Washington DC Trip - The Keychain Version (part 2)

Gettysburg 

Our second stop was Gettysburg. I had no idea how big the battlefields of Gettysburg were. I thought it was a small area, but I had a totally wrong idea in my head of the true size. It was a very solemn place to be and I will never forget it. 


The keychain I got in Gettysburg commemorates the 150th anniversary of the battle fought there. 

Gettysburg keychain - 1863-2013

July 1, 2, and 3, 1863 - Gettysburg

Here are a few pictures from the battlefield.

A small part of the Gettysburg battlefield

"Now we are engaged in a great civil war..."

Washington DC Trip - The Keychain Version (part 1)

I am so excited to share about my recent trip to Washington DC and the surrounding area. I have to say right up front this may very well have been one of THE best trips I have ever been on. I had so much fun and learned so much about history. The places I went to open the doors to a whole new dimension for me. It was a fantastic trip.

One of the fun parts of my trip was that I was able to expand my keychain collection while traveling! It is always fun to get a souvenir to help remember the vacation and the good times. And my favorite souvenirs happen to be keychains! I added a quite a few so it will take a couple posts to share them all, but I hope you enjoy my story through the keychains!

First Stop - Hershey Chocolate World

While we hadn't planned on this being our first stop, it was indeed. (We had planned on going to the Sight and Sound Production of Noah in Lancaster, PA, but our car broke down. Check out my mom's blog for more of the story.

Hershey, PA was a fun town to go to. The street lights are made of chocolate kisses and the town seems to center around chocolate. We were able to go on a tour of how they make the chocolate. It was a lot of fun!

So my first keychain came from there! It has my first initial on it, "M," a "kiss," and it say Hershey Chocolate World!

Hershey Chocolate World Keychain

History Come Alive - War Memorials in Washington DC

After having just been to Washington D.C. about a week ago, it has made all of history come alive for me. It made it feel all the more real. The memorials, especially the war memorials, have made it all seem more real. Instead of just reading about it in a history book, I now have a picture of the people who gave their lives for this country so that we all, so that I, could have freedom. They sacrificed all they had, their very lives in some cases, because they believed in this land. And I thank them for that. I also thank the men and women who are currently fighting for our country.

As you enjoy this weekend with family and friends, also take time to thank a Veteran. They are the ones that gave you the freedoms you enjoy and take for granted each day.

P.S. I'll be posting some of the fun keychains I got on the trip in the coming weeks! Also, if you want to read more about the trip, check out my mom's blog:
http://joycefromtheheart.blogspot.com/2013/05/vacation-tales.html?m=0

Monday Musings - Mind and Heart Unite

I am a huge Adventures in Odyssey fan. And I believe that no matter how old I get I will still LOVE Odyssey. It has always been a comfort to me. It has provided me with laughter and tears. It is a part of me that will never go away. So even in my 20's I am unashamed to say I am still listening to it!


Monday's Musing

From Back to Bethlehem: Part 2

Eugene Meltsner: But how could you believe for so long without proof? Without evidence to support your theory?
Hezekiah: Theory? You are still speaking with your mind Eugenious. What I am believe is the place where the mind and the heart unite.
Eugene Meltsner: And where is that?
Hezekiah: Faith.

Key-chains - Bears

 This week I thought I would share a few more key-chains with you. These all have something to do with bears! Enjoy!


The one below is a stuffed Winnie the Pooh that I got at Disney World. Since I was a big fan of Winnie the Pooh growing up (and even now!), I thought it would be fun to get one from Disney World!

Winnie the Pooh key-chain

 This one is a Polar Bear. My dad gave it to me from a trade show that he went to for work.

Polar Bear

This Bear and Heart key-chain was given to me by a friend. She made it for me as a gift. I can't remember the exact time that she gave it to me, but I think it was around the time that she moved out of state.It has always made me think of her!

Bear and Heart keychain

The last one of my "bear" key-chains is a Pooh bear and Tigger key-chain! This one was given to me as a gift.

Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, too!