National Frozen Yogurt Day

February 6th is a fabulous day. Why? Well, it's National Frozen Yogurt Day; the best day of the year, of course! I adore a day dedicated to my favorite frozen treat. This year Yogurtland offered free yogurt and topping for a period of time that day. Naturally, my friends and I were the first ones in line and we spend a great afternoon eating free fro yo. Happy Frozen Yogurt Day! Hopefully, you eat just as much as I did. 

 My partners in crime

 Super stoked

 Cannot wait in line for another minute

 My favorite

We ended our trip eating in the car because Colorado is way too cold to be eating fro yo outside. 

What I've learned

In just a few short days, I will be heading back to my home. To say the least, I am beyond excited. Even though my last few days in Mesa are filled with long boarding dates, day trips, and hikes, my mind cannot help but reflect on my past semester. I've learned so much in the past four months it's felt like five years. I love my new life in Colorado and I am grateful for all I've learned in that short amount of time. A feeling of excitement is all I feel when I look forward at my uncharted life. Here is a video I made of my first semester and a few life lessons my good friends and I have learned.

• Doing laundry at three am is the best time.
•  "God knows the true desires of my heart and satisfies them at exactly the right time." -Abigial
•  "God is always faithful, no matter what my opinion or plan is.” -Aaron
• It doesn't matter where you sit during Tiger Ball, you're never safe!
• "Trust and thank God in every situation good or bad, and if we want to be there or not because He is in control."-Jon
• Baking is always a better choice than homework
• If Taylor Swift starts playing loudly upstairs it's time for a dance party.
• Let it go
• "How funny and weird some of the people on campus are and yet how we still love them more than anything."-Jon
• If you don't go to bed, the birthday fairy won't come.
• Get the help you deserve.
• "Procrastination is still a bad idea." -Tami
• Pinterest is the best thing to ever happen to any college girl.
• "Don't goad someone into praking you." -Chris
• "Harry Potter is incredible." -Tami
• Stand up for what you believe and find out what you don't.
• “Don’t worry about God’s plans for life. In my new stage of life at college relying on  God’s plan is so important.” -Mackenzy
• Admit when you made a mistake.
• “God gives us natural talents/gifts and passions for a reason and we need to respond to His call by using them for His glory and to fulfill His purpose for us.” -Katie
• "It's a bad idea to talk to Sarah Norris before she is fully awake." -Tami
• Never trust the printer a couple hours before a major paper for FYI is due.
• "Nerf guns are the best thing to have in college." -Chris
• “It may look like chaos down here but God has everything in control up there.” -Sam
• "Don't trust Cockpit." -Tami

A few of my favorite things

Fresh squeezed lemonade

Cute homemade aprons

Experiencing what I like to call magic pants. These pants were all on sale and different sizes. But they all fix me perfectly!

Finding time to repaint most of my nails.

Getting awesome phone calls from close friends. Caleb for sure made my day yesterday. I am so proud of the man of God he has become.

Skype dates with my two best friends. They remind me of one of my favorite quotes..

"Life doesn't always turn out like your fantasy that's why you need real friendships to get you through it all"

At the moment, I'm on the road and making my way to Colorado. It's insane to think I'll be there in a couple hours. Looking at the overstuffed SUV, it seems impossible to unload. However, I've already had some new CCU friends offer to help me. No worries, I'm a college girl now.

Fearless

When it comes to this topic it doesn't matter how much money you make or what clothes you wear. If I've learned anything this past summer, it's that life doesn't care who you are or where you're at when it throws something your way. The past three months I've gone through the biggest changes I've ever experienced. Needless to say, I'm tired, stressed, and fearful. As time has gone past since graduation, my experience as a "real" adult haven't been ideal. Through my car accident and becoming the sickest I've ever been, I can only grow. Through being the first to pick up everything to move to a new state, I can only become stronger. Through losing what I thought was the most critical part of my life I could only learn to be resilient.

