.:Kissable:.

I love to kiss this mouth.

.:I like this:.

"There is not a liberal America and a conservative America - there is the United States of America . There is not a black America and a white America and Latino America and Asian America - there's the United States of America ."

- Barack Obama, 2004 Democratic Convention

.:Inauguration:.

I have been watching the inauguration proceedings on t.v. all morning. It seems like there is such a spirit of hope among Americans right now. I like how Obama has been saying all along that we need to work in a spirit of bi-partisanship, and I hope that he really continues to work for that. Our nation is so divided right now between parties, and I'm so tired of everyone blaming everything on everybody else. It seems like if people would learn how to work together, instead of against each other, we could make a lot more progress. That being said, I'm a bit worried about how much everyone seems to be putting Obama up on a pedastal. The expectations seem super high for him, and I'm not sure he can live up to them - I'm not sure anyone could! Our country is such a mess right now, and it seems like people are expecting him to be able to change things so quickly, and I think it's going to take much more than that.

It is a historic day, though, and I have loved hearing about all of the traditions that the incoming and outgoing presidents have. It's neat to learn about the history of this event. While many people are so quick to criticize President Bush, I still believe that he is a good man. Sure, he made mistakes - don't we all! It's not like he was the only one that any decisions had to go through! But I think that he had the country's best interests at heart, and did what he thought was right at the time. I think he did a lot to keep our country safe after 9/11, and that's definitely not an easy position to be in.

Hopefully Obama will be able to bring the country back together, and start us working towards improvements that our country is in need of. It's a special day, and however sappy this may sound, it brings tears to my eyes as I watch everything on t.v. and realize what a great country we live in, and how blessed we truly are. I'm proud to be an American!

.:Poor Baby:.

Yesterday was such a rough day with Reece. She was crying/screaming for a good part of the day. I was so worn out and so frustrated with her. But I ended up feeling really guilty for feeling that way. Turns out the poor girl had a stomach ache. She was just straining to go to the bathroom, and I could tell that it was hurting her because the consistency was different. It was the worst scream I've ever head from her. It was much different - just urgent and painful - and she was just looking at me with tears running down her cheeks. It made me want to cry right alongside her! It is awful to feel so helpless when she is so obviously in need of comfort that I couldn't give her. She was finally able to calm down later in the evening, and we just loved on her extra, hoping it would help. She actually slept great last nite, and seems much happier today, so I'm hoping it has passed. Poor girl!

.:Boggle:.

Josh got Boggle for Christmas, and we have been playing it lately. I am horrible at word games (I always lose at Scrabble too!) but it is so fun! I almost beat Josh last nite - one point away from victory! Oh and well.... I guess I have to let him win some things. :)

.:Good Quote:.

The most important thing she’d learned over the years was that there was no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.
— Jill Churchill

.:One of many reasons....:.

There are many reasons why I love Josh, but I have to share this one because it just goes to show how well my husband knows me.

I had two hours of meetings after church on Sunday, which meant he first of all, had to take Reece home and take care of her. That in itself would have been enough work for me! But not only did he do that, when I got home two hours later, he had an appetizer and a mug of Diet Coke waiting for me.

That's true love.