Chopped!

I decided to have a change with my hair- So I went to the hairstylist and asked sher to do something different. Its not too drastic, but I am happy with the change!

Its all in who you know

I wanted to introduce you to my new best friend!
Why is he my new best friend? Well let me just fill you in! I have a good friend named Missy down here who just had foot surgery. It has been a long hall for her and still has to walk with a boot and crutches. Therefore, driving can be a little bit difficult. That being known, I'll move on to the actual important points to the story. Today was stake conference. Seeing as though I am in a student stake, made up of 8 wards,- there are a lot of people that attend...and parking is not an easy thing. (I know that you are all seeing where I am going with this).

Missy had asked me earlier in the week if I would take her and to bribe me (not that she had to) she held up this bright red handicap tag explaining to me that we would get the best parking they had! I was sold!
Today as we pulled into the parking garage, I felt very special to be pulling in on the first level only a few feet from the door! I thanked her for having foot surgery on my behalf and we enjoyed a lovely short walk inside. I thought the perks were over, but little did I realize that they had just begun. When the session was over- there was no wait to get out! I thought to myself (and maybe even said out loud) I have GOT to get me one of these!

A few hours later we had to return to the institute building because it was being dedicated by Elder Eyring. Again- Missy and I headed out there. I wasn't worried because my nice little new best friend was hanging on strong to my rear view mirror. As I pulled in, I soon realized that the presence of an apostle made people arrive a lot earlier than they had in the morning. As we pulled in we asked the ushers if there were anymore handicap places available. "ummm...well drive over to that guy. He can help you" was the reply. The next guy had the same nervous face as he realized that all the spots were full as well. But do not fret. My little red friend came through as the usher said, "we'll let you park in the VIP parking". Sweet!!! I have never been a VIP in places like that. I told Missy, as we walked the short distance past all the cars going up- up- up in the parking garage, that thanks to her, this day was turning out quite nicely.

Once inside we had another obstacle to overcome. In order to be in the same room where Elder Eyring was going to be, you needed a ticket. Those without tickets were being ushered into classrooms in little groups. We got in the "no ticket" line and then my bad luck kicked in. As we got to the front of that line, they ran out of classrooms and started sending people to the Law Building across the street. Panic arose, but Missy's crutches and boot counteracted with my bad luck and things started looking up. "um, I cant walk to the Law building" Missy told them as she pointed down toward her boot. The ushers acted fast pulled us aside and said, "we'll find a place for you". I made sure it was known that we were together!

They led us into the room where only the beloved ticket holders could enter. But where to put us? I was so excited that I had made it into that room even though I had not received the ticket. I kinda felt bad for the poor usher girls because they were so worried about us. So we said, "we'll just sit in the very back." Which turned out to be the best seat. It was the third overflow, but up above was a big screen so we could see it all, we had a wall to lean up against and plenty of room to stretch out our legs and Missy could put her foot up!

Then out to our car and on our way while the rest of the stake waited in lines all the way up 5 flights in the garage. I told Missy that she should keep the boot and crutches and we can do this for many years to come! Count your many blessings even if it comes in the form of someone else's foot surgery! :)

Dont be deceived by appearances!

So I was sitting in our oh so spacious living room the other day when I heard a strange noise coming from the back yard. I looked out and saw one of our sprinklers spraying ferociously (if a sprinkler can be described as such) towards our deck and hitting some cardboard boxes from our move that we had put out there. I thought to myself- I don’t think that it supposed to happen. So I decided that I knew how to fix the problem (I am still wondering where that confidence came from.) I went outside and assessed the situation. I had to bend down and slide under the bush in order to see what was happening. And there it was. A tiny black tube coming out of the ground and wrapped underneath one of the branches of the bush. From this itty bitty tube I do believe ALL the water from Mesa was shooting out at 500 mph! Not putting 2 and 2 together I thought “well, thats silly, why is that tube wrapped under the branch?” So, being super smart, and thinking that I was solving the problem I slid the tube from out from under the branch. Note to all of you- If a tube in wrapped under a branch, there is probably a reason! That illy bitty tube came ALIVE and starting whipping around spraying everything in its path- including me! Now because I had to strategically place myself where I was, there was really no running away. After screaming like a school girl (which I am okay with) I finally got control of it and got my whits about me. I tried to wrap it around another branch so it would shoot at something else that it would actually benefit (unlike the cardboard boxes from earlier).After much time of being sprayed at each attempt that I made, and using muscles that I didn’t know that I had, I actually found a place that it would stay. Getting up and dusting myself off, feeling quite proud of myself and my win over the tube, I looked toward the sliding door that I had just come out of and horror filled my body. In my curiosity when I went out to see what the noise was from earlier, I hadn’t shut the door. And when I had finally found a place for the tube, I had in reality given the tube a direct shot into the door. Therefore there was this nice little rainbow of water shooting (ferociously, mind you) into my house!!! AHHH!!! I screamed and ran inside and shut the door. I guess when I woke up that morning, common sense stayed in my bed because why did I run to the door and shut the door from the inside instead of going to the tube(the source of the problem) and moving it? Now I was stuck inside watching the water hit the door from the outside and wondering what to do. The only way to fix it would be to open the door and let more water in and at the same time drenching myself. What a dilemma!
Luckily that was about the time that common sense came down the stairs and reminded me that there is a side gate! I went around and finally solved the problem. Whew! The next little while was spent using towels to soak up the piles of water all over the kitchen floor and table! This will be a great memory for some time!

um-yet again!

