The Moth and Memorial Day Weekend.

I thought I was going to be able to post these pictures right after I posted the last post but it just didn't happen...the moth hatched last week and it was quite amazing to witness! I couldn't believe my eyes when I noticed that it was out of its cocoon! I was disappointed that we missed the actual hatching part, but I guess we would have had to watch it every second of every day to actually see it...

This little girl is so brave and was a little hesitant at first but she totally went for it after a little while! She kept saying that it tickled!

Braden touched it once and that was it! He's definitely more reserved than Brielle!

I made a video of all the little videos I took of the experience...there are some very funny moments:

Enjoy:

I've mentioned that Scott has been taking a Kaplan course to help him study for boards, we drove him to school last Saturday early morning and then we decided to hang around D.C for a little while...I recently discovered that there is free 3 hour parking right on Independence Avenue, we got there early enough that there were plenty of spots...

We headed to the Lincoln Memorial...

It was such a nice day, not too hot...and look at Abraham Lincoln, he's just sitting there looking so majestic.

I'm in awe every time I visit the Lincoln Memorial...

After the Lincoln Memorial, we walked along the Reflecting Pool to the World War II Memorial. It doesn't seem like that long of a walk but it is! I didn't bring a stroller so by the time we got to the WWII Memorial the kiddos were ready to call it a day! ha!

We of course had to take pictures by the Idaho pillar, since these two little monkeys are indeed Idahoans!!!

We sat by the fountain for a while resting...it was so enjoyable...these two children are getting to be such big kids. They have been acting more civilized this week!!! ...After I called an EMERGENCY family counsel night and gave a lesson on "Showing love by Obedience"!!! ha ha!!!

It worked, I brainwashed them!!! :)

When they are obedient, I very much enjoy my time with them.

They were dying to touch the water, so I just let them...they had a good time.

Here We Mark The Price of Freedom

The amazing Freedom Wall...I learned that this wall has 4,048 gold stars, each representing 100 Americans who died in WWII. You do the math...that is a lot of soldiers who died...we are so thankful for them...

I've been wanting to take pictures of this amazing statues...I finally got around to it...

On Memorial Day, we headed to Manassas National Battlefield...I've had quite a few people suggest that we go there and it was so worth it...it's amazing that it's only about a 20 minute drive from where we live...

...and what you get is beautiful wide open spaces...

...big spiders...

...and lizards...

It was so beautiful there and the wild life made it that much more amazing of a place...it was a super hot day and we made those kiddos walk...we probably hiked about 2.5 miles or maybe even a little bit more! We brought plenty of water and snacks to sustain us...

This little boy was soooo hot he took his shirt off...I have to say that the heat was so intense, I was wishing I could have done exactly that...but you know...it doesn't quite work that way for the rest of us...

This little creek was so cute and this is where we should have stopped and turned around...we didn't realize that the loop was a 5 mile hike...so we kept walking and walking...we didn't grab a map which was very dumb of us...but we spotted some people and they gave an extra map...there's no way on earth we could have hiked all the way to the end...we still had about 3.5 miles or so...so we turned around and headed back the way we came...

...and yes you are seeing right...I was wearing flip flops!!!! What was I thinking?!!! Wow! I think that deep inside I still think I live in Miami or something! Mental note to myself, when you go HIKING you wear tennis shoes...yeah! I'm a geek! I really do not understand what I was thinking...I think it was one of those things where you're getting everyone ready, snacks: check, water: check, kids' shoes on: check...and then I just walked out the door with my sandals on...

As always, spending time as a family is just so energizing to me, just the four of us.

It is my very favorite!!!

We were all exhausted by the end of our hike...we went to 7-Eleven and we all got Slurpees...it was sooo refreshing...and what is Memorial Day without a barbecue? We got home and had a little barbecue and ate delicious hamburgers and hot dogs...but before eating our yummy dinner, we ALL checked for ticks and scrubbed our bodies really, really good...we found a tick in Brielle's shoe and 3!!!! on Scott's legs!!! THREE!!!!!!! Just thinking about it, makes me itch all over...I hope I got them all because Lyme disease is no joke!:)

Trying to Keep Up.

I usually try to keep an eternal perspective about this stage of my life, but my kiddos have been driving me CRAZY these last couple of weeks, my white carpet is driving me bonkers and the fact that I don't have a yard to just let my kids play in is making feel so anxious for a change...I think blogging in so many ways, helps me keep an eternal perspective...when I gather my pictures and see what we've been doing and sharing together, I realize that we do have a great life...and I really shouldn't complain when my kids are acting like monkeys, I can't keep my white carpet clean and we don't have a yard...but sometimes it just feels good to complain! After all, life is not a walk in the park all the time and those little inner battles to keep positive are what keep life real.

You really wouldn't know how nuts my children have been driving me when you look at these pictures though...

We got some pink and blue nail polish, I painted Brielle's nails and she thought she was so cool!

