Over, and.... Out!

Well fellow blog readers, the time has come where I have to announce that this post, will be the final post on my Lemonade with Livi blog. This blog has been so much fun, but with the exciting way my life will be headed in just one week, I think it's time to move on to something a little sweeter. 

From now on you can keep up with my story, as not only mine, but ours.

Thats right Ladies and Gents, 

JACOB AND I ARE FINALLY GETTING MARRIED NEXT WEEK! 

We are ecstatic that it is so close, and cannot wait to share our new life with you on OUR new blog. 

Woohoo! We have a blog! Whats our new blog you ask?

 Orange Juice
{Wanna check it out? Just click on it!}

I know, I know, I just can't stay away from the juices. But how could I resist?! 

You put our first initials together, O+J, and PRESTO! You get Orange Juice!

Too perfect!

Thank you so much for all of your support, and for following me on my journey. It's been an amazing one. From finding lemons and turning them into lemonade, to moving to Idaho, to unexpectedly falling in love with my best friend, to waiting for him while he served his mission, and now to being sealed to him for time and all eternity. 

I. Can. Not. Wait.

I hope you will continue to follow us as we move on to something that will be MUCH sweeter and will continue on our journey with us, not just as one, but as two! 

Over and out ladies and gents, 

it's been a great ride.

xoxo

........and THAT'S the LAST sip, of Livi's Lemonade........... :)

So, there's this boy..

And I've kind of mentioned him a lot over the last year and 8 months....

He's got brown hair,

Brown eyes,

A wonderful smile,

And a VERY big heart.

When standing next to him I hit his shoulder,

He's been there for me whenever I've needed him.

He recently got back from Minnesota,

Where he spent 24 months serving a full time mission,

for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

He's been my best friend for four wonderful years,

We've helped each other through our lightest and darkest days,

He knows just how to make me laugh,

and always makes me feel like the luckiest and most incredible person in the world.

At just the thought of him,

I catch myself smiling,

My stomach flutters,

and my heart bursts with delight.

My heart was his the second we met,

So in return, I'm stealing his last name.

Because in reality, eternity without HIM,

would just be a long time...

Save the date Ladies and Gents,

Because Jacob and Livi are FINALLY

getting hitched.

And I'm just so darn excited, I can't stand it!

.................. and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade! :)

{proposal story to come SHORTLY, I promise}

A new room for me!

Once upon a time I made a quilt right after finishing high school, that was red, black, and white/cream. It was fabric that had pictures on it from the children's book "Olivia the Pig". 

I absolutely fell in love with it, especially considering how much time went in to making it, and it became my bedspread for college. 

Well after just one semester the Lord had a different plan for me and I was back in my humble abode. Everything in my room became those three colors and and before I knew it, my room felt super duper depressing to me. (Side note about myself. I really don't like the color back, which was key to this color combination) Even though my quilt was so cute, it just didn't really brighten up the room, and it definitely did not go with the sage green walls.

Well this weekend we got new carpet upstairs!!! It was a complete hassle. Just look at it. I had to completely move everything out of my room and put it in my bathroom... crazy. Haha. 

In the process of getting carpet, I tried to explain to my mom how much I did not like my room, and tried to convince her to put her office in my room, and my room in her office. And that of course, failed. But after describing exactly WHY I did not like my room, we decided it was time for a make over. So that night we went to TJ Max, and Bed Bath and Beyond, and could not find any bedspread that we liked that was within my price range. I was crushed. But with one last hope we went to Target to see what we could find. As we walked down the bedding isle I couldn't find anything. As I came down the sheet isle something caught my eye and I fell in love, only problem was it was a sheet. Bummer. But then the best thing happened. As took a closer look at it, I realized it was a duvet cover! And I have a comforter so I was SO excited because I absolutely LOVED it! Then I was immediately all smiles. 

In my room I have a head board that is basically just foam and is covered in a piece of fabric so you can changed it when ever you want to! So that was the next challenge. To find a fabric that went with the bed spread. We went to JoAnn's fabric capita of the world and could not find... anything. Then we went to Hobby Lobby and once agin, could not find anything. And just like the day before, with one last hope we went over to Fabric Mill. We searched and searched and there was nothing that I liked. Just as we were about to give up and go home out of the corner of my eye, I SAW it. We pulled it out and my Mom, I could tell, didn't like it. But when we went to get it cut out she realized why I loved it. And after some ironing and stapling, I absolutely LOVE my room!!!! It is absolutely perfect and it cheers up your mood the minute you walk in the door! See for yourself! :)

I purposely positioned it on the diagonal so that right when you walk in, the brightness is all you see and you're immediately happy!

