Goodbyes

Before we left Idaho, we had to say lots of goodbyes. It wasn't as hard as anticipated considering that we will be coming back to Idaho often because of family and who knows - we may end up getting a job there! (Not ruling out any possibilities!) Just a few things we had to say goodbye to:

Bye, bye playing with all my Guymon cousins...

Bye, bye Guymon family gatherings... (annual summer campout @ Heise) 

Bye, bye dessert gatherings with family...

Bye, bye to my best friends who I am probably going to miss the most. Good friends are hard to come by. 

Got our family pictures done to cap off our time and memories in Idaho Falls. 

Marlo had the BEST teachers at daycare. They put my heart at ease daily and I am so grateful for them. It was hard for them to say goodbye to Marlo.

Nephi's grandparents will be sorely missed! No one in the Guymon family makes me feel more loved than Grandma Guymon. She is the perfect grandma! 

Got to take a final little vacay with Nephi's family to Lagoon. All the siblings finally living in the same state and then we get up and move! Just our luck. 

THIS. This will be missed more than I should admit. Snakebite...

Had to say goodbye to downtown Idaho Falls. 

Had to say goodbye to this place. We signed a 1 year lease thinking it was no big deal and that we would be gone before long and 3 years later...We loved that place and that ward.

Our March Madness

Yes, our blog still does exist.

We had our very own March Madness over here, sans the brackets.

I got an award at work which granted me a front row parking spot and my photo on the wall in a secluded hallway--felt really special about it. (Okay, okay, I will miss that parking spot come tomorrow!)

Found the time to sneak in some dating with this cute guy. I like him.

I traveled to Vegas for work where we had an event at the JW Marriott. We stayed in 2 bedroom suites--pretty luxurious the whole 5 hours we spent in it. It was a long week but a very successful event! Vegas treated us well.

Hosted a bridal shower for my good friend, Kiley. I barely finished everything in time and I ended up resorting to a lot of plan B, C's, and even a plan D on a few of my ideas but I think it turned out pretty great! I loved her colors and I am so excited for her to marry her cute boy! 

Broke out the spring clothing for Bunco night AND got a new phone cover! I ordered it online and it looked mint green but turns out it's neon green. Guess I will won't lose my phone in my purse anymore!

Got to FaceTime this baby a few times this month, including on her 1st birthday! 

Contributed to the Guymon Easter party with these sugar cookies! They turned out pretty good. Take a good look at all the purple ones--Nephi did those. He discovered a cool technique with his knife when he was helping me frost. Dang him, he is so smart. If PA school doesn't work out--we are thinking culinary arts...

Easter dinner! Since Nephi's family celebrated on Saturday, we had our own little Easter dinner on Sunday with Caitlin! I didn't want to go out and buy a ham so I just used the turkey loin I had, the last few eggs in the carton, potatoes, fresh brussel sprouts, my Mom's traditional fruit salad, and homemade rolls. It turned out great and we were all out on the couch after.

We ended the weekend by going to a special Easter program that Grandma Guymon was part of. It only happens every 5 years so we were so grateful we were able to attend! All the music was composed by a local man and Grandma wrote the narrative. It was a beautiful program!

Through all the madness this month, Nephi still managed to get another job. That's right. Nephi is now paramedical examiner/phlebotomist. He works for a life-insurance company and examines people who are interested in getting life insurance. He asks them questions, takes their vitals and takes their blood. He is a star and I am SO proud of him! I tease him that we can now tell our kids that he worked 2 jobs and went to college ;).

 Looking forward to another crazy month as Nephi finishes up another semester and starts his last semester and I prepared for Melaleuca's National Convention!

Post-Christmas Update

The holiday's took our life by storm and we loved it! We could not have asked for a better Christmas and feel blessed and spoiled for the time and gifts we received from family and friends.

Recovery, although, has been difficult. Nephi started school and I started first quarter. The past 2 weeks have consisted of Nephi driving to Rexburg every day and being home in the evenings doing homework and me working late nights, working out (tried out crossfit and it kicked my trash) and then coming home to doing more work in bed.

