a fulfillment of the dream...

DC bound!

It was a trip I'll never forget.

Just before Thanksgiving and the horrible stomach bug, we packed up the kids for a quick getaway to DC.  (about 3 1/2 hours)

View of the Washington Memorial & WWII Memorial

 In school, Caroline had been learning about the presidents, and we thought it'd be fun to take her to see some of the memorials and such.

 Our first stop was the Lincoln Memorial!

Now, Lincoln is great and all,

but for our family,

the Lincoln memorial has an even greater significance.

Because it was here, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial,

where in 1963 Martin Luther King, Jr, gave his "I Have a Dream" speech to over 250,000 listeners.  

It was a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement.

It was a defining moment in the history of our country.

And who knew, it'd be a defining moment in my own little family:

 "I have a dream that one day little black boys and little black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers." 

Martin Luther King, Jr.

I can't tell you how magical it felt

to see my children on those steps.

To see a real fulfillment of MLK's dream

in my own children.

It blows me away.  To tears.

Our nation still has a long way to go

in combating systemic racism 

and improving race relations,

but 50 years ago,

who'd have believed this could happen?

God is so good.

Jameson had dreams of his own that day...

And if that wasn't exciting enough, from there we walked over to the White House, where security suddenly began heightening.  We saw snipers appearing on the rooftops of all the buildings surrounding the White House!  (you can see them getting into place in this photo)

We had no idea as to what all the hype was about.  Tourists were being asked to stand back, cops on horses were parading the field in front of the White House, and firetrucks were lining the streets.

And then it made sense.

As we were walking back toward our car, just 100 yards from the Washington Monument, we suddenly heard the loudest sound.  We looked up and saw three huge presidential helicopters heading directly toward us!  They soared RIGHT above our heads (I was too much in awe to think to get my camera out), and as they approached the White House, the middle helicopter began descending to the ground while the other two flew off.

The President had just come home!  The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA had just flown in over our heads!  HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!  (please spare me the snarky political remarks here.  Regardless of what anyone thinks of his policies, it's kind of a BIG DEAL that the first black president of the United States flew over us!  And the same evening we visited the place of the "I Have a Dream" speech, nonetheless, too.  It was AWESOME.  All four of us were going crazy with the excitement!)

 The next day is what the kids will remember as their favorite.

The Metro.

They got the full experience by sitting at the front.

Forget all the museums we visited.  

"Mom, when can we ride the train?" was all I heard.

 We took a quick visit to the National Zoo.  This (pictured left) was nothing short of cool!

 Riding the carousel!

 His first time.  He was in HEAVEN.

Love this boy.

What an amazing trip.

checking in & checking up...

Well, hello again!

It's been a crazy busy few weeks with the Christmas season upon us.  I know it's crazy regardless, but when you're a worship director and local musician, it's the busiest time of your year!  (whew)

I hope to be back to blogging soon, but in the meantime, look who had his two year old check up...

25% in weight
50% in height
100% in cuteness

Proud of his bandaid

...and didn't cry one BIT with his shot or his finger pricking!?!!  (who IS this kid?!)

Way to go, my Jameson!!!