Sharon Update - Fall

(Don't feel guilty for skimming! This has turned into a detaily journal entry type rambling)

Phew,
Pittsburgh is getting chilly. I'm sitting on the floor by our space heater with a scarf on. I've finally broken out my winter coat, which surprisingly still fits!

Today is a very laid back plan C: grocery shop, clean, carve pumpkins. Plan A was the temple, but the water pipes broke, and plan B was to visit Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Waters and check out beautiful changing leaves, but we're expecting rain and maybe snow.

The past couple of weeks have been really great, with lots of blessings included.
* Anthony's been handling the stress of applying and interviewing for jobs very well. He turned down a second interview with Deutsche Bank to have first interviews with IBM and GE. He felt really good about his IBM interview, which selfishly made me a bit nervous since they warn that the job could potentially include travel 100% of the time. But!.. he's heard back from GE, has had a second screening interview with them, and will be flown to Connecticut for a third interview in early November. Yay! We're accepting prayers.
* Anthony's also been handling school stress well. I came home from work the other day to find all the laundry done and folded, and if he happens to be home, he tries to have dinner on by the time I get home. I married such a hunk.
* Prego: I'm feeling really good and getting big. I bought a couple of maternity dresses last week which helps me feel less frumpy. My energy level has been pretty good and yesterday I had another appointment with my midwife. He is so cool!, and answered all my many questions just as I was hoping he would.
* Work is going pretty well. We had performance reviews, and I got a raise! I wasn't expecting it in the least since I just made the transition to salary, and thought that would be considered a raise. Every little bit helps. One of my co-workers was...released?...fired? No-one really knows. But it's made this week a little stressful with a more difficult teacher to student ratio. I've kind of given up the hope of getting off work on time, but it's o.k. Coming up with lesson plans has been taking a lot of time, but it's pretty fun, and I figure I can keep all my ideas on file for fun family activities. Last week was "Staying Healthy" week. Ruben, my kids loved the Oral Hygiene song. I taught them the chorus, and then we danced around in a congo line.
* Church: we're staying busy as usual with our callings and are feeding the missionaries tomorrow. Hopefully we'll be able to get some of our recent convert friends over as well.
* Fun: Last week we finally made it to the Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh's contemporary art museum. It was sweet! Very refreshing and thought provoking. It's been a while since I've immersed myself in modern art. It made me think of fun days as a security guard at BYU's museum of art. (Joan and Lynne, which reminds me. Shawn and Amy Moon who you worked with there, and married each other...are in our ward. Sheesh, it's taking me a year to remember to tell you that!)

Last night we went out for a date. Which was really fun, since we've been so tired, most of our dates have consisted of grocery shopping, watching a movie at home, or babysitting for other people. We went to a cool restaurant called The Bangkok Balcony, and then Coldstone for dessert. I have to brag about our concoctions for a second just incase you are planning a trip to Cold Stone any time soon. 1: Pumpkin mixed with Cheesecake icecream with white chocolate, grahm cracker, and pecan mix-ins. 2: Fudge brownie batter ice cream with snickers, reeses pb cup, heath bar, and snickers. Woah. That may have been gilding the lily a bit, but how can you go wrong with gilding chocolate with more chocolate? Anyway, it was fun to dress up in jewelry and a little makeup....and apparently on rainy Friday nights, everyone else is staying in, which makes for quick service.

Alright. Love you guys!!!! We love you all, and think of you every day.
Sharon