The good news is that we sold the Jeep! What a relief. The guy called on Thursday night and was really interested. He said he asked the usual questions and told Nephi he may be driving down from Washington to take a look, but that he would let him know. The next day (Friday) Nephi and I were on our way out the door to dinner and someone else called about the Jeep. Suddenly I hear Nephi say, "Oh darn, I just sold it." Wait, WHAT!? I was so confused! Apparently, the guy called Nephi back on Friday and told him that he was driving through the night and to not sell it to anyone else. Sure enough, he showed up on Saturday afternoon after leaving Washington at midnight and they bought the Jeep.

He was a really nice guy and his son was with him. He asked if we were selling it because we were expecting a baby--uh, no (you better believed I sucked in my stomach a little to make it obvious that I was not pregnant). It would be his son's first car. I think that made Nephi a little emotional. After they left I was so excited and Nephi was kind of quiet. I asked him why he was being such a bum and he snapped, "Just let me mourn!" Ha! I think he was half kidding...half serious...maybe more serious than kidding. Poor kid. But you better believe we went out and celebrated!

That was such a blessing to finally sell the Jeep. It's been listed since November and I have probably been stressing about it since June. Ha. The night he called I was driving home before I found out and had a very distinct thought that I needed to put more trust in the Lord when it came to the selling the Jeep. It was a simple decision that I needed to make but I literally up until that point had chosen to stress about it. The Lord works miracles, no doubt!

We also set our New Year Resolutions. We are so excited for another year. I don't even want to do a re-cap of last year like every other person has done on their blog because I am so happy it's over. I have never been more excited to turn a page of my life more than right now. We set lofty goals but we made plans to achieve them. Growing up, my Dad would sit us down individually and make up goals with us. On January 1st, we would wake up in the morning and it would be taped up in our room for us to see for the first week. We did that this year and it's been a great reminder thus far. 

Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013!

Oh the memories

Last night, Nephi went to the library and I went to the gym. On the walk back to our car after we were done, we passed a few memorable spots.

One day, about a month after my break up with my ex-bf, I was walking down this path from the library to...(who knows where). I was on the phone with my good friend from Nebraska, T*Starr, (I don't even know if she knows this happened) and before I got to these trash cans I saw a little movement but didn't pay much attention to it. I kept walking, and chatting away, and then suddenly this guy with a pig mask comes out and snorts at me! I let out a small yelp, giggled nervously, explained to Theresa what happened, and then moved on. 

FAST FORWARD 3 WEEKS:

It had been some time since I broke up with my ex so I was thinking I needed to start socializing with the boys at church more. I randomly made friends with this guy in my ward, Andrew. We hung out one Sunday night and were chatting on the porch outside his complex and he asked me a hypothetical question. 

He asked: "Let's say you were making out with your boyfriend in the apartment lounge and then a guy in cut-off jean shorts, no shirt, and a pig mask were to come in and scare you. Is that ethical?" 

I said: "Uh, no! That's dumb. Does he have nothing else to do with his time!?"

His jaw dropped. 

I continued: "Oh, and a few weeks ago I had some guy with a pig mask jump out and scare me on campus. That was so dumb!" 

His jaw dropped further. 

That was Nephi & Andrew in the pig masks. They call it "pigging". 

FAST FORWARD ONE WEEK:

About a week later, Andrew and I had a common friend that was having a birthday party. I asked him if he wanted to go together so we planned to meet up that evening and walk over to the party together. Before he came over, he texted me "we will be there in 5 min." Um, "we", I thought. When they got there, I was introduced to Shawn and this guy named Nephi. As soon as I shook Nephi's hand I squeaked, "I have a crush on you!" I instantly wanted to take it back after I saw the shock in his facial expression and hear everyone laughing. I clarified, "Well, in the Book of Mormon I have a crush on you." Uhhhh...*Awkward RM moment. I had only been home for 4 months.*

That night, we went to the party. The night consisted on Andrew taking of his shirt to try to make me even more awkward, telling everyone I was crazy because my planner weighed 5 lbs, and embarrassing me while country dancing. Man. That night was a chore and definitely wouldn't be the night that I thought would cause Nephi to have interest in me. 

At the end of the night, they all walked me home and as I went up the steps to my door, I turned around before they walked away and invited them to an outdoor concert that was happening the next evening. None of them committed but sweet Nephi said "Yeah, maybe. We will let you know." So I said, "Well, don't you need my number then?" Nephi, shocked again, said, "Uh, yeah, what is it?" I gave it to him and then said, "See. That was easy," (oh, I am so whitty). 

