Yes THEY Can!!

Ok, so some of you may know that Calvin and I are self proclaimed 'nerds'. We went to Washington, DC on our honeymoon....we regularly watch CNN, and never go to bed without watching CTV newsnet....Lloyd Robertson is our favorite anchor. We are very politically minded, when the coalition was going to happen, I promptly called our MP and left a scathing message about the political process. He (our MP, Nathan Cullen) actually called me back from Ottawa, and we had an HOUR long conversation. He tried to out maneuver me with the political talk but was surprised and impressed on how I could hold my own. Anyway, that said....we are interested in politics...in this country and around the world.

Fast forward to this morning.

My girls (who are 5, 8 and 9) woke up, and knew it was the day. It was the day of change for America and the world. They knew that Barak Obama was going to be the 44th president of the United States. (Fun fact....when Michelle Obama walked out on the steps of the capital, Avery and Delaney both knew her because they play a game on gamesgames.com where they can dress her up!) I was watching CTV when they woke up, and they were all so spellbound that they begged to eat their breakfast in the living room so they wouldn't miss anything. I said yes, and we watched as past presidents and vice presidents took their seats. We saw the presidential motorcade come down the road and saw the coolest presidential limo EVER. The girls asked why he needed to be in a car that has bullet proof and bomb proof glass, which prompted a conversation about JFK and how he was shot, and how the vice-president gets to be the president in that case. My girls were spellbound by the shots of MILLIONS of people at the 'mall' in Washington, they were excited to see the two girls of Barack and Michelle Obama walk out and take their seats. Avery told me how she thought it was so cool that Barack was the first black president. We had to leave for school and the girls asked me to tape what they would miss. When we got into the car, I turned the sirius radio to Fox News and we listened to the crowds cheer as President Elect Obama came down the steps to the capitol. My girls didn't ask to listen to radio disney...in fact, they didn't ask anything...they just listened. I raced (yes, raced...I told you, I'm a NERD!) and woke Calvin up so we could watch Rick Warren pray at the opening of the ceremony. Once sworn in, President Obama made an amazing speech. I actually cried. Now, I know I'm not an American, but you could feel the hope that these people felt! His speech was heartfelt and sincere. This is a man, whose father would NOT have been served at a restaurant in Washington only 50 years ago...and today, he was taking office in the highest place in America! I just think it's cool. I feel inspired today. I felt like my girls witnessed history in the making.....

Heck...I felt like I did too.

2009 Reasons To Have A Good Year.

• I am going to list 2009 reasons why I'm going to have a great year this year. FALSE.
• I am finally going to slay the 200 pound dragon that lives inside my body. TRUE. This is the year people. I am going to break the 200 pound barrier....starting Monday.
• I am excited about going to Hawaii again. TRUE. We leave in April.
• My Dad is in remission. FALSE. I've had several people ask me about this...it's not true but 2009 is still going to be a record year for him since he was only supposed to live until June 2008!
• I looked better 10 years ago. FALSE. Seriously...I look at old pictures and wonder how I ever got married.....and then I look at Calvin's old pictures and it all makes sense.
• Calvin and I are writing a book together. FALSE...but we really should because people are always commenting on how 'lucky' we are to have a good marriage and well behaved children....it's not 'luck' people....it's hard work....
• I'm happy the holidays are over. FALSE. I love sleeping in....I love eating chocolate....I love tobogganing and I love family time. Real life starts again in less than 48 hours.
• This New Years was the best one yet. TRUE. We had SO much fun playing 'Rock Band' and 'Dance Dance Revolution' at Wayne and Laura's house this year with 8 other couples....I didn't even get tired until 1 am! It's like I'm a grown up!
• One of my personal goals this year is to stop the negative self talk. TRUE. I have elaborated in the past about this phenomenon of never feeling like I'm 'enough' but a few months ago I had a revelation...anyway, the negative self talk must go.
• I'm giving up carbs this year. FALSE. That's just stupid.
• I'm going to do four days of cardio this year. EVERY WEEK. TRUE. Dangit.
• Calvin actually lost weight over Christmas. TRUE. !$%&*+?
• I lost weight this Christmas. FALSE. I gained 6 pounds. HOW FAIR IS THAT? He eats and drinks way more than me and I GAIN?
• Calvin's job is more secure than ever. FALSE. SO SO FALSE. His job is on the line more than ever.
• I am worried about Calvin losing his job. FALSE. I can not control the global economy...repeat after me....I can not control the global economy.
• I love January hockey. TRUE. Now it starts to get good.
• Life is good. TRUE. I am blessed.