Thursday, September 27, 2007

Name Origin

Well hello friends and family! Here is our little family blogspot! *yeah* I thought that I would have my first blog explain our name a little.
As you may know, our last name is Stephenson. Well, Ryan has grown up with a couple of other Ryan’s, and to clarify which Ryan people would want to talk to they began to call Ryan: Stevie. So since there are three "Stevies" thus far, that is what our blogspot title became. Stevie times three. I know, I am not the most creative, but it shouldn't be too hard to remember right?
Anyway, I hope that I can keep the postings fun and interesting. If nothing else, it will be a fun distraction from my studies. He he! Toodles!

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

To hard work, stress and Ryan

     Okay let me preface this by saying that I have never been the best college student. Don't get me wrong, I held about a "B" average, but in my past college days I have side stepped my studies to play with friends. I figured, which is more important, showing people that I love them...or showing a professor that I can regurgitate info they have given me\

     Well since I have married my amazingly intelligent husband he has inspired me to do better. Last week was...well aweful. I had three tests all crammed right by each other. Which I should have been fine right, I mean I am not working...just watching a baby full time...HA! I think it would be easier to work full time and go to school than be a mom full time. When you are working you can come home and have uninterupted study time. When you are a mommy, the only uninterupted time you get is when you are lucky enough to lure your child into taking a nap (and then you are lucky if you get a full hour to yourself).

     Well on Saturday I had my last test of the week and I was completely burnt out. I had stayed up until 2am and gotten up at 6am for two or three days and I was just blitzed! I called my husband in tears saying that my professor was a joke and expected us to memorize things that were completely unapplicable to my life. My husband offered some encouraging words but most importantly told me that he believed that I could do it.

     Well I just got the results back from my last test and I feel I fared rather well. I got a 88%, 97% and an 99%!! Whahoo! I'll take it. I am so lucky to have such a supportive man that motivates me to exceed my expectations.

Thank you Ryan!

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Embarrassing Surprise Visit


Discomfiture
So today I was getting Sarah ready and my phone rang. It was the Relief Society President in my ward. The entire relief society presidency wanted to drop by and see how I was doing. Nice right? Except for the fact that my home looks like a bomb went off! (I've allowed my school to excuse myself from daily chores...ha ha...bad idea!)
It has been awhile since I was that embarrassed.
Needless to say, after they left I went on a cleaning kick and whipped the living room, bathroom and Sarah's bedroom into shape. The kitchen and my bedroom are still a hopeless cause...but I am only one woman! *sigh*
Tomorrow is another day!

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Language


Language
Current mood:  ecstatic
Okay I know...two blogs in one day? I am sorry, I just have a lot on my mind. Even though my end goal is to be a Speech Pathologist...I LOVE PSYCHOLOGY!!! I mean it completely fascinates me. I signed up to take a brand new class called the Psychology of Language and it is all about Psycholinguistics. It is amazing to try to uncover how the brain works the way it does.
Think about it. Language is everywhere. I am not talking about speech persay, but language as a means of communication. Why is there such an immense desire to communicate with other people? How do we acutally learn to speak? Its kind of one of those things that you can give yourself a headache thinking about after too long. I am completely inthralled with this class. The best part is that it is an open discussion class. So we do some reading at homel, and then just come in and talk about any feelings, thoughts or questions that we had on the matter. Each of us takes a turn being the "discussion leader" and next week it is me. I can't wait! I want to really find some interesting tangents to talk about. Love it, love it, LOVE IT!
Now I have to buy a book about Noam Chomsky. I knew he was a pychology nerd...but I didn't know that his main focus was psycholinguistics!!! I don't know if I will have time to read it during the semester...darn it!
If you ever have a chance to study up on the subject of linguistis or psycholinguistics do...it is really interesting!