When I hit a breaking point I thought to myself, "When did I become so fearful?" I never recall letting negative thoughts creep into my life as if they were true. Just because I am moving to a new state doesn't mean life won't happen for me. It only means I can become a mature adult faster. I look at other students my age and feel sorry for some.

This may be the scariest and loneliest point in my life so far. However, my growth, strength, and resilience is turning me into the adult I'm supposed to be faster. I guaranteed I am never going to apologize for being stressed out during this time in my life. I'm discovering who I am and that's hard. With that, I'll always praise God for the people in my life who will stick by me. Friends who accept me in all circumstances while having my back when I don't seem myself. Family who support me even when I'm angry, confused, and hurt. Writing, reading, and exercising more that makes me feel healed. Church family who constantly checks in on me and tells me keep my head high. More importantly, a God who knows I am worth it. Worth it to die for and work in and around my life. I'm going to be just fine because with these things in mind I'm fearless.
As of today, I don't worry anymore. I don't worry if I'll meet the right person. I don't worry about starting my life over in Colorado. There is nothing to worry about. So with no worry comes no stress and with no stress is no fear. I'm fearless. I'll embrace every moment of loneliness, hurt, joy, pain, and praise. On top of that, this past week I really learned that even one of the most important people in your life can let you down. Even when that happens, I won't let it stop me. I have to pick myself back up and keep going. What other choice do I have? I will never let life get me down; there's no reason for it!

I'm reminded of this: "So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy." - John 16:22. My final question is this--Is that all you got? That's nothing, life! Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life and I'm fearless.

How to make cheesecake cookies

The other day I got a request to make cheesecake cookies for someones birthday. Since I've never heard of this type of cookie it was hard trying to find the recipe. Finally, I was lucky enough to find one on Food.com. I am even more lucky that I have such good friends who are willing to try out an new recipe with me. After an hour and a half of baking the cookies turned out fabulous and the birthday boy really seemed to enjoy them.

Instead of a birthday card I placed a "happy birthday" scrapbook flag.

How to make blueberry scones

Over the weekend my best friend held a brunch for all of our friends. All week I was very excited; yet, when the morning of the bunch came I completely forgot to make a dish to bring to the event. Quickly, I went the Food Network website and searched for an recipe that would be perfect to make in an hour or less. With luck, I found blueberry scones that only took thirty minutes. At first, I was a little hesitant for the fact that I've never made scones before. However, they turned out super well. On top of that, everyone really seemed to enjoy them at the brunch. You'll never know what happened when you take a little cooking risk

When they know you by name it's time to get a punch card

It's like a game; the hunt to find new frozen yogurt places. Recently, I've found two recently opened establishments and they are delicious. Actually, they may bet some of my old favorites for the top spot. First, let me introduce you to Yogurt Kingdom.

Yogurt Kingdom has 14 delicious, unique flavors and a wide variety of toppings. So much so, that I went a little crazy and put most of the toppings on four different flavors. Oops!

 

I am so lucky my church family gets my strange obsession because one of my favorite leaders Jeannie took me to Yogurt Kingdom for the first time.

Meet my partner in crime when it comes to fro yo.

The coolest part about Yogurt Kingdom is the giant mural on the back wall. The owner's famous artist son painted this mind blowing picture of a yogurt kingdom. The fun part is there a couple hidden messages, animals, and names that represent the family.

This was my favorite part; Taylor and I found me in frog form. A blonde frog wearing a princess crown while reading "yogurt fitness" in the yogurt kingdom would be me if I were a animal.

Second, I've fallen in love with Yogurt Ranch.

I'll be completely honest, Yogurt Ranch is hands down the best tasting yogurt I've ever had. The family owned business is special because they treat and produce their yogurt differently and unlikely any other place I've ever gone too. Even though there is only six flavors at the moment they are well worth it. Their yogurt hits the spot. The toppings offered take the cake and I've had the best experiences with employees and owners. Their healthier yogurt is cheap for this budget girl as well

The best part about Yogurt Ranch is it's name. Every time I've brought up how much I love this place, whoever I'm talking with is repulsed by the name. On the other hand, I love it. The whole place is decorated with an western theme and they even have an horse that fro yo eaters of all ages can ride on. It's fro yo and fun mixed into one.

