I'm dying to see them in all their terrifyingness :)

Thanks for the post. I feel very moved by the story of those two lives intersecting.

Elisa Camahort Page
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.com

My BlogHer profile truly shows you everything I do online...Check it out!!

I hope you keep writing here after the election--you write beautifully. Thanks for sharing this story with us. I m very excited to say that my ballot was in the mail a week ago!

I have two scary girls at my house this year as well--an evil angel, and a villainous horse.

SJ also writes at I, Asshole.

Having you and your amazing family in the White House will be a breath of much-needed fresh air. Especially for me. Because I'm not breathing at all for the next eight days.

Mom-101

Michelle,

I watched Barack's speech in Canton this morning and these lines really got to me:  
"Don’t believe for a second this election is over. Don’t think for a minute that power concedes."  The difference in this election for me is choosing to elect those who want to have power OVER others vs. Barack who wants to empower each of us to form this country's vision together.

I saw the clip of Barack on "Ellen" where he said he didn't think the girls' costumes were scary enough...liked when he said, "Maybe it's a boy thing..."  :)

Sending you and your entire family powerfully good thoughts as the election winds down.  May you be safe...may you find peace within the chaos of the campaign...and may WE be victorious.

MarilynM at Twitter

Co-Founder of Bloggers for Darfur

That you can wax philosophical on all of these things, especially now, makes me respect and admire your family even more than I did before.

One week left... but then, like SJ, I do hope you'll have enough time to continue to write here!

--
Mir Kamin
(BlogHer contributing editor)

Personal: Woulda Coulda Shoulda

Having it all with less: Want Not

... at least your girls are decisive. My daughter had been through 4 different princess dresses in 3 days. I'm still not sure which one will make the cut for Friday.

Sigh.

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

I love that after all the crazy things that have been said and that have happened over the last 21 months that you continue to focus on the good and the great of what's happening. I too, hope that you will have the time to continue to write for BlogHer after you are in the White House :)

Hi Michelle,

After such a long and draining campaign, I hope you know that there are many people out there like me who appreciate the sacrifices you and your family are making to get this country moving in the right direction.

I can't wait to cast my vote for your husband next week.

Megan

BlogHer CE, TV/Online Video

My Personal Blog: Megan's Minute

What a beautiful post!  I had the added bonus of slipping back to when my boys were kids and their own creative Halloweens.  (How can I describe an 8-year-old "Agent Cooper" with his hair slicked back ...?)

Anyway, your story about Sister Berta is, to me, what is the miracle of this campaign.  I had just written on my blog, after today's Canton speech, a really sentimental post about the possibility of feeilng like united Americans again.  Then I read the story of call center workers who refused to read defamatory McCain campaign material against Senator Obama.  Treated with respect by this campaign, they returned it.  

We all know that we raise our children by example more than by lecture.  I suspect it's the same for our nation.  We can see the impact of the Obama style - respecting all audiences and all voters and all people,  inviting all of us along on a return to the "better angels of our nature" and to the task of helping our country to get there too.  So as this campaign draws to what we hope will be a happy ending, know that for someone who emerged from the idealism of the 60s only to have her heart broken by the past 8 years - and for so many others -- the campaign itself has meant a great deal.  I honestly didn't think I would have another chance to feel like this.  

Cynthia Samuels, PartnerCobblestone Associates, LLPBlog and Media Strategies and Content Development Online and on Television   

Don’tGel Too Soon

Your words lift the spirit.   We are more united then we are divided.  Thank you for sharing your experiences (and your children) with us.    I agree with previous comments...I look forward to reading more blogs from you! 

Barb Jacobucci

Nice Shoes! and other Life Observations

www.barbjacobucci.blogspot.com

...my greatest hope for your nation is to see your family in the White House.  You are what America needs.  So very badly.  

All the best,

~ Karen ~ 

Sugarpants | Swank Web Style | Catapult Web Development

Thank you for the beautiful post, Michelle. You and Barack are inspiring in your love and respect for one another. And I truly appreciate your consistently strong, positive message, reminding us that when Americans come together, we are capable of doing great things.

I look forward to November 4th!

~Mary

....................................................

