Obamalution

Over the last 7 years (well, more like 6.5 -- since September 11, 2001) I have been wondering why we Americans are not out in the streets demanding change. Well, this past weekend and tonight give me hope that real change is coming. Not just change in what we are doing but change in how we accomplish making different policies. It struck me several weeks ago that the difference in the type of change Obama puts forth and that of Clinton is that Obama wants to change the system.

WE NEED SYSTEMIC CHANGE!

I had the privilege of standing outside today in the freezing weather to campaign for Obama. There were one or two poorly informed people who believe Obama is a Muslim. He is, in fact, a Christian (a member of the United Church of Christ, I believe). But there were Republicans who glowed as they told me they were voting for a democrat for the first time and a black man who almost skipped into the polling site he was so happy (and all this in a quite conservative county of Virginia).

I hope Patrick grows up in a world where every little girl and boy, regardless of the color of their skin, the sexuality, their religion, etc., knows that they can be President. That will be worth the fact that my toes still haven't thawed out today.

First Sentence

I was hoping that Patrick would have a cute first sentence. Something nice having to do with how much he loves his mommy, daddy, or puppy (or even his piggy), but no. According to his teachers, there were two moments last week when people came into his classroom and he turned around and clearly said, "Get out!" Can you say ATTITUDE?

We are home and the car trip to Texas really wasn't bad. Patrick is a good baby. I also think Jakers, Sesame Street Old School, and Charlotte's Web DVDs had something to do with it. We made each way in just under two days. Impressive with a toddler.

In other news, Jesse starts his new job on March 3rd. He will be working on the housing crisis, among other things, at OFHEO (Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight -- man, way too many words!).

Over the river and through the woods...

We are leaving for a trip halfway across the continent on Wednesday.....with a toddler. O JOY! Though TV and DVDs are not usually a source of entertainment for Patrick, we are armed with a car DVD player, Sesame Street Old School (no annoying Elmo's World thank God!), Jakers! which are stories about a pig and his school mates in Ireland, and the old Charlotte's Web.

Jesse hopes to make this 22 hour trip in one and a half days. DVD or not, I think this will be hell. For once in my life, I would prefer to fly.

Christmas, etc.

First , I couldn't be happier about Obama's win in the Iowa Caucus.



Now for the good stuff!

Santa brought Duplos.

Unwrapping a quilt from Mommy.

Doesn't he make the cutest reindeer? His class "sang" Jingle Bells for the school "play."

Recent Pics

Patrick now likes to stuff himself into pots.

Father and son exhausted after a long cold day in New England.

This time a salad bowl works.

Father and son aboard the Mayflower II.

A pain worse than labor

Spent last night in the ER with Kidney Stone II. KS I was five years ago. Having it removed Monday as it's on the larger size -- 5mm. The urologist has the personality of a ...well, actually he has absolutely no personality and acted superior and rude to boot. Even Jesse thought he was an ass. If it had not been a Friday afternoon and if I didn't need this damn thing out ASAP I would have told him where to shove it and found another urologist. At this point, the best I can do is insist on seeing one of his partners for follow-up. According to the pre-op nurse they are much nicer individuals. Also, she told me this doctor is rude but highly competent at removing stones.

As to Patrick -- he was a trooper as Mommy and Daddy removed him from his warm bed to get into a cold car at 2 am and go to the hospital where Mommy screamed for what seemed like forever until she got the happy meds.

Ketchup (stole that title from friend, Jessica G.)

The first half of November was a productive, busy time at work -- vestry meetings at both churches, the wrapping up of the class I led on Marcus Borg's Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, and an incredible trip to the National Cathedral to hear Desmond Tutu. All people -- Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, etc. need to heed the words of this man. What a prophet.

After all that we traveled up to RI to visit the Gates family for Thanksgiving and spend a little time in southern New England. We went to Plymouth and toured the Mayflower II, saw the rock, etc. That's when things got bad. It was great seeing our friends and I got to baptize Paige but Patrick got sick, wouldn't sleep in his pack n play and slept with us all the while coughing on us. So, we got sick, the whole Gates family got sick, and while I thought I was getting better, I fell vulnerable to another bug. I could really deal without the daycare specials here.

I'll get some recent pictures up soon.