Keep Moving Ahead!: April 2011

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Plasma Center

Did you know that April is Immune Deficiency month in Utah??
I actually got the Governor to sign a proclamation saying so. The goal was to have all states declare this. Last I heard there were about 25! Why? To raise awareness...

During Spring Break the kids and I had the opportunity to visit a plasma center in Orem Utah. They treated us like royalty with a table FILLED with food! I knew they had Emily hooked when she saw the chocolate milk waiting for her.

Our main purpose in visiting the center was to THANK them for what they are doing. We were able to tell Emily's story and explain to them that through one of the medications that is made from plasma, Emily was kept alive for the first 7 years of her life.

I seriously wanted to hug every single donor in the building! Sadly, privacy laws prohibited this (I am sure that's probably a good thing since I would have scared them a bit!) BUT, we did get the chance to thank a few of them.

It was amazing to see that the people really didn't realize what a GIFT they were giving by donating their plasma. It was so fun to see their faces when we told them our story.

We got to take a tour of the center and wear these cool lab coats. We even got to go into the freezer where they keep the plasma...it was just a little chilly at -40 degrees!!!
I was so impressed with all the steps of precaution that go into making sure the plasma is SAFE for donation. They are extremely thorough, checking, rechecking, rechecking, rechecking and then RECHECKING EVERY. SINGLE. THING!

It was such a wonderful experience for all of us. If any of you are donors or thinking of becoming one, I want to THANK YOU. You will never know how many lives you are saving!!

Utah County Invitational 2011

After a rocky 1 mile race on Friday; Jac was ready to FIGHT for the 2 mile...SHE WAS READY!

I love the look of DETERMINATION on her face as she comes in for a P.R. (personal record)

Life is sweet with great friends like these!

6th place!!! WAHOO!!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Images of Greatness...

The students in Thomas' 6th grade class each chose a famous person in history to present. Can you guess who Thomas chose?

I was born in June 1910

I wanted to be a pilot way back then

I got into a car crash, I was injured so bad

I didn't turn bitter, I wasn't even mad

My flying days were over but I didn't just give up

I choose to go down to the sea and never look back up

The first time that I went deep sea diving

I was amazed that the ocean was alive and thriving

I wanted to stay under water even longer

Because I knew the ocean was something to ponder

So I asked Emile Gagnan a good engineer

To help me, although it took a whole long year

In 1943 we made the Breathing Apparatus

We were in all the papers, the people loved us

I have made many inventions, that is true

With them we could explore the ocean blue

My best ship I ever used was called the Calypso

Throughout my whole life I loved her dear, so

With my crew we did a thing or two

We made over 100 movies, that is true

I died on my bed in June, 1997

A lot of people said that I went to heaven

I got a lot of awards during my career

My legend lives on even to this year

WHO AM I?

Jacques Cousteau

As I am sure you can imagine, Thomas did a FABULOUS job reciting his poem. He was the STAR of the show :) OK, I guess I am partial but who wouldn't be???