The first snow of the season

A few weeks ago Rexburg Idaho had it's first snow of the season. Let's be honest, this desert grown girl is NOT a fan of the cold. I would so much rather play in the sun then the snow. However, I do appreciate the snow for about a day. Lorelai Gilmore always takes a walk in the first snow of the season because she says the snow is romantic. I couldn't agree with her more. I do think the snow is romantic and that is why Devri and I went for a long walk to appreciate it. Here is proof that I did appreciate the snow for at least one day!

Best Roommate ever!

We had to take a taste of the fresh snow

Dev showing the fact that she can do WAY more push up then me!

Organic Snow cones! (Way better for your body and way better for the environment)

Beautiful Rexburg in the snow

Oh Christmas Tree! Oh Christmas Tree!

I love Christmas! I love the sounds, the smells, and I even love the cold! (please note as soon as Christmas is over I am ready for the cold to be over too!) In our house we always had to wait until the day after thanksgiving to put up our Christmas tree and decorate the house. My roommates have found that tradition to be the same in their houses as well.

This year I have just been dying for Christmas to come! I can't wait! So last Saturday we had our own little roommate thanksgiving feast since every one will be out of town starting this weekend....aaaand then today we put up our Christmas tree!

I bought this tree for twenty dollars last semester and I just LOVE it. It's a bit of a charlie brown Christmas tree but it works for a charlie brown college apartment.

Devri and Kaiti were in charge of the "fluffing"


And we all hung the ornaments.

And the finished product! (well at least until Kaiti brings back more ornaments from home)
Merry Christmas!!!!!
I am sure I am not the only one who is stoked 2010 is almost over!

Adoption

Some times I read The R House Blog. November is adoption awareness month and it's author has issued a challenge to celebrate by blogging about adoption everyday. When I read her challenge I knew there was no way I could blog everyday, but I decided I could blog at least once a week. I don't know if it is the lack of sleep or what but I am finding myself a bit emotional tonight. I have never spoken about adoption before on my blog and honestly I am at a loss as to what to say. It may be because this is something that is so close to my heart that I don't share my feelings about it very often if at all. The thought of talking about it on cyber space is a bit paralyzing. But I made the goal to take the challenge and so here it goes.....

I feel like I should write something quick and uplifting about adoption and then my goal is done for the week! With regards to the topic....This year has been a hard one for me. HA How is that up lifting? I am getting there. Yesterday as I was cleaning the kitchen, I couldn't help but think about how different my life could have been. I am usually pretty strong when it comes to this but sometimes.....you just can't help the what ifs. After my minute vacation on the other side of the fence I began to think of all of the joy in my life because a choice was made for adoption to be a familiar thing.

I feel very strongly that adoption blesses the lives of all parties involved.
For those who for whatever reason are hoping for children, adoption blesses them with the gift of parenthood. People often say that no other joy exceeds that of being a parent. Adoption gives that joy to couples who are not able to experience it otherwise.

For the birth parents who choose to place for adoption it gives them opportunities to provide their child with a home they always imagined for them. Although adoption is made with the welfare of the baby in mind it often allows the birth parents with opportunities to grow and develop in wonderful ways.

But most importantly adoption is a blessing for the child. In most cases the child is loved and adored by both a mother and a father in a stable home. That sweet child is often given every opportunity the adoptive couple can afford. That little baby not only has one family who thinks about them and prays for them, but they have two families who do that.

I wish I could express the joy that can come through adoption but I lack the words.

My heart is full when I think of how it has touched my life and the lives of those I love so dearly. I feel like in this society adoption is thought of as the easy way out and is very under appreciated. However adoption is probably one of the greatest tender mercies the Lord can provide. It requires a great amount of selfless love that in my opinion makes adoption a difficult choice but a huge miracle to the lives of so many people.

Adoption is an incredible gift and I truly am grateful for it's blessings in my life. It enriches my life daily and continues to refine and bless me.

I can't think of a title for this one!

This morning I am really worn out! Saturday afternoon I went down to Utah to pick up my sweet roommate from the airport. Then last night we drove through torrential rain to get home (it was kind of scary at some points). Can I just say Utah I love you but I am sick of you! In the last three weeks I have been down to utah three times. And the first two times I did the trip in one day. I'm done! For the next month at least. On our way home we stopped by Liz's house and talked about babies the whole time. So much fun! I have been asking her to post prego pictures and I am sure I am not the only one who would enjoy seeing one. So while I was there I took one myself and here it is!

What a cute pregnant lady! It is so much fun to see her with a baby growing inside her tummy! And that maternity shirt is just adorable! I can't wait to be an aunt and have a fun little baby in the family to play with and love!

And this is their new stroller. Liz says that she is now really impatient for the baby to come cuz she just wants to try out the stroller! (she's tried to make up for it by putting a teddy bear in there) I don't know if you can tell but it's like the safest around and pretty high tech. Would you expect anything less from my brother in law?

My life: Build your own adventure!

As a teenager I some how got the reputation in my fam of someone who doesn't plan very well and who is not....how do you say it? Reliable? I wouldn't necessarily agree with that description. I like to say I was spontaneous and instinctive. When I was a kid and we got lost on family outings with my mother she'd simply say, "Let's follow our nose! We are on an adventure!" I may have taken that a little more seriously then my mother intended because I made it my motto. I would just follow my nose to the next adventure in life. Hakuna Matata!

