Shellie Week!

Michael and I have been so lucky! We have been having so much fun in the last couple of months and it just keeps coming! We got to spend Halloween with the Sorensens, Darren has come to visit us a couple of times, we went to Boise for Carly's blessing, last weekend we went to our favorite place on earth... REXBURG to suprise Lindsey for her birthday and see the Woodmansee grandparents who we absolutely adore, we were able to see baby Landon Hilton be blessed, we've had some fun play dates with our nieces and nephews here in town, and most recently, SHELLIE CAME TO VISIT! Michelle Culpepper has always been nothing but good to me. She has such a special place in my heart and was one of Michael and I's biggest fans while he was gone.

We love Shellie so much! Shellie and I have a lot in common and we could just talk for hours... as a matter of fact we did, multiple times while she was here. She came all the way from Texas! We had a lot of fun while she was here. We did a lot of eating of course, playing games, shopping, we went to see NEW MOON! ( LOVED IT!! by the way), and to top it all off we ended our wonderful week at David Archuleta's christmas concertHow do 3 people in a tiny apartment not realize that they are dressing like twins? We noticed right before we walked out the door to church. haha!Game night with the Lances and the soon to be Duvards.... I mean, Lauren and her boyfriend Josh :) P.S- we absolutely love him and totally approve. He's already a part of our Provo family.Aunt Shellie and the beautiful miss LuCille. We had a fun time playing with her for a couple hours.Last but CERTAINLY not least... wating for DAVID ARCHULETA TO COME OUT!!! Shellie scored us killer seats and it was all so wonderful. He sang some of his normal songs, and then most of it was Christmas music. It was absolutely beautiful. The Utah Children's Choir was there, along with a symphony and his voice was so pure. It as a great way to kick off the Christmas season. I cried many times, it was a really spiritual environment actually.This young, little guy is making quite a huge influence on the world. After every song, he basically shared his testimony. He told the crowd how all of these songs are for Jesus Christ and how he has been the biggest influence in his life. He has nothing to hide, he was completely real. what a great dude!Ok, I had a video to post, but blogger sucks and it isn't working. Basically, Shellie showed me that during O Holy Night, the background music is playing the childrens hymn "Love One Another". It's beautiful. Anyway, we had a wonderful time! Thanks for visiting us Shellie!

Working Woman

I just thought I'd share a little bit about my new job. I just wrote this whole post about it and then lost it. So I'm ticked. But, Michael is at work, so I'll re-do it. I work for Utah Physiatry Associates. There are 2 doctors. They are brothers and both very kind. There are 4 receptionists who are absolutely wonderful. They are adorable and all about my age. I'm having a great time getting to know them and we get a long so well. My position is an "Exercise Specialist" or "Therapist". And there is one other girl with the same position. She trained me and is fantastic! She has been so great and she is awesome at what she does. We get along so well and have so much fun at work. Not only that, but I'm learning so much from her as well.

How it works. The patient comes in to see the doctor. They have some kind of pain- car accident, scoliosis, arthritis, regular old wear and tear, etc. It is usually back pain, but we see pretty much everything. The doctor works his magic and then makes the patient an appointment to see me. I sit down with them, we chat, and I get a feel for what kind of pain the are experiencing. Then, I teach them an exercise program that will strengthen their weak muscles, stretch their tight muscles, and hopefully reduce their pain. I send them home with a paper with pictures on it and then they report back. We also do pain treatments like electric stimulation, ultra sound, massage, traction, etc. The goal is to reduce their pain while they are in, and help them help themselves while they are at home. They come in as often as the doctor perscribes, or as often as they'd like. Some come in twice a week because they are in high pain, and some come in once a month because they just need occasional help.

How I like it. I love it! The people I work with are excellent. And not only do we have a great time, but I'm learning so much and they are so patient with me! I have always loved working in places where I can meet interesting people and this tops them all. The patients are the best. They come in and we get to spend quite a big of time together. I get to learn all about their story and I tell them mine. We build a little friendship. Of course, there will always be crazies. But that just makes it even more comical! Michael gets a kick out of the stories I come home with, and I'm excited to share some with you all over the blog :).

I just can't believe how blessed I am to have this job. Michael and I are so thankful for my job, and for his job on campus that is so flexible. I loved my education, and I am so happy to be using it as well as continuing to learn.

Our First Halloween

There is so much that I love about this picture. 1.Nicholas- he didn't want to be in the pic, but that actually worked perfectly for his costume, he looks just like Napoleon! lol! 2. The costumes ROCK! Ben is an awesome hippie, Bella looking good as a G.I joe, beth gorgeous as Dorothy, and I totally loved Mel's festive outfit, and of course... Pooh :)

Oh how I love Halloween! There isn't much better than cute kids running around the streets in awesome costumes. We had such a great day! We were tremendously blessed to spend the day with the Andy Sorensen family. Yep- Mel, Andy, Beth, Nick, Ben, and Bella were all here! They met us down here in Provo for the afternoon. And thank goodness they did because Michael was in group meetings all morning and afternoon so they kept me company! We went up to campus and looked around the bookstore and such. It was really fun because I've actually never been there. And it was really fun to hear about all of Mel's fun college experiences. Then, they were ever so kind and took me to a delicous lunch where I stuffed my face :).

That night was the highlight of course, TRICK-OR -TREATING! Michael and I came up to SLC where the Sorensen fam was so kind to let us crash their Halloween festivities. Is it just me, or am I the queen of crashing my siblings in-laws parties? Whoops! We got all dressed up and headed on out! First stop, the ward trunk or treat.Then off to the neighborhoods! Andy had some family in a GORGEOUS neighborhood in SLC. I felt like we were in an awesome Halloween movie. Every house was decorated, there were bunches of kids racing from door to door, cute lanterns lining the streets. It was perfect! I loved watching the kids say in unison "TRICK OR TREAT!" so cute. And mostly, I love just walking and chatting with my sister!Michael as a scarecrow, and me as a pirate. Our costumes came together pretty well considering I put the together the day before Halloween. I just wish I had an eye patch!Beth stayed back in Provo for a bit with me while her fam headed up to see some other family. I just love her and she is so beautiful!Michael and I with the whole fam :) Dressing up is so fun! Michael will absolutely kill me for posting this. But I thought you'd like to see a blast from the past. This was Halloween while we were dating before his mission. We switched clothes and dressed up as each other. hahahaha!