Butterflies

Brian and I have been dating now for 2 1/2 years. With that comes being extremely comfortable with each other, and extremely comfortable with routine. We have got use to doing the same thing night after night, weekend after weekend. Lately I got to thinking that everything seemed very routine, including my feelings for him. I found myself having to rack my brain to remember the last time I felt the so called "butterflies" when I was with him. It was nothing I was worried about, but something I figured comes with being together for so long. But that raised another question in my mind...Why do the butterflies have to go away?

Nothing is better than your first few dates with a new person. You are ner-vited (nervous and excited) waiting for him to pick you up for the first date. You wonder "when will he hold my hand"? Your belly flips during your first kiss and you can't wait to call your best friend to tell her the good news. All of these different feelings make us crave the butterflies when they are not there. But why when we have the opportunity to have them everyday do they seem to fade away? It is not that you don't have feelings for the person, but I think its more of a routine each and every day. You see each other and hug or kiss hello. You hold hands in the car, in the store, or watching a movie. You cuddle and talk about everything. And then you hug and kiss goodnight. Your emotions stay even, neutral, and routine...just like your every day life. 

As I thought about this the past week, I was reminded of something President Hinckley once said. When asked why his marriage survived for all those years, the advice he gave was to continually court your mate like you did before you were married. Go out on dates, surprise her with gifts, flowers, or her favorite meal. We are given this advice, but with the comfort of relationships, we seem to let those courting rituals fade away, along with the butterflies. Well after tonight, I am a believer of President Hinckley's advice. Brian and I decided after 4 months of staying home on the weekends, ordering pizza, Cafe Rio, or Chinese, and watching football...it was time to get out. Yes you guessed it, we went out on a date! 

We spent the first part of the night at Zoo-lights. Walking around, I seemed to notice we were not the only ones there on a date. Couple after couple passed by, some holding hands, some grinning from ear to ear, some obviously ner-vited to be with a possible future mate. I laughed inside wondering if Brian and I ever looked like that. After, we went to Market Street Grill for a nice, sit down dinner. We literally could not remember the last time we went out to a sit down dinner alone. We enjoyed an AMAZING steak dinner and an even more amazing conversation. I again looked around and saw dozens of couples out doing the same thing. Some out for the first time, and some obviously out for the 1000 time. But for the first time in a long time, it felt like WE were dating. Driving home, I couldn't help but smile because something had come back, almost like brand new. Yep, the butterflies. Just like the first date, roughly 880 days later, I was twitterpated with the man that sat next to me in the car. We ended the night watching "The Holiday Inn" (one of Brian's favorite Christmas movies) and munching on the perfect piece of our to-go chocolate cake. A quick little dance in the street (yes Brian can dance), and a kiss goodnight, and our date night was over.

So now I sit here, hours after saying goodnight, and I am still smiling. I guess, once again, Pres. Hinckley is right. I am a true believer that marriage or relationships in general, should never become routine. They are the most rewarding part of our lives here on earth, and we should treat them just like that. Here I am, about to celebrate my 3rd Christmas with Brian, and I am rejuvenated with excitement. I can't wait to see him again tomorrow, can't wait to kiss him hello, give him a hug, and hold his hand as we walk down the street. The butterflies are back, and I hope this time, we find a way to let them stick around for a long time to come. Love you babe!!!

I told you so...believe me

So just a short 3 months ago, I posted my feelings about summer being over, and how excited I was for Fall because of Football. I can not believe how fast the time went!!! Just about 13 weeks later, here I sit writing a new post about the INCREDIBLE season the Utes had. I will admit, I believed it could happen. My cousin Andrew and I spent weeks leading up to the season talking about how it would be to go into the BYU game undefeated. We both felt if we went into the Big House and beat Michigan that this season could be special. Well, we did that and the magic began. Everyone will remember this season as one with one too many heart-stopping games, amazing comebacks, or blowing out BYU to go undefeated. But in all honestly, I will remember the season with the simple saying "I told you so".

