Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009

What a day, what a day! Kimberly and I had the blessing of getting today off because we had a "snow storm" blow through town. Its great - whenever the temperature drops just below freezing and its raining or looks like it will rain, the entire Midlands shuts down. I guess it minimizes the number of idiots out on the road. I made all the necessary phone calls last night - letting the folks who work for me know they had a day off and that we'll not be opening the Family Life Center today - what are people going to do for exercise? Maybe they'll just double-up on Wednesday.

So, we slept until around 6:45 or 7:00 - yes, this is sleeping in for us these days. I came out to the living room where Kimberly had the news on to see what the weather report had to say. You could just see the weather guys salivating over this healthy dose of foul weather! We ate a great warm breakfast thanks to my "storm panic" run to the Pig last night. That is also a fun adventure - going to a grocery store with storm on the way. We made a list to get just a couple of things, the essentials, you know: Milk, bread, bacon, and cinnamon rolls - what would life be like without Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls? I hope I never find out!

We watched NBC's coverage of everything Obama this morning - they waited outside their home for over an hour waiting on them to get in the car to take them across the street to church. What would we do if Brokaw missed them sliding in the backseat?

We left the coverage for a while and turned it back on around 10:30 to watch the festivities. I really did watch with amazement - I told Kimberly how much I love the pomp and circumstance of this day. Watching the first ladies ride together; past presidents hug each other and talk; Pres. Bush and Pres.-elect Obama being cordial with each other.

Rick Warren gave the invocation and we both thought he did a great job. Many probably did not like him calling on the name of Jesus, but they had to know he'd do it. I thought he was pretty inclusive throughout the prayer - I don't feel like he compromised himself or his faith . Some may disagree, but you have to work through that on your own. When I was training to be a chaplain in the Navy, we were encouraged to be ecumenical in our prayers, but we were told that praying in Jesus' name or someone else's name was our issue. If we chose to pray in Jesus' name, we should know that people of different faiths may decide that you were someone they would not feel comfortable asking for counsel and prayer support - I digress.

Then she came out - Aretha, in one of the gaudiest hats I've ever seen. Now, I'm an Aretha fan (You better think, think, think...think about what your tryin' to do to me!) and she sounded great - but the big bow was a bit of a distraction to me.

After the swearing in, we were intent on hearing President Obama's first speech to America. It was just over eighteen minutes long. He started a little nervous, but he knew it was his shining moment. He was very presidential and inspiring. I think its going to be an interesting couple of months as he gets his feet wet and the American people begin to determine his style of leadership. I encouraged our college students, regardless of how they voted in November, to remember that we need to pray for President Obama daily.

So, following the ceremonies, Kimberly and I went into the nursery where we are feverishly trying to finish it before Maddie gets here. I put together our last two pieces of furniture this week and we needed to decide where they were going to sit in the room. Men, put those little slide guys under the legs of your furniture and just agree to move the pieces wherever your wife wants them. You'll probably end up close to where you started, but that's okay. Its a process. Its a small room and with a crib, a dresser, and a chest of drawers, it is full - oh yeah, there is a glider rocker w/ottoman in there, too! I'll work on posting a couple of pictures here shortly.

We are excited - Maddie is less than two months from being born (we think!). The room's ready. We're registered at the hospital. We're taking "birthing" classes - gone are the days of sitting on the floor being a breathing coach! That's another story for another blog.

This has been a pretty good inauguration day - I didn't expect to have the day off, so I've got some work to do at home tonight. Happy 21st Birthday, Alana. I'm sure its one you will remember for quite some time.

Blessings!
Jerry