Trick-or-Treat

Halloween was a fun day. We went to a job fair at Bret's school, and it turned out to be kind of like trick-or-treating (although we were not in costume yet). They gave us all types of cool stuff. Here is a picture of some of the stuff, but there was more hiding in the bag. Bret was also able to talk to some representatives for IHC about doing a residency next year.

Next it was time to get into our costumes. Bret and I have an agreement...it does not matter how simple his costume is, but

he has to dress up

in some form. So he put on his hat from his childhood mouse costume

along with a tail.
Bret's parents were kind enough to snap a couple of shots of

our costumes.

We went to a Halloween Party at one of my coworker's homes, and then over to my dad's.

This is my favorite of my dad's dogs. His name is Dobby and he is dressed as a lobster.

Dear Criminals

Dear Criminals,

Please stop breaking into my car. You cleared me out the first time, and I am quite sick of you.

Hope you gain some morals,
Stephanie

Counting My Blessing #10 - Halloween

I am grateful for Halloween.

I love carving pumpkins, dressing up, watching Halloween shows, and decorating. I also love the crunch of fallen leaves as I walk over them. I love the chill in the air and the flaming color of the trees. This is one of my favorite pictures ever. I took it of jack-o-lanterns that we carved from my Dad's garden.

Painting, Painting, and Painting

I have spent last Friday, Saturday, and this Saturday painting my grandmother's house all day.  It just my dad and I last weekend, and then my sister and Bret joined us today.  It was fun to spend so much time with my dad, and the weather was beautiful.  I must say that painting with my arms up all day isn't the funnest thing, but it had to be done. Plus, my dad bought me TacoBell each time we went...mmm.

I accidentally brushed my hair up against the paint while working on a particularly awkward spot.  It was such a pain to get out, but luckily my husband helped me get it out.

My niece showed my grandma her costume and then changed into an old shirt. 

Come One, Come All...

You are all invited to come to my cookie party this Friday at 7:00pm.  It is at my house (I am not going to give out my address here for obvious reasons, but call me or email me if you need it.)

We will be decorating Halloween sugar cookies, making caramel apples, playing ping/pool, watching Halloween shows, and having fun.

Counting My Blessings #9 - My Car

I am grateful for my '97 Honda Civic. I got her October 2004, and she has been such a good little car. I named her Lindy Victory and she is automatic nothing. Still, she runs like a champ and has good gas mileage. Plus, I really enjoy driving a stick shift.

Ghost Town

Last Thursda my coworker and I traveled to Central Utah on some State business.  On the way back we pulled over to explore and take pictures of these water filled buildings.  I had heard the town was called Thistle, but that was all I knew about it.

I saw my father-in-law later that evening, and he mentioned the flood had happened in the recent past.  So I looked online to see what I could find:

The Thistle Disaster of 1983-1984 happened when a massive mud slide created a natural dam across the Spanish Fork River and destroyed the town.

It happened right about the time I was born.  I would have thought it happened much earlier than that.  I guess we learn new things all the time.  Click here for more information about it.

The Infinte Power of Hope

I felt so inspired and uplifted after Conference last week.  One of my favorite talks was Elder Uchtdorf's The Infinite Power of Hope.  I strongly encourage you to read all of it, but here are a few of my favorite quotes:

"Hope is one leg of a three-legged stool, together with faith and charity. These three stabilize our lives regardless of the rough or uneven surfaces we might encounter at the time."

"The adversary uses despair to bind hearts and minds in suffocating darkness. Despair drains from us all that is vibrant and joyful and leaves behind the empty remnants of what life was meant to be. Despair kills ambition, advances sickness, pollutes the soul, and deadens the heart. Despair can seem like a staircase that leads only and forever downward.

Hope, on the other hand, is like the beam of sunlight rising up and above the horizon of our present circumstances. It pierces the darkness with a brilliant dawn. It encourages and inspires us to place our trust in the loving care of an eternal Heavenly Father, who has prepared a way for those who seek for eternal truth in a world of relativism, confusion, and of fear."

"Because of His infinite Atonement, we can be cleansed of sin and stand pure and holy before the judgment bar."

"No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today, because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we may hope and be assured that the ending of the book of our lives will exceed our grandest expectations."

"Indeed, there are times when the darkness may seem unbearable. It is in these times that the divine principles of the restored gospel we hope in can uphold us and carry us until, once again, we walk in the light."

"Hope is critical to both faith and charity. When disobedience, disappointment, and procrastination erode faith, hope is there to uphold our faith. When frustration and impatience challenge charity, hope braces our resolve and urges us to care for our fellowmen even without expectation of reward. The brighter our hope, the greater our faith. The stronger our hope, the purer our charity.

The things we hope for lead us to faith, while the things we hope in lead us to charity. The three qualities—faith, hope, and charity³⁵—working together, grounded on the truth and light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, lead us to abound in good works.^36"

I find so much peace, hope, and joy in the Gospel of Christ.  I hope that all might find the true peace that comes from faith in Christ.

Counting My Blessings #8 - Computers

I am grateful for computers and the Internet. It amazes me that there is so much information at the touch of my fingers. If I need to get directions somewhere I just type in the address. I am able to find recipes, advice, and I don't have to wait for next months Ensign to review the Conference talks.