FAST FORWARD ONE DAY:

Turns out, Nephi was the only one who could come to the concert. Coincidence? Not really. But we went together and had a great time sitting on a blanket listening to students play guitars. This turned into a great conversation starter [since Nephi loves the guitar] and eventually into a challenge to write a rap song. 

*This was the first time in a long time that I felt comfortable in front of a boy and not nervous or anxious that he was going to move too fast.*

As we were leaving the concert, Nephi said we should find bikes without locks to ride home. Uhhh...funny at first, then weird when he actually took one, and shady when he rode it home with me. I tried to convince him not to take it but he said he did it all the time! What was I suppose to say?

FAST FORWARD ONE WEEK:

Two weeks later, Nephi and I competed in this guitar playing contest with Andrew as our judge. Before this night, I had no idea how to play the guitar, couldn't sing for my life (still can't), and had long pretty nails (which we cut so I could play the guitar). That night Nephi won the contest and I owed him a snoasis (the best shaved ice on the earth).

It took me about a week to go out with him and I think he still bought it. During that week, Nephi didn't heavily pursue me, which bugged. So, I went out with 2 other guys, and almost started a relationship with one. Then comes in sweet Nephi for the kill. He didn't push hard, but just enough to convince me to let him visit me at work (even though I was done with boys), brought me a snoasis, played the piano with me, laid in the grass with me outside the library where he sneakily put his arm around me, and I never looked back.

Two weeks later we had our first kiss (at the dunes in the moonlight while fireworks literally went off), two months later we started dating exclusively, six months later we were engaged, and ten months later we were married!

Our 1 year anniversary is in 1 month. 

Betcha didn't know that funny story.

Too much shopping dangit.

Yesterday I got this overwhelming urge to shop online. Don't ask why. I have never ordered clothes online.

It was so strange. So, I got some clothes online because Old Navy was having a sale. I haven't shopped there in a while because I never find anything anymore but I did and it was 30% off and Nephi said I could. (Excuses, excuses, I know.) Am I a bad person? Probably not. But it gets worse...

Last night Nephi took his first Chemistry test of the semester. Those who know Nephi personally know his struggle with Chemistry so we were both anxious to see how this first test would set the tone for the semester. Yesterday afternoon I called him and he said his dad was in town to grocery shop randomly and that he was going to give Nephi a blessing. What a miracle! Nephi is the most calm and collected person I know but he was very anxious and the blessing was exactly what he needed.

Boyd--You saved the day yesterday! 

Nephi was studying on campus when I got home and then took his test. I was seriously biting my nails the whole time at home because I know how critical this was. (First world problems, I know. But it means a lot to us.) I told him not to take over two hours because there has been studies showing that once you take a test over two hours you don't function as well. In economics we would call it the "Law of Diminishing Returns", but I am no longer in economics so I DON'T have to call it that. (But I did. Psh. Education.)


Two hours and 3 min later...Nephi calls. He got a 78%!! This is a GREAT grade and we were so happy so we decided to celebrate, of course. We tried to go to our favorite fro yo place but it was CLOSED down! We were shocked. So, we went to another place in town.

It was so good! It's been awhile since we've gotten fro yo and we loved it. 

Anyway, when I said it gets worse, here comes that part of the story. On our way home from fro yo, we passed by the Downeast Warehouse sale. UH. No one told me this was happening! I've been to one of these before, and they are insane deals. So, I bought more clothes. Now am I a bad person??

Maybe. 

Got this cutie shirt for Nephi. There were no boy clothes! It's so hard to find good clothes for men. 

I got 2 cardigans and two 3/4 length layer tees for $32 total! I couldn't resist. 

So, why am I blogging this? Maybe to feel less guilty or maybe to admit that I realized why I spent too much money on clothes yesterday.  

THIS is  probably why. 

It's not that it is so cold outside but I have had low energy levels this week and I think buying clothes made me feel better. I may be tired because of adjusting to work? Or because we have been working out more? Or because the weather? Not sure but I just need energy! 

This next week I plan on doing more of this: 

and this:

And hopefully I will have more energy.


PS-Many of you probably follow this blogger. Read this post. I am impressed. I started following her out of curiosity and then she used to really bug me and I don't like her style at all but I appreciate her view points occasionally--especially this one.

