St. Louis. Day1. The Arch.

Last week was Brennan's Spring Break so I took a couple of days off work and we drove down to St. Louis. We really weren't there for long and didn't do a whole lot, but it was still a blast! It was just really fun to get away for a few days and just spend some time together without the distractions of every day life.

The first place we headed was the arch, of course.
I've been up in the arch before, but we thought since Brennan hadn't that we would get tickets. Unfortunately, they were all sold out!!
It was pretty disappointing, but the weather was beautiful and the arch is incredible just to look out so we just enjoyed being outside. We also spent some time in the little museum they have under the arch.
Brennan pretending to be Jefferson.
This was a pretty neat display that told about the architects and builders behind the arch and compared this miniature version of the arch to other famous monuments. It was actually quite fascinating!

Next up was the old courthouse.
This building had a lot of interesting history about slavery. I really enjoyed reading about the story of a man who went to court to try to get his family's freedom. How sad that the case went all the way to the Supreme Court but they determined that he was not a citizen of the United States and therefore wasn't even allowed to bring a matter before the court.
Judge Rachel.
It was a beautiful building.
After the courthouse we headed back to the car, and on the way we got to check out the Cardinal's Busch Stadium.
We could not have asked for better weather and our time downtown was a great start to our trip!

Happy Birthday Dad

Today is my dad's birthday. I tease him that he is getting old but since Mara and I have been calling him "Fraily" for several years now, I suppose he is used to the abuse. I'm not sure that I will see him today and I failed as a daughter and didn't get him a gift in time, so I figured I should at least wish him a happy birthday on here. (Not sure how great of an honor that really is...the few people who actually read this blog are his other kids and already know that it's his birthday and that he is a great dad. It's the thought that counts though, right?)

I am happy to celebrate my dad's birthday, to celebrate his presence in my life, because I don't know where I would be without him. My favorite thing about my dad is his ability and willingness to listen. I am a venter (and apparently an INventor, since I just made up that word) and he has always been willing to endure my venting sessions. No matter what it is I need to talk about I know I can call up my dad and he will listen. The best part is he will give me his opinion if I ask for it (usually) and he won't if I don't (usually). He even endured these vents and debates of mine when I was a teenager and questioning, for lack of a better word, things related to beliefs that were very important to him, allowing me to think aloud and get the same sort of knowledge that he had for myself.

My dad is a pretty smart man. Insanely smart, almost annoyingly smart, really. And in my humble opinion, he probably could have used his brain to a make a lot of money for himself and his family. I am grateful though, that he chose a career and a location that made him available to us. I am grateful that I could get a ride to school on the handlebars of his bike if I was late. That he could leave his class for awhile in the middle of the day in order to attend all of my tiny performances in grade school plays. That he could coach every t-ball, softball, and basketball team that I was on. That he could attend every tennis match. The active role he played in my life is far more important to me than if his paycheck was big enough for expensive trips and fancy cars. I am grateful that although he was a professor and a branch president and a home teacher and a gardener and an avid reader, first and foremost he was always a husband and a father.

Thanks Dad, for your example, your listening ear, your patience, and your time. I love you. Happy Birthday.

visitor

We had our first extended stay visitor last weekend...

Duke.

It was an interesting experience for all involved.
He helped Brennan with his homework,
relaxed in front of the fire, (and hogged all the heat)

And did this to our recycling to express his dissatisfaction in being left in the garage.
It was an adjustment to have him, but then another adjustment for him to be gone again. Despite all his complaining while Duke was here, even Brennan said he missed him. :)