Mary Kearns, Becoming Your StellarSelf

My daughter is 12 and I think it may well be the last Halloween where she'll go as a little girl ! Next year she will enter High School and things will be different. It makes met think that maybe you feel melancholy too, thinking about how this might be the last relatively "normal" Halloween for the girls. If your husband wins the election, then I imagine it won't be possible for them to go out in the streets and from door to door! :-(

Have a Happy Halloween and not too much stress waiting for the elections!

Well, for the 31st too so you survive the evening with a corpse bride AND evil fairy.  But definitely for the 4th because of stories like this one about these two women who came together just for being in the right place at the right time and speaking their heart.

Mel

Venting about infertility since 2006
www.stirrup-queens.blogspot.com
and we're not talkin' cowgirls...

Michelle, thanks for sharing your family. Thanks for putting up with all the yucky stuff out there.  Thanks for being who you are . Thanks for raising those two beautiful young ladies with great smiles.  Thanks for standing tall and not stooping to yucky  retorts. Thanks for giving Obama the anchor he is going to need. Thanks for giving the American people hope. I look forward to having an active, intelligent, "Tall" first lady. I know, I know, the election is next week, but I have that hope you and Obama gave us all.  Oh, as a geek, thanks to you both for not trying to send e-mails using the microwave. You get it, you really get it, Thanks

I am so inspired by you and your husband.  I am a disable veteran living in Florida.

I want you to know we are behind Barack as our President.  We are here for you.   We believe in Barack and feel he will be a great President that will look after our country.   Today's speech with Barack on Hope was so inspiring. 

One more week. 

I have voted already for Obama

Sam

You and Barack have given us such a wonderful message of hope.  Our Obama sign is planted firmly in our front yard and my husband and I (and son) anxiously await the election. 

Our son is happy to report that most of the kids at his middle school are "voting for Obama" (or would if they could).   He's going to be a space alien (again) this Halloween.  I'm sure your daughters looked scary but awfully cute.  

JC
Spread the Joy!

http://www.storyrhyme.com/jcsblog/files/4fa06e02fcb60da304d172e44200e3a0-69.html

http://www.storyrhyme.com/jcsblog

I wish you well in your final race for the White House!  Your husband's promise for the future gives me hope even in this time of turmoil. 

I also think it would be fun to have kids in the White House again!  I have boys, but I can relate to many of your challenges and joys - even if mine are not played out on a national stage!

BizMom@reversedroles.com

Hope to be celebrating with you in Grant Park on November 4!  (And will be calling folks in the meantime.)

 Celeste W

-- Bloghers, please send this site about conservatives for Obama to the undecided and conservative voters in your life (and in toss-up states!):

http://inprogress.typepad.com/republicanswitchers

I am so deeply honored and consider it a great priviledge to even be able to read this post of yours, Michelle.  Your contributions to our community have been so great.  Your contributions to our country have been even greater and I look forward to seeing and reading more about what you will do as our First Lady.

I cannot wait unti the election is finally over, but until then, enjoy your Halloween with your daughters and hopefully your husband. 

I forgot to tell you that I'm going to link to this post from my blog Stop Screaming I'm Driving!  :)

Dear Michelle,

Your husband represents the kind of conscious leader that this country desperately needs - someone who takes the high road even in the face of dirty campaign tactics, who is working to restore honor and integrity to the White House and who will begin to repair the damange done by years of leadership that has used fear to justify war. Thank you for taking on the most challenging task of putting your family into the public sphere to serve the rest of us.  I cannot wait to cast my ballot (in NH) on the 4th!

I posted on your family dressing on a budget and Barack Obama's worn shoes a while back.  (I don't think it's an important campaign issue, however, but others seem to based on the number of folks reading it.)

Your husband may have regretted doing that Access Hollywood interview, but I and others really enjoyed watching your relationship with your daughters.  It's good to see a strong family working toward balance, which is just another reason that I've also enjoyed reading your post here.  I hope we all recover from this election to be as positive about the future as you and your husband are, especially me.  Your post is inspirational.

Nordette is a Contributing Editor with BlogHer.com whose personal blog is hosted on another site at this link.

