Sign Language Class, February 28th @ 1pm....

All the votes are in and the majority of you have spoken FEBRUARY 28th we will have class at the New Carrollton Library, 2nd floor @ 1pm

PLEASE DO THE ASSIGNMENT: Sign Name for Yourself, practice your Manual Alphabet

FEBRUARY CONTEST: The key to competing in the February Contest is found in your Sign Word for the Day" so study up and be ready...Someone will have an opportunity to win Sign Language Product for you and your family!!

Practice Practice Practice..look it up (ASLPRO.COM)

Come Sign with US!

Obama Girlz!

Here we are on the Eve of the Inauguration! What an awesome event! We went down town and then over to U Street to Ben's Chilli bowl for a 2hour wait. No we didn't wait but we watched from across the street as we ate in the restaurant across the street Utah. Great meal! And the entire experience was wonderful. People were so friendly.

I didn't understand what he was Signing to me!

It seems like I can take two huges leaps forward and then (one) knock backwards. I went to put my child on the bus this morning and one of his friends on the bus was asking me a questions about something and I could not understand what he was saying and I didn't have time to ask him to fingerspell it or to go slower because the bus driver was ready to pull off. I saw the look on his face and that broke me down this morning. the look said 'I thought you understood sign". Or not you too. Frustration and sad eyes.... Yes I pulled all that out of his facial expression. I felt sad but trust that I am determine to do better learn more and become fluent. No perfect just not afraid to stand there and understand what is being said before I walk away. Remember our Mantra "Signing is a Sign of Love".

Jan 17th, Sign Language Class 2009

We had the first Sign Language class in 2009, last Saturday Jan 17Th. There was great turn out and participation. We met new families and I believe a pleasant representation of extended family. One of our Mantras is "Signing is a Sign of Love". What better way to love your family member than to be able to speak to them in their language. Imagine living in a household and no one in that house can communicate with you in your language. We met a young man in this first class who is currently in the 6Th grade and he was able to bring his mother, grandmother and younger brother to the class. Hurray!! My belief is that the family will learn to communicate better with this young man and I think that is a beautiful gift. Learning a new language is not easy but for us it is Necessary. Join us in February for the next session.

Communication Device

I remember what and where I was on the day that I left my phone home by mistake. I put my bluetooth in place got into the car and drove to the grocery store. When I got inside of the store I started shopping and thought I would call my sister so we could talk while I had some "Free Time". Reached for my phone and realized after a quick search OMG! no phone. This was serious. How many of you know that I considered leaving my lettuce in the cart and taking a quick ride back home in order to retrieve my phone. I thought about it and although I felt a little weird like I had forgot to wear the same color shoes or something like people were looking at me saying hey she doesn't have her phone. But in reality I got over that moment and went on with my shopping trip. Although I missed the conversation that I would have enjoyed with my sister, I made it. Grocery shopping got done. The reason I am mentioning this is that I reacted very strongly to not having a way to communicate with my sister. Now my 3 1/2 year old son uses a communication device in school to help with his lesson and such. However he has not had his device for almost 4 months, can you imagine not having your phone for 4months. He deserves his device now and in working condition. This is very frustrating and I wonder if he were in a different program or County would this be allowed to go on so long. What would you do?

Sign and Say

I have been searching for a school/program that works with children who have Apraxia of Speech. It is a Severe Speech disorder and most of these children have to find an alternative form of communication until their Speech improves. For our family the Speech Therapist and Infant and Toddler Program offered a few alternative ways that we could teach our son to communication with our family Pictures (PCS), or Computer device(GoTalk) or Sign language. We didn't want to limit him in any way so at different times we have offered him the option to use pictures, which we still have a lot of picture around the house, his bedroom, on the TV and in the kitchen for him to grab and show us what he wants or needs. That works well in the house. Secondly we began teaching him sign language, DVD's, books, and of course by us using it he had an example and caught on very quickly. I would say he is most comfortable with using Sign Language. And that is what we have pushed for him to receive in school setting, along with all the other options. I would say that "Signing Times" (SigningTime.com) has been a huge help in teaching our son sign language, which neither of us knew much about before this time. Tell me what form of Communication has worked best for you?

Sign Language Class

We will be starting up the monthly Sign Language Group at the New Carrollton Library,on Saturday January 17th @ 1pm-2pm in the Lower Level of the Library. Please register if you are interested in attending!

It's a New Day!

Today I have decided that I want to be more vocal about my newest Journey. I have been eating and not exercising in order to calm my emotions in 2009 I have decided to write them down and use both hands for typing instead of stuffing my face. I have so much to live for, myself first of all, my son, our family, my purpose and people that I want to be apart of changing their lives and helping others. I am not ready to go away from this earth because I am just beginning to truly embrace and understand my purpose. I've always know God has a purpose for my life, but I can honestly say not until these past few months has it become and is becoming very clear. Frankly, I want to fulfill my purpose before I leave this earth. So I have some work to do. Did I mention my beautiful baby boy who keeps me on my toes and is a jokester to his little heart just like his father. Always, playing and got jokes he keeps me smiling. I can be a little too serious at times, so I have been told. :) So, the writing begins.