celebrating!

 We went out to eat on a weekday, which is big for our family, because I PASSED MY PROFESSIONAL SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING TEST!   I improved my Utah certification from Novice to Professional.  Hallelujah!  I worked so hard for this so we splurged with yummy food and sweet treats. And now a huge sigh of relief, cause sigh, that was a lot of work.  All done!

you think you know what you're doing with your second

Lennon has always been small--petite, but she had chub rolls too.  When she was a newborn, she was chubby.  So I didn't worry about her.  My milk seemed to fit her needs.  Then a couple of months ago, my milk dried up out of the blue.  I tried everything to get it back--blessed thistle, bread and butter, root beer, Gatorade, oatmeal, mother's milk tea, etc.  and it finally came back after a day or two.  This happened every month for the next 3 months.  I would do the same routine again and again-- bread and butter with root beer topped off with a swig of Gatorade to swallow the blessed thistle to get my milk back.  I had to stop working out so hard because I noticed my supply dipped lower each time.  She also started eating solid foods and it was even harder to keep my milk.  I was getting kinda tired of the taste of butter mixed with root beer.  And I began to worry, was my milk still nutritious?  Was it enough?  Was this healthy for her?

On Tuesday we went to her 9 month check up.  She is in the 18th percentile in weight.  Yikes.  So my milk wasn't enough for her.  The doctor encouraged me to supplement with formula.  So I went home and gave her some.  She downed 6 oz right away.  Then at each feeding she downed 6 oz each time.  That night she slept through the night.  The next day her naps were longer.  And she felt heavier.

Lennon was hungry.

With Myer I nursed him until he was 1.  I was determined, for some reason, to get that far with Lennon.  I should have seen that my milk was not enough for her.  I mean it dried up 4 times.  I was just too stubborn and thinking of my own motherly/selfish desires to give it up.  I feel terrible.  I thought I had it all figured out because I'm a mom.  Myer was supposed to be my test drive and Lennon was supposed to be my home run.  She is now thriving on formula.  My milk is definitely all gone now and you know what?  My worrying is gone.  I now know she is getting enough fat, iron, nutrients, etc and etc of what my erratic supply was not giving her.

So just when I thought all along with Myer, "I'll know with my second." really shows that I don't.  I'm always learning. Always.

sign the line

 Hi friends!

I need your John Hancock,

stamp, autograph, mark,

SIGNATURE

on this petition to officially recognize American Sign Language

as a community language and a language of instruction in schools.

Being a teacher, this is kinda important.

I appreciate your time.

If you were one of my students, I'd even give you extra credit.

 THANK YOU!

 Petition here

Art by Chuck Baird titled "Support"

missing out on morning

Made this video from Saturday morning

so in case I feel like I'm missing out,

I can watch this.

So basically this is more for me,

than for you.

Sorry (but not really...)

He has a way with gab.

Enjoy anyways!

could you do me a favor?

Calling all Facebook users!  Could you do me a solid and click here to vote for the above Ruche dress?  Find my picture and "Like" it and/or "Share" it.  I would truly love you if you did both (but you can only do both once). Shop Ruche is holding a contest and I used a Ruche dress for our pictures from May, and thought, why not? A little embarrassed but also not at the same time...currently I am in second place!  I'm a little excited.  And FYI the contest ends Monday!

For those of you on FB who asked, I made the necklace from this tutorial.  Thank you hobby lobby.

Mostly, thank you friends.

And thanks for all the comments, texts, and phone calls of congratulations for my new job.  Yesterday was the first day of school, and I felt all your support.  Feeling more and more like I can do this.

Now get "liking" and "sharing"!  hugs!

dst2012

This piece of art, done by my friend Hilarie, is titled "All is Not Lost".  This basically sums up my weekend.  Being around people with the same ideals and hope for the future was uplifting.  I felt the conference had a theme centered around Deaf education, and this time I felt like we were presented some possible "solutions".  So definitely, All is Not Lost.  It was so so good to see everyone again.  I am seriously proud of my friends that I've made while in the Deaf Studies program; all of them still breathing strong Deaf Studies!  It's the best kind of reunion.  I'll be honest, I wanted to chat more with friends than actually listen to workshops, and my brain kinda hurts from getting concentrated ASL three days straight, but can I have some more please?  Missing it, and can't wait till 2014.

