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International Spy Museum and Georgetown Cupcake

Last weekend we spent a day in Washington D.C. as a late birthday celebration for Rebecca. (I can't believe she's 15!) She has been wanting to go to the International Spy Museum for a long time...ever since she heard of it! So, she finally got to go.

The subway ride into the city was very quiet, and the city seemed very quiet until we arrived and found a very long line outside the museum.  We got our tickets and waited outside.  We made it inside...and waited some more.  We finally made it to the elevator, and our spy adventure began. 

We were instructed to choose a "cover" identity and we were given a short amount of time memorize the details.  Then we watched an introductory video and were released into the self-guided "spy school", where we learned tips about espionage, were given our secret mission, and saw exhibits with lots of different spy tools and gadgets.  We learned about codes and ciphers, and the very extensive history of spying throughout the different time periods.  It was so interesting!  There were lots of activities and interactive exhibits.  At the end, we were tested to see if we could remember all the details of our mission to complete it.  Let me just say, I was a failure as a spy!  I did not complete my mission.

After the museum, we surprised Rebecca with a trip to Georgetown Cupcake.  This is the little bakery that is featured in a reality show called, "D.C. Cupcake".  Rebecca loves the show, and we thought it would be fun to take her there and try some of their famous cupcakes.  When we got there, we found another line, much longer than the one at the museum.  We waited...and waited...and waited...in the cold...for about 45 minutes to an hour...for a cupcake.  Are we insane?!?



Part of the line

We decided it was worth the wait when we got inside the cutest little cupcake shop you have ever seen and tried our delicious cupcakes! 

Haley & Rebecca (Robert in the background) getting ready to buy cupcakes

She loves this show!

Red Velvet...Yum!

Chocolate Lava!

Georgetown Cupcake

Rebecca had a chocolate lava one, Robert had peanut butter chocolate, and Haley and I had red velvet.  And of course, we bought more to enjoy later, too!  Rebecca said the only thing better would have been a visit to Carlo's Bakery from her very favorite show "Cake Boss".  Maybe that one will be next...

Accidents Happen

I like to keep things "real" and write not only about good times and happy things, but also the difficult times and challenges in life. So, I guess it's time to write this post. A week and a day ago, I got the dreaded call that no parent ever wants to get: "Your daughter has been in an accident." Even now, my heart is pounding as I type this. I had intended to share what I was feeling and many of the details of the whole ordeal, but now I'm not sure I'm ready to do that. We'll see. Here goes.

Haley was driving to work just before 4 p.m., when the sun is practically blinding in the direction that she needed to go. She was just a few blocks from home. She didn't see the bus headed her way. It hit the car on the passenger door on the driver's side. The car spun around, the axle was broken and the frame bent. Haley was not seriously injured, but flying glass gave her multiple lacerations on her forehead. The volunteer fire department had to use the "jaws of life" to get her out of the car. There was a lot of blood. She had to have nine painful stitches in her forehead.

For days I had a terrible feeling inside that I just could not get over. I now know what the phrase "I'm just sick about it" means. I had trouble eating and sleeping. My girl was hurting, and there was really nothing I could do about it. She had gone through a traumatic experience and I wasn't there with her when it happened. But I know she wasn't alone. God was there protecting her. And I am thankful. So thankful. As you can see from the photo above, if the timing of the accident had been just a little different, we may not have Haley with us today. She will have physical and emotional scars, but she is here. And now, each time I hug her, I hold on a little longer.