Live, Love, Laugh...

Dad...feel free to skip this post. I am blocking you from making any smart remarks in the comment section!

I just loved this inauguration. It's the only one that I can recall really watching. I loved their dance to At Last and I couldn't stop smiling as I witnessed the way they looked at each other. I imagine that the presidency takes a serious toll on a marriage and I pray that the Obama family can continue on with the poise and grace that they have shown thus far.

via ACE
Below is an excerpt from an article in The New Yorker that I really enjoyed reading. Barack on his wife, Michelle:
Michelle is a tremendously strong person, and has a very strong sense of herself and who she is and where she comes from. But I also think in her eyes you can see a trace of vulnerability that most people don’t know, because when she’s walking through the world she is this tall, beautiful, confident woman. There is a part of her that is vulnerable and young and sometimes frightened, and I think seeing both of those things is what attracted me to her. And then what sustains our relationship is I’m extremely happy with her, and part of it has to do with the fact that she is at once completely familiar to me, so that I can be myself and she knows me very well and I trust her completely, but at the same time she is also a complete mystery to me in some ways. And there are times when we are lying in bed and I look over and sort of have a start. Because I realize here is this other person who is separate and different and has different memories and backgrounds and thoughts and feelings. It’s that tension between familiarity and mystery that makes for something strong, because, even as you build a life of trust and comfort and mutual support, you retain some sense of surprise or wonder about the other person.
via THE NEW YORKER

Isabella celebrating the inauguration.
This will go in her baby book. No matter how his term in office turns out, this is a very significant time in our country' s history. We would have never made it standing in the Washington Mall in the frigid temps...but we did watch the tivo'd inauguration from our warm and cozy living room. Isabella was so close she could almost touch the man himself.

I feel hopeful and excited about what is to come. And most importantly, I feel blessed to live in a country where the transfer of power is marked by a peaceful celebration. I am excited to have young children in the White House again...and anxious to get to know them as a family.

On a lighter note, I am not hopeful for this season's bachelor Jason Mesnick. Tommy and I think his choices are pretty slim. We have enjoyed watching the episodes so far. The most recent one had us laughing and rewinding and shaking our heads in disbelief! Our pick for the winner.....

is JILLIAN from CANADA. Though we were initially very turned off by her little hot dog diatribe...we think she is the closest thing to a total package. She is able to carry on a witty conversation(which scores major points in our book) and she has avoided the house drama so far...which is refreshing.

(We don't mean to be ugly, but we can't believe Jason hasn't eliminated Megan (the Lacrosse coach whom I am scared of) and the dental hygenist who requires constant attention or she throws up. These two are something else! They do/say something worse each time the camera is on them. While we sincerely like and respect the single mother of Sophia, we just don't feel any chemistry between she and Jason. Which is sad. She's probably make the best mate --long term.

And there you have it....our expert opinions on politics and the bachelor. Two completely important current event topics.

**It should be noted that Tommy isn't really an expert at all. He picked Shayne for the last winner and she left Matt Grant before the final rose had a chance to wilt.