(and I should mention the above piece was on display during the conference.  Hilarie you should be so proud! I am!)

in the zone--auto zone

Yesterday, hanging out at Mimi's, we pulled out my brother's hot wheels.

And so fast, this kid was lost in car land.

I'm talking silence for an hour while he played--  Jake and I call it his "speechless excitement".

When he gets really excited about something, he doesn't look me in the eye 

and tries not to make a sound.

It's like he can't be seen getting excited over something.

Now who does that remind me of?....(ahem, Jake...)

He is just like his daddy- car loving and even kill.

Perfect.

ASL wins again

Oh man.  If I could show this video to every person in the world I would.  These two boys were adopted by an American family from China.  Travis on the left is 3 years old and Deaf, and Tian on the right is 2 years old with partial hearing.  When they came home they had zero language skills.  6 months later both boys can communicate beyond just expressing basic needs, and "have more words than [the parents] can count".  This video shows how beneficial and just right sign language is for Deaf children.  It's accessible--they have eyes to see it and hands to use it.  In this clip they're not just using bare basic sign, they are relating to the book, correcting each other's sign, and making real world connections.  To be able to do all that they must know the language on a deeper level.  (in just 6 months??)  Perfect proof that sign is the best choice for Deaf children and another point, look how smart they are!  I don't know any other 3 year old helping a sibling "say" frog correctly.  To read more about their story check our the family's blog called "Signs of Life: The Brownie Chronicles".  I just became a recent follower and supporter.  Oh, and don't forget to watch the clip!

goodbyes

Where to even begin...

This amazing lady and her hubby are moving.

As happy as I am for her new job opportunity and Will's new excitement to surf with the sharks,

I'm gonna miss them.

You've heard me gush over them here and here

so I won't over do it.

Just a simple thank you and goodbye.

and I think the party was a clear message enough how much we love them.

thanks Ash and Becca for great night.

And I'm still dying over all the treats.

If I ever move, I want those strawberry shortcake ca-bobs....

Best of luck Will, Flavia, and Ryssa!

Be sure to visit!

the complete switch-up

The past 4 summers I've worked various jobs (cause interpreting is scarce in the summer).

I couldn't just get a full time job because I would have to quit for the fall.

So I'd look for stuff that worked for 4 months.

Let's see I've been a receptionist at a jewelry store, personal assistant to a financial adviser, merchant account processor (THE worst), and an office manager for a moving company.

By far being a mom tops the cake.

Every summer I would complain getting out of bed,

"I just want to be a mom and stay home."

Well, finally, wish granted.

No more summer jobs.

You have no idea how happy I am to wake up every morning and see this face 

instead of a spreadsheet.

Switched at Birth

Monday night I watched "Switched at Birth" a new tv show about two families who's daughters were accidentally given to wrong families.  They find each other years later and that's where the show takes off.  The one daughter, Daphnie is Deaf.  Already in the first episode, we see how different hearing and Deaf people are.  

There are some good things about the show like featuring Deaf actors, sign language use between the Deaf characters, and Daphnie's mom supporting Daphine's culture.  But I do have some issues...

* Daphnie is played by a hearing actress. This confuses me.  It's like painting a white person's skin to play a Black person.  It's not the same and it's obvious.  Why not just hire a Deaf actress to play a Deaf role?  

*Daphnie lip reads.  Only a very very small percentage of Deaf people can read lips.  It takes skill and is a huge struggle in every conversation. And it is incredible how she never misses a beat. 

*I wish they would only have Daphnie sign and caption what she is saying.  abc family has such an opportunity to show the world Deaf culture and that culture includes American Sign Language.

But I am no expert.  So I asked my best friend Anna Pauling who is Deaf to clarify some common misconceptions regarding Deaf people.  I mean, she lives this life every day. (Don't feel stupid if you thought some of these things.  I was on this same street before I went to school in Deaf Studies.  We all start somewhere!)   

