My Life As A Girl

Because I'm too lazy...

2009-07-04T20:33:00.003-04:00

...I'll just post some pictures of my brothers this time. Here they are in age order:

Aidan-5

Christopher-9

Nathanael-11

Philip-13

I know that the focas is weird, but it's actually the look that I was going for. He and Isaac were playing baseball with our cousin.

Isaac-17

~Livie

Kodak Moment! Oh, wait...

2009-06-07T19:14:00.004-04:00

So the other day, my family all went out for the afternoon. When we got back, Walker greeted us warmly as always and I pulled out my camera to get a shot of this cute moment. It wasn't until a few minutes later that I realized that something might be amis here. My suspicions were confirmed...

...when I magnified it. Ugh. Scroll down if you still can't tell what's going on here.

Yes, at the exact moment that I snapped this shot, Philip's lips came in contact with Walker's tongue. Many people would think that this is sooooo gross but I still think that it's rather cute. Philip wasn't phased by it either and that's all that really matters. What do you think of this "Kodak Moment" gone wrong?

~Livie

My Surprise

2009-06-02T18:36:00.003-04:00

So, for those of you actually read my last post, (which is a lot! Thanks for all the sweet comments everybody!) I said that I had a surprise. Well....read on!

I have to start with this. My hair is dark in this because this was after our first attempt to darken my hair for Mulan. This is about 2-3 weeks ago.

As of last Thursday...

Keep going...

SURPRISE!!!

I got my hair cut! I really like it! I'd been wanting to get my hair cut for about a month and a half but my mom said that I couldn't until Mulan was over since I had to put my hair up for that. Tell me what you think!

~Livie

P.S. In reply to Social Butterfly's comment to my last post: My family went to Mackinac over Memorial Day and we also go in September. We don't stay in Mackinac though. We stay at my grandparent's house about and hour and a half south of Mackinac so we usually just go up and spend the day there.

Vacation Pictures!!!!

2009-05-30T16:16:00.005-04:00

Here are some pictures of our vacation from over Memorial Day!!!

Molly-in the car and ready to go! This was her first vacation with us.

Me and Philip about 45 minutes into the trip.

Christopher
(sorry about the flash reflectiong off of his glasses...)

Aidan with the first ice-cream of the vacation.
Our fave ice-cream shop turned out to be just as good as
before so we're definitally going to keep going there!
(If you don't understand this, read my post below)

Christopher with his "Super-scoop"
(known as Superman in every other ice-cream shop in the country...that's another story...)

Walker, excited for a walk in the woods. Man, I love this dog!!!

Aidan at a museum that we stopped at on the way to Mackinac

Nathanael skipping stones in the lake next to the Mackinac Bridge

Christopher on the beach in Mackinac

Philip playing on the rocks infront of the Mackinac Bridge

Aidan, moments before tearing his shoes off and wading in Lake Huron

Philip again. You can see Mackinac Island behind him

The Mighty Mac

Aidan took this picture of me on our way home from Mackinac. We didn't end up getting any of Mackinac's famous fudge but we did go to a state park where they had a sky bridge and a zip line! Soooooooooooooooo FUN!!!!!

Philip goofing off with bubble gum on our way back home. This picture was taken about 2.376 seconds before that bubble became a sticky mess all over his face... ; )

So, that's our vacation in a nutshell. We had a lot of fun! Let me know what you think!

~Livie

P.S. I also have a surprise but I'll get to that later...stay tooned!

Vacation!!!!!!!

2009-05-23T17:33:00.002-04:00

If you can't tell from the title of this post, our family is on vacation!!! We're staying in a cottage that my grandparents own about 3 hours north of where we live. We came up yesterday and are planning on staying until Tuesday. My parents don't want to try to leave on Memorial Day with all the traffic! I was going to post about it before we left but there was no time with all the packing that had to get done. I also have some photos on our computer at home that I want to post. I'm posting this from my brother's laptop right now. We've had a lot of fun so far. (even though we haven't done much!) We drove for about 3 1/2 hours yesterday and got here at about 11:00 pm. We stopped at Wal-mart to get things for breakfast before we arrived at the cottage. By the time we were unpacked in the house, it was about 12:30 so my little brothers went straight to bed. (no, they didn't sleep in the car, no one in our family has ever slept easily in a car) I got to bed around 2 am...and then woke up at 9. Actually, 7, but I got back to sleep eventually. I had a really hard time sleeping last night too. Not because we were away from home or anything 'cause I don't usually have problems with that. The real reason is because I had to sleep on a cot. There aren't enough beds in the cottage for us all to sleep in a bed so we have two fold out cots. Now, I usually sleep in one of these and I love it-they're very comfortable but it was broken when we set it up this time so it was really uncomfortable!!!! I slept for the first few hours on the couch and then I moved back to the cot until my brother woke me up at 7. Grrrrrrr!!! Morning people....... Well, that was the most excitment that we've had so far. All we did today was drop my brothers off at a park while my mom and I went shopping for the rest of our food for the weekend. We also picked up some clothes for me. then we came home and here I sit, writting about it all for you! We're going to have chicken breast salad for dinner and then we're hopefully going to get ice cream from our favorite ice cream shop! I can't wait for that! The only thing is that when we passed it earlier, we saw on their sign that they were under new ownership so who knows, we might end up with a new favorite this year. :p That's all for now! I'll try to post again before we get home but, who knows? ; )

~Livie

Transported to Ancient China

2009-05-12T01:20:00.004-04:00

Welcome to TECH WEEK!!! (If you aren't exactly sure what that means, click HERE) Mulan tech week has been going pretty well so far. I just wanted to update you on some of my physical changes for this show, starting with make-up.

Preliminary make-up design. This will be finished off with bright blue eye shadow and thick black eyeliner. This is, pretty obviously, for my chinese bride number.

Let's just say "Before"

This is "After". If you can't tell, I dyed my hair. This is not photographic fakery! Apparently, light blond didn't fit with Ancient China... Don't worry, it's only temporary. It should come out in 6-8 shampoo's. I might try to make it darker before we open on Friday but that's not been confirmed yet. : p The fierce red eyeshadow?...well that's just an extra.

(it's actually my Mushu's chorus make-up)

What do you think? Should I keep it? I like the color but I don't think I like it that much!!! Let me know!

~Livie

Finally! A picture!

2009-05-07T00:41:00.002-04:00

Here is picture of Molly. She really looks like a chocolate lab but we really think that she's part terrier as well. She has a lot of energy and she has the tempermant of a fiesty terrier. When we walk into the house she gets so excited! We've almost got her completely trained on the invisible fence. She really is very smart, we realized that almost immediately. She picks up commands and tricks very, very quickly! (I'm really close to having her be able to balance a treat on her nose) I'm still warming up to her but I can't help but admit that she is our dog now. She's not just a dog that we adopted....she's ours. And that makes all the difference in the world!

~Livie

I'll give you one guess...

2009-05-07T00:36:00.002-04:00

What 'look' do you think we were going for with this photo? ; p We had some fun with this one... (lol)

~Livie

P.S. Nicki, you know this already, so don't give it away!!! : )

Photo Contest

2009-04-27T14:45:00.004-04:00

I decided to enter the I Heart Faces photo contest again this week. The theme is Reflection. I love this photo that I took on our way home from church on Easter. I had been experimenting with using the mirror to get pics of my brothers and I hit it at just the right moment. I couldn't believe that I had captured such a cute moment!

~Livie
P.S. Join the fun! Click here to check out I Heart Faces!

I Just Don't Have A Name For This One...

2009-04-22T00:25:00.002-04:00

I can't tell you how many times I've started this post in my head and then scratched it or not had the time or the will power to actually write it out. I'm sitting here in tears because writing this is stirring up so many old emotions that I thought were dead. I have so many things that I want to say but I don't know how to say them. I feel like this should be, how should I put it?...mature? Please don't ask me what that means because I don't really know yet myself. I just know that I don't have what it takes to make it that way. I'm sorry for being vague. I'll try to get to the point.

I don't know how else to say this so I'll just do it straight out: Jenny is no longer with my family. A few days after we brought her home, we found bald patches on her neck. We all thought that they were hot spots, but they got worse. We took her to the Humane Society vet but they had no idea what it was. They gave us some medicine but the patches continued to worsen and she kept losing hair. That's when we had to make a decision. We decided to turn her back in to the Humane Society for them to...put her down. We would have kept her but we didn't know if it was contagious, and we really, really didn't want Walker to get it. So my parents drove her in the next day. The last glimpse that I got of her was her head peeking out the car window as they drove away. "Bye, Jenny," I whispered as my eyes filled with tears. I sat on the stairs and held Walker as those same tears began falling out of my eyes. I couldn't help it. She was so sweet. She didn't deserve this. But, as always, life goes on. I hesitate to post this because several people have told us that it was foolish or even wrong for getting a second dog and I'm afraid that they'll think that they were right the whole time. The fact is that they were sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo wrong!!!! No one in my family would have traded in a single second that we had with Jenny for anything! She was an amazing dog-our dog-and no one will ever be able to convince us otherwise!

