Gettysburg and Harpers Ferry

On Saturday Ben's professor arranged a day trip for all of the students to go to Gettysburg and Harpers Ferry. We started early and visited 3 different states in one day. Below is a map that documents our route:


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Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

We began at the Visitor's Center with a movie telling the story of the importance of the battle; how it turned the tide of the war so the Union could win. The tour then moved upstairs to the Cyclorama, a huge painting depicting the battle in a circle. It was a sobering experience, especially as we toured the museum and saw the faces of many who were killed on both sides. Each had a family, dreams, and aspirations. Each had a vision for the future. It impacted me greatly to think of so many families affected.

After the museum, we boarded the bus and a tour guide drove us around the battlefields. A few times we got off the bus so he could show us various monuments. Much of Gettysburg is very well preserved and accurate because original veterans returned in the 1880's or so to explain what happened and mark locations. Above, Ben and I are next to an original Civil War cannon. We also got to see the spot that won the Union the battle, Little Round Top. It was easy to defend because it was high ground, rocky, and without many trees.

We also got to stop by the Gettysburg cemetery, most famous for being where Lincoln gave the Gettysburg address. The monument on the left marks the spot where he gave the speech.













It was a very beautiful place. I wish we could have stayed longer to ponder on such hallowed ground. As I looked over the multitude of graves, I thought what a pity it was for so many to lose their lives. But at the same time I'm very grateful for those who lost their lives and died fighting for what they believed in. In the end, we are still one nation, under God because of their sacrifice. We left the cemetery in the afternoon and ended our visit by eating lunch at General Pickett's buffet nearby.

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Harpers Ferry is a small town situated by the intersection of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. It's most famous for the hanging of the abolitionist John Brown in 1859 (which contributed to the start of the Civil War), but is also a great tourist attraction today. We absolutely loved it and would have loved to spend the whole weekend there. It's a city full of history and beautiful countrysides. Thomas Jefferson even called it, "perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in nature.”

The town is full of old shops, narrow roads, and original stone walls and stairs that have been preserved. It floods often, and although the river was high when we visited, the buildings were still safe. Apparently many people float the river in the summers because it is really warm.

Anyway, we were captivated by this beautiful place nestled into the Blue Ridge Mountains and would recommend it to anyone. There are quaint bed and breakfasts there as well as a great custard shop. Really, what more can you ask for in a vacation spot?


Oh and last of all, Ben pointed out we were in John Denver country. After seeing it for ourselves, I now know why John called it "the place I belong". It's beautiful.

Good Things at the Barlow Center

Tonight we were invited to a married couples get together at the Sowby's, the senior missionaries who run the Barlow Center. They live just across the street and were kind enough to have us (five couples) over for snacks and games. We had a great time getting to know the Sowby's as well as the other couples we rarely see.

Ben & I intently playing "Two truths and a lie"

We had such a great time. Thanks to the Sowby's!

White vs. Off-white

Since Ben and I are still technically newlyweds I still get a kick out of the differences between men and women. I knew men were different but until I got married I had no idea how different. This week brought up a funny example.

When Ben and I got married I bought an off-white cardigan to wear to our open house and wedding breakfast. After I discovered how much I loved it, I kicked myself for not having bought a white one as well. I returned to Nordstrom to discover they were all sold out and for months I looked for a plain white cardigan to no avail.

Then finally right before my birthday I found them on the web but the price was higher and when I showed Ben, he asked, "Isn't the sweater you already have white?" I tried to explain that off-white and white are different and go with different outfits, etc., but that's difficult to explain to a man who still wears the same shoes he wore in high school :) Anyway, in the course of the conversation I felt silly for wanting another and very similar cardigan and so I let the opportunity go for the second time.

But then this week I went to the mall here in Pentagon City and I found... the same white cardigan I've been looking for. Woo hoo! And I bought it without any regrets. When I came home I made sure it was a different color than the one I already have, then showed Ben when he got home. He's such a good husband; he just laughed and didn't comment.

Can you see a difference?

But now that I look at the picture, maybe Ben (the man) was right all along. Except that I'm already imagining great spring outfits that will go perfect with the white cardigan, which would never have worked with the off-white one. :)

Newseum / Waiting for Superman

One of the best kept secrets in DC is the Newseum- a 7 story building on Pennsylvania Avenue dedicated to the history of news and journalism. We went for free with Ben's class on Friday (it's $22 per adult regularly), then returned Saturday since we had so much more we wanted to see. The exhibits are so well thought out and displayed. Many historical events are told from the eyes of journalists: 9/11, Katrina, the fall of the Berlin Wall, etc. They even had a gallery dedicated to Pulitzer
winning photographs.