Another thing I didn't like about my room before is the fact that my bed was located on a wall that is the only wall that the air conditioning does not flow to. Being the room upstairs, and in the corner of the house, you can see as to why this would be a problem. There were many sleepless nights because I was SO hot. Well now my bed is placed right where the air blows to and last night was a dream.

Now excuse me while I go ahead and go to bed. Sweet dreams!........... and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade! :)

SMILE!

:)

..........and THAT's a sip of Livi's Lemonade!

I'm happy :)

Sorry guys, can I just take a minute out of your day and tell you how WONDERFUL life is!? :)

I mean LOOK at this cute little face!

I haven't been over to their house for almost a month now. {crazy!} And today I wasn't there for very long, but when it came time to leave, Taya said, "You can't weave yet! You haven't payed wiff me, and I wewwy missed you!" With the absolute CUTEST puppy dog face you've ever seen in your life! 

So I couldn't resist, and I stayed a few minutes more and left with the usual blowing of kisses and "see you aigators(alligators)"! 

Oh how happy I am to be back. :) 

I'm never leaving again! Haha. It truly is amazing to look back at the timing of everything and where the Lord has led me. Nannying for these girls had absolutely made my life. It's one of the best things that has ever happened to me. 

I'm so grateful for it! :) 

This weekend I'm going to go on trek with their family and I am SO excited. I've never been before, and what better way then to go with Karen, Jason, and the girls! I seriously have not stopped smiling since I woke up this morning because I knew I would be going over to their house. :)

 Life is absolutely wonderful! I truly hope you are all feeling the same. After all, it's SUMMER TIME!!! :) And I have a feeling that this is going to be the greatest summer ever.. well... for more reasons other than the fact that I'm nannying again... ;) haha. 

Only, I'm not waiting any longer... it's finally here! :)

..............and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade! :)

I dimyself skirt.

So pinterest kind of stresses me out. In result I only get on it about once every.... 5 weeks?

Well, with no job, and my little girls being out of town, there was a LOT of sitting around this week. Friday night I finally caved and found myself in a pool of pins. I have been looking EVERYWHERE for the perfect maxi dress and/or skirt and have not found one ANYWHERE!!!

Major dilemma.

Well, in my in my pindings (get it, pin-findings, pindings?)

I found a pattern for a maxi dress! So what did I do? Saturday night I went to good ol' Joann's and found a fabric that I liked and...

BAMO!

I made it!

The pattern actually is supposed to be a dress, but I decided to make a skirt, that way I could wear multiple tops with it :)

How much did it all cost??

Well, the shirts, I could have already had, so I'm not going to count those.

The quiet inner shopaholic in me wanted to buy a new shirt. New clothes can boost anyone's confidence, I don't care who you are! haha.

ANYWAY!

I bought 2 yards of fabric, originally priced at 12.99 a yard.

BUT it was 40% of and then I had an additional 50% of coupon.

And had I gone on a Tuesday, I would've been able to use the 10% senior discount because one of my dear ones qualifies for that, but alas I was an eager beaver and wanted to wear the skirt to church!

So ladies and gents this skirt cost a woppin' 7.79!

(plus tax... and purchasing some elastic for 1.29)

But still!

WAY cheaper

(and definitely cuter)

than I could have bought at any store!

But YOU be the judge,

Whaddya think?? 

Just call me a DIY , or I guess DIM (did it myself) NINJA!

In fact it's time to make another wreath! :) I'm thinking red, white and blue.

But thats nothing new.

Those three colors have been on my mind since the end of January!

(If ya know what I mean...)

If any of you want the link to the pattern... click here.

Or if you would like help in making one the same style I did, (mine is a smidgen different than hers. Like the ruffle above the elastic instead of the band, and how I did not attach a top to the skirt, I did 2 yards instead of two lengths the size of my waist, etc.) I will gladly help you anytime!

I'm pretty much free once I get back from Park City this coming Saturday until July!

Oooohhh July is going to be a wonderful month!