JENNY UPDATE!!!!!!! We got a call from the Humane Society the other day-Jenny is ALIVE! After we surrendered her, they had been planning the put her down, but one of their staff who had loved her before we adopted her decided to take her home! Jenny's in a happy home! We're so happy! Our dog is happy! God blessed us in our pain!

On that note I'll move on to the other news. The day that we took Jenny back, my parents made it easier on everyone by letting us pick out another dog. My parents and my brothers all fell in love with Bianca (a chocolate lab mix). I don't know why but I looked at her and I just didn't like her. Suddenly, I was under interrogation: What about her didn't I like? What's not to like? Could it be that you're just upset about Jenny? I didn't know. What I did know was that this was a strong feeling, but it was 7 to 1. There were a few other dogs that I wanted to visit with but the answer was firmly, no. There wasn't really a good reason for not letting me look except that my family had found their dog and were done looking around. To make a long story short, we adopted that chocolate lab and she's currently upstairs in my parent's room sleeping. We changed her name to Molly after we brought her home. Everyone tells me that she'll grow on me and that she really is a great dog but I'm not so sure. I have to say, that I do like having a second dog hanging around and she is very smart but she's just not my dog. Period.

I know that this sounds like I'm complaining a whole lot and I'm sorry. Please believe me when I say that I'm not trying to complain. I've just been living on a roller-coaster the past few weeks and I needed to dump my emotional baggage somewhere. I won't feel quite so bad tomorrow after I've gotten some sleep. I just wanted to post this late at night so I wouldn't have little brothers looking over my shoulder the whole time as that would make me very uncomfortable. If you've read this and think that I'm deppressed, please know that I'm not! This is just an emotional outlet for me and I will feel better after this. I'll probably feel better after some sleep too. G'night.

~Livie

Introducing...

2009-04-04T18:01:00.003-04:00

Jennifer Popcorn!

Okay, actually it's Jenny. The Popcorn part comes from what she was called at the Humane Society but we still just call her Jenny.

Her Story: A couple of weeks ago, a stray showed up in our backyard. She was obviously old and she seemed sick. She was also very overweight and would not stop panting. It was easy to see that she hadn't been taken care of in a long time because her toe nails hadn't been clipped in a while, to put it mildly. My parents decided that we couldn't keep her here so my dad drove her over to the city Animal Control office. My dad visited her every day during the week that she was there. He had gotten attached in the short time that she was with us and he couldn't let her go so easily. Well, after a week at the animal control office she disappeared. We knew that if dogs weren't claimed at animal control within a certain amount of time the were surrendered to the Humane Society to be put up for adoption or...euthanized. We were sure of the latter option because of how old and sick she was. My dad checked the adoption website every day waiting to see if there was any hope for her. After a week, she still wasn't in their adoption listings and my family gave up hope. The next day however, I checked again (this was the first time since we got our first dog that my parents had shown any openness to getting another dog so I wasn't ready to give up yet!). There she was! My mom confirmed my suspicion. Jenny was listed under the name of 'Popcorn'. My dad was so happy that he declared that our whole family was going to visit her this afternoon. So, we went knowing that we were just going for a visit and although adoption was an option, we weren't planning on it. I leaned over and whispered to Philip, "We're going to have another dog." I know my dad too well... We got there and my heart kind of sank when we asked someone and they said that they thought that she might have already been adopted. The lady said that she wasn't sure and we could go into the back and see if she was still there. Sure enough, there she was, and her pink slip was still by her kennel so no one was currently interested in her. We snatched up the slip and took it to the front desk. Before we knew it, we were all siting in the room with her and my parents were saying that we were going to take her home. So, after filling out paperwork, we loaded her into our van and brought her home. Walker was excited but he didn't get rough with her, which we we thankful for! And now, she's just getting used to her new home, family, and name. I should probably get off now and take her for a walk-she still needs to lose a lot of weight!

~Livie

Finally...

2009-03-29T23:25:00.002-04:00

Yay! I finally posted again!!! Sorry for the lack of posts the last few weeks. I've been very busy, and tired, and busy. Well, anyway, here you go...

First, let me tell you that I passed my ballet exam! Unfortunately, I didn't pass 'with flying colors.' I just passed. Not pass plus or commended. Just pass. But that's okay (especially considering the circumstances!). I had a rather difficult (*cough* mean) examiner. There was nothing that we could do to please her. She even told us that we had to do something that wasn't in the book! That frustrated me...well, at least the nice lady was the one taking notes! ; ) I am now an official Checetti Grade 2 student! (cue triumphant music)

In other news, Mulan is going very well. My parts are a Bride (in Honor To Us All) and a member of Mushu's chorus! I'm really excited for the show. My mom and I went out today and bought all the supplies for my bride costume. It's going to be shimmery and turquoise. I can't wait to get it done so I can try it on! The only problem is that I have to make it myself...in less than a month...*gulp* I'll try to get a picture up when it's done!

Two more things really quick! I'm going to my BFFNMW's show next Friday and I can't wait! Also, it's snowing here! It doesn't seem right even though I know it's normal for this time of year. It's kind of funny though, because this is the weather that we had in early December so it feels like we should be gearing up for Christmas, not Easter! LOL!

~Livie

So Much To Say...

2009-03-29T23:01:00.002-04:00

...and no words to say it with. I don't know. I just don't know. The only thing that I know is that God is God and that He loves me, even though I just don't know. He knows things about me that I couldn't even guess and He still loves me...wow! I know that I'm probably not making any sense whatsoever, but somehow, I'm okay with that. That's where the title of this post comes in. Have you ever felt like there was something really important or insightful that you had to say, but the words just weren't there? That's how I feel right now. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I'm depressed or sad or anything. I just feel like I'm weary. But, I know that weariness can't last forever so I'm not stressing. I'm just clinging to the fact that God loves me, even though I still don't know. There is peace.

I Heart Faces Photo

2009-03-24T12:40:00.004-04:00

I've decided to enter the I Heart Faces photo contest this week. The theme is No Flash. I took this photo a few weeks after I got my camera. I'm lying on my bed and holding the camera above my head.

If you want to check it out I Heart Faces, click HERE.
Let me know what you think!

~Livie

Please pray

2009-03-04T23:40:00.002-05:00

I'm really nervous right now because I found out on Monday that I'm going in for a Ballet exam this Saturday. I'm being tested on the material in Checetti Grade 1. It takes most people about 3 years to get through this grade....yeah.....I'm going in after 6 months... I've barely memorised the combonations, now I have to not only do them, but I have to worry about theory and such! not only that, my exam is at 9:00 am (I have to be at the examiner's dance studio-an hour drive away-by 8:30) which means I have to be awake at 7:00 on a Saturday! No one should have to be up that early on a Saturday! Especially not going to a test where they have to stay on their toes and always thinking about what they're doing! One good thing is that there's another girl who's been preparing for her exam for a while who's going with me so I won't be alone/the only one from our studio. That makes me a little more comfortable. My teacher says that I'm doing great and she's not worried at all, but I have no idea what to expect. I won't get my score for a week after the exam so that'll be the worst! Please pray that I don't spaz at the exam and fail or something!

Thanks!
~Livie

P.S. Tomorrow is my first Mulan rehearsal! I'm really excited about that!!!!

2009-02-23T16:00:00.002-05:00

Hmmmm...a lot has happened since my last post but I don't have the time or the determination to sit for a really long time and write about it so this'll be a short post. I did get cast in Mulan. I got the part of a Chinese Worker (they perform in the song Honor To Us All). Not a huge surprise. I also had the performances for the smaller show that I was Stage Manager for....those went well. Actually, I'd say very well! : ) Tech week was hard but everything went really smoothly during the shows. I was especially thrilled when I got to see the program and I was listed not as stage manager but as Assistant Director and Backstage Manager! I also got to be on headset backstage which is totally awesome! I thought it would be hard and I'd mess something up but it was really easy. We did a drama at the church where I go to Youth Group yesterday. It was really great! Everything went well and we had like 3 people taping it so I should get a copy soon. The funny thing is that we did the same drama that my B.F.F.N.M.W. was in at her church about a year ago! We didn't play the same part (she was the lead and I played the representation of Fashion) but it was a cool coincedence! ; )

~Livie

Photos

2009-01-30T16:52:00.004-05:00

These are some of the photos that I took with my camera (that can now hold 1000+ photos! Yay!). Tell me what you think. I can't decide which of these two photos (the ones above and below) I like better.Comment on this post or vote on the poll on the sidebar to tell me which you prefer.

