Hira Tasholli thought she'd vote Tuesday.

Her new son, Lirim, had other plans. She gave birth at 2 p.m. Monday to her fourth son.

Instead she voted bedside. Election workers helped to get her a ballot so she could cast her vote.

"I'm happy this year that we can vote," she said.

It's the first time Hira Tasholli and her husband, Besim Tasholli, could vote in a presidential election after becoming U.S. citizens about four years ago. She has three other sons, Betim, Leutrim and Kushtrim.

Her family left war-torn Kosovo for the United States in 1999. Earlier this year, Kosovo declared independence. For this, she named her son, Lirim, which means freedom.

They became citizens for many reasons.

"America helped our country a lot," she said. "We like to give back and give thanks."

In the United States, her family has more opportunity for work. Her husband recently started his own construction business.

Her new son has even more opportunity available to him.

"My son maybe become president someday, but not too soon," she said.

(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@bismarcktribune.com.)