Stephens Blog

2012-02-12T22:51:00.001-08:00

Loch Leven Scotland

2012-02-12T22:43:00.000-08:00

This would be fun

Shepherds Pie

2012-02-02T13:22:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite dinners - to eat and to make. Check out http://butterflyfoodie.blogspot.com/ for the recipe!!

2012-02-02T13:13:00.001-08:00

Light

2012-01-24T18:55:00.000-08:00

"When you build a skyscraper you have to dig a very deep foundation. Most of us get half way into that hole and say - this doesn't look anything like my goal... I quit." - Tony Lister

2011-12-09T20:23:00.000-08:00

Thank you Calvin and Hobbs for making me feel normal.

2011-11-11T08:08:00.000-08:00

Two of the ski resorts opened up this weekend, Brighton and Solitude. If in an alternate universe I had no responsibilities to take care of, I would be a ski bum. I am not a complicated girl, all I need in life are...
1. Food. Hopefully good food but their are a lot of times I grab something quick that doesn't taste wonderful but is healthy and serves its purpose - fuel for my body.
2. Shower/Bath. It drives me crazy to not be clean. I have bathed in frigid water many times because of this oc. Give me a river, lake, or just a good tub of water and I'm good.
3. Warm place to sleep. I can never sleep when I'm cold.
4. Sex - I'm just sayin.
5. Family and Friends to share my life with.
6. Of course clothing, I can't walk around naked. I don't mind but other people do.
7. My ski equipment.
8. Snow :)

2011-10-06T08:01:00.001-07:00

"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square hole. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."
— Apple Computer Inc.
Steve Jobs, we will miss you.

The Weight of Glory

2011-03-29T09:46:00.000-07:00

It may be possible for each to think too much of his own potential glory hereafter; it is hardly possible for him to think too often or too deeply about that of his neighbor. The load, or weight or burden of my neighbor's glory should be laid daily on my back, a load so heavy that only humility can carry it, and the backs of the proud will be broken. It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or the other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilization-these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit-immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously-no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption. And our charity must be a real and costly love, with deep feeling for the sins in spite of which we love the sinner-no mere tolerance or indulgence which parodies love as flippancy parodies merriment. Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses. If he is your Christian neighbor he is holy in almost the same way, for in him also Christ vere latitat-the glorifier and the glorified, Glory Himself is truly hidden.
C.S. Lewis

Be and example in word. Be an example in conversation. Be an example in charity. Be an example is spirit. Be an example in faith. Be an example in purity.

2011-03-09T14:29:00.000-08:00

My son pulling his little sister - he adores her. He is the best brother!

Froggy Jump Ride

2011-02-01T08:16:00.000-08:00

2011-01-26T09:04:00.001-08:00

On a more serious note

2011-01-25T09:33:00.000-08:00

On a more serious note - lately I don't feel like I really have a direction or purpose in my life. I'm in my roles in life as a wife and mother, doing what I think needs to be done but is it really purpose driven? I have been thinking about this for years - what is my purpose? I wish I had a mission statement that focused on my exact purpose. I used to think if I had more money things would be better for me but I realize now that it doesn't have anything to do with money - that belief was a lie. Look at our Savior - he was born in a stable, he grew up in an average (income) home, he walked the earth teaching his gospel, I'm not sure if he really had any monetary value to call his own. He didn't need it. His mission statement, "For behold, this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Moses 1:39. I realize that even Jesus Christ was not born into this world ready to fulfill his mission - he had to learn "grace for grace" just like the rest of us. Maybe I just feel like I'm so far behind of where I should be. I once heard a story about a father who was studying his scriptures, marking them and writing notes in the margin. His son was in the room with him playing with his toys and the father wasn't really paying attention to the boy. He noticed the boy got out his own scriptures and markers and started marking them. About a half hour passed and the father looked down at the boy and realized that his son had marked his own scriptures to look like his fathers. He had underlined the same sentences, used the same colors and even had attempted to write the same words in the margins. The boy looked up at his father and noticed that he was watching him and started to cry. The very proud father couldn't understand what would cause his son to cry and asked him what was wrong. The boy simply said "my lines are not as straight as yours." The father picked up the boy and told him "I don't care if your lines are straight, I'm so proud of you." The father knew that as long as his son would follow his example - his lines would become straighter with time.
Is it enough to follow the Saviors example and hope my lines will become straighter with time?

2010-11-19T15:38:00.000-08:00

I have the best son - last night he got tickets to take me to see Harry Potter :) I used to read Harry Potter to him every night when he was just a little boy. My little man is not so little anymore.

2010-10-26T10:40:00.000-07:00

LOVE LOVE LOVE FALL!! Just decorating outside and smelling the wood burning stoves and fall leaves is just wonderful. I love the seasons in Utah and can't wait to go trick or treating with my little pumpkin heads.

2010-07-06T10:28:00.000-07:00

LaRell thought he would be funny and give Miss Cookie some little boobies - while she was in the oven she got some augmentation done and when she came out they were giant boobies.

