Technology

Isn't technology an amazing thing? I was thinking this a few days ago when I used a digital camera to take a photo of my kids holding a birthday sign, and then posted it on this blog as a way to wish my mom a happy birthday.

Who'd have thought such things would be possible even 10 years ago, let alone back when my mom was born?

Certainly not these guys. It's all they know.

 (Though AJ might be able to recall when Mommy had that really old fashioned phone that didn't even take pictures.)

As we gathered to celebrate my Mom's 70th birthday, AJ and his cousin Zane stayed happily entertained with my iPhone.

I have no idea what app they were using here, though later Zane excitedly showed my he was watching Dora. Because Dora is his favorite.

When the battery on Jeff's phone (note the black case in the preceding photos) finally died, the kids quickly asked for my phone (note the white case in the following photos) instead.

There were a few issues with sharing. As in, Sydney didn't want to share with Zane. She is SOOOO past the Dora stage, don't forget.

Meanwhile, another example of technology was evident at the party. Note what my mother isn't wearing. I believe this is the first photo I've ever taken of her in which she isn't wearing glasses. Following two successful eye surgeries earlier this summer, she no longer needs them except for reading.

As we drove back north, I dug through the glove compartment, center console and anywhere else I could think of in search of a charger for Jeff's cell phone battery. No luck. A short time later, Sydney handed my phone back to me. Now my phone battery, too, had dropped to a dangerously low level. And within a matter of minutes (with at least an hour left to the trip) my phone shut down as well.

We were cut off! I could feel myself growing nervous. What could we do? I actually spent a moment thinking of which stores we would pass that might carry cell phone chargers.

I looked over at the gas gauge, which was hovering around a quarter tank and reminded Jeff to pay attention to it because we'd have no way to call for help if we ran out of gas. He gave me a reassuring smile and reminded me that if there was an emergency, he still had his work phone.

Ahhh... technology. What did we do without you?