My Puppy! Isn't he adorable????

(I know he's not technically a puppy anymore, but, hey,
he'll always be the true baby of the family!)

Excitement before his favorite time of the day-his walk!

I think that this one looks cool with just the rose colored
but you can't see my tiara very well.

I like this one a lot too. This is my mom's favorite.

Oh, it's so girly, isn't it?

These are some motion shots taken with the self-timer feature on my camera. They're both basic ballet moves but they look really cool mid-flight!

Hope you enjoyed them! More to come!

~Livie

2009-01-23T15:54:00.002-05:00

Hey! I'm back! Sorry it's been soooooooo long since I've posted! My audition week was really busy and then our computer broke down last week and it just came back from the repair shop day before yesterday. I'll start where I left off...

Auditions went great! I did end up getting a call back for Mulan. I got called back for an ancestor, which includes any featured role as well. The call back went really well and I made it to 'the second round' (they sent some kids home before the acting portion of the audition). The second call back for Mulan was cancelled so I got to go to church on Wednesday night instead of an audition. I had my audition for Seussical on Thursday. I thought that that one went amazing so I was really worried about how I would decide which show to do but when the cast list came out the next day, I found out that I had gotten a chorus in Seuss-the same exact chorus that I had the first time I did this show! That made the decision easy! I'm definitely doing Mulan now. I'm so relieved to have made a choice! I'm happy that it worked out this way too! I found out that the reason that this is going to be EAP's is that the director is moving to New York and getting married! It's upsetting that she's leaving but I'm really happy for her!

The Saturday after my auditions, I was going to go to the University of Michigan Women's Vocal Arts Day (If you've been following my blog from the beginning, you'd know that this is what my very first post ever was about! :] ). Unfortunately, that got canceled so I can't do a cool one-year-update thing...and yes, for those who care, this means that my blog is now officially 1 year old. I can't believe it's been that long! And yet, at the same time, my life was so different a year ago that it seems like ages have passed since I typed my first post! I never was really into the whole 'My blog's a year old!' thing before, but now I kind of understand some. I'm kind of a sentimental person so thinking back to a year ago brings back so many memories from then...oh well, before I know it, my blog will be turning 2 (is it just me or does that sound just a bit odd...) and I'll be thinking back to this year! I hope they'll be happy memories! This goes to good memories in the year to come!

My church drama group performed last Sunday. We were working on a human video (kind of like a music video) to the BarlowGirl song Mirror. It went great! God really moved through it! I couldn't count how many people came up to us girls and told us how touched they were. I know it's from God because He gave me this idea a while ago and now, three or so years later it came into being. Even better than I could have even imagined! My dad filmed it so I may be able to get a copy to some of you if you'd like.

The only other thing of importance that happened in my absence is...............................I had a birthday! I'm 15 now! I can't believe it! I feel waaaaaaay too young to be 15...and yet, here I am! My birthday is January 20th so every four years, I share it with the presidential inauguration. I always complained because all my dad wanted to do on my birthday was watch TV, but not this year! We celebrated by my dad taking me out to breakfast at a coney island and then we all went bowling. When we got home, we ate dinner, had cake and ice cream, and I opened presents. I got a memory card for my camera (now instead of 7, I can hold over 1,000 photos!) and some money. I had a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to a great year!

~Livie

Auditions, Auditions, Auditions...

2009-01-05T13:53:00.000-05:00

Hey! Sorry I haven't posted about this sooner, I've been too busy to get on the computer the past few days! Last night I had an audition for.................(drum roll)......................Mulan at the theater where I usually do my drama!!! It went really well and I'm feeling really good about it. This was the first audition were I felt better about the singing portion than the acting portion but it all evened out in the end. I find out tomorrow if I got a call-back or not, I really hope that I do! I'd really like to be Mulan or Yun (the ancestor who represents Love). I was kind of wondering if I'd even have a chance at Mulan but my parents keep saying that, if I color my hair, I'd make a great Mulan so now I don't know...If you know me, what do you think???

Now that my Mulan audition went well, though, I have a problem...A while ago, I decided that I would also audition for the City of Novi's youth theater show. They're doing Seussical Jr. (surprise! lol Nicki! ;] ) I think that I have a good chance at a really good part in that show but I need to decide which show I'm doing by next Wednesday (the cast list for Seuss comes out on Friday...the day after my audition) and the cast list for Mulan doesn't come out until the beginning of next month because that theater company is working on another show right now. So it's going to be a big guessing game. Please pray that God gives me guidance. In any regular situation, I'd probably just do Seuss and then audition for the next EAP show, but, I just found out a few weeks ago that Mulan is, well,.....it's going to be EAP's last show. Our director is retiring and moving away...... :*( I just don't want to give up anything that God has for me because I'm being emotional....but I really want to be there for the last EAP show (I have been acting with them for 4 years, after all). Just pray that God will make His path clear to me... : \

Thanks,
~Livie

I <333333333 My New Camera!!!!

2008-12-26T11:34:00.004-05:00

As the title says, I LOVE my new camera that I got for Christmas yesterday!!!!!! It's a Canon PowerShot. Here are a few of the photos I took with it yesterday:

Have you ever wondered what I look like in the middle of a cart-wheel? Talk about a one-in-a-million shot!

This is my cousin and I running round our grandparents basement. Self timer is a beautiful thing!This is the same cousin and Aidan right after opening their gifts.

Same cousin. She was twirling around the support pole in our grandparent's basement and I snapped it at just the right moment.

Me twirling around the same pole, except, I took this picture of myself. If you haven't noticed already, this is also my profile picture. This is my favorite out of all the photos that I took.

So, that's my camera...I'm waiting for a better memory card...one that holds more than 7 photos...(my memory card literally holds only 7 photos at a time!) Here are some of the other things that I got:

From Mom and Dad:

A clip-art computer program
Some wooden letters (my initials) and some paint to decorate them with. (this was really picked out and 'from' Aidan but I opened it with the rest of my gifts from my parents)
A really cute heart, cubic zirconium, pendant
A Tri-ominoes game (for those who don't know, it's a dominoes game but it has 3 sides on each piece instead of 2)
The Divine Dance. Let me just say that this book is amazing. Period. I've only read one chapter but, by the end of the first page, I was in tears. It wasn't because the book was written because somebody who spent their life looking at studies and finding out what trends there were in teenage girls. It's because a 20 year old girl, who, might I add, had no experience writing books, felt like God was telling her something profound, so she wrote it down. God is totally working in and through this book. Isn't it funny how He knows exactly what we need and how we should get it? I totally recommend this book to any girl, but especially those who are ages 14-early 20's+. I give this book *****+ (If that's possible!) READ IT!

From my Uncle and cousins:

Complete works of William Shakespeare. He figured that since I like acting...
3 books of monologues (YES!!!!!)
A $50 American Girl gift certificate

From my grandparents:

My camera, as I said above
Some money (Thank You Grandma and Papa!)

Well, that the gifts I got, but it can't begin to describe the fun that I had. Praying that you all had as enjoyable a Christmas as I did! Please pray that I remain grateful to Jesus for all the blessings that I've been given this year! (it's soooooo hard to remember the real reason we celebrated the day after Christmas!!) That all for now. Bye

~Livie

Choir Concert Hair

2008-12-18T15:40:00.002-05:00

I did my hair for my choir concert earlier today. Sorry about the bad lighting, until Christmas we're still only operating on a web-cam. Tell me what you think!

~Livie

Black Friday Shopping

2008-11-28T07:08:00.003-05:00

Update: My mom and I are back now. We had a lot of fun! My mom bought me enough supplies at Joann's so that I can make a pioneer dress. I'm really excited for that but one glance at the pattern (which was on sale for 99 cents-originally $15.95!!!!!!) told me that it'll be harder than I thought... I think It'll get easier after I work on it for a bit. Other than that, we went to Target to get mattress covers, Rite-Aid to get strings of Christmas lights (10 to be exact! They were on sale for $1.99.), a Coney Island for breakfast, and Meijer for random stuff we needed. We had a lot more fun today than we had in the past and I'd totally recommend it to anybody who doesn't mind a crowd to have a good time!

Well, this can't be long because I have to go. My mom and I are about to leave to get all those great deals that the day-after-Thanksgiving sales. Yes, it is 7-o-clock....we know, we're a tad bit later than everyone else this year, but, oh well. We aren't really going anywhere except to Joann Fabric and out to breakfast. I got to run! Updates later!!!

