Remembering 9/11

Earlier this week, I had the chance to go to NYC to see the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.  I have now been to all three memorials of the events of that tragic day, September 11, 2001.

Shanksville PA

Pentagon Memorial Washington DC

As emotional as those two locations were, by far, I was struck the most by NYC.  I expected that I really didn't have any concept of how big the area of Ground Zero was, but I was so overwhelmed by my feelings when I got there.  We got off the subway and walked around the corner, and there was the new World Trade Center 1 building.  It is HUGE!!  I love this photo with the reflection in the World Trade Center 3 Building.















It took my breath away just to be there, but as we walked closer and closer, I was overwhelmed by the emotions I felt being at the memorial and being surrounded by what I had been seeing only on TV all these years.  The pools are spectacular, and the PERFECT, serene memorial to those that were lost that day.

The 9/11 Museum is underground, under the pools, which is amazing.  You actually get to see the footprints, indicated by bases of the sheared off pillars that used to be the tridents around the towers.

Here is what's left of a fire truck, one of two in the museum.

One of the things that I was looking most forward to seeing was the Last Column.  I have read a lot about it and was very interested in seeing it for myself.  The column has an interesting story.  It was buried under so much rubble that when they originally went to remove it they had no idea how deep it went.  As layers were removed, photos, signatures, and memories were written on, or attached to the column.  Ultimately it was the last thing to be removed from Ground Zero, and was preserved with the expectation that it would one day hold this important place in the museum.

The Vesey Street stairs were the route 100s took that day to escape.

This piece is called Impact Steel.  It is the area of the North Tower where the Flight 11 plane hit the building.

As heartrending and emotional as these items were, there was a much stronger experience in a huge area under the North Tower pool, that we were not allowed to take photos in.  This area contained all the personal effects, photos, videos, and  memories that demanded respect -- and brought such overwhelming sadness.  

Being an amateur quilter, I could really appreciate this amazing quilt.  This is only about 1/4 of the entire thing and there is a photo of EVERY victim on this quilt.

The museum and memorial were incredible, overwhelming, and emotional.  But they were also beautiful, strong, and completely fitting, to remember such a difficult day.

No Day Shall Erase You From the Memory of Time

So Many Faces

Just because I can't resist a little fun.  Here's some of my latest favorite pictures.

Relaxing at the Dentist - of all places

Still able to wedge in there

Date night celebrating 11 years together

Swimmy Fish!

Yummmm....   Cinnamon Sugar - good to the last crumb

Your eyes will stick that way!

Who's bubble lip is better?

With Nemo... and Nemo!

Don't ask...

Trip to Grandmas!

Last week we made a trip to Grandma's in Western PA.  We got to see everyone because Pat's brother and his wife also were there from Indiana.  The family was all together!  It was nice to get the chance to visit and for Jocelyn to have some one on one time with Grandma.

On Saturday, we went Mini Golfing which was lots of fun.

And then Go Carting, which was so much fun for these two, and absolutely terrifying for me!!

We certainly wish it was possible to get there more often to visit.  It's good to see everyone and to see how happy Pat's Mom is in her new home.  Hopefully we can visit again soon.

Stepmom Weekend 2014

Most of my blog entries are about my time with Jocelyn, but once in a while, it's time to talk about me!

A couple weeks ago, I went to my second Stepmom weekend in Ohio.  Last year was my first year and I swore then that I would never miss it again if I can help it.

Once again, it was an experience I will never forget.  This year there were fewer SMs, about 23-25, and many of the ones from last year, weren't able to make it this year.  But it was still a wonderful experience.

The count down is on for next year!  Can't believe I have to wait another year to be with these ladies again.

This year Hearts the Frog tagged along for the trip.  She brought Jocelyn home a big bucket of lollipops!  As great as this weekend is, it's hard to leave my girl.  She's so excited when I come home!  And I'm so happy to see her, and my hubby of course.  :-)

 

Summertime, Summertime, Sum, Sum Summertime!!

I thought the summer was going to be laid back, but somehow 5 weeks has flown by!!  We're having so much fun though!!  I'm loving every minute of quality time with my girl.  There's so little of it during the school year.

Jocelyn had a week of gymnastics camp early on in the summer, and she will have another week next week.  She comes home exhausted after just 3 hours, but she loves it.

Jocelyn also had an art camp which was all about making art projects from recycled material.  I can't believe all the great stuff she made!!  At the end of the week, they did an Art Show so we could see everything she did.  We were so impressed!!

There's so much more to summer, than camps though!

Like a real live Indian Pow Wow!

Fireflies!

Mommy Daughter Pedicures!!

And lunch with Daddy!!

There's 4 more weeks of summer to go.  Hopefully we'll work in more pool time, and time for play dates, more lunches with Daddy, and trips to the library.  And most of all, MORE FUN!!!   That's what summer is all about!

The End of Kindergarten As We Know It

I've fallen behind...  Again.

Kindergarten ended on June 20th.  Thanks to 9 snow days, 7 of which they had to make up.  So summer is 9 weeks long this year, instead of 10, which doesn't seem nearly long enough.

Here's some photos from the last day of school.

I really thought she would get off the bus at the end of the day, excited for summer and freedom, and instead, she, and a bunch of other girls from her bus stop, got off the bus sobbing.  I hear the kids are happier to be out of school for the summer, in a few years, when school isn't so much fun!  For the moment, I'm not allowed to call her a 1st Grader.  I have to wait until the first day of school in August.  That's OK with me.  She's already growing up too fast.