Here's Your Sign

Though I took FOUR semesters of American Sign Language in college, and though I think it is a WONDERFUL idea to teach your babies sign, I have never actually  knuckled down and done it.  So, if my babies want to speak sign, they have to teach themselves.  Chaddy has done a fabulous job of this.  Like any true signer knows, facial expressions have a lot to do with the grammar of the language. I have been documenting Chaddy's facial sign for the past month or so, and am ready to share his incredible abilities with the world. 

This first sign means, "I love dirt."

"Yes I did just throw a pencil at you.  Whaddayagonna do about it?"

"Lips Off."  

This one is especially existential.  "I have cried, wined, flailed and pounded, and yet here I still sit, restrained, inhibited, strapped.  Why, why, why?" 

Or, more succinctly,

 "Let me outa here."

"I could strike you out with my eyes closed."

"Do you think there's another cupcake in one of those eggs?

And finally, my favorite, "Kiss me, Momma!" 

"I Wish Every Child in the Whole Wide World..."

"...had a Grandmother just like you."

Right On

  "Joey!  I said turn right two minutes ago, and we're still going left."
"No you didn't, Gary. I said 'Turn left?' and you said, 'Right!'"
"Ya, 'Right', as in, 'Turn right!'"
"Well, if you want to go right so bad, YOU turn right." 

General Conference, April 2011

My Favorite Conference Quotes

(According to my hastily written scribbles.  I am sure they are NOT perfect, but hopefully they convey the gist)

Jean A. Stevens:

Children are key to helping us become more like Heavenly Father.

L. Tom Perry:

The New Testament focuses on the life and influence of the only man born with dual citizenship

in heaven and earth. 

Henry B. Eyring:

One cannot give a crust to the Lord with out receiving a loaf in return.

Quentin L. Cook:

LDS Women are incredible. :)

Boyd K. Packer:

A man who doesn't forgive is like one who gets hit with a club,

 and then takes it and beats himself over the head with it for the rest of his life. 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf:

Often answers(to our prayers) come, not as we are on our knees, but as we are on our feet.  As we become the answer to anothers' prayers, we receive the answers to our own. 

Quoting Saint Francis of Assisi, "Preach the gospel all the time, and if necessary, use words."

H. David Burton:

"Be kind to the poor." 

Richard G. Scott:

Marriage is wonderful!

Lynn G Robbins:

We rarely have a better opportunity to show Christlike love to our children than when we discipline them.

Some children are like taking Parenting 101.  Some are more like Parenting 505.  Consider these a blessing and an opportunity to become more like our Father in Heaven.

Jeffrey R. Holland:

As we speak by the Spirit(in Conference), and you listen by the Spirit, there will be a little piece of personal prophetic council just for you.

Wow.  It was all good.  So so good.  I love Conference.