Day One

Favorite food.

Chocolate. Without a doubt. 

And lucky for me I have friends who like to make me chocolate tasty things like these tasty little cookies. SO, I'm grateful for chocolate. Because it's tasty. 

I Feel Fine

I am not a photographer. To say the least. I own a camera phone. That's the extent of my knowledge of photography. My sister is an incredibly talented photographer (take a look- she's the best) so I really know what I'm saying when I say that I don't know photography. But I do enjoy taking pictures. Who doesn't?! I ran across this 10 minutes ago and decided that this would be a fun way to remember to be grateful every day for the next 30 days. So excuse my below average camera, for which I am so grateful. :) 

America the Beautiful

[A flashbulb memory is a highly detailed, exceptionally vivid 'snapshot' of the moment and circumstances in which a piece of surprising and consequential (or emotionally arousing) news was heard.]

Tragedy struck the nation 11 years ago. I was 8 years old. 3rd grade. Ms. Brown's class. My best friend bought school lunch for the first time ever since being in elementary school that day- it was pizza day. She had just sat down to eat when someone from the office came to get her because her mom was there to pick her and her siblings up to go home. I was confused, but didn't think much of it. (It's interesting to look at the things that stick out in our memory.)  We went back to class. Every so often, another kid was called to the office because their parent was there to pick them up. I can't deny that I hoped my name, too, would be called to go home. At the end of the day, 11 of my class of 25 remained. We drew pictures the whole afternoon long. Talked with our teacher, the lovely Ms. Brown. I thought it was a great day. We didn't have to do real school work, for crying out loud! I had no idea what was really going on. What was going on around that classroom at Tolbert Elementary School in Leesburg, VA. I came home on a very empty bus. I walked home from the bus stop; noticed my dad's car in the driveway. Hold on. It was a weekday at 3 o'clock. He was never home before 6. Weird. I walked in the door. Mom? Hmm. I heard the T.V. on downstairs. I rounded the corner. The screen was filled with smoke. Mom was at the sewing machine. Dad was watching the news. I went numb as I learned that the twin towers  had fallen and the Pentagon had been attacked. I don't remember the rest of the day, to be honest. I think it was more than my 8-year old mind could wrap itself around. I am still trying to understand the impact of that day 11 years later.

What I do remember was the girl in my grade who didn't come to school for months. I made a card for her. Her father was on one of the flights. I think of her on this day. How her life was changed in a much more dramatic way than mine was. My feelings were changed. Her family was changed. Her life was changed. 

What I know is that while America was stripped down and hurt and wounded for so long, we have come together and built ourself back up. Our patriotism is strong. Even when our disagreements come up regarding this and that and which politician will get us out of debt, when it comes down to it, we all feel a sense of pride for America as a whole. I think that it's the American dream. Rising from your lowest point to become your best self. Rags to riches. Rock bottom to sky high. To be better tomorrow than you were today. Whatever that means for you. Whether it's to say kinder things to others (or yourself), to achieve everything on your to-do list, or even just to smile. That inspires me. I am grateful for those who responded to the flames and destruction to save lives, who resulted in losing their own. I know that had I been one of those people in the towers I would have been comforted knowing that those men and women were coming. Those people are saviors. I am grateful for those who put their heart and soul into keeping America safe; whether in an office in DC or on the front lines in a country far from home. And their families. For making sacrifices along with those men and women who protect our country. The land for the free and the brave. 

Away With The Summer Days

30 Second Recap of Summer 2012

Ready, 

Set, 

Go. 

Madeline Elena's beautiful Baptism. 

 Time with the nieces and nephs. 

Bittersweet family time

Nationals Game with Papa Wride

Quality Places. 

Hung out with the coolest kids around. 

Palmyra roadtrip with the freshest Cassandraniqua. 

 MA BESTIE FINALLY CAME HOME

Celebrated Christmas in August 

Busch Gardens with the fam

Roadtrip to Utah with Mama Wride 

Choreography

I came across this little gem just now. And I feel as though I must share it. I have a burning desire to share it. So share it I will. Ladies and gentlemen, my brother Adam. I only wish I had half the talent he possesses. 

Mother Knows Best

I'm sure everyone has already seen this commercial, but I saw it for the first time today. And of course I cried. Strong genes, ma. Plus I was at the gym. So 5x more embarrassing. Maybe the beginning reminded me of getting up for seminary? Well, I ain't no olympian, so thanks a lot Seminary. Just kidding. ANYWHO, for your enjoyment. 

SHOUTOUT to my mom. I LOVE YOU MAAAAA.

She's hilarious.

She made me rad costumes. 

AND SHE'S REAL BEAUTIFUL.  

America

Fourth of July. 

It's a grand day. With it following my birthday, I've always felt a little giddy in anticipation for this holiday. Independence Day 2012 lived up to the gid. 

Cute family at the Leesburg Parade

A little cultural diversity at the parade...

A huge plus of living in Northern Virginia (or pretty much anywhere on the East Coast) is that historical sites are plentiful. Little did I know, General George Marshall (as in the Marshall Plan) bought a home in my hometown and retired here around 1945. The preservation society gives tours and whatnot year round, but on the 4th they gave mini free tours. And it was very cool. 

General George Marshall's home 

TV/radio from the 50's. 

One of my favorite things about the tour was getting that feeling that these were real people. I don't know how many hours I spent reading textbooks about people like General Marshall (and him, too) but when I hear "This is where the General and President Truman would take their business after dinner with their families on Sunday. [He was Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense at the time, so there was lots to do]" it makes it more personal and more real, I guess.

Spencer was a goof...

And John followed suit. 

[Not pictured: Crashed at home after lunch, naps, and The Music Man on repeat for a few hours. We watched it 3 times today. Probably one of my favorite movies. Ever. 

Good ole fashioned hamburgers and hotdogs for dinner with a berry concoction for dessert.]

Then the fireworks.

I am sure that I don't fully understand what an incredible country we live in, because I have experienced very little other than the American way of life. But I do know that our freedom was not free, and I am deeply grateful for those who have and continue to put their lives on the line so that we don't have to. It's a beautiful thing to think of the selfless service these men and women are giving daily. 

But on a more local scale, I had an experience a month ago that I hope I don't forget. We were in LA at an In-and-Out, grabbing some lunch. Sidenote: Just like any major city, there are plenty of homeless people, but I was certain I had never seen quite so many as I had there. As we moved out of the ordering line and joined the masses waiting for our food, an obviously homeless woman approached the counter, looking very tired and very downtrodden. She pulled two dollars and a handful of coins from a pocket, searching the menu to get the most of her dollars. Before she could get a word out, the woman behind her tapped her on the shoulder and said "May I treat you?" So treat she did. She bought her the whole shebang, in addition to the huge order she was placing for her family. She didn't hesitate to help this woman. I know everyone tells stories like this, but this was the first time I had seen something like this happen in person, and it hit a chord, I suppose. But most of all, it makes me proud to be apart of a culture like that. The AllState commercial got the idea from somewhere. The people. We are what makes this country so great. Go America.