~Livie

New template...again

2008-11-25T14:17:00.003-05:00

UPDATE: I changed the template again because the other one, wasn't very Christmas-y. Let me know if you like this one!

So, I changed my blog template again. The last one was a lot of pink...the first one was too. Yes, I know that this one is still pink, but it's not like an all out pink explosion. Tell me what you think. I wanted something Christmas-y (thus the Love, Joy, Peace, Faith thing) that I wouldn't have to change immediately after the Holidays (thus the pink). Do you think I succeeded in accomplishing my goal or should I still go for more Christmas-y? You can comment and/or vote on the poll that's to your left if you scroll down.

~Livie

Song

2008-11-20T15:43:00.003-05:00

So yeah, I'm listening to this song right now so that's probably why I'm thinking about it...but, anyway, I love this song because, well, it's amazing (of course, it's only amazing because my God rocks!!!). Here are the Lyrics:

Your Love Is Extravagant
By: Casting Crowns

Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate
I feel like moving to the rhythm of Your grace
Your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place
Your love is extravagant

Chorus:
Spread wide in the arms of Christ is the love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known You considered me a friend
Capture my heart again

Spread wide in the arms of Christ is the love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known; You considered me a friend

Capture my heart again
Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate

Tell me what you think. I first heard it at Youth Group but didn't know that it was a Casting Crowns song until a few weeks ago.

~Livie

New Template (For the first time since I made this blog!!!)

2008-11-14T22:32:00.002-05:00

As the title said, I did, in fact change my template. It's still pink (obviously) but I like this color of pink better than the other template that I had. It also seems softer and, well, lighter looking. At least, I think so!

Let me know what you think by commenting on this post and/or voting on the poll to your right. Thanks in advance for your input!!!

~Livie

Choir, Cookies, and a Crazy Election!

2008-11-04T11:56:00.003-05:00

I won't be able to write for very long because one of my brothers needs to use the computer to do his school (yes, unlike most, we have school today even though my dad is off work). I also have to leave for choir in about an hour and a half. This is basically what choir is: we have several pieces of music that we work on for an hour, then there's advanced ensemble which is another 45 minutes on 1 of 3 more advanced pieces. I personally enjoy A E (advanced ensemble) better, but by that point I've been there for an hour and I'm starting to get a bit bored so it really depends on my mood for how much I enjoy it.

Later, I'm going up to my church (it's a voting precinct) to sell cookies to benefit our drama program. We're hoping to end up using the proceeds to fund an overnight trip somewhere as a bonding experience (we were thinking Frankenmuth but if you have another suggestion, please comment!). Basically, since our church is a precinct, there will be a lot of people there today. My mom and I have the 5 pm-8 pm shift so ours is probably going to be the busiest since that's when the people who had to work today will come and vote. So, not only are we selling the cookies, but we have to make them simultaneously, although, we have pre-made cookie dough so it'll be a lot easier than if we had to mix up the dough too!!!

Then, of course, it's election day so it'll be nice and loud in our house tonight as we're all trying to do the assignment that my dad gave us. We each have a map of the U.S. with the states and the amount of electoral votes per state filled into them. Our job: when a state's votes have been counted, we have to shade that state either red or blue (depending on republican or demicrat) on our maps. Then we have to keep track of how many electoral votes the candidates have. It probably won't be too hard...it wasn't very difficult when I was 10 either. Well, I'll probably update later tonight after the votes begin to be counted to let everyone know what's going on (of course, you'll probably know what's going on because you'll be watching the TV and not reading my blog, but, oh well...)

Have a blessed election day and know that, whatever happens, God is in control!
~Livie

"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after killing the body,has the power to throw you in hell. Yes, I tell you to fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are numbered. Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." ~Luke 12:4-7

My Busy Life....

2008-10-14T18:00:00.004-04:00

Hey! Sorry that I haven't been able to get on and post in a while!!! I've been really busy! Well, I'll start where I left off I guess. The American Girl Fashion Show went great! I had so much fun and I didn't want that day to be over! My favorite costume was the Mia figure skating outfit that I wore. It was really pretty! It was a pink-ish top with a miniskirt (I wouldn't normally wear a miniskirt but this was a figure skating outfit...) I was tired and a bit disappointed that it was over but almost relieved as we were walking away from the hotel where we performed it. It was a great experience but it was time to relax for a bit.

School's been the main consumer of my time so far this year. I thought that I'd like it this year but, no... I can't even say that I have a favorite subject this year because they all stink! Science, my fave from last year, is awful this year because it's Chemistry, not Biology (which I loved!!!). Math isn't any easier now and my reading's only gotten harder. Blagh. The only good thing so far is that if I wasn't in the higher level, I wouldn't have read Pride and Prejudice which is amazingly wonderful (If you haven't read it, READ IT!!!!!!!). I thought it would be lame but, boy, was I wrong! We got the movie out of the library I've watched it 3 times already. If you gather nothing else from this post, know that Pride and Prejudice ROCKS!!!!!

Other than the normal weekly routine, that's been about it for my life. I'm looking forward to some things though. Such as I'm going to my B.F.F.N.M.W.'s house sometime soon and I can finally celebrate her birthday, kind of (Her birthday was last month). Also, my church is hosting a road rally! For those of you who don't know, a road rally is like a great big scavenger hunt that you do in your car all over the city and you have to go to certain places to get your clues. That's sure to be fun!

Well, that's enough for now!
~Livie

P.S. Have you ever done a road rally? Comment and tell me what you thought of it!

Check out the Theater Girls!!!

2008-09-28T18:03:00.003-04:00

So, today, I realized, I could write about my American Girl Fashion Show and what outfits I'll be modeling on both my blogs...but I won't. This is your official incentive to visit my and Nicki's joint blog, Theater Girls which is currently only followed by one person. (You know who you are...THANK YOU!!!) So, if you would like any more info about my show other than the fact that I was cast, click HERE.

Yeah, um, that's pretty much it....

TTYL,
Livie

Photos of Aidan

2008-09-17T15:43:00.003-04:00

Hey girls! We got a scanner so now I can give you a preview of some of the photos of Aidan as a ring bearer. Up above is him the morning of the wedding. My mom took that photo right before she woke him up. I thought it was cute enough to share.

Down below is him in his tuxedo. We all think he's really cute! Let me know what you think!!!

~Livie

Please pray hard!!!!

2008-09-11T00:58:00.002-04:00

You may look at the post time and say, '1:00 am! That can't be right!' but it is right. Yes, I'm sitting here at my computer at 1-o-clock in the morning to ask for your prayers. My mom woke up this morning feeling like she had the flu. As the day went on, though, the symptoms got worse and she get a bad pain in her side. My dad had to come home from work to take my brother to his college (yes, I said, college) class. Eventually my mom asked my dad to take her to the ER so they left at about 7:30 pm. We didn't hear form them for the whole evening but then at about midnight my dad called to tell us to go to bed. They had done a bunch of tests but they hadn't told my parents anything yet. About 15 minutes ago, Isaac called again, asking if we had any soda in the house. My dad told him that the doctors were almost positive that it was appendicitis. My dad's on his way home right now and my mom's going into surgery within the next 6 hours. And, so, here I am almost in tears, waiting for the news that won't come until morning. I beg that you pray that God will help my mom be okay, but mostly for peace. Peace for everyone-us, my mom, the doctors. Thank you all so much!

~L

Audition Update

2008-08-27T18:33:00.002-04:00

Hey, everybody! I posted the info that I currently have about the AG Fashion show on my Theater Girls blog. Click HERE to read it!

~Livie

Prayers Plz!

2008-08-25T17:42:00.000-04:00

REQUESTED:

PRAYERS

Preferably before 8:00 tonight,
but any time would do!

For: Livie's American Girl fashion Show audition

Please pray for God's peace and that
His will will be done in my life.

As the notice reads, I have an audition tonight for an AG fashion show and I would really just like to get a part in it so all prayers are welcome!

