Dear Utah Autism Advocate!
Autism Speaks is pursuing autism insurance reform in over 20 states across the nation including Utah!
Yesterday, an autism insurance reform bill was introduced in the Utah State legislature. Senate Bill 43, "Clay's Law" sponsored by State Senator Howard A. Stephenson (R-11) will require private healthcare policies to provide coverage of the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Clay's Law will cover early intensive behavioral therapies and other medically necessary, evidence-based treatments prescribed by an insured's treating physician or psychologist.
There are currently eight states that have passed similar bills across the country, including five states during last year's legislative season: Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and Illinois. This is a hot topic in states nationwide and Utah should be proud to be a part of such an important movement!
We need your help to get support for Clay's Law from your State Senator...
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
1. SEND AN EMAIL TO YOUR STATE SENATOR! Let them know that you support Clay's Law (SB 43), that you need them to support Clay's Law, and that passage of Clay's Law would mean increased access to critical autism therapies and treatments for thousands of children in Utah. We've already written some of the letter for you. All you need to do is add in your own words (optional) and click send. It's that easy!
2. STAY INFORMED ON CLAY'S LAW! Check out the Autism Votes website and sign up today to receive alerts and information pertaining to the autism insurance reform bills. Stay on top of the latest developments throughout the legislative season and get involved!
3. FORWARD THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW! We need everyone's help. If you know other people in Utah that would get involved on behalf of your child, forward them this email and ask them to sign up at http://www.autismvotes.org/. This is the perfect answer for anyone who has ever told you, "If there is ever anything I can do to help just ask!" Send to extended family members - aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents. Send to coworkers, neighbors, therapists, teachers and friends! We need all hands on deck!
For more information on the autism insurance reform initiative in Utah, visit www.AutismVotes.org/Utah.
Thank you!
Brittany RecaldeChapter Advocacy Chair, UtahAutism Speaks
Leeann WhiffenChapter Advocacy Chair, UtahAutism Speaks
Steve MichalskiChapter Advocacy Chair, UtahAutism Speaks

I have either totally lost my mind or I am working up to it very quickly. We have been playing with the idea of opening a used book store....well, we fell into a deal we couldn't pass up! We purchased the complete inventory of a used book store for a fraction of the cost! Now, until we find an actual building to open in this is what my garage (and two very full storage units) looks like! We packed over 800 of these boxes full of books! When I think of moving it again and organizing it all it totally overwhelms me!

2009 Theme Word

My daughter, (http://jenxoxobri.blogspot.com/), challenged everyone to come up with a "theme" word to help guide us through the year 2009. After much thought I have come up with my word....Value! It seems like I put a high value on the people in my life, my husband, my mom, my children, my grandchildren. I always worry about them, their health, their safety, their happiness. If there is something that one of them needs I try to figure out how I can do that for them. I want to make their lives easier and happier. The one thing I often neglect is my own value. I must have value or these people wouldn't want to spend any time with me. So my word for this year is value...I will put value on my health, my happiness, my safety. I will find time to take care of myself so I can continue to be there for the people in my life. Now I also challenge each of you to come up with your theme word for this year.

Merry Christmas to all,

and to all a good night!

I wanted to share a small piece of our family Christmas party with you...two of my grandaughters, Allison & Kaitlyn performed for the family. Allison, 8 years old (black hat) choreographed this entire piece and then taught it to Kaitlyn so they could dance for our party. They were so cute...and Allison is sooooo serious! Love em!

Anyway, I hope you all had as great a Christmas as we did!

End of Fall Season....

Winter is almost upon us, we have had a taste of snow, and it makes me a little bit sad. I love Fall...it is my favorite season of all. The air is so crisp and clean, the smell of fireplaces burning, football, and like my dad always said, "it's chili sauce weather", because his mom always made chili sauce in the fall. This past weekend we were doing the finish clean up of the fall leaves, and fall leave raking just isn't complete without some children wanting to jump into the piles. I don't know what it is about a pile of leaves that just hollers to be jumped in! My three youngest grandkids were visiting this weekend and they took complete advantage of the piles of leaves!

and the biggest kid of all....

Happy Holidays Y'all!

Happy Anniversary!

I find it so hard to believe that 30 years have flown by. Michael, when we were first married you made a comment to me that someday I was going to make such a "cute grandma"! I laughed! Grandma indeed....I was still a kid myself! Now we have 6 of the most beautiful grandchildren from ages 1 to 20! I'm so thankful for the day that you walked into my life, you have been my best friend through all our trials and tears, our laughter, our life. Michael, I love you.

30 years ago when we were wed
Sweet and loving vows we said
I promised that my whole life through
To you my love, I would be true.
Years have gone by
And I still feel
That the love we share
Is just as real.
We have shared the good times
As well as the bad
We have celebrated in happy times
And clung together in the sad.
I have no problem with wondering
Just where I stop and you begin
For 30 years ago I married my soul mate
My sweetheart and my best friend.

Our New Family!


Honeymoon in Vegas

Landmark Hotel doesn't exist any longer