It all started with how perfect our schedule was. Opening the season at one of the most storied stadiums, against one of the most successful college football programs in history. Continuing on to home games against Oregon State, TCU, and BYU. And simply having to survive those "should win but could lose" road games at Wyoming, New Mexico and Air Force.

Next, we FINALLY had a healthy team. Getting starters like Brian Johnson, Brent Casteel, and Matt Asiata back were huge! Adding to that, Bradon Godfrey, Freddie Brown and Darrell Mack as solid contributors. Add in David Reed, John Peel, Eddie Wide, and Corbin Louks and we have an offense that will be hard to stop. With defenders like Sean Smith, Paul Kruger, Brice McCain, Robert Johnson, Joe Dale, Koa Misi (the list goes on and on) we were set to have another dominating year. If you look at it that way, who would bet against us? Well, the nation did.

ESPN gave us no respect. All we heard about early on was BYU and their Quest, Fresno State, East Carolina, and Boise State. Utah was mentioned as a side note only because of the win at Michigan. Throughout the season, we were still overshadowed. One by one, the so called "busters" fell. Starting with Fresno St., East Carolina, and BYU. Even after all of that, with Utah the highest ranked Non-BCS team in the first BCS standings, Boise State was the one to beat. Even teams like TCU, Tulsa and Ball State received more attention nation wide. But quietly Utah kept winning, and quietly they kept climbing. We shut those so called "experts" up by beating Oregon State and TCU when everyone bet against us. We quietly beat up on Wyoming, Colorado State, San Diego State, and the surprise of the year Weber State. It all built up to THE game. BYU...

Throughout the week, we had those who believed, and those who didn't. Still the experts like Lee Corso picked BYU. "No one can stop their offensive machine". "The underrated defense will step up and create turnovers" That's all we heard. Max Hall for Heisman!!! He will be the game changer. BYU will bust Utah's BCS bubble. All of those critics were proven wrong in so many ways! Well, Utah stopped their offensive machine. The underrated defense did not step up and create turnovers, yet kept the middle of the field open all day for Johnson-Brown. Max Hall turned out to be the MVP, too bad for the wrong team. 6 turnovers....looks like Utah's defense stepped it up. Kruger's STILL open!!! In the end, Utah busted the nation's bubble and busted the BCS AGAIN! Who has done it twice, oh yeah that's right...UTAH! Not the little Bronco's, or the Coogs, or the Cinderella Cardinals. It's the Utes!

So here we sit, 5 days away from learning where we will spend the holidays. New Orleans, Tempe, Florida? Who cares!!! I told you so! Ask my cousin (who I will vouch for if he vouches for me), my family, even Heidi who sat by me through all those nail biters and could not believe how calm I was. I knew it would happen. Call it intuition, luck, ESP...(N), or simply faith in my team, but I called it. I really can't tell you what will happen next, where we will go, who we will play, or if we will win. But it doesn't matter, because I love my Utes and always will. Season ticket holder from birth, season ticket holder to death. I am a Utah girl sir and I will be 'til I die....GO UTES!!!

I've been tagged

I've Been Tagged

8 Shows I Watch:

1. Sporting events
2. Sportscenter

3. The Hills

4. Sex and the City

5. Bones

6. House

7. What Not to Wear

8. Friends

8 Restaurants That I Like To Eat At:
1. Café Rio
2. Texas Roadhouse
3. The Yardhouse (not in Utah)
4. In and Out (again, not in Northern Utah)
5. Zupas
6. Rumbi Grill
7. Jambo Express
8. Paradise Bakery

8 Things I Did Today:
1. Taught school
2. Had a team meeting
3. Did an IEP meeting with a parent
4. Raced home
5. Did an ENTIRE assignment that should have taken 3 weeks in 2 hours!!! BOO YAH!!!
6. Ate squash and crackers
7. Updated my blog (sort of)
8. took a shower