...on childcare, which is hard enough, it seems to me a national sin that we have so little investment in early childhood education, health care and nutrition. I'm thankful these women made the connection. I remain hopeful that our elected officials will act quickly in the coming months to help keep our littlest boats afloat in this economic storm.

As for Halloween, I want to know whether you're going to dress up Michelle! That's the joke in our house -- we all compete to wear a huge, ridiculous banana costume (with cutouts for the face and arms sticking out). Fortunately the eight-year-old didn't draw the right straw this year, since it's an adult costume and I end up carrying his "tail" like a little banana bride as he races from house to house, for fear that he'll turf on the sidewalk...think I'll go as Harry Potter...

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette

BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of Politics & News.

www.amyinohio.wordpress.com

I'm so proud to be one of Barack's supporters and I'm a huge fan of yours Mrs. Obama.

You know what I loved most about this wonderful post?  The peep hole into your ordinary lives.  Who would have thought with all that is going on in the election that you would be able to take a break and craft costumes with the girls?  It goes to prove even further why I appreciate your voice as much as I do: you never lose sight of the priorities in life.  You're a busy, working Mom just like me.  

Now, the corpse bride is a whole other issue of course!  I'm just enjoying my 2 year old's cute approach to Halloween ala pink poodle.  I'm not sure I'm ready for the scary!

Best of luck in the week ahead - we're with you!

I love reading your posts here. I also think that you will make a fabulous first lady because you are so aware and involved in what is going on with the people of America.

My son proudly sports a temporary Obama tattoo on his belly - he is on his second one already and tells people that it's President Obama.  He says that when he sees him on TV, too.  I think the boy knows something and he's only 4 1/2!

We have many lawn signs supporting democratic candidates on our front lawn and a big Obama/Biden one right in the middle of it all.  I've been told by other supporters that they are happy when they see our array of signs because we live in a more conservative part of our county although I've been noticing many more democrat signs around town lately which gives me great hope for change to take place now!

I look forward to attending the victory party my county dem's are throwing on election night.  I will be volunteering and doing what I can to get out the vote up until that day. 

Change is good and I like many others, can't wait until your husband is our new president!!

Thanks,

Melissa

http://naturedeva.net

Congratulations on making certain your children get to be children, despite all the chaos and mayhem surrounding their father's bid for the office of president of the US. 

Running around as a Mom trying to find or design a Halloween costume for your children is usually a head banging experience. But with all the cameras, microphones, punditry, and secret service people swirling around you right now, watching your daughters' excitement over choosing outfits and dressing up in their favorite costume for Halloween must feel sane, calming, and like pure bliss here on this final week before the election. I guess you can say, thank God for Halloween.

Best wishes.

Read Renita's Blog Since She Spends Way More Time on It Than She Should: http://www.somethingwithin.com/blog.

Thank you so much for all that you are doing. I watched you on "The Tonight Show" last night. Loved your J. Crew by the way!

I am so hopeful for what you and Barack have envisioned for our country. You both make me so proud. Good luck! You have my vote!

Anali's First Amendment

This election is so important - for so many reasons.  I live in California and am personally affected by some of the issues on the ballot this year.  Never before have I spoken up for what I believed in, or told my personal story to so many friends, family and strangers.  But this year is different.  And I think you're right... it's about getting to know the issues down in the trenches.  Discussing, researching, praying -- taking some time for thoughtful contemplation about what matters, and how best to achieve it.  And sharing of yourself with others. For me, that has been the big take-away this election season.  Speak honestly, and with a brave voice - and even the tears in your eyes will help to give your message wings.

I look forward to inauguration day, when I believe we will watch a new family move into the White House that embodies the message of honesty, truth, compassion and respect for the intelligence of all citizens and their opinions.  I'd love to help you get packing if I could!

Have a hopeful week between now and Tuesday, and get your rest, because there is celebrating to be done.

I voted a week ago for the next President of the US OBAMA.  I so look forward to a classy awesome wise intellegent First Lady.

And bringing friends, again, to hear him speak.

