DC Bucket List

The last few weeks of living in DC have brought with them: craziness. lack of sleep. lots of "see you later"s (I am still refusing to call them goodbyes). But most importantly, they have inspired my DC Bucket List - things I absolutely have to see and do while I still live here in our nation's capital. Here's a look at a few of the highlights so far...

Went to the National Cathedral...

the Newseum...

and Arlington National Cemetery, just in time for Memorial Day...

And, even though there is no picture, I've also hit the National Portrait Gallery and National Gallery of Art. Whew! I am feeling pretty darn patriotic, folks. And there is still more to come!

Love from your favorite tourist,

Lauren

Time Flies...

Today begins the one week countdown to the end of my year as a Capital Fellow. The year has been: fast - challenging - wonderful - fast - full of growth - full of learning - did I mention fast?!? I can't believe that it is almost over. It feels like the end has snuck up on me somehow, and suddenly I'm done and I'm not entirely sure how I got here. It is all a blur of work and classes and dinners and ministry and new people and new places and new things. I am ready for a breather from all the work and time commitments (because those have been pretty hefty) but the thought of the 10 Fellows scattering to the wind in a week breaks my heart a little bit.

But now, for the good news... we are preparing for our scattering in style!! Next week we are leaving for the BEACH for a week of no commitments, no homework and no alarms. I am SO very ready and excited - excited to get a tan, to relax, sleep in, and read a book just because I want to read it - but even more excited to have one last week of time with my Fellows. Knowing us, there will be a lot of good food, good conversation, and lots and lots of laughing. A few of my favorite things with some of my favorite people. :-)

This weekend I am knocking a huge chunk off of my DC to-do list - pictures and details posted soon!

Lots of love,

Lauren

P.S. Check out pictures of our Fellows year here!

Meet the Fam!

While I was home for Easter (way, way, way back when...), my sister and I scheduled a family photo session with Kaitie Bryant, a super awesome photographer I know from Athens (remember when she did my graduation pictures last year? even more here!). My parents celebrated their 25th anniversary a few weeks ago, and Hilary and I wanted to make sure they had a fun way to remember the big day!

Here are a few of my favs...

Sisters :-)

My mom is super cute... Hope all these genes got passed on to me...

25 years ago...

How adorable is this picture?!?

The whole clan!

And, my personal favorite...

I'm a lucky girl to have this fun of a fam!!

Lots of love,

Lauren

Wahoo Wah!!!

I AM GOING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA FOR MEDICAL SCHOOL!!!!!

yahoooooo!!!!!

WAHOO WAH! (that's what they say there, ya know).

so so SO excited I can hardly stand it!!!

Love from one giddy new Cavalier,

Lauren

Mama Bear

Giving thanks today for my sweet mom - forever and always my biggest fan!!

Love you, mom!

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Lauren

May?!?

I'm sorry. It's MAY?!?

HOW did that happen??

The past few days have been insanity. craziness. madness.

Home for Easter, week of work, visit to Philly, National Fellows Conference.

Whew.

I'm pooped.

updates on ALL of it coming soon!

Lots of worn out love,

Lauren

Annapolis: A Brief Tour

[...and by brief, I mean much, much delayed...]

Two weekends ago [which seems like ages] Wendy and I made a little day trip to Annapolis! I had no idea how close it was to DC - we made it there in no time at all! We first found our way to the State House and discovered that they were in session, so we took in the view from a balcony inside.

Next, we wandered to the City Dock, got a snack and watched a few boats come and go. Great place for people watching and getting the local flavor!

After the City Dock, we walked through some of the neighborhoods. We found cute row houses, historical homes and everything in between!

Next stop: Naval Academy Campus. SO pretty and fun to see! The best part was a beautiful big tree on campus where we just couldn't pass up the chance to take a few pictures...

Last but certainly not least, we drove to another part of town to get some real honest-to-goodness Annapolis crab cakes. They were HUGE and delicious! We left very full, very happy campers. Thank you, Annapolis, for the perfect day trip!

Up next: a tale of my Easter weekend at home in Georgia!!

Happy Easter to all!

Lauren