Thanks!
~Livie

Vacation...and then some

2008-08-23T18:52:00.002-04:00

Hey! I just got back on Thursday from our family's annual 'long' vacation. Usually it's two weeks long and at the beginning of September but Isaac starts his dual-enrollment college classes then (grrr....JK). So, for those of you who might have been worried that I didn't answer e-mails for the past week....I didn't fall off the edge of the world! (lol) It was a fun trip but, even though I really wanted to want to be there, I was missing home. I wasn't homesick per say, I just have some stuff going on that I wanted to monitor (Kmart commercial for one). My brother and dad had their small devices but the only problem was that they needed WiFi to get the internet. Since we only ended up going to one place that had WiFi, well, let's just say that some people had all their things to do and one person left the building only having done one very limited activity on a certain electronic device.... I didn't mind that much....My dad also had his laptop from work but, for some reason, the phones weren't working at our vacation house. No dial tone=No internet. But the most crazy thing was that I survived! 5 1/2 whole days without a computer and I actually made it out alive! (lol)

Anyway.....here are some of the things that I did: Went to church (we got there on a Saturday), went shopping with my mom while the boys went swimming (she needed a dress for that wedding where Aidan's the ring bearer. That was actually today...), went mini golfing, went to Mackinac Island (Oh yeah! The first time in three years!), Ate fudge (!!!!!), and played Trivial Pursiut (2:00 am and I are best friends. It's a good thing that I'm a night owl!). Then we spent a day cleaning the house before we left. On our way home, we stopped at Frankenmuth for a chicken dinner (As we found, this is not to be advised with a large family unless you're ready to take out a mortgage on everything that you own...At least the food was good! lol) And now we're home!

As I mentioned above, Aidan's wedding debut was today. Last night he and my mom went out to Marine city for the rehearsal dinner, they stayed there for the night and Aidan was in the wedding party today. My mom said that he was really cute and that he did a really good job. Pictures available on request. (Unfortunately, they didn't have a digital camera so you'd have to see the photos in person, I can't post them here)

Finally, a request. Most of you have probably seen the video that Nicki and I made (The Kmart commercial). This Tuesday, they're announcing the finalists, so if you want to see if we made it/vote, go to www.youtube.com/user/Kmart. Thank you all!

~Livie

Kmart Commercial!!!!!!!

2008-08-15T22:42:00.004-04:00

Okay, so, my friend sent me this thing about a Kmart contest a while ago and we both thought that it looked cool so we decided to try it. It was a contest to make the next Kmart back-to-school commercial. We met a few weeks ago to film it and everything went great! We got all the stuff we needed with time to spare! Then came editing, that took a while longer because of unforeseen issues, but we overcame and now our video is posted and submitted! Copy and paste this web address to see it: www.youtube.com/fayleke then tell me/us what you think! If we make it into the final 20, we'll need your votes, so, keep checking back for more info!

~Livie

P.S. Read more at our Theater Girls blog!

My Little Bro....

2008-07-28T19:56:00.003-04:00

Not much going on, the only thing of real importance that has happened to me in the past week or so is that my cousin who is getting married in October, (her sister is also getting married sometime this year-I'm not invited to either wedding) called earlier today to ask my mom for some help. One of the men in the wedding party and the ring bearer just moved to Colorado so they won't be able to make the wedding and she wants my brother, Aidan, to fill in! They already ordered him a tux and everything! I wasn't too upset that I wouldn't be allowed to go to the wedding, but now I am! I sooooooooo wish that I could be there to see how cute he's going to be! He'll be so adorable once he gets his tux on, but I won't be able to see that, either, because the first time he gets it is at the rehearsal dinner. I'm begging my dad to take a lot of pictures. Aidan is going to be the only one of the kids in our family who has been in a wedding so far. There are going to be so many 'kodak' moments that day (for instance, when he has to dance with the flower girl!). When we were at dinner today and I said, 'He'll have to dance, won't he?' Aidan quickly piped up with, 'I'm not gonna dance!!!!' Ah, I fear the day when his cuteness fades completely, it's coming soon. Well, that's the only major thing that has happend in my life in a while. Stay strong girls!

~Livie

Photos

2008-07-16T11:44:00.003-04:00

Hey y'all! My brother and were up late last night watching the all-star baseball game (Go American League *whoop*!) and as most of you may know, I can get a little crazy when I'm tired.... Let's just say I had some fun with our web-cam.....You can see for yourselves.

[Let's call this one up above the 'control' shot]

[Ah, lovely New York!]

[Yes, yes, hold it! Just 15 more seconds and you beat the silliest record in the world!]

[Sparkle, sparkle, fairy sparkle]

[How many times do I have to tell you? Socks never go with sandals!]

Sorry if they're hard to see, the only light they had from the computer. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

~Livie

I Got Posted!

2008-07-11T17:35:00.002-04:00

For those of you who don't know, American girl.com has this thing every week where they ask everyone a random question, and a serious question, each submitted by real girls. Then girls can write in with their answers and a handful get posted at the end of the week. Well, I got posted this week! I'm really excited because, though I have been posted before, I haven't been posted in a while. Here's the URL if you want to check it out:

http://www.americangirl.com/agmg/help/

You'll have to go to the bottom. Sorry if this seems rushed, I have to go and eat. Bye!

~Livie

Two Tiring Trips

2008-06-24T20:51:00.005-04:00

Hey everybody, I just got back from a really crazy week. Last Tuesday, I went to my friend, Nicki's, house. I slept over, then went to Cedar Point on Wednesday. I got home early in the afternoon on Thursday. (You can read about it more if you click HERE to go to Nicki's blog) That same night, I left on a 4 hour trip to my grandparent's cottage on Higgin's Lake. We (me, my older brother, my mom and our next door neighbor) were going to The Big Ticket Festival, a huge Christian music fest and arrived at about 10:30. My grandparents happened to be there but they didn't mind. That night we went to bed at about 1 am. (We know that we should have gone to bed sooner but Food Network is sooooo hard to turn off.....) The next morning we got, got ready and left on another hour long journey to the place where the music festival was going on. Even though there weren't really any bands that my mom and I wanted to see, we had more fun than we thought that we would. We stayed late to see the last band of the day so we didn't get home until 12:30 am. The next day we had to get up early to catch something called 'Heart Of The Artist.' Let's just say that I didn't handle the early hour very well...... The Heart Of The Artist was boring anyway-my mom, the one who had been wanting to see it, even agrees with me. After that I went through an exhibit called 'The Africa Experience' where they show you what it's like with all the AIDs in Africa. It was really sad.... After that, there wasn't much to do until my next band came on (my favorite!!) BarlowGirl at 6:15 pm, yeah it was boring and hot that day, oh well, seeing BG in concert was worth it. Then I stood in line and got their second CD, which I bought with some money that my grandma gave me, autographed by them. I was only about 10 people back in line so it didn't take me long to get through. One thing that was really cool though, was that I was wearing my Little Women t-shirt and all three of them noticed and asked me where I got it!!!! I was really excited and they were surprised that I had designed it online! After that we stayed for one more band and a speaker. Then my mom and I left to go to Wal-Mart while my brother and our neighbor stayed for the last singer (neither my mom or I particularly enjoy his music). We stayed until 11:00 pm, most of the time we spent trying on the ugliest shoes we could find and then laughing-alot! After we got back to the 'Lake House' at 12:30, I got a snack, then we all went to bed. The next day after church, my brother and I took our neighbor down by the lake and to the corner store near us before we left. We got home at about 7:00 and we were all happy to be home!

~Livie

New Blog

2008-06-11T20:23:00.003-04:00

Hey! Just wanted to let you all know that my friend Nicki and I have started a joint blog. We'll still do stuff on our normal blogs, but I just wanted to give you the URL for the new one. Just click HERE. (If that doesn't work, go to: www.theatergirls.blogspot.com) Sorry that it's not that great, we just started out.

Livie

P.S. On the new blog, after the posts I write, I'll sign it like this: ~Livie or ~L

Haircut

2008-06-10T16:17:00.003-04:00

Just really quick, for those of you who haven't seen me in a few days, I got my hair cut. Here's a before and after photos:

BEFORE:
AFTER:

Presidential Physical Fitness Challenge

2008-06-03T15:58:00.003-04:00

That was a mouthfull! But, that is what I found myself doing yesterday. My mom got an e-mail a few weeks ago telling us that we were invited to join some other home-schooled kids for the testing. It was hard, I knew it was going to be, though. I'm pretty sore right now, especially in my abs! Ugh! We did 5 events: 1 mile run/walk, 'V' sit and reach, push-ups, shuttle run, and sit-ups. It was fun so niether me or my friend (Social Butterfly) cared that we didn't get any awards. Though we were both very close! We both came in a few minutes slow on the run/walk (3-4 to be exact :p ) and niether of us hit the mark on sit-ups either. Oh well, at least we had fun! That's all that really matters! Officially, each of us got the 'participant' award (along with everyone else that I knew there). 'Participant' being less than 50%. Gag. Well, at least we can say now that the Presidential Physical Fitness Challenge is 'unfair' because obviously we don't have a problem. *wink* JK Thanks for reading!

