Spring is in the Air

Today has been one of the most beautiful days we've had here in Utah for a good long while!! The sun is shining, the sky is clear, its warm, there is a nice breeze, and just is a gorgeous day!

It makes me miss Virginia a little though.

Although it is a beautiful day, it doesn't have the same beauty as Virginia.

This is what I would see all around me. Driving to and from school, work, and home.Blossoms blooming on the beautifuyl dogwood trees, Virginia's state flower.

Nonetheless, I am super excited for this beautiful weather!I just hope it stays until Saturday!That would be the best gift that Dear Mother Nature could give me!

A BEAUTIFUL SPRING DAY!!!!

Festival of Colors

Today I got to go to the Festival of Colors with my siblings! From left to right, Madelyn, Bryson, and Courtney. It was SOOOO much fun!! It was definitely one of the coolest, messiest experiences of my life! Everyone living in Utah should experience this crazy day filled with singing, witch burning, coughing, and COLORS!!

Winter/ Spring War

BREAKING NEWS:

WAR BREAKS OUT BETWEEN WINTER AND SPRING

This morning when I woke up, I was expecting a nice peaceful day. But to my dismay a war started. It started off with Winter winning. Snow was falling all around to the ground. It made everyone get nervous that their driving was impaired. My prayers go out to whoever was in that truck that rolled off the side of the road.

By mid morning, the snow had stopped and you could see Spring breaking through. The Sun came up and made everything bright. The clouds started moving to the west. Spring is winning the war right now, but we never know what Winter might have planned. Stay tuned for more info on the raging war.

SMILE!!!

What a great day it has been!! I have just had a smile on my face all day long! It is crazy how something so simple can completely change a person's countenance. That single thing makes people want to be around you! I got a great complement from one of my bishopric members. I went up to Brother Lowry to give him my tithing and we just chatted for a bit and he told me that I just looked absolutely beautiful today. He was like "Alexa, I think it is because you have this radiant smile on your face!"

So to all of you people out there...
Just SMILE!!!

My Dad

My dad is someone I look up to a lot. He is a man of few words, but when he has something to say, everyone will know. He has one of the greatest laughs even though it is rarely heard in full force. But when you do hear it, it is contagious! He is also a very caring person. I recently got this email from him and it touched me. Its a letter he sent to our old ward in Virginia, which was having a birthday party for the start of the ward. So here it is:

Dear Clover Hill Ward Family,

I regret that we were not able to join you at your 20 year celebration, but it is a privilege and an honor to express my feelings about serving as the Bishop of the great Clover Hill Ward.

I have many fond memories of serving as Bishop; first, let me start with the wonderful primary children. I loved seeing them reverently queue up in the hall waiting to go into the Primary room. And then after the block of meetings was over they would then line up for candy at the bishop’s office. My desire was for them to feel comfortable to come to the bishop’s office and know that they were loved. I hoped as they got older and went to see the Bishop, they didn’t expect candy.

Next, I have to mention the excellent youth of the Clover Hill Ward. They probably got tired of seeing and hearing from me all the time. It was rough at first continuing as Seminary teacher and Bishop. But I loved to be around the youth and feel of their spirit. I think back on all the activities, the BYD’s and firesides I attended with the youth, the excitement of the basketball season, the awesome canoe trips on the James River, Bishop’s night at Girls Camp, and the variety of weekly activities were always enjoyable. But I must say, the time spent at the Youth Conferences were the best, staying up late, playing cards, and just hanging out with the youth. The testimonies that were shared and demonstrated through their actions lifted me up and helped me want to be better in my own life.

And of course the primary and youth programs couldn’t have been the incredible programs they were without the many dedicated and inspired leaders. Each of you gave it your all in serving each other and helping one another to come unto Jesus Christ. I truly felt we, as a ward, were on the same path as the City of Enoch. “And the Lord called his people aZion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; Moses 7:18”

If I had to describe the Clover Hill Ward in one word, I would have to use the word ‘UNITY’. I felt we were united in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This was especially demonstrated during times of crisis and trial within the ward. We all worked together in helping and serving each other become better individuals. Thank you that made my job so much easier.

Brothers and Sisters I love our Savior, Jesus Christ and I want you to know, He loves you. I am so grateful for his atoning sacrifice for us all. I know that as we utilize this magnificent gift it will bring peace and joy to our souls. I know that He has restored His Church on earth here in these latter-days through the Prophet Joseph Smith. We have been blessed with the fullness of His Gospel and a living Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, to lead and guide us at this time. We also have Bishops and other local leaders that help us along the way.