Miss Britt

http://www.miss-britt.com

"Dignity is Overrated"

I will vote for Obama on Tuesday, and I absolutely can't wait to vote!!!   This has been a grueling campaign to watch.  I can't even imagine what it would like to be you, Barack, and your family.  I want to say that I truly believe that Barack is the best candidate.  His sincerity shines through when he speaks, and I'm usually very critical of politicians. :)  I know in my heart that he has the best interests of our country in mind.  I know that your father had MS and so do I.  And although I'm very educated and have done everything the "right way"  I found myself (a few years back) to be a victim of our country's out of touch healthcare system (paying $1200.00/mo for health insurance for just myself because of a pre-existing condition-MS) and also had to fight the unscrupulous insurance companies.  It was a major wake-up call for me!  So thank you to Barack (and also to you :)  for addressing these issues that effect so many Americans!  Together we can make a change! 

Have fun trick-or-treating with your girls! 

Obama/Biden '08 on Tuesday November 4th!!!! 

Michelle,

Thank you for being so grounded and so true. Thank you for being so calm and supportive. You are inspiring, and your inspiration reaches all of us up here in Canada. I believe in your husband, he is strong and shows great leadership. The issues, yes, for sure. But also his character. You can see it in what he says, and mainly in what he doesn't say. He doesn't rise to the pettiness, he is calm and collected.

I'm watching Bill Clinton speak right now as we speak. I believe that it is Barack's steadfastness that finally got the Clintons to get onboard, wholeheartedly.

You are an inspirational couple. For giving hope back to America and to the world, I thank you. The world awaits, we're holding our breath. Go win this thing!

Early voting started over a week ago in Nevada.  I have ALREADY VOTED FOR OBAMA.  It was the first time I've been excited about my vote in a long time.  I voted for Kerry too but he was not my first choice.  This time my candidate made it and I have given money from my Social Security check each month for almost a year. I registered voters, worked at campaign hdqtrs.  Emailed friends and family to vote for Obama.  My son and his girl friend voted for Obama, as well as my daughter.  My oldest son had never voted before, but this year he registered to vote so he could vote for Obama.  Even the girlfriends parents (staunch republicans) are voting this year for the next PRESIDENT OF THE UNTED STATES, OBAMA.

Early voting started over a week ago in Nevada.  I have ALREADY VOTED FOR OBAMA.  It was the first time I've been excited about my vote in a long time.  I voted for Kerry too but he was not my first choice.  This time my candidate made it and I have given money from my Social Security check each month for almost a year. I registered voters, worked at campaign hdqtrs.  Emailed friends and family to vote for Obama.  My son and his girl friend voted for Obama, as well as my daughter.  My oldest son had never voted before, but this year he registered to vote so he could vote for Obama.  Even the girlfriends parents (staunch republicans) are voting this year for the next PRESIDENT OF THE UNTED STATES, OBAMA.

Add me to the list of those who would love to read more posts by Michelle Obama--and not just because we share a great first name ;)

I sent my absentee ballot to PA weeks ago and just sent in a donation. GOOOOBAMA! Now let's keep reminding everyone who hasn't voted just how important it is to take *nothing* for granted and to *get out and vote!*

I also have to add: a few weeks ago I picked up a copy of Uomini & Business (Men & Business) here in Italy (yes, Italy has a long way to go on equality). Imagine my surprise when inside I found a fabulous article on Michelle Obama by Desideria Cavina. I think it's safe to say that even Italy is pazza per (crazy for) the Obamas.

---

Michelle Fabio, Esq.

Bleeding Espresso

About.com Guide to Law School

Italy Magazine Guarda! Columnist

Hi Michelle, Serving on the panel at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and meeting the women who spoke with you was one of MY favorite memories too! I agree that amazing things can happen when people come to together and get to know each other. We see it every day at our childcare center. There are so many needs in our communities and they need to be addressed. Some need to be addressed by government, but many can be addressed by individuals who care. Glad to hear the girls are excited about Halloween. I have to go now because we have 670 children here today who are also excited and I have to help get them into their costumes! That, by the way, is a great example of your message that individuals can make a difference. Every one of these costumes was donated by someone in town who wanted our kids to be able to celebrate Halloween, just like their children do. Take care, Sister Berta

My family and I are just a few of the hundreds of supporters and volunteers at Operation Breakthrough, the day care (and much much more) service for Kansas City's working families who live mostly at or below the poverty line.  Thanks for mentioning the GREAT work and personal sacrifice of Sister Berta and Sister Corita, founders and leaders of this effort. 

