Jack is so close to walking. I know it is going to happen very soon. He has stood independently a few times and he walks quite well behind the little shopping cart toy that he got for Christmas. He is also finally cutting his front tooth on the top left. I was beginning to think it would never break through!
In addition to the move, Andy and I have been busy with organizing rallys, demonstrations, and other such events in the area in protest of the Budget Repair Bill and the HR1 bill. We had made it to Madison a few times, but found it somewhat of a hassle with the drive up there and a 10 month old. We started things locally when I was sent an email from moveon.org that presented the idea of hosting a rally. I went back and forth with the idea and ultimately decided it was time to quit bitching about it if I wasn't prepared to do something about it. So, I finally decided to do so (at the last minute) and set about contacting the presidents of teachers unions, the VFW posts, DHS, librarians, etc. I found no support from anyone other than the teachers, as everyone said the bill had no impact on them. Yet. It was very frustrating. Needless to say, the turnout wasn't great. We only had about 20 people the first week; however, the support was great from people passing by and we even made it in the small, local paper. So we decided to do it the next week and we got 17 people, even though it was raining and very cold. This week, we had about 13 people, but there was a rally in Janesville where Walker was speaking, so I think we lost some people to that. Everyone has decided that we will continue to meet up every Tuesday this summer- until the bill is repealed.
We attended an education forum at the Brodhead high school this Wednesday and got a chance to hear Senator Erpenbach and Representative Ringhand speak. It was nice to get a chance to hear them speak in person and thank them with our home made signs that we carried near the entrance to the school before the forum. We had a small turnout at each entrance and it was nice to have a presence there, as well. Jack doesn't know what is going on yet, but he enjoys the people honking and waving as they pass by, as well as our cheers when they do so. He is always quick to clap his hands and smile and it makes me happy knowing that he is going to be growing up with the belief that one person, little though they it seem, CAN make a difference if they choose to.
