44th President of the United States

No news on the adoption front, but Barack Obama was inaugurated today as the 44th President of the United States . . . so I just wanted to share some thought on this historic day. It was so moving to see all of the people that traveled to Washington DC to watch the inauguration. I was very emotionally moved as I watch Obama being sworn in and thought about the impact that this moment was making throughout our country and throughout the world. It was even more moving to watch the teenagers in my classroom as they watch the inauguration. This was a big day for our country and a big day for our future son or daughter as well. They will be able to watch an African American lead our country. They will have an incredible role model.

Obama gave an amazing speech today – he spoke of the things in our past that have worked and spoke of the current things that are not working. He spoke of reaching out to countries that are struggling stating . . . "We can no longer show indifference to the suffering happening outside of our borders." He then spoke to the poor in other countries and said (paraphrasing again) . . ."We will help nourish your bodies and feed your minds."

Our adoption agent spoke several times about how a change in president can impact country relations and impact the adoption process. She stated that the adoption world usually knows before most others when politics have gone bad. If a new president makes positive political connections with a country, it can improve the process of adoption between the countries. However, if a new president politically offends a country, it can totally shut down adoption proceedings between the countries. I am obviously hoping that politically relations go well!