A motivational evening. I have been glued to the TV the past week, watching the speeches, finding myself moved by the chance of change. Last night the night I had been waiting to see, when the man I hope to be the next President took the stage. What he delivered I found to be a direct, eloquent speech that inspired me to hope that we can get back to the place I know we can. I told Keith I want to volunteer in someway to help with the campaign. He asked me why I cared so much. I think the answer is a simple one. Many think that politics don't affect them, that what goes on in Washington doesn't trickle down to their everyday life. However, I find when I look at my life that in the past 8 years it has interrupted every aspect of my life.

I feel it when I go to pay for gas and instead of costing me $40.00 it cost me $80.00.

I felt it when I lost my job, and my families health care.

I felt it when my mother-in-law was dying and we wondered after her leave time ran out from her job, how we would pay for her cancer care to keep her alive. Wondering how it would work, would they move her to some other hospital, filling out piles of paperwork at a time when you just want to appreciate the person who is dying.

I felt it when we waited on pins and needles to see if my father would be accepted for coverage in a rehabilitation center, and our family would not have to pay the premium of $100.00 a day.

I felt it when homes around me started to go into foreclosure and our "American Dream" became a nightmare. When we began paying for a home that was worth far less than what we bought it for. A starter home, that we now may be stuck in for years to come. A home that is no longer an investment for retirement, or for Darrian's college fund. Instead one that may damage all the thing I want to do for my family.

I felt it when the bonuses ran out, when the pay could not keep up with the rising cost of living.

I feel it when I check out at the grocery store and spend more than I ever have to feed my family.

I felt it when the people around me graduated and could not find jobs in their field, when friends lost their jobs and struggled to make ends meet.

I feel it when My Mom who has worked hard her entire life, decides weather or not she will retire based on health care cost.

I feel it when I ride Bart past the 4000 plus crosses that decorate the hill in Orinda, one for each fallen solider in the war.

I could go on and on, but this race in this moment is EXTREMELY important to me. To the future of my family. I will vote for Barak Obama not because he is the same ethnicity of my son, not because he is youthful, not because he is liked by Oprah. I will vote for him because I NEED the next four years to be different than the last, and I believe him to be the only man of the two running who can do it.

Almost forgot to post a picture of this. This is what we got Mom for her birthday this year. It is a custom ring with D's picture on it. I loved how it came out and I need to now order one for myself. I got it on Etsy.com. A great community of handmade items, lots of them sold by Mom's and woman. I love the unique things they have.

A Good Day..

Today I did something I have not done in a LONG time.. NOTHING. I had no plans this weekend and today I did not go anywhere other than to order Darrian's birthday cake. After Darrian work up from his morning nap I set up the pool we got him. It has a hook up for a sprinkler thing on the front but we could not get the sprayer off our hose. Darrian didn't seem to mind he played in it for almost two hours (climbing in and out). He stood up several time's on his own in it.. I took pictures of course and video. (sorry I took about 100 pics)

WHO YOU GONNA CALL..

:) So we have had Iphone's pretty much from the begining with Darrian. I guess he has been watching what we do with them, because he will pick one up and run his finger over the screen. He has been doing that for a while. Now he will hold the phone up to his ear, you know the cute way that babies do? Super cute.

Long Summer days..

Can't believe summer is coming to an end and in 23 short days my baby will be ONE. Time goes so fast. I enjoy the late days. It gives me lots of time to spend with Darrian playing after work. The other night we headed to the backyard with his ball to roll/kick it around a little. He loves this ball, I think Grandma got it for him (Surpise I know), and he likes to chase it around. Sometimes he uses it like a Yoga ball, Auntie Natalie would be proud.

He is starting to walk more, He walked across the living room last night, twice. He also got up on his own and walked from the bathroom to the kitchen. I got some on video last night, I am not trying to juggle memories in video and in camera!

Here are some pictures from the other night.. (if you don't see them go to www.dnmthornton.blogspot.com )

Doesn't he look like a big boy!
Eating grass..
The look of concentration after rolling his ball.
*singing*

A yoga move..
Um power to the people?

