I have a super mommy.

Campaigning has taken over my life. Everything in my life, besides getting my father elected, has taken a back seat...and I'm sure it's been much to my husband's dismay. No more homemade dinners ready when he gets off work, no more spotless house, no more freshly laundered towels and work clothes. My business has picked up in orders, due to the Christmas season fast approaching, and I can't find the time to sit down and write my name, much less paint a sign for someone. McDonald's drive-thru has become my new dinnertime hotspot. I do a weekly clean-out of my car and find an array of items ranging from clothing to shoes to water bottles to bumper stickers. As limited as my free time is and as stressed as I feel about this entire election, I realize that my stress and exhaustion level absolutely pale in comparision to that of my mother's. I always admired my mom and her ability to multi-task and get many things done while being a community volunteer and a parent to three girls. But through this election, I've discovered that my mother is secretly Superwoman. She has basically become dad's campaign manager. She keeps up with his day-to-day activities, always knowing where he needs to be and what the required dress code is for the event. She has turned her home into campaign central, painstakingly organizing each voting precinct and ensuring that we know which doors we will be hitting each day. She is always aware of how many brochures, door hangers, bumper stickers and yard signs are in stock and who wants one of each. During this campaign, she celebrated both her birthday and her wedding anniversary by walking door to door and telling people about my dad. All without a complaint. My entire family has spent the last year talking about my dad--what an amazing person he is, what kind of senator he'll be, why people should elect him--all while my mom has stood in the back and supported him. Politics aren't her thing. She wouldn't be the first one to talk about a political race or say that she enjoyed a political debate. And despite that fact, she's been by dad's side from day one. So here's to you, mom. Thank you for showing everyone (not just me) what a loving, supportive wife looks like. So vote Dennis Parrett for State Senator, not only because he's a great guy, but because his wife is an amazing person too. :)

Life inspired by Audrey: Dennis Parrett....he really is the person for this job.

Life inspired by Audrey: Dennis Parrett....he really is the person for this job.

Dennis Parrett....he really is the person for this job.

Last night, I had my first experience with really campaigning for my dad. Sure, I'd been in parades and rode on the "Dennis Parrett for State Senator" float and passed out flyers, but I hadn't had a conversation face-to-face with someone about why they should elect my dad to be their next Senator. That all changed last night. My mother calls me up and informs me that my name is on the list of volunteers to go walking door-to-door in a local community. It was the moment I dreaded. I don't mind doing the fundraisers, asking people if they want a yard sign, posting on facebook about all of my dad's activities and exclaiming "Elect Dennis Parrett!" but this was real-life, I'm going to be knocking on people's doors and they might not be happy about it. Not my idea of a fun night. Nevertheless, I tell my mom that I would be happy to walk (I'm secretly trying to win the "Most Helpful Daughter During the Campaign" award). As time gets closer for us to depart on our excursion, my nervousness and fear begins mounting. Every worst case scenerio plays through my head. What if someone slams the door in my face? What if I get blessed out by some politic-hating person that doesn't want to be bothered during their dinnertime? What if I am greeted by a large dog that attacks me? Or worse, what if I'm greeted by someone with a weapon that's totally annoyed that I'm on their property??? Not only that, but what if someone puts me on the spot? What if they ask me a question I can't answer, or they want to know why they should elect my dad (and I don't think "Because he's a good daddy" counts as a valid answer). I could feel a stomach ulcer growing as big as my list of worries. But dad assured me that I would be fine. So dad and I, along with my littlest sister and my aunt, make our way to the city of Radcliff. Arriving at our first street, I'm so nervous, I feel the need to be sick. We get out our map and begin to ring doorbells. I begin by sticking close to dad's side, lingering on the sidewalk while he talks to the homeowners. That is, until dad notices. He encourages me to go up to the next house while he's talking. Reluctantly, I go. I ring a few doorbells, I pass out a few flyers, I give the "I'm campaigning for Dennis Parrett and here's why he should be your Senator" spiel, all the while dreading the moment that I deal with one of my above mentioned fears. Although not out-loud, I'm grumbling in my head about signing up to do this. Only crazy people volunteer to walk up to a complete stranger's house and knock on their door! I begin to look for my quickest escape route. Until I look at my dad. He's LOVING this. He's trotting from one house to another, talking with everyone that will come to the door, flashing us the thumbs-up sign and moving on down the street. He's really excited about this. Here I am, worrying about a dog or a rude reaction, when dad's just thankful to be there. With every person he gets to talk to and every semi-interested person that will listen to him, he gets even more excited. His excitement is contagious. So what if someone has a few choice words for me? It's not like it would be the first time. So what if someone ignores me? I slip a information card onto their doorknob and move on to the next house. Dad loves this. This is why he's running in the first place. To meet the people of this area and have the opportunity to represent and help them. He loves getting to talk with these people and find out what's really bothering them. With every thumbs up and smile he gives me during our walking, I realize, THIS is why my dad should be the next State Senator.