How can you prepare?

I found this movie today.

I am going to buy it as soon as I see it

in a store.

The Hammer Movie Plot

Inspired by the life of deaf UFC fighter, Matt Hamill, The Hammer tells the

 story of what it takes to be a champion, on and off the mat.

My boys LOVE wrestling.

Last night my husband and I were driving home from

child #4's last high school wrestling event of the season.

It was a 1 1/2 hr drive so we decided to practice our "new" sign

language terms on the way home. We had also practiced on the

way there in the morning.

We noticed what a huge difference practicing makes.

When we showed up at our 2nd class. We were

the most prepared. (of course we also are the

two who have the greatest need to learn this language.)

Chad didn't attend because his mouth was still sore and he

looked just like a chipmunk.

We spent this morning looking up sign language words.

Then we were looking at a few different blogs.

One was by a couple where the husband is deaf and the wife is

hearing and the challenges they are facing.

We also came across a VLOG or video blog of what

must be a deaf man. He was signing his blog entries

We tried very hard to read his words but man we couldn't keep up.

I looked at books on deaf culture on Amazon, and websites.

I have come to the realization that we are not prepared.

Sure we have had 2 sign language classes but

besides about 60 words, I realized how many I don't know.

  We really do need a miracle.



What about the other kids? Child #3 is Clear :)

Chelsey had her MRI on Monday.

We got the news that she looks NEGATIVE for NF2.

 YIPPEE!

Eric had his MRI this morning.

So we will have to see what they say maybe tomorrow.

I will have my MRI next week and I'll take a Ultrasound as well!

(Why not? we have nothing better to do!)

 The Urologist wants to check on my kidney's before

my surgery since I had so many issues in Nov/Dec/Jan with

right flank pain.

That will make it 6 Medical appointments for next week.

Child # 1 and Child # 4 go to the doctor next week

just so they can order their MRI's. Each of our doctors

wanted to see us before they order the MRI.

My hope is that we all have the IAC MRI's done and have them

reviewed before February is over. 

Chad goes back to Seattle next week to discuss

the upcoming brain surgery.

Sign Language Class # 2 Tonight. We are doing good,

practicing everyday.

There is just so much going on I feel like I am running as fast as I can!

We are so exhausted.

But VERY grateful to have friends and family

who care about us and support us. THANK YOU!

Last of all ...

How do you recover from the removal of all

your wisdom teeth, 2 fillings and a crown?

Why Xbox of course!

Well this was day 2,

 he slept all of day one.

Good Friends, laughter and more MRI's...

Can you guess what this says?

Well my #2 daughter got her MRI today

she said it was NOT fun.

She was glad her doctor prescribed her something for

Anxiety. She said it definitely calmed her nerves while

the MRI machine clanged and banged.

Chad is going in the AM to get all his wisdom

teeth out. (He is thrilled).

Our good friends decided to take Sign Language

classes with us and came over tonight to

practice. We laughed so hard my stomach hurt,

I was glad I didn't have my hysterectomy yet.

A God of Miracles...

In Luke Chapter 1 vs.  37 For with God nothing shall be ^aimpossible.

Today many of our friends are joining our family and

we are fasting and praying for a Miracle on Chad's behalf.

If you would like to join us we welcome all who want to participate.

Learn with us the Alphabet in Sign Language:

I Found this today: Sign Language Alphabet Poster 

So print it off if you want to start learning the sign language alphabet.

Then to practice, you just finger spell every word you see.

As you are walking along or driving along.

I like to do it when I am driving because I don't have to think

of the words to try to spell they are on the signs everywhere.

I learned the sign for wrestle.

We need it today! Blake is wrestling at the Sub-Regionals.

My family loves wrestling!

Learning a new Language is hard...

There are 10 of us who feel like this tonight.

Finger spelling, trying to talk with our hands.

7 more weeks :)

I actually love it, but it is hard.

Chad remembers all the alphabet as do I.

Amy learned ASL in high school and is picking it up quickly.

First she gave us all sentences and told us we had to convey

the sentence to our partner and we couldn't talk,

 use sign language or write. It was VERY hard.

The lesson was, that is how deaf children feel.

It also taught us to think about the subject of our sentence.

Practice, Practice, Practice.



He chose regular surgery, Wisdom teeth and more MRI's.

After much thought he chose regular surgery.

His surgery won't be till April so I can have my surgery

 and have time to recover and we can go to Utah and get his car and unload his storage unit.

He will get a preview soon though because the roots of one of his

 wisdom teeth is winding around a nerve in his jaw so he will be getting his wisdom teeth out soon!

(Yes he is thrilled).

Also the other kids MRI's start this Monday with Chelsey!

(She's not excited).

Sign Language class starts tomorrow!

Signing-Exact-English- by Gerilee-Gustason (Our teacher).

It's February Hope you all have a Happy Valentines day.