3.25.2012

Good Examples

I'm thankful for the women in my ward. Fast Sunday was awesome, because so many women I admire bore their testimonies. These women are soft spoken but strong. They have lots of kids, work, go to school, and fulfill their callings. I know that their lives must seem crazy from the inside, but on the outside they have it all together. I want to be like that!

3.23.2012

Remembering Springtime

Spring has blossomed up here in Richmond, Virginia in a matter of days.  It's been so gorgeous!  Before we left on vacation, it was all brown.  Now, there are reds, purples, pinks, whites, oranges, and GREEN everywhere!  The temperatures have been amazing too - 70's to 80's every day.  I love it!  It really makes me think of all the springtimes when I was a little girl and we lived in Bountiful.  I remember playing in Omi and Buppi's yard when I was little and digging in the dirt.  One funny spring experience when I was about 5 years old was when Omi and Buppi got their lawn aerated.  I was so deathly scared of stepping on the aerated dirt because it looked like dog poop!  I am so excited for the day we have our own house so I can garden and have flowers, bushes, and trees all around.  Hope your spring is just as beautiful as ours!



Gorgeous RedBud trees near our house

3.21.2012

Home again, home again, jiggity jig!

Jordan's birthday was so fun.  After dinner at Buz and Ned's, we came home and watched Lost while eating cheesecake.  So relaxing!  On Saturday, we went to the movies and saw Chronicle.  It was a fun and thought-provoking (in a nerdy way) movie.  Makes you wonder what would really happen if people had super powers! :)

My eye is completely healed thanks to my regular eye doctor. He had me continue the antibiotic eye drops four times a day and started a steroid drop four times a day as well. The steroid really helped my light sensitivity! So I couldn't wear my contacts for about 2 weeks, but now I can. And I'm not going to wear my contacts during the night ever again! Lesson learned :)

We had the missionaries over for dinner in the beginning of the month. These elders we have now are so sweet and full of the spirit. They always late for dinner, but we enjoy having them over.

I had my last day of classroom orientation last week (finally). I'm going to have another week of clinical training, and then I think I'll be on my own! This organization I'm with really has made me want to be a better nurse. I feel like I did right out of nursing school-invinsible, like I can really help these patients. I'm so excited.

Jordan finished his rotation in psychiatry last Friday and although he enjoyed the class, he really needed a break. We drove up to Baltimore after his test, stayed the night, and flew to Utah in the morning!

We had a lovely straight flight. Gotta love Southwest Airlines! We went straight from the airport to see Jordan's grandparents and then went to Cafe Rio...cravings fulfilled ;) then we met up with some more of his grandparents. It was so nice to see everyone. We went to the mall and chilled until it was time for dinner at Cheesecake Factory. They just brought back their Mango Key Lime Cheesecake and it is DELICIOUS. seriously. So so good. We then drove down to my family and watched a bit of Avatar before going to bed.

On Sunday we went to my moms ward an had a great church service. Saw SO many people I haven't seen in forever, including my friend from high school, Camille Harlan. After church, we got the news of Jordan's cousins sons passing. It was heartbreaking. We started preparing for the Lassig side coming for dinner (everyone on the Cuthbert side was sick) :(. I made a salad and a banana swirl cake. My mom painted my nails and we had a great time just talking. Whenever we come home during the holidays, it's always rush, rush, rush. But this vacation has been tremendously relaxed! Family came over and we enjoyed French dip sandwiches. We then came back to The Henderson's and slept the night away.

Yesterday Jordan went running early and then we went to Kneaders for French toast with Wendy, Allie, and the boys. It was delicious. Then we went swimming with the boys and Allie at Murray rec center. It was a great place! Then we relaxed and went to dinner at salt city burger and got yummy shakes. I got some silly pictures of a few of the boys. Came home and watched Lost :)

today Allie, Josie, Wendy, and I got pedicures and then went to Papas Place (aka classic fun center). Ate some pizza and jumped around a bit :) then Jordan and I saw the vow(such a cut movie, although it is a chick flick) and came home and are relaxing! Whew! Tonight we are going to the spaghetti factory and then going to my parents :)



What a Lovely Time!

This vacation really was lovely.

I forgot to mention that on Monday night, Jordan and I went to go talk to a psychiatrist in his parent's ward.  He gave some amazing advice.  I need to write it all down otherwise I'll forget: Network now with people at the hospitals you want to get into (i.e., go visit and say, "I'm an up and coming resident, blah blah can you give me a tour, etc."); Do what you love; Psychiatry isn't a huge/popular field but there's a huge need, especially in Utah; There aren't very many LDS psychiatrists (hello future clients!); there are SO many ways to run your practice (office, hospital, or both.  Few pts, lots of pts.  Teaching.  Giving seminars.); I liked how he runs his office - one office person and him - small overhead and he spends quality time with each patient.  Awesome awesome awesome!!!  It really pumped Jordan and I up.  I truly think he would make a fantastic psychiatrist.  

