12-0 and BCS Bound

Yesterday I was lucky enough to go and witness Utah's victory over BYU. This is the best game of the season with all of the hype before it and the additional fanfare, it is all very exciting.

We go there plenty early to make sure we could stake out our space, even though we have seats, the space goes pretty fast. We enjoyed the people watching and the spats between the BYU and Utah fans, luckily nothing too dramatic.

Jamie ended up getting into the game and sat with us for a while. It was fun to have her there.
Going to the U games with my family is one of my favorite things. This year the family attendance is at an all time low, but I always enjoy whoever ends up coming.

Half-time is one of my favorite parts of the game because you can actually sit down in the student section. It is once you sit down that you realize how cold it is though.
After the game, I just love when people rush the field. We eventually got down there for the awards ceremony and everything. It was so exciting to win by so much and for the win to mean so much: BCS, Conference Title, undefeated, beat our rivals, etc.

The game was a blast and I am so glad that Utah played so well and pulled of the win! They had an awesome season and I have loved going to the games. I am sad that the regular season is over, but look forward to attending a bowl game!

GO UTES!

Things to be Happy About

I decided that I need to take a proactive approach to finding things to be happy about this week. Even despite the hardship of the past week, I have so many things in my life that make me happy. Let me share with you

* I realized that I am going to be done with school earlier than anticipated. I will officially be done with school on December 11, yes that is less than three weeks away!
* I have the greatest family. Operation Cheer-Up Jill was on Tuesday night and we met at Chili's for unlimited chips and salsa and Diet Coke (and trust me, I capitalized on the unlimited Diet Coke).

Brooke was there in spirit and floating head...

... Which has made it's way to my desk at work...

* I paid $1.77 for gas yesterday, that is a beautiful thing!

* I got the sweetest letter in the mail from Maga with the following poem:

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. … If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers." - Gordon B. Hinckley

Yes it made me cry, but it made me happy that Maga is so thoughtful and loves me!

* Brooke was so sweet and sent me a nice card and a gift card to Cold Stone, my favorite ice cream! I just loving getting things in the mail and people are just so nice!

* I had a box of new clothes waiting on my bed when I got home last night, I ordered them a while ago and wasn't expecting them, it made me happy.

* Next week is Thanksgiving and I get to get away from real life for most of the week and escape to St. George and enjoy the new pool and the holidays.

* Shannon is coming to St. George for Thanksgiving, who wouldn't be happy about that?

* Tonight I get to enjoy the company of the great people of my ward at the Star Wars Induction Party. Although Star Wars is not my favorite, I am excited to go.

* I get to go to the big game tomorrow and I am pretty excited. I love having school spirit and getting to go be involved in the rivalry. Hopefully tomorrow I will have a win for the U to add to my things to be happy about!

I Know He Loves Me

These past few days have been difficult to say the least, but I stand in awe at all the love the Lord has shown me through this trial. My heart still aches, but I can not imagine the pain I would be in without the wonderful people in my life. I wouldn't know where to start in thanking people or letting them know how much their love has meant to me.

Friday night Jamie was a dream. I had no idea where to go or what to do but found myself at her house. She sat with me and listened to me cry and ramble on and was such a support! She immediately thought I needed to eat anything we could think of. She ordered my favorite appetizer and entree from Olive Garden (at 10:30 at night) and stopped to get the best Oreo shake on the way home. Who ever said comfort food doesn't work, hasn't talked to Jamie.

Saturday Shannon truly saved my life. She came and kidnapped me just before ten and get me distracted and entertained for the next 32 hours. Our day was full of shopping, food, massages (yes, a massage, isn't she the best?), fun times in the car, and a night of games and meeting new people. I was so far from being myself and everyone I met was so nice to put up with me being such a downer. (Another highlight of my day Saturday was a sincere text, yes a text, from my Mom. It was just what I needed and so unexpected. Why are mom's so good at that kind of thing?)

Sunday Shannon time continued with two different BYU wards (yes, I went to church at BYU, can you believe it?) and yet another ward in Holiday for Brandt's homecoming. This was the first time I had seen my sisters and mom and I can not describe their love for me. Each one of them showed such concern and compassion on me that I couldn't help but feel loved.

The highlight of my Sunday was a Father's Blessing from my dad. I was so grateful for the things he spoke, he addressed things I had concerns about and gave me insight and hope for the future. I am so amazed at the power of the Priesthood and all the blessing that come with it. I am so grateful for my dad being worthy to give me a blessing and for the inspiration of the blessing.

Today I called in sick and made the most of my day off of work. I filled my day with time with Jamie again. She was so nice to entertain me again and be there to buoy me up. I had another experience tonight that magnified the Lord's love for me as my prayers, and well as the things spoken in my blessing, were fulfilled. I don't know why I ever stand amazed that my prayers are answered, but I am amazed every time at the love the Lord shows me.

