"Barack Chalk, Jayhawk"...yep, you read that right

Well, we really did it this year. And by "we" I mean those dear to me who I have been cheering on with all the heart and spirit I have, my Jayhawks and Barack, of course!

For those of you who have had your fill of my political postings and emails, I get it. I can only swallow so much from "the other side", too :), but I assure you this is the last for a long while...wait, have I said that before? I promise this time, really, but it has been one of the most memorable years of my life...The Year of The Jayhawk+Obama '08= "Barack Chalk Jayhawk", of course. (And yes, not to be forgotten, the wonderful year of Mr. Fantastic as well...but I will save my entire next entry to his greatness as his birthday is nearing).

"Barack Chalk Jayhawk" was coined by a witty, or several clever, KU fans and I loved it immediately, as I am sure all who love both the 'Hawks and Obama do, too. Let me begin by admitting that we can be fanatic fans...a tad obnoxious even...and tend to integrate all other things we know and love into KU. For example, a long while back one St. Patrick's Day I was wearing my bright green "Shamrock Jayhawk" shirt to watch a March Madness game. A friend asked me out of true curiosity and jokes aside, "what does St. Patty's Day have to do with Kansas?", he went on, "I know the Notre Dame Irish significance, but explain to me KU's". Ummm, well, let's see, hmmm...we like celebrating St. Patrick's day as most do and also love our Jayhawks, so it seems totally normal to send it to the tee printing press, right? And so it was with the Barack Chalk slogan....gotta love (or loathe, depending on your take) the spirit of it all.

And so it went that the year brought Lawrence Lovers an Orange Bowl football win and the NCAA Basketball Title. And then more recently some of those same Larry L-er's welcomed the historical, memorable, heart-strings-a-pullin' victory of our new president, Barack Obama. (btw, we usually celebrate our 'crimson and blue' but cheered on the blue while that electoral map was turning one or the other, next time the rest of Kansas will hopefully join the spirit of things in color!). Barack even addressed us fanatics in a crowd at a rally a few months back, recognising "So you all must be those 'Barack Chalk, Jayhawks' I have been hearing about?". Yes, and like our shamrock shirts and numerous other examples of such, the connection seems so natural yet again.

Seeing that all major events that we hold close to us have gone our way this year, my fellow Barack Chalk Jayhawkers, let's bask in all the glory while we can as many more 'seasons' are around the corner and I am thinking I'll never know again a year quite like this!

(and until then, I will be keeping my tribute to Obama song playing on this blog and both my 'obama mama' and ncaa tourney tees worn frequently :)).

Week-O-Excitement

Week-o-excitement.

With super warm temperatures this week, Reed and I have been outside even more than usual, as if we have been given a second shot at summer these last few days. We went to the Denver Aquarium on Wednesday which he found a bit scary until he got used to the idea of hundreds of fish seemingly swimming all around him, and he really enjoyed the zoo yesterday (especially the carousel, I wish I'd had our video camera!). We wore shorts, basked in the sun and piles of leaves, gawked at the intriguing animals, shared a meal at the outdoor cafe's picnic table, and walked until the last possible pre-nap minute and it really was the perfect reminder of how much I love this "mom thing".

We are so excited to celebrate Reed's first Halloween tonight. We are headed to my parent's house in Colorado Springs as they have a big "to do" downtown near their house on the historical Tejon Street. Of course Reed doesn't 'get it' quite yet, but we are taking advantage of the warm weather (a Colorado Halloween rarity!) and having some fun people-watching of our own. The question of what costume to come up with always lurks, but I have a few more hours to figure it out :)

Tomorrow morning, we will be meeting our new niece, Megan Havenar. Her addition to the family makes for FOURTEEN cousins on Steve's side! Reed remains the one-and-only on my side, so he gets the best of both worlds....big family/hand-me-downs and spoiled-only-grandchild! And, tomorrow night is our annual "Urban Friends Thanksgiving" where we stuff ourselves full of turkey and all the fixings with our good Denver friends. With so many busy schedules, it came very early this year!

SUNDAY is Steve's birthday and he will be celebrating with Reed for most of the day as I have a friend's baby shower and another friend's book signing (check out: http://www.mucumbermcgee.com/) but we will do something special for him come evening. So much to celebrate!

FINALLY, as if the week isn't packed-full and exciting enough, the BIG election is around the corner, mere days away. I have never been so anxious and passionate for an election before (as most would agree, sans the Kennedy election which also brought much interest but of course my great presence had yet to arrive :)). Being raised in a "house divided" when it came to politics, I am thankful that I have always been fully informed and introduced to both 'sides', thus forming my own opinions instead of merely adapting those of my parents, peers, or church (though I am not saying that these aspects didn't have part in shaping my views). Believe it or not, I was even registerd as an independent until recently...yes, it's true! As a teacher, I feel the need/want/duty to advocate for education and "the kids". That is where I am coming from when I enter the booth and how amazing that each and every one of us has their own specific "reasons" for voting. However, I admit to already dressing Reed in "Babies for Barack" gear, taking him to a rally and debate party or tow, and so am not really sure that he will be receiving a bi-partisan perspective here at home, though I have a few years to think about this :).
No matter what your political views or interests are, the most important thing of course is that you exercise your right to vote, a privilege so many have fought hard for. Not to be too "teacher like", but this is my soap box message: Be fully informed when you vote, know why you are voting for who you are voting for...what's important to you?...and GET OUT THERE! And, God- willing, may whoever 'wins' turn this country around as there is quite a mess to clean up. I am confident that either candidate will only improve our state of affairs and, in that, we all 'win'!!!

Off to prepare for the fun ahead...Have a GREAT HALLOWEEN!!!