I found out a few things about myself on this trip that we all took last week -

• I love Washington DC. (I already knew that, but every time I go, I am reminded what a fantastic city it is.)
• I do not care for 3 meals per day in restaurant type situations with 3 boys, one of whom is under 2. (See previous blog.)
• I find the landscape of Virginia to be breathtakingly beautiful, and I am sad that the Midwest is so FLAT. (Chicago is pretty rocking though...and the OP is home....)
• I still hate to fly. At one point on the way home, after the captain had warned us all it was going to be choppy as we drew nearer to Chicago, not just bumpy, but choppy, I turned to Kyle who was behind me, and as my head was swimming with vertigo and jumbled thoughts of trying to sing the Wheels on the Bus to Kyler/read a book/breath calmly and steadily, all I could say was "I am terrified". There is no reason now that I am not pregnant or nursing that I can't go get me some flying drugs!!
• I love my daft routine-ridden-stay-at-home-mum life. (Yes, I will change my mind on this by next week I am sure, but for now I am standing by my that statement.) I was so happy to come home and cook for my boys, nothing fancy, just a little pasta Saturday night, and a delicious part-Julia Child quiche for lunch on Sunday. Part because I did not make the pastry. Pillsbury's little dough boy did. Anyway, I guess I also like being my own boss. I say when the f'ing laundry gets done, and when and what we eat, and how I want to rearrange my furniture (sorry Kyle....). That autonomy is no small thing. Even if I do, at times, feel ruled by 3 little, blonde haired boys.
• I love History. I knew this already also, but it's a funny thing when you fall in love with the history of a country that basically grew out of a desire to be separated from the country that you grew up in. And that it is the history of a country that not only wanted the independence from your country, but also purposefully and with complete dedication, ensured that all the seemingly bad things about your country were not repeated or installed in that new one! (This may shed a whole new light on the prospect of my non-existent citizenship....?!) Oh, and I am always, completely and utterly blown away by the founding fathers. I still think it is truly amazing that a handful of men (too bad no girlie's, but I guess Abigail Adams plugged away at John to include us....), could dedicate their lives to establishing a whole new nation. Do you realize that that has never been done before? I mean, we all think this generation is pretty damn smart, but then you think about what those guys thought up, and pondered on, with an excruciating eye for detail, and then I think either all the smart people are hiding or we just ain't all that.