It's over... and at the same time it begins....

So today everyone with the political fire is back to normal. I felt compelled to stay up and see how it all shook out. It wasn't who I voted for, but as I watched everything unfold, I saw some interesting things.

First, anyone who can get voters to turn out in the masses they turned out in, and wait 3-4 hours in some cases just to vote, deserves a little respect. Second, I really believe that some of the people were not very informed in their decision (and that goes for both candidates). Third, John McCain showed a lot of class in his speech following the announcement that he had lost. Fourth, Barack Obama made a lot of good points in his speech (i.e. government can't fix everything, our nation needs to come together, the root ideals that the republican party is based on are ideals we should all have and strive to share, this election showed that people and their vote do count, etc.)

I lay awake most of the night thinking of what I would post here. There was alot that went through my head. I think Barack won't be so bad if he can lead this nation the way he led his campaign, and get the masses involved. I also think he has an uphill battle as he tries to help people understand things are not going to be great over night and that people still have to take responsibilities for their own problems and actions. I think this is a momentous occasion that we will look back on and say I was alive when we as a nation elected the first African American to the office of president.

Barack brought people out and united so many minority groups that if this continues, and our country unites, as it states in our name the United States of America, then our nation has a great and bright future in front of it.

Everyone has something to offer as far as ideas and different points of view go. I am grateful to have stayed up and had the opportunity to see many different peoples.

So let's see what the future holds, with an open mind, understanding, and no judgements or "I told you so"s.

Pics from Halloween

Oh, the joy of Halloween. I am not gonna lie, I do love it. I love to dress up every year, and while I contemplated not dressing up this year, at the last minute I knew I had to, out of principle. I will not go out being a boring Mommy. I was a pirate, and my kids helped me scrounge my costume together last minute. Which was nice of them, cuz I was not a happy camper most of the day....

And no, there is not a picture of me in my costume, as I have to be the one taking the picture. Blaine was at work. But he did get home in the nick of time to go with us, and we did just hit the family's houses and then once around our neighborhood. We went with some friends up the street, the Crane's, and that made it more fun to take a long walk around the big block, in the dark, with kids already hyped up on sugar and racing one another to the next house.

All in all it was a good Halloween, and we still have candy, and the good kind too. Surprise surprise. Anywho, they had fun, I had fun, and on the sunday following, we had great milk shakes with lots of chocolate bar candy in them with our dinner. (I know really nutritious, but they did get their calcium and vitamin D from the milk and Ice cream, right? And it was with dinner...)

I did go and vote today, and feel better after finally deciding to go and getting it done. Just so you all know, I did vote McCain. I respect each person's opinion to vote as their conscience directs them, so if you disagree it is fine with me.

I need to add here that I am most bothered by people who are so closed minded and refuse to see something from another persons point of view. I try, and while I may not agree with them, I still respect that they can have convictions different than mine. I just don't think it is productive in any way, shape, or form to resort to degrading and biased name calling, or slurs, or even to condem someone who is differnt than yourself, just because they are not like you or they have a different view than you do. Tolerance for EVERYONE no matter our differences is something that I think we should all work on. I am not saying I am perfect, but diversity is what makes this world so great and we can appreciate each person the way they are.

Okay now that I have that off my chest, I feel better. And the person who sparked this rant will never read this blog, even though this person is a relative. (i.g. my family never reads my blog, any of them) so I feel better getting it out, although I wouldn't mind them seeing this, but I know it wouldn't change their opinion.

So enough of my soap box. The season for Thankfulness is upon us, and a time to count our blessings. Maybe take some time to be thankful for the country we live in, even though it has some flaws, and be grateful we can spout our opinions out.