ALOHA!

Emily looks forward to seeing her preschool teachers and friends at the A.G. Bell speech fair each year. It's so fun to see how the kids have grown and improved!

When Emily was 3 they went on stage with her class. The goal was to have each child say their name and the sound of the animal they were dressed as. You could barely understand what Emily or the other kids were saying. Watching the older kids perform gave us hope that one day Emily would be able to talk as clearly as they did.

Emily is now one of the "older kids"! She was so confident as she got up all by herself and sang "I 'm bringing home a baby bumblebee". (YES I know, we need a new cameral!)

As I sat watching her I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the teachers who have helped her come so far. I am grateful for people like Lori and Becky who were so patient when Emily was so small and just a little strong willed! (I know, it's hard to believe!) THANK YOU!!!

Programs like A.G. Bell and the School for the Deaf, encourage and inspire the kids to achieve their dreams. They help the parents and children realize that having a disability means digging deeper, working harder, and never giving up!

These kids are FIGHTERS. It is truly amazing to see the progress not only in their ability to speak, but in their confidence and self esteem. Emily has been so blessed to have her hearing loss and other health issues. Aren't we all?!

Emily loved having her grandparents there to watch her perform and LOVED the cookies... I think she ate 4!