. He got the camera just no memory card! And he grabbed my phone out of my purse as I dropped my boys off at the Metro this morning. Ya see he needed it if he wanted me to pick him back up later!

So, here's some pictures from the Easter Egg Roll (kinda), only minus a large White House in DC... and instead a smaller house in Springfield.

Oh, and the Runny Nose: Gracie.
Go figure!