Farewell, Plastic Wrap

When I got married four years ago, not only did I marry my husband (and the Army), I also married a giant box of plastic wrap.  Ian bought this box of plastic wrap six (yes, six) years ago.  This week, we finally finished it.

All 3000 square feet of it.

And here I thought I would never have to buy plastic wrap.

Lesson learned:  Contrary to my belief, 3000 square feet of plastic wrap does not last a lifetime.

Supreme Court Tour

Being a part of the DC area JAG spouses club has provided me with some wonderful opportunities.  One such opportunity took place on Tuesday when we were given a private tour of the Supreme Court building.  We also had lunch with the clerk of the court, General Suter, who retired from the Army 20+ years ago as The Assistant Judge Advocate General (now known as the Deputy Judge Advocate General, typically a 2-Star General who is second in command in the JAG Corps).  General Suter is usually able to get a female justice or a justice's spouse to join the group for lunch.  Sadly, no one was available this year.  

There were not many good photo opportunities, as photography is not allowed in the court room or in the research library (both of which have gorgeous ceilings and carvings).  I was tempted to take pictures in General Suter's office, as it was full of beautiful historic artifacts, but I was afraid he would think I was weird.  :)

We were able to take a picture of the court room from just outside, so here it is.  This does absolutely no justice to how beautiful it is inside, but at least you can see where the justices sit when they hear arguments.

Below is part of our group with the John Marshall statue.  It has been such a blessing to get to know so many spouses who have been a part of the JAG family for much longer than I have.  They are strong women and wonderful role models!

Lesson learned:  You do not have to have a law degree to be a Supreme Court Justice.

Cicada City

The cicadas have hatched in our neighborhood.  If you are a two-year-old boy who is amazed with these creatures that have suddenly appeared, then the cicadas are a joy.  If you are the mother of a two-year-old boy who is disgusted by them and just wants your son to be able to walk 10 yards without having to stop 20 times to check on each little creature, then the cicadas are an annoyance.  I must admit that it is adorable to hear him say, "cada".

He has to stop...

...for each...

...and every cicada.

Lesson learned:  The little Guy is obsessed with cicadas.

Mother's Day Outing

We took a trip out to Great Falls National Park for Mother's Day.  This was one of the first area parks that we visited when we moved out here in August of 2011.  Because of all of the rain and snow-melt from the mountains, the water was very high this time.

Part of the Patowmack Canal actually had water in it.

The edge of the river is typically where you see the line of trees.

The falls were definitely gushing!

 For comparison, below is a photo from our 2011 visit to Great Falls.

Seems like there was hardly any water!

 I let Ian have the camera some to get some Mother's Day photos of Jude and me.

Lesson learned:  To give a proper kiss, you have to grab the other person's face.

B&O Railroad Museum

Some neighbors raved about their recent visit to the B&O (Baltimore and Ohio) Railroad Museum in Baltimore.  Jude loves trains, and it was supposed to be rainy on Saturday, so we decided to go check it out.  Ian told Jude about it on Thursday evening.  Jude spent the rest of Thursday and all of Friday begging to go to the "train museum".  On Friday morning, while he was eating breakfast, Jude kept saying, "Go.  Get in car."  I asked him where he wanted to go, to which he replied, "Go train museum!"

Concentrating on being an engineer.

Looking out into the round house.

Jude loved this coin-operated train in the children's area.

So handsome!

Model trains are serious business.

He also had a great time playing in a caboose.

Watching some model trains.

Driving a steam engine.

Checking out the fire box.

 We finished our outing with a picnic in the back of the van.  It never actually rained, so after Jude's nap we got to play outside and go for a nice bike ride.  Jude loves to "ride bikes mommy daddy".

Lesson learned:  Wait until right before it is time to leave to tell the little Guy about a fun outing.

Happy Mother's Day!

