The Illusion Persists . . .

The illusion persists that Moab is warm in the winter. Still hoping that there might be a shred of truth to that illusion, Joe and I took a trip south over this past weekend. While we were anything but warm (we saw both snow and light hail) we had a super fun weekend! I can't think of a way that I would rather spend Valentine's Day then hiking around beautiful country and then snuggling up in a tent with my adorable husband. On Saturday we drove south, then we hiked to a place call Fisher's Towers and got totally lost on the trail (I guess a 3 foot sign with an arrow isn't obvious enough). We hiked up to the base of huge sandstone towers (the Titan is 900 ft tall) and realized that there was no where left to hike. On our way back we found the correct turn and hiked to the opposite side of the towers. It is a beautiful place. Climbers have actually summited the Titan. They must have been human spider monkeys.

The next day we went to church (smelling and looking rather fresh) and then spent a day and a half exploring Arches National Park. We saw/hiked to all but about 3 arches. Arches National Park is amazing!!!

I would especially recommend the Devil's Garden hike. It is breathtaking! and you cross something like 11 arches during the hike. By the end, you come across another 200 foot arch carved into orange sandstone and you shrug your shoulders . . . it's just another arch.

These sandstone "fins" we learned, are the first step in arch formation. Then, over many years, water breaks away chunks of rock, until arches form.

Baby Tabs

On Thursday I decided that I absolutely couldn't wait any longer to have an In N' Out burger. . . as soon as I finished work on Friday we jumped in our car and drove to St. George. Just joking (about the burger). In N' Out was actually just a bonus. Joe and I spent a fun weekend with my little sis Mindy and her husband Nick, and we finally got to meet our newest niece Tabria, and she is as cute as she could possibly be.

Oh . . . and I am her favorite aunt :) especially when I am all stinky from running as pictured. 

Sundry Items

Being so overly ambitious I thought that I would post something every week, and yet, once again a month has passed with no posts, so finally, here is a little update.

My cute mother came into town. We spent a super fun couple of days doing whatever we wanted (and nothing at all). Our mission for her visit: find the perfect serving bowls. This mission took us to every housewares/decorating store in the county and yet we remained unsuccessful. Those perfect serving bowls escaped us for now, but they will be uncovered. Otherwise, we watched Becoming Jane (the perfect chick flick) ate a lot of good food, and had a generally wonderful time. I love you Mom!

This last weekend was a little more hectic. Joe and I babysat 5 of our nieces and nephews for 4 days while their parents soaked up the sun in Cabo San Lucas. We had so much fun! Our weekend was complete with a trip to Chuck E. Cheese's, the Purple Turtle, and watching Agent Cody Banks about 220 times. Pictured below . . . Team Nettesheim

One last thing to mention for this post (and maybe this month :) ) . . . sometimes it is good to be a nurse. There have definitely been times when I have questioned my decision to become a nurse, but the other day I had an experience that reminded me how valuable nurses really are. I was working at the oncology clinic when one of our patients complained of chest pain that had been going on for some time. The first nurse who drew her blood did not assess/address her symptoms. I was working in the back, waiting for her test results when I realized that most likely no one had talked with her about her symptoms. I only needed a few minutes with the patient to realize that she needed to go to the emergency room immediately. I called an ambulance and had her sent to the ER. Of course at this point the ER nurse in me kicked in, and it killed me to send her off with the paramedics because I really wanted to be on the other side, receiving the patient and taking care of her on arrival in the ER. Anyway, the patient was eventually diagnosed with multiple pulmonary emboli (or blood clots in her lungs . . . similar to a heart attack of the lungs) and is still in the hospital. I didn't think too much of the episode until my manager said, "Steffany, you saved a life today." Wow. I am just glad that I had the experience to recognize the severity of her symptoms. Sometimes it is good to be a nurse.