A Day on the Mall

Today we had to change our plans – apparently federal workers get the day off on federal holidays (duh) and the Bureau of Printing and Engraving (where they print our increasingly weak dollar) was closed for Columbus Day. The Smithsonian museums were open though, and both boys were thrilled to visit the scene of “Night at the Museum.” We were all a little disappointed to realize that the movie must have been filmed in New York, because there was an elephant in the front lobby, not a giant T-Rex skeleton. No Atilla the Hun either. We did see some amazing exhibits though – the Smithsonian must have spent a small fortune on taxidermy – anyone know the going rate of stuffing a rhinocerous?


I think the highlight was meeting up with Josh’s birthmom, Colbie, and spending most of the day with her. She steered us to the coolest stuff, and reminded us that the National Archives displays the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The boys were less than excited until we reminded them that this was in the movie “National Treasure.” Yet another movie reference. Is this the only way to interest my kids in history? Jason, by the way, was rather unimpressed with the whole day and spent the better part of the Air and Space Museum and every metro ride snoozing. He claims he saw all this stuff at museums in Shanghai. Oh well, the rest of us found it all interesting. Caleb wanted to sit at the very front of the metro train and spent a good twenty minutes with his nose pressed up to the window so that he could see out the front. The kids were sure tuckered out after all this walking, and they actually went to sleep with out too much parental threatening (last night was awful. Nice mom goes to bed at 9pm and mean mom awakens with a vengeance – poor Caleb couldn’t quit giggling and I finally made him stand out in the hall, and Esther finally climbed up on our bed to fall asleep. Mike was asleep on the floor by Esther’s toddler bed, the first one to sleep, of course).
Tomorrow we plan to rent a car and drive out to Mont Vernon. Hopefully we will actually get photos with our family in them. The only good one today was when Esther and Josh were playing “Hug Monster.”

This poor little girl won’t know what to do if Heng Ai turns out to be a girly-girl. Tea parties just aren’t her thing!
Speaking of Heng Ai, we are still anxiously awaiting word of Pre Approval so that we can request updated photos and medical reports, and start sending her care packages. I especially want to send her pictures of us, and hopefully start getting her used to the idea of a new family. It has been fun to follow the blogs of those currently in China adopting older children, especially the little girl that touched my heart nearly a year ago, and opened the door to consider an older child. How very, very lucky I feel to be able to form my family this way! I know it wasn’t always that way – I’ve spent years feeling sorry for myself and how “hard” it has all been, but now I’m just so grateful for these experiences. At church yesterday we talked about overcoming trials, and I got to thinking that what used to be my greatest trial - infertility – has resulted in my greatest blessings – my adopted children. Of course I love Caleb, my bio boy, as much as Josh and Esther, and I am also grateful that I got to experience childbirth once, but it hasn’t felt like I’m giving up something. Adoption is a rich experience in its own way, and I’m so thankful for it.