Inauguration Cupcakes

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Well, I did it! I made my Inauguration cupcakes for tomorrow! They came out GREAT!!! The blue wasn't as dark as I wanted, and the girls of course had to have PINK cupcakes and not blue because "blue is for boys" lol, but I got them done.

I also made cupcakes for Rodney to take into work with him. And, for myself (and for everyone else) I made the cupcakes a little more 'calorie/diet friendly'. The cupcakes are 93 calories each (add a few more calories for the frosting though). I found a recipe the other day to use soda/pop with cake mix to make the cupcakes. Very odd I thought but heck if it saves me calories and I'm able to have one without the guilt, I'm all for it.

So today I bought 2 different cake mixes, one vanilla and the other chocolate. We decided to use original citrus Fresca with the vanilla and to use Cherry Coke Zero with the chocolate. The recipe is really basic:

Easy Cupcakes

Ingredients
1 box of cake mix (your choice of flavor)
12 oz. diet soda
2 egg whites

Directions
Mix all ingredients into a bowl and mix. Pour into cupcake paper (which have been sprayed with PAM) and cook in the oven @ 350 until done.

Very simple, very easy, and VERY yummy!! I must say I'm proud of my creations.

I'm now off to bed... I probably won't be around much tomorrow as I'll be glued to CNN most of the day, cleaning up and getting ready to head to Canada in a few days as well. So ENJOY the day tomorrow, witness history, and witness the start of great beginnings for this country!

3 more days....

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Right now I'm watching CNN and listening to this wonderful man speak...They're in Philadelphia right now and kicking off the train ride to DC (gosh I wish how I could be on that)...

I dunno, I'm just rambling, but I can't believe the things I've gone through with this. When I moved to the US I came in while Bush was president, I was here when he was elected the 2nd time, but I've never been so involved in politics until Barack Obama. I came from not liking this man, to loving him. The more I let go of Hilary and really read and looked into his politics and policy's and him as a man, and father, the more I became to like him, and in 3 more days this man will be the President of the United States.

I'm so proud that the country elected this man, I'm so happy, and excited for the Inaugration on Tuesday. There's just a joy and a feeling of change, and a feeling of relief as well, knowing that this country could elect someone like him, someone who cares about our country, about our families, about our children is just amazing.

I've been in the US for almost 7 years now, and I can tell you I have a love/hate relationship with this country, I'll be honest about it, up until this election, up until this time in our lives, I've wanted to move back to Canada, I've honestly hated this country up until that point, and maybe it's a harsh thing to say, but I can be honest and I can say that my LOVE for this country has now been flourishing.

I hope that within the next 3 years to actually now go and apply for my citizenship. I want to make sure that when Obama's 4 years are up, I can help make a difference, I can help this country and I can have my voice heard, it's my goal to keep this man in office as long as we can and by applying for my citizenship I can make sure that the next chance we have for a presidental election, I can take part in it.

For some, it might not be a big deal, but for me, to have my mind changed from not wanting to have my citizenship in this country (and just continue to be a permanent resident) to now wanting to get my citizenship is a big defeat, and Barack Obama is a part of that.

A Loving Father...

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Only 4 more days until America gets their newest president Barack Obama in office. I myself can't wait and am on pins and needles for this to happen. The fact that Barack Obama is in office makes me think a little differently about this country, it in fact makes me want to go and get my citizenship while Obama is still in office. It just makes me so proud that this country elected him, even though I couldn't place my vote I'm so glad that voices were heard and the change we need is coming....

In a recent Parade Magazine article it was published how great of a man, and how much of a loving father Barack Obama is. The letter to his daughters brought joy and tears to my eyes and it shows how dedicated he is, and how much of a change he really truly wants to put into this country.

Dear Malia and Sasha,

I know that you’ve both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn’t have let you have. But I also know that it hasn’t always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn’t make up for all the time we’ve been apart. I know how much I’ve missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey.

When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me—about how I’d make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn’t seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn’t count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that’s why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation.

I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential—schools that challenge them, inspire them, and instill in them a sense of wonder about the world around them. I want them to have the chance to go to college—even if their parents aren’t rich. And I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well and give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids and retire with dignity.

I want us to push the boundaries of discovery so that you’ll live to see new technologies and inventions that improve our lives and make our planet cleaner and safer. And I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the divides of race and region, gender and religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other.

Sometimes we have to send our young men and women into war and other dangerous situations to protect our country—but when we do, I want to make sure that it is only for a very good reason, that we try our best to settle our differences with others peacefully, and that we do everything possible to keep our servicemen and women safe. And I want every child to understand that the blessings these brave Americans fight for are not free—that with the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility.

