Happy Juneteenth

Hello out there! greetings from Counseling conference at Gallaudet. Greg and kids arrived safely last night, they were so darn cute, doing about a half hour happy dance to be back on Gallaudet grounds. I love that my kids have a true spirit of adventure! They did about 30 laps on the dorm platform thing (balcony... no... ha! I am losing my English... anyway) they are so thrilled, and my colleagues greeted them with hugs, and JJ can code switch so quick to brag about his airplane gameboy score in sign, it blessed my heart. Then we opened all the packages I've been ordering on ebay (a story for later!) and it was like Christmas.

It's been great to be here, I have felt I "fit in real well" with the counselors... I think part of me was wondering how that would be, since I am making a transition and all. it is totally different from being an interpreter. Somewhat liberating. Speaking of liberating.....

Part of my program is in multi-cultural counseling, and I am continually humbled at how much I need to learn about being a white person in this world. Don't we just rarely even think about it? On Thursday here we celebrated "Juneteenth"... and I wasn't the only one in the crowd that was thankful the leader asked for more explanation. It is a holiday recognizing the emancipation of slavery in Texas.... a celebration that spread nationally as a second independence day for African Americans. About 39 states recognize it as a holiday, and I thought surely Washington isn't one of them... since I'd never heard of it. (It is.) Arnold Scwartzineger signed it for California in 2005. It should be on our calendars, however? for now we might have to write it in.... for more info check out http://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm

Meanwhile, the Kalers are hitting the road. We have one week to check out as much of the east coast/New England area as our heart desires... first stop, Philadelphia! Lord willing then the Mariners in New York, then Boston, Cape Cod, MV... can't miss Fenway..... it shall be a fun vicarious trip together!! As Mrs. Barber says with the kids all lined up in the hallway.. "and awaaaaaayyyyy .......we go!!"

Arrived GU, pah!!

Hello friends!! I arrived safely to GU yesterday after a long day of airline travel... but alas, it was only one day!! Sure beats the five day version in the car (though we certainly miss our friends and the sights)!!

My arrival at Gally is like one big sigh of relief.. whether it is that I know I am where I'm supposed to be, or the bright big east coast sun (I swear it is closer here), or all the Deaf life that I crave.... it is nice to be "back home". Gally has changed even in one year!! I'll update photos soon... now I must be off to the conference. Thanks to all for the prayers and support... pray for Greg, bringing out the crew solo on Friday!! And trying to clean up the mess I left at the house!! HUGS

Kindergarten Graduation

Here it is!! Our "Beany Bean" graduating from the big K!! A proud moment in Kaler family history. He is such a ham.

Notice how just about anything becomes a baseaball bat!!

Way to go Bean!!

Happy Fathers Day Greg

We Love You Daddy!!

Today we took Daddy to the Mariners game, and guess what! It was even sunny!! We enjoyed the weather and were only a little disappointed that the M's lost, again. It was to the Nationals and we're about to transform into Nationals fans for the summer anyway!! Happy Fathers Day Greg, you really are an amazing daddy. And let me just thank you now for all the work you will be doing with the kids while I study, study, study. We leave this week! Get ready for lots of blogs soon!!

We got to go down on the field for a "parade" around the field, notice our staged shots of the boys climbing the wall to catch a ball. Shayna decided to catch her book! There was a Komo 4 news guy there who was intrigued by the book and interviewed her, he said "what, is this stuff not exciting enough for you?" And she just giggled and said "no... I never leave home without a book!"

Good Bye Seattle!!!!

Baseball Cuties

Happy Birthday cake!!

Got Milk?

Kai Kai's Birthday Pool Play

I picked the coolest pool in Seattle to share my birthday with family!