We spent Wednesday sleeping in and relaxing because everyone in my family was at work or school.  Jordan and I attended the Provo temple for a session, which was much needed.  We were able to attend Critter's viewing that evening.  It was such a heartbreaking experience.  His poor parents have been through so much, it really made my heart ache.  After the viewing, we went to Pizza Pie Cafe.  My brother Jared works there and got us in for free ;)  Ahh, perks are great!  He made us his "special" and then we came home and watched the rest of Avatar.

Thursday we slept in again (love it)!  We got all ready to head down to Moab and waited for everyone to come home from work/school.  We got on the road and as we were heading down Spanish Fork canyon, there was MAJOR traffic.  Turns out, a tanker carrying gas and a box truck carrying tires crashed into each other and were strewn all over the highway.  According to my dad, Highway 6 is the most dangerous road in America!  Scary.  We had to turn around and get to Moab through Scipio, then head east to Green River.  But thankfully we got in at a decent time.

Friday we got up bright and early to head to Fiery Furnace, my FAVORITE hike in Moab.  Seriously.  There is no set trail, and you have to have either been on it before to go in, or you have to have a ranger guide you.  Such a fun hike.  We got lost quite a few times (haha, Mom), but enjoyed the scenery!  After the hike we got Pizza Hut to begin the carb-loading for the race.  Jordan and I went swimming for a bit, then relaxed and waited for Jim and Wendy to get in.  They were smart and got Olive Garden take-out so that we wouldn't have to go to the insanely busy restaurants.  After dinner, Jordan, Jim, and I went to see John Carter at the luxurious "Slickrock Cinema".  The movie doesn't make sense at all, so don't see it.









Saturday (St. Patrick's Day) was the day of the Half Marathon!  Jordan and his parents got up early to walk to the bus pick-up.  I waited around the hotel until Jordan got in.  My mom, brother, and I cheered him on.  Considering how dang windy that day was, he came in strong at 1:38!  Jim came in at 2:16, and Wendy came in at 2:18.  We had to wait for their bag to come in, and then we headed back up to SLC.  Got some delicious steak at Texas Roadhouse, then came back to the house for dessert and to say goodbye to everyone.  We loved seeing all of you!

Sunday, we had some crepes for breakfast courtesy of Jim, and then drove to the airport.  The flight was uneventful and we got into Baltimore early!  We drove home and then went to bed early too.

I've worked Monday, Tuesday, and today.  Still in orientation, and it's going well.  I think I'll be done with orientation by next week.  Jordan started Women's Health and it's not his favorite subject.  I thought he would enjoy it because then he'll know why I'm crazy, haha!  He had the chance to do some physical exams on Monday and passed with flying colors!  

3.20.2012

A Very Thankful Tuesday!

I'm very grateful that our house didn't burn to the ground!

Perhaps I should start over. Ahem.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you left the dryer running for 9 days? That's what I'm here to tell you. First of all, your clothes would be extremely soft. This is because most of the fibers from the clothes have been trapped in the lint trap! When you open your dryer, huge clumps of lint will come flying out. You may even have enough to start a bonfire! Second of all, some of your clothes may be torn to shreds. Thirdly, your electric bill will be scary.

Moral of the story: if your dryer hasn't been working properly, don't leave it on before you go for vacation!! ;)

3.17.2012

Flashback {Saturday}

Having been in Moab for the past few days has brought back so many memories. My family came down here at least every year when I was growing up. Sometimes we would even come twice a year! We love the red rock, the difficult hiking, and spending time together as a family. One memory in particular is of me and brother Jordan hiking Delicate Arch. We went all the way around the bowl at the end and spiraled down to the bottom of the bowl. We were always having adventures and daring each other I do things like that. Our favorite hike of all time is Fiery Furnace, with it's winding maze of rock fins, light play, and peaceful quiet. It's a hard hike, but so gorgeous that's it's worth it.

3.12.2012

Thankful for Eternal Families

Today I'm deeply grateful for eternal families.  Jordan's cousin's 3-year-old son has been fighting leukemia ever since he was one, and his little heart couldn't take it any more.  He passed away on Sunday with his parents by his side.  I truly believe that his parents will have the opportunity to raise their sweet child after the Second Coming - they are not deprived of that chance.  I know that because they are bound together forever, he is theirs forever.  Heavenly Father loves us so much!  It's amazing that Christ died not only for our sins, but for our pains and heartaches too.  See the obituary here.  An amazing blog that I've been following is by a couple in Idaho who lost their daughter.  She talks about her spiritual journey through the whole process and how grateful she is that their family is sealed for time and eternity.