Do you guys ever have those moments where you just sit back and realized, MAN my life is good?? Yeah. those are great moments... :) And it's funny. I've found that usually the only time I have those moments is when my life is in line with the Lords. :) It's wonderful :) The church is true! Hope you're all having a wonderful sabbath! I got to wear my new skirt, it was a Mission President/his family's farewell in sacrament today, (Farewell Mullen's! We'll miss you!), my little buddy in primary told me I was beautiful once again in primary, and now we're headed up to Park City for the week! :)

Today is wonderful... :)

But then again, when you're in the right mind set, 

what day ISN'T wonderful. :)

Okay you're probably sick of my ADD-ness. I've switched topics multiple times in this post...

I'll end your misery.

I'm done rambling.

Until next time! :) :)

................ and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade!!! :)

Kids say the Darndest things part dos.

So this weekend we went down to my Nieces and Nephew's dance concert in St George and it didn't get over until 10 o'clock last night. My sister needed to be home to sing in church this morning so we got in the car right after it was over and got home about 2 o'clock this morning. We have 9 o'clock church... ha ha. Lets just say, it was semi hard to wake up this morning to get to church. But I am SO glad I did.
Here is why:

Today in primary, I was sitting by the same boy that I wrote about a few weeks ago. Once again he was being a bit rowdy so I put my arm around him to keep from turning around. We were having singing time and were in the process of singing about being with our families forever and loving and honoring our family. He then grabbed my hand that was attached the the arm that was around him, and kissed it and then turned to me and said, "You're my sister huh! When we go to Heaven we're all going to be one big family and you're going to be my sister!" I then said, "You're right! And you'll be my brother!" Then he hugged me and said, "I'm excited for that, I love you". {Insert my melting heart} Is He not the SWEETEST!?

THEN when we were in class, we talked about things we treasured, and that we need to treasure the scriptures, our families, the stories of Jesus, the blessings of being baptized, etc. We had a little project that  entailed them cutting out a treasure chest and then also the jewels that had things we need to treasure, and they put the jewels in the chest once it was complete. Half way through them starting the project, he looked up to me with a big smile on his face and said, "You're one of my treasures.". Yup, my heart was pretty much complete goo by this point. I love that little boy!

I'm SO grateful for my calling! A little while back I wasn't so sure because I wanted to be in Relief Society learning things every week instead of being the teacher. But little did I know I would learn way more than I thought I would be from these little kids every week. They are the cutest. I love being around their sweet little spirits and learning about the "gospitle" and the "Conmandnaments" every week. Once again, Heavenly Father knows exactly what we need and when we need it. :)

Hope you're all having a fabulous Sunday! :)................... and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade! :)

New Beginnings

Well my fellow blog readers... today was a monumental day in the life of Livi. One of those days where no matter how big the leap is, you've got to have the faith, and JUMP! 
After many a weeks of being unhappy, stressed, and just not myself. I came to the conclusion of how to become happy again. I've been praying for a good month now about what it is I need to do with my life, and last night, the answer came. :)
So my friends, as of 10:06 this morning, I Lemonade with Livi, gave my two weeks notice at Central Utah Clinic. And as much as that saddens me to say that, I know it was the right decision. I haven't felt that much peace in a long time. I am grateful for all of the wonderful people I have met there, and the CRAZY experiences I have had to help me grow as a full time working woman. 
But you guys... I'm only 20. That would be a very long life if I was just stuck in a full time job that I didn't like that much. I've been wondering why I was led down this path. Why everything fell into place for me to go to MATC, and then how QUICKLY this job opened up at Central Utah. All I can think of is that it gave me experience, and gave me something to fall back on if I ever need it later in my life. 


So what now??


For now I will be back with my girls during what ever time of the day Karen needs me. :) And I will be LOVING every minute of it. I will also be looking for a part time job in addition to helping Karen, and then I will be attending school at UVU this fall. My major will be elementary education OR child psychology. And once I finish school I will then be a Pre-school teacher, or what my dream job has been ever since I heard about it as a Sophomore in high school, a Child Life Specialist. For those of you that don't know what a Child Life Specialist is, here is a definition. 


      "Child life specialists are pediatric health care professionals who work with children and families in hospitals and other settings to help them cope with the challenges of hospitalization, illness, and disability. They provide children with age-appropriate preparation for medical procedures, pain management and coping strategies, and play and self-expression activities. They also provide information, support, and guidance to parents, siblings, and other family members."


