2 years!

I totally forgot to post about our 2 year anniversary. haha October 16 was the day that marked 2 years of me with this lad.I am smitten with him! He is my best friend. No one knows me better. I could never hide anything from him! No matter what it was! Even through letters!  haha I can't explain it but he really does know me sooo well.He is always honest always patient and always there. From 7th grade when we were both in his mom's class and I was crushing on him, to jr high where I about died when he asked me to sign his yearbook, to me seeing him at a church ball game and telling Natalie "Someday I'm going to date him!" and high school when I finally had a class with him and it was my GOAL to make him smile and laugh, to senior year, when we started talking and never stopped. Then to making it through 2 months apart, then college, and now, working on 2 years apart. I am soooo lucky to have him in my life, he has helped me in so many ways and made me happier than I ever thought I could be. I always thought I would have to settle for less than those "lists" I made in Young Women's, until Kyler showed up and was all that and then some! I love you Kyler Michael! I love my missionary and love the amazing growth and learning that we are both doing. It's not easy being apart but I'm learning to love it.

 Our first picture together^

 Our last picture together ^

and just a cool picture :)

2 months?!

Wow where has the time gone. I feel like he has been gone for a long time but at the same time I honestly couldn't believe I can say I have two months down. Kyler leaves for Ukraine so soon! November 13! My papers were submitted today. On our two month mark. haha. I am so excited to see where I will be called. I love what I am learning in school but it is really hard to focus when I want to focus on preparing for my mission. Anways, Elder Parkinson is doing swimmingly. He is growing by the second! I can see his growth every week it is so awesome. I know I say this a lot but I really honestly am so proud of him. He has a lot of fun with the Elders he's with and he loves the work. He is sooooo excited to get to Ukraine it's kind of weird, it's like he's leaving all over again haha. but I am soo excited to hear his new experiences and see pics of him in the beautiful Ukraine. Anyways, I shall keep updating and pretty soon ill be announcing where I will be serving!

 Got my wisdom teeth out. yea...I was HUGE!! but here is our post wisdom teeth pics compared to each other. Ky was so excited to give me a hrad time cuz I teased him a wee bit when he had his out ;) but yea, he was much cuter than me i can admit to that! It was bad! ha

 The best i could think of for a 2 month mark pic. haha im saying "two months?!?!" with my face;)

 When using packaging tape if it gives you problems don't fight it, it WILL fight back. It looks way cooler in person and i actually am really proud of it haha weird i know. Oh the things i do to send packages

Me and my girls went from wanting be zombies or, a baby in my onesy with a pacifier, to just getting random things and wearing them,... ha but we had fun :) They are so great I love them!

Things that keep me happy: The Book of Mormon, Conference talks, friends, rice packs, foot scrub, blankets, Oakley and Ottie, preschool students, snow, scarves, winter hats, family, letters and tapes, and of course music.
Just to celebrate here is one of Ky and I's favorite songs before he left. I will be jamming out to it today and I will be happy. :)

Family reunions, sacrament talks, callings, Tshirt and christmas present!

Kyler's Grandparents picked up a friend from their mission in Pohnpei who is going to serve a mission, and took her to the MTC.so on Tuesday they attended Devotional at the MTC!  After devotional they looked in a classroom they were told could be his and needless to say, Grandpa Holloway poked his head in and Kyler saw him and was in amazement. He was soo glad to see them and they got big huge hugs! SO JEALOUS! ha but they couldn't say enough good things about how great and happy Kyler looks! It is so comforting to hear that. This boy is amazing.
     Then the next day his cousin Tyce entered the MTC and they saw him right when he got there. They also ate dinner with each other that night. Kyler said he couldn't believe he was sitting there in the MTC eating dinner with Tyce. haha but he loves seeing him.
     In other news this week. Kyler gave his first talk in sacrament meeting, in Russian of course. He said it was an awesome experience and gave him a lot of confidence. He may have almost fell on his way up to the pulpit but it lightened the mood a little bit ;) haha
He and his companion were also called to be the "Movie Portal Advisors". Kyler admits, "I don't know why they call it that, it's a weird name" haha but they help the new Elders figure out the technology at the MTC. Emailing and TALL labs and such. TALL labs are the computer programs they have to help them learn the language. This is a perfect calling for Kyler. Why? Because he loves technology and he gets to know all the missionaries. Its something he is really comfortable with and enjoys. So that was awesome to hear!
   Im so glad I have his example and hope I can be half the missionary he is measuring up to be. This week has been the hardest week yet, I have just been missing him soooooo much. But, we must carry on and try not to let our trials pull us backwards. I can't wait to get out on my mission!