"Operation Cheer up Jill" is on for tomorrow night at Chili's. My sisters are always so available and ready to be a support and be there for me. I really am lucky to have my sisters as my best friends, could there be anything better?

From Shannon to my sisters to my mom to my dad, the Lord has poured out his love to me through these people the past several days. I can not thank any one of you enough or truly express my gratitude. I know the Lord is aware of me and the condition of my heart, he has taken extra precautions to show me.

I Just Love this Girl...

It's been a rough weekend and I wouldn't have made it through with out Shannon. She is the most amazing friend and I am so blessed.

Ripping the Band-Aid Off

They say that pulling the band-aid off faster doesn't make it hurt as much. I think it hurts either way and isn't a pleasant experience. It seems like their are lots of things in our life that we can approach in the same way, quick and dirty and get it over with or slow and deliberate and usually a little more painful. I have decided that with the most recent experience in my life I am just going to pull the band-aid off fast, regardless of how awkward this is.

Blogs are a weird thing, anyone can read them and they all too often have too much personal information for the whole world to read, but I like that. I often am one to share too much about myself, but enjoy letting others into my life and getting to know me. The past two months have been a whirlwind of fun and dating and a lot of people aware of my relationship with Steve.

Last night it ended.

I share this only because I don't know if I can take the jokes about us getting married, asking how he is doing or how things are going and having to explain that it is over, making it awkward for all involved. This could quite possibly be the dumbest way to tell people, but I am hoping it negates some of the pain.

Just a little St. Geezy

A spontaneous trip happened this past weekend when my mom decided to venture down to St. George. Since Tuesday was Veterans day and I had the day off, I decided to get Monday and Wednesday off and make the trip with her. Jamie and Annie came along as well. I just love being with my family, especially my sisters (we missed you Heidi and Jenny).


Most of our trip included shopping for stuff for the house: decor, furniture, finishing touches, etc. We had our fair share of different stores and looked at so much stuff! Annie was such a trooper and was such a good baby...
Our trip wasn't filled with a lot of time obligations and so we had down time and were able to relax and just hang out, it made for a perfect vacation!

With not much going on, we made everything we did fun or funny in some way. One of the funnest nights (and the one with the most pictures) was the night we ventured to Tai Pan. I had never been before and so it was so fun to go see everything. We laughed at so many things and made it all so fun...
Jamie was dragging this tree around hiding behind it like she was sneaking up on us...
This is one of the funnies things of the night. Earlier in the say we were debating on what to put on the ledge on the big stair case. Brooke suggested orchids. Seeing that the stair way is about two stories Jamie said, "The worlds biggest orchids!" Luckily for Jamie that is just what we found that night, the world's biggest orchids!
We got home and the fun just continued. I love this picture because of how it captures us. Brooke is being random, I am just kind of observing and probably about ready to say some remark, and Jamie is organizing the picture and what we should be doing. I really have the best sisters.
I'm speechless...
One of the best parts of getting away to St. George is my parents house. It is so nice and peaceful down there. This is the view from the deck and it is just breathtaking! There is such a calm and peaceful feeling and this is matched with the beauty of the views!This video captures what we experienced at Tai Pan, it all started with Brooke using Jamie as her dancing partner (more like her marionette) and dancing through the store, then Jamie found her prop and the dancing didn't stop...



Overall it was a great trip and I enjoyed getting to spend time with Brooke and being with my family. Hanging out with them relaxing is just the best!

One Last All-Nighter

It is currently 1:38 AM and I have about an hour's worth of work on a paper due tomorrow morning. This is my last big paper of the semester and I was a master procrastinator. The bright side of my late night paper? This is most likely the last all-nighter I will have for school again, EVER!!! Here is to all the late nights and last minute papers and projects: I will no longer have to deal with you, CHEERS!

Cosas Raras de Mi Semana

It seems common place these days to get to Friday and have nothing earth shattering to blog about. Sure I could devote a post to the incredible athletic spectacle I witnessed last night, but I don't feel obliged to tout TCU for losing the game to allow the Utes to win (although, the entertainment and joy of the win was exhilarating). But I bring to you the random happenings and thoughts of this rather crazy week.

* Tuesday I didn't get the chance to exercise my right to vote. I feel really bad about this because I feel it is a right that many have fought and died for. As Election Day came, I felt a huge sense of patriotism and love for our country, we are so lucky to live in a land with so many rights and freedoms. I don't follow politics much, but wasn't really impressed with either presidential candidate so my opinion of who won wasn't strong either way. I watched as we as a nation elected the first black president, and although I may not have been his biggest fan, I thought of the progress this act represents. Our country has moved from enslaving blacks to electing one as our president. It provided hope that change for the good does happen in our country. I stand with Jamie that I hope to fully stand behind our new President and support him. The only other political thing I followed was Prop 8 in California. The passing of this gave me hope again in our country, that we still have people who believe and stand up for what is right (I am done with my political soap box now).