So in other words, you are their best friend while they are in the hospital. I would LOVE to work at Primary Children's, where I spent the first ten weeks of my life, in the cancer unit. I know that doesn't sound like the EASIEST job, but neither are the things that those children are going through in that hospital. And if I could do even just one little thing to make those kids smile everyday, it would make my whole life. 


My mom found this quote on pinterst yesterday and it was the answer to all of my troubles.

So I'm taking charge of my life. Life is too short to not be enjoyed.

I know that the only true way for me to be happy is to be around children. It's funny, this plan has always been there in the back of my head since the day I graduated high school. I was just wait for the Lord to say, "Okay, GO!"

And after almost 2 years of waiting for this answer. It's finally come. And although it's not MY ideal timing, I know it's the Lords. I know the future isn't going to be easy, {especially when I have to take one of those math classes... haha} but I know it's what I need to be doing and it will all be worth it in the end. 

So here's to the future, faith, and new beginnings. It's going to be a wonderful ride. :)

..............and THAT'S a sip of Livi's, once again HAPPY,  Lemonade! :)

Almost there!

Is it bad that the first song that popped into my brain 

as my alarm clock went off this morning was,

"It's five o'clock some where..."?

Yes..

Terrible?

No.

Do I secretly want to call in sick?

Maybe.

but, who doesn't!? ;)

Oh heaven bless....

Just have to get through 8 hours of work and I'll be singing

the words of Rebecca Black.

That we all wish we didn't know so well.

"It's Friday, Friday...."

Now excuse me as I eat my Nutrisystem Biscuits and Gravy,

that were made from scratch 

CREEPILY fast.

But hey! At least their good! :)

So excited for the wonderful weekend ahead of us! :)

In which we get to celebrate our best friends, 

aka,

our Mothers. :)

Love and happiness to you all!

................. and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade! :)

(Don't worry, I'm not drinking lemonade with my breakfast... that would just be nasty. ;)

......

I know, I'm still not blogging much. Haha.
I'm still kind of struggling with my new job.
A lot.
Some days I love it, most days... the feeling's opposite.
But I'm okay. :)
I know it's where I'm supposed to be.....


I'm nannying again on Tuesday and Thursday nights. :)
It's the best.
Life is SO much better with those 4 little ones.


Like today,
Thursday,
When the really stressful and hard work day was over,
I drove up to their house,
and as I got out of the car I heard,
"Wivi, Wivi, Wivi, Wivi! My Wivi is here!!!"
and an adorable smiling 2 year old
with a pink cast on her arm
came running up to me
and threw her arms around me. :)


That immediately turns my frown upside down. :)


My life is fantastic.


I just need to remember,
When everything seems like it's falling apart,
that's when God is putting things together
just the way he wants it.


Be of good cheer.... 
Your future is only as bright as your faith! :)
...........and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade! :)

PS, Just in case you're wondering,

 Jacob comes him in 55 days... 

*sigh* we are so close... :) 

{but then again, who's counting?? ;) haha}

... thats right, ME! ;)

nothing like a good weekend.

Whew, don't you just LOVE when right about when you think you've gone about 5 miles past your breaking point the Lord shows you the answer and you think, "Oh! It's that simple?!" This weekend as I was hanging out with my family, 

I realized I have way too much on my hands, and something needed to change. 

And it needed to change soon.

I had a wonderful weekend, mom, sister, and I went to city creek, then the parental's and I went to Costco and other stores to get groceries for our family dinner on Sunday. I love being with my family. There is NEVER a dull moment, and I never stop laughing.

Sister also just got a new dog. His name is Higgins. He's a Goldendoodle 

(Golden Retriever and Poodle mix) He's pretty cute.

Also my long time best friend Kristy, got ENGAGED!! She will be sealed to her fiancé Jake this July. Crazy that we're old enough for these kind of things!

(the ring is in the fish tank right under the bubbles)

Church was amazing as it always is. I absolutely love my ward, I feel like we are all so close. It was totally inspired that we live where we live. I don't ever want to leave it! In fact, when my parents were talking about buying a smaller house, I told them I would move into one of our neighbors houses or speak to the stake presidency personally, just so I could stay in the Canyon View 8th ward. Haha. 

And it helps that our primary class is the absolute cutest. :)

Sunday dinner was the best. I don't get to be around my family much, and even though we were short my brother Clayton and his family (they live in St. George) I love being with them, so I'll take all the time I can get.