School


School
I have to apologize for the way I used to think about a situation. I never used to be able to understand how a mother could leave her little baby and go to work or school full time. (Granted I appreciate women who do it, ie-Teachers, ob/gyns, etc.) I always thought that motherhood should be put above financial situations. I now understand how people can.
I am trying to hurry through the Psychology program so that I can graduate (finally) before Ryan and I move for medical school (summer of 2009). I'll tell you what...it is the weirdest feeling ever being at school. I know have have a sweet baby girl that is waiting a G'ma's house for me. But when I am on campus, it all feels sureal. It is kind of a nice feeling to have adult converstions and to be carefree and not worried about if Sarah is going to fall over or need a change of pants. It feels like a freedom.
So I understand now how mommies around the world handle it, or rather enjoy it. I love being a mother...but I also love learning about new things. I am bettering my children by completing my education so that I can be an example to them. 
Power to the women who are able to raise their family and provide! I don't think I could do both full time, just admire those who do.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Attempted Girl's Night


Girls Night
Current mood:upset
I love parties! When people come...*sigh*
Okay, once upon a time I used to be able to throw really fun parties that everyone wanted to come to. Now, I guess since I am married with a child, I can't seem to throw and enticing enough shin-dig for people to want to attend. If only the people I invited knew how much I fretted, planned and prepared for it. I love to have people come and play games. But now I am in the "lame club" because I am a mommy, and not good enough for people to make time to visit.  
Vent, vent, vent! I appreciate the people who came, I really do. I thought that the group I had invited would have come. I mean they are my old roomies for pete's sake. I guess it is hard to come to the reality that life is changing...I am getting older and Parties are only for selling Mary Kay or some other lame thing. Atleast those are the only ones that people seem to go to anymore. :(
Oh well, better not let myself get too worked up ove it!
"Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. Its not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything."
Muhammad Ali

Monday, August 20, 2007

2nd Anniversary


Happy Anniversary!
This year for our Anniversary, Ryan and I decided to go camping. Fun and affordable! We spent two nights up in the Uintah's by mirror lake. Man oh man it was beautiful up there. I forgot how peaceful it is. I really enjoyed the change in climate. It was nice and cool, which is perfect because me and heat don't mix! We had to bring along the babe and she did really well.
Rain
We got poured on. We decided to go hiking around on Friday and the moment we got a little ways on the path it began to rain. Oh well... I do love the rain.
We had a visitor to our campsite as well. While we were starting a campfire a deer walked right into our site. Of course it quickly ran away. But it was still neat. We saw lots of deer up there and even a moose! The one thing that I didn't get to see up at Yellowstone!
All in all, there is nothing better than the sounds of a tent zipping up, a fire popping and crackling, and laughter in a loving conversation.
Happy 2nd Anniversary!

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Baby Food Babble


Baby Food
Current mood:  cheerful
Okay I seriously used to make fun of people that would make bizarre noises while feeding their babies. I am sorry...to all those who I made fun of behind your backs. Now, being a mommy I understand the sense behind it all. Sarah has begun to eat baby food (rice cereal with a little fruit flavored baby food) and the only way to keep her focused is to make a complete fool of myself. So to all those mommies out there who make the noises...POWER TO YA! Those who mock up behind our backs...you just don't understand.
Along with the whole eating solids I was a little concerned about the whole situation because Sarah was not diggin' the whole goopy rice cereal. I start school in a little more than a week and the g'ma's are gracious enough to help by watching Sarah. But 4-5 hours is a long time for her to go between eating so I have really been trying to get her to eat a little cereal.  Today I felt was a sucessful day. I mixed some prune flavored baby food into her rice cereal and she LOVES it! (Go figure...the darkest colored one that makes the biggest MESS!) I have got her on a pretty good schedule, and I hope our camping trip doesn't throw her off. So everyone cross their fingers for us so that I can go to school and graduate next fall '08!
Wow...it constantly amazes me the things that I get excited over anymore...

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Yellowstone



Yellowstone
Current mood:  pensive
What fun! I forgot how much fun Yellowstone really is. I love being out in the wild and just feeling relaxed and peaceful. As some of you know I just got back from a trip to Yellowstone with my family (Mom, Dad & Little Bro Alex). Ryan wasn't able to get away from school for that long so it was just Sarah and me that tagged along.
We got rained on for about three days and even though I was bummed the first day, it turned out to be great for seeing wildlife. They all came out to enjoy the cool weather. We saw Elk, Buffalo (of course), Coyotes, Bald Eagles, Osprey, Cranes, Pelicans, Deer, and even a GRIZZLY BEAR!! It was a lot of fun to watch them walking around enjoying life.
It was nice to get away and just have fun with my family. Sarah had a great time as well. She would coo, talk, and like always smile, smile, smile! She loved the fresh air.
I need to go camping more often. I love the smell of campfires, hiking, and just feeling so peaceful like that. Oh and listening to Harry Potter in the car was wonderful. Anyone who hasn't listened to it on audio...you need to! It is soooo good.
Love...Peace!