Snow

Last night or early morning it snowed in Albuquerque. I heard freezing rain last night hitting the window woke me up. So I knew to expect something this morning, but I wasn't sure what. David and I were getting ready to take the dogs outside when I saw the snow! I was so excited, David groaned (with all rights). Stella was so excited she wouldn't stop running around, I don't think she went to the bathroom. Driving David to work this morning was very slow. Usually it's 20 minutes roundtrip but it took 45-50 minutes today. Thankfully everyone was pretty nice and no one was trying to go super fast. I only really slid in one area, but what amazes me is that I only saw one snow plow and it didn't have it's thing down and it wasn't dumping salt. Their really wasn't any snow on the roads, just ice, that's why I was surprised. Then I was super surprised when I turned on the radio and heard that the public schools were cancelled for the day...for a 1/4 in snowfall! How crazy is that!? I thought it was pretty crazy. Anyway, David has every right to groan this morning because he has to go up to Santa Fe and attended two military funerals. He is really anxious about this for multiple reasons. He doesn't like funerals and he also has to present the american flag. He is thankful that it is older couples but he said that this is everyones job that they dislike which I fully understand. Anyway, the first picture is from my balcony looking into the courtyard and the second one is also from my balcony looking at the mountains! I love the mountains!

President Gordon B. Hinckley

Tonight I was shocked when I came home from one of David's co-workers house to get online and check my e-mail to see on my homepage (CNN) that President Gordon B. Hinckley had passed away tonight, less than three hours ago! I'm happy to say that he was a beloved man with such love for each and every one of us. I am also thrilled to say that I'm so happy that he is home with his wife and heavenly father now. I will always be thankful for his work that he has done. I have been personally blessed (as many others have also) from his work on having so many temples built and dedicated throughout the world. So much work has been able to be done. I know I will truly miss him but I know how happy he must be. I know he will be missed worldwide.

My First Rodeo

I went to my first rodeo last night. It was a Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. It was so much fun! I hadn't ever been to one before so I didn't know what to expect but wow! It was at an ice hockey rink and they put all this dirt over the ice so it was pretty cold inside, but it was still way cool. My favorite events were the bareback, the bull riding, and the barrel racing. The barrel racing is done by women and having to go around big barrels. Anyway, the reason David and I went to the rodeo is because he was in the color at the beginning of it. It was his first time ever doing colors and he did a pretty good job. I forgot my camera (as usual) but he has to do it again on Saturday so we are going back and I will make sure I have the camera. I'm realizing I'm a big cowboy fan...I want the whole outfit, the cowboy boots, the plaid shirt, and the big belt buckle! But, it'll be a while and I'm excited to go back!

Job Seeking

Today, I continued my search for a job (actually I have only put in only one application before today). I had a sudden urge to go to the temple (which was closed last week due to semi-annual cleaning) so I checked the schedule and it re-opened today. I got dressed real fast, let the dogs out one more time, put them away and went to the temple...a 10 minute drive! It was so nice to be just able to go without an appointment and just walk in. I felt so much at peace afterwards and ready for the rest of the day. After going to the temple I felt revived for the day and ready to go. I was able to apply at two or three places, come home and apply at some more online and then go get david. I am so ready for a job though. I've applied at Kohl's, Borders, The Apple Store, and a storage unit place. I'm just looking for something to give me something to do until school starts.
Today, I also applied to Central New Mexico Community College. I should be starting in May. I'm ready for that also. I'm just happy we are finally getting settled in and enjoying the area. We went to old downtown last weekend which is a very cool area. We were able to buy the #1 winning Salsa for the past two years, which is super yummy. Anyway, we are just having lots of fun.

A+ for Dog Parks

Today we took the dogs to the dog park for the very first time. Wow! what an experience. They made so many friends and had so much fun! When we arrived their was about 15 dogs in the park and they were all playing with each other. Moose did great... other then trying to hump only 3 or 4 dogs and was the recipient of humping from 1 dog. Stella was super timid for the first 10 minutes and had her tail permanently in-between her two hind legs. But after the 10 minutes she started running with the other dogs and Moose would protect her when the other dogs were getting to rough on her. It was so cute. The dog park was huge also, so much room for the dogs to run and do their business. And they even provide little doggie baggies to clean up after them. A few reminders for tomorrow when we take them:
1. Bring a water bowl....it's not easy for a dog to drink out of a water bottle
2. Bring them some toys to share with others i.e. a tennis ball or frisbee
3. Bring snacks for them when they do something good
One thing about Albuquerque is that it's the 3rd friendliest city in America for dogs. We were in old downtown today and so many stores had on it :
OK to bring food in
OK to bring liquid in
OK to bring your pet in
How cool is that, you can bring your pet into the stores to go shopping with you! Now I probably wouldn't take Moose or Stella just because I could see their noses breaking a few things from sniffing, but so cool. Anyway, Albuquerque is getting high on my list of cool places to live.

We are in Albuquerque!

David and I have finally made it to Albuquerque! YAY! We are living off base, which isn’t what we preferred…but base housing lost our application and we didn’t want to live for another month out of suitcases. So, we are living at the Retreat at Candeleria. It’s an ok apartment complex, but it’s really small. Right now we are still living out of our suitcases, but TMO is brining our stuff on this upcoming Wednesday.

The highlights of our apartment complex:
• The Albuquerque temple is 5 miles from the house.
• We are close to great shopping.
• The missionaries live in our complex.
• We have a gym, 3 pools, 2 spas, billiards, and a big screen tv to our own use.
• We have Moose and Stella with us.

Some downsides to our apartment is:
• We can hear everything from our neighbors and vice versa.
• We don’t have a gated community.
• No backyard for Moose and Stella.
• The apartment is super small so we have to get a storage unit.
• We live on the second floor.

We are enjoying the area so far. The people seem nice. One of our neighbors below us leave out dog treats for all the dogs in the complex. We haven’t done much yet but go on base a couple of times, find a Wal-Mart, a Target, and a Jo-Ann’s Fabrics. We know what is important! All though we did go out today for a great Mexican meal! I love the Mexican food here already.

I am just thankful that we have made it here safely and that we are getting our things on Wednesday. I’m so excited!