 After all, I'm going to be with them forever, so I guess it's a good thing that I like them! ;) Haha.

With that being said, after MUCH prayer and deliberation, the hurricane has come to a calming stop. I have come to a conclusion, and have decided, that I need to quit the musical. Although that makes me terribly sad, I need to do what the Lord wants me to do. And I feel that right now, I need to be spending what little free time I have with my family and friends, to keep my weekly goal of going to the temple, and actually have a life and enjoy it. :) I really have felt completely at peace all day at just the thought of not doing the show. I know this is the right decision.

So there you have it! And hey! I'm blogging AGAIN! That alone is a sign that life is getting better! :) Haha, hope you all had a wonderful weekend and HAVE a wonderful week! :)

................................and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade! :)

p.s. Now I also get to spend more time with this little one and her older sisters. :) I miss those girls, my life just isn't the same not seeing them everyday!! You wouldn't believe how much I miss them... 

(First Video she says: "Livi come see me! Bye!"

Second Video she says: "I need Livi!")

How did I get so lucky with those girls! :) :)

lately

Okay so everyone should just know that the universal symbol for "Livi is stressed" is when I don't blog. Ha ha ha.

It has been a crazy last couple of weeks. Instead of going into detail about work, lets just say it is kicking my trash. I had no clue what I was truly getting myself into, until now. Ha ha. I also just made it into a musical, that is going to be running Jun 2-11. And the fact that my character has a french accent doesn't not help the stress level too much. (For all of you that know me well, know that accents are not my forte... If a man was pointing a gun at my head and asked me to do any kind of an accent straight for 10 seconds, I would get shot. I'm not just being humble. Haha.)

So my days go a little like this: 8:30am-5pm work. 5pm-7:30-ish rehearsal, but by that time I get home, it's 8. Then I eat, go to sleep, and start all over again. My days these last couple of weeks, have usually ENDED in tears, and started in them as well.

Doesn't that sound great??? There were a few times the last couple of weeks I just wanted to give up and leave work. It was REALLY really stressful. But of course I would never do that, so I just stuck it out.

I read a really good quote by President Thomas S Monson, "Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, "I'll try again tomorrow"". I think that pertains to my life quite accurately right now. A good portion of those tears came while I was on my knees, because after all, as President Monson says, "Man stands tallest when on his knees". And it also seemed like every scripture I read was something to the effect of, "I can do all things through Christ". I can whole heartedly say, they only way I am still alive today is because I relied on the Lord. Ha ha ha. It is truly the only way TO make it out of weeks like what I just went through. I would actually not mind at all if I never had to repeat this last few weeks ever again.

I LOVE TRIALS! Haha. I feel like they are mini reality checks, that make you realize what you need to do to change your life to make it better. And those things always end up being the little things. Like reading the scriptures, reading conference quotes, and some things are as easy as remembering to smile.

So I am going to thoroughly enjoy every minute of this weekend. Because the wonderful thing is, tomorrow is another day and I never have to go back to yesterday. P.S. Weekends are like heaven when you work full time, plus there are exciting things happening this weekend. Some SO exciting I can't post on the world wide web... yet. :)

Now pardon me while I go start a new sewing project! Now with work and the show, I don't have much time to finish it by it's deadline! What is my project you might ask?? All I'm going to say is it has to do with tie's, name tags, and the deadline is a holiday. :) Can you guess?? :) Just 11.5 weeks!

Have a wonderful weekend, and don't forget to smile! :)
.....................and THAT'S a sip of Livi's lemonade! :)

Kids say the darndest things!

Today in primary I was sitting next to a little boy who sometimes is sometime a bit of a challenge to keep quiet. As my mom was teaching the lesson, he repeatedly tried to touch my necklace. So of course I kept telling him he needed to be reverent and keep his hands to himself. Once we all started coloring and everyone was having their own conversations, he once again tried to touch my necklace. 

But this time as he went for it, he said, 

"I really like your necklace, it's so colorful." 

It's his birthday this week so I said, 

"Does it remind you of your birthday?" 

to which he replied with, 

"No, it reminds me of Jesus." 

And THIS my friends is why I love my primary class....

I have the best calling in the world!

(this is a picture of the necklace I was wearing today)

HAPPY SUNDAY!........... and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade!

