Thursday, December 24, 2009

Drawn to the LIght

Here I am in 1956, I was four years old



I still have a fascination with Christmas trees!! I'm drawn to the lights and sparkly ornaments. However, it's more than that, I'm sure. I'm drawn to The Light. I'm so grateful for my Savior. I'm grateful He was born to earth as a baby, just like us. I'm grateful for His love and sacrifice for me...and for you. It is just amazing, that kind of love.



May you feel the Savior's love this Christmas and always.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

He is Here



Aiden Charles Price was born on Dec 21, 2009. He is 8 lbs 6 ozs.




Amy made this cute little Santa hat for Aiden. How precious is that??


John and his cute little baby boy!




Amy, so happy that Aiden is finally here!!

It will be exciting to watch this wonderful family grow!! We can't wait to see them!!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Waiting


Today is the day!! The day, the doctors gave as the "due date" for our new little grandson!! We are anxiously awaiting his birth. Little Aiden's mom and dad are ready for him. They want to hold him on the outside now and count his little fingers and toes and caress his soft skin, and reach out for him to grab their finger. They want to be a family!! His extended family is waiting anxiously too!! Will he look like Amy or John?? Or a combination of both!!

His daddy, John was born exactly on his due date. December 26th. Hopefully, Aiden will do the same thing!! They could start a family tradition. One that his mommy will like because, mommies don't like to be over due!! Besides, if he is born today he will share a birthday with his cousin Leah!! Now that could be fun!!

Please come baby! Come, be healthy and happy and loved!!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

The Windows of Heaven


Last night we went to tithing settlement, to declare to our Bishop our tithing status. What a blessing and privilege it has been in our life to pay a full tithing every year!! When we joined The Church of Jesus of Latter-Day Saints, tithing was one of the more difficult concepts for us. Mainly, because we were living from pay check to pay check with nothing left over. So, to pay ten percent of our income to the Lord definitely took a leap of faith!! We have seen miracles happen in regards to paying tithing. Somehow the Lord always provided for our needs, even when we didn't have enough money to cover the bills, we would receive an unexpected check in the mail. I still haven't figured out how it works, I just know when we pay our tithing we have more money, then if we didn't pay tithing. We have definitely been very very blessed.

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
MALACHI 3:10


Wednesday, November 11, 2009

I Survived Being An "Outage Widow" Again

If you are wondering what an "outage widow" is, let me explain. My husband works at a nuclear power plant. Every 18 months or so they have to refuel one of the units (there are two) where he works. They take out some of the spent fuel rods and put in new ones. They do lots and lots of needed maintance. When they do this they shut down the plant totally. With the plant shut down it's not making any electicity so the company loses money. We are talking major bucks every day!! Thus they want to work as quickly as possible. Which means the workers have to work long hard hours...12 1/2 to 13 hours 6 days a day for a little over a month. When you work that long all you do is eat, sleep and work. So, the term "outage widow" was born to describe what it's like to be left behind while your husband works long hard hours, sometimes even graveyard shift. Nothing gets done around the home that the man would ordinarily do. Decisions that need to be made together are not made because they are too tired to think. But, we survived and we should only have one more outage to endure before he retires!! Whoopee!!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Just Amazing

As many of you know, I am currently serving as Church service missionary for the Family History Department of the LDS Church. I serve out of my home using my computer and telephone to help the patrons who either phone or e-mail questions. I have taken on a new assignment last month, that of teaching other missionaries how to answer questions regarding several of the products the Church supports, ie: Personal Ancestal File, Family Search Internet, Resource Files, etc. The classes are one hour each for three days, then I do what is called a "Check Your Performance" with each missionary. The CYP shows that they are proficient in helping patrons, kind of like a test, but more gentle. We use a tool that allows one user to see the computer screen of the other user. Thus we can watch as they go through the steps needed to assist others. We see what is happening on their computer screen while talking to them on the telephone.

