“It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning….

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

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And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

My child will live in this world. Martin Luther King Jr. Dreamed this world and many people have labored to make it a reality. A dream has been realized. Let us all embrace this new and beautiful future with our fellow Americans – black, white, brown, yellow.

She’s a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing – Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons – because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America – the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

Let us all join together to make this country a better place for our children and our children’s children.

…So Martin Luther could walk…so Barak Obama could run. (Jay-Z)

I’m so proud that my daughter will be born in the year we swear in our first African American President. The Future is upon us! I mourned Gore and Kerry but maybe it was all setting us up for this great moment.

Ok, I’ve been mostly keeping my direct political feelings out of this blog. I don’t know why. It really isn’t me to hold back! I guess it is because my family and friends read this. I don’t know why but today something broke in me. I can’t stay silent anymore. So, here goes.

If you claim to be a Democrat but you are voting for McCain you are a racist. You. Are. A. Racist. Don’t get me wrong if you are a republican or you now agree with the republican platform then fine. If you believe in Regan era trickle-down economics, want to pay taxes on your healthcare, and watch troops die in Iraq for no reason, then fine – vote for McCain. But, don’t tell me you are pro-choice, pro equal pay, an environmentalist, pro gay marriage, for middle class tax cuts and stopping companies for shipping jobs overseas and you are voting for McCain – actually go ahead and vote for him, but could you put on a pointy white hat – you are confusing me. Yes, I’m talking to you Mr. I-don’t-like-people-from-Chicago and Mrs. He-wasn’t-raised-in-America. Your lame attempts at convincing yourself it isn’t because he’s black are about as thin and limp as your pathetic excuse for a spine.

Now, I have friends who are Republicans (I’m working on their reform, wink, wink) and this does not apply to them. I don’t agree with them but I respect their right to feel the way they do. This is different and I hope I’ve made that clear. I won’t stay silent about it anymore. Racism is wrong and those of us who know it need to stand up and say “we won’t take it anymore!” We won’t stay silent.

We interrupt this pregnancy to bring you an important announcement.

In Ohio you have until October 6th…that’s next Monday. Don’t wait. Do it now. Here.

Someone asked me yesterday “did you get to pick the hair and eye color?”  It is like they think IVF is a lifestyle choice.  Who started this crap about “designer babies?”  It is so far from the truth it is amazing.  This seems to be what the average person thinks about assisted reproductive technologies.  Or you hear “did you do that to have twins?”  What???  That’s like asking a cancer patient if they “did that to be bald.”  How do we change public opinion that IVF is treatment for a disease (or diseases) and it is grueling not the latest consumer product?

Ugh.  I couldn’t sleep last night.  Partially because I think I’m afraid for this week to be over.  As long as the week lasts I can hold on to the hope that I’m pregnant.  Next Monday there is no guessing I either am (yay!) or I’m not (booo!).  It just scares the crap out of me sometime.

So, on little sleep, I got up to go to work and stopped to get gas about 3/4 of the way there only to discover I had left my whole wallet at home (this is a problem faced be chronic purse-switchers).  I had not a stitch of money to pay for gas and I was too far to go back home.  So I crossed my fingers and drove looking for my bank.  I must have passed 30 different banks when I finally saw the sign for mine in the distance!  It was like a beacon!

Of course, it was only 8:30 so I had to sit there for 1/2 an hour for them to open.  When they did they absolutely would NOT help me at all.  I mean I understand checking IDs but there is such a thing as emergencies and exceptions and acting like a human being.  None of this rang a bell with the ladies in this branch.  I called my mom, who happens to work for said bank to see what I could do, and she was fuming because her branch would have found a way to verify who I am.  I finally started sobbing and creating a scene that I wasn’t leaving without $20 and I couldn’t leave anyways because I had no gas.

Enter Branch Manager.  I was there for over an hour and I finally got my money.  I swear it is only because my mom works for the bank, they actually used her employee ID number as verification.  I’m glad it worked out but that kind of makes me mad.  I mean if I got mugged and stranded somewhere I would expect the people in my bank to be kind enough to help me out.  There are dozens of ways to mitigate risk to the branch by verifying who I am.  Signatures.  Acct. #, balance, deposits, ss#, etc.

Today they were more concerned with helping their own butts instead of mine.  You know I worked at a pizza place in college and a homeless guy came up and asked to exchange some cheap jewelry he had for a single slice of pizza.  I was all caught up in the “rules” and told him I couldn’t do that.  He was very nice and left.  This has haunted me for years for “some have entertained angels unawares [Hebrews 13:1-2].”  I would do anything to go back in time and give that man a piece of pizza.  Rules should never trump humanity.  Always treat others how you would want to be treated.  Angel or not, you always win.

I’ve been on a little bit of an infertility advocacy kick.  My sister has a rare disease called psoriatic arthritis and I always thought she would feel more powerful if she became a crusader for it.  I am now part of the Women’s Advisory Group where I work.  (Even though I realize this is not just a women’s issue) This provided a great forum to talk about infertility.  The idea was well received and it was..well…invigorating!

Ok, long story short – I wanted to find some swag and headed to Resolve, where I can’t find a single shirt! (tell me if I’m wrong).  I went to Cafe Press, which has a little (and alot of cute things for IVF babies!).  Nothing that got me excited.  So, I made some up myself.  I mostly made it so I could get one but I also made a “store” called 1 in 8 at Cafe Press if anyone else is interested (see my two designs below).  I wanted something about raising awareness.  I often say if I had <fill in blank of illness> everyone would understand without an explanation (or stupid advice).  I know lots of people find infertility a very private matter but no one can advocate for us but US!  Anyways I’d love feedback on the shirts, mugs, and bags!  If you want something specific I can make it.