Melons galore!

Our garden has done wonderfully well this season. We are both surprised and extremely grateful at the same time. We have had tomatoes, jalepeno peppers, watermelons, and cantaloupe. It has been fun to watch the plants grow and develop into a substance we can eat and enjoy. Here are a couple shots of our recent produce...

Birthday #25

A couple Saturday's ago I turned 25. It was a great day overall! Chloe got me a new Miami Dolphin t-shirt, and Jeff got me a new Miami duffle bag. Hopefully I can wear both items with pride this football season. Go Fins!



After Jeff made a wonderful breakfast of breakfast burritos I went to the mall with Mom and Katy. It's always fun when we get together! I got a new pair of jeans and a couple smokin' hot shirts. After we got back from the mall I rushed home to get ready for dinner with Jeff and his parents. We went to El Rancho Grande, and the food and company were fantastic! Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes, cards, and gifts!

My little helper!

School started about three and a half weeks ago, and I have since spent every moment after work at the kitchen table trying to keep my head a float on assignments, posts, readings, and comments.

To be honest, it is very overwhelming and frustrating at times. Here are a few shots of what helps make it all better...

If only she could do my homework for me... :o)

Pantry size = Religious affiliation

I rushed home Friday during lunch to let the bug guy, Jack, in so he could spray inside the house. I thought I was going to miss him since I ran an errand real quick, but he was just finishing the backyard! He asks if I have had any problems inside, and I quickly respond 'yes, please come in.' The following is our conversation when he walked in:

Jack: What kind of problems have you been having lately?

Stephanie: Spiders

Jack: Okay, let me spray all areas of entry, and we will see if that helps.

Stephanie: That would be great!

Jack: (coming out of the pantry...) Are you Mormon?

Stephanie: Ummm, yes. How did you know?

Jack: Your pantry size... Mormons have big pantries. All the other homes I have been in with big pantries they were all Mormon too. I would hate to foot the bill to stock it though.

Stephanie: (sarcastic laugh) Oh, that's interesting. Do you know why we have all that food? It's called food storage, ya know, for a rainy day...

Jack: Uh, huh...yeah. Okay, I'm finished. See you in a couple months!

My conclusion, with Jack's help, of course :

Pantry size = Religious affiliation

(this is not a true statement either, I am simply making a joke)

Looking Back...

Two months ago today, our family was brought together unexpectedly for Dad's brain surgery. He had two subdural hematomas that needed to be removed immediately. The call I received two days prior will never be forgotten. It went something like this:

Stephanie: (phone rings) "Hey mom, is dad okay?" (long pause, silence...my stomach sank)

Mom: "(Amid sniffles) No... I am on my way to pick him up to take him to Plaza Medical. He has two subdural hematomas. They found them within 15 minutes; he has no idea."

I cannot describe the feelings I felt the rest of the day and into the night. The shock was somewhat of a numbing to the pain. I could not concentrate; I could not move. I was worried about Dad; we all were. As we all walked into the room that night we were in awe. We knew he was finally getting help, but we never expected the tubes, needles, medication, etc to be prodded through nearly every vein in Dad's tender body. It was heart wrenching. There was nothing we could do to take any of it away...

My brother and sister-in-law were able to fly down from Utah because of my sweet mother-in-law. She let them use her family passes to get here just in time for the surgery. We will forever be grateful for her generosity and love. As we were all preparing for the surgery we could feel the arms of our Heavenly Father wrap around us. We knew, deep down, all would be well. We had many family members, friends, and c0-workers all praying for Dad and his quick recovery. We are so blessed to have wonderful people in our lives who care so much. Dad did wonderful through the surgery, and for that we are all thankful.

He made a return trip to the hospital only after a week of being home due to blood clots, but yet again, he pulled through and is continuing to make progress each and every day. He looks great and is doing great. He has a long way to go, but the little milestones he has reached in the past two months are remarkable.

I am so grateful for the miracles we have seen throughout the past two months, and the blessings that have been bestowed upon our family. Dad being with us still IS a miracle. He has fought hard to recover, and we are so proud of him. Our family just would not be the same without him! We love you, DAD!!!