never forget

These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.

Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.

America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.

George Bush, September 11, 2001

As I have watched the 9/11 footage over the past few days, I remembered just how devastating those images were. Remembered the staggering number of people killed or hurt in the attacks. And remembered the feeling of solidarity that the nation had in the days following 9/11.

I was a junior at Clemson ten years ago today. I watched the footage of the first tower being hit in my Lightsey Bridge apartment with my roommate Susan and couldn't understand how a plane had hit the World Trade Center. I had been to the WTC just a few months earlier during my first trip to New York City and knew how densely populated the financial district was. But I thought it was a terrible accident and didn't realize that we were under attack until the second plane hit.

I went to my 9:10 class in Sikes Hall, where footage played on all the mounted TVs in the building. My professor spoke for a few minutes then dismissed class, and classes were canceled for the rest of the day. I remember walking across the library bridge with my dear friend Hannah and finally getting ahold of mom. We both cried as I assured her I was fine. Hannah and I went up to our sorority hall and continued to watch the sad, sad images from New York and later DC and Pennsylvania.

I was fairly involved in campus life at that point and had several extracurricular meetings scheduled for that Tuesday evening, and every one of them was canceled, except for a Rho Lambda meeting. We ate Zaxby's, put together new members ribbons and tried to figure out just what we could do to help from Clemson, SC.

I vaguely remember campus blood drives and a prayer vigil at my church then, DCF, but I remember more clearly the candlelight vigil we held on Bowman Field one year after the attack, in the shadow of Military Plaza. By that point, we were deeply entrenched in war, and it was especially poignant with the statues of cadets close-by.

It's odd to be in DC ten years later, with the threat of more attacks. I have never seen security tighter around the Capitol and in transit stations, and Richard and I are staying away from downtown today.

The only thing that gave me comfort that day and still gives me comfort today is knowing that God is in control. In the midst of the world's worst trouble, He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. Today I praying for comfort in that promise, for the victims and their families, for men and women in the armed services today who are away from their homes fighting the war on terror and serving domestically, and praying that we never again face an attack like that again.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

Happy Labor Day!

Since yesterday's post was slightly depressing, I wanted to post pictures of our happy morning. We had heard of the elaborate Labor Day celebration in our Kensington neighborhood, but we were out of town last year and missed it. I heard the drums this morning at about 10 am and rushed outside to see a very impressive parade winding right down the street behind ours! I wasn't expecting much- there are only about 2000 people inside the town limits- but it was quite a patriotic show, full of music, fire trucks, cheerleaders and politicians. The parade lasted almost an hour, then the street festival began. Richard and I wandered downtown and took in all the vendor booths and a wonderful art show in our town hall. So fun!

Gaithersburg High School Marching Band

US Rep Chris Van Hollen, our neighbor and the Ranking Member on the Budget Committee- it's been entertaining to watch he and Paul Ryan go back and forth this Congress

local community band

I wish I'd gotten a better picture of this lady- she had her bare feet propped up and was smoking a cigarette

fire trucks

Montgomery County Republicans- so they DO exist!

Montgomery Blair cheerleaders

horses!

It was a day filled with community celebration, a little work around the house, a lunch of maple bbq chicken and tortellini and tomato pasta and some shopping too (I got Marc Jacobs sunglasses, some Spanx tights, a Juicy Couture top for my cousin, and a pair of Hanky Panky's to use a lingerie shower gift for less than $90!), capped off with pizza and movie with Richard. If only we could extend the weekend one day longer!

sunday night thoughts

It's a strange thing to wash another woman's blood out of your husband's tennis shoes. To take him dinner at the hospital because he's on trauma call and hear about a sweet elderly couple who made a Sunday afternoon trip to Target and wound up in the Emergency Department after an ill-fated left turn. To know the blood came as he and the trauma team worked frantically, unsuccessfully, to save the wife's life after realizing the husband had lost his. And then to see him clearly emotionally affected as he described her last minutes while he ate his turkey sandwich and pasta salad.