Now please excuse me as I go indulge myself in "Catching Fire".... I'm hooked to the Hunger Games.

balloons

Today I realized JUST how much I love:

driving with the window down

sunglasses

and 

balloons.

Being confined to a room all day 

in front of a computer screen, 

with a window that doesn't open, 

makes you appreciate the 5 hours a day 

You actually get to spend out of the office.

Today as I got in the car after a long day's work,

I rolled down the window, 

blasted one of my favorite songs,

and put on my sunglasses

As I was driving home,

I took Freedom Boulevard,

and to my surprise 

the street was lined with balloons.

IMMEDIATELY

 a smile came across my tired face.

It was a sign of happiness

that made me not want to just give up

my 5 hours of life before I go to bed.

I love balloons,

they make me happy,

they can transport ANYONE's mind

back to their childhood

where they had no care in the world,

no angry patients, no alarms, 

no stress filled job,

no bills, no idling fax machines,

where the only worry was 

which toy they were going to play with.

I don't know what it is 

about those colored helium filled circles

that dance around the air,

but they are, 

to me, 

a sign of hope,

life,

and most of all,

happiness

I hope you all had a day full of balloons.

...............and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade! :)

{please} ignore the ridiculousness of this photo,

It was taken during singing valentines my senior year of high school.

I'm 19 years and 365 days old.

Welp.

Here we are my friends. 

The last day of my teenage existence. 

Can't say I'm gonna miss it... can say I am grateful for it!

Teenage years are rough. 

They just are. 

And I can proudly say, 

I'VE SURVIVED! 

ha ha. 

It's true though, for a minute there I didn't think I would!

I'm so grateful for all of the MANY lessons I've learned, the experiences I've had, the people I've met, the relationships I've made, the good times, AND the bad times, the education I received, the testimony I've gained, and all around everything. 

It's all been a part of changing me into the person I am today.

Life seems to change a lot in your teenage years... 

mainly because your bipolar for the time being, but nevertheless, you do change. 

And change is good.

So here's to the past 7 years and the next 10.

I know that doesn't mean life is going to be any easier,

in fact, it's just going to get harder.

BUT I'm ready. 

This year is going to be a good one. 

I can feel it. 

:)

20

It's kind of weird saying that, not going to lie...

............... and THAT'S the last sip 

of Livi's 19 year old lemonade!!!! :)

GUESS WHAT MONTH IT IS!?

If you guessed March.... you are most definitely 

WRONG! :)

The correct answer is........... 

BIRTHDAY month! 

Because after all it's birthday month in the Mabey house!!!!!!! 

WAHOO!!!! 

In my extended family we have 29 birthdays in march! But in just my immediate family alone we have EIGHT! 

March 7

Dad, he'll be 36

March 15

Brother Grant, he'll be 37, 

and ME, I'll be 20!

--Yes we share a birthday. And yes, it IS the best. :)

March 19 

nephew Talon, he'll be 16, 

Grandpa Dickman, he'd be 100, 

AND Grandma Dickman, she'd be 95

--so happy they get to spend their birthday together this year. :)

March 22 

sister-in-law Lorie, she'll be 34

March 23 

Mom, she'll be 16.

So there you have it! The month of birthdays! This month is seriously like Christmas in our house! So bring on the eating out, presents, candles, cake, and ice cream!!! 

and yes, I'm still doing boot camp.....

.............and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade!!!!! :)

Missionary Moments with J :)

You know when you experience certain moments that are just way too good to keep to yourself?? Well this week it wasn't just a moment, it was a letter. One of my favorite things. :) Ha ha. Instead of making you totally confused and posting the ENTIRE letter (because most of it is talking about the investigators he is teaching right now, and the experiences he has had with them) I will just post a few of the highlights. :) 

Every week J and I at the end of our letters write random, funny, and spiritual questions for each other to answer in our next letter. :) This last week I asked some pretty dang good questions if I do say so myself, Ha ha. Even J commented on that. :) But I just have to share a few of those answers with you:

_________________________

"What's the BEST part of waking up?"

He said, "Knowing that I get to talk to my Heavenly Father, that I'm a Missionary, and Running. :)"

I love hearing that. :) He's such a good missionary! :)

_________________________

"Were you good or rebellious in primary?" 

"HAHA, I was DEFINITELY one of the rebellious primary children. :) I was constantly getting into trouble. I might have been the best singer there, but I definitely wasn't obedient, ha ha :)"

So humble... ha ha :)

_________________________

"What is your "quote of the week"?"

