i like these people

We visited with friends from PA this weekend. Loved it.



Luckily Chelsey let me borrow her cute daughter Jill for the pic. And apparently at times like this all I can think to do is squint.

richmond national battlefield park

Fact: There were four major campaigns during the Civil War in Richmond (the Confederate capital).

Fact: The Richmond National Battlefield park preserves more than 1900 acres of Civil War resources in 13 units around the city and surrounding areas.

Fact: These units are a short drive from our house. Like 20 minutes! YES!

Fact: I LOVE this type of stuff. Doug... likes it when he has to.

Fact: We visited 2 sites. At the Cold Harbor battlefield, you can still see the trenches both armies dug (see photo of Doug and trenches dug. Ha ha.). We thought this was really interesting. This was one of the first times they were wising up and using trench warfare instead of just marching towards each other to die. Good move.

Fact: Homes near the Gaines' Mill battlefield still proudly sport the Confederate flag, one even opting to paint their mailbox post like a gigantic flag--for Dixie!

Fact: The National Park Service runs said park, yet the presentation still felt slightly biased towards said Dixie. (Or am I biased the other way??)

Fact: I truly appreciate what the men on both sides sacrificed to settle our nation's fate.

Fact: I liked it so much, that I hope to hit up the rest of the park soon. I just have to see whether Doug can stomach it or not. Sorry, man. 

FOR DIXIE!

september 11

I listened to this on NPR last year on my way home from work and I liked it.

When I think of the terrorist attacks 7 years ago, I can only think of how scared, numb, and shocked I felt that day. It was the first time our country had been attacked like that in my lifetime. So much hatred being directed at places far too close to home. Such an unnerving experience.

I wish I could look back at that naive BYU sophomore I was and say that I've grown into a mature adult today that can handle such things with greater grace. But as I sit here eating banana bread and chocolate chips for lunch, I just can't pretend I'm such a person. But I am grateful for what I learned that day. No country is invincible, horrible things happen, and unity is all we've got to save us.

Such deep thoughts for a girl that hasn't even done her hair for the day...

a hate crime

Thanks, stranger at Costco or the Outlet Malls, for keying our car doors.

Michael: I am the victim of a hate crime. Stanley knows what I'm talking about.
Stanley: That is not what a hate crime is.
Michael: Well I hated it.

the uniform

Starting mid-September he'll wear this flavor of scrubs every day until he becomes a real dentist in 4 years. Bring it on.



(He's thrilled about the hunter green--he'd heard rumors his year would be assigned purple. Hard to feel like a man when the contents of your laundry basket are mostly lavender.)

employees must wash hands

Whenever I see these signs in public restrooms I secretly hope that everyone realizes this rule applies to them to.

what's not to like?

I've never seen anything like this before, but I like it:



I enjoy Richmond.