Last week Elder Jarvis was in my class. He lives in Arizona and I'm in California. We have never meet in person. However, we worked some on the Family Tree Project and he was a great help for other missionaries also working in that area. As we began the CYP, Elder Jarvis, explained to me that he didn't have the use of his arms, and that I would be hearing him talk to his computer to give it commands. He said I would understand as he went along. He proceeded to tell his computer to "wake up", he would say certain numbers that would make his curser move to a different area on the computer. When he was done with a task he would tell the computer to "sleep" and then we could talk about what task he just completed. It was just amazing to see him operate his computer in this way. I was in awe not only what computer technology can do to help someone today but in the tenacity that I know it takes to learn that skill. I think it's wonderful that Elder Jarvis can serve a mission despite the challenges he faces in life. It was just a very touching humbling experience for me.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

BIRTHDAY WISHES

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!


Fifty-seven years ago I was born!!
Today was just wonderful. I had many birthday wishes from near and far. I so appreciated them all and felt very loved today!

First thing this morning, very early, I went outside to get the newspaper. The stars were shining very brightly!! I was in awe of the beauty and stood there for a quite a while, just gazing. I could see the big dipper and the little dipper and of course the north star. I felt like it was my own personal birthday wish from Heavenly Father!! I could just feel His love for me. I stood out so long, that my husband came out to find out what happened to me. He wanted to make sure the Bogeyman didn't get me on my birthday.



Of course my family all wished me Happy Birthday. I had calls from all the grandkids, including the very youngest!! I loved the many versions of "Happy Birthday"!!



I recieved some unexpected birthday wishes via e-mail with links attached. There was one from Disneyland. And one from Signing Time. How thoughtful of them to think of me!!

When I stepped on my Wii Fit this morning, the little Wii Fit board had on a happy birthday hat and wished me a Happy Birthday. That was rather odd, but made me giggle!!



I also received many birthday wishes from my fellow FamilySearch Support missionaries, via Skype. You just got to love technology. These wishes came from as far away as Ghana, and Europe, Canada and Australia!! I also had wishes from my many friends on Facebook, including a mom from Pakistan. I am just internationally loved!!

Thank you, everyone!!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

A Little Flat

Have you ever heard of Flat Stanley?

Well, yesterday David was Northern California on business. So, Evan and I drove north to meet him part way for dinner. It was great to spend some time with him.



Oh, and he brought my grandkids, Flat Spencer, Flat Andrew and Flat Leah!!



I would rather be with them in person. It's hard to hug paper.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

WALLPAPER and LOVE

Back in the olden days wallpaper used to be something that you put on the walls in your homes. I'll admit, I'm old enough to have put wallpaper on my very own walls, in my very own house.

Now, in these modern times we have wallpaper on computers and cell phones and not on the walls of our homes!! How odd is that??
The wallpaper I just plastered on my cell phone (I know it is a miracle I actually know enough technology to figure out how to do that!!) looks like this!!




This is my Valentine balloon from this past Valentines Day. It is still alive and well, and not yet deflated. It must be an omen that our love is long lasting!! Any takers on how long this balloon will last??

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I CAN'T FOOL HIM

I bought Evan a Wii SportsResort for his birthday, this coming Thursday. I bought it right under his nose at Best Buy and he didn't even notice. I was so proud of myself. This was about two weeks ago. Then just the other day out of the blue Evan asks if I bought him a Wii Resort for his birthday. I was shocked because we had never even dicussed it. Then I asked, "what makes you think that???". To which he said, "I saw a receipt that had Wii Resort on it!!" Duh!! I then remembered that I left the receipt near the computer because I signed up for the Best Buy reward program and needed to register on the Internet. Oh well, I lied and said I didn't know what he was talking about. Do you think I will be forgiven?

Thursday, August 20, 2009

First Day of School

Today it the first day of school. And guess what???

I'm NOT sending anyone to school!!

WOO HOO!!

Friday, August 14, 2009

TAKE OVER



Spiders are taking over my back yard. There are literally hundreds of them on the hill .


Their webs glisten with dew in the early morning.


Some of them appear to have no pattern.



While others are very intricate, like this one on the tree.

I wonder if I should be concerned or happy??? After all they will be eating all the mosquitoes and other nasty bugs. How can I possibly get rid of so many spiders anyway? Do spiders scare you?

Thursday, August 13, 2009

It Is Summer, Isn't It??

This is the view that greeted me outside my home this morning for my early morning walk.


I thought the sun was suppose to shine in August. I understand about the June gloom fog, we've been there done that!! Now, it's August, but the fog has been socked in all week. No sun available to shine on my happy yellow house. Just gray fog. Fog that doesn't let very much light into the house.

