luella

Is it summer yet?

With the warmer weather creeping in, I am getting more and more excited for summer to begin! This winter was the LONGEST winter for me and this Spring has to be hands down the RAINIEST Spring in history for Utah. The sun will come out and then next thing you know it’s a complete downpour. However, looking up at the mountains and seeing how green & lush they are makes me just want to sit and stare at them. I’ve honestly never seen Utah so green! Which is wonderful because #drought.

MAY was filled with reading Harry Potter (almost done with book three ?), working and lovin my new job, babysitting lots, running a half marathon and taking breaks from social media.

Don’t get me wrong, I really do love social media and the connections + friendships it can bring. However, I feel as though my time and energy can be spent in better places throughout my day. I went off of Snapchat for a month and two weeks without checking my personal Instagram. Now I will look at it from time to time and post here & there but when I look at my feed, I get through about 5 pictures and feel overwhelmed haha! I also feel like I’d rather be working, cleaning or reading… Maybe after I read all the HP books I’ll be better at the whole social media thing. But for now… I’m loving how much reading I’m getting in! How I never read this series growing up is beyond me..

Hope your May has been WONDERFUL wherever you are!

-Liv

Details:

White SALT WATER sandals: Roolee

Black & White striped swimsuit: Albion Fit

Blue sandals: Urban Outfitters

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utah

Class of 2016.

Last week Will graduated from the U of U!

To be honest, I am still in denial that we are in this point of our life. I swear it was just yesterday I was waiting for him to pick me up for Junior Prom and now we are both graduated from college and have been married for over two and a half years! Time is a crazy scary thing.

I am super proud of him for graduating and am 100% enjoying this time where we have free nights that don’t consist of studying or endless homework assignments. These days we both get off work at a reasonable hour and get to spend the rest of the night together without any worries or deadlines. I am really trying to soak up these days because I know they will eventually come to an end.

The future is unknown and it’s scary but together I really do feel like we can conquer anything.

Super proud of you Willie. ILY.

-Liv

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babysitting

Love these babes.

You know the feeling of breaking up with someone and when you wake up the next morning and wonder if it was a complete dream? Like you feel like maybe it didn’t actually happen?

Pathetically, that’s how I felt Saturday morning after ending my temporary nannying gig with these babies.

I just love them so much!!!

I ran into Kim the night I quit my job and she told me she’d love help from 8:30-12:30 everyday so I started that following Monday!

Babysitting them until I found a new job was filled with … well actually Kim’s Instagram might explain it best.

I showed up on Friday and they had a banner up for me, notes lined along the walls and the KINDEST present EVER!!! The older kids even stayed home from school that morning to see me. Of course I was tearing up.

I couldn’t be more grateful for the Raybould fam and all they taught me that last couple of months. I will still babysit their family whenever I have a free second available and already miss seeing them everyday.

Here’s to working full-time again!

-Liv

Details:

Sunshine sweatshirt: Anthropologie

Light blue sandals: Urban Outfitters

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beach

A Time To Worry.

One of my favorite parts of California were mine and Will’s morning walks.

One morning, we were at my favorite lookout point (in the entire world) on Crystal Cove beach and Will could tell that something was on my mind. When he asked me what was wrong I said nothing and preferred to carry on with a care-free morning without long conversation about what I was thinking about. I tried shrugging off the thoughts I was having but Will asked again and I decided talking about it could actually help.

I felt worried for some reason.

Worried for our future, worried about things that could happen but probably won’t happen, worried that we might not get another trip like this for a long time, worried about finances, worried about this + that & just the most UNNECESSARY things to even worry about!

After a couple (cough cough 4..) miles of walking and talking it out, Will helped me realize that worrying NOW isn’t necessary at all.

He advised me that it’s better to just worry when things actually come about. And even better, worry about thing that are even worth worrying about once they do. And if bad things do (and probably will) come about, don’t let it consume your life and thoughts.

Just take things one day at a time.

Take a deep breath and realize everything in this life happens for a reason.

When circumstances come about just PLOW THROUGH THOSE TOUGH TIMES with a smile on your face.

Kinda a useless post, but I felt the need to write out those feelings and I always want to remember that morning walk with Willie.

And yes, I think I used the worry word 50 billion times.

