First Lady-Fisher House Event Yesterday

My degree is in Political Science and History. I understand the political structure very, very well. Of course our military is one of the hottest political issues out there. I am very aware of this. I am a self-confessed fence rider. Chaz and I are not registered with either party. The reason is we agree and disagree with aspects of both sides. When we got a little further down the healing road they warned us about "Pet the Vet" situations. Chaz and I avoid these events like the plague. The hospital has done an excellent job navigating the families through these events. I will tell you that one huge improvement at Bethesda over WRAMC is their screening of the events and people who come through the hospital.

Last week I got a phone call asking for our daughters to attend a special event at the Fisher House. First I hope you all know that we are very big advocates of the Fisher House Foundation. So when they call, we are more than happy to help them out in any way. They simply asked us to show up and have some fun and share our experiences with the Foundation. Then I got word that the First Lady was going to be there. Chaz and I decided we would take the girls because they admire the First Lady. We are beyond thrilled that we took them because they got a once in a lifetime experience.

I have admitted more than once I did not vote for Obama. Chaz did. We didn't like either candidate in the last election so we flipped a coin and I got McCain. We voted to cancel each other out. We always take the girls to vote with us so they can see democracy in action. But you know what is so funny?! The Obama administration has kept tabs on us since I met the President in June. The Senators and Representatives that Chaz and I actually voted for from Tennessee have not contacted us one time. Chaz and I are both registered to vote in Tennessee and I am beyond disappointed that we haven't even gotten a letter or email from them. Here's a funny fact. We have a list of Senators and Congresspersons who keep in touch with us and we can't vote for a single one of them. So how weird is it the ones we can vote for haven't contacted us one time, but I get emails from people I can't vote for who are willing to help our family in any way.

Ok all the politics aside, Chaz and I are trying to truly educate our children. We have been given a very unique opportunity and we are trying to make great memories out of what could be a dreadful situation. We want our girls to grow up knowing that politicians and celebrities are just people like you and I. Some of them just have some really cool jobs. Not very many people impress our girls, but they think Mrs Obama is super cool. Mrs Obama and I think it was her spot on iCarly that did it. Regardless we created another great memory for our little family yesterday.

Mrs. Obama came in and only spoke to the press for a few minutes and I mean one to three max. She was only supposed to be there for a little while, but she took her time with the families and went around and spent time with each and every one. You could tell she was excited to be there spending time with the families. She loved all of the kids. Our girls' day was made because when Bo (the dog) came in he came straight to Deryn and then to Ryann. When Mrs. Obama got back to our table the girls were so excited. Of course Ryann didn't talk at first. We shared the story of how Mr. Obama was the first stranger Ryann ever willingly spoke to. Mrs. Obama said, "It was those ears of his wasn't it?" We all laughed and then Ryann started talking to her. Mrs. Obama was just awesome. Our girls were over the moon after the event. They told me that they really like my surprises. Here are some of the pics of the goodies the girls brought home. Of course we also received tickets to the Easter Egg Roll. When Mrs. Obama announced that she brought the tickets, our cuties began jumping in their seats.

I know this is an election year and many people have said it was just a photo-op for them, but for those of us who were there it was an amazing event. Our children walked away feeling special and felt even more pride towards their dad and his military service because Mrs. Obama told them how proud she was of him. I like to build confidence in our girls and yesterday helped to lay another stone into that foundation.

Chaz has been in the Army for almost 14 years, I have been with him for all except the first 9 months. In all of those years no one has stepped up to help our military families like Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden have. Joining Forces is working hard to do some amazing things and it is long over due. I am happy to see more attention be given to military families. Military families work as a team and every member on the team needs to feel special. Joining Forces is trying to make it better for the entire team and that's what we need.

We are so excited for Monday!! Mrs. Obama told the girls to come and be ready to play. Our girls are pumped and are more than happy to get up early for it! Yesterday was a great way to kick off the celebration of our first Easter weekend away from home. Maybe the girls won't miss home so much since we have so much to look forward to?!