Essay Contest: A Date with Romney

you have no idea the price my clean house paid for this essay. cross your fingers that we'll win!

Q: What does a free and strong America mean to me?

A free and strong America is a place where people are bold in their pursuit of excellence, unafraid to roll up their sleeves when the tough times come. It’s a place that recognizes debt for the tyrant it is and where policy is made not by the highest bidder but by a people committed to common sense, goodness and truth.

A free and strong America fights for its kids and the helpless. It tackles daunting problems such as healthcare and immigration because it believes America and her people are worth it.

A free and strong America is a place where men and women honor their marriages with fidelity, kindness and respect. It’s a place where I learned the secret of happiness from a mechanic and a beautician, parents who taught their four children anything is possible with hard work, creativity and an open mind.

A free and strong America is a place where even though my mother cries at night for her son in Iraq, she would send him again because she understands that greatness requires sacrifice, and there is nothing greater than freedom.

In short, a free and strong America means everything to me because it’s my home and my children’s future. It’s a place where on any given day you can walk outside and feel the sun on your face and wind in your hair. And nowhere does the sun shine as bright or the wind feel as good as where freedom rings.

Help me get a date with Romney!

Ha Ha . . . I didn't know i had published this. But here is what I meant to say . . .

I am entering an essay contest about what it means to be an American.

The winner gets to go to a Red Sox game with Mitt and the Romney family. It's a long shot but worth trying.

i thought it would be cool to do a collage sort of thing. Please leave a comment about what you thinks it means to be American. Be original and crazy. I need to get their attention. :)

Water babies are happy babies

As Todd will appreciate, Kyle likes to drive his cart on his "land."

Also, I don't know if I could be any prouder of the next videos. We have made progress this week at the pool for sure! Ella's words, "All you have to do is believe in yourself!"

The Olsen's came to play and it was tons of fun! Kyle and I even got schooled by state champion swimmer Rico Suave. (Eric Olsen.) Then they had a dive-off. Overall, a perfect weekend.

go kate go

Go Dog Go is kate's favorite book. so it is no surprise that kate likes to go!

here are some of her new skills. i wish i could show you her speed wide open but we were holed up while dash was sleeping.

Scroll down for pix

Some updates from the South:

-Kyle is thinking about petitioning the city to make golf carts legal. Just goes to show anyone can be involved in government if they are inspired.

-We all pile into Kyle's new golf cart like those people in India who put 7 people on a motorcycle.

-Dash is doing the army crawl and rolls to where he wants to go.

-Kate has recently learned to ride Ella's old bike with training wheels. She has grit and is going to rock the two wheels.

-Zorro leaves his mark with a Z. Kate leaves her mark with a squiggly Q. It's all over the house, in all sizes, in all mediums (chalk, pen, marker, crayon).

-I've been working too much. Big debate in the Gillespie home if I should retire again for awhile. The problem is it's hard to resurrect the clients after you send them packing.

-Found a new nanny, Ellie, to help me when I have projects. She is awesome. Ella told her, "Don't be sad if I call you Ashley for awhile."

-The kids are LOVEing the pool. Kate jumps in without notice; Ella can swim underwater without goggles and without plugging her nose. I am starting to swim laps and I can't ever seem. to get. enough. air!

-Kyle saw another alligator. That makes two in a month.

-Every day, Kate says at least 15 times, "Grandma's house? Pack up!" in fact, they are already packed.

it's a bird, it's a plane, it's . . .

kyle's dream come true. one year later on the anniversary of his first day on the job.


Love you, babe! Hope she's everything you dreamed of.

and p.s. this week a boy took a toy from kate at the pool. she narrowed her eyes and growled at him. i can't wait to visit utah so y'all can spend some time with her. she is FUNNY!