tigers beat the hokies!

Football road trips are one of my favorite things to do in the fall, and I have traveled all over the east coast with various friends and family to watch Clemson play on the road. I remember all-to-well the feeling of hopelessness in Doak Campbell stadium in Tallahassee watching the Tigers getting killed by the Seminoles and at the Georgia Dome, when C.J. Spiller's kick-off return was the only score Clemson had in a 30-7 loss to Alabama. The excitement of that trip was hearing that my friend Kim experienced Braxton-Hicks contractions as she cheered C.J. on and seeing the bar where parts of Sweet Home Alabama was filmed on the way home.

I've sat through the rain at Wake Forest and witnessed a mediocre Clemson performance turned around by a Gaines Adams' blocked field goal. Clemson went on to win that day, and we loved seeing them come back! I thought about that game when I heard of Adams' untimely death. I've been to Duke, where students studied during the game; NC State, which became electric on a Thursday night when then freshman James Davis just showed out and rushed for 143 yards; and Boston College, where the city of Boston was overtaken by fans in orange on Clemson's first trip there, and our nerves were shot after the Tigers lost a heartbreaker in triple overtime.

The only ACC stadiums I had not been to until last Saturday were UVA, Miami and Virginia Tech, so I was excited when Richard agreed to make the trip to Blacksburg to cheer on our Tigers in a huge, both teams ranked in the top-15, match up. Richard was post-call, so he was definitely a trooper to make the 4+ hour drive with me. The gray and rainy day turned out to be one of the coolest in several months. We got the Blacksburg and in the stadium just in time for kick-off and honestly were pretty miserable throughout the first half.

cloudy skies and a full Lane Stadium

don't let those smiles fool you- we were cold and really wet!

Things started to turn around for us when it was clear that the Tiger team had shown up not only to compete but to dominate. Andre Branch kept VA Tech's offense from threatening all night, and Tajh Boyd and our receivers were right on, despite the unfavorable conditions. It was so exciting to be amongst a group of incredibly hyped fans! That's another one of my favorite things about away games- you know the fans there are some of the most dedicated.

delicious turkey leg- the Clemson hat was in the other car, but he really did have on orange underneath

The rain lessened, I bought a thick pair of VA Tech socks, and we made it through to the end of an amazing game. Clemson came away with a 23-3 victory and a new #8 ranking. GO TIGERS!

How bout them Tigers?!

warmer and happier after the game

singing the alma mater with the Tiger faithful

Richard and I ended up spending Saturday night in Staunton, Virginia, since all the hotels in Blacksburg and Roanoke were full. Staunton is on the way back to DC right off Highway 81 and is a charming little town. We've stopped there a couple of times on the way home from Spartanburg and really love it. We stayed in the middle of town at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel, which I'd highly recommend for anyone journeying to the Shenandoah Valley.

love the retro sign

We had a tasty Sunday lunch at Mrs. Rowe's. How we miss meat and three restaurants! The desserts at Mrs. Rowe's are fabulous.

still wearing the purple and orange

Woodrow Wilson's birthplace also happens to be in Staunton, and we took a very educational tour of his home and Presidential library. I have a new appreciation for President Wilson. Apparently he was quite the lady's man- he had two wives and a long-time "friend" named Mrs. Peck. He actually spent some of his childhood in Augusta, GA and Columbia, SC, which makes me feel a little closer to him. And he called himself "Tiger" because of his time as President of Princeton University; he was and remains the only President to have obtained his PhD.

back of the Wilson manse- his dad was a Presbyterian minister, so the home was actually owned by the Presbyterian church

President Wilson's limousine- after his stroke he used to watch Washington Senators games from inside the car

happy fall!

I hate the fact we won't make the Homecoming game against Boston College this weekend, but we'll be cheering hard in DC! I've loved Dabo Swinney from the start, and there is truly something special about this young Clemson team. I'm so, so proud of them, and of the 1000+ fans who turned out to welcome them home to Death Valley's West Endzone.

Happy Birthday, Anderson!

We have been blessed with many new friends since Richard moved to DC four years ago, and Max and Ashley have become two of our closest friends here. I remember very clearly our first dinner with Max and Ashley at Pizza Paradiso in Dupont Circle on one of my early DC visits, when they showed up almost an hour late. We had a wonderful time regardless and laughed most of the night, and I don't think we've both been on time to a dinner ever since.

They shared the exciting news that they were expecting late last winter, and we have watched Ashley's belly grow over the past several months. Sweet Anderson Joseph Pusz was born last Thursday morning, on September 22nd, and we got to meet him last Thursday evening. He is adorable and looks just like his daddy. Welcome to the world, Anderson!

Max and Richard with Anderson

the five of us- doesn't Ashley look great?

We threw Max and Ashley a baby shower back in August, and I realized I never shared those pictures on the blog. Alana and Bryan also helped host, and we had fun putting everything together.

it's hard to see, but the ribbon had colorful animals on it to coordinate with Ashley's nursery theme

monkeys and zebras

playing the "what candy bar is in the diaper?" game

Walter Reed friends

loved these lanterns and poms we found at Party City

hosts and hostesses

And in other news, since this seems to be the year of the baby (and 2nd baby!), how absolutely precious is this video? Jess was my roommate at Clemson, and her daughter, Ella, is one of my most favorite redheads. I love her, her mom Jess and dad Paul and am so excited for this awesome family. Their love of Christ emanates in everything they do!

where the blue ridge yawns its greatness

Richard and I had the distinct privilege of being in my favorite place on earth last weekend. And it was glorious- a Clemson win over a ranked Auburn team that had a 17 game winning streak, including last year's National Championship game. Death Valley absolutely rocking with cheering fans who stayed the whole game through and a team that didn't get discouraged, even down 14. Seeing family and friends who we love being around. Sitting next to the same people my parents have sat next to at games for 30+ years and hearing how my dad used to bring my mom to games while they were dating. Having fan after fan in Section UE ask how my dad was doing post hip-replacement and assuring them he'd be back this season. Feeling like I'd come home and not wanting to the day to end. Going to bed with an exhausted smile on my face and praying for the day to come soon when we can spend all of our Saturdays in God's Country. And for a win on Saturday over Florida State!

Hard to believe that my brother who was NINE when I started Clemson is now a senior!

most exciting 25 seconds of college football

stadium full- Auburn fans came out in full force

Can barely see the score, but that's Clemson 38- Auburn 24

students rushing the field

happy, happy fans

loved seeing Hannah, who filled me on the Racquettes journey to the tennis combos state championship- wish I could cheer them on in Charleston in a few weeks!

how precious was Miss Darcy's debut of the Clemson cheerleading uniform?! Thanks for having us, Amanda!

Darcy's photography skills- I see a bright future in photography!

i'm only a bill

Do you remember this video? From School House Rock? My sweet husband, whose knowledge of the legislative process is somewhat limited, likes to sing this song to me whenever I talk about bills we're working on in the office. In the current political world we live in, where few things these days are bi-partisan, it excited me to see a piece of legislation that I spent a great deal of time considering and talking about in meeting after meeting with lobbyist actually become law. President Obama signed the "America Invents Act" into law today, a patent reform bill that has been ten years in the making.

The bill came through the Judiciary Committee, a committee that my boss is on, so we were there for the debate and mark-up. The House version was slightly different than the one the Senate initially passed, so after it passed in the House, it had to go through conference committee and then back over to the Senate. It passed there (for a second time), and President Obama signed it today at Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria, Virginia.

The Schoolhouse Rock version is remarkably accurate and incredibly catchy. Enjoy a few minutes back in the 1980's!

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.