That was the lesson your grandmother tried to teach me when I was your age, reading me the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence and telling me about the men and women who marched for equality because they believed those words put to paper two centuries ago should mean something.

She helped me understand that America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better—and that the unfinished work of perfecting our union falls to each of us. It’s a charge we pass on to our children, coming closer with each new generation to what we know America should be.

I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you’ve had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much—although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential.

Love, Dad

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Baby Got Barack

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The Presidential Inauguration is not far away. On January 20th 2009 history will be made and the entire world will be watching as President Elect Barack Obama is sworn in to be our next President of the United States!

I know as a family even though my girls are pretty young, we'll be watching and in the future the girls will know the significance of this and remember it for days to come. One way you can celebrate this historical event as well is to get your kids in on the excitement.

Tough Cookies has the cutest line of Barack Obama tee's and onesies for your little ones. Why not let them join in on the fun and excitement and be “Obama Chic” while they wear tee's such as “Baby Got Barack” and “Barack-A-Bye Baby”.

Check out Tough Cookies website for these cute tee's and onesies as well as many other items www.shoptoughcookies.com

Yes We Did!

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If you're an Obama supporter like me and my family, you've probably been scrambling for newspapers, magazines and other things to commemorate this special, historical event. Although we were unlucky and could not find a paper to save our lives yesterday, we're in hopes to pick up a few of the Time Magazine issues coming out soon.

There's also something else you can pick up to celebrate Obama's victory, and it's free! If you'd like a free Obama sticker designed by Shepard Fairey (the artist who created the HOPE poster) then you can check out MoveOn.org who are giving away one sticker to each person totally free!

I just filled out the form to get mine, got the confirmation email that it should be here within 5-7 weeks. If you'd like one, all you have to do is head over to the website and fill out a form.

http://pol.moveon.org/shepstickers/?id=-14329944-TymJaWx&rc=

I've shed some tears of joy today...

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What an amazing time I’ve been having. It’s been fun visiting family and friends for a while up in Canada. I am glad to be home though, and especially glad to be part of the election celebration last night. I’m not a citizen, I cannot vote, but I have been so involved in this entire process with friends and family, doing debates online with people, reading and doing research. Last night was so amazing to see Barack Obama win the presidential election.

My husband by my side last night we watched this GREAT country (and for me to say that in itself is an accomplishment) do the right thing, and do something we never thought would happen anytime soon. Elect a man with African American roots. My husband as a black man, shed so many tears last night and was so proud, not only for him, but for his girls for the opportunity that he can now tell them that YES they DO have and have the proof to show them.

I don’t care who you voted for yesterday, but today, as an American you need to stand up proud for the country has come together for once. Racism is nowhere near an end, but for those children, my children and everyone else’s children who are children of color, we now can tell them with 100% certainty that they can do and be whatever they want in this world, and one day if they do want to they can be president.

Until this morning I’ve been so excited and happy but had not shed a tear until a few minutes ago. I can’t shut off the TV, I’m in awe of this man, and I’m in awe of this country and what it means for the world for him to be elected. I’ve become a mess this morning, thinking of Martin Luther King Jr. and his dream and what has finally come, to think of all the people who are so proud to see someone they can relate to finally running this country, and also to breathe some fresh air, with a fresh new face, fresh new ideas, someone who some say don’t have a lot of experience and to me, that is refreshing. Maybe what this country needs is someone who hasn’t been in politics for life. This country needs a change and needed to be able to have the children of this country say “YES WE CAN!” and now…….that can be done.

Congrats to Barack Obama and the Obama/Biden families, I see hope in my children’s eyes, I see hope in my own eyes, and I see hope in this country that there will be a change!

With all the excitement, the stress, the worry, the happiness.....We've been slacking on things around here, so now I have to go and pay the auto insurance before we see a ticket, and that's a change we don't want in our lives.....

I can say though, you really see what people really think, they're true colors so to speak right now. I can't tell you how many people have really just disgusted me with their comments, these people who I thought were my friends I now cannot have in my life due to their racist negativity that has shown through, their intolerance of things because of religion and race (which shouldn't be a factor in the first place) is something that I don't even want to associate with. So American's be proud of our new president, be proud for those who can stand up and say they've voted for the right reasons, but please think and pray for those who need the help now more than ever, those who cannot be tolerant of the change, those who have gone back in time a step, those who have no open eyes, ears or thoughts, those are the ones who need your prayers, not America as a country, we're ready for the change, we're ready for the future...