I Get to Go to School Today!

Hurray, Hurray, Hurray! Kyle before his first preschool class

This is the poem we learned from Lance's Kindergartin class, and kept repeating Tuesday morning as Kyle got ready for his first day of Speech Preschool. Kyle has been wanting to go to school since his brothers began. I remember one day that I told him how much I love having him home with me and when I asked him if he loves it too, I got a, "No! I want to go to school!"
Kyle was in a Mommy and Me speech class in Utah for the last 2 months that we lived there that I absolutely loved. The teachers were phenomenal and everything they did had to do with the sounds they were working on that day.
So after contacting the school district here and going through a series of testing hearing, vision, and speech, he received a Missouri IEP (Individualized Education Program) stating that he qualified for this speech class with 3 other boys his age with similiar speech impediments. It is twice a week for an hour and a half. There are 4 students and 2 speech pathologists. They have circle time, centers, and all the regular preschool gadgets, only the focus is on articulation of speech. It is in the same school district as his brothers, so they are all on the same schedule, making things really great for mom :)
Plus, Cami loves it, too, because we go shopping instead of going home, since it's 15 minutes away. I have yet to learn about all the great stores in this neighboring town. :)

Yay for great programs!

Hurray, Hurray, Hurray!

Sweet Music

This music is amazing. It is called "Gracie's Theme" from the album, "Sacred Piano". I want this CD for Christmas if anyone in my family wants to know (hint, hint). It's been out for a while, but I was just browsing on the composer, Paul Cardall's website just now. He was here in St Louis last week visiting a girl at SL Children's Hospital with Congenital Heart Disease, which he was also born with.

I had the privilege of hearing one of Paul Cardall's firesides with my mom about 10 years ago in Utah and knew I wanted to hear more. Years later, I got to know Paul's mom through working with her in the Relief Society Presidency. She was our Stake Relief Society President, and was such a joy to work with and cry with. I love her! For Christmas, she gave me her son's CD, "The Christmas Box", along with the book, "The Christmas Box" by Richard Paul Evans. (Another fav book I have!) And if you haven't read or heard either of those, I highly recommend them. In fact, if you're my neighbor, I'll give you one for Christmas, 'cuz I have a whole box of them that I bought just for the occasion :)

I know I may be sounding like an advertisement, but I really like both of these artists' work. Paul Cardall also just came out with this new book. The following quote is a press release about his latest book titled, "Before My Heart Stops".

"Doctors told four-time Billboard charting pianist Paul Cardall without a heart transplant he would die. And if he was fortunate to live long enough to receive one, he would most likely not survive the surgery.

...Tens of thousands of fans offered support, but it was the love of his three-year-old daughter that motivated him to endure countless painful procedures which gave him a second chance at life....

Cardall now shares his story in a new book, Before My Heart Stops, offering insights and wisdom into matters of love, gratitude, overcoming trials, and fulfilling your destiny. After reading his story, you may ask yourself, “what do I need to do before my heart stops?”

P.S. "Living for Eden" is also another really great album that he wrote and I really like but don't have yet ;)

"A Bite, Dad! Bite, Bite!"

Cami absolutely would not be ignored while Jared was enjoying his icecream tonight. She knows how to get what she wants.