Election 2012 - My Thoughts Tonight

I thought President Obama's acceptance speech was very moving.  I am proud to have voted for him and to have voted for my convictions - even when it was definitely not the popular vote around me.  If he had been giving a concession speech I would be saying the exact same thing and would be congratulating President Romney – although I do realize it would be a different speech.  ;-)

I am also proud that my kids are being raised in a house where their dad votes one way and their mom another.  We talk openly about our differences and discuss both sides of many issues with them.  I hope that they continue to realize what a privilege it is to have the right to vote when so many across the world do not.  It is heartbreaking to me that my six year old has come home from school every day for the last week talking about what a ‘bad man President Obama is’ and how ‘he hates the flag and won’t say the words (pledge) to the flag’. I hope they grow up appreciating the blessing of self expression and feel comfortable finding out for themselves what they believe in.

Two of my favorite parts of President Obama’s speech tonight…

 “That’s why we do this. That’s what politics can be. That’s why elections matter. It’s not small, it’s big. It’s important. Democracy in a nation of 300 million can be noisy and messy and complicated. We have our own opinions. Each of us has deeply held beliefs. And when we go through tough times, when we make big decisions as a country, it necessarily stirs passions, stirs up controversy. That won’t change after tonight, and it shouldn’t. These arguments we have are a mark of our liberty. We can never forget that as we speak people in distant nations are risking their lives right now just for a chance to argue about the issues that matter, the chance to cast their ballots like we did today.”

 “And whether I earned your vote or not, I have listened to you, I have learned from you, and you’ve made me a better president. And with your stories and your struggles, I return to the White House more determined and more inspired than ever about the work there is to do and the future that lies ahead. Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual.”

I just hope as he returns to the White House that he will realize and remember mistakes he has made in the past and will look toward the future.  And I REALLY hope that both sides will make a concerted effort to work together.  Because the divided nature of our country today is depressing as hell. 

(President Obama's Acceptance Speech - Full Transcript)

The Perfect Holiday Party Playlist

Betty White

The best part of blogging for me is posting the funny things the kids say all of the time.  I never want to forget them!  I was going through some old posts last night and the ones where I posted what the kids have said crack me up.  I can't imagine how invaluable they will be in twenty years.

This is a little exchange between Carson and I the other day:

“Wouldn’t it be funny if grandma was the one that believed in Santa but her friends didn’t.”

(He was talking about Virginia in the book Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Clause.)

“Because she is old like olden days and it could be her.”

(I told him it wasn’t grandma, but I knew what he was talking about.  Then we tried to think of the little girl’s name in the story.  For some reason I was having a total mental blank at the time.)

Before I could think of it Carson comes up with this...

“I know.  Is it Betty White?”

Carson Quotes (From A Couple of Years Ago)

This is a post that I had as a draft before I quit blogging.  It has to be a couple of years old but I never published it - so I am publishing it now.  :-)

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Carson has been particularly funny today. Here are some of my favorites from the last several hours:

"Mom. We are not having this discussion."

"Don't get mad, get Glad."

And when I told him to quit bothering Brinkley...

"I have to do that. How else am I going to learn karate?"

"Mom. Will you do me a solid and hand me my Sprite."

"Oh Brinkley!  That is the cutest 'yarn' I have ever heard!" (aka - yawn)

Halloween At Our House - 2012

Halloween is my favorite time of year!  (Other than Christmas that is.)  This year the boys decided they wanted something 'scary' in our yard.  I got as far as a skeleton for our front door.  :-)  Maybe next year I will add some tombstones or some scary music or something. 

They are growing up too fast!  This is the first year that Parker has wanted a scary costume too.  I finally gave in and said no blood or gore.  We met in the middle and he picked a 'Flesh Stalker' costume from Target.  It is a black robe situation with a scary mask.  Just saying 'Flesh Stalker' freaks me out.  I wish he would just be some sort of cute little Ninja or something again.  I fear it is all downhill from here.

Black & Orange iPhone Wallpaper

I love digital scrapbooking kits.  My favorite are from Shabby Miss Jenn.  They are really the only ones I use.  They are so cute!  I don't scrapbook, but I love to make wallpapers for my computer, iPhone and iPad with them so I thought I might as well post them on my blog as I make them in case anyone else wants to use them also.  For my phone and iPad I usually make one for the lock screen and then a simpler version for the home screen so it doesn't conflict with the icons.

I Got A Little Side-Tracked

From June 2o11 to December 2o11 I had a bit of a hiccup and started using another blog address.  I don't know what I was thinking, but it freaks me out not to have all of my memories in one place so I have come back to my old blog.  If you are interested in the few events that I posted during that time then please go to www.hilariesrandomstuff.blogspot.com.  Thanks!

Testing 1 2 3

I am getting more and more frustrated with facebook everyday. I am just one small step from quitting all together but I want to continue to have a way to keep in contact with family and friends. I have been thinking about blogging again instead and wanted to see if it still works.  I couldn't remember my username and password and the interface is totally different now, so this is a test post with an awesome test photo.  ;-)

Last Day of Pre-K

Walking to the car. Excited for graduation day! :)


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Piper

After lots and lots of research and careful consideration - and even going to check out a few different puppies - we found the perfect addition to our family. A 3 pound, 11 week old Maltese that we named Piper. We all sure love her! Especially Brinkley. :)

In these pics she had just had her first haircut. I had waited patiently for her second round of shots and a couple of weeks before taking her. I love her so much more now that she is clean and fluffy. Sadly, I am one of those 'fair weather' dog lovers. They have to be mine and clean. And they can't shed. I really didn't bond or love her until I could give her Angels' Eyes for a couple of weeks and take her to the groomer. Lol.

We seemed to have lucked out again with a great dog. She hardly barks. Her and Brinkley for the most part get along great. She loves to snuggle. Is well on her way to being totally potty trained and has slept through the night in her crate since the day we got her. She is pretty funny and has a cute sassy personality.

You want to see what the little stink bug looked like the day we picked her up? She was dirty and crunchy and shaggy...