Peaches

Last Saturday, we headed out about an hour west of DC to go fruit picking. We found some delicious peaches, as well as some chard and tomatoes. It was so fun, despite the blistering heat. By the end, we all kind of wanted to pass out. But at least they were tasty!

We also saw a calf. I wanted to bring it home with us. Dan thought it would prefer being with its mama-cow.

On the way home, we stopped by the Marriott Ranch for a Pioneer Day celebration. We then followed our GPS across treacherous, non-state-maintained roads that are definitely intended for large vehicles possessing 4-wheel drive. We have a Nissan Sentra. Oh well. At least we made it.

And now I present the last couple weeks' worth of bump pictures:

27 Weeks:


28 Weeks:

Lucky

In the last few years, I haven't been able to play my violin quite as much as I would like. I decided a little while ago that I really wanted to practice once a week at the bare minimum. It's not much, but it at least allows me to pick up some old pieces and have music in our home. We decided we'd like to turn Sunday nights into family music nights. Our hope is that one day, all of our children will be able to sing and play together, and beautiful music can fill our home.

Problem is, I often get distracted and forget. Dan, thankfully, has a much better memory than I do. After we'd finished dinner a couple of Sundays ago, Dan requested that I play my violin while he did the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen. He says that it was really for him, because he really wanted to hear me play, but I think he was also just being nice and encouraging me to do something I love (while he did the chores, no less). Either way, wow, am I grateful for a husband who is so supportive, and who makes my life so much more full.

Change of Heart

I blogged a while ago about how I typically prefer singers of the national anthem to not put too much interpretation into it. But a couple of months ago, we visited the "official" flag exhibit at the National Museum of American History, which I've always loved. This time, though, I was struck by a little piece near the end of the exhibit that briefly discussed how different individuals and groups through the decades have brought new interpretations to the Star-Spangled Banner, and thus made it their own, much like America become the adopted nation of a variety of different races, ethnicities, religions, etc.

This sort of changed my mind a little about different renditions. I suppose musically I still prefer more "straight" versions of the anthem, but it makes me happy that others can bring into it the emotion and love they feel for our country. I think it is pretty fantastic that it can become familiar and comfortable and a true anthem for each individual. I'm grateful for that message. Now I just wish performers would do the fourth verse.

Or maybe this is just my way of admitting my secret love for David Archuleta.

Belated 24

Today I am 25 weeks pregnant. Because I am evidently incapable of both taking and posting pregnancy pictures in a timely manner, here is one from a week ago, at 24 weeks.


I am apparently finally looking pregnant to the random bystander, as several very kind folks offered me their seats on the Metro last week.