We encourage you to come back to KC as First Lady for a longer visit and hope you will take the time to make a personal visit to the Operation Breakthrough facilities.  We welcome the support and volunteer efforts of people everywhere with this important service.  Take a closer look at www.OperationBreakthrough.org. 

 BigDogKC

“The reason most people fail is that they trade what they want most for what they want at the moment

This was a beautiful post, and you will be a wonderful First Lady.

As you are so busy I doubt if you're following this thread, (but) hopefully someone within your staff is. A virtual friend of mine carved the most awesome pumpkin of Barack, and authorized my putting it up on my blog today. It dawned on me within the past hour that your girls would probably love to see a picture of the Barack O'Lantern, so here's the link:

http://shaunna.typepad.com

I'll be working the phone banks this weekend and my ballot's already mailed.

Best of all good things,

-shaunna 

Michelle,
I am amazed that you have the time to write here, and really appreciate reading your posts. It would be great if it continues after you'r e our new First Lady! :) Only 2 days to go! Warmly, Barbara

Barbara, The Spirited Strider

Serving others in love, one step at a time

You and Barack are truly an inspiration for us all. We look forward to casting our votes tomorrow for the Obama/Biden ticket. Please keep up your heartwarming and informative essays here when time allows. Best wishes from Jill in OK.

Michelle,

The tears are flowing--still--this morning after.  I want to congratulate Barack and you and the girls on this incredible and historic achievement.  And for those of us who dared hope for two full years (since Sen. Durbin's petition) I can only say that this is the best example I've personally experienced of what can be achieved if we never take our eyes off the prize.

THANK YOU for the sacrifices you and your family have made to give back to our country. 

May the next four years be filled with the promise of opportunity, the blessings of kindness and the soaring faith of dreams.  May you be surrounded by angels and beckoned by greatness.  I have no doubt you will make us fiercely proud as our First Lady. 

MarilynM at Twitter

Co-Founder of Bloggers for Darfur

We all worked so hard to make this happen.  We did it.  But amid the great victory there is also great sadness over your loss of toot.  She is watching over you all.

I think it is a wonderful day to see a man of mixed descent reach the White House. To me it shows the ultimate unity when the country can come together, put their racial differences aside, and vote for a man born of the union of a white woman and a black man when in years past both white and black people have discriminated against people of mixed descent. There is no greater symbol of unity that I can imagine. Congratulations to Obama and I pray that the country stands behind him all the way. He is a highly intelligent man with great conviction. May God Bless him and his family as they embark on this treacherous journey to save this country.I think it is a wonderful day to see a man of mixed descent reach the White House. To me it shows the ultimate unity when the country can come together, put their racial differences aside, and vote for a man born of the union of a white woman and a black man when in years past both white and black people have discriminated against people of mixed descent. There is no greater symbol of unity that I can imagine. Congratulations to Obama and I pray that the country stands behind him all the way. He is a highly intelligent man with great conviction. May God Bless him and his family as they embark on this treacherous journey to save this country.

I hope you and Barack and the family get to spend time to recharge.

His sober assessment of the challenges we face is both frightening and exhilarating: but he is also correct in his belief that we're ready to help make America America again!

Terri in Tokyo  

• Work: www.modernmediajapan.com
• Politics: www.fightingliberal.com
• Play: http://thesilversun.wordpress.com/

I guess it's more than a little optimistic to suppose you might have time to continue this blog, but I'm sure you'd be one of the first to say don't give up HOPE :-)  So, here's hoping you'll get this message...

First a big, big thank you for the tremendous hope you and your husband have ignited, not just in America but across the globe.  You have provided a fantastic opportuinty for America and the world to re-new itself and bring about a healing.

As a mixed race (Jamaican and Irish) female who recently lost my first local election in the UK, watching the president elect and yourself has been truly inspiring.  It has encouraged me to get back up and try again.

I hope you get the love and support you deserve in the coming years.

Karen