I am eternally grateful for the opportunity I had to serve you as Bishop. I had tremendous support from the ward leaders, particularly my Counselors. Even now my dear friend Joel Maddock steps in and does for me what I was not able to do myself. I appreciated the faithfulness of John, Joel and the other members of the Bishopric, in sustaining me in my calling. They all gave countless hours in discussing and meeting the needs of the ward members (with a little time conversing about cows). It was humbling to see the service that was so freely given by all those who willingly gave of their time and talents in helping to build up the Clover Hill Ward.

I am most thankful to my wife and children for their love and support. Lana was such a pillar to me during my time as Bishop, okay really ever since we were married. I love her so much. We really wanted to be with you this weekend to express our love and thanks in person to our Clover Hill Ward Family.

Some of the Sacrament Meetings I enjoyed the most were the ‘Worship through Hymns’. Although I refrained, I always wanted to assign myself to talk in one of those meetings, but I also wanted to hear from the ward members. So in closing, I wish to have the congregation sing “Because I Have Been Given Much” Hymn #219. I feel this sums up how I saw the Clover Hill Ward and the members attitude during my time as Bishop. I love you all. And say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

For whatever reason I was very touched by this. I just want everyone to know how awesome my dad is and how grateful I am to have him as my father. He is a great example to me and I look up to him so much!! I love you Dad!!

To the Erickson Family

Today my thoughts are with one of the therapists I work with. His name is Randy Erickson. Last week, his wife, Colette, had a beautiful baby girl named Molly. They have had a good week with her and things have just been going great. Until today...

This morning at work, I come in expecting everything to be normal when I find my dear friend, Heather Waters, calling all these patients. She informs me that Colette is in the emergency room. But she was in the middle of a call so couldn't explain what was happening. Then when she got off the phone she told me what happened. Apparently Colette started having a headache, which quickly turned into a migraine and it got to the point that it was just unbearable. So Randy took her to the emergency room. They found out she was internally bleeding in her head. We still don't know what is wrong. I can't even imagine what is going to happen... What if Colette dies? Will she be leaving Randy to take care of their three kids, one of which is a week old? I can't help but tear up.

Erickson family, I want you all to know you are in my prayers. One of the first things I did was tell my mom to put your name down on the prayer role at the temple. You have many people praying for you! I hope things turn out for the best! Randy, you have a whole Wasatch Peak Physical Therapy family that will be there for you every step of the way!

Running Out of Gas

Gasoline... Its a very important thing to keep your car running. Just FYI.

Your car is smart and tells you when its ready for some more gas.

Its almost like a child. It lets your know its hungry for some more car food.

And it will pester you until you get it the food it wants. But if you let it go long enough... It will be mad at you and act like its dead.

Silly Marvin...

I was on my way to feed you.

You should have just been patient for like...

5 more minutes.

Then your tummy would have been satisfied.

But no... You decide to throw a temper tantrum and stop working.

So I have to pull off to the side of the road and look like a stupid girl who doesn't know how to take care of her own car.

Luckily, I was able to get my dad to come and get some gas for good ole Marvin.

Then I took Marvin to get some gas into his tummy.

Marvin I promise to pay attention to you when you beep at me telling me how hungry you are!

The Mini Van Experience

So today, I didn't have work or school, which means I got roped into taking my adorable little brother to preschool. My mom had left to go to something for her Aunt Dale and took my car... Which left me with what? That's right the mini van. I am actually a fan of the mini van. It makes me feel like a mommy (which is what I've always wanted to be in life). So I got to have a taste of my dream job for a bit today.

It first started out with making some lunch for my little brother and sick sister. Getting them food and then running off to take a shower. I even went all the way and just didn't bother to put any make up on or really try to look nice. I just showered, got dressed, dried my hair and was ready to go. Made sure my little sister was all comfortable and had everything she needed. Got the little booger into the mini van and I was off.

We picked up the other kid that we carpool with and headed over to Layton to their preschool. Had to get them out of their seats and told them to walk faster. It took a while to get them moving because they were so easily distracted. But the whole time I just felt like I was doing the funnest thing ever! Then getting back into the mini van to drive to the store to get something for the sickie. My mini van experience was great today. Helped me realize what my dream job will be like one day. But it definitely gave me my fill until that day.

