Washington D.C.-Part 2

 The Smithsonian Air & Space Museum was a hit.  We got to see lots of old planes & space ships.   The plane in the picture behind us is "The Spirit of St. Louis".  The kids got to do lots of interactive things and had so much fun.

&In the Air & Space Museum we went to an Imax Movie on the Hubble in 3D. It was so cool.  Our kids had never been to a 3D movie before and it was so fun to watch them interact with the movie, although it freaked Emily out at times so we had to take her glasses off of her.

One of the neat things about my brother's retirement ceremony was that he was able to have one of the rare types of ceremonies where the "Old Guard" are present.  This means that soldiers wear the Colonial Uniforms and the Colonial band is present.  It was so special.  I love history and to see men dressed as they were  when our nation became a nation was just very impressive.  I can't explain it but the ceremony had such a sentimental, patriotic feel to it.  I wish I could describe it better.  It was one of those moments when I knew I was witnessing something special that I believe every American should see.  It just made my heart full of thankfulness for our great nation!

And then we moved on to DC CUPCAKES...another thing every American should see!  These cupcakes were AMAZING.  Being in Georgetown had such an international flair....seeing people from all nations.  It was just a cool place to visit.  And those ladies know how to make cupcakes.  They were soo yummy!  We ate all 6 of them in like 5 minutes!

D.C. Highlights-Part 1

Going to Mt. Vernon, George Washington's home was amazing.  He was a highly intelligent man & he LOVED God very much. 

Josh loved seeing the Lincoln Memorial.  He had been learning about money & was so happy to see what is on the back of the penny!

The White House with Granny.  We saw Marine 1 take off, there were 2 of them so we're pretty sure Obama was in one of them.

The Smithsonian Natural History Museum was cool.  The kids got to see so many things, like these huge t-rex bones.  They had a blast.

Retirement

After 22 years of faithfully serving our nation in the United States Army, my brother  Larry M. DePriest, retired!  He joined the army fresh out of high school (he got married then went to basic right after he graduated). In April, he hung up his army boots & is fully retired. 

Our family went to Washington, D.C.  for a week to be with him and to attend his retirement ceremony.  It was so much fun.  We got to see all kinds of things in our nation's capital as well as attend his retirement functions.  We were honored to be a part of this.

I think the most special part for me is that our Dad was able to be there.  My father is also retired from the Army.  When my dad began this cancer battle we weren't sure if he would be able to make it.  So having him there was so special.  He is so proud of my brother and getting to stand and salute him at his ceremony was special for us all.  I think God allowed my dad's cancer to be in remission just so that he could be well enough to travel to D.C. for the week and to watch my brother get such honor. 

A tear jerker for us all came at my brother's unit luncheon.  His unit gave my brother several awards and gifts.  They gave him some medal (I know I should know it...sorry Mark) and after my brother's commander pinned it on him, my brother then took it and gave it to my dad.  We were all boo-hooing.  It was just a tender time for us.  Being from a military family, it's hard to convey how special it was to be there.  But it is one memory I will carry for me forever.

I am so proud of my brother.  He was in Iraq for both wars there (Persian Gulf & Iraqi Freedom) and he has faithfully served our nation.  I am proud of his wife for enduring such hardship that only military wives face.  Their marriage is good and they love one another.  That doesn't happen in every military family.  And I am proud of his kids.  They had to be away from their dad alot.  The sacrifice has not gone unnoticed.

I love you Mark!

Long Time, No Blog

I know, I know. Why have a blog if I'm not gonna update it.  I've been asking myself the question of why haven't I updated and here's the answer:  Exhaustion.  The past year has been a bit full and blogging was the last thing I wanted to do at night when I finally was able to sit down.  Also, since February, the date of my last post, not tons has happened mostly because I was too tired to do anything.  (There are a few events which you'll see added in a little bit.)

I am not promising anything.  But I will attempt to get the summer on here.  For my memory and for the dear friends from whom I started this blog. 

Happy reading.