I have some other posts to do, but for now I am skipping ahead to Mother's Day.  As I mentioned, I spent last weekend in Kansas City.  When I first planned my solo-trip, it was to surprise my mom for her retirement party.  Instead, in the five weeks between when I booked my flight and when I actually flew into Kansas City, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a double mastectomy.  It was excruciating to know that my mother was starting this fight and that I wasn't there with her.  It was also incredibly difficult to visit and see her so uncomfortable, and to not be able to do anything about it.    Times like this are when I get frustrated that we live so far from home.  Thankfully, I have a wonderful step-father who is taking amazing care of her.  It was a blessing to be able to spend a couple of days with my mom without having the little Guy to chase around.  Mom still has some fighting left to do.  She will start radiation soon and is still waiting to find out if she will have chemotherapy.

Today, my heart is with my mother.  I am wearing my pink ribbon shirt for her.  I am thankful that she has been feeling better the past few days and has gotten out of the house some.  She is strong.  She will make it through this.  When she does, we will celebrate.

Happy Mother's Day to my momma and Jude's nana.  We love you!

Nana reading to Jude and Brett, Christmas 2012

In my eyes, you are still a hero.

A gift I gave to my mother, I think Mother's Day 2006

Later, I will tell you how we spent Mother's Day here in Virginia.  For now, I will leave you with pictures of my three Mother's Days, in reverse order.  Each year, we have taken a picture on the same bench.  Each year, we have lived in a different house.  And, apparently, each year I have had a different hair style.  :)

Mother's Day 2013 - Jude is 26 months old

Mother's Day 2012 - Jude was 14 months old

Mother's Day 2011 - Jude was 2 months old

Lesson learned:  My mom will always be my hero.

Boys' Weekend

I spent this past weekend in Kansas City (more on that later), so Ian and Jude had a whole weekend of male bonding.  This was the first time that I have left Jude for more than a couple of hours.  I was gone for 3 nights.  Jude did better than I anticipated, but was very happy to see me when they picked me up from the airport on Monday.  I actually had a harder time than I expected!  Thankfully, my wonderful husband sent me pictures throughout the weekend (these are all from Ian's phone).  They stayed pretty active with playing outside, riding bikes, going to watch airplanes, and visiting a new park.

They checked out Burke Lake Park, where they got to have a picnic...

...and ride the train.  I think we will have to return!

Ian must have done a good job of wearing Jude out.

Ian also sent me this video of Jude playing basketball.  This is one of his current favorite activities.  If you listen carefully, you can hear Jude say, "Basketball go in there."

Lesson learned:  It is hard to leave your little one for the first time.

Springtime Fun

The weather is continuing to get nicer, although it is rainy today.  Last week, we enjoyed lots of outside time.  Jude is constantly asking to go outside.  When he wakes up from his afternoon nap, the first thing he usually says is, "Play outside?"

He is becoming quite the climber.

Jude and Riley were fascinated by the lawn crew.

One of the azaleas we planted in the fall has bloomed!  Don't mind how funny it looks; the deer seem to think it is a tasty late-night snack.

The boxwoods have lots of new leaves, too!  I can see my thumbs becoming a little bit greener.

Lesson learned:  It's a good thing I enjoy being outside as much as the little Guy.

Happy Birthday To Me

I am now another year older.  I have been repeatedly reminded how loudly 30 is starting to knock.  Hold your horses, 30, I still have a couple more years in my 20s!  

My Guys helped me celebrate with cards, dark chocolate, a Kindle, and a bright pink Kindle case.  They took me out for lunch on Saturday, then Ian and I attended the JAG Corps Regimental Ball on Saturday night.  A special thanks goes out to my friend, Allison, for babysitting the little Guy!

Does my dress look familiar?

It is the dress my mom wore to our wedding almost 4 years ago!  My mother has great taste.

We were blessed with some beautiful weather this weekend, so we spent our Sunday down at Gunston Cove (part of the Potomac River that runs along Fort Belvoir).  We were a little disappointed that we didn't see any eagles, but we were able to watch tons of osprey.

Jude enjoyed walking on the pier and watching people fish.

He also loved tromping through the tall grass...

 ...and throwing rocks in the water.

Ian demonstrated how to skip rocks.

Biscuit insisted on swimming...

...and ended up wet...

...and cold.

We had fun playing at the playground that is near the water.

Sweet boy

Silly boy

Lesson learned:  28 is going to be great.  Ha, that rhymes.