Walking in a Winter Wonderland!

I truly feel like I am walking in a Winter Wonderland after the past week. Because of the crazy weather that Arizona has had over the past week, Flagstaff got about 4 or 5 feet of snow! There are literally rolling hills of snow on campus at NAU and around town. It snowed Monday night, Tuesday night, and then the huge storm was from Wednesday night through this morning (Saturday). It snowed almost the entire 2 days straight. It was so weird to look out the window or go outside and have it always snowing. I kind of enjoyed looking out our window and seeing the how much snow has fallen in comparison to my car. I watched it slowly cover my antanae and tires. It was an excellent way for me to judge how much snow had fallen, but I there was always the voice saying, "you're gonna have to dig it out." That voice ruined it for me. But because of the snow, I had a 2-day school week. Monday was Civil Rights day and didn't have school because of that, and then the university delayed opening the school on Wednesday till 10:00, so one of my classes was cancelled that day. The topping on the cake was when Thursday morning they delayed opening the university till 11, which was after I would have been done with classes. So I thought, ok, I'll just work today. And then an hour later they cancelled the university for the day because of worsening weather conditions. Later that day they also cancelled it for Friday. The results were 2 days of school, one of which started later than normal.

During these snow days, I was able to get some things done (clean the bathroom, make real food, did homework) and also go on some snow adventures. Part of these snow adventures included diggind tunnels in the banks of snow, being launched into the snow, learning how to tackle, finding show forts under trees, being thrown into the snow, etc. It was so much fun! I'm glad that I was able to relax and have some fun before I got too far into the semester. I am also very thankful to be able to see the beauty that surrounds me. There is a certain beauty that comes when everything is covered with snow. I feel so lucky to be living here in Flagstaff where I can see that beauty all of the time!

We went on a snow adventure on Friday to a dirt road in Flagstaff. I took some pictures because it was so beautiful!

This is me attempting to make a snow angel in the 5 foot deep snow on our snow adventure. I sunk into it and because of that got snow in my face.

This is my car outside of my window. The one on the very left bottom. And my car was cleaned off on Thursday, so this is not all of the snow that could have been on it. You can't even see my tires!

I've learned that snow has it's ups and downs, but I am enjoying the new way of life! It's definately an adventure!

Act of Service for the Day!

Today my roommate Jasmine and I were outside shoveling out my car. We are chugging along and low and behold, this kind man comes up to us and asks if he can help. He shoveled both sides of my car out and helped clean it off. It was done so much faster because of him and the fact that he knew what he was doing. I couldn't help but smile after this. All I could think about was, there are good people in the world still. I don't know this man, but he lives near me in my complex, but I am very grateful for the service he provided me today.

Baby Maley

I would like to welcome into the world, my new neice

Maley Susan Allred.

She was born on Friday night, Jan 15 and was 6 lbs 9 ounces and 19 inches long. I'm so excited to have another neice!

Happy New Year!

First off I want to say

Merry Christmas

and

Happy New Year!

I had a wonderful time with my family and friends over the holidays and I'm so glad that I was able to share the special time of the year with them. But now I'm back at school and have realized that this is the "New" time. Everything is starting over fresh. There is a new year, a new semester, a new job, new classes, new people to meet, etc. It is an excellent time to make and set goals and start doing things better in my life. Today, my Relief Society lesson was on being proactive and making goals in our lives. Being proactive means that you think about the choice you are making before you make it. It is not just reacting to the things that are happening, but being conscience of your choices and trying to make good ones. And part of this is making goals and striving to accomplish them. These goals should not only be in the most apparent parts of our lives, but in every part. She said that we should all make goals in these catergories:

• spiritual

• physical

• emotional

• relationships

• mental/educational

These are all areas in life that often need to be worked on to become better in my life. So I've decided to make goals for this semester ad actually follow through with them. I am going to make them in this week before school starts.

And on that note, I want to say on with a new year and a new semester!