I can enjoy saving memories by digital scrapbooking, and avoid the frustration of not being able to cut a straight line.

I have so much fun blogging my thoughts and experiences, and reading other peoples blogs. The Internet really does make distances so much shorter.

I have to admit that I really like to play computer games.

Computers and the Internet really do make so much possible.

Ode to Exercise

Oh, how I love exercise...not at the time I am doing it usually, but afterwards it is so great (crazy...sometimes exercise is fun at the time) .  I started getting into a little routine when I took a yoga class with my coworker at the beginning of the year.  Then in March my sister-in-law influenced me to start running more.  I started to get pretty good about exercising regularly this summer.

Then the governor made all employees start to work four ten hour days, and that threw things way off track.  August and September where not great exercising months.

Well this week I decided that I need to get back into good habits.  So far I Ran 1.5 miles on Tuesday, did Yoga with weights on Wednesday, Ran 2 miles on Thursday, and Ran 3.1 miles today.  When I run I have to warm up 10 minutes on the exercise bike, walk to warm up and cool down, and stretch.  I only count time actually running on my chart.

Speaking of my chart...I started keeping track of my exercise in March, and it is so interesting to see my patterns throughout the year.

It is so interesting the huge effect exercise has on me.  I feel happier, more confident about myself, more connected to my body.  I have more energy, my posture improves, and I think more clearly. Also, the more I exercise the more I want to continue, and the more I don't the lazier I get.  An object in motion stays in motion, and an object at rest stays at rest.

Oh, how I love exercise.

When Fire Drill Isn't a Drill

It all began when I was sitting in my office and the fire alarm went off.  I was reluctant to hurry out the door and felt the drill was an irritating inconvenience.  I leisurely collected my purse, keys, and cell phone.  I considered being truly funny and collecting my sandwich from the mini-fridge in my office, but before I could make that humorous thought a reality my supervisor came to the door and urged us to leave promptly.  So my fellow coworkers and I made our way to the stairs and out the door.  

Then we hear that there is actually a fire and someone is stuck in the elevator.  The smell of smoke started to become apparent, and I started to have a mini freak out for the person stuck on the elevator.  She was already on the elevator when the alarm went off, and instead of going to the first floor and opening up it just stopped in-between levels.  Can you imagine being stuck on an elevator and smelling smoke?  Well, I can, and it is a horrible thought that was a reality for one of my poor coworkers. 

Luckily, Tonya the big boss (who was my direct supervisor prior to being promoted last year) went into the building reeking of smoke stink to make sure that the poor elevator prisoner was okay.  Tonya is one of my heroes!  And happily the firemen got her out of the elevator in great shape. 

To top everything off there wasn't actually a fire.  A belt in the elevator fell off and started smoking.  Ooooo, that elevator! 

I used to take my foster kids for rides in the elevator because it has a glass wall that is fun to watch out as you go up and down, but no more.  Someone was trapped in it last summer, it hiccuped a couple of weeks ago when I was in it, and now today.  Ooooo, I am done with that mean ol' elevator.  It cannot be trusted!

So here are some things I learned from the experience:

1. When a fire alarm goes off, grab your car keys because it is hard to drive home if you don’t have keys.

2. Don’t just ignore fire drills because sometimes it is not a drill.

3. I am claustrophobic, even if it is by proxy.

Firemen, yay!

Evacuated caseworkers

My supervisor and teammate hanging out on the grass.

The elevator, source of stink and drama.

This is the big stuffed dog that kids like to look at as the elevator goes up and down. 

Fans to help air out the building.

Doors open to help air out the building.

View looking up from the second floor.

Rabbitmousesquirrel

Today I would like to talk about a very special member of our family:

Gideon the Chinchilla

I bought Gideon in September 2006 from the classifieds on ksl.com from a man moving out of state. He described Gideon as "The best Chinchilla in the World." Gideon's name used to be Teedo, but then I couldn't remember that very well. So I changed his name to Gideon after the awesome Book of Mormon character. Mosiah 22:9. Gideon was six at the time (now he is eight: 6+2=8.) I frequently describe chinchillas as Rabbitmousesquirrels.

Here is a little information about chinchillas as a species: They have the softest fur in the world. Their fur is so soft that it is almost like touching nothing, but better (if you don't understand what I am talking about you can come feel Gideon's fur). Sadly because of their soft fur some people like to make fur coats out of them. This is a very bad idea, please do not do it. Chinchilla's are nocturnal (sleep during the day) and rodents.

Now time for more about my chinchilla: Gideon loves raisins, chewing, sitting on my lap while I read (when he is sleepy), running about the house, and being scratched under the chin. He runs super fast and jumps off walls. Gideon is also good with children. So all in all he is a good little pet.

Gideon loves his dust bath's!

Counting My Blessings #7 - General Conference

I am so thankful for General Conference! I love the opportunity to listen to modern day prophets, and be motivated to do better. I feel so up lifted. The Gospel is such a beacon of light in this world. There were so many talks that I loved, but I think my favorite was Dieter Fredrich Uchtdorf's talk on Hope. The online text will be available on Thursday, October 9th, and I plan on reviewing that and making additional comments.

I am also so excited about the announcement of 5 new temples. I am particularly happy about the Rome, Italy temple. I have longed to go back there since I left, and someday when I am able to return there will be an awesome temple to attend!