Tuesday-D.C.

Another power packed day! We started the day by heading to Capital Hill for a luncheon, it was interesting to watch the bus being "checked out" by a bomb sniffing German Shepherd that looked as nice as can be, but you knew he was ready to tear off your head with the wrong move. We had a wonderful lunch and met some very nice Senators, but unfortunately not anyone from Texas.

After lunch we headed out on the Metro with the family from Missouri for Arlington Cemetery, one of Kent and Sam's required spots of interest. This place is breathtaking. We visited Kennedy's grave, watched 2 wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown and changing of the guard. We then visited General Robert E. Lee's home. The Pentagon can be seen from the the front of the home. It was interesting to see the lighter colored cement that repaired where the plane flew into it on 9/11. Thru the archives we were able to locate Debbie's brother-in-law's father's grave. That was a solemn moment to visit someone that is buried in this magnificent place when you recognize the name.

Sam is doing well walking all over the city, he is very tired by the end of the day but keeps a good attitude about it all. He does not want to miss anything! Again we can not thank CMN, Cook Children's and Walmart/Sam's Club for this wonderful opportunity. It is so wonderful to spend time with families that have stood in the middle of the storm and have made it out alive, each and everyone of these Champions are miracles made possible by the funding of the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

Tomorrow will be an early day with interview with Miss America and David Archaleta.

Monday...This day started early, we met in the lobby at 8:15 am to walk to the EPSN zone. We were treated to a wonderful buffet breakfast and then a program including a private concert from Mark Wells and Miss America and a visit from Screech, the Nationals mascot, who announced he is taking us all to the Nationals game on Wednesday. The kids then were treated to game cards from ESPN zone, first time ever that Sam and Myles did not use up all the money before we were ready to go!

I have to admit that today was extremely emotional, not because it is a new "wound" but to share your lives and stories with so many other families you realize that each day is even more of a blessing than you thought. Also, to watch these children have the time of their life with no limits, is priceless! These children are being given an opportunity that we as their parents could never give them.

After our morning at the ESPN zone we headed for a bus tour of DC and saw the Lincoln, Jefferson, Korean, Vietnam, WW II and Washington Monuments. We then visited the Smithsonian Museums of Natural History and Air and Space. It was very awesome!

This evening we took the METRO to another part of the city for some really wonderful pizza and micro brewery beer with our new friends from Idaho. Their son Zach, will be throwing out the first pitch of the Nationals game on Wednesday.

Tomorrow is another big day with a visit to Capital Hill and then we are heading for Arlington Cemetery.

I will try to post pictures in the morning, the free internet is very slow!

D.C. Arrival

Wow what a day of traveling! We arrived in D.C. about 6 pm and with 3 other familes from Idaho, Arkansas and Conn. were met with smiling CMN employess, a round of applause from the Delta terminal and balloons! Everyone we have met has been soo nice and full of smiles. It is so strange to be saying thank you to them for this opportunity and they are thanking us for inspiring them. Mutual Admiration!

Sam and Myles headed straight to the pool and met up with several of the children and their siblings. One of the wonderful things we have experienced so far, is that although the Champion is the one whose story is told, the rest of the family is considered Champions too. Myles is getting all the "free" goodies too, he is not just along for the ride. THANK YOU CMN for making the siblings feel special too!

We headed out for dinner with Zach (Idaho) and his family and Josh (MO) and his mom and grandmother. On our way we came upon a road block with Secret Service and police lights flashing, the rumor was that President Obama was at a play and would be exiting soon, the boys decided that they did not need to wait to see him because they were going to meet him on Wednesday. It was hilarious!

Tommorrow is a busy day we are having breakfast and spending the morning at the ESPN Zone, a place much like Dave in Busters in TX. Afterwards, we are heading out for a bus tour of the city and then visiting museums.

We were told tonight that Sam will have 4 media events on Wednesday.

8:00 and 8:15 am interview with David Archuleta on 94.1 and not sure about other station

8:30 and 9:40 am interview with Miss America with KTBC Fox and KDFW Fox 4

Good night all!