2010-06-28T10:49:00.000-07:00

Our trip to Wyoming

2010-03-13T00:43:00.000-08:00

Skiing at Brighton

Does it get any better? Only Utah :)

2010-03-08T17:40:00.000-08:00

I have bronchitis. It doesn't seem to be getting any better. I think if I cough one more time I will break a rib - blaaaa.

2009-12-21T19:17:00.000-08:00

We took these family pictures in about 10 min. It was cold and windy and getting dark.

2009-11-24T18:02:00.001-08:00

My daughter...number 2

She is getting so big but she is still my little baby :)

She had to have chocolate cake with 2 candles and she sang Happy Birthday to herself all day.

Buzz Lightyear!!

2009-11-24T17:47:00.001-08:00

My daughter wanted to take her friends to Classic Skating for her Birthday. We had so much fun. She is so great I just love her!

My little 10 year old. So beautiful :)

Birthday

2009-11-06T09:51:00.000-08:00

My little brother Timmy has joined the United States Military. I am so proud of him! I think he will be great, a little worried and hope he stays safe, but so proud.

2009-11-02T14:04:00.000-08:00

Football 2009. My son had a blast playing football this year. They even made it to the championships.

2009-10-09T10:32:00.000-07:00

Fall Pictures

2009-10-02T16:29:00.000-07:00

The fire truck, ambulance and police just came to my house. Apparently it is illegal to have a small fire in your back yard. My neighbors called the police because they were getting smoke in there house. Instead of coming over and asking us to put it out - I get to pay a large fine.

2009-08-27T11:48:00.000-07:00

Can't wait for the SNOW.... really wanting to put my skies on. Anyone want to go to Argentina? I really should start saving my money and plan a trip next year.

2009-08-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

"I hear what you say about enjoying the ride, but there’s also an inexplicable joy that comes from pushing the limits and seeing what you can accomplish. There’s a time and a place for both." One of my brothers friends whose name I wish I could remember

2009-08-17T09:38:00.000-07:00

I know...I posted a ton of pictures, but I have a ton of family :)

More family from Green River. These are my brothers, sisters, Aunts, Uncles, cousins and kids. We took a few trips down the Green River up by Vernal Ut. We had so much fun! It was good to see some of my Aunts and Uncles. My Uncle Kent planned everything - the condos we stayed in, the food and the river run. He is so great.

2009-08-17T09:16:00.000-07:00

She really liked being in the boat for about the first ten minutes but then she wanted to do something else, good thing she finally fell asleep - standing up :)

Some pictures from our green river trip. We had so much fun.

2009-08-15T13:52:00.000-07:00

Whenever I'm in a downer mood I will usually pull out some mixing bowls and create something yummy. I love baking with nutmeg and cinnamon. I love the smell it brings to my kitchen - instant mood enhancer. Today's creation is Enlightened Zucchini Bread with fresh Zucchini I picked out of my garden this morning. There is something very satisfying in growing your own food. I think next week my tomatoes, onions and jalapenos will be ripe to bottle some salsa. I made enough salsa last year from vegetables grown in my garden to last until June, almost 1 year. This year I planted twice the amount of tomato plants so I hope I will have enough to give away a few bottles. Whenever I make salsa I instantly become wife of the year to my husband :)

2009-08-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

Ran 4 miles this morning with no shin pain. I have had shin splints for 3 months. The trick....lavander oil from doTerra. Who knew it would be such a simple fix.

2009-08-06T16:24:00.000-07:00

I went into the Bank today and on the front of the outside door it read "Please remove all dark glasses, hats, hoodies and ski masks before entering the bank." So I thought to myself, does anyone really accidentally wear their ski masks into the bank?

2009-06-10T16:53:00.000-07:00

I think my greatest fear in life is forgetting the small and simple joys. I hope in the next life my memories will be clear and perfect. I hope I will remember how my children were in each of there life stages and how I felt when I was there age. What a joy it is to be a spectator in there lives. I am so blessed.

2009-05-04T18:22:00.000-07:00

I am so sad tonight - I just found out Shane McConkey died last month. He was my Hero and I hope he is skiing the powder in heaven. Rest in peace friend! Thanks for inspiring me to push my limits. http://www.youtube.com/v/NtXt_UsZ4YQ&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1%22%3E%3C/param%3E%3Cparam

2009-04-16T12:13:00.000-07:00

I found some pictures of my son playing football and wanted to post a few. I think these boys look so cute in there uniforms. Darrian is an x man because he is to big to run the ball (saftey reasons) so he has an x on his helmet.