I completely agree with her, btw. People who blog by obligation lack sincerity. I don't think that people that blog about fashion (without credentials) and try to earn a residual income are very legitimate in my book. Personal opinion. I love the mommy bloggers that blog about their families and recipes or coupons but people who blog about what they eat everyday or what they wear and expect to get paid for it drive me nuts.


Anyways, excited for the weekend to say the least.

Did I mention we believe in miracles?

Did I mention we believe in miracles? Because we do.

The last few weeks as I have hit the job hunt harder than ever, and I have been struggling. Nephi and I hardly sleep because we talk about how we are going to figure everything out and I cry a lot and he listens and I can hardly focus on my school work and job. Nephi has stayed strong and consistent the whole time. I cannot say the same thing for myself.

While on my mission, I had a similar (but different) experience. The feeling of lack of faith, inadequacy and heartache feel the exact same and I will never forget it. As I have been feeling these same feelings, like I have been dealt a bad hand, I have been reflecting upon this experience, a lot. The best part, I got through that experience and it completely changed my mission and dare I say my life. I believe this experience will do the same.

After applying for several jobs with no call backs or strong leads going through--I finally had a great interview on Friday. About 4 months ago I had a few interviews with different companies that we very interested in me but I couldn't start till December. Now, I finally had an interview where I could say that I am available. (Timing is everything, btw.)

On Friday I interviewed with a Hospice in Idaho Falls. The position is for a volunteer coordinator who works in the community recruiting, training, planning events and doing some PR and marketing. It would be an excellent job working with people who are interested in serving people who are in the last few months or days of living. The interview went so well and I was invited back for a second interview on Monday.

It doesn't stop there...My friend and I were talking the other night and she told me she knew a recruiter for a very good company in Idaho Falls. She emailed him and helped me and him connect and within 24 hours, we set up an appointment to meet on Monday as well for a meeting. This is not an interview but I am meeting with a recruiter and he did ask to see my writing samples so this is a good thing.

Guess what...IT DOESN'T STOP THERE! (Excuse my all-caps obnoxiousness.) On Friday at 4 PM, I got a phone call from an random 208 number. Those intrigue me the most so I answered and guess what...it was another company asking me to come and interview on Monday! This was a very satisfying call because this company was interested in me 4 months ago and when I tried to contact them a month ago they went all M.I.A on me and I was very upset by it. But, they came crawling back and I couldn't be happier :)

Moral of the story: Have faith, and works, but don't forget about the faith. Listen to your husband. Humble yourself and ask people to pray for you. Fast and pray, fast and pray. Never ever give up.

We feel so blessed to have these opportunities on Monday and I feel incredibly vulnerable because they could all not go through but regardless, the Lord is on my side and we are in good hands.

Writing a dang paper

I can't focus right now. I have a paper due tomorrow and an econ exam and I am surfing the net, blogs and facebook. Seriously kill me.

I am going to spend 20 more minutes writing this dang editorial on going green and then I am turning it in.

PS-Nephi's birthday is tomorrow and I can't wait! Today kind of blew (just one of those everything is bad and I wish I had a magic wand sort of days) so I am  just hoping that tomorrow will be great and that our Thanksgiving vacation will finally start.

First job offer

So, I got my first job offer...and guess what I said??

NO.

Yeah, I know. It's weird. But, turns out it is not what I thought it was going to be. Nephi and I calculated how much I would need to make in order to make it worth it for me to commute to Idaho Falls for work. There were a lot of factors we considered and felt like we had adequately weighed all our options. So, we decided 'our number' and fasted, prayed, cried (well, I cried, he listened) and went forward with faith.

Well...today I went for my final interview with the company and let's just say, it was a joke. They offered me HALF of our minimum that we could live at AND, she said multiple times, "I don't want to promise you anything..." What kind of job!? --I realize that sounds harsh. I don't mean it. I was just shocked, kinda. But, grateful for a strong answer. I didn't say no on the spot. I told her I could call her tomorrow like a professional would.

It may seem crazy that we turned down a job, but, I know it's not for me if that is the pay and it's not even going to be stable. In 4 weeks, I will have a stinken college degree, an amazing internship and experience like no other--I couldn't settle. And the only reason I say that is because I have some other possible options that I know will not only pay more, but be a better springboard to my future career and financial goals.


