Presidential Election 2012 - Tuesday Night!

Tuesday November 6, 2012

Boys,

I'm behind on blogging, but wanted to write this entry now. Daddy and I are up watching the presidential election. It is democracy in America tonight - a beautiful thing! Tonight, this country will choose the President of the United States of America. We will choose the incumbent, Barack Obama (please God), or we will choose the Republican candidate, Mitt Romney (boo). This kind of thing can stress your Mamma out!! I start talking to the TV and Merrill tells me to chill, however, I'm feeling good that Obama is going to win. I have known in my heart all along he would pull through. He is the better man, the truer man, the more candid man, the more intelligent man and the man with the best character. By a long shot! Mamma is a huge Obama fan, obviously. In 2008, when I was five months pregnant with Hudson, I went to Iowa for the Iowa caucuses during Obama's first race and met my dear friend, Amy Rice, who was making a documentary on him. We followed him around for a few days. It was amazing. What an orator he is! Mamma and Daddy did vote. It is our right and our duty as Americans. I sent away for our ballots, because we are still registered in Texas. We both voted for Obama.

Boys, remember how lucky we are to be born in a free country where we can vote and elect a leader.

"...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." -The Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln

I love you all!! Go Obama!!

July 4th Down the Hudson River!

July 4, 2012

Happy 4th of July!!  Today, we did something so fun and so American for our country's birthday.  We took a boat down the Hudson River (the rover you were names after Hudson), around the Statue of Liberty, by the new Freedom Tower in downtown Manhattan, over to the East River, pass the Southstreet Seaport and under the Brooklyn Bridge (DUMBO).

It was a beautiful day.  The sun was out and the River was glistening.  Mamma is 9 months pregnant so there were some times I had to go down below to be in the air conditioning, but I did pretty darn good for a woman over 9 months preggies.  You had so much fun.  You stood on the side of the boat and held the railing and took in all in.  When you saw the Statue, you said, "Look Mamma!  The Statue of Liberty!"

A beautiful July 4th!  Happy birthday America!  Today,  we commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

Mamma and Daddy both of our boys!  xoxo

You on your river! (above)

Mamma is 9 months pregnant with beautiful baby boy Squires 2. (above)

DUMBO (Down Under The Manhattan Bridge Overpass).  The Brooklyn Bridge is so amazing.  It took 14 years to complete and ranks as one of the greatest engineering feats of the 19th century. Daddy and I had our wedding dinner under the bridge at the very famous River Cafe. (above)

There she is, Lady Liberty (above).   IT always takes my breath away when I see her.   The French gave The United States this beautiful gift, the Statue of Liberty, in 1886 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. 

This is the new Freedom Tower (above) will replace the World Trade Center twin towers.  Nothing could ever replace the twin towers, but this will be a magnificent feat in downtown Manhattan.  

View of downtown from the back of the boat. (above) 

This is Ellis Island (above).  This is a special place for Mamma and a big reason your name is Hudson.  When I lived in TriBeCa, I walked or ran along the Hudson River almost daily.  I would stop many days or nights and look at Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.  I would look at Ellis Island and thank my ancestors for coming to this country to give me a better life.  Our ancestors came through Ellis Island, don't ever forget it.  Our Arabic last name was Jalbut.  Someday, I will take you and your brother over there and we will look for our family name.