Guess where I've been?
Here's a little hint...
Recognize this humble, little home?
Yes-siree that's me hanging out with my sis in front of the White House.
The last time I recall being here, was my sixth birthday. Dad told me he was taking me to Washington DC. He gave me 4 "passes" and said that I could invite 4 friends to join us. I remember sitting on his lap, counting up the passes. I looked around the table. What a surprise! There were four faces peering back at me. Mom -one, Trish-two, Kris -three and Ann -four. I wonder what in the world Dad would have done if I picked 4 giggling, squealing girls from school. (Actually, I don't think it would have made a bit of difference, noisewise.) I don't remember too much else about the trip, except lots of cherry blossoms lining the sidewalks. Oh, and I remember eating ice cream. Hey, these are the things that matter most to a 6 year old.
Guess who was home? See the cars lined up?
And upon closer examination....what?!!!!! THE PRESIDENT???? Is it really him? And what's in his hand?
ZOOM IN CLOSER!!!!!
Unless the President has taken to polishing his own car, I do believe we were mistaken. It sure was exciting for a second there. You should have seen us racing up the sidewalk. We were giggling and out of breath. My camera was swaying from my neck, like I was some crazy paparazzi. When we got to the White House driveway, I asked a policeman if the President was coming out, because we just saw the black cars. It was then that he dropped the bomb on us. "The President had just returned five minutes ago." What a let down. We missed him by five minutes...and we ran so hard, too. It was just a tad bit embarrassing when a bystander said, "Excuse me ladies, what were you running for?" We were like, "Umm, 99 cent sale at the dollar store."
Mr. President, I do hope that you didn't make too many enemies last night at your State of the Union address. Personally, I did have to take you off my friend list. (btw, rockin dress, Michelle! You're still on my friend list.)
------Now, on to my real friends. -------------
Krissy and I took a road trip to visit our dear friends in South Carolina.
There they are!
We've been friends with Kenny and DeAnna since Joel and I were married. We were all newlyweds, happily decorating our homes, and enjoying candlelit dinners every night. Here we are 14 years later, blissfully in love, however our homes have been "decorated" with barbies, matchbox cars and tiny handprints on the walls. The candles are pretty much used when someone makes a stink in the bathroom. Life is great, and we wouldn't trade it for anything!
I love these girlies to pieces. DeAnna and I often laugh that our Mikey and their Isabella will get married. We stopped joking about it when we saw that Mikey and Isabella have completely taken the control out of our hands, and now talk about it themselves.....as if it was their calling in life. She and I are starting to "back pedal." Certainly not because we wouldn't love the idea. I mean, we get a long great....why shouldn't our kids? Still, it was a bit strange the first time they talked on the phone and I heard Mikey say, "I love you." And DeAnna heard on her end, "I love you, too." We both grabbed the phone from their hands!
It was so much fun just to sit in DeAnna's backyard on a sunny, beautiful day, watch the girls play and chat. Because we live so far away, these moments never happen.
Thank you for the wonderful time at your house, Kenny and DeAnna. Oh how I wish we lived closer! DeAnna, thank you for always encouraging me in the Lord. Your sweet testimony, love for your husband and your girls are just a few of the things that I admire most about you! Thank you again for allowing Krissy and I to take over your living room. You guys are awesome! Your friendship is so special to us!! (I hope you still feel the same way about me, despite your air mattress.)
I highly recommend anyone travelling south to book their reservations here. Good food, good fellowship and lots of laughs. Did I mention that they have "dance, dance revolution" for the wii?
And get a load of this......Kenny gets an extra star for making our beds, and leaving us these on our pillows.
5 star hotel, fer shur!!
I left my home Thursday morning and returned Monday night....total travel time for those five days was 32 hours. 32 hours of no laundry. 32 hours of no school work. 32 hours of no cooking. 32 hours of uninterrupted quietness, minus the old man snoring next to me on the train. 18 of those 32 hours was spent in the car with my sister. Our road trip was suppose to be 7 hours, but it took us 9. We hit lots of traffic!
One of my favorite memories was waking up early Monday morning and touring around DC. Krissy showed me the nearby monuments, and took me to a lovely place for chai tea and ginger scones. I am told that Rachel Ray ate here, and ordered the same thing.
(and I've been dreaming about them ever since I got home!)
If monuments don't interest you, I highly recommend that you bring along an oversized knitted hat. Oh, the things you can do with a hat!
Which one is the Capitol?
"Ahoy there, is that land I see?"
"No! I think it may be pirates!"
Krissy did ask that I take one serious shot of her, so she could frame it for her house.
Enough of this non-sense!
Krissy, thank you for the wonderful memories! They are locked away in my vault of happiness, forever. I loved seeing your beautiful home, and spending time with you. The saddest part about the trip was saying goodbye to you at the train station. Thank you for always making me laugh and encouraging me. I am so blessed to have you, Trish and Annie not just as sisters, but as my friends! I love you, and I miss you already!
PS Sitting in traffic will never make me angry or frustrated again.