So...I'm moving again! A huge deal basically fell into my lap and there was NO way I could pass it up. First of all, I have the master bedroom. Now, if you all recall, my room right now is a tad bigger than a cave in the deep dark mountains. My new room is quite large and spacious (not to be confused with the building). I have a balcony--which means that Romeo can now find me and begin reciting poetry my way! Also, it is a brand new house- never before lived in! YEA!!! Count your many blessings- I am so excited. Here are some pictures- ENJOY! :)


I know its a little blurry- I just couldnt keep my hand still! I guess I am just too excited!


















My room! LOOK AT ALL THAT SPACE!







THE BATHROOM!





My balcony!






Upstaris livingroom













Downstaris livingroom #1



Main downstaris livingroom #2












Kitchen





Backyard with porch (perfect for a hammock if you ask me! and there is a little swing set as well. I didnt ask so I dont know!)





When we pulled up tonight to unpack there was a perfect full rainbow! Its a sign! The heavens are smiling down upon us!

We'll move in tomorrow so I'll get some updates with actual furniture in it! Yea for me! "I'm so happy!" (Name that movie!)

Ticksy little Hobittses!

The hospital that I work at has many wonderful people that donate money to help keep it going. One of these people is a retired General that recently turned 95. He has donated and is continuing to donate millions of dollars to the pediatric department itself. So- how do we thank him? With some carrot cake a little party with the kids on the unit! This is a great plan if you're in a regular hospital. However, when you have 4 kids on the floor and they are all teens- the "lets decorate cookies with the kids" has a different feel to it.

The other part is that I was supposed to have the kids make birthday cards for the General during the last couple of weeks. Well folks, we haven't had kids that could do that. I had a few make them, but it was ultimately up to me to do it. I put on my little kid hat and went to work. They were all fine and dandy, but not exactly what I was picturing. Then it came to me. I put the marker in my left hand ( I am right handed mind you) and then closed my eyes. I thought of a the many pictures I have received from my nieces and nephews and went to work. Then, I got out the stickers and closed my eyes as I plopped them down. When I opened my eyes, I was quite proud of myself! It looked great! I think I even had a few tears of joy in my eyes. But the test was on. Would it fool the others?

I put up the cards around the lobby and sat back to watch. All I have to say was it was really hard to keep the giggles in. I would ask people what they thought of the cards and they would look around and then go right to the one I did with my eyes closed and say things like "oh! look how sweet!" or "this one is so cute!" Or they would get a little laugh and say "oh look at this one. Its priceless". I, of course being so proud of my accomplishment, couldn't keep it in. So I told them, "I did it!" They would get the best shocked faces I had ever seen and then we would laugh together. Of course, we didn't tell the General. What he doesn't know wont hurt him!

I think that that should be enough to say that I am a REAL child life specialist eh? I don't think I should have to take the certification test in November. Do you think the child life counsel would agree?

Well here it is the moment you have been waiting for! I took a picture with my camera phone right before the General took it home!



So what do you think? Could I pass as a toddler?

Getting out!

This weekend, my roommate Sarah and I decided that enough was enough! It was time to get out of the heat and head off to the mountains for some much needed rest and relaxation! (kind of). So off we went to go camping with her little brothers. It was beautiful- but like always--an adventure! I learned a little thing about camping in the white mountains. They dont have designated campgrounds like the ones that I am used to. You find a nice piece of dirt that looks good and settle down. Here is what we found. It was beautiful!!!


The best part was that if you stood at the face of the tent and looked forward- this is what you would see--

You might not be able to see unless you click on it- but they are cows. Yep. Cows roaming free right across from the dirt road! So funny! I told them that if we woke up to cows grazing around us I would probably freak out!




The other funny thing that happened was that all the wood that he had was soaked due to the unusually large amounts of rain that the mountains had received. We tried, but to no avail- all we got was smoke.










Thankfully we live in a wonderful day of technology and we could call their dad (who was coming up later to drop off their other son) to bring up DRY wood.

Therefore, not having a fire what else are you going to do? How about work on your golf swing. I have to say I've never done that while camping before but it was fun!



Dont be fooled. I know I look like a pro, but keep in mind that I left out the many pictures of me missing the ball.





The next day we went on a hike. There are no pictures on the way up because my focus was on breathing and not dying. However- It was worth it once we got there.

Once back at Sarah's house we hung out with the cutest puppy ever. I fell in love with Brody! So he deserves some pictures on here! You'd have to agree he's pretty darn cute!


I had a great weekend. It was nice to get away from life for a little while. I definitely recommend it to all. Even take a golf club or two because its fun for all!



And a Happy Birthday to my cute roommate too! You're great!

Thank goodness for kids!

Yesterday I was working with a five year old boy in the hospital. This little guy couldnt leave his room to play in the playroom, so he was super bored and you can only imagine how his parents were feeling! I went in and introduced myself. I asked him if he wanted some things to do. His not so emphatic reply was "sure". When I returned with some activities his mom had left the room. She came back and we went for a walk (a "we have to keep our hands together so we dont touch anything" walk)and then I left him with some more things to do. A few minutes later one of the doctors asked me if I had worked with this patient. I responded "yes" and she started laughing. Apparently, when I was playing with him, his mom had gone to tell the doctor this really funny thing. After the first encounter that I had with him, and then left to get the activites, he said to his mom- "mom, you gotta get out of here because this girl is pretty!"

At least little boys love me! Now I gotta work on the older ones! :)