Monday night we had a thunderstorm. It kicked in full force around 3:00am. How do I know this? Because its about the same time I also discovered Lucy does not like thunder. Not even a little. I believe she was experiencing a panic attack. Her anxiety level was sky high. She kept running to all of our bedrooms to check on us. It was a continual circle running from Ian's room to me/Jeff's room to Samantha's room. She'd jump on the bed, get close to our face, make sure we were ok, and then run to the next room. Wash, rinse, repeat. It was an especially amazing display given that Sam's bedroom door was fully closed. I am still not sure how she managed to open it.
At first I thought Lucy had to go to the bathroom and was trying to get our attention. It was when I opened the back door and motioned for her to go out, she froze in place. No way, no sir, she wasn't stepping foot outside. So I walked out on our deck and told her to come. She still wouldn't budge. I quickly figured out the thunder was frightening her.
We went back upstairs and she crawled in bed with me. Yes, Jeff was there too, but he was mostly asleep. Lucy was panting so hard and she was too excited to lay still. She had an important job to do and had to keep checking on all of us to make sure we were ok. I closed Ian and Sam's door and held her tightly until she was finally able to settle down and go back to sleep.
Aw, my sweet dog. Just when I think I can't love her any more than I do, she goes and has a reason to really need us. Who knows how traumatized she'd be if she was still living in a shelter or with a person who didn't take the time to comfort her and work thru her issues in the middle of the night?
I feel we are lucky ones who get to take care of her. I've lost a good night of sleep before for much less worthy reasons. We love Lucy.
Another Hamentashen baking in the books. On Saturday we managed to align our schedules and bake, bake, bake those fun little triangle shaped cookies for Purim. We were just one week off from when the actual holiday occurred. Not too bad considering how crazy all of our scheduled are. The tradition with Jeff, his sister and parents lives on!
While the rest of us were doing our best to make the perfect cookie, we noticed Ian was making super-sized Hamentashen. They turned out funny looking with a side of sloppy. These were sent home with Ian because they couldn't really be given to anyone else. Ha! Maybe this was Ian's master plan all along.
Jeff, the kids and I LOVE this tradition and look forward to it each year.
Yep, these are Ian's 'super-sized' Hamentashen. :)
Jeff took the day off from work! The kids had off from school! I didn't have to work my part-time jobs! It was 64 degrees and sunny...in February!
We packed a picnic and headed to the Tidal Basin area in D.C. We took Lucy and made it a full family affair. It was a lovely way to spend the day. After the picnic we walked around the monuments and even went off the path to check out the WWII memorial. I hope we never take for granted how amazing it is just a 25 minute drive away.
What a wonderful day! And to be able to include Lucy made it feel even more perfect. And no family outing is complete without stopping for ice cream on the way home.
While Ian was away for the weekend, we had the rare opportunity to have some quality time with Samantha...just Samantha. I researched different children's activities Sam would be interested in doing and found an awesome play I knew she would enjoy. "Ella Enchanted" was playing at the Glen Echo Theatre. I love seeing live performances especially when they are done well. Make it a musical and it really makes me happy. Since the play didn't have to appeal to Ian, I figured this was a no-brainer and bought tickets for the 4 of us. Yes, that's right...4 tickets!
The key to making our outing a success is for Samantha to have a friend with her. When Samantha has a buddy she becomes the most best behaved girl ever. It is a guarantee that Sam will be cooperative, pleasant to be around, and happy. If there is one word to describe Sam with a friend, it's 'delightful'. I absolutely love being around my daughter when she is like this. It's the best thing ever and I really enjoy her company. She doesn't whine, she doesn't demand anything, she doesn't yell. She gets dressed easily. She acts her age. I'm not walking on egg shells waiting for her to explode. It is amazing!
Fortunately Sam has a few really great buddies who are usually available and up for anything. Jeff and I always say, "having one more is like having 2 less."
The play was great! Both girls really enjoyed it. Afterwards, we went to lunch in Bethesda and our time together just kept getting better and better. It is truly amazing how great Sam can be. I ♥︎ Samantha!
Ian recently went away to a youth group retreat for 2 nights/3 days over the weekend. Samantha and I picked Ian up on Sunday evening. Upon collecting Ian we had plans to go straight to the movies with our friends. I am giving you all this background because its during the ride home from the movies that the craziness ensues. You have to understand that Sam hasn't been around Ian for over 72 hours and when she does finally see him she lets him have it.
On the ride home from the movies:
Sam (said in the most dramatic fashion possible): I've been keeping something in for over a year now. I could write a book about it. The book would be bigger than a Harry Potter book. It would be the biggest book in the world.
Me: What's that Sam? What would your book be about?
Sam: All the reasons I want to punch Ian!
Me: What????
Sam: I've kept this to myself for the past year. My book would be HUGE with all the reasons I want to punch Ian.
Me: Wow Sam, that's not really nice.
Sam then starts listing all her reasons for the rest of the drive home.
Poor Ian. All he wants is for Sam to be nice to him. And this is the welcome he gets after being gone all weekend.
Monumental. Simply put, this day was monumental. I can't find another way to describe what I was fortunate enough to be a part of. The Women's March is an event I will forever remember and feel so proud to be counted among those who showed up. Those who took a stand and had their voices heard. One of my favorite signs said, "So many concerns, I couldn't decide." Yes, exactly.
Women's rights. Equality among all races, religions and gender. The right to chose what happens to our bodies. The ability to marry regardless of being the same sex. Being kind. Not being a bully. All of it and more.
And boy did we show up. It has to have easily been one of the most attended marches that Washington DC has ever seen. In addition, there were 673 "sister" Marches around the world, all held on January 21st. According to reports 3 million participated globally! It was the single largest protest ever attended in a single day. In Washington DC I had never seen so many people before. Everywhere you looked, it was wall to wall people, as far as the eye could see. It was an amazing site. I didn't realize just how huge until I got back home and turned on CNN. To be a part of something so overwhelming and breathtaking is beyond inspiring. We are stronger together.
There were so many men, women and children who showed up that by the time the rally was over and the march was to begin the route was completely filled with people and no one could actually march. Wow!
My day started at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue. They hosted a very meaningful program to kick off the Women's March with song and prayer. We then walked as a group, with a police escort, to where the Rally was going to be. The group I was with never even got close to the stage. It was impossible to get even remotely close. We stood by the side, watched the crowds, read the signs and soaked in our environment. It was amazing. A completely random moment was when former Secretary of State John Kerry went by walking his dog. What?? He was being swarmed with mobs of people, but it was pretty cool to see him among the people.
By 1:00pm, I had enough and left my group to head home. Considering we arrived downtown at 8:00am, 5 hours was plenty. I am not a big crowd person and this was a test of how much I could handle. But it was so important to me to be there.
I love the idea of unity and strength in numbers. We will be seen and counted! I personally represented all the women who didn't have the option to travel. We are very fortunate to have this opportunity in our "backyard". I hope I never take it for granted and always do my part to stand up for justice!
The story is best told in photos and video:
People as far as the eye can see.
Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
Love is love is love is...
The Vienna Metro station at 7:00am.
Anna and Me...we've had some awesome adventures together. And now a new one to add to our list.
Some great signs.
Yes, this is an excellent time to show up with your dog.