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the doctor to get a yearly physical. I found out that my cholesterol is borderline, I'm pretty close to being pre-diabetic, my white count was low and I'm still vitamin D deficient...GRRREAT...I think all of that just made me feel so depressed! I'm telling you, 30 is NOT a good number...the doctor said, I need to cut down on carbs...really? I try so hard to make balanced, healthy meals for our family...now, I almost have this love-hate relationship with food...what the heck can I eat? It's SO annoying! (The doctor re-checked my white count a second time though, and it came back normal...so that's good, at least I'm not anemic.)

Scott has made me feel better about the whole thing, saying that I probably don't need to change my diet too much but I do NEED and MUST be more active! You would think that chasing after two kids would count as being active...it seems like since this last winter came, I've just become this sedentary human being...it's horrible...so I have to go back to my old ways before the winter started, and go on a long walk almost every day.

We've been doing it...

Even though, it's challenging with the kiddos because they get tired and they stop often, it's been fun.

They love exploring and being outside...

I sure made them walk, that day we probably walked for about 2 miles...they were tired and took their sweet time.

One of the things I LOVE about Virginia is all the walking trails they have...half the time you wouldn't know it though because they are hidden by the trees...there seriously is so much to discover behind all of the trees...I found the most amazing trail only about a 5 minute drive from our house. You seriously feel like you are in the middle of the forest, away from the city.

What's a post without Brielle's sass?

So, the kids were playing by this little bridge over the cutest little creek, when all a sudden, we turn around to head back to the trail and Brielle says:

"Look! Look at the snake!"

Oh my heck! My heart! It started beating really, really fast and it went even faster when Brielle started walking towards it with the intention of grabbing the ugly reptile!!!! I freaked out! I couldn't believe she was about to go grab that thing! Braden was a lot more timid about it, he kind of just grabbed my leg and stayed close to me.

I am definitely NOT a fan of snakes!

It was such a hot day that day, when we got back the kids wanted me to go spray them with the hose outside, they were so excited about it. When we got there, the water was turned off...

They were devastated...but at least I got these cute pictures of them in their swimming suits!

Last Saturday, our ward's primary had a temple trip planned for the children. I couldn't pass the opportunity to take my children to the temple...and I think I needed to go the most...at least to be there and walk around the grounds.

It was such a blessing to be there! The only thing that could have made this visit better, was if Scott could have made it. (He's been going to an intense Kaplan course to get him ready for boards, they've been having class even on Sunday!...poor guy, but I think it's going to be worth it, he's been loving the teachers and the information that they're giving him.)

After the planned activity, the kids and I weren't quite ready to go home, so we walked around the temple grounds a little longer and found the most beautiful nature trail.

I was wearing heels but it was worth it! It was perfect!

Later that day, we went out again and had a little photo session with me.

Even though, these two keep me on my toes, they are sure cute and I love them.

Last Wednesday, Brielle had a field trip to the farm. Braden and I joined her class and it was fun to be there and watch Brielle with her little friends.

It was a fun field trip.

The next day, my dear husband forgot his book for his class, so we drove to D.C. to drop it off. Since we were already there, we decided to stick around and wait for his lunch break. While we waited, the kids and I headed to the National Cathedral, one of my FAVORITE places here...

We walked around for just a little bit and then realized that we needed to get back to meet up with Scott at G.W...I was bummed because we didn't make it around to the entrance where they have these beautiful doors that I wanted to take pictures of...there's always next time...

I guess, after all, it has been a great couple of weeks...blogging is good for me...it helps me keep an eternal perspective.

Remember the caterpillar Brielle caught a few weeks ago that made a cocoon? Well...it hatched!

Pictures to come...

Officially a Third Year.

I'm happy to report that my husband is no longer a second year medical student. He finished his second year last week and although it has not been an easy road, he made it. I'm so grateful to everyone who warned us about this second year...because even though there is really nothing that can prepare you to go through it, at least we had an idea of what Scott was going to go through...They say that if you endure through the first two years, you are for sure on the road of really becoming a doctor. Now, it is becoming more real, for all of us...and this makes me proud and grateful. The other day, I got the General Conference Ensign in the mail. I came across Elder Uchtdorf's Priesthood session talk called "Continue in Patience." It couldn't have been better timing...I felt like that talk was given just for us.

"...patience [is] far more than simply waiting for something to happen-patience require[s] actively working toward worthwhile goals and not getting discouraged when results [don't] appear instantly or without effort."

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

{He did it!}

I'm grateful to Scott for enduring through these first two years of medical school. He has worked hard. He had last weekend off and now he is off studying for boards, which he will take June 28th. He will start his first rotation (OBGYN) July 1st.

No breaks.

The kiddos and I will be heading to Utah and Idaho next month for a month to visit family and let Scott focus 100% on studying to take the boards...we will miss him so much...

But like Elder Uchtdorf said:

"Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can-working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!"

