Kevin's 1st birthday

that's a home-baked cake Kevin is digging into

Kevin's birth day--Feb 23, 195----

from kevin's baby book---Mother's Notes
(Written when you were 5 months of age)
Yours was a most eventful beginning in Life, little Kevin, starting even before your birth. At your mother's very first visit to the doctor she was told there was just a 50-50 chance of keeping the baby; and even those odds would be lower if she didn't go to bed at least four times a day and be very very careful. That was just a little difficult, since she was just beginning her year of heading the P.T.A. (as president) at San Jose School, where your twin brothers were in the second grade. Of course, Daddy and I wanted you very much, so we made up our minds to do everything possible to give our baby a chance to be born. Everything went along quite well until the end of the 3rd month. I'll probably always remember the date, (Nov. 19) for I was conducting the regular monthly P.T.A. meeting, and just as I adjourned the meeting and invited those present to stay for pie and coffee, I knew something bad started to happen. I dashed for a back door to get to our car, and before I could get home I knew my worst fears had happened- I was hemorraging badly and had every indication I was having a miscarriage and was going to lose the baby. As soon as I arrived home I went to bed and Daddy got in touch with the doctor. She told me to stay in bed for a few days unless I had any pain, then I was to go to the hospital. As it turned out I was in bed 3 months. During that time there were many discouraging moments, for twice I went to the hospital with pains and we were sure all our hopes were lost. In all, I had 5 blood transfusions, many many shots, and for a long time was taking 13 pills a day. Our doctor was pretty sure our chances of making the grade were very slim,- and she had several consultations with other doctors on the hospital staff as to what would be the wisest course. Finally at the end of the 5th month a specialist came out here, so one doctor asked me to go to the hospital for an examination and consultation with him. Dr. Carter asked me if I would consent to follow his advice. The specialist asked me many questions and finally said, "I think this young woman is determined enough to do this thing. Her baby will be born premature, but we'll hope it won't be too soon." One more month passed, and then just one day after we'd passed the 6th month I started having pains again, so Daddy took me to the hospital. When we arrived there the doctor said this time it was going to happen. Even though there was just a bare chance of your being born alive she gave orders to have the incubator made ready. I remember so well what one of the nurses, a lab technician, said to me just before I went into the delivery room. She was there to get a blood transfusion ready in case I needed it. She said, "I'm going to say a prayer for you, LaVerne. It's out of our hands now, and in the Hands of The Man Upstairs." Soon, you were born and I heard you cry, and I began to hope. However, I kept my eyes closed for I was still afraid to look at you, and then find out later you hadn't lived. After they took you out of the delivery room I asked the doctor what the baby was and she replied, "It's a boy, LaVerne, but don't get your hopes up, he's terribly tiny, probably not over a pound." However, you, too, were very determined and when, on the third day, you were still alive the doctor decided to weigh you. We were really happy to learn you were heavier than we thought- a big 1lb. 15 3/4oz. I felt funny going home from the hospital without you, but knew you were getting excellent care and besides for the next 80 days while you remained there Daddy visited you every morning and every night to take the milk that I was "manufacturing". Finally, on Mother's Day (May 9) you weighed 5lbs. 4oz. and we asked the Doctor if we couldn't bring you home. What an excited little family we were driving to the hospital to get our wee son and brother! We were so thrilled to get to hold you for the first time. Needless to say, we were afraid to take our eyes off you for several days.
You are now beginning to outgrow the colic and just the other day started smiling at us whenever we talk to you. Starting to coo and take a great interest in people and surroundings. The red clock in the kitchen and the big thermometer in the bedroom seem to be most interesting. Davie and Dickie think you are positively wonderful - even though you didn't turn out to be the girl they were hoping for. Yesterday, you were 5 months old, so Daddy weighed you and you've advanced to 10lbs. 2oz. You are now taking goat's milk formula and we're trying to get whole-grain cereal, banana, orange juice, and meat down you, but you don't like it very well.

i'll be yours---forever!

when i came home on saturday (the 12th), these were waiting for me on the kitchen table

i think he wants me to be his valentine, again, still---

aren't they beautiful?

on monday, i panfried tilapia filets, made rice-a-roni and served them with salad.

the fish was yummy--fried in garlic and butter.

kevin gave me a lovely, lovely card.

valentine's day--i know its corny and maybe a little commercial but i still want to give kevin a card---38 years and counting!

Sunday Drive

last sunday we took a drive up highway 1.

our first stop was at the sebastian store by hearst beach.

pictured above--hearst church and in the background on the hill you can see hearst castle.

i thought that point of land was ragged point but kevin said no
we were just south of it



it was a really beautiful day--not as warm as the week before.
still, the sun was shining!

i gave kevin the camera---

if you didn't know by now, i love to take scenery pictures

this is at ragged point

there was no way i was walking down there!

at ragged point, there is a nice inn and restaurant with a graveled walking path

i think "gorda" is the funniest name for a town....

we drove north of gorda to lucia where we took the nacimiento-ferguson road.

kevin said "its not for the faint of heart".

the clouds

the sun in the clouds

next time we drive that road (20 years?)

i'll get a picture of the sign at the summit

Richard's birthday (same day as Austin's!)