* The uplifting part of Tuesday was watching the Relief Society broadcast with my family. Pres. Uchtdorf gave the most uplifting talk called "Happiness, Your Heritage." It was one of those talks that was just want I needed to hear. He spoke of our feelings of inadequacy and along the lines of feelings our divinity. I have been actively working on increasing my self-confidence and this talk is just what I needed to help me in my efforts. The Gospel is true and so amazing. The Lord shows his love for me day after day in so many ways, seeking out and realizing that gives me so much to be thankful for.

* I am done with wanting to grow up. With graduation rapidly approaching and talk of moving out and such, I am just done! I don't want to think about finding a "real" job, my own place, a husband, having kids, etc. I just want to stay in my current stage of life forever. Life is pretty good right now and Trent and Amy wouldn't mind a basement dweller forever right?

* Last night Steve and I got into an in depth conversation about the development of babies, mostly during pregnancy and shortly after being born (weird, I know). But it made me realize how much I love my major and everything I have learned. My education coupled with the knowledge of the Gospel puts me in awe at the divinity of having a baby.

* This post rapidly became very wordy and long.

* Only 3 more hours and my weekend starts and I don't have to come back to work until next Thursday. St. George here I come!

* I have learned of a couple of people that stalk my blog and I love it! I don't know why, but I love when people enjoy looking at my blog. It isn't always interesting (like today) but I like that I have "readers." Thank you to all of you who read my blog, I love it!

* Winter is here and I am so excited for the holiday season. I need to work on getting into a workout routine so I won't feel as bad gorging myself of the goodness of holiday food.

That's all.

Comfort Food

They say that you shouldn't turn to food to console your feelings, but sometimes it is really just the most effective method to comfort oneself. This morning started out as just one of those mornings, you know the one's you just can't shake off a crappy mood, you are running late, had a rough night, your hair just isn't working for you, etc. My efforts to comfort my mood started with pulling out my new coat, which I love! I bought it in Chicago and haven't worn it yet, new clothes are definitely a second comfort to food. But I had to go for the hard stuff. Can you think of anything better on a snowy day than the best chocolate and a large Diet Coke?.... I think not.

Here is to improving my day!

Dracula's Masquerade Ball

Last night I had one of the funnest Halloween's I have ever had. I am not one for dressing up and going places but last night I braved it and we went all out, it was pretty fun. Ann had arranged for us to go to Dracula's Masquerade Ball, which was a murder mystery dinner. We got all dressed up in fancy dresses and went all dramatic for Halloween. It was so fun to get all dressed up that way. We had fake eye lashes, feather boa's, extreme make-up, the works!

Shannon and I on our way to dinner, yes that is Shannon...
Ann, Kristen, me and Shannon...
Yes, when I said we went all dramatic, I did mean in character as well, we were all on one by the end of the night, but it made it all so much fun!
We hadn't even started anything and we were already having so much fun, Shannon became a whole new person in her get up...
The dinner was up at the Marriott by the U, it was set up in a tent out in the garden, it was really cool. We had a table right up front by the stage... At one point during the dinner they had a dance competition to "Thriller" we were LOVING it! We could have danced all night...
Like I said, Shannon was a whole new person I loved it...
This picture is blurry but I feel like it just depicts how much fun I was having and not caring what anyone thought...
Another point in the show, they had an auction and were auctioning off dates. Shannon and I along with one of the cast members were the three up for auction. I was showing off my stuff to get a good bid...
I was laughing so hard and I couldn't see a thing with the bright stage lights... Turns out I sold for $30.00 to some old man...
The show was great and the cast sang and dance and were walking around talking during the whole show. It was a blast! This is us after it was over on the stage... We got Frankie to join in our dance party at the end of the performance, he was a good sport and just kept dancing with us...
My favorite part of any night with Shannon is for sure the drive anywhere we go. Singing as loud as possible is always a must, even if you don't know the song. We were belting it out the whole way home...
Shannon was rocking it and loving it...

The night was full of laughter, dancing, and singing. Being with these girls was so much fun! We kept the fun going and stopped by a party that some people in our ward where throwing. The party wasn't nearly as lively as we were and we probably irritated a lot of them, sorry about that. But my favorite part was when Shannon asked Nick what I was dressed up as, he looked at me and said "A hussie?" OUCH! I didn't think I looked trashy, but I guess he thought I did. I guess that is what I will have to go with what I was for Halloween, a hussie.