I'm a light seeker. I crave light. I want light. I need light. I'm okay with a day or maybe two of fog, but then I need the sun. I guess I will be headed inland sometime today and hopefully find some glorious sunlight.

Do you crave light too??

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

I Thought I Was Going Crazy




The receptionist on the other end of the phone informed me that Evan had an eye appointment with the pediatric eye doctor on Thursday. "He does!!!" I was shocked. I remember taking him to see the adult eye doctor (they work in the same office) in March because it seemed one of his eyes was crossing again (he had previous strabismus surgery when he was little, which the pediatric eye doctor performed). Dr. B said he looked fine, maybe just a slight crossing but nothing to worry about for now. I didn't remember him telling us we needed to see the pediatric eye doctor. I should note that the pediatric eye doctor will ONLY see patients up to age 18 unless referred by another doctor. Why didn't I remember that referral? I must admit some of my life is a blur. That happens when you birth six children in eleven years. But, I thought I had been thinking with clarity that past few years. Was I going crazy? I'm almost always on top of what appointments Evan needs with the umpteen specialists he needs to see. Sometimes it's a full time job. Okay, your right that's a slight exaggeration!! How about part-time job. Okay, part-time temporary job!! Anyway, back to the story. I'm so surprised I don't know what to say. I try to tell her I don't remember making that appointment, and she tries to tell me it's down here in the computer and she is just doing her job reminding people of appointments. So, I just say, "Well let me think about". I don't do spontaneous very well. She called me later in the day to apologize because a mistake had been made. Evan didn't need to come in after all!! PHEW!! I'm not going crazy after all!!

Friday, August 7, 2009

Odd Things

On our recent visit to Catalina Island, off the coast of California, we saw some rather interesting or odd sights.




This golf cart rental shop had a bison and an eagle proudly displayed on their roof. I don't think you would normally see a bison on a roof. An unusual thing about Catalina is that there a very few automobiles. Most citizens have golf carts, and tourists can rent them for a mere $40 an hour to tour the quaint but rather eclectic (my new favorite word) town.







This rather patriotic home is proudly displaying two saran wrapped made mannequins.

Note: Their golf cart is nicely covered and protected. Notice the house has no garage.





My oh my, what a lovely necklace.




I'm not sure why this one is crying. Possibly her/his life feels empty??




People never pay attention to signs do they.








This speed limit sign was found on the isthmus (another fun word!!) of Catalina at Two Harbors.




This is the back of the sign. If you head East you must go slower.







This lovely figure was on the side the of the Wrigley monument. Not sure if he is yelling at people below or has an upset stomach.





We saw several statues with pictures painted on bodies of animals. I'm not sure why there would be an airplane on a bison, but oh well.

What are some odd things you have seen recently??

Sunday, August 2, 2009

When the Cats Away...

...the mice will play. Evan has been away this past week at Camp Harmon in the Santa Cruz mountains. You can read a blog about what they have doing here. I'm sure Evan is having a blast!! Anyway, Mike and I decided to go to Catalina Island for a few days of fun, while Evan was away. We both grew up in Southern California, but have never been to Catalina, so that is where we went!! We had a great time!! Even when things didn't go quite as we expected we still had fun. For instance, our hotel room was not quite we were expecting. It was kind of dark and claustrophic. Every time we came back to the room we would say, "Awe, back to cave sweet cave".

The first day there we took a group tour to the interior of Catalina in an old German made jeep. Our driver was funny, the roads bumpy, windy, and dusty. It was a lot of fun!!



Here's the jeep.





The speedometer was stuck at 20 kilometers an hour!!



Not sure what that says, but just wanted to prove to you, it was German!!




We saw the cutest little Catalina red fox. They are nocturnal, so not to active in the day time.



The bison, however were roaming all over the place.

These guys are HUGE!!!



Isn't this a beautiful face??


The last day we para-sailed. It was scary to begin with but a lot of fun. You are all harnessed in, and you just float up in the air. It was beautiful, and peaceful and calm and we did it together!!



I'm all smiles at the end. I probably would have gone up again!!



I learned a lot. For instance, this is the famous Catalina Island Casino. However, no gambling here, casino is an Italian word for gathering place. This building has a huge ballroom and a theater that shows movies nightly.



