Happy Birthday, Mom!

This lady turned 39 today!! (At least that's what she's been telling me for as long as I can remember.) She's a wonderful mom! Here's why...

5. She'll willingly talk about school and teaching with me and not get bored.

4. She got a Master's Degree with 5 kids and taught at Arizona State University. (Might I add that she really is a master teacher.)

3. She raised 6 perfect kids.

2. The grandkids love Granna and always want her to do something with them.

1. She is a true example of charity.

Thanks, Mom! I love her!

{P.S. I'm home!! Old Town Gilbert makes me happy.}

Weekly Washington Post (7/26)

This was my last week in Washington, DC. It's sad to think about all the fun things I've done and people I've met that I'm leaving. I'm really glad that I decided to come out here for the summer. I can hardly wait to incorporate this into my classroom and students' lives. I think my patriotism has increased even more. But, I'm also excited to go home to AZ for a couple weeks. From east to west, home is the best.

(last) Sunday
-Church
-Naps
-DC Temple

Monday
-Capitol tour
-Library of Congress
-Said bye to the family
Model cannon soldier in the freeze of America's history in the Capitol's Rotunda.
We love Lincoln.
Go Brigham.
The Grand Canyon State!!
Mosaics by my Metro stop.

Tuesday
-I don't know. Daily life stuff.

Wednesday
-National Museum of American History
-Bureau of Engraving and Printing
-National Gallery of Art. There is a great collection of works by Monet and Degas.
-Washington Monument. Great views of the District!
Tired feet.
The National Mall. It's 1 mile to the Capitol and 1 mile to the Lincoln Memorial (on the other side). 2 miles total.

Thursday
-Arlington Cemetery
--I had a sweet experience as I was walking from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to Robert E. Lee's home. I happened to notice a funeral going on in the cemetery, so I stopped and watched it for a few minutes. The Navy band played that one song (dah, dah, dah...., dah, dah, dah..., etc.) and "America the Beautiful" as 4 fighter jets flew overhead. I felt terrible for the family, but at the same time very grateful. I'm grateful for their family member who fought (and maybe even died in the line of duty) for our country. I then thought of what my mom said while she was out here last week, "America isn't perfect. But, our men have fought in and for more countries than any other." I felt honored that I was able to passively be apart of that soldier's life.
-Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

Funeral procession
Can you find the 4 main landmarks of DC?
Donated chandelier from Austria. Stunning crystals.

Friday
-Lindsey came with me on my adventures!!
-Met Congressman Jeff Flake of Arizona's 6th district
-Got another tour of the Capitol
-Saw the House of Representatives vote on a bill. There was a lot of energy in the room when all 435 of them got there. It was neat to see how they vote. After the vote, they took a moment of silence for 2 soldiers who had just died in the line of duty. Very respectful.
-Georgetown
-Baked & Wired in Georgetown: best cupcakes in DC!! I've tried 'em all. This wins!! Texas sheet cake was scrumptious. Yum...

Saturday
-Eastern Market
-L'Enfant Plaza
-Ben's Chili Bowl: so good!! Heather and Daniel joined me. It was great closure to my DC experience. Bill Cosby and the Obama family eat for free.



Well, see ya in AZ!!

Death at the Disco

I can hardly wait to be a parent. I wonder if I'll be "in the know". Overheard conversation on the Metro.

Mom (scrolling through daughter's iPod): I don't recognize any of these songs.
Daughter: That's because these are artists.
M: Oh. Hey, I like Jack Johnson. I've heard you talk about Jordin Sparks.
D: Yeah, I like them, too.
M: Do you have any Death at the Disco? I know Allyson likes them.
D: You mean Panic at the Disco?

DC sure showed her true summer weather today. The tourists were dying. Too bad they didn't come earlier because it's been nice up until today.

Is anyone else stoked for the 100th episode of SYTYCD tonight??

Weekly Washington Post (7/19)

I'm winding up my time here. Crazy. It's so fun having visitors, but at the same time it sure does tucker me out. So on Monday, I used that day to catch up on daily life.

Tuesday
National Geographic Museum (highly recommend it)


Wednesday
Colonial Williamsburg





Thursday
Some of my family came!



Friday
Just call me the pack mule.


Saturday
Charlottesville (Monticello), VA. Absolutely beautiful. I wouldn't mind having a summer home there. Thomas Jefferson was a renaissance man.

Jefferson's grave.



Make this week count!

Financial Peace

He's the new main man in my life. Dave Ramsey. Listen to his free popcast from iTunes.

My family came into town. Enjoy your weekend!

Weekly Washington Post (7/12)

This week was fantastic because Heather was still here, and then as soon as she left Katie and Jennifer came in. It was a blast having people around!! And, I know there are a lot of pictures used in this post, but I did the best I could just picking out a few of the 300+.

Monday
White House
Supreme Court
Capitol
Library of Congress

Wednesday
Pick up these chicas at Reagan Airport.
First stop, Ray's Hell Burgers.
The Mall







Thursday
Went to the Capitol for a tour with one of AZ's congressmen, but couldn't have one because there was a demonstration in the rotunda. Whatever that means.
Library of Congress


Cannon Building
A common stop: scrumptious restaurant.
-Ford's Theatre
-International Spy Museum (very cool and Disneyland-ish)
Worn out and disappointed that the National Gallery of Art was closed.
Portion control dinner.

Friday
Thompson's Boat and Bike rental
Rock Creek trail

She has mono. (Actually, we all walked that ridiculous hill.)
Somehow ended up at the National Cathedral.

-Embassy Row
-Phillips Collection Gallery
-Dupont Circle
-Georgetown University
-Georgetown
Urban Outfitters always has the best hats.

Ordering...again.


Saturday
Eastern Market
Botanic Gardens



She has mono.

Smithsonian Castle
-Holocaust Museum (AWESOME)
Best burgers in town.


We may or may not have finished everything.
Tired girls on the Metro leads to funny videos. (Takes too long to load the videos.)

Sunday
-Church and special musical number
Gravelly Point




Thanks Heather, Jennifer, and Katie for a fun and exhausting week!! I still have a couple more weeks left if you want to come out...