Lila and Zac

We made Lila a cart and she loves it (ZAC REALLY, REALLY LOVES IT). Now I don't have to struggle with 2 dogs and a jogging stroller. Rusty and Zac get to ride and Lila can get all the exercise she needs.

Yesterday was good.

Yesterday was a good day. It started out a little sad ( it was Julia's Birthday, she would have been 10 years old) but I ended up having some very sweet moments with the other three.

It actually started with family prayers Monday night, It was Missy's turn and she asked Heavenly Father to tell Julia that we love her and miss her and help us make her birthday special even if we cant spend it with her...I could barely keep my self from crying.

Timmy was the first to get up and came right in to me gave me a hug and simply told me he missed her too. He always thinks of others feelings and I love that about him.

Melissa who has been very aware of her sister and her absence Missy's entire life was the one who pressed to make her a birthday card and go through "Julia's Box" ( a small box of keepsakes like her blanket and the tiny nightgown she wore in the hospital). Her card was very sweet. It included a picture of Missy and Julia holding hands and dressed in matching dresses. on the inside she wrote a very sweet letter.

All of this I expected but Zac was the surprise.

He was sitting on my lap much later that afternoon and he stated that it was his birthday today and I replied that no it was Julia's birthday he had already had his in June... He then said yes it was Julia's birthday. I thought about it and I knew he has heard us talking about her and I wondered how much he actually understood. I asked him if he knew who Julia is... he replied very matteroffactly that "Yes, she is our sister." so I probed some more asking where she was, he answered in the same very certain way "She is in heaven because she died." I asked what else he knew about Julia and he said " She looks like Melissa and I love her" He jumped down and then went on his way as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

Even now ten years later Julia is teaching us. I hope it will always be this way...not dwelling on the sadness of loosing her but focusing on the fact the we are an eternal family and will be with her again.

Washington D.C.

Jack had a conference in D.C. last week so, the kids and I drove out to meet him and spent a few days trying our best to see as much as we could. It was a great trip. Here are some highlights.

I would like to think they are contemplating the price of freedom and the lives lost to keep this country free... the real reason Zac is sitting still is he is busy taking his shoes off so he can go swimming in this awesome pool.

Great view of the Capital from the top of the Washington Monument

Williamsburg!!

Okay, this stop was pretty much just for me... what a better way to spend the 4th of July than in Colonial Williamsburg! We heard the Declaration of Independence read, toured the actual buildings where such ideas were born. We got to experience some of the history that made this country what it is.

Zac waiting for the fireworks!!!

The Smithsonian Museums

Museum of Natural History

We could have spent a week just going to the different museums of the Smithsonian!!!

Jack and the kids in the "Space Race Exhibit"

Melissa practicing her runway pose in the flight and space museum.