Tech Week

2008-05-16T14:51:00.002-04:00

Ugh! What more can I say? My week has been totally packed! Not only do I have a larger amount of school to do than usual this week, but spending 4-5 hours (sometimes more) at the theater every night can be really draining! The past two nights, I've been at rehearsal until 11:30 at night! I've been trying to post for some time but I simply haven't had a chance. This has been the order of my days this week: Get up-late! (My mom lets me sleep in because it's tech week! :] ) Eat, do school, possibly have a few minutes to do something, curl my hair (with my thick hair it takes approx. 45 min. I'm getting better though), try to scarf something down, get into micing clothes (The clothes you wear underneath your costume that they put your microphone on in), do make-up, then rush out. When I get home I have about 2 minutes to check my e-mail and get a snack before I have to go to bed. Talk about tiring! Well, tonight is opening night so we're about to unveil our show to 400 people. Though some might cringe at that thought, I find it rather exhilarating. My only problem is that I've confirmed that I'm definitely allergic to the mic tape that they use, so I have to change the side that my mic is on every night to try to avoid breaking out (it doesn't really help that much...) Oh, well, I guess I'd rather break out for a few days than not be a lead. I'm just scared that the kids won't want to talk to me after the show. That's what happened to the Beast in Beauty and the Beast! Whatever....I just don't want to force the kids to talk to me if they don't want to. Your prayers would be much appreciated!!!!!

Lead's Joke

2008-04-30T16:23:00.001-04:00

So, at my theater company, they have a tradition where, every show, the staff pulls a practical joke on the leads. (For Beauty and the Beast they told them that they really weren't doing B&B after all, and for Les Mis they gave them a sheet of paper telling them that they absolutely had to read the entire book of Les Miserables-unabridged-within 10 days or they would forfeit their part!!) Normally, they do it at the leads orientation but, this show, they said that they didn't have time to come up with one....hmmmm...... So, we went through rehearsals without a leads joke. Until, that is, last night. We were sitting around before rehearsing last night and our director tells us that the co-writer and producer of the show is coming to see it, and at first we were excited, but then we realized that if he came, we would have to do the show exactly as the script told us to! (If you have ever seen or read a script, I'm sure you know how silly some of the directions could be. In our show, instead of flying, Charlie and Grandpa Joe are supposed to run around the ground singing about how great it is to be in 'mid-air'. Ugh!) So, they were talking about how many things we'd have to do differently for quite a while until one boy finally figured out that it was the leads joke and we all laughed, very relieved!

Your friendly neighborhood blogger, ; )
Livie

Last Night

2008-04-19T13:21:00.002-04:00

So, I went to see the musical that my B.F.F.N.M.W.'s in last night. The musical was good but my favorite parts were the parts that she was in. ; ) She was in the teen chorus, and I'm glad she was because the little kids didn't get to do much. After the show we took her and her mom out for dessert at Big Boy. It was the same Big Boy that the cast likes to meet at after the show, so, not only was it crowded and loud, but it took us over an hour to get our two scoops of ice cream. Nice. By the time we left, it was 12:45 and my mom and I still had an hour drive ahead of us. We dropped off my friend at her house and then started our drive. We hadn't been going for more than 15 minutes and the car began shaking. All I could think was, 'Oh, don't break down! Please, don't break down!' It turned out that we had a flat tire. Great! 1:00 am and neither my mom or I have jackets. Thankfully, approx. 5 minutes later, a cop car pulled up and they were able to change the tire quickly. We were back on our way and we arrived home at 2:00 am and went straight to bed. This morning I slept until 11:30! So, that's an over-view of our night last night. We were just happy to off the road before the bars closed at 2:30! That was God's providence! Well, bye, and thanks for reading!

Computer

2008-04-16T15:20:00.003-04:00

I'm really excited right now because we just got a new computer. My grandparents decided that they would bless our family with a new computer with the money that they got from their tax refund. My older brother (the computer whiz of the family) went online and chose all sorts of custom features for it to have. Then he ordered it and it arrived today. I'll probably post from it later. It's really cool because the computer we have now is kind of out of date (Windows 98) and the new one will be able to run new and better programs. My brother is about to set it up so I can't make this post very long, but I'll try to get on later!

My Busy Weekend

2008-04-06T22:33:00.001-04:00

It's Sunday and I'm really tired right now because I had some late nights the past few days. On Friday, my parents went to a viewing for my dad's aunt (my great aunt) who died last week. It wasn't that hard on me because I'd only met her like 3 times in my entire life but it's hard knowing that she was my 2nd cousin's grandma and my grandpa's younger sister! Well, my parents came home and my mom and I stayed up watching a style make-over show that we love until the wee hours of the morning (I have no clue what possessed us to that insanity!). On Saturday, my parents went to the real funeral and I stayed home with the kids because my older brother and one of the younger ones went to a friend's house for a sleep-over. Then another brother had to go to soccer practice, and a friend of mine came over. She and her brother stayed the night and we rented Charlotte's Web to watch. I bought a great big box of Nerds (good to eat, but not before bed, as we found). Yum! Then we got to sleep at about 1 am and woke up at 9 am for church. We tried to make fry bread (an Indian dish I made for school) for breakfast but they came out burned and we didn't have time to make more, so we just slapped some cinnamon sugar on top and ate them as they were. Then we went to church and I played some basketball on our hoop (My older brother put it up again, yay!). Following which, I went to rehearsal. Wow, that's a longer post than I've written in a while! That'll give you something to do while I'm formulating my next entry!

Bye,
Livie

Photo

2008-03-30T20:44:00.003-04:00

Hey, my dad finally gave me that picture (lol), so here it is! Sorry that it's sideways.....I tried to fix it but that made it too big of a file. Tell me what you think!

B.F.F.N.M.W. Sleepover

2008-03-30T20:36:00.002-04:00

Well, my busy weekend is over, and I am super tired! My BFFNMW and I stayed up until a little after 2:00 am and then got up at 7:00 (My alarm was set for 6:30, but we hit the snooze button a couple of times.....). We played a few games of Triominoes-A very fun game! She won once and I won once. We decorated her house before the club meeting (Streamers and balloons) and then got ourselves ready. We did a mystery game that was kind of simple to figure out (your classic getting the two boxes mixed up-) then did karaoke and DDR. We finished by playing a card game. We left at 2:00 pm but that wasn't a nice time........*sniffle* Well, I'll get to see my friend again next month for her shows of Bye, Bye Birdie. If you want to read more about my amazingly awesome friend, click here!

TTFN,
Livie

My Next 2 Days

2008-03-28T13:42:00.002-04:00

I've got a huge agenda for my weekend! Today at approx. 2:30 pm I'm going to my B.F.F.N.M.W.'s house for a sleepover. There I'm going to do various things, including watch the newly released Nancy Drew movie and practice a dance we choreographed together last year. We'll probably stay up extra late talking, playing cards, or looking at books together. Then we'll try to get up as early as possible to eat and begin decorating for our club meeting that's meeting at her house tomorrow. The other girls will be brought by my mom and will arrive at approx. 11:00 am. The club meeting ends at 2:00, but we'll probably stay a little late. Then I have to come home and bake things for my grandma to sell at a bake sale. On Sunday, I have church and choreography rehearsal. I personally like weekends like this when I have a lot planned because then I don't have time to sit around and be bored-I'm too busy! I have to go eat now 'cause my B.F.F.N.M.W.'s dad is gonna be here in about a half hour. Ta ta!

Spring Break

2008-03-20T18:03:00.002-04:00

Oh, I'm soooooooooooooo happy that Spring Break is here! That means 10 whole days that are 100% school free! I can sleep in! And it's spring break! Notice spring. So much hope comes with that word. I still have rehearsal next week, but that's okay with me because I haven't been to rehearsal in about 2 weeks, and I like rehearsal so that makes me sad! I trying to convince my dad to get me a picture of me from a few months ago. It's of me wearing my medieval princess costume and I really like it. I'll post it here if he ever gets around to. So, yeah, I'm about to head out to Youth Group. I have to go eat now because there's only 20 minutes before I have to leave, so TTYL!

Livie

School Writing

2008-03-08T21:27:00.002-05:00

So, yeah, a lot of my friends have been posting stories that they wrote on their blogs, and we just learned about story writing in school, so I decided I'd publish my story here. I know it's not really that great, but, I felt like writing it. Well, here you go:

Better Off

By: Me!

Twoot! The final note of band practice cane out of Jordan's flute perfectly. Jordan, who was in first out of six chairs, took her time as she cleaned out and took apart her precious instrument. She glanced up just in time to see Emilee, the shyest of the flutists, approach their director, Mr. Jones. Jordan watched curiously as they exchanged a few words. Then Mr. Jones surprised everyone by announcing that Emilee had decided to leave the group, and that this would be her last rehearsal. Emilee stared at the floor. Jordan stared at Emilee. The whole room went silent. They all knew that she wanted to leave because 3 months back, her family had found out that her younger brother had cancer, and, since then, she had fallen from third to sixth chair. Jordan only knew that she had to talk to Emilee before she got on the bus and it was too late. She shoved the last of her sheet music into her backpack and hurried after the distraught flutist.