8 Things I Am Looking Forward To:
1. School to be over next week!
2. Christmas break at my elementary school
3. Finding out who Utah will play in their BCS bowl game
4. Christmas
5. Utah basketball starting up again
6. A vacation perhaps in a few weeks to Arizona??? Crossing my fingers
7. A wedding???
8. Heather getting home

8 Things On My Wish List:
1. Good grades in school
2. Utah going to the Fiesta Bowl
3. Utah winning their bowl game
4. A ring...
5. The weekend
6. The Utes to be successful in basketball
7. People to actually come out and support the basketball team
8. A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

8 People I Tag:
1. Stevie
2. Kate
3. Tracy
4. Lori
5. Cami
6. Nicole
7. and...
8. anyone else who feels they need to do this

Husband...err Boyfriend Quiz

This is suppose to be for your husband, but he is not that yet so we will make it my Boyfriend quiz

Boyfriend Quiz: How well do you know your boyfriend? Answer these questions about him and find out:

1. Sitting in front of the TV, what's on the screen? Anything. Usually sports, Seinfeld, Friends, Family Guy, or the History Channel

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? No dressing. He does not eat any dressing and/or sauce.

3. What's one food he doesn't like? I mentioned it above, sauce and dressings

4. You go out to a bar. What does he order? He does not go to bars. He gets water or sprite though at restaurants

5. Where did he go to high school? Alta High

6. What size shoe does he wear? 10

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be? Movies, he already has over 300. And we will throw guns into this picture.

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? Turkey

9. What would this person eat everyday if he could? A good steak, stuffing, and chocolate

10. What is his favorite cereal? I am pretty sure Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but he does not eat it very often

11. What would he never wear? Hahaha a Utah Sweatshirt

12. What is his favorite sports team? BYU, the Jazz, the Chargers, the Red Sox, and Real Salt Lake. I think I hit every major sport

13. Who will he vote for? He DID vote for McCain. There is no way on earth he would ever vote for Obama, we would have broken up

14. Who is his best friend? Well besides me...his brother Jason, Heather Nibley and Andrew

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do? Cheer for the Utes...


16. How many states has he lived in? Utah and Colorado

17.What is his heritage? I can not think of it for the life of me right now, I know his ancestors changed their name so all of the Dahl's in the world are not related to him in any way.

18. You bake him a cake for his birthday, what kind of cake? Chocolate, but lets be honest, I would not bake it. He would prefer I just go buy him one.

19. Did he play sports in high school? Soccer

20. What could he spend hours doing? Watching movies, playing his computer games, and looking at his guns, the ones that shoot, not his arms.

21. Does he belong to any men's organizations? The "Brian is the bomb" club

Holiday Tag

Tag

Top 3 Favorite Vacations

1. Hawaii

2. Disneyland

3.a My cruise to the Caribbean

b. Pasadena (aka Trip O'Fun)


Top 3 Favorite Flowers

1. gerber daisies, preferably red

2. lillies

3. hibiscus

Top 3 Favorite "comfort" foods

1. cereal

2. chewy cherry slices from Cabella's

3. oreo's

Top 3 places to shop

1. Target! My favorite place ever

2. Barnes and Noble

3. The Utah Bookstore

Top 3 opinions about Halloween

1. I like the feel of it, but I hate being scared. I hate haunted houses, won't go. I hate scary movies, won't watch.

2. I am starting to really enjoy coming up with costumes each year with Brian.

3. I LOVE LOVE LOVE seeing my kids at school dressed up and the trick or treater's

Top 3 opinions about thanksgiving

1. Oh its amazing!!! Family, food and football...the 3 fabulous F's

2. It is the start of the the Christmas season

3. The mood depends on the previous Saturday...win or loss against BYU. We prefer a W!!! Makes for a more enjoyable dinner table conversation

Top 3 opinions about Christmas

1. The music