It's what makes living with a doctor in training a little different than living with a lawyer or a banker. It's why our marriage often has an extra element of stress that's hard to describe to friends outside of this residency world- a world full of nights alone, little vacation, long work hours, including weekends, and extra laundry. But it also makes us value the time we DO have together and the success stories of patients who are saved. And it frequently reminds us that life on this earth is fleeting.

I have loved listening to Laura Story's song "Blessings" as of late, and I couldn't help but think of these lines from the song as I drove home tonight.

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst

This world can't satisfy?

And so I washed the tennis shoes, prayed for the couple's family and my husband, and thanked God for my safety and that of my family, grateful for another day here.

fun in the palmetto state

I just recently returned from two great weeks in South Carolina. Most of my trip was work-related, but I found the time to squeeze in some great time with friends too! If only I could just bring all of these fine folks to DC.

Below are some of the highlights from my time at home.

dinner at Za's with Rebecca and Terra- these sweet girls and I went through law school together from our very first Section 1 class, and I miss them dearly! Can't wait to meet Terra's new baby, due right around Christmas.

Part of my second week in South Carolina was spent touring the state's three research universities. I work on higher education issues as part of my portfolio, so it was great to see all that's happening at Clemson, USC and MUSC. We are very lucky to have each of these institutions in my home state!

Katy, Courtney, Laura and me with President Barker- a man who I have had tremendous respect for since I started Clemson in 1999

enjoying a gorgeous purple and orange sunset on Lake Hartwell

we had the privilege of meeting Coach Ray Tanner at USC (and seeing the two baseball national championship trophies- despite my loyalty to Clemson athletics, I can't help but cheer for Coach Tanner!

Ashley, Rebecca and I met at Yummilicious for yogurt- conversation with these girls is good for my soul. And I am so excited to celebrate the arrival of baby #2 for Ashley and Nathan! Ashley's pregnancy is truly proof that God is faithful to answer our prayers.

out and about with Hill friends in Charleston

precious Ella Grace, one of my adorable flower girls, in Charleston- hard to believe she's already 3

Hannah and Bec put together an AMAZING southern dinner- bbq ribs, collards, mac and cheese, homemade cornbread, sour cream pound cake...and margaritas from a little further south

Hurricane Irene unfortunately kept me from going down to the beach to celebrate the engagement of a dear friend, Miss Jessica Stokes, but it worked out ok because it meant more time with my mom and dad in Spartanburg. Dad is recovering well from his hip replacement and has really been the model patient! We loved having dinner at Cribb's Kitchen in Spartanburg with Mr. and Mrs. Webb.

mom and dad at Cribb's- the food was incredible

Going back to Spartanburg also meant I got to have breakfast with April! We have been friends since pre-school and went all through grade school and then to Clemson together, but I didn't see too much of her while we were students at Clemson. At least once every two weeks or so though, we'd go to the Anderson Cracker Barrel to catch up on each other's lives. So it was only fitting we did brunch at Cracker Barrel before I had to go back to DC.

pretty friend with her peach pancakes

I had a great time seeing all these familiar faces, but I sure did miss my husband! As much as I adore being in South Carolina, I was happy to get home to him and to sleep in my own bed. Thankfully football season is right around the corner, and we'll be back in the Upstate soon to cheer on the Tigers.

the end of an era

While I was home in South Carolina, most people I talked to knew about the closing of Walter Reed and were afraid Richard might be out of a job! Thankfully he has a spot at the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), which is currently known as the National Naval Medical Center, or Bethesda Naval. The decision was made to combine the old Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval as part of the Base Realignment and Closure plan, and the new WRNMMC will become the largest military medical center in the country. It's actually a great move for us, as Bethesda Naval is just a few miles from our house. But while the old Walter Reed had its share of issues, it's kind of sad to see such a historic facility close. President Eisenhower died there, and more than 18,000 troops who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan have been treated there. My husband spent countless hours there over the past three years, and his education in that building has been invaluable in both the professional and personal sense.