Richard is my nephew, son of my oldest brother, Mike. He called me about a week ago to invite us to dinner at McLintock's to celebrate his birthday with other family members. Kevin, Kyra and Brad couldn't make it and I would have to go late, after work. When I got there, everyone was eating. Lana asked their server to bring a chair. The server brought one from the kitchen and then gave me a menu. Before I looked at the menu, she said, "I want to tell you about our special first." She related the special--some kind of steak. I said "I'll take it!" And I'm not kidding you but I had my dinner in about 2 minutes!! She said "I stole it from someone else, don't tell anyone." It was delicious! Lana had the server bring out the cake she bought and they all sang happy birthday, McLintock style, and took Richard's picture.
When we were getting ready to leave, I mentioned I wanted to get a picture. I handed my camera to Mike, but every picture he took (3) was blurry. We went outside, after looking at the pictures posted on the hallway wall, Mike was there from last fall. Christine took a couple of pictures and finally one came out acceptable. A nice way to celebrate! Thanks for having a birthday, Richard!

Austin Robert

yesterday was Austin's birthday. he's 9 years old! so here's a funny story. I bought his card a couple of weeks ago and had it in the cupboard. on tuesday, i was planning on mailing it and i even thought "i need to mail austin's card". got to work that day and remembered i hadn't mailed it! put it in the mailbox on wednesday. when i checked the mail that night after work, it was still there, along with our mail for the day! i left it there to be picked up yesterday and when i went to work yesterday, i decided to drop it off at the post office. sorry to be late, Austin! at work yesterday, i decided i needed to call austin to wish him happy birthday. when i called, i told his mother that i wanted to talk to austin. "hello, austin! just called to wish you happy birthday! do you know who this is?" he kept talking over my question--"we're going to chili's for dinner" "oh, grandma! its you!" he thought i was one of his friends.
Happy birthday, Austin!!!!
P.S. I love you!

I love Valentine's Day!

i thought i remembered seeing these heart earrings in an earring box.

i looked through it and found both of them.

its a miracle, considering there are about 50 pairs of earrings in the box.

aren't they cute?

another sunrise

yesterday morning i snapped this shot. you may ask why i was up so early---well, let me tell you, i was doing laundry. in case you haven't noticed, i love sunrises and sunsets.

3 brothers

found this picture while i was rummaging around in a box from kevin's closet.

l-r: dick, dave, kevin

guess who's the oldest?

flashback friday

I fell in love with him again when I first saw this picture.

It was in a bunch of slides he sent his parents when he was in Argentina on his mission. (1975)

I get to look at this picture every day.

Its on the wall behind my computer screen!

mystery solved!

Remember this? Well, I caught the children leaving their clothes just now! Here's what happened--I was going downstairs a few minutes ago and happened to glance out the east window. That's when I saw a person running across the eastern fence of our property. So I went downstairs and outside to look in that direction and there were three children leaving their clothes and shoes at the corner. So, I yelled at them "hey. take your clothes and go leave them somewhere else. this is private property". They picked up their belongings and left.

Avila Beach

Kevin asked me this morning if I'd like to go for a drive this afternoon in his car with the top down so we decided to go to the beach. this is just a silly shot -- you can see that we are driving "topless"

driving through san luis, i took this shot of the field where they will be building a target store sometime soon....

the beach! I was surprised to see people sunbathing--in their swimsuits!

Kevin suggested I take a panoramic picture but my camera doesn't have that capability.

so i just took a bunch of pictures!

Kevin is trying to figure out how to take a panoramic picture with his phone!

we decided to walk out the pier and on the way saw this group of people (kevin thought they were lifeguard-training. they weren't. they were the Lady Knights--a school water-polo team)

walking out the pier

can you spot the two who don't belong?

about halfway out the pier we went down a stairway and this grate is part of the landing for the harbor patrol boats. the gunk in-between the grill is barnacles! thank goodness it was low tide or we would've gotten out feet wet.

lots more barnacles!

going back up the stairs, i caught sight of the orange starfish! so cool.

then i saw a whole bunch more starfishes!!!

look closely and you'll see the starfish here--hint; its not orange....

isn't the ocean so pretty?

remember when you were a kid and thought you could fall into the ocean between the boards of the pier? i really don't like walking on this pier--i try to walk only on the boards

as we turned the corner to drive over to port san luis, kevin said that's a nice shot so he stopped so i could talk a picture. i really like that fountain

port san luis beach--a bunch of dogs were playing catch and just jumping in the water for the fun of it.

sun's going down behind the hill....

i just had to get my feet wet....

is she or isn't she? only her photographer knows for sure....

driving out of port san luis--a bit of trivia---kevin worked as a night watchman at port san luis when we first met.

to top off our day, we went shopping at costco with kyra and brad and had a gourmet meal at the costco "diner", polish sausage and pizza. yummy! sorry i didn't get any pictures of us eating...we were too busy eating!