I had friends who before my next exploit would ask me things like, "where are you going to stay?" and "how are you going to get there?" They always laughed and were never surprised when I'd shrug my shoulders and say, "I don't know. I guess we'll see!"

The last few years I have really surprised myself! Normally I do not stay in one place long enough to unpack my suit case let alone earn a Bachelors degree! But here I am two months away from wearing a muumuu and square hat! And you know what else? While I so uncharacteristically lived in Rexburg for three years I made some plans!

I planned to go straight to grad school in the advanced standing program, get my masters degree in clinical social work in one year, and then complete my advanced licensure to become an LCSW doing addiction counseling. Sounds pretty good right? Yeah I thought so too! For the first time I knew exactly where I was going to go and how I was going to get there.

A new discovery that I have made is: it feels really good when people ask me what my plans are to have an answer!

Okay, So what's the point? The point is that apparently you CAN'T teach an old dog new tricks. One night as I was preparing for the oh so planned out new adventure in my life, I hopped on line and sabotaged the whole thing! I applied for a great job that would definitely put a kink in my current life plan. I haven't heard much back from the employer other then they would LOVE to have some one with my experience and know how. I am pretty confident in my ability to land this post-grad job but I am not sure if I want to do it and stray from the map I had made.

So.....Deborah Diane is back to following her nose to the next adventure in life. Where am I going to go? What am I going to do? Where am I going to stay?

*Shrug* I don't know. *Wink* I guess we'll see!!

Just a Quickie

Seriously I am exhausted. The last few days I have felt like....like...well I really can't come up with a good metaphor because my brain is still spinning and I just can't think. It has just been one thing right after another! I have probably gotten about 8 hours of sleep in the last few days combined. As I type this I am literally laying on the floor because I am to tired to get up and go to my bed. Plus I don't want to leave my dear roommate in case she needs something. I really shouldn't complain. Despite the last few days, life is fantastic and I have so many things to be grateful for!

I am grateful I live so close to my parents
I am grateful I am blessed with so many ridiculously amazing friends
I am grateful for Sarah Jimmy and the huge blessing she is to me. Sarah, you make me happy because you laugh at my quirks, you take good care of me, you are tough as nails, and because you have put up with me in your space and business for the last two years! I love having you as my roommate!
I am grateful I have a knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ
I am So grateful for the power of the atonement and it's all encompassing power.
What a blessing prayer is!
What a blessing it is that I am almost done with school.
I am grateful for the new adventures that lay ahead of me. Until those adventures unfold and life slows down, I am laying on the floor feeling and looking like I've been hit by a truck!

Spoiled Rotten!!!

I have come to the realization that I am spoiled rotten. And you know what? I am completely okay with that. Now, I do try to do my best to show my appreciation for everything that people do for me and serve others in return but it doesn't change the fact I am treated well and LOVE it!

When I was in California my Aunt and I had a conversation that went exactly like this....

Aunt Jan: "Your Uncle Richard (her brother) tells me that we Allred girls are high maintenance."
Deborah: "That maybe true, but you get what you pay for and you can't get better then an Allred girl."

I've been wondering lately how I came to expect to be treated so well by the men in my life.

I thought about my father who has loved me so well that I never doubted my siblings and I were the most important people to him. (second only to my mother of course).

Then there is my Brother. This guy is the best ever! He treats me like a princess! Opens doors for me, tolerates my irrational rants about the latest frustration in my life, gets me water or pillows or whatever I need upon my request, etc.

Yesterday I was woken up by a phone call from my mother and two other ladies in their 50's just giggling. They told me they wanted me to teach a dating class to a few return missionaries and before I knew what was happening the time and place was scheduled and set up. I decided that I would recruit my army of male friends for help. I got out my phone and sent out a text asking their thoughts and advice on how to treat girls. Within minutes I had 20 responses. Here are a few of the responses from my closest friends.....

One Said: "My grandpa always told me, "Bradley, to treat a woman right think of how you want to be treated, magnify it by 10 and if she doesn't feel like the world revolves around her, your not trying hard enough!" When I am around women, I want them to know just how great they truly are. All women are amazing in some way or another.... The first thing I always try to do is make them smile.... Once you know what makes her smile, you hold it in your pocket and pull it out every once and awhile so as not to wear it out. Next, smile at her like she is your world, because she is! Without her life would be less full and empty. I understand this is more for a relationship, but you can do the same things on a lesser level with all woman. It about making them feel like there everything to the world, and that's the most important thing."

Another said: "I try to always anticipate any need my date might have. Being proactive will get you far. The moment you can see any potential need (water... ;) ) jump on it and offer before she has the opportunity to ask. Being a gentlemen these days is something few are...open doors, pull out her chair, offer your coat if she is cold, offer to get things for her, SAY PLEASE AND THANK YOU! In general, think of women as someone that needs to be cared for. They have the capability to do everything you can, but do it for them before they have the chance."

Another gave me a list of his rules that consisted of Treating the woman you are with like they are the most important person in the world.

Between my stellar friends and my Father and Brother, it's no wonder I am the way I am. Yep, i can admit it.....I've got a good life.