The ocean water was very blue and beautiful. Someday we will go back.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Family, Family, and more Family











I know I have been absent from blogging. Family has taken up my time the last month or so. When I came back from helping Katie, I have family here visiting including four wonderful little grandchildren. They kept me very busy. Then last week we were down south for a family reunion. Busy but happy times, no time for blogging. Here on some pictures of the fun things we did.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

The Greatest Father's Day Gift


Kyle came home from the hospital yesterday. What could be better than that??

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

There are many special fathers in my life. My own father, the father's of my grandchildren, and the father's of my children's spouses and my husband's father. As I watched the following video I was amazed a how closely this father resembled a special father in my life, the father of my children. Mike's unconditional love touches in my heart. I'm so glad to share my life with him, and that we have been able to parent together. He is a great example to me. Enjoy the video.


Wednesday, June 17, 2009

I am down south helping Katie this week. It is my job to get her safely to and from the hospital and offer whatever support I can. Little Kyle is doing well. He is a sleepyhead baby as you can tell from this picture. We sat him up to try to wake him up, but he was just comfy and feel back asleep.


But, he was able to nurse a little bit yesterday. When he can eat enough on his own he can go home. Right now, he still has in a feeding tube in his nose. But everyday he is taking more and more orally, so that is great. And, he just adorable. Katie reads and sings to him and he just loves to cuddle up with his mommy!! It's so sweet to watch.

The NICU at Loma Linda Children's Hospital is about 20 minutes from Katie's house. It has been interesting driving on the Southern California freeways again. (I learned to drive on these freeways). I'm so spoiled where I live, we don't have traffic jams. The hard part for me was driving at night. But I did it!! Oh, and it was fun when I lost my keys at the hospital. Not really, I was happy Katie found them.

We are very much looking forward to the day when little Kyle can come home. Thanks again for all your prayers. It really does help.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Dichotomy




That is my new favorite word...dichotomy!!

For the past week my mind has been a dichotomy of thoughts. You see, I never wanted any of my children to share in the experience of having a little newborn baby in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). Days become one big roller coaster ride of ups and downs. Nothing is quite so hard as seeing your infant hooked up to all kinds of tubes with alarms, bells and whistles going off constantly. One doctor says one thing, and another doctor says something completely different. Some nurses are great and some are horrible. All you want is to get your baby out of that place. Away from tubes and noises and into the peace and quiet of your home.

However, when you go through trials like that you find a strength beyond your own. You can feel the faith and prayers of others. You grow closer to Heavenly Father and understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ clearer. You can see miracles unfold right before your eyes. You see the good that comes from others who love and care for you and your family. Who wouldn't want that for their children?

I don't know how to reconcile those two opposing thoughts. Then again maybe I don't have too! They can stay there in my mind...a dichotomy.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Evan's Graduation


If you have never been to a Special Education graduation, you should go!! They are very touching. I went to my first one yesterday, to watch my amazing twenty-one year old son, Evan, graduate from public school. He started school at age three months, in the Infant and Toddler program. Of course, it was just once a week and I went with him. It was school nonetheless with a real teacher, and speech therapist, and physical therapist and other helpers. They were wonderful and I still have fond memories of that program. They helped me to become confident in my ability to help Evan reach his full potential. We progressed through pre-school, elementary school. Then came high school and the Independent Skills program. The ISP program is for the 18 to 22 year old's, who are not ready to leave the public school system quite yet. So, I'm not sure if it's accurate to say that Evan graduated high school. He doesn't have a high school dipoloma, but rather a cerificate of completion. I couldn't be prouder though. Evan has worked very hard. I'm not sure where the time went.



Evan getting his diploma. I have no idea who that man is who presented the diploma. Doesn't matter anyway.



We are proud parents!!






Every student that graduated had a friend from their program give a little speech about the graduate. Here is what Kristen said about Evan, it's hard to understand on the video.


"Evan and I met when we were five and in the same class. Evan is a good friend. he's smart, funny and likes to make people laugh by talking like Yoda. Evan is good at playing connect Four and he can beat all the teachers. Evan is an Eagle Scout. He collected 130 wheelchairs for others as his project. he plays Special Olympics power soccer, and likes to go on the internet and look up Star Wars. he does a weather blog and he likes Dave Hovde on the news. Evan will be going to the The Learning Center for his adult program. Thank you, Evan, for being my friend for so long. "




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