 The front of my "MY heart is in ukraine" shirt i made with some friends

                The back.
                                            
 Went to get a name tag for the stocking im making and came back with this

His christmas stocking. Thank you mom for all the help. :)

How Elder Parkinson see's it.

 I got a really great letter this week from My Ky! 12 pages...of juicy deliciousness. Everything he said was awesome and he put so much into it. I LOVE his letters. I can totally see his growth, and it is awesome. In his letter to me he was telling me why he thought missions were beneficial and we can see how everything he said as advice to me was what has happened to him and how he has grown and such. So as Julie suggested I am going to quote from his letter what he wrote about missions.
 "Firstly, a mission is the most beneficial thing you can do if you want to draw closer to God, mature more, learn to be like the Savior, learn to enjoy the gospel, church, conference and such, learn to love and serve others, learn to work hard and in a companionship, develop good study habits, learn to love your family and those around you more, learn to overcome your fears and develop courage and much much more!"
He gives me so much strength just through his letters. I am sooo excited for my mission. But it is still somewhat of a shock to me. I know it's what I need to do and I know that all of those things Ky listed are things that I need to work on and will help me be sooo much better. I definitely need to be put out of my comfort zone! We are all secretly hoping that I am called to Russia so I can learn Russian with Kyler, but I wil be happy serving anywhere.

I am still doing really good without Kyler here. I have missed him a little more today. It's definitely hard not having your best friend in the entire world with you when you are going through big changes and decisions. Kyler would always keep me calm and level headed about decisions. He always knew just what to say to help me to make good decisions but still helped me stay positive and happy. I am soo grateful to have him in my life even if he's not here. I am so happy that I can serve at the same time as him. I am so grateful for all of his hard work. I know that he was suppose to leave before me so that I could see his amazing example and be able to have it to help me. So excited and hope you are all doing well and enjoying this blog!

Now here is a little song that I just love. :)

Missions Missions Missions

First of all some great pics from my FAVORITE missionary.

What a great guy. I know right? He is pushing forward and working hard. It is great to see his devotion and amazing work ethic. I can see his growth and it makes not being with him real easy. I honestly thought I would be a mess for about three months. I mean I've had my moments, but for the majority I am just overwhelmed with happiness! Is it weird that I don't like feel horribly sad that he's not here? I definitely miss him but I am fine with him right where he is. There are times I wish I could talk about things with him....like... for instance...
The fact that I am going on a mission??? Wow those words coming out of my fingertips are crazy! As soon as it was announced that the age for BOTH men and women was lowered, I had the spirit telling me I was going on a mission but it took me a whole 2 days to fully admit it. But wow. I feel sooooo blessed to be able to go and I know it is right for me. Also who gets the chance to serve a mission at the same time as their best friend! The time is already slipping through my hands! I feel like it is going by so fast and before we know it we will both be back. Crazy!
The sunday session talks really hit me hard. Showing your loyalty, not postponing promptings, service, and showing your love for the Lord. Wow they were SUCH great talks! I couldn't have been more touched. I know this Church is true and I can't believe I am going to be able to go share that! The fact that it is happening so soon is crazy to me! I am so excited though:) woohooo! I love missions :)