the ground has shifted

as of noon eastern today, we have a new president. i have so much confidence in president obama. he knows that he's not perfect & that he will make mistakes, but he is smart enough to try things and if it's not working to adjust his path (unlike our previous president). his inauguration speech was full of hope but also reminded americans that we have to do our part too:

"For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies..."

"...What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship."

one of my favorite parts:

"As for our common defence, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more."

*cough*....unlike our previous president. as i'm rereading his speech, i realize that i could keep pulling quotes out until i will have actually posted the entire speech, so i guess i'll stop. you should read/watch it again. it's good.

so, to sum up...i can feel the change. there has been a shift & if we all work together & support our new president, i think our country can be a better place. i have never been prouder to be an american.

here's scarlett's version of obama's hope poster. she's excited too. :)