Vacation -Part 2

I meant to get back sooner to share the rest of our vacation
but Casey was little under the weather and to be honest, I was
a bit to addicted the Casey Anothy trial coverage. Sad, I know.

Let me just tell you that day two was a long day of walking. We
started out at 9 AM and did not get back to the hotel till 10 PM.

We started our day walking in circles trying to find the Beaurer of Engraving.
You see, hubby and I have a bad habit of not having a game plan and therefore,
we left the hotel without our map. (funny story about that in a bit).

We then headed to the Aquarium. This was one of Casey's choices. It was small
but it was a welcome relief from the sun and heat.

It was then over to museum of American History. This place was so big, it
would take half a day to see it all. Donnie and I browse at a different pace. Me - lookand move on... Donnie - slow and slower, reading every detail. So we split up.
After a bit, my feet were hurting so bad, I just sat and people watched. It was at this time, that I was looking in my purse and what did I find " The MAP", you
know the one we thought we left the hotel without. The one we could have used
earlier in the day... yep. I thought it was funny.. hubby not so much.

Julia Childs kitchen



After meeting back up, we ate a quick hot dog and headed over to the Holocaust Museum.

Casey not sharing.....

We saved the monuments for the evening and I am so glad we did. They are just
so gorgeous with the lights.

Day two over... and I was glad to see it end as my head hit the pillow.

More to come and I promise to try and get back sooner.

Nathalie

Summer Vacation

This vacation was all about giving Casey a history lesson.

It was his choice... D.C. or Philly.

As you can see D.C. won.

Let me tell you, there is just so much to see, it is almost impossible to
see it all. It was hot... and all you do is walk and walk and walk. I have so
much to share, so I am just going to start out with day one.

The day we arrived, we headed over to Arlington Cemetery to see the
"Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" tribute.

John F Kennedy final resting place

and as you can see... Casey was already melting and tired.

We also had the HONOR of paying tribute to a fallen soldier as his procession
was taken place during our time at Arlington. Arlington is one of those places
though it is filled with loss and grief, you feel such peace and honor to be
among those who gave their lives so we can be FREE.

We then took another long walk to see the Iwajima Memorial.

Then it was over to the Pentagon to pay tribute to those that lost their lives on 9- 11. This memorial was very simple butvery much left an impact. The rows were the years born of those who died. The ones facing the Pentagon were on the plane
and the ones facing away were in the Pentagon. There was a small pool of water
under each memorial and other family members who died names were under the water.

On our walk back to the Metro, we ran into a Fighter pilot " Rabbit". This
I believe was the highlight of Casey trip. Rabbit was so gracious and was so
great with Casey, asking him questions and shaking his hand. So, thank you " Rabbit" for not only serving us but making a 10 year old feel so special.

I have so much more to share so come back soon

Nathalie

Soul Restoration

I have spent the last 8 weeks working on
" My Soul Restoration"




There are a few reason why I decided to take this class.

One was to find myself again.

What I mean by finding myself, is to find what makes me happy.
I had gotten to the point where, I just felt stuck. Like I had no purpose.





Second, I joined to find others like me with the hopes of building friendships.

That I learned is a lot harder than I thought. But I did meet a few local girls,
Brenda and Jillian. Brenda is a mixed media artist, so I was thrilled to have
a chance this past weekend to watch her at work and learn how to just let
myself be free with my work. She graciusly open up her home and all her many art toys.

Jillian was a true Southern Girl. Full of life. I look forward to spending more time with

both of them getting creative.

Art, is a great way to heal... a great way to let go and be Free.

The pictures are just a few from my journal book and my first attempts at mixed media. They are not perfect, that I know. But they have taught me that I don't have to be perfect to be beautiful.

I look forward to sharing more of my "Soul Restoration" journey in the near future...

Till then

Nathalie

Closed for Restoration

<

Taking some time for myself....

Prayers for Sal....

Today my childhood friend must do the unthinkable

Today she takes her baby home to say "goodbye"

Today she give him back to the lord

Today her heart breaks in million peaces

Today I pray for her

Today I pray that Sal is in peace as he is surrounded by his loved ones.

Today I hold my child harder and longer

Today I ask for you to pray for Sal

as he makes his way back to the Lord.

" Unexpected Love"

This weeks All about Love theme is " Unexpected Love"
for me this was easy.

After living in the land of beaches, buildings and traffic
for 40 plus years...

I unexpectedly fell in love with NATURE.... when I moved to Georgia.

" Loved Deeply"

I am doing my very first linking up

Jeanne's "All Four Love" for the month of February.
It's about taking photos with a PURPOSE.


This week's theme is...
{Loved Deeply}

Cause I came upon this a little late, my pictures this

week are not current but are of the people and things I love deeply.

This one because I feel loved every morning I bare witness to God's beauty.

Head over to Jeanne's new blog and join the " All For Love" linky party. http://jeanneoliverdesigns.com/blog/

Till next time .. Nathalie