The "Jill" Moment

This week I have been working on a little craft project. I made a Halloween countdown calendar. It has been so much fun making it! The only part I have left is putting the ribbon on to hang it, and stuffing it full of treats and goodies for Dave.

While making this fun little calendar I was letting the glue dry and taking pictures and noticed a little umm mistake. LOL It was a total "Jill" moment, and I couldn't help but laugh. I had to post it all over Facebook and show what a spaz I am. If you know me, you know I'm about the least "perfection oriented" person alive. I kind of just go with the flow, and make it fun. (That is why Dave is so perfect for me. He's my exact opposite.) So, without anymore waiting here is the picture...Yes, that is my 3 for the third day of October. Notice anything weird?? Maybe that I made an E instead of a 3. Oh goodness, just one of the many things that make me "Jilly". I'll post more pictures of my project when I get it completely done and it's hanging. Love you all, and have an awesome weekend!

Snowbird Date

On the Tram at Snowbird

Dave and I have a "date night" every Friday or Saturday. I look forward to that day of the week more than any other! I love them, 1. I get undivided attention from my sweetheart and 2. I don't have to cook dinner that night! hehehe

Dave and I have been looking forward to Oktoberfest for months now. On Friday I went to school with Dave and read my book, "The Mockingjay" until he got done with class.
After he was done for the day we headed up to Snowbird. It's amazing how every time I have driven up there I have taken for granted how beautiful it is. This time I just starred in awe at the beautiful place I call my home. I feel so blessed and lucky to live in Utah.Dave and I talked, held hands, and really enjoyed the ride up. We got up there and started walking around and realized that Oktoberfest didn't start until Saturday. We were 1 day too early. I was so bummed. We had an amazing time though anyway.Instead of Oktoberfest we walked around the resort, looked at the beautiful creeks, took a ride on the tram, and just sat and talked. It was so much fun. We just sat and tried to absorb the beauty and magnificent surroundings of where we were.

We talked about the church, how amazing God is, how blessed we are, and how thankful we are that I am still alive. A year ago we would have never have hoped to be there. I felt so lucky that I had the opportunity to be in such a gorgeous place with my best friend, and not dying. I love my life!

After a little while the growling coming from our stomachs told us that it was time to go. We went and grabbed dinner and then headed home.

Snowbird is absolutely breath taking. I can't imagine living anywhere without mountains. I'm so thankful to my parents for allowing me to grow up in Utah. I know the culture here is a little different, but I love that about it. I wouldn't want it to be any other way. I can't imagine raising my children anywhere without the mountains and streams that I love. I truly am blessed to live here.

Oh, and the last bit of the night was the most delicious! We went to Farmer's Market and got peaches for jam, fresh tomatoes for my sandwiches, and found a new little ice cream spot in Lehi. It's called Emmett and Ethel's and they had my favorite; Pink Bubble Gum ice cream. It was a perfect ending to a perfect day!

The Utah Quilt

Utah Utes football season started this week, and the first game was awesome! They played Pittsburgh, and although they didn't "spank" them, they did win. It was so much fun to watch!

To celebrate the opening of the season my sweet Dave bought me a pair of Ute earrings from the bookstore. I have wanted these earrings for over 2 years, so I was thrilled to say the least! He is so good to me!

Since my husband is so wonderful, and does little things to make me happy and get me excited for football season, I had to do the same for him.

I had been planning on making Dave a University of Utah quilt for Christmas. He has wanted a quilt since we started dating, and so that is what I was going to give him for Christmas. I went and bought the fabric, and of course got the softest stuff possible. It's called Minkie, and I love it! I knew Dave would love how soft the material was too.

I took the fabric over to Sherry, (my best friend, mentor, and adopted Mom) so she could see how fun it is. We were planning on having a quilting day to finish my quilt for Dave and my bed, when I decided I needed a little project change. We cut the Utah material and started sewing.

As we got the quilt top finished I was talking about Utah's first football game and how excited Dave and I were. Sherry had the best idea ever! She said, "You should give him this quilt on the day of the football game. He can sit down, cuddle up in it, and watch the game." Now just to put this in perspective, I had the entire quilt to do from start to finish in 4 days if I was going to get it done for the Utah/Pitt game. I knew it was a lot to take on, but I was up to the challenge. I know how much I love to see Dave smile so I started to work my butt off!

I sewed all morning Monday with Sherry by my side coaching me the whole way. I got home and laid out the quilt, stretched it tight and pinned it. Then I sewed the yarn and tied it the rest of the night.

Sherry and I were supposed to get back together on Wednesday, but I wasn't able to, so first thing Thursday morning I headed to Sher's. I got there at 9:30, and we started cutting and sewing the binding together. I finished sewing on the binding with the machine at 1pm. I still had to sew the binding on by hand before the game at 6pm!! I was so stressed. I rushed home and saw that Dave was home from school, and wondered how in the world I was going to do this. I was determined to make it happen though!

I walked in the house to see where Dave was, and luckily he had a load of homework to do. I asked him if he would stay in the bedroom because I had something I was working on that he couldn't see. I went out to my car grabbed that quilt, got comfortable on the couch, and pulled out my needle and thread.

I sewed, and sewed, and sewed! My fingers, and hands were aching, but by 6pm I was done!!

The game started and I called for Dave to come in and watch it with me. I had the quilt all wrapped up, and Nic (my sis-in-law) had the camera in hand.

As Dave was walking in I grabbed the quilt and I handed it to him. He was so surprised. This is how it went from there... After all the hugs and kisses, Dave did exactly what I wanted him to do. He grabbed his "Minkie" curled up on the bed, and we watched the Utes beat Pitt! It was a great night!

All the hours spent and the sore hands were worth it just to see him smile. He has slept with his minkie every night since and is wrapped up in it right now sitting next to me.

This was by far the best gift I have ever given. Not to pat myself on the back, but I think I did a really great job for never making a quilt. I was pretty proud of myself when I handed it to him.

Thanks to Sherry's patience, kindness, love, and eagerness to teach me, I made an awesome quilt that my husband will have forever! Thanks Sherry! I love you tons and owe you so much!

Favorite Quotes

So I know I haven't updated my blog for awhile, and this really isn't an update on my blog right now. I still have to do my end of summer update, but until I get those pictures ready I wanted to give all of you a list of my favorite quotes by some very intriguing men. I have loved these quotes for a long time and I hope you will too.
I never lie because I don't fear anyone. You only lie when you're afraid. -John Gotti-

It is always more difficult to fight against faith than against knowledge. -Adolf Hitler-

Success is the sole earthly judge of right and wrong. -Adolf Hitler-

Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company. -Pres. George Washington-

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. -Pres. George Washington-

Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder. -Pres. George Washington-

Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth. -Pres. George Washington-

It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible. -Pres. George Washington-

And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. -Pres. JFK-

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. -Pres JFK-

Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. -Pres. JFK-

Adversity introduces a man to himself. -Unknown-

Sometimes you have to stand alone to prove you can stand at all. -Unknown-

These have given me strength, courage, and faith, when I felt like I had none. They have given me hope when I have felt so lost. They have given me the knowledge that I can do anything when I felt like I would die. I hope they can do the same for you.