"Emilee? Emilee!" Jordan followed her until she turned around, "You can't quit! You know you can't! You're really good."

Emilee sighed, "I-I'm just not as good as I used to be...."

"I'll help you! Come to my house tonight! We can play together," There was no stopping Jordan now.

"Will you? Really?" Emilee's face lit up, "I still do really love to play. Oh, I'm so excited!"

So, later that night, Emilee arrived at Jordan's house with a great big smile on her face. When she left an hour later, she could play each of the band pieces perfectly.

The next day, Emilee cane over yet again to practice, but really the girls spent most of their time talking and giggling.

Just as Emilee began packing up her stuff and getting ready to go, the door bell rang. Jordan answered it and was surprised to find Becca, who happened second chair flutist and Jordan's next door neighbor.

Even before the door was completely opened, Becca started talking into Jordan's confused face, "There you are! Now don't pretend to be innocent! I know you're the one who broke my bedroom window last night!"

"What?" Jordan was shocked, "I can't have been breaking your window last night because I was here, practicing flute fingerings with Emilee! Besides, I'm your best friend!" She glanced at Emilee as she mentioned her.

She could tell it was too late-Emilee's shell of shyness had already enveloped her. Jordan was alone defending herself against her maniac of a neighbor.

Becca rambled throughout Jordan's thoughts, "What a dumb excuse! We both know she quit band yesterday! Well, at least now I know your guilt. I can turn you in to my parents!"

Just as Becca was turning to leave, all my hopes came true and Emilee spoke up.

"Jordan was helping me with my music. I can prove it!" It was then that Jordan noticed that Emilee hadn't really been putting her things away-she setting her stuff back up.

Becca, who was just as shocked as Jordan to hear Emilee speak out so boldly, could only stutter until she found the words, "Okay, Emilee. You play the flute trio perfectly-then, and only then, will I believe you two."

Emilee fished the music out of her folder as Jordan took a sharp breath in. How could Becca expect Emilee to be able to play that? That was the hardest piece in the entire program. It wasn't fair! Becca was desperate! Jordan gave Emilee a few final pointers concerning the song's hardest sections, then she sat back the notes as they emerged from Emilee's flute.

The first line came out precisely, so did the second. Jordan glanced at Becca warily. Becca's face was all lit up.

"What is that face for?" Jordan wondered to herself.

It was then that she realized that Becca was entranced because Emilee wasn't only playing notes-she was making music.

Every measure came out without a flaw and Emilee finished as strong as she started. Becca admitted that she had been wrong to assume Jordan's guilt. She apologized and left quickly.

Emilee put her things away for real this time. As she took apart her flute and cleaned it, she thanked Jordan for all her help, "You've helped me realize that I still got it!"

"No, thank you!" Jordan smiled, Had you not played for Becca, I'd have been grounded for a year!"

Emilee winked, "Hey, what are friends for?"

That night, Jordan thought about her day. She had made a new friend, but lost one too. That was okay, though-Becca had never been a true friend, she saw that now plainly. A true friend, she found, was one who would make a true sacrifice to help you. Jordan helped Emilee, Emilee helped Jordan. Jordan's kindness had truly gone full circle, and everyone was better off.

THE END!

Hope you like it,

Livie

P.S. You can comment on it if you like!

Homeschool All-State Choir

2008-03-06T16:14:00.002-05:00

So, a few months back, my choir director chose 6-7 people from the entire choir to nominate them for a spot in the Home school All-State Choir (HSASC) performing this May. I knew before auditions for Willy Wonka that I had been nominated, but I didn't find out if I made it until yesterday. And, .......(drum roll).........I'm in! I made it into the All-State Choir! I'm really excited because they only chose approx. 60-70 kids from the entire state, and I'm one of them! I haven't gotten my music yet, but I will when I send in my participation form. I'm so happy to be able to do this because I've heard that stuff like this looks good on college applications and since, with six kids in the family, I'll probably have to pay my own way through college, I'll take any chance I have to get closer to a scholarship. I'm sure most of you understand!

Rehearsals

2008-03-04T17:42:00.002-05:00

I had my first music rehearsal (for Willy Wonka) on Thursday, my first blocking (where you stand and when you stand there) rehearsal on Friday, and my first choreography rehearsal on Sunday. A lot of firsts....... I'm so excited for the show and it seems soooooo far away I want it to come sooner! I'm encouraged by the fact that it's selling out, though. My mom is setting up a field trip to the school shows and there are almost no tickets left! We worked on some really cool full company stuff so far but I'm really wanting to get to 'I Want It Now.' Working with the group is fun, but it's so exciting to me to have a solo number that it's hard to believe I have to wait until next month before we work on it ('We' being me and my 'Understudy Buddy' A.K.A. The Veruca Salt understudy and my good friend). Well, I know that the show will come before I know it and then I'll be wishing we had more rehearsal time! It always seems to happen that way...... So, yeah. I guess I'll try to post as often as I can. (I know it's boring not to have new stuff to read)

Livie

24 Hours With My B.F.F.N.M.W.!

2008-02-23T23:02:00.002-05:00

Well, really, it was more like 30 hours, but who's counting? So, I was gonna write all about it here but my B.F.F.N.M.W. beat me to it so I guess I'll just let you visit her blog. She has a great summary of the things we did. Here's Fayleke!

Sianara, (I know I probably didn't spell that right but I had to prove that learned some foreign language during my adventure! ;] )
Livie

Bored

2008-02-20T17:45:00.002-05:00

Right now I'm really kind of bored. I used to think I was an afternoon person, so not true! I'm really a night person. I found that out when I started being able to stay up late at night, the only time I ever seem to be tired (unless I'm sleep deprived) is in the afternoon. I never really thought about it before. So, this shows you how bored I am........I'm sitting here writing on my blog about how in my distant thoughts, I realized I was a night person. Gah! I think I lost my brain sometime earlier this week. Everybody is off of school for mid-winter break but we're not. One of the down falls of the homeschool curriculum we use-we can only take a certain amount of weeks off every year unless we don't want summer break. Oh, well, at least we get a spring break. (We used to only get a break at Thanksgiving and Christmas, no break even for summer!) Okay, I think I've rambled for long enough. I'll stop talking, I mean typing, now. Bye!

Willy Wonka

2008-02-09T20:13:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I wasn't planning on being on this early and telling you about this but I found out earlier than expected........Well, here goes. I was at a birthday party this afternoon and the director for my play company called. I wasn't able to pick up the phone quickly enough so she left me a message asking me to call her back. Of course I did right away because when the director calls you the day that the cast list is supposed to come out it usually means something. I talked to her for a few minutes about where I was (she called home first and my parents told her about the party) then she said, "Hey, I was wondering if you'd mind playing Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." I almost screamed! (I didn't because that wouldn't be nice to her) Right now I'm sitting here in shock still because I can't believe out of approx. 150 kids I'm the one they chose to portray Veruca Salt. I'm totally convinced that all your prayers helped. Thank you soooooooooooo much. I love you all, but most of all, I love God.

Les Miserbles

2008-02-06T15:09:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I went to see Les Miserables (pronounced, Lay Miz erob, Les Miz for short) performed by the theater company that I usually audition for. I'd heard from my parents and others that it was long, hard to follow, and depressing. So not true! It was INCREDIBLE! By far the best show I've ever seen in my entire life. I went mainly because it was done by that particular theater company and I knew a lot of the kids in it. It was so amazing! One lady watching it said she had been to New York and seen it on Broadway and that Broadway couldn't stand up to the show yesterday! Wow! The only bad thing that happened was halfway through a scene in the second act, all the fire alarms went off because of all the haze they were using in the show. According to 'standard procedure,' we all had to evacuate the building until the fire department said the building was safe. They resumed the show and it went off without a hitch. I'm so happy that I decided to go see it. It's funny how God chooses the most unlikely was to refresh us!

Blessed!

2008-01-26T14:18:00.000-05:00

I'm a very happy girl right now! I'm blessed with some of the best friends EVER! Last night was a meeting of my girl's club, 'Little Women'. I thought I was going to a regular meeting but it turned out that they had been planning a surprise birthday party for me! I was so shocked! My friend said that she wanted to give me a surprise party in return for the surprise going-away party that I gave her when she moved. I couldn't believe that they had really planned the whole thing! We did our craft then ate cake (I was pleased not to have a little brother over my shoulder blowing half of the candles out before I could!). With the extra time we played a game and then I opened my presents. I got: A mug, a necklace, a CD, chocolate (Yay!), and a friendship plaque. I'm still so happy! If any of you girls involved are reading this, I just want to say thanks. From the bottom of my heart.