-Liv

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beach

MY HAPPY PLACE

I’ve been home from California for only a week now and boy-oh-boy I miss it like crazy.

I loved having zero schedule or agenda and just revolving our day around where we were going to get food and which beach we were going to read at.

One afternoon we went to Montage beach and I turned around and saw my Nana sitting like this looking out at the ocean. I quickly snapped this picture and know I will cherish it forever. She loves the beach and California more than anyone I know! It has been her happy place for as long as I can remember and I love watching how happy she is while we are down there.

My book of the trip was Me Before You by Jojo Moyes and I LOVED it! I recommend waiting to read this book until May/June though so you can see the movie soon after you finish it. The anticipation is killing me!

Cute @rachelcashion DM’d me on Instagram while I was in California and told me to go try Pressed Juicery! Oh my heavens it was SO delicious! Thank you Rachel 🙂

Rose’s Bakery.. who is surprised?

And that’s a (hopeful) wrap on our California pics..

I hope everyone has a happy Sunday whether your’e in your happy place or not!

-Liv

Suit is The Bungalow suit from Albion Fit & my boater hat is from Urban Outfitters.

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california

R&R

Will and I have looked forward to this Newport trip for so so long.

To be dead honest, this winter was a doozy for us.

I feel like ever since I crashed my car, something weird or stressful happened to us every week (or every day more like). We started a phrase of “2016 is not our year!” and would shout it every time something funky happened haha. Which makes me sad! Because I really hope the rest of 2016 isn’t like how it’s been the past little bit.

Anyyyyyyways, we felt like we’ve been needing a getaway for some time now so we booked a trip to California for the end of February but then I got my new job w/ Albion so we had to cancel it! I was super bummed out! But obviously excited to start my new job and knew it was for the better in the end.. but boy-oh-boy I was craving the ocean + some REST & RELAXATION like crazy.

I knew that my parents were going to visit my grandparents in Newport the end of March so I asked/begged if Will & I could join in on their trip (even if that meant sleeping on the couch at the hotel.. which we did).

They agreed and it was the best week all together!

We celebrated Easter, visited Balboa, went on walks to look at all of the amazing houses, read books, laid by the pool, visited the Newport Temple a couple times and ate way more than I’d like to truthfully admit.

My favorite stop will forever be Rose’s bakery (if you are ever in Newport, get the Lucia burrito w/ a chocolate croissant and a Diet Coke w/ Lemon. You can thank me later) but CREAM was SUPER amazing and fun to try! Ice cream sandwiches! Can’t complain about that.

More pictures to come.. I’m just currently at home cleaning up while Will is in Houston at the Final Four! Lucky duck.. still waiting for my invite 😉

-Liv

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california

BALBOA ISLAND

This trip in California has been incredible! I seriously SO look forward to the time we come down and relax and hit up all of our favorite Southern California spots.

On Sunday, we spent the afternoon walking around Balboa Island.

We love the hippo cookies, Dad’s Banana Stand, the candy shop and of course seeing all the cute houses on the island!

I’ve never been to South Carolina or anywhere like that but Balboa reminds me of a spot a Nicholas Sparks book would be based out of…

Anyone else?!

More pics to come!

And apologies in advance if you follow me on Snapchat lol. SO much food so little time!

p.s. my linen romper is from Old Navy, straw boater hat is from Urban Outfitters, black Birkenstocks (one of the BEST purchases of my life) are from Urban Outfitters as well!

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easter

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone!!

We are spending this next week with some of my family in Southern California.

This morning we went to church in Newport and I had tears stream down my cheeks during every hymn. With the organ jubilantly playing “He is Risen!” I sat and reflected on Christ and all He suffered for us.

Easter is the perfect holiday to help put things into perspective and realize that in today’s society, with so much turmoil and uncertainty, one thing is certain. And that is that He lives! and LOVES US!

I’ve seen His hand in my life so many times and am grateful for the knowledge I have that I will be with Him again.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter filled with good food, family and love!

Love, liv.

Details

My top is from Anthropolgoie and sunglasses are from GAP.

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spring

CHEERS

To the freakin’ weekend.

We had NOTHING this past Saturday which was a total dream.

