Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Small Town Family Goes to the Capitol

Warning: The following post sounds at times like I am a whiny baby. Note, I didn't mean to be whiny, just telling it like it was...I am aware what an awesome blessing it is that we were able to take this trip...
Hi All
We have returned from a trip to our nations capitol. We initially planned the trip for the future president. He has been so excited. I am going to give you a little list of the joys (and the not so) from our trip.
#1 We visited the Abe Lincoln memorial. I love that man, he is truly one of my great heroes. Standing at the base of that giant monument I am surprised at how quickly the tears come. Looking at it this time I was overwhelmed with the thought that he was a little boy once too and that with the help of people around him and the inner direction he felt he was able to do what he was sent here to do. This rekindled my desire to help my boys find their way in life.
#2 Nothing adds to a trip like the two boys you took getting the flu. Poor Kyle, on his first day there he threw up from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial. He wanted to risk the capitol because he didn't want to miss it. Long story short, after throwing up in many capitol trash cans we had to ditch our tour and get him back to the motel. On the way back, in the subway Jamen began throwing up....I try to comfort Kyle with the reminder that when he is president it will be a funny story that his first trip to Washington he spent most of the time throwing up in garbage cans and in the grass...It was really awful though.
#3 On the second day I stayed in bed with Jamen and watched Nick & Disney for 9 hours while he was sick and Dad and Kyle were off seeing the sights. I felt like my brain had been melted into fruit wax, but I loved snuggling my sweet sick boy (nothing slows Jamen down but illness).
#4 I haven't been a lot of places but I would like to nominate DC for the rudest people you will ever meet award! One example, Jamen was not hip with holding our hands everywhere we went and I was not hip with him running into large crowds and getting lost. Our agreement was a little rope that I planned to tie to his belt loop and mine. Now let me say I have always believed that a child on a leash is child abuse, but there have been a lot of times where I have had to do the things I swore I would never do to keep Jamen safe. He wanted me to tie it around his tummy and he could be my puppy. You never found a happier boy in your life. He was barking and laughing and really enjoying himself. Anyone could see that this was working for him. People nearly dropped their brief cases, mouths hanging open and making comments making sure I heard them. Whatever happened to disapproving of people but being to polite to say anything...At this point between the comments, the throw up, the motion sickness from the subway and the humidity I was in tears...
#5 On our last day there we were all well enough to go to Arlington Cemetery. I was so moved to see all the men and women that have died serving our country. The silence was so touching and gave you the opportunity to really see how blessed we are.
#6 We also went to Mount Vernon, which was my favorite thing. Geroge Washington is my hero and I loved seeing where he lived. I could imagine him and his wife there and really appreciated this opportunity to see where this amazing founding father lived.
#7 At the capitol our tour guide was this amazing young girl who I just couldn't help but admire. She was obviously very capable, knowledgeable and also excellent with Jamen (which is hard for most people). At the end I managed to find out that she had been homeschooled her whole life. I wanted to put her in my purse and pull her out for everyone that worries you will be a social reject if you don't go to public school!
#8 We got to meet Jason Chaffetz, which Kyle managed to appreciate though he was miserable. I have to be proud of my home state because about the only nice people we talked to while there were him and all of the sweet people working in his office!
#9 Flying home I was able to share some of what I believe with a sweet lady on the airplane. It reminds me that I can't wait to be a missionary and have the chance to share something that means everything to me.
#10 Lyndon was like a soldier the whole time. He did his job and got us to the right places safely, but hardly cracked a smile. The minute we landed in Utah he started dancing and singing along to Billy Joel with a big smile. He reminded me that if I wanted to travel maybe I should go without him and he would pay and miss me, but he was a homebody! Usually that annoys me because I always want to travel, but after this trip I think maybe I will stay home with him!
So there is a little bit from our trip. I am so happy we were able to fulfill a big wish for Kyle, so appreciative of the country I live in and so happy there are still towns population 1800 for me to live in!

13 comments:

Piper said...

Sorry your trip wasn't as magical as it had been imagined. I wish I could visit all the places that you guys got to see, particularly Arlington Cemetery. I hope Kyle's next visit to Washington is much more enjoyable.

LC said...

Oh the sacrifice of being in a motel room for 9 hrs with a sick kid!! In a few years Jamen will be giving an inaugural or maybe a conference and talking about his loving mother!!
3 cheers for the homeschool wonder tour woman! I love your writing about putting her in a purse!
Okay I'm using way too many exclamations. Welcome home.

moyesmania said...

Heather, I just love all your posts, you are real and I love that about you, I laugh and I cry. I don't get to blogs very often, so I just read quite a few of your posts and I loved them all....sorry about the sick child in a Motel, been there done that and did NOT love that at all! Life with 6 kids is crazy, but it has its wonderful moments, so like you I cherish those "moments"

Mike and Alleen said...

Man, I'm sorry about all the sickness and the not fun parts! What a trip! I would love to visit DC again, I've been twice and have yet to see a lot of the sights. I need to take my hubby, but he is such a history buff we'd need a month to hit all the sights. I hope you don't give up on traveling, I think it's great you'd choose such a neat place to vacation!

Tevita and Jodi said...

I'm sorry it didn't quite turn out the way you wanted it to. I wish it would have been better. Maybe when Kyle is President it will be better!:)At least Jamen will have the hotel memories!Welcome home and next time let me keep a kid or two!!!

Amy B. said...

Yay for the future Pres...and throwing up everywhere! At least he left his 'mark'...hahaha! Did you guys do the night monument tour...it's so cool!!!

Laura said...

Dorthy was right....there's no place like home.

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you got to go see and feel some of the most important places of our national experience. A trip to remember.

The Adams Family said...

You do those kind of crazy things to appreciate your home more. You are right about Utah having the nicest people on earth. I have been to Paris, Italy, New York, and a few other states but I never notice how nice the people really are here until you go out. I am glad you are safe and hopefully well. T

Dave and Kristin said...

Sorry about the puking...it seems like kids always get sick at the worst times! What a fun trip though (other than that.) I will be down for the 4th, I'll look for you.

Nichole said...

GOAL this week:: STAY HEALTHY!!

When you heading down here for Cold Stone? It is your turn you know! Missed you in Haiti sorry your trip was a Bummer. The most important thing about trips are the memories htough and you know how to make them.

Pete and Mare said...

Hi Heather, I'm so glad you guys had a family vacation even though it was not what you were expecting. Utah is a great state and the people are so sweet. I hope you have a wonderful summer! ~ Mare

The Peterson Press said...

Well you can say it was a trip you will NEVER forget!! Sad the kids were so sick!But it sounds like you still got alot of sight seeing in. Sorry this summer is so busy! I miss ya! I think I need school to start again so I can get stuff done at home:)