Inauguration Day

I turned on the TV this morning looking for a local traffic report. I was debating loading the kids up and heading to a suburban shopping mall to do some returns, and a traffic report would help me decide. All I could find was LIVE Inauguration coverage, no traffic reports anywhere to be found. Annaliese became immediately captivated.

"What are all those people doing?"

"Why are the all cheering?"

"Who is Barack Obama?"

"Why is he the president?"

All very good questions.

We got comfortable on the couch as I tried to answer all of her questions. She was curious about each of the former presidents that she saw on the screen and wondered why they weren't the president anymore. I got to explain that every four years America votes for a new president. Who ever gets the most votes gets to be the new president.

"Mom, did you vote?"

"Can I go with you next time?"

We watched Sasha and Malia being escorted to their seats.

"Do they have a mom?"

We watched Michelle Obama being escorted.

"Oh, I get it...they're the Obama family just like we're the K__ Family! Now their dad is the new president, right? When is he going to be on?"

We watch, we watch, we watch....She waits, she waits, she waits....

Finally she gets to see who Barack Obama is. She was thrilled to be able to know who the new president of the United States is. It was the same kind of thrill when we watched the Olympics together this past summer....patriotic.

I was glad that we had this little learning moment together. I may not have voted for Obama but I do want him to be successful for America's sake.

I thought Obama's speech was appropriate and fine. I found his choice of words interesting as they were clearly meant for the world to hear, not just the America. I am glad I stayed home to watch this historic event with my girls instead of fighting traffic. I have to admit that there was one thing that got my goat a little. I don't think it was appropriate for Mr. Preacherman Joseph Lowery to take racial jabs in the closing prayer...the closing PRAYER of an INAUGURATION! Pretty low.


Before I turned off the TV Annaliese told me, "When I get older I want to go into that show." In other words...when she grows up she wants to go to an inauguration. I hope she gets to someday.

This afternoon I pulled out my photo album. I found pictures from 1997, Clinton's 2nd Inauguration. I was there. It didn't matter that I didn't vote for him either, it was just cool to be there. Patriotic.

Go Team!

Support your embattled Republican Candidate!

GO MITT!

The scoop here is either

A) Kermit is dang good at photo shop or

B) the following story

In October Kermit & I went to a small Romney fundraising reception in Wilmette at a private residence. WOW is all I can say! It was such a great experience!

That night we were running a tad late (surprise). When we arrived people were just mingling around with their cocktails and hors d'Oeuvres (how ever that is spelled, but that's how Martha Stewart spells it) . We didn't see Gov. Romney anywhere. Luckily we asked! He was in the library for photos. We quickly headed to the library where we literally were the last couple to step in to get a photo before the photographer packed up. Whew! That actually timed out great though because it gave us a chance to chat with him a moment! Kermit actually knows Mitt from years ago back in college. Being the last gave them a chance to reminisce and get a brief update on the latest! That was pretty cool I must say.

After our nice little chat, Mitt was ushered to the gorgeous patio overlooking the lake to give a speech. I really truly came away impressed with what he had to say. I usually don't get worked up over politics because it is hard for me to follow and understand everything that happens and hard to know who is being truthful. But I really think that Mitt is a very smart person who would have more than a clue when it comes to dealing with the economy. I also think he has integrity. As far as I'm concerned, he could do a great job! I think he would be a great president, personally. We'll see what America thinks.

After his speech he opened it up for questions. The first person, an older woman asked "What about the big grizzly in the closet, the Mormon thing...." He gave his answer basically stating that if elected he would put his hand on the Holy Bible and promise to to HIS job for the country (not his church). His answer was great, but I can't remember all he said. I do remember him stating that he wouldn't ever change his faith because he was proud of his heritage and faith and if people can't get past it, so be it. (This was all before his big speech on Faith at the Bush Library.) A good answer, handled it well. I'm pretty sure we were the only other Mormons there, but it seemed to me like we weren't the only ones annoyed by the woman's question. People seemed very satisfied with the answer given and more than ready to get on to the questions relating to the issues on their minds. All of the following questions were more politically aimed rather than religion based, the real issues!

GO MITT! We're rooting for you!

(Answer - B)