We deep cleaned our place, played some pickle-ball, ate some Domino’s, enjoyed the Spring-like weather and watched the Utes get destroyed in the tournament.. sad face.

Here’s to hoping Duke beats Oregon on Thursday!

Also, my bracket is in shambles.

Anyone else?

-Liv

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brigham young university

COUGARETTES IN CONCERT

My sister Eliza and I were both on a college dance team but her first year not on the team was my first year on the team. So we were never on the team together which was a huge bummer!

However… last Thursday night we were finally able to dance together on stage.

This is year is the Cougarettes 70 year Anniversary so all Cougarettes from the past were invited to do a piece in the concert this year.

It was so fun to meet Cougarettes that were on the team when it first began 70 years ago (they didn’t dance.. but they came to watch!)

I was super apprehensive about participating in the piece because I haven’t danced full out in who knows how long but it was an amazing experience and I’m so glad I was convinced to do it (hi karli and eliza).

Cougarettes was a part of my life I will cherish forever. It helped mold me into the person I am today and was by far one of the hardest things I’ve ever accomplished.

I’m also forever grateful for the friendships I made while on the team. Being all together for a night last week felt like a dream came true!

If you want to see the video of the dance we did (cutest grandmas at the beginning) see if this link works…

Loved the experience! Definitely a highlight of my February.

-Liv

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bear lake

VALENTINE’S WEEKEND 2016

This year for Valentine’s we drove up to Bear Lake with some friends for our annual Beaver Mountain ski trip!

It was a weekend full of licorice, chats, movies, puzzles, SNOW, Mexican food, frozen lakes, diet coke and laughs.

Two years ago Will had an awful virus over Valentine’s and one year ago we spent Valentine’s with my family down in St. George… With that said, our Valentine’s are never extremely romantic but we always love spending the holiday with our loved ones and enjoying everyone’s company!

I love Valentine’s and the opportunity I have to celebrate Will. He’s the perfect partner for me and I seriously can’t imagine life without him.

Hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend! If you are ever in Northern Utah make sure to go ski the Beav! Because it’s the best little resort and lunch for two is under $13 haha!

-Liv

Outfit details:

Sorrel Boots: Free People

Gray/black/tan sweater: Topshop via Nordstrom Rack ($30)

Beanie: Nordstorm Rack ($6)

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babysitting

FLOWERS FOR ANNA

I think it’s safe to say that this past week was one of the craziest weekends of my entire life!

Will and I were planning on babysitting the Raybould’s Wednesday-Sunday and we were so excited about it! I am spending my mornings with James & Jacob these days but we love the older kids too and were so excited to hang with them lots.

On Wednesday, I picked up the older kids carpool and could feel my joints starting to ache. I refused to believe this could be the flu coming on and tried so hard to fight it but then sure enough I started getting the chills…. and felt super nauseous…

One of the worst feelings is feeling the flu come on!

I climbed into bed around 4pm and was out for the count.. I was throwing up, sleeping like crazy and couldn’t walk 5 steps without feeling like I just ran a marathon.

Luckily Will worked from home on Thursday so he was able to hold down the fort while I laid in bed and rested it all off… and visited the bathroom far too many times.

I finally felt better Thursday evening. Only then to find Anna (16 years old) run downstairs around midnight exclaiming that she was having a skin reaction again. This was her 7th reaction in the past 4 years and they are so BAD!

Her aunt took her to the ER Thursday night but when she came back on Friday it was only getting worse. I took her to some Dermatology appts on Friday but we ended up at the ER again on Friday night. Which resulted in a hospital stay until Monday afternoon.

I am so grateful for modern medicine, kind nurses, Preisthood blessings, helping hands from the Raybould’s extended family and of course Will.. who wrangled 4 kids back at home while I spent time with Anna in the hospital.

She is on the mend now… but boy oh boy do I feel spent this week!

And I didn’t go through a fraction of what Anna did.

Now let’s hope we can figure out what the heck is happening to her!

-Liv

Outfit details:

My pineapple socks are from WOVEN PEAR and I love love love them! Have you seen their cute assortment of socks? I also got the whale ones hehe.

Plum sweater is from Old Navy (in clearance section for $8) and glasses are from Warby Parker. Pink sweater from the Nordstrom Rack in Sugar House ($13).

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