"When you can no longer give your best, let Christ give his."

I've never heard that one before, I like it!

_________________________

Funniest thing that happened this week?

"So Julio was wondering where Elder Bast was, so he asked "Where's your other half?" and I answered :) "In Utah:)" Haha, I had no idea where that came from, it just came out! Ha ha :) It was pretty funny, but needless to say, Julio was a little confused at first, ha ha. :)"

HAHA! THAT'S embarrassing. ;) PS, Julio is one of his current investigators, ha ha :) 

_________________________

"Most spiritual experience of the week?"

"I was able to sing in the ward variety show this week and decided to sing "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul." While I was preparing, I was reading the lyrics and I don't know why, but it gets me every time! :)"

I think I know why, :) That song gets me too... The Atonement is REAL my friends! :) We are ALL living proof of that! PS if you haven't heard that song, I strongly encourage you look it up. Most preferably when sung by Dallyn Bayles.

_________________________

And my personal favorite question that I asked,

"Where's Waldo?"

To which he replied, "Where's Waldo?! I've been trying to figure that out my whole life!! I've never been good at finding him :) ha ha :) but, oh wait! I do remember something about A Waldo being taught by missionaries, ha ha :) I wonder if Waldo finally found the gospel! :)"

Is he not the cutest? Ha ha :) I love that boy. That had me laughing for a good 5 minutes! 

_________________________

I am so grateful that he is out serving the Lord in Apple Valley, MN. :) I absolutely LOVE hearing his stories, and about the people that he is currently teaching. :) We are both growing so much and it's such a blessing to be able to share those experiences through pen and paper. :) Hearing his testimony every week makes it seem like we aren't so far away from each other. :)  

I kinda sorta like him a lot, ha ha. :) 

He also wrote at the end of his letter, "18 :), that's a small number. :) I'll talk to you SOON!" :) Now 18 may not seem that small, but when you compare it to the 92 weeks that he's already been gone, it seems like a piece of cake! :) Yep. Just a mere now {almost} 17 weeks and Elder Parmley will hop a plane and a few hours later arrive in Salt Lake City. :) I'm so excited, but that's not going to keep me from learning the things that I myself need to learn in the mean time. So I'll be seeing you soon Elder. :) Very soon.. :) 

.................and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade! :)

OR... 4 months. :)

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is my last day of sleeping in on a weekday. Ever. 

Tomorrow I will go to the gym in the morning.

Tomorrow I will go to the temple in the morning.

Tomorrow I will visit my little girls.

Tomorrow I will probably go shopping for a new work outfit.

Tomorrow I won't take one minute for granted.

Tomorrow I will hopefully clean my room.

If you haven't guessed,

Tomorrow is my last day of freedom.

For the day after tomorrow, 

at 8 am, 

I will sell my soul to a full time job.

and oddly enough, 

I am excited! :)

Bring it on Central Utah Medical Records Department, 

bring 

it 

on. 

:)

...............and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade! :)

January

Okay, I don't have much to post. Ha ha. Things have been PRETTY hectic around here this past month!

I have....

gone to california

been to a miranda sings concert

applied for my first "real" job

been asked to work for the applied "real" job

accepted the "real" job and start on the twenty-first

ever so sadly gave my two weeks for my nanny "job"

found my dear friend courtney to nanny for my little girls once I go

jacob has decided to extend one more transfer so we're back to 5 months (but i'm really happy about it)

stopped drinking soda

spent a lot of time on pintrest

signed up for a four week gym boot camp starting on the twenty-fifth

been to the bean museum twice

gained a new love for visiting teaching, and already been for february--I LOVE visiting teaching

been reassigned from sunbeams to CTR six and seven

not watched the Super Bowl

received letters

found a way to get every item out of my closet and onto my floor

anyway, you get the point. busy busy busy. but i'm going to recommit to this blog starting now! so look here for regular updates! i'll be posting pictures from my trip soon, and expect to see a post about my last few days with the little ones. boy am i going to miss that job. but it's okay, i'm still going to watch them on the weekends and holidays, so it's not a goodbye... thankfully.

If your a pintrest addict these next few pictures may not be anything new. But I thought they were pretty funny and gave me a pretty good laugh.

i hope you are all doing well and having lovely days!
.......and THAT'S a sip of Livi's Lemonade! :)