I really want this book!

This book looks so interesting!

Gretchen Rubin is

giving away an autographed copy of her amazing book

"The Happiness Project" on

http://aadreamsblog.blogspot.com

Family Home Evening

I love family home evenings. The lessons taught by the kids are so sweet and honest. This week it was T's turn to give the lesson, and as we tried throughout the day to practice a lesson, it was clear that he wasn't going to cooperate. So, when time came for his lesson, he stood up in front of us, and said and signed,
"I love Mom. I love Dad. I love E. I love L. I love J. I love Grandma. I love Grandpa. I love Aunt Tarena. I love Aunt Karen. I love Aunt Sarah. with the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
There is nothing better than hearing that! All by himself, at 2 years old, he shared his love for our family. Matthew and I must be doing something right!

Note from USDB Superintendent

Hey all who read this! Please, if you live in Utah, contact your representative and encourage them to keep USDB open. I know this is all preliminary suggestions to reduce budget costs, but our kids need the programs and support USDB can give to them.

Here is  the website for finding your representative:
http://www.le.utah.gov/GIS/findDistrict.jsp

Here is the note from USDB Superintendent Steve Noyce:
From: Steve Noyce

Sent: Friday, February 04, 2011 3:28 PM
To: Betty Hall
Subject: Recommendation to Close USDB

USDB:
The Utah State Board of Education voted to recommend the closure of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind to the legislature.  The recommendation was that the responsibility to serve children with sensory disabilities would remain with school districts.

I am sure that there will be further discussion in the legislature.  I will keep you informed as we proceed.

Steve Noyce, Superintendent
Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
742 Harrison Blvd.
Ogden, Utah 84404
801-629-4710
Email: steven@usdb.org

J's Laugh!

I caught this today, and couldn't help sharing! There is just something so joyful about a baby laughing!

I have been trying to figure out a photo-editing software that I downloaded. I love this pic of L, just afer she wok up and her hair was still a mess, but it's just so sweet! I edited it a bit, but didn't like the sepia or black and white, because then you can't see her gorgeous eyes! Also, here's a super cute one of J, he's so round and happy! Hopefully I can edit one of the other kiddos soon! Let me know what you think!

Power Showcase - Home Runs That Help

Hey all! There's this great high school student in Matthew's class that is competing in the Power Showcase in behalf of L. The link below talks about him, and somewhere on the site is some info about L. He's doing it as part of the Home Runs That Help program on Dec. 28-29 of this year! Good luck Kayden!

http://power-showcase.com/2011-event/5th-annual-line-up2/utah-kayden-porter/

L was so tired the day he came to visit, so she didn't show him her true personality. He has seen some of her videos that Matthew shows to his students, so he has a pretty good idea though. He gave her this really cute blue sock monkey and she has packed it everywhere. She is also really excited that 'the man' (as she calls him) is going to be playing baseball for her. We will be able to watch it on the Power Showcase website when he is up to bat!

Can You Guess What L is Singing?!

L was so excited to share a new song that she learned in school yesterday. I was filming E singing new words to the song Away in A Manger and I was trying to capture that when L demanded it was her turn. She then sang this wonderful song. I want to see how many people can figure out what song she is singing! Leave me a comment when you think you've got it! I'll post the answer in a few days!! I hope to edit and get E's song up too before too long! (You may need to turn up the sound to hear her, the microphone on our video camera isn't that great.)