Richard is actually rotating through several different civilian hospitals in the DC metro area this year, so he is missing the transition from two hospitals to one. We have several friends there though, and they helped complete the big patient move Friday night into Saturday. The transition was moved up a day due to Hurricane Irene, and rows of ambulances carried the wounded warriors to their new home. It should be interesting to see the merger of Army and Navy personalities and traditions. Richard will return next year for his 6th year of residency, his chief year and FINAL year, which we are both looking forward to!

You can read about the transition here and here in the Washington Post.

the old Walter Reed

historic original hospital

why hello south carolina

It's been two months so it's good to see you! I love being back in the place where:

• I can eat this (a rare meat-and-two treat!):

• here:

• where I run into Richard's Little League baseball coach and our high school principal in the same day
• where people hold doors and are kind and polite
• where my social calendar stays full with lunches and dinners and visit with friends who I've known for years. Love getting to see pregnant bellies and new babies.
• where I can travel half the state in the same time it takes me to cover 20 miles in DC
• where Clemson football is discussed on sports talk radio- thank goodness for a break from the Redskins!
• where I can celebrate our next-door neighbors' (who I've know my entire life) 50th wedding anniversary
• where it's hundreds of dollars less to recover a chair and repair a timing belt
• where I can give my brother a hard time, in person, about the goatee he's sporting
• where I can go swimming with this adorable little girl:

• where my mama still takes care of me, and where I can help her take car of my dad, who's recovering from a hip replacement
• And where I can work out of an office with this gorgeous view of downtown Greenville.

SIL love

One of the best parts about marrying Richard was gaining a sister in the process. I actually lived with Richard's sister, Suzanne, before he and I got married, and I love her like she's my own. We had the best time when she visited DC last weekend!

Richard was on call Friday night, so our evening consisted of Founding Farmers, Georgetown Cupcakes, and Say Yes to the Dress. What more could a girl ask for?!

the set-up- see that off-pink chair? it's getting recovered in SC in just a few weeks. can't wait to see it new and improved!

sweet Suzie with strawberry and chocolate hazelnut cupcakes- mint julep is not pictured but was just as delicious

We needed a little exercise on Saturday to burn off our indulgence from the night before- and our planned Saturday night indulgence- so we did a bike tour of the monuments. I can't remember the last time I rode a bike but quickly picked it right back up. We had a great time! Would definitely highly recommend Bike the Sites!

WWII Memorial- probably one of my favorites

part of the Vietnam Memorial- I had actually not remembered this part of it, but these soldiers were added after Vietnam Vets complained that the original Memorial was too abstract

we looked hot in our safety vests and helmets!

just hanging with Albert Einstein- I had never seen this memorial, but it's a neat one sort of hidden off the Mall- his nose has been rubbed for luck so many times that it's a different color

back side of the Lincoln Memorial

hot and sweaty at the Jefferson Memorial

Washington Monument

After our bike-riding jaunt around the mall, we went to CoCo Sala, which is one of those places we only really go to when guests are in town because it is so unhealthy. But well-worth it!

Suzanne's beverage had a chocolate-covered banana swizzle stick

For our main course, we had blue cheese sliders, parmesan and rosemary french fries and bacon mac and cheese...with a slice of chocolate-covered bacon on top. I had never tried chocolate-covered bacon, but it was actually really tasty. Thank goodness we only go to CoCo Sala for special occasions!

And then it was time for dessert, which is the main event at CoCo Sala. I had a s'mores themed dessert, Suzanne had CoCo Sala's take on Banana's Foster, and Richard had warm sticky toffee pudding. Pure bliss! Suzanne, please come back to visit soon!

Webb trio and fabulous desserts