Why should we call deaf people Deaf?  Wouldn't it be political correct to say Hearing Impaired?
Many people are not sure what to call the deaf...just call us what we want to be called, Deaf.  To me Hearing impaired means someone looks at me as if I am broken.  I am confident in who I am as a Deaf person and the word deaf represents me.  Hearing impaired does not. 

Does your cochlear impant "fix" you or "cure" your deafness?

My cochlear implant does not fix me.  I made the decision to get the cochlear implant when I was 13 years old.  To many doctors I am considered a failure because I got the implant at a older age.  Many people assume that the cochlear implant will fix a lot of things.  The cochlear can help in some ways but it's not guaranteed. I can not hear perfectly and I never will.  I don't hear everything but I can see everything and my language (ASL) offers that. 

Would you ever want to be hearing? 
Before I answer this I want you to understand that majority of the people can hear.  It is considered "normal" and many do not understand why deaf people do not want to hear if they have the opportunity (cochlear implant -please remember this does not make you hearing).  Many people get upset if parents do not find a way for their child to hear.  As a deaf person, I am grateful for my parents to allow me to be who I am and did not force such a device or pressure to become "hearing".  I do not want to become hearing. Yes there are many challenges but I cannot forget the good things, I have a culture.  

Do all Deaf people lip read? 
Can you lipread? it confuses me that many people expect me to lipread.  Many hearing people do not lipread and yet they expect me to.  English is not my first language, if you can't lipread in your own language why am I expected to. 

How would you like hearing people treat you in daily interactions? 
treat me like a person.  Many people freak out and get nervous...relax. I will help you out.  Hearing people think they are helping the deaf but really we are helping you :) Just open up and listen. 

How would you like the media to portray your culture?
tough one...there are many people out there that views the deaf as something broken/disabled and many of them are not aware that there is a culture.  We do have a language.  We need someone who is involved with the deaf culture.  This is so important because they know the deaf world, struggles, norms, challenges, etc.  Also we need someone who's first language is ASL.  

Thanks Anna for sharing your thoughts and personal experiences.  Again, this is something that is important to me.  I hope you get the right idea about Deaf people and gained a little bit more understanding of the people around us.  And, as you watch the show, I hope you understand like all media, that this is not a perfect representation of Deaf people and Deaf culture.  

Feel free to leave any questions in your comments and maybe I'll have another Deaf friend guest on the blog to answer them...

i also said goodbye to these kiddos

My high school ASL classes, level 1 and 2.

I have no idea if I will be able to teach again this fall or even what the fall will bring so this was basically goodbye.  Yes, I cried.  This was another "baby" for me: started with just 50 students, 2 classes, and only level one.  This year: 84 students, 2 classes, level 1 and 2, and they are adding a level 3 next year.  A little hard to step away from something I built and not finish out the year but...I'm a mom now.  I'll take that any day.

Before baby

From January to March I got to be a part of rehearsals for the play, "Children of a Lesser God."  This will go down as one of my most memorable experiences.  I got to work with an amazing director, cast, and volunteers from the Deaf community.  We had a goal in mind, in which I quite frankly didn't know if we could accomplish.  But we succeeded, and I think we changed a lot of hearts and thoughts toward Deaf culture and what it means to be human essentially.  I love being a part of work that values everyone and illustrates the message that everyone has something to offer.

Thanks Shanti and Anna for letting me take part in something that was so dear to each of you.

why i do what i do

Sometimes it's hard to explain my different jobs and why I am involved with Deaf Studies, Deaf people, and American Sign Language. Luckily, my two professors from UVU do a better job than me.  Recently, both Will Garrow and Flavia Fleischer were on the radio with KUER explaining everything from the history of sign, difference between English and ASL, benefits of ASL for Deaf children, and much more.  (There is also a sign interpretation streamed through video.)  


Please take time to listen to this unclear, and sometimes misunderstood, issue.  (Also, if you yourself have questions...)  This is very dear to my heart and something that I will always be involved in.  And it may give you a little insight on Bryton.  Click here for the link again.

Thanks friends.  Much love.

Picture found here