Time has flown this week. Being the one in charge of getting a family (there is nine of us going on this trip) on vacation is somewhat stressful. The train tickets; hotel reservations; packing; making sure everyone has the right clothes and shoes; and finding someone to watch over the animals while we are gone.  I will be so happy, peaceful, and content once I am sitting on the train knowing that it has all been done and now I can just relax.

Today our horse run-in arrived, as well as our new chicken coop.  Again, another notch of stress, making sure the truck driver placed these in just the perfect spot.  He moved a cabin for us as well.

The house got clean today although I am sure there are probably some unfinished areas. I will have some time in the morning to get to anything that has been left undone.  I have three bills to pay and put into the mail, also.

Thursday I finished up some shopping with Rachel, and when I got home, Becky was here with her three little ones.  She wanted to spend some time with us before we left.  We had dinner together – this was an unexpected company night – and I had planned cereal for supper, given the busy day this was.  But, fortunately, I still had one more homemade lasagna in our freezer.  It was wonderful eating at our big table with five of my children, three grandchildren, my son-in-law, my husband, and Grandma – I love to sit and just marvel at all the blessings God has given me.

Tomorrow we take an Amtrak train to Washington D.C. in a sleeper car. I hope to take lots of pictures and share them with you!  We will dine on the train four meals before arriving.

We have a scheduled tour of the Capital Building as well as the White House.  We plan on visiting the Supreme Court, Congress, and the Smithsonian.  Everyone is very excited. And I am especially praising Him that Grandma is going with us.