Two Girls and Two Boys

This past week was Rachel's spring break.  So she flew to Katie's house and then they both drove up here to visit us, along with little Kyle and Joshua!!   We have had fun the past few days.  Tuesday we went to the boardwalk and walked to the butterfly trees.  The butterflies are mostly gone, but we did spy a flew stragglers.  It was fun to be out and enjoy the sunshine.

I could NOT get this photo to flip on Blogger. It is right side up on my computer.  Really weird.  But, it is cute and Kyle had fun walking and swinging!!

Wednesday was Pi day!  It's Rachel favorite day to celebrate.  Who can pass up an opportunity to eat pie!  We went beyond that.  Almost everything we eat that day was a circle.  We started the morning with made-from-scratch whole wheat pancakes, extra tasty with fresh-from-the-stand Central Coast home-grown strawberries.  For lunch, Katie, made us some very yummy home-made pizza.

Then we drove up to Atascadero and enjoyed time strolling the zoo.  Then it was off to music lessons with Uncle Evan.  It sounded like a fun idea to bring everyone.  But, poor Kyle.  We thought he would love it, but something about the building freaked him out, and he had a meltdown.  Oh well, Joshua had a blast.  We love Victoria, she is awesome and very patient.

Then it was home for a light dinner of tortilla wraps with all kinds of goodies.  Oh, I almost forgot pie.  We had a chocolate cream pie and a fresh strawberry pie with lots of whipped cream!!  Yummyness!!!

Thursday we went to Avila Beach.  It was such a lovely beach day.  Kyle loves the ocean!!  Did I mention that Kyle loves the ocean.  Playing chase with the waves was his most favorite thing!!

This was Joshua's first time at the ocean.  He had fun once he woke up!!  He loves his grandpa by the way.

Of course we couldn't go to Avila without stopping at the Avila Barn on the way home to visit the animals.  Kyle had fun feeding the goats.  Oh, he tried to eat the lettuce himself too!! 

Now our house is so quiet again.  I miss everyone!!  :(

I love modern medical technology! There are people in my family who wouldn't be with us today without the miracles of modern medicine and the people who bring these breakthroughs to pass.  

Did you know that demands of World War II brought about a new age of medical science? Well, it's true!! And we still benefit from many of these innovations today!!

Here are some medical science advancements from the 1940's. 

• The first kidney dialysis machine.
• World War II research efforts brought about the miracle drugs penicillin and the sulfonamides.
• Rh factor in blood was discovered by a team of researchers at the Rockefeller Institute.
• In 1941 Red Cross  begin the National Blood Donor Service to collect blood for the U.S. military and by 1949 the U.S. blood system is comprised of 1,500 hospital blood banks, 46 community blood centers, and 31 American Red Cross regional blood centers.
• The first vaccine for influenza.
• The first defibrillator was invented.
• Acetaminophen was discovered.  
• Plastic contact lenses were discovered.
• In 1949 nitrogen mustard became the first drug to receive FDA approval as a treatment of cancer.

It's highly likely one of these innovators from the 1940's had an influence on a life you know and love.  A window into the lives of these people and millions of others will be open when the 1940 US Census is finally available to the public. Please consider joining the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project as we work together to index names from this exciting census. Click here for more information.  

As part of the1940census.com ambassador program this blog post enters me into a drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card.

Introducing....

Joanna Jean, our newest granddaughter. Isn't she beautiful?  

It is hard to believe but David now has four children, 2 boys and 2 girls!  It's been fun to watch our children have children.  I can't wait to hold this precious little bundle in my arms!  But for now I know sweet little Joanna has three siblings who are anxious to hold and help out with the newest arrival.  

Boy, do I remember those days.  How they go by so quickly!! 

In the News 1940's: Computers

While the War took up much of the news of the 1940's a very important piece of equipment was being developed, the Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer.   This early computer was designed to calculate

ballistic firing tables during World War II.  It was so huge it filled a room.  

Isn't it amazing, now we have handheld computers!!  

Cpl. Irwin Goldstein (foreground) sets the switches on one of the ENIAC's function tables at the Moore School of Electrical Engineering. (U.S. Army photo)

Just think in your hand you can hold a computer and help to Index the 1940 US Census.  Without an Index, it would be like looking for the proverbial "needle in a haystack" to find names of family members.  Whose name will you find in the 1940 US Census?  Who will you be helping to find a name by making sure it is indexed?  I hope you consider joining me in the 1940 Census Community Project.  This is something that will  certainly be making the News!! Records will be released in 26 days!!

Hiking and The Gospel

Mike and have been trying to walk everyday and go for more strenuous hikes once or twice a week.   We live in paradise so it's easy to find beautiful hikes.  A week ago as we were trekking along the very rocky Froom Creek trail in the Irish Hills Open Space with our nifty trekking poles, I asked a question.  "What is a good analogy between trekking poles and the living the gospel".  We talked about how the trekking poles help us to be more stable, especially when the trail is strewn with rocks that make you slip and slide threatening to twist  an ankle, thus making the trail even harder.   Wearing sturdy hiking boots also helps give a strong foundation.  Our life on earth is like a trek.  Prayer and scripture study can provide a stable strong foundation when life on earth gets rocky.

Yesterday we walked the Sycamore Crest Trail.  After walking up a very step oak studded hillside we were rewarded with a beautiful view of the ocean.  There was a rocky trail along the ridge that gave more breathtaking views.  Here are some pictures from our hike. 

Trudging up the hill

View of Avila Beach

Phew, stopping to rest.