We also got to see one of the antennas from the top of one of the twin towers, as well as large sections of the Berlin Wall. Anyway, it's definitely a must-see if you have $22 laying around and are going to be in DC. And if your husband is a broadcast journalism major. Then it's a "can't miss" :)


On a side note which has nothing to do with the Newseum, Ben and I watched a great documentary this weekend called "Waiting for Superman". It's about the state of public education in our country and very worthwhile. We just rented it off iTunes, although it may be available through Redbox. So if you're looking for a good movie that will make you think, we highly recommend this one.

Living in the Barlow Center = Prep for parenting

I believe living in the Barlow Center has been part of Ben and my preparation for parenting. I know I've already mentioned the 18 guys who live on our floor, the perpetually messy kitchen, and the lack of privacy due to our room being right by the common room. Sounds like being a parent, right? But what all you parents out there are saying is, "You still have to get woken up in the middle of the night. Then you'll have a taste of parenting!" Well I'm here to tell you, if that's what it takes to know parenting, I'm ready to be the mother to 18 boys.

That's right, Ben and I have had our fair share of wake-ups while living here. Just a few weeks ago, we both were awakened at 4:30 am to loud laughing and talking in the common room. I thought "Who in the world is awake? Tomorrow they have class!" I couldn't fall back asleep so I threw on some clothes and kindly asked the 2 guys who were typing a paper due the next day to "keep it down". They felt really bad, and both apologized the next day. And I felt bad I'd made them feel bad, but come on... did I sign up for this?

Then a few weeks later I was exhausted after working a 12 hour shift until 7pm. It took me an hour on public transport to get home, and after talking with Ben for a bit I fell promptly asleep. I had to be up at 5am again for another 12 hour shift, but my wonderful dreams were interrupted about 2:30am when I heard a knock on our door. I wanted to ignore it but it came again. So I threw on some clothes and opened the door to find one of the guys telling me (I am not making this up) that he had a temperature of 110 degrees and he didn't know what to do. I explained that it is impossible to live with a temperature of 110 degrees, and he later mentioned the second temperature he took was 99.8. Gees. Anyway, I gave him Tylenol and Motrin and went back to bed. I thought he'd thank me for saving his life, however the next day he informed me that the medicine wasn't working and he was going to the doctor. Good thing I was around...

And last but not least, this past Saturday Ben and I didn't feel well and decided to go to bed early. At about 11pm Ben was sawing logs but I was still trying to fall asleep. Then a knock came. I refused to answer it. The knocker gave up after one attempt but persisted elsewhere. Ben's phone soon after vibrated with a text, which Ben read to me the next day. It was from the same 110 fever kid and read (once again, I am not making this up) "Is Athena awake? Janie has something poking out of her neck." I was flabbergasted, but ignored the issue completely and guess what, everyone lived.

So if nothing else, thank you for letting me rant about the difficulties of raising eighteen 20-something boys. I'm sure all you parents can empathize. And if you have any tips about how to control the aforementioned behaviors, I'd love to hear them. I'll be sure to include them in the parenting book I'm writing about my experiences here.

The Pentagon

Last Friday Ben and I got to take a brief tour of the Pentagon with his class. I liked it, but it was very different than I expected. I was so surprised to see that's it's like a city; it has it's own restaurants and food courts, dry cleaners, post office, barber shop, even a flower shop. We had a good time on the tour though and enjoyed getting to go inside such a high security place.

Practicing our political face

Outside the Pentagon at the 9/11 memorial (there is also a memorial inside).
Each bench represents a person who was killed during the attacks.

Mount Vernon

For President's Day this year, Ben and I thought it would be fun to go to Mount Vernon, George Washington's home. It's about 20 miles south of DC on the shore of the Potomac River. Since it was President's Day it was free (it's usually a $15 charge per person) but it was also PACKED with people. On a busy summer day they have about 6,000 visitors but on Monday they had 15,000. But we just braved the crowds and slight rain and had a great time. We got to see George and Martha's graves, a museum of family artifacts (including Washington's dentures), and a working plantation with animals. They even had a surprise birthday party in the afternoon and did a show with actors. It was really fun and I think we'll go back again when it isn't so crowded.

Ben and I with George and Martha

The memorable moment of the trip was our taxi ride to the plantation. One of the BYU students asked, "Now whose faces are on Mt. Vernon again?" I don't think we stopped laughing all day. She was so disappointed to find out we were just going to see an old house.

It has a beautiful view of the river

The front of the home