All I Want For Christmas is...

Wake up Sunday morning and wash my hair, which apparently these days takes several hours. Perhaps it's just that I love the water, perhaps it's that the children and husband persuasion leave me to my moment in the shower-that exquisite time alone. Ah, bliss. Onto my story...
And so I wash my nappy roots and proceed to wake up everyone slowly but surely to ready themselves for my Christmas present...a family portrait. I'd purchased the outfits for the family the day prior, minus my husband's, and now just had to dress everyone up with my love (sorry, Madonna popped into my head).
Hair did, I grabbed fabulous Mimi to help get Aidan going...the red clip on tie, the black pinstripe vest and pants...she got him suited up nicely and my boy looked so old. Onto Mackenzie next, black velvet bolero jacket and maroon and black velvet (to tha floor) dress with a complimentary black silk flower on the hip. She was topped off with hair down and a wonderfully thick black headband ("...mama, head-ban..." she says over and over). 2 kids done, I skipped around the house happily, in my new purple dress (a girl needs color, right?) and velvet heels (yes, I said it out loud), all in the thought that I would be getting today all that I wanted for Christmas. James suited himself up in diggs similar to that of Johnny Cash, black button down, black pants, with the only splash of color being his tie-a little green and maroon for the hollyday. We grabbed the kiddos' hands and hauled our cookies off to the car to make our way to Mr. Walmart.
Walking into Walmart, in our Sunday best, people smiled. The kids looked amazing and Mr. Cash and I did, as well. We were on time for our 10am appointment, but our photo gal was not. The family unit progressed to the photo area and all heck broke loose. Aidan decided he'd ham it up by opening and closing his mouth all while the photo gal tried to snap for posterity. Kenzie tried to smile while upon my lap, Mr. Cash uttering, "...Aidan, close your mouth and make the magic happen for your mother-this is ALL SHE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS!?" Wow. Believe it or not, but 25 frames later, we had it. I ordered a 16X20 that is to go above our mantel, holiday background and all, replacing the family photo taken long ago a la Mr. JcPennys with Aidan, J. and myself (Aidan was just 6 months young at the time). I also ordered a lovely photo of Kenzie et Aidan, both of them smiling!!!!!!!!!!!!! The deed was done and after all of that preparation, it was worth it. If I figure out how to scan any pics into this computer thing, perhaps you'll get to see one or 3...

The Season of Change

It was a monumental experience Tuesday night, walking up to the voting booth with my nearly 2 year old daughter in my arms and my 5 year old son's hand in mine as I punched the ballot helping elect Senator Barrack Obama to be our 44th President of the United States of America. And oh yes, so he happens to be black. I guess in all of my naive mindset, I just forgot about that part. I was voting for him (and Senator Joe Biden, to become the V.P.) because of his message...Change. I agreed with many items he'd discussed on the road to the White House, and thought, like many other registered voters, that I could be a part of his momentum...this CHANGE. In a nut shell, hope was abound. This presidental election was different for me than any other before, not only because I'm a mother of two with increased responsibilities, but also because I was charged with Obama's words and message. His feelings made me feel that I could make this world a better place for my children and my family. I felt this electricity in the air, even as the red curtain closed and I pressed the box with Obama's name, all in the hopes that later that evening he would be blessed with the responsiblity of becoming my next President. All Kenzie could say was "Donkey," as she glanced at the icon next to his name.
Aidan told knock knock jokes to the poll people seated at the long table in the high school gymnasium, all while his father signed his name on the list where his name was represented. Aidan sighed and advised the "poll ladies" that he was not yet 18 years of age; however, he'd voted in his elementary school's presidental election, and had cast his vote for Senator Barrack Obama. When they asked him why, he advised that he was impressed by some things he'd done in his youth. I swear that kid makes me smile.
As Kenzie pulled the red curtain back from the voting booth, exposing my almost "CAST VOTE" choices (all while giggling like a crazy person), I could hear my son saying,"...Mom, Daddy voted for NADER!" Ha ha ha. My little spy. We walked outside, one happy politically charged family, proud to have cast our votes for the people we felt best symbolized our ideals. I swung Aidan upside down as James cast Kenzie into the car, unhappy to have lost her temporary freedom in the parking lot.
We went home to watch the mass media outlets put forth their best guess on who would be the winner of the presidential race. Later than evening, the season of change was abound...Obamaland. There were tears on every channel, church people singing, Oprah, Jesse Jackson crying up a storm, and loads of hopeful faces in Grant Park up in Chicago. I really am happy he's our President-Elect. His load will be heavy, but just like becoming a parent, the good and bad stresses will propel him to make America all that it should be.