A good weekend..

We had a good busy weekend. You know me and our running around craziness. Friday baby D and I ran to the mall to get some things for him, and to look for something for Malia who turned the BIG 7 on 8/14. Honestly where has the time gone. We had a good time running around, Baby D tried on some new shoes and approved so we got him a cute pair. By the time we got home he was all worn out from shopping, and we crashed.

Saturday we (me, K, and baby D) headed to Stockton to spend the day with Chris, Julie & the girls. We also celebrated Malia's birthday. We had a good time, always do. Baby D did really good. I have noticed there are two things.. 1) I need some travel toys for him, I think he was a bit bored and not much for him to play with 2) He loves being up and social but boy the meltdown from no nap was a fierce one getting into the car seat. He loves being outside. Loves it. We finally went outside and he had fun exploring. Although he always seems to find things he is not suppose to have to try and play with. He stood up twice on his own, but only took a couple steps. He got pretty dirty crawling around on the cement, but he didn't seem to mind.

Malia got twister for her birthday and the girls had fun playing that, Baby D wanted to join in the fun. Cake was had, I used it as a distraction for the adults to cuddle Lily some. She is getting so big and cuter each time I see her. I have realized she does not like to be held like Baby D did, on my chest.. instead she prefers facing the world to see what is going on. I bet that will play into her personality as she gets older. A people watcher. :).

Sunday Baby D and I took Auntie Dev to the zoo for her birthday. She choose the zoo, I didn't make her. Baby D thinks she is pretty cool for that reason, and he is sure they have a lot in common. When the fun was over there we headed to Target and that was NUTS with all the back to school people. Finally heading home for rest, and Keith and I enjoyed a nice at home date night dinner. Us, Rubio's, and 'Ritas.. a great way to finish a great weekend.

Here are some pics of our visit to see the girls..

Malia's with her cake..

Ivy having a hard time holding on during twister..

Dad joined them..

The cutie Lily hanging out in her swing..


D enjoying some wrapping paper.
crawling around outside..
Picking some grass..
He can't believe we let him get this dirty..
The girls owned a "bakery" and were making me cakes.

11 Months..

Baby D, my Little Baby D, is 11 months old today. Where did the time go? This morning I went to get him out of his crib and as soon as I opened his door he saw me and said "Hi". It is hard to believe by looking at him he started out so small... He has grown so much.

*He loves Pasta, chicken, turkey, cheese, rice, and fruit.

*Will now stand for several minutes on his own.

*He will take a few steps on his own.

*Loves to walk holding onto just one of your hands.. stopping to get a better grip on your hand if he feels it slip.. as if to say "hold on tighter"
*Waves Hi, and Bye. In the Airport in Mexico, he was standing, saw an exit path, dropped down to his knees gave a "buh bye" and took off crawling. :)

*Finally figured out to make his fingers go over his lips to do the "brr" noise.

*He KNOWS when he isn't suppose to have something, and if you go to get it he gives a giggle and takes off in such a fast fashion the other way. Sometimes he will go down the hall turn the corner to the next room, where he thinks he is safe, and then check out his finding.

*He gives kisses, I especially love it when he does on his own over and over. So sweet.

*He is having a love affair with biting. trying out his 6 teeth.

*He LOVES being social, checking out other kids, smiling at people, he really is pretty outgoing for his age.

*What I take most pride in.. he is a HAPPY HAPPY baby. Laughing, smiling, friendly.

Sometimes I just stare at him. How did we create something so great, and so adorable. I could not have dreamed he would be any cuter, his hair, lips, big brown eyes.. and those cheeks that are too cute not to kiss. We are lucky he is in our life, and that he calls us "Mama" and "Dada".

Final Night..

Our Final Night at the Resort we had dinner on the beach. Mom and D were suppose to join us but she wasn't feeling great, and stayed in the room with D. It was a really great meal, honestly the service, view, conversation were all amazing. The Sunset that night was exceptional. To eat, right where the waves are crashing is such a cool thing to do.

View from our balcony ..

The Walk Down to the beach..