Hello. I'm Here.

Well we got home from Virginia last Sunday night and I jumped right into working, and all those other things that happen during the week that suck up time like a dry sponge. 

What HAVE I been doing the past week?  I don't even know... 

This trip really exhausted me, so I've been falling into bed and sleeping hard every night... dragging myself out of bed in the morning, literally not being able to keep my eyes open long enough to get the coffee started.  Isn't that interesting?  No?  Well, that's my excuse for not posting.  :)

The tournament was amazing.  I spent a lot of my time in the library atrium of Regent University watching Luke and Sarah play and freezing, freezing, freezing!  I think the A/C in that place was set to like 30 degrees or something.  When I got a break from babysitting I watched speeches.  And blinked in awe.  For a girl like me who can't speak in front of a crowd to save her life and has always been of... let's say "average" intelligence :) the things I saw these kids do was astounding.  Talent by the bucket loads, and I'm not even exaggerating. 

Just for a little taste...  This is the Duo Interpretation that won first place.


I was actually in the room watching this exact performance and when they were done Mom and I turned to each other with huge eyes and said "WOW."  These kids are AMAZING.  It's a little intimidating to be surrounded by so much talent, let me tell you. 

I wish I could explain more about what NCFCA is...  but I know I wouldn't do it justice.  If you are interested you can poke around the website and see more of what it's all about.  There are so many different speech categories that I don't really know all of them, not to mention debate.  I got an opportunity to watch some "Persuasive" speeches, and that may have been my favorite part of the event.  I saw 8 students give speeches that they had researched, written and performed themselves on whatever subject they felt strongly enough to speak on.  The whole point is to be able to persuade the judges of your point of view.  I saw speeches on everything from Sarcasm to Homosexuality in the Church, Autism, Being a "Doer", Gun Control, Terrorism...  I was in awe.  They all persuaded me. :) 

We also got to do fun things like go to the beach, visit Monticello, Richmond, swim in the pool (or, in my case, watch Luke and Sarah B, swim in the pool) :)  It was a good trip.  Long, but good. 

But, as always, the best part?  Coming Home.  :)

Gettysburg

"Soldier" at Gettysburg: "Are you a Billy Yank, or a Johnny Reb?"

Luke: "Well... I'm a Cardinals fan"

Soldier: "Are you a Rebel?"

Luke: "No!"

Soldier: "Well, are you a Yankee?"

Luke: "No!..... I'm from Wisconsin"

Soldier: "Oh, you're a Yank."

Did you know...

If you spent 15 seconds

In front of every display in the Smithsonian Institution

It would take you 12 years to see everything

The White House

Here we are in front of the White House.

Did you know there's a dress code for the West Wing?

I don't think you can read it so here's what it says:

"Those not appropriately dressed and wearing the following will not be allowed to tour the West Wing. "

• 
  
  Jeans
• 
  
  Sneakers
• 
  
  Shorts
• 
  
  Mini-Skirts
• 
  
  T-shirts
• 
  
  Tank tops
• 
  
  Flip flops

"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..."

We took a ferry from Jersey City out into the harbor and circled the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

I couldn't help imagining how those thousands of immigrants that sailed into New York Harbor must have felt when they got that first glimpse.

They must have been exhausted from their many weeks at sea. They might have been sick, hungry. They disembarked at Ellis Island and while they were trying to get back their land legs they were herded through lines. They waited for hours to be inspected and finally allowed to walk out onto American soil.

I've been to foreign countries and experienced the apprehension of culture shock. Being surrounded by an alien language is bewildering to say the least. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for these immigrants to uproot their entire lives and move to completely unknown territory.

But, they came because they wanted something better for their families. Something better than they had always known.

Washington D.C. day one

We had so much fun on our trip out East that I think I will be posting pictures for a while!!

Our first stop was Washington D.C. and I have to tell you we were THRILLED to be there!!!

We are gigantic history buffs and we have wanted to visit our nations' capitol for a long time!!

The first day in D.C we took a metro into the city to The Smithsonian Institutian.

When we got off the metro and walked up the stairs we turned around and saw this!

It was very exciting!!

You might not know this (you probably do) but the Smithsonian is actually lots of smaller museums all laid out in a mall and together they make up the Smithosonian Institution.

We most wanted to see the National Museum of American History

We were dissapointed to discover that it was closed for remodeling and won't reopen until next summer.

But, we didn't let that deter us. It took us about 10 seconds to decide to go to the Air and Space Museum instead.

They had an incredible display devoted entirely to Orville and Wilbur Wright.

Here they are with a little 21st century friend.

And here is the actual plane that they flew at Kitty Hawk for the very first ever flight! I know, I know. It's awesome, right?

THEN! Very exciting news! Although the American History Museum was closed 150 of their "treasures" were in a special display called "Treasures of American History" at the Air and Space Museum!! Yippee!!!

We lost no time seeing that display!!

The top hat Abraham Lincoln was wearing the night he was assasinated.

George Washington's uniform.

This is getting to be a very long post so I will stop for now.

Much, MUCH more to follow, very soon!!!

home sweet home!!!

We are home from our trip out East!! Just rolled in a few hours ago... we're exhausted. But, VERY, VERY glad to be home. I loved our trip and I will have SO MANY pictures to share! We had so much fun touring Washington D.C., seeing the Statue of Liberty, visiting Getttysburg, PA... but, I must admit... I LOVE the good 'ole midwest.

I'll sort through pictures and post some soon!!! You can expect lots of history related posts coming up soon!! (My family is huge history buffs.... we didn't go to D.C. for the shopping... )