looking back...

summer is not nearly over, but it has been so wonderfully busy for us! we have been so on the go that i have hardly had time to share some moments with you. so, i thought i'd have a few posts looking back over our summer so far, starting with our trip 'up north'. that seems funny to write... i feel so far from being southern, but living in the south is starting to sink in some ways. our two week trip turned out to be lovely. we drove up to richmond virginia and spent the day, getting the chance to see one of my mother's childhood homes.... visiting a lovely estate, and wandering around the home of thomas jefferson.

afterward we drove up to d.c., a first for me and the children. my husband had tried to get a white house tour but was unable to. instead representative john lewis's office offered us a tour instead. we were very surprised when we arrived to meet mr. lewis himself! he is a wonderfully kind man, with an amazing history!! i wish i had been more prepared to meet him, but he was very welcoming, especially to the children. looking around his office at the photos of him with martin luther king jr. and kennedy gave me chills. he was only 23 when he was chosen to speak along side king when he gave his famous "i have a dream" speech. i hope the children were able to take in some of the importance of the occasion. after meeting him, one of his interns gave us a private behind the scenes tour of the capital, that began in the underground tunnel that leads there. it was beautiful, and we learned later that president obama had been there at the same time as i us! we saw his motorcade go by while we walked up the mall.

if you visit washington i highly recommend emailing your congress person first. it was a great experience. we hated to leave but were happy to drive up into nyc...

i will save that to share for next time...