Best Day Ever :)

2009-04-06T17:02:00.000-07:00

Well, I had a Best Day Ever experience. On Saturday me and the hubby packed up the car and took our kids skiing (and snow boarding) up to Brighton. In the last 10 days it has snowed 10 FEET, I had butterflies the entire drive. When we got off the lift and skied over to our first run I just new it was going to be SWEET! The snow was perfect. The kids wanted to take a run on their own so we left them on Snake and headed over to Great Western. We dropped in on Clarks Roost and it was incredible! I can't even explain how awsome it feels going down a 40 degree vertical with the powder brushing over your thighs, its total freedom. When you crash in that good of snow its just like Poof, buried in fluffy white powder. Every time I would get to the bottom of a lift I was covered in snow, I had some crazy crashes. I even took my 2 girls (7 and 9) down double black diamonds. The snow was so forgiving you could be twice as daring. We had so much fun and the mountains were soooo beautiful with all the pines covered in fresh snow. I think I found my Soul Purpose, skiing :)

2009-02-21T10:04:00.000-08:00

"In our friendly neighbor city of St. Augustine great flocks of sea gulls are starving amid plenty. Fishing is still good, but the gulls don't know how to fish. For generations they have depended on the shrimp fleet to toss them scraps from the nets. Now the fleet has moved....The shrimpers had created a Welfare State for the ... sea gulls. The big birds never bothered to learn how to fish for themselves and they never taught their children to fish. Instead they led their little ones to the shrimp nets. Now the sea gulls, the fine free birds that almost symbolize liberty itself, are starving to death because they gave in to the 'something for nothing' lure! They sacrificed their independence for a handout...Let's not be gullible gulls. We... must preserve our talents of self-sufficiency, our genius for creating things for ourselves, our sense of thrift and our true love of independence." Reader's Digest

2009-01-13T21:36:00.000-08:00

I went with my daughter on her field trip up to Discovery Museum at the Gateway. It was really cool and a lot of fun just to spend one on one time with her. Here are a few pictures I took with my phone. She got to fly a Helicopter and rock climb, (when she got to the top she said it needed to go higher). She even got to be a news anchor for channel 5.

Field Trip

2009-01-13T21:31:00.000-08:00

2009-01-09T20:42:00.000-08:00

I didn't really think anyone was reading my blog but over the Christmas Holiday there were a few comments on how bad I sucked on updating it. So here is an update. It has been snowing like crazy here and I am loving it. We took the kids sledding and had a blast. We were up in Heber putting a Christmas tree on my Dad's grave and my brother Ryan invited us to go sledding. We got in a little trouble for trespassing but it was worth it. We had so much fun we decided to go again to a local park. I took the sledding pictures with my camera phone so they didn't turn out so well. I'm really glad my kids dive into stuff like that and not just stand at the top and cry about how scary it looks. The baby had a blast and she even went down by herself on the little hill with her dad running right behind her. I can't wait to get her on skis.
We are putting our house up for sale and LaRell is going back to school. He really wants to become a Physical Therapist. I'm excited for him and I hope we can sell our house soon. The kids are all doing really great and seem to be happy if we could just get our baby to sleep at night. I don't think I have had a full nights sleep in over a year. If anyone knows any sleep trick I am pretty desperate and will try almost anything.

2009-01-08T13:14:00.000-08:00

I'm reading a great book right now that is called "The Five Laws That Determine All of Life's Outcomes" by Brett Harward. I would recomend it. It has opened my eyes to a lot more possibility.

2009-01-05T16:39:00.000-08:00

We took the kids sledding!

2008-11-24T09:20:00.000-08:00

My baby is a year old now. I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. We had a fun little party and took some really cute pictures. I just think she is the cutest baby ever.

2008-05-08T17:06:00.000-07:00

Time

2008-05-08T16:55:00.000-07:00

I have learned in this life that you can count on one thing, that is, time changes everything. I have been thinking of my own childhood and how simple it was. The excitement of the first day of kindergarten, or the fun I had roller skating with my friends. The anticipation on Christmas Eve waiting for Santa Clause to come, or smelling freshly baked banana bread coming from the kitchen. I remember as a young girl looking at my mothers hands hoping that some day I would be just like her and that my hands would look just like hers. Now as I look at my own hands they remind me of my mothers. I hope that I can be that kind of mother to my own children. I look at my sweet baby and how much time has changed her since I first held her in my arms. I try to breath in every moment with her, memorizing every detail. With every tick of the clock time is changing the world around me, babies grow up, life turns a corner and the moments and the people of the past are gone. When I run into an old friend I have not seen for years, I always hope they are the same person they were when I left them, but they too have been changed by time. I just hope that I can live in every moment that I have been blessed with. I hope I can enjoy every moment with my children and I hope I can really enjoy all of the doing, and not just the getting it done.

Family Pictures

2008-05-06T10:13:00.000-07:00

This is my cute family. We all got together to get pictures and it was freezing cold! I was worried the baby was going to get too cold but LaRell had her tucked away in his coat until picture time. What a good Daddy.

2008-05-06T10:07:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when your parents raise 9 children.

2008-04-28T17:22:00.000-07:00

2008-04-25T19:58:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I live so close to these beautiful mountains and I can go play whenever I want. I'm pretty sure this is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I love it. These pictures are taken right above some killer jumps where I ate it trying to do a 360.

Baby Laina

2008-04-25T19:13:00.000-07:00

I think I might just have the cutest baby ever.