Check out these fabulous frozen yogurt places and any others that I find here in Arizona.

Cheater, cheater ice cream eater

Before I left for Sedona I did some research on some place to eat in the small town. My findings brought me to Black Cow ice cream; a ice cream shop that makes all their flavors fresh everyday. Since my frozen yogurt obsession originated from my ice cream addiction I had to check this place out. While in Sedona Zac and I tried to go in a couple times but the line was out the door. So finally we got our chance and it was totally worth; ice cream can make any great day better. Black Cow's freshly made ice cream is to die for and they present a lot of different flavors. Since it was hard deciding I got Peppermint Chip and Zac got Espresso Swirl and we shared. Both flavors where delicious and I was reminded how good ice cream is. Even though I feel like I cheated on frozen yogurt, Black Cow's ice cream is my only exception.

I thought this was so funny. Zac didn't think it was as funny as I did but who wouldn't laugh at a tip jar that said "cow tipping."

Zac loves ice cream too.

A few of my favorite things

1. Going off Campus As seniors we receive the special privilege of going off campus for lunch. During my fall semester, I hardly ever took advantage of this. Now I try to make it off campus everyday. This and going to spouts for the sandwich special has become one of my new favorites.

2. Popsicles I totally forgot how much I love Popsicles till one of the editors brought a box to yearbook one day. The coolness of a yummy Popsicle is truly unbeatable. It was the best part of my day when the staffers compared the change of color on their tongues.

3. When other people fall I have been known to fall, trip, and stumble from time to time so it's refreshing when my follow clumsy friends take the big fall to the ground. It's nice not to be the only one who trips over nothing while simply walking.

4. Church camp "This one time at church camp.." now that that's out of the way. I love church camp, I compare it to family vacations. This year was my last one and it was one of the best. It was most likely the most calm weekend I've ever had at camp and it was also the perfect get away from the craziness in my life at the moment. It was also strange to think that just four short years ago I was afraid to get into the van to go to my very, first camp. As camp came to a close, it made me more and more sad to know it was my last camp ever. Hopefully, I will be running one of those camps sometime soon.

5. Mini me Meet one of my best friend's little sister, Kendall. I swear this cool kid is trying to be the next Melanie. When I went over to Kaylie's house for our usual Gossip Girl night her sister only did something if I did, had soda if I had soda, and desperately wanted to sit next to me during diner. She actually only put on her PJ's when she saw I had mine on as well. Yes, it's always nice to be admired and copied.

6. Best friend time My best friend Dahlya has a history of being kinda busy. Whether it's travel, school, or auditions Dahlya has a full load. For this reason, when she has a free moment for best friend time I take it. She makes my days better and brighter so spending time with her is a must. Honestly, these past couple weeks she has been the best possible friend ever and every time I spend even a ounce of time with her I become more thankful for her presence in my daily life.

7. Dance parties Every year at church camp we throw a dance party. Last year, it was 80s themed and this year was neon. It got a little crazy and the best part was at the end when all the seniors got into a huge huddle to spend the last song together. My youth group is cool.

Looking back I'm not sure where the past two weeks have gone. I was thinking about it earlier today and I had a lot of fun but my business has consumed me to the point where I don't remember falling asleep. But, I wouldn't trade my life for anything. I was reading my journal the other night and I came across a paragraph I wrote on December 19, 2010, "I feel so lucky sometimes. Even when I'm really stressed I am still loved by God, I still love others, and I am still loved by others. Even when I have a lot of problems going on I am still forgiven. I have faith." This still rings true in my life today. As my best friend once said to me, "Life is too short to be sad about anything."