We're in Idaho and we don't need much but we do need to be reasonable people.

Oh yeah, this blog...

Lately I have been blogging more on my other blog because it is a school assignment. I am suppose to blog there twice a week! It's going to be more business related content but I will mix it up and I need readers to help me know what people want to read!

So, check out my last few posts and tell me what you think! (Be sure to follow me there as well.)

Thankkkkks. :)

Marketing Miss Mallory

A Change for the Better

The day after I got home from my mission, I had to sign up for classes. I got on the BYU-Idaho website and inhaled, "It's different." I can distinctly remember in that moment thinking that this was a change but I was used to change. I'm a RM.

My reaction to change has completely altered because of many experiences, particularly on my mission. After leaving my first area, I bawled like someone stole my family. It was bad. That is what it felt like to me. My next area and new companion had a lot of things to prove to me, I decided. Unfortunately, that attitude led me to a few sleepless night, lots of tears and feelings of contention. I look back on that experience and wished I would have embraced it better. But I learned my lesson. I ended up getting sent back to that area for my last 2 transfers after being away from it for 6 months and I ended up meeting the most incredible people that I will never forget. Ralston/La Vista taught me. In my last transfer, I ended up bawling on the shoulder of that sweet companion a year later, begging for her forgiveness for how I treated her. She is one of the kindest people I have ever met.

This last week I went through a similar transition, but, it had to do with my job. On Friday I decided to switch departments. There has been a lot of changes in the department and I emotionally, physically and spiritually could no longer handle it and it was affecting the work. Friday afternoon I bawled (like I did when I transferred areas) but this time, I had a different perspective. I will be honest and admit that I needed some humbling and the Lord knew exactly how to do it.

Nephi and I talked through every bit of the situation and I ended up having a wonderful weekend. We celebrated our 6 month anniversary Friday night (dinner at a hick restaurant and a movie. it was the best.) and then I went to the temple on Saturday morning. I felt that the Lord was molding me and teaching me a powerful lesson that I needed to embrace. So, that is what I am going to do. Sunday was void of the usual anxiety and now I am having one of the best Monday's I have had in a long time.

Already I can see what a great blessing this is going to be in my life. I have been feeling very inadequate but now feel optimistic about my future. I am been feeling physically un-fit and uncomfortable but now I am going to have time to go to the gym AND do my homework. I have been feeling sorry for myself but now I feel like serving others. It's always amazes me that the Lord truly knows me better than I know myself.

So, where do I work now? I work in the Human Resources department on campus. I work directly with the employment coordinator. (She is one of those people that just makes you feel good instantly. I knew her before I was offered this position and I am really excited to work with her.) I will be working on a few projects that she never gets to. Sometimes I will function as her assistant and other times I will function as an actual employment coordinator and assist in the hiring process.

I met with her today and she said that she was just saying last week that she needed more help and it worked out. I affirmed that I think the Lord answered both of our prayers in the perfect way. He is good like that. Anyway-needless to say, this will be a new adventure and a huge blessing.


Here is another recent blessing...

Yup. Just got this in my email a few moments ago. Now, all I have to do is pass....(good thing I just got a B on my first econ exam! that was a literal miracle.)


Anyway, moral of the story, change is good. Whether you understand it at first or not, when we turn to the Lord and literally walk with him side-by-side, change can become a blessing. I am grateful for that, and a sweet, sweet husband to be my greatest strength.

A little bit of lately

We know. It's been a while...I told Nephi that once I start school that he has to blog for me! I guess I need to remind him.

So, what have we been up to lately?

Nephi: working, going to phlebotomy school (aka- getting certified to take people's blood from their bodies), playing Mr. Mom, helping Mallory with her DNA class, helping Mallory maintain her sanity, helping Mallory with.....basically everything.

Mallory: taking 19 credits, working, trying to make new married friends (which is really hard to do), extracurricular activities, job searching for post-graduation (December), fitting in some nesting every once in a while in their basement apartment, day-dreaming about the future.

We are busy people but I feel like we have our priorities in tact and we still have been able to spend alone time together without distractions, eat homemade meals and go to the gym a few times a week. It's been a miracle to say the least and we couldn't be more grateful for all the blessings we have been receiving.

Also, we have almost been married for 6 months! Time has really flown and we have been so happy and loving every second of it!