Washington Day 3

We had a lot of fun touring on a bus from monument to monument and getting off and on the bus when we felt like it. Our feet and legs needed to see hope/relief from the prior’s day walking in the heat.

We thought Union Station was impressive. We ate at a great pizza place there. The architecture was just beautiful, just like all of Washington D.C. They had a replica of the Liberty Bell, minus the crack in it.

We saw a great deal of monuments but decided to see Lincoln memorial, the Vietnam Vet. Memorial Wall, the Korean Vet Memorial, the WWII Memorial, and had fun with the Washington Monument. When we got to the WWII Memorial there were a ton of people there with their feet in the water getting relief from the heat. We followed suit and felt like we were in heaven. The cool water couldn't of come at a better time.

We weren’t able to visit the White House this trip, but we at least viewed it from afar. Phil and I saw it back in college and someday want our son to see it too. Security was everywhere in Washington. It takes a bit of getting used to seeing men with really big guns.

That night we took Christi and Hunter out to eat for her birthday. If you ever get a chance to eat at Sweetwater Tavern, you must! It was by far one of the best meals I’ve ever had. Yum!

Washington, day 2

I know how sad it is that it's taken me days to write from day 1 to day 2 of our trip, so sorry.

We were all about finding a parking spot. There are a million rules to parking in D.C. Your best bet is going through a ton of security and finding a parking garage.

We decided due to the extreme heat, we'd do the museum scene 1st. We went to The National Gallery of Art, The National Museum of Natural History, The Capital, and The Library of Congress. We began our touring at 10 a.m. and all the museums closed by 5 p.m. We were all ready to fall over by 5 anyway. By far, we all agreed having the Congressman Mike Pence and his staff giving us The Capital Tour was our favorite part in the day.

We bought our son a book a couple of years back and it's pretty cool, "101 Places You Gotta See Before You're 12." While we were in Washington he was able to check off: A Space Place, an Art Museum, a Battlefield, a Sculpture Park, an Insectorium, Your Elected Official's Office, a Dinosaur Site, an Airplane Hangar or Collection, and so on... Of course I didn't mind seeing the Hope Diamond which happens to be 45.52 carats and it is surrounded by 16 white diamonds, and it's chain holds 45 more white diamonds!

Oh how we wish we could of had more time to soak up all the museums, but you'd have to live there to begin that journey. Washington is an amazing place!

Washington D.C., Day 1

I thought you may enjoy some photos from our vacation.

I am not a fan of flying. I do not like small spaces and the whole idea that I have absolutely no control of the vehicle I am in, like I said, not a fan of flying. My husband and son loved the flight. It was my son’s 1st time to fly. He was so brave. We asked him if he wanted a drink/pop before getting on the plane and he said, “I’ll get my drink on the plane." When going through turbulence he'd hold my hand and tell me, "Mom, it's just like you are on a bus and it's a little bumpy." It is easier flying with family.

The 1st day we arrived in Washington we went to the National Air and Space Museum. It was cool to see. For example we saw the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest jet-powered aircraft ever built, and The Space Shuttle Enterprise.

When I was 4 the family I was born into was adopted out to different families, all 10 of us. My twin brother and I were kept together. God gave us to, blessed us with, and adopted my twin and me into an amazing Christian family! Believe me when I say that God gave my twin and I a precious gift when the Robrock's loved us as their own children.

Twice in my life I have gotten to see my biological sisters Christi and Susie, once was in college, and the other time was about 4 years ago. All in all, we have only spent maybe 4 hours together since we were seperated into new homes 35 years ago. We had another reunion during our Washington trip with Christi and her son Hunter. They graciously opened their home for us to stay in. I have to admit it was a surreal experience meeting someone who you know is blood related to you, looks like you, but you do not know them.

It was a very pleasant experience getting to know her and her son. They are fun loving, kind, easy going, and generous at heart family. Hunter is incredibly smart, all about sports, and full of history facts. Christi is genuine, down home, sweet, and hospitable through and through. I asked my husband what he thought of Christi and he said, “She is you in 5 years.” Oh, by the way, they have the most awesome dog ever, Scout! We joked and said if you see big holes cut in our suitcase and fur sticking out; just know we took Scout home with us. It was a blessing spending time with their family.

Anyway, as I run on and on, we had a really fun 1st day and I’ll follow up with our next few days of our Washington trip over the next few days.

Freedom

Our family just returned from an amazing trip to Washington D.C. While we were there completely in awe of each building and monument, it really made me think about all those who have fought for our freedom. It was incredible seeing original documents of how our country was built and shaped.

Congressman Mike Pence told a story when we met with him. He said that when 9/11 happened he went to the lawn of the Capital and waited to see how he could serve, and wanted to know what he could do to help. He knew about The Twin Towers, The Pentagon, and told of how grateful he was and owed his life to the people who took down United Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. The flight was said to of been headed for The Capital.

I do not have any great words of wisdom, but want to say thank you to all who have served before and currently so that we can have the freedom to be an American. I saw a sign while I was there that said, “Freedom is not free, men have paid a price for us to be free.”
Please, say a prayer of thanksgiving for all who have and still serve our country and send a blessing to them that they keep out of harms way.

From our family to yours, have a safe and happy 4th of July!