Slippery rocks on trail.

Beautiful oak near the crest.

Monkey Flower

Oak studded Trail

Danger, poison oak.

Beautiful red flower.  I wish I knew it's name.

 

When we got home Mike sat down a penned a poem.  I loved it and wanted to share.

The Hike

I start my hike with sturdy boots and trekking poles.

But why? The path is flat and easy.

The path is difficult now, winding and steep.

My boots provide a sure footing,

My poles support me,

Signposts show me the way.

The trail is a greater challenge now. Can I endure?

Finally, I reach the top.

And I can see forever.               

I live my life with faith in God and simple prayers.

But why? My life is nice and easy.

My life is difficult now, trying and tough.

My faith provides a sure foundation,

My prayers support me,

The Spirit shows me the way.

My life is a greater challenge now. Can I endure?

Finally, I reach the end.

And I can live forever.

By Mike Price 3/5/2012 

A Day in the Life of Me

Yesterday, Saturday, was a very busy day.  We got up extra early to get ready to leave for Merit Badge Pow Wow in Santa Maria.  The Pow Wow is a yearly event that I have been helping out for the last umpteen years. It's so many I lost count! Several Boy Scout troops in the district get together and spend a morning working on many different merit badges.  I teach the Disability Merit Badge.  I enjoy this very much.  It is great to be in a really nice group of young men.  It gives me hope for the future!  For this merit badge they have to learn about advocacy, etiquette, accessibility, adaptations, occupations etc.  The fun part is going around the building and checking out the accessibility.  Most boys think it looks pretty accessible until they actually look around.
I also show a short video titled, I'm Tyler.  This video was put together as an Eagle project and is very inspiring. If you are interested click here to watch it. 

This was the first time Mike also taught a class.  Nuclear Science was his subject.  Perfect for him!  His boys got to make models of of electrons and neutrons with marshmallows.  As Mike said, "something they could sink their teeth into".  I am sure the teachers in the class after him didn't appreciate the sugar highs.  

After the Pow Wow, it was time to head out to Buellton for lunch with a group of friends.  We had about an hour extra to spare so we took a little country drive.  We stopped in little Los Olivos to walk around a bit.  We have driven by so many times and  it looked charming.  So why not?  Well it was mostly wine tasting.  The buildings were cool but the wine tasting wasn't our thing.

On to Buellton and Gino's Pizza.  We were meeting some old friends.  All members of our spina bifida support group from when Evan was young.  It was great to get together.  But, sad to think about those who have passed on.  Evan was the youngest of the group and the most involved, at least cognitively wise.  It was an eye opener to me how all these young adults are still living at home and struggling still with medical problems and fitting into society with jobs and friends.  They just seem to fall into the cracks.  Due to Evan's cognitive status he qualifies for some of the California state programs for adults with developmental disabilities that the others don't. Makes me sad to see those with such potential not get the support they need.  It was great to be with other parents and chat about things that only parents of children with spina bifida can understand.  By the way, the salad we ordered was huge and very very yummy!!

As we headed home on the 101 we came to a complete stop. Not a good sign!!  Flashing lights were ahead and an ambulance coming from behind.  Then we see a helicopter that lands right on the freeway!!  God speed to those that are injured.  As we sat there I wasn't  upset that we were moving, just grateful we were safe.  We talked as we waited and played Mad Libs.  When we were finally able to move, wow, what a banged up van.  Looks like it rolled several times.  I hope the people had on their seat belts. 

When we got home I finished up an online project I was working on.  I am now an official California ServSafe Food Handler.  I think this means I can now flip burgers at Burger King.  No worries,  things aren't that bad, I'm not headed off to work in a restaurant.  This was just for crazy government regulations, so the food pantry that I volunteer for, The Five Cities Christian Women Food pantry, could get licensed.  We distribute food to the needy and now we need to be licensed. Something new for this 30 plus year old organization. Even though we don't cook food, we just give out groceries.  Someone in the group had to become certified, so I agreed to take the online course and test.  The course was a joke, most of it talked about safe temperatures for cooking and serving food, which we don't do. The test was even more of a joke.  The questions were multiple choice and one question about the proper way to wash hands asked if you would use boiling water!!  Boiling water!!!!  You would have to be an imbecile to make that choice.  Crazy!  Anyway, I passed the test and now I'm official!  So, that will help this wonderful group!

I fixed dinner. Yeah for leftovers!!  After cleaning things up we enjoyed a quiet evening.  Evan stomped his parents in a game of Farkle and then I headed off to bed early to read a book.  Before I fell asleep April called, needing some motherly advice.  It was fun to chat with her for a while, she e-mailed me some cute pictures of her sweet boys, Tommy and Corbin!  Poor Tommy has a swollen lower eye lid.  Hopefully, it is just a bug bite or something and will be better in the morning.

So, there you have it!!  A day in the life of me!! I actually love my life!!

Happy Birthday Dr. Suess!

Who doesn't love Dr. Suess??  I do!! My fondest memories of Dr. Suess come from reading to my little brother, Mike.  And also reading to my own six children.  There have always been Dr. Suess books in our house.  My favorite Dr. Suess books are "Hop on Pop" and "Green Eggs and Ham"!! 

Then again there was Wacky Wednesday, that was one of my children's favorite.  It's just chock full of wacky stuff!!

Dr. Suess also went by the clever pen name of Theo. LeSeig.  LeSeig being his real surname spelled backwards!  So silly!!  Here are more favorite Dr. Suess books.

Well, the list could go on and on.  What are your favorite Dr. Suess books???