Scott can't wait for his first rotation in July! He will finally be in the hospitals helping people! The thought motivates him and makes him happy and it makes me happy to know that he will be doing something he loves!

After June 28th, no more sitting in a classroom, no more studying in a cubicle living a sedentary life...{well, at least until the second part of boards come around} ha!:)

We are proud of you Scottie!

We are part of the GWU Med-Families Association and we had our closing social on Saturday.

These guys and their wives are awesome!

{Erick , Scott, Mike, Rob, Jared & Ryan}

We missed you Tyson and family, Cory and family!!! and both of our first years and their wives!

{I wish I had a picture with all of the girls, this is Val and she is just awesome! She's about to have a little girl.}

Thanks for everything Val, Alyson, Linzie and Alyssa! You will definitely be missed!

We also have a Med-Wives group, we meet once a month to chat about what is like to be wives to medical students. I LOVE getting together with everyone because it is SUCH a support. Everyone is so helpful and encouraging. It's a blessing to have a listening ear and encouraging words, especially from the families that have gone before us, their advice is always invaluable.

We are going to miss our 4th years but we are so happy for you and your families!:)

Be Glad of Life.

Back in my former life, of a single woman, I LOVED collecting quotes.

{I found this one that I feel fits this post.}

Sick boy starts to feel better and this is what happens...Do I even have to explain?

Naughty, naughty children...and these things happen in a matter of seconds...

These two are definitely partners in crime.

As you can see Mr. Braden is over his sickness...We've been enjoying A LOT of time outside.

The other day we went to one of my favorite places here in Virginia, Frying Pan Park.

As always, the kids had a blast seeing the animals and running around.

These little yellow wild flowers are so cute.

Frying Pan Park is seriously my favorite! I love it because it's so fun to see the animals...we saw little baby pigs this time...they were busy drinking from their mommy...I wish I would have taken pictures...another reason I love going there so much is because it's a big wide open space! No trees just field...I miss that...

While Brielle was in preschool last week, Braden and I went to a Spring Fun Run they had with our ward. He was a little shy...it's amazing how much my kids rely on each other at social things...Braden didn't quite know what to do without Brielle...I think we need to work on doing things individually...

But nonetheless, it was a fun outing and I think Braden enjoyed himself, even though he was clingy the whole time!

Brielle got invited to her little friend Michael's birthday party, the other day. Brielle and Michael really like each other. They play so well together and when I ask Brielle who her favorite boy in preschool is she ALWAYS answers Michael! and according to Michael's mom, he says the same thing about Brielle! It's funny!

They had his little party at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. It's SUCH a BEAUTIFUL place! They had so much fun exploring...we went around the gardens looking for things that Michael's mom had printed on a paper, when the kids found the thing they'd put a star next to it. It was fun even though it was so hot that day!

Her little friend Jessica was there too.

Here they were feeding the fish, huge catfish.

Braden LOVED those binoculars! This is toward the end of our long walk through the park and the kiddos were starting to get really tired!

It was so fun to go and be outside!

After the party, one of our favorite little boys came to visit us for a few hours...

My kids seriously LOVE this little boy so much! He is Preston, my friend Holly's little boy. He was so good and I just wanted to squeeze him the whole time he was here!

Yesterday, we went to the park for a little bit and Brielle found a caterpillar.

She BEGGED me to bring it home...she begged so much I just had to let her.

When we got home she said:

"Welcome to your new home little one!"

It was hilarious!

I personally, could NOT make myself touch the little creature...Brielle and Braden on the other hand, were all over it...Brielle even put it close to her face!!! She was giving it love!!!:) Oh my goodness! It gave me the heebie-jeebies!!!!

They played with it for a good while, until we had to go to the store...we were probably gone for about an hour. When we got home the caterpillar looked like this:

It made a cocoon!!!!!! Isn't that amazing??? I am in awe. I've never seen metamorphosis happening right before my eyes. It made me happy that I let Brielle bring it home because now we get to see the process. It's been so fun talking about it with the kids and teaching them about metamorphosis. They are so intrigued by the whole thing!!! I did some research and I wish I could say that it'll turn into a beautiful butterfly but it's an eastern tent moth...and it's a super ugly one...Brielle keeps saying that it'll turn into a BEAUTIFUL butterfly...I'm afraid she will be disappointed....oh well...

Random funny things I've heard my children say:

Brielle: Braden, come here!

Braden: I'm not Braden, I'm Batman!

Brielle: You are not Batman!

Braden: Yes, I am! I'm Batman, my name is Batman!

At dinner tonight, we were having organic mushroom and olive pizza from Whole Foods (I highly recommended! It was almost as good as a homemade pizza). Brielle is not a fan of mushrooms.

She said:

Brielle: "Mom, can you take the marshmallows off my pizza?"

Me: What marshmallows?

Brielle: These ones (pointing at the mushrooms).

Me: You mean mushrooms?