Chicago, Nov. 17 : U. S. President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle have admitted that his involvement with politics did, at times, put strains on their marriage, but Michelle added that she is quite happy with Barack finally having his home and office in one place.

“You know, this entire year and a half has brought us closer together as a family. And we managed to stay close and become even closer with Barack gone most of an entire two year period. And now, we get to be together under the one roof, having dinners together,” Michelle told CBS 60 minutes.

“I envision the kids coming home from school and being able to run across the way to the Oval Office and see their dad before they start their homework. And having breakfast. And he''ll be there to tuck them in at night. And, you know, again, you know, there''ll be moments of deep seriousness and times of great focus. But, you know, we''ll be together doing that. And that gives me reason to be very excited,” she added.

When Obama was asked whether he had certain domestic chores to perform when he returned to Chicago, he said he had to wish the dishes.

When he went on further to say that this chore was very soothing, Michelle butted in and said: “You? Since when was it ever soothing for you to wash the dishes?

Obama said: “You know, when I had to do it. I''d make it into a soothing thing.”

Michelle also said that her first priority would be to be a mother to her kids.

When Obama was asked how long he would give Michelle to leave her imprint on the job of being First Lady? He said: “I think Michelle is gonna design her own role. I think she''s gonna set her own path. But I here''s one thing I know about Michelle she''s serious when she talks about being a mom. That''s why our girls are so wonderful. I''d love to take credit for it. But this is the one who deserves most of the credit.”

Michelle said that: “The primary focus for the first year will be making sure that the kids make it through the transition. But there are many issues that I care deeply about. I care about military families and the work/family balance issue. I care about education. I, both Barack and I, believe that we can have an impact in the D. C. area. You know, in terms of making sure we''re contributing to the community that we immediately live in.” (ANI)