Some Advice for Obama on Teen Parents

If you've read Glori, you know that I was a teenage mother. So the obstacles facing today's teen parents are still major concerns of mine. Healthy Teen Network just released a report on federal policy recommendations for the Obama administration to ensure the health and stability of teen parents and their families.

Let's hope The White House listens up!

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 3/9

Happy Monday, guys!

This week's Monday Morning Mantras are from some of the ladies in the new Obama administration! We've collected their words of wisdom in hopes that at least one will be your mantra for the week!

"Don't be a jerk. There are jerks all over Washington. Life is short; being a jerk is just unnecessary."
-- Mona Sutphen, Deputy White House Chief of Staff

"I think it's important to set boundaries. I don't think the world is going to fall apart between 5:30 and 8:30 at night when you're having dinner with your children and putting them to bed."
-- Jackie Norris, Chief of Staff to the First Lady

"If you make your life about what you think is important, and not what [others] think, it's easy to determine how to use your time."
-- Melody Barnes, Director of the Domestic Policy Council

Take notes from these strong and ambitious women. Treat people kindly, set boundaries in your life, and live your life for YOU.

If you would like to receive Monday Morning Mantras directly in your inbox, please sign up by clicking here.

Have an awesome week!

Nicole

Wednesday Afternoon Mantra! 01/21

Hi all,

What a weekend! I guess it's obvious why the Monday Morning Mantra is coming on Wednesday. I've been glued to the TV watching first the "Eyes on the Prize" marathon on PBS documenting the Civil Rights Movement on Monday and then the events of a truly historic day on Tuesday. Please forgive me!

I thought it would be fitting to quote from President Obama's inaugural speech yesterday to inspire us this week - and this year:

"We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness." -- President Barack H. Obama

It's up to us to make our lives - and this country - what we want it to be. No more looking to other people to solve our problems or to help us up. We have the power to make a difference and to make history.

Happy Wednesday, guys.

Nicole

The Inauguration In Perspective

Everyone is excited about the Presidential Inauguration that will be taking place next week, but there is a real electricity in the D.C. area. It's everywhere you turn - even The Washington Post is covering stories on how the Obamas will decorate the White House!

This inauguration is exciting not just because of the man who is about to become our president, but because of the moment in history that is about to occur. It reminds us that anything is possible - especially here in the United States of America.

I was listening to the radio on my way to work this morning and Donnie Simpson ended his usual morning broadcast with Dr. Martin Luther King's "I See the Promised Land" speech. He reminded listeners that Obama's presidential inauguration would not be taking place without the efforts of Dr. King, and it just sent chills up my spine. I wondered if this day was something Dr. King saw when he stood on "the mountaintop."

If you want to experience those same chills, click here to read and hear some of Dr. King's powerful speeches.

A Historic Moment

Last night, I did something I've never done before. I went to a rally for a presidential candidate. As soon as I got the invitation (an email from the Obama campaign), I sent it to friends and asked who was interested in going. There was little hesitation. All of us are excited about this race - excited about the potential for change.

I arrived at my friend Kendria's house at 4:45 pm (late!), and we hopped in her husband's truck. The five of us - Kendria, her husband, her brother-in-law, myself, and Nerissa (she was almost as excited as I was!) - headed down to Manassas, Va. What was supposed to be a one-hour ride turned into a three-hour ride, which included a potty-break and a run-through McDonald's for dinner. The traffic was so bad that we had to park on the sidewalk of the main road and walk almost two miles to the fairgrounds. Once we arrived, we stood in a sea of people that seemed to stretch farther than the eye could see on all sides. They announced that we were 80,000 strong. Unbelievable. It felt like a historic moment. It felt like the moments my dad describes in the 60's. It felt like we were a part of something much bigger than ourselves.

We waited another hour for Senator Obama to arrive. Various people made speeches, they played music, etc. Just when my impatience was getting the best of me, he arrived, and it was almost like a rock star walked onto the stage. The crowd exploded in cheers. Nerissa and I joined in the chant, "YES WE CAN!" It was really an awesome moment. His speech was stellar, as always.

Even though I didn't get home until 2:30 AM, and my legs were sore and feet were cold, I was thankful that I'd gone and that I'd given Nerissa a memory she'll never forget. We will be able to tell her children and my grandchildren that we were there together. Inspiring to say the least.

Nicole

A Debate Party?

Sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it? "Debate" and "party" don't normally go together, but all week I've been getting emails that encourage me to attend a presidential debate party in my area. To be honest, I would never have considered this in previous elections. The excitement for a party just wasn't there. But this year, I'm on the edge of my seat to hear Obama and McCain talk about the economy, foreign affairs, and other important issues that affect us each and every day.

Hopefully, the debate will actually take place. At this point, it's still in limbo as McCain doesn't want to participate unless an agreement has been reached in the bail-out situation.

Ugh... If it does, I'll be having my own debate party at the house tonight with my family. Nothing fancy - just sitting on the couch with my favorite blanket and maybe a bowl of popcorn. Get informed about your candidate. Exercising your right to vote is the simplest way to change your world!

Don't miss it: Presidential Debate - 9PM EST