HELLO ELECTIONS

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/factchecking_debate_no_3.html

Okay people check this amazing site out. I found it on Natalie Mecham's blog. Currently I am in a huge limbo about the candidates. After hearing many comments from my comrades about why or why not they are voting for a particular candidate something struck me: WHAT IS ALL OF THIS BASED ON? McCain's bad rep? Obama Mania? Your mom or dad's good opinion? the latest gossip column? Obama's big talking? (he does have charm), McCain's war experience?NPR radio, or Rush?

I thought it strange that I feel so passionate about the elections, and yet, how much do I really know? How much do you REALLY know? That has thrust me into my latest obsession: the facts and the wanna be facts. Thus, here's a great website to go to. I've watched three out of the four debates, took careful notes, compared each candidate on their own officail website, read a couple books, but this--this website is really helping my see clearly and make my own judgements.

Who will I vote for? Currently, I have no idea, but I promise you this: I WILL VOTE FOR WHO I THINK WILL POINT THE COUNTRY IN THE WAY I THINK IT SHOULD GO. Mind you, I don't think Obama nor McCain will or is capable of turning this country around in eight years. I sincerely hope I'm wrong for either who will become President. Alas, it isn't the person who becomes president, it's the three judges who will be appointed by the president. Remember, this is a life long position...big decisions made.

So know the facts, don't go off what you heard in the headlines or your best friend's dog. Be educated. And to Taylor who I thought was mislead, sorry. You are a much more educated person on this subject than I. Kuddos to you and thanks for the example.

If you have more neutral ground websites I can go to, I'd love to know.

10 Months

Yes, this little guy is TEN months old today. In this picture he is doing his original cheeser that he displays every single time I show him the picture and say, "Smile Paul". I usually have to take two or three pictures to get to the real smile.

Milestones Paul has hit:

1. Pushes chairs around
2. Says, mama, dada, die (bye), hi, bawol (ball), yaank- ya, (quank, quank) on command
3. Claps his hands
4. Cutting second tooth. Up top.
5. Gives Kisses when you ask REALLY nice
6. Talks on the cell phone. He just loves it when you play phone with him.
7. Un rolls the toilet paper....every stinking chance he gets
8. Sits on Lyddie...hey she had it commin'
9. Empties and refills the blocks in the toy box
10. Waves his arms wildly to "The wheels on the Bus"
11. Holds his hands for about two seconds for the prayer, he's arms are to fat to fold across his chest. Oh well, he's only a baby.

Two Beds, Two Kids, ONE bedroom

Paul and Lydia are finally in one room. We are all hoping this lasts and they can sleep through each other's crying. We gave Lydia our full matress because we upgraded to a KING mattress. Okay, really the story is my friend got a new bed and was going to throw out her old mattress. She asked if I wanted it, so naturally I said, yes I do THANK you very much. I mean, I don't feel guilty for putting my toddler in a full and me taking a king because Lydia did need a bed (she kept flipping out of her toddler bed) and this mattress was free. Oh yes, by the way, I did say mattress; who needs a real bed when you are in med. school?

CHEERS TO A NEW BED!!!!! kinda sad my heater is gone. NO worries, I expect she'll be crawling in when morning breaks or Paul cries out. Which is really okay with me even if I pretend otherwise.

Happy Are We

Hay rides, late nights, long walks and just being being happy to be happy.

A TEMPLE FOLKS

Can you believe your ears?! Cried. Hugged Tom and the neighbors came running over and we hugged. Then I cried again. That's about all I can get out before I start blubbering.

YeS...I CAN Hear You!

I must say I am overwhelmed with all of the concern and well wishes posted. Thank you, all of you, so much for staying invested in our lives. We just love good family and friends, I hope you feel the same comradery from us.

Lydia's appointment was a success! She reads in the normal ranges for both ears on a two year old level. Her left ear read slightly less than her right, but was still in healthy ranges. They did two inner ear testings where they stuck some tubes into her ear canal and measured all the internal workings (we had to be super duper quiet and that was really hard since Lyddie really wanted to rip out the tubes), then one sound test in a booth. That was pretty cool. I held her completely motion and emotion less while she would have to identify hearing sounds in their frequency, volume and intensity depending on where she would look, how intent her gaze, and the speed at which she would respond to those sounds. When she did something right she was rewarded by a cow that would light up and dance. Kind of like a conditioning response idea. I have to say, at times she did better than I thought I would have.

They wanted to do one more test to combine both methods, but Lydia would not have the tubes again. They said that was pretty normal for a two year old, so they gave me some tips on how to do it at home so the next time she comes in she will feel more comfortable with things in her ears. The next test will be between her 2nd and 3rd birthday.

As far as CHOP goes: I'd recommend it to anyone. The staff was incredibly nice and considerate. Those doing the testing went to great lengths to entertain Lydia in silence. You should see the funny faces they come up with. The only down side is that the speech department is backed up until February 9, 2009. I'm not waiting that long though, I've already made more appointments with Child Link, development specialists not involved so directly with MD's and hospitals and the like. They come on Oct. 7, which I guess is this coming Tuesday.

WHEW, well that's a mouth full. Thanks for listening.

Can You Hear Me Now?

Tomorrow Lydia and I will be going to CHOP, one of the country's best children's hospital. She will be tested, yet again, for her hearing capacity. As many of you know Lydia has not been talking clearly, if at all. I had her meet with a new doctor this week. After five minutes this doctor immediately had new plans for us. We are going to be going through many tests and evaluations to get Lydia talking. Doctor Vickers suggests that Lydia has speech delayment and might be having some oral difficulties that prevents her from either being comfortable to talk or making the connections orally to do so. She is also under the impression that it may and has become frustrating for Lydia to socialize and communicate. To start, we have to rule out hearing which is what we will do tomorrow. WISH US LUCK!
Just for a few family members that may be wondering, I asked about possibilities of, more than just speech delay, special needs or handicaps that way. She doesn't think it's pointing that way, but she's also not a specialist.

So, here we GO! BRING ON THE SPECIALISTS!!! I'm very excited about this. Tom and I have been praying and fasting for answers and abilities to help us parent a child who is having a very rough time communicating with us. Try talking to someone with a small sock in your mouth or while brushing your teeth. That is about what it is like listening to Lydia, no doubt she is also feeling the affects of it. That being said, her true colors are just shinning. She is still, for the most part, a sunny and cheery child full of love and laughter, so whatever it is that is hindering us physically it has only made our home stronger spiritually. Just as a plug... the August Ensign has a great parenting article called, "Love, Limits and Lattitude". READ it. YOU WILL love it. I read it over and over just to help me stay on track.

ps, thank you everyone who has wanted to be in "the Know" about Lydia and giving feed back to both Tom and I. Even if it's small, a trial will always be a trial; and we really appreciate the love and concern. I sound like she's on her death bed, she's not, but I may be!!! hahha.