Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Lilly and Logan coming any day now


Lilly and Logan are going to make their entrance into this world VERY soon! I am getting impatient, but want healthy babies at the same time. My doctor, Dr. Virgina Burnett thinks the babies will be just fine if they come now, because their sizes are good. And twins come early anyways. Rocky gave me a blessing and it said "Do not worry about their health." So I am trying not to worry.
Anyways, as of last Wednesday (a week from tomorrow) they checked me and I am 80% effaced and dilated to a 2. I started to have contractions every 4-5 mins which are 60 sec each. The doctor can feel Lilly's head last week, and this week the ultrasound tech said she was even further down then last time. The ultrasound tech even saw hair on both babies.

Anyways:
As 33 weeks Lilly was weighing 4 lbs 11 oz and Logan was 5 lbs 4 oz.
At 34 weeks Lilly was weighing 5 lbs 7 oz and Logan was 5 lbs 8 oz.
Today (35 weeks) Lilly is 5 lbs 13 oz and Logan is 5 lbs 10 oz.
But all of those weights are estimate weights.

Pray that I have these babies as soon as they are healthy. The moment the are going to be alright without lung problems, I want them out! So I can hold them!



Sunday, June 5, 2011

Kody and DJ Hoop Dancing

June 3rd and 4th 2011, the boys, Rocky and I were involved in the Wild West Days in Spanish Fork. The boys did some Hoop Dancing! The boys are doing soooo well. W were also selling "Indian Taco's" to raise money for graduating seniors that in involved in Nebo School District Title VII Indian Education, for scholarships. Then they are using the money for Summer School and activities for the kids involved in the Indian Education.

Kody and DJ did sooo well at dancing. I am so proud of them! And each time they danced, they get better. Kody and DJ are becoming good performers! They really only had scheduled 2 performances a day, but they danced throughout the day, with small groups watching them. Their trainers told me that they are naturals at it, and a few other people in the Title VII program told me that too. They can see them perform at the World Champion level someday if they keep it up. Their trainers want them to go to BYU to keep teaching them for free, and Title VII wants to keep training them too. They are also going to learn to “Fancy Dance” and “Grass Dance” soon.


The current World Champion at Hoop Dancing with Kody and DJ. He gave Kody tips the night before, and then told him he would come on June 4th to watch them dance. When the boys danced he started putting money on the stage, and a bunch of other people followed by giving them money. The boys really thought it was neat.
Kody Hoop Dancing making the world

DJ making the world too.

At the food stand making fry bread for the "Indian Taco's"

Handsome boys!

This one was on June 3rd in the "Indian Village." Really fun to watch them dance!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Nebo’s Title VII program continues to soar

This was in the Daily Herald Newspaper on June 4, 2011

From left, Cody Knaphus, 15, Shauntel Talk, and Bryce Fuentes, 5, practice before their performance of a Native American hoop dance at the Indian Village, part of the Spanish Fork Wild West Days, Friday, June 3, 2011 in Spanish Fork. The Indian Village was set up by students in the Title VII Indian Education Program for the purpose of building awareness in the community for Native American Culture. ANDREW VAN WAGENEN/Daily Herald

Nebo’s Title VII program continues to soar
By: Lana Creer-Harris - Daily Herald

Native American students in Nebo School District have a chance to demonstrate aspects of their culture at this weekend's Wild West Days in Spanish Fork.

More than 15 Native American tribes are represented in the student body of Nebo School District's Title VII Native Education Program. Since the program began 13 years ago, Native student graduation rates have climbed.

Only 37 percent of Native students graduated before the program began, but the program has helped Native parents become involved. Eileen Quintana, Title VII program director, credits the Native Parent Committee with keeping the program moving and successful. She also praises Marthanne Argyle, Title VII's initial Nebo School District administrator, for setting the program in a solid place.

"This would not have happened without Marthanne and the staff who worked so hard," Quintana said.

Students work with Brenda Beyal in the tutoring lab and Natalie Billie, a teacher's assistant. Along with Quintana, the two women are the entire staff of Title VII.

"Our success is that everyone takes part," Quintana said. "We set high standards and the kids meet those standards."

The national average for Native American graduation is about 51 percent. This year, 82 percent of Native students graduated in Nebo School District.

The parent/student -riven program involves the entire family in the student's success. This weekend they are selling Indian Tacos at the Wild West Days in Spanish Fork. They have given out 27 scholarships so far.

To avoid the rootless feeling urban Native Americans can have, the program has always involved native culture along with academics.

"I can't give them their native perspective. This gives them the opportunity to learn," said Emily Loveless a member of the parent committee. Emily and her husband, Rocky, are non-Native and have two adopted Native American sons.

This spring, artist-in-residence Michelle Allrunner taught dance and regalia making to the students. Parents and students brought materials for beading or dance regalia and worked through the month of May on their projects.

Some of that regalia is being used at Spanish Fork's Wild West Days. Students wore the regalia they made and will demonstrate Fancy Dance, Grass Dance, and Hoop Dance on stage today. They also will hold a regalia fashion show and described the significance of each component.

Jeannie Woods, mother of three Title VII students, has been involved with the program for eight years. She praised "all the neat programs Eileen provides."

The students are involved in service projects like Adopt a Native Elder. The Shi Yazhi Princesses, young women chosen to represent the Native students, will act as hostesses in the Wild West Days Native Village.

When the Title VII program was asked to provide Native American culture demonstrations and education for Spanish Fork's Wild West Days, the parents and students went to work. Organizer Dave John had two months to complete the task. It was set and staffed by parents, students, and volunteers.

John said they expect seven vendors this year and have plans for expansion of the Indian Village for next year.

Title VII summer school starts in June. The curriculum includes dance classes and math literacy in addition to technological storytelling and karate. The program always ends with a powwow and supporters of the program and students celebrate in dance. The community is invited to join them.

Visit the Title VII program website at: http://title7.nebo.edu. Find more about Adopt a Native Elder atwww.anelder.org.