'A friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for adversity.'

Proverbs 17:17

My B-day

2008-01-20T19:24:00.000-05:00

So, today was your normal Sunday, except, of course for the fact that I turned 14 today. Yes, today is my birthday. We didn't do much, we went to church, then went out to eat and the hung at home. My older brother is gone at a youth rally. Tomorrow we're going to be celebrating as a family. I get to go out to breakfast with my dad, then we all go to a place of my choosing. I'm thinking of going out bowling right now.....Well anyhow, if you're wondering, (Which you must be wondering because every one's wondering) it doesn't feel any different to be 14 than it does to be 13. Big surprise there. Well, TTFN!

My Brother, Growing Up?

2008-01-15T17:46:00.000-05:00

Isaac is very happy right now. He just got back from his second day of Driver's Ed. I can't believe it! I mean, he's going to have his permit in less than three weeks! By Febuary my brother will be legally allowed to drive. I don't think he'll ever let me get out of riding in the same car as him so I'm stuck. I don't want to stay home, but I don't want my life endangered either! I'm joking of course. I'm actually kind of happy, another person to take me to my various activities. I don't know how my mom's doing. She just realized that her kids are growing up. Scary!

Average every day.....

2008-01-13T13:13:00.000-05:00

So, basically, besides the drama with the audition\call-backs, this week has been pretty basic. School, shopping, youth group........That's the reason I haven't been posting very much. I tried to put a picture that I made on my computer on here but Blogger wasn't working the right way so it wouldn't load. We went to church today (obviously). My family had nursery but I decided to help out with the kid's class. I'll probably go to youth group tonight because I have nothing better to do (not that I don't like going but, oh, it's so hard to explain!). So, check for more posts later. Bye!

Call-Back........Again!

2008-01-09T12:05:00.000-05:00

Last night after call-backs I was my normal nervous self while waiting for the 2nd call-back list to be posted. This morning I didn't have as much school as yesterday so I got done with it even more quickly. I got onto my computer and what do you know, the Internet isn't working! I had to wait a few minutes but it did finally start functioning again. I logged onto my e-mail. All this time it's taking forever to load. Grrrrrrrrr! There are only two unread messages in my box so I started to prepare myself for not getting called back again but, the two e-mails both were about the 2nd call-back. I'm in!!!!!!! Yeah! I was so happy that even before I read the e-mail, I ran downstairs to tell her the news. I got a call-back for the part of Veruca, which I'm very happy about. There are only 4 girls called back for Veruca compared to the 10 or 11 (At least) last night. This auditioning thing is getting kind of old but I've never been so close to getting the part that I really wanted before and that makes it very exciting! Your continual prayers are much appreciated!

Call-Back

2008-01-08T21:31:00.000-05:00

I arrived at the call-back right on time (5:30) and joined in on the exercises they were doing. After we got into a line by the order of our birth dates and then our last names, it was time to receive the parts that we were reading for. Now was the moment of truth........*Suspense Music*.............. 'Veruca Salt!' Hooray! The only part that I got called back for happened to be the one that I really wanted! The rest was easy, we just looked over our parts and performed them. Now I have to wait until tomorrow to see if I made the cut!

Audition Update

2008-01-08T12:39:00.000-05:00

So, last night and this morning, I was getting nervous like I always do when I'm waiting to see if I got a call-back. I rushed through my school work as quickly as I could because I couldn't stand not knowing. The first thing I did after I set my last book down was log onto my e-mail. Sitting in my in-box were two separate e-mails about the call-back. (One from the director and one from my dad who forwarded me the same e-mail) Yes! I made the call back list! I was sooooooo relieved! This much stress can't be good for me! JK Well, now I have to go back tonight and read for the parts that they're considering me for. Thank you all for your prayers last night. Please pray that God's will may be done in my life as I go through the second round of auditions tonight.

Audition! ; )

2008-01-07T20:30:00.000-05:00

You're probably wondering how my audition went........well, I think it went very well. The only hard part was singing some of the high notes in the song I chose to sing. There were not many people there so that made it easier, too. Overall, I think it was nice, I had fun, and my dad said that I nailed the speaking part, and I got to see some friends. Thanks for your prayers everyone! I'll let you know which part I get!

Plz Pray 4 Me 2night!

2008-01-07T16:44:00.001-05:00

Hey everybody! Just really quickly, I'm going to an audition tonight for the next show I plan to be in. I'm kinda nervous because I haven't been preparing very much. We're doing Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and there's a part that I would really like. My auditions in the past have been known to not go so hot : / and I'd really at least like a call back so if you could pray that everything will go well, No! Wait! That everything will go according to God's plan for me tonight. I never know what's going to happen in the future and what goes on tonight will affect me in the long run. (I hope you get what I'm saying) So, if you happen to read this and say a quick prayer, I'd be so thankful!

Vocal Arts Day

2008-01-06T22:05:00.000-05:00

So, first of all, hi! I'm new to this whole blogging thing so you'll have to bear with me.... Okay, so, on with it. On Saturday I went to the Women's Vocal Arts day at the University of Michigan. I wasn't sure how it was going to be at first but it turned out to be extremely fun. At the registration table, all we had to do was tell them what school group we were with and they gave us our name tags. Then we went to the auditorium where they had us separated into animal groups. (Don't worry, we didn't understand it either) We found the Jaguar group leader to claim our music and our Women's Vocal Arts Day t-shirts. We had about 10 minutes to look over our music and marvel at how many girls attended. (approx. 750! Wow!) At first we were a bit timid because 2 of the 4 songs that they had given us were in other languages. We figured that it didn't matter because if we (me and two other girls who attend the same choir as I do) messed up, there were 700 other girls to cover for us. All three of us sang in the Soprano 1 section. There where 4 different vocal ranges represented. Going from highest to lowest, it was Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Alto 1, and Alto 2. We warmed up for about 10 minutes and then began to work on our first song, 'Eiliyahu Hanavi.' It was easier than we thought. Our director when through each word with us to make sure that we were pronouncing it right. I have to say that 750 girls singing 3 part harmony is incredible to hear. I don't think I'll ever get over that! We practiced for an hour and 15 minutes, working on three different songs. Then it was 'fun' time. (notice the quotation marks) We had to collectively, in our animal group come up with a sound or an action for that animal. My group just held up our hands like claws and growled. After 'fun' time we were dismissed for lunch. We ended up eating at a small place called Pizza Bob's. It was inexpensive and the pizza was good so we were happy. (It wasn't mobbed by a large group of high schoolers either! Big plus!!) We got back to the auditorium just in time to get into the bathroom line so it wasn't incredibly long. Just as soon as we got settled in our seats it was time to start again. We practiced for 45 minutes and then it was 'fun time' again. *Large groan* We held our breath to hear what they had planned for us this time. Telephone? Telephone!?!?!? That's a game that you play when you're 4! Not when you're in high school! We were getting pretty annoyed at whoever planned these activities. But, it had to be done, so, we gathered. It was kind of funny how the message morphed from 'Mrs. Stockard has a sparkly shirt on.' to 'Doctor Sherlock is a bunny.' but I couldn't help but wonder how they got that many high school age girls to play a preschoolers game. When I expressed my concerns to one of the other girls, she responded with, 'Yeah, 750, minus the 500 that ran to hide in the bathroom!' We had a final 45 minute rehearsal to perfect the pieces then we broke to prepare for the concert. Our day of singing was drawing to a close. I rushed to the bathroom so to get there before the line formed. (I had to change into my formal skirt for the concert) Then, our choir director picked us up and drove us the the concert auditorium. We sat with our vocal ranges, (completely forgetting the animal groups) waiting for the concert to start. The boys from the male vocal arts program and the men's Glee Club went first. It was kind of distracting because the girls all around me, being typical high school girls, picked out the 'cutest' guys from the Glee Club. They even went to the extreme of taking their cell phones, zooming in on their favorite's face, and snapping a picture. Finally it was our turn to sing. As always, it seemed to go by incredibly quickly. There were a few sore spots, but I think we did well for only one day of practice. We nailed the harmony! The final thing on the agenda was the women's Glee Club. The finale was a huge medley of a ton of songs praising the university. It ended with almost everyone in the auditorium singing 'Hail to the Victors.' Thus, my day long vocal strain was over. I celebrated by eating out at a Coney Island with my parents (who thought that we did very well). Then, I went home and started this blog. That's all I can think of to say, so, I guess this post is done.