Signing again!

For about a month, now, I have been working at Woodson Elementary with the PCDD program (I'm not sure, but I think that it stands for Preschool Children with Developmental Delays). This job plopped in my lap! I randomly ran into a man from church who invited me to a Kiwani's Club luncheon. During the meal, the man sitting next to me asked me a few questions, and then he asked me if I wanted a job. So, here I am! Working with precious preschoolers with special needs.

This job has definitely been eye-opening. Many of these children are neglected or abused. They are so desperate for attention! Behavior is a constant issue, because not only are the kids mistreated at home, but they have (practically) zero expressive language. Hearing a grunt that slightly resembles a word is a huge feat. Because most of our children are not vocal, I am able to dust-off my sign language skills to communicate with them. It is amazing how effective signing is. I'm enjoying this opportunity to use my gift of sign!

TSHA Convention

After picking Jon up from the airport with my parents on Wednesday (welcome home, Jon!), I left Thursday morning to go to San Antonio for the Texas Speech-Language Hearing Association convention. Along with twenty-five other ACU students, I roamed a massive room full of booths giving away free candy, pens (and other cool toys) and attended lectures on phonological disorders, apraxia of speech, etc. This is a great opportunity for me, as a student, to see numerous possibilities for my future career as a speech-language pathologist, make connections, find scholarship programs, and get a lifetime supply of pens.Saturday, after the convention ended and after I grabbed a second or third pen from every booth, two girls and I decided to check out the Alamo. The last time I visited this historical building I thought it was massive- that's how long ago it was since I had seen the Alamo! By coincidence, we decided to go to the Alamo on February 23, which is the date that the siege started in 1836! There were people all dressed up, gun shots, and a reenactment! These two precious girls were who I stayed with, rode with, ate with, and spent the majority of my time with over this long weekend.

"We'll Be Winners Forever!"

Sing Song was fun, but I'm glad that it's done. In case you didn't go see our wonderful act, or if you just want to see the Senior Class talent once more, here is the youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/v/9UELAOlRSic. We won!

Also, here are a couple of pictures with me and papa and my Harry Potter glasses!

California! Here we come!

Yesterday I bought tickets to San Francisco, California! Mom, Happy, Kelli, and I are traveling west to visit my dear sister for Spring Break! It's official! Yea!

A Nice Weekend

This past week was the worst that I've had this semester, but Friday morning was the beginning of a fun weekend! At 8:45am an adult lady (and new friend) came to visit me at Smith/Adams desk to deliver homemade curry (for my lunch), lemon bunt cake (for dessert), and an encouraging card. The whole ordeal lifted my spirits!

Friday night I finished the LOST marathon of season three with some friends and lasagna. yum! I wonder who's funeral it was? Why does Jack want to go back? Did our hobbit friend really drown? What has the "heavy-eyeliner hostile" been doing on the island all of this time, and why has he not grown older? Whose boat is coming in 18 hours? When will Kate simmer down with the boys? When will Juliet, Ben, and Locke die? - I don't like them. What's the deal with the feared and mysterious Jacob? How come the pirate always resurrects? How many more seasons are there? Goodness.

Saturday included an enjoyable time with the family and lots of coffee, a debriefing of the Private I's crime investigation, tea and Ultimate Frisbee with friends, Moody Weekend Sing Song practice, Guitar Hero, and Cities and Knights Catan.

Today was Mom's birthday, and in her honor, our Bible class had a pot-luck. The fam had a low-key, but love-filled, birthday party. Then we had Bible Bowl practice, during which there was an exciting distraction! The house right next to Southern Hills was burning! The kids went crazy at the sight of flames and smoke through the window at such a close distance! We ate snacks and watched a great show of firemen coming to the rescue, youth and children ministers running and moving the buses, and fire and smoke filling the sky! And now, I am reclining on a couch, playing Catan, and snuggled in a warm blanket with cozy slippers. All in all, it has been a nice weekend.

My lovely quilt, Happy, and me!

That's right- I'm in Sing Song!

So, I'm doing Sing Song this year for the first time. Our class act is funny- so you should come. Not only should you come see me perform in Sing Song, but you should come on Thursday or Friday (not Saturday) so that you can vote for the senior class!