The Man Rules

My least favorite class was my most enjoyable one today. Strange how that can happen sometimes. The reason it was my favorite today was the way my professor started out with a handout called "The Man Rules". I was laughing the entire time! It is a list of rules (all numbered #1) that some guy compiled of what he thought were some of the most important rules according to men. I would like to share some of my favorite:

• Men are NOT mind readers
• Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If its up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.
• Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work. Strong hints do not work. Obvious hints do not work. Just say it!
• Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we are for. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.
• Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 days.
• If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.
• If something we said can be interpreted two ways one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.
• Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we
• ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.
• If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing", we will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

This list helped me understand the male species, and what they think of females, a little better. I hope you got a laugh out of some of these like I did.

Facebook Status Questionaire

So lately on dear ole Facebook, I've seen people put this as their status:

No one will get this right! My middle name__________, my age___, my favorite soda_______, my full birthday___/___/___, my best friend_____, my favorite color______, my eye color_______, my hair color______, my favorite food________ my mom's name_______ and my dad's name__________ !! Put this as your status and see who knows you best.

Most people do NOT know these answers... So I have decided that I will make it SO you do know.

My middle name: Rochelle (hence the title of my blog). I actually got that middle name because I was born on my Aunt Rochelle's birthday. Just a little extra fact for ya :)

My age: 19 years 11 months and 337 days old.

My full birthday: April 2, 1991. I share t his wonderful day with the one and only Courtney JoAnn Smith. My wonderful twin sister!

My best friend: I have multiple best friend s. They've all helped me at different times in my life. But I will list a few...

• Courtney Smith.
  

  

• Elysia Broderick.

  

• Camille Record.
  

  

• McCall Peart.
  

  

• Liz Waite.
  

  

My favorite color: Green. This became my favorite color back before I moved out to Utah. I was about to move and I was chatting with my friend Zackery and he told me how beautiful I looked in the color green. And since then it has been my favorite. See boys... What you say to a girl can be very influential.



My eye color: Rootbeer brown. I got this from a friend who once said she didn't like saying she had just plain brown eyes. So she decided her eyes looked like a rootbeer brown.




My hair color: If you refer to my last post you will notice I am now blonde. But you can still see my pretty brown in it.

My favorite food: I honestly love ALL food. I right now am going into Health Promotion. I want to go on and get a degree in Food Management and eventually open my own restaurant. I LOVE the health aspect of everything (even though I am not as healthy as I should be). So my restaurant is going to be a healthy, organic cafe.

My mom's name: Lana Draney Smith. One of the greatest women I know! I look up to her so much!

My dad's name: Kirk Lovell Smith. Silent, funny type. I love being with my daddy!

Well I hope you have enjoyed getting to know me a little better!!

Being Blonde

Back before my journey at college ever began, I had never once dyed my hair. It was something I had never even thought of doing! I thought my hair was so beautiful and didn't want to seem fake. But then one December night, as I was with my dear friend, Ammaron (who was getting his hair bleached) I got pressured into putting a random streak of blonde in my hair. And that is where my being blonde began.

I went home for that Christmas break and my family loved it and decided they wanted to have it done as well. I added another streak into my hair just for fun. For a year that is what I did with my hair. I was satisfied with that crazy, wild, random change.

But I have lately felt like I needed some type of change in my life. I don't know why it was needed but I just felt like I need to shake life up a bit. That is when the idea came to me... Why not just go full blonde?

That very weekend, I was heading down to Cedar City to visit old friends. I discussed with them about what I wanted to do and they thought it was a great idea! Although they thought I should gradually ease my way into being blonde by just getting highlights. I thought it appropriate that I should go blonde in the very place that it all began over a year ago. No one from So Web had any idea that I was going to go blonde. Which is partly why I wanted to do it. I love getting reactions out of people!

So how has it been being blonde you might ask? I think it is fabulous!! It seems to fit my personality better. It has been a week since I got it done and I still get a little freaked out when I look in the mirror and see that I am basically blonde (even though its just highlights). But I love it nonetheless. It is something I hope to keep up because I think its adorable. And those are my thoughts on being blonde.

Sometimes...

I've decided to get back into the blogging scene. Thanks to my new, dear friend Jacqueline Brandt. I was reading her blog, Life is Beautiful, and it made me think that blogging is something I enjoy doing. So here's to restarting my blogging journey.

Today while I was in the library listening to my Pandora, I came upon this song:



It just spoke to me. I love the message that it sends. That sometimes there is just nothing you can do to help the situation you are in or what people may think of you. But as long as you are with someone you love.. that is all that matters. I think that is something I just need in my life right now. Its ok to make mistakes and not be able to finish something. I know that I have family and friends who are always by my side! Thank you Seabird for that song! It is definitely a new favorite!