A collection of random thoughts as I get ready to go to bed on an historic day:

1. In a way that is hard to described I am moved by the reality of the election of an African-American man as President of our country.  I grew up as a minority in the mostly African-American town I lived in and in the school I attended until 8th grade.  I am currently teaching my two oldest kids about American history in the era leading up to the Civil War, so the gravity of the event whether you support the candidate and his agenda is particularly moving.
2. Saint Louis is an amazing place to live.
3. Our little kitten, Sam, is hilarious.  She broke her leg nearly a month ago, but you would never know the way she scoots around with her little cast on and still gets into everything.  She is such a little doll.
4. Becca is a superhero.  Sometimes she is a puppy.  Her life is basically a musical and a rather creative one at that.
5. Katherine is complicated.
6. I used to call Matthew 'Stats' because I thought he might be athletic enough to put up some big stats in baseball or football.  However, it appears that he will actually be the genius that can calculate stats for just about anything.
7. In just over two weeks, I will have a teenage son.
8. I am so impressed by my daughter Katherine who sat down and read all the missionary newsletters we received from the LBT office today.
9. Coffee brewed in a press pot is FANTASTIC.
10. The seminary food bank is still using the freezer we donated 7 years ago.  It is gratifying to know that our decision to share instead of keep for ourselves has helped so many people.  Thank you Lord for creating that spirit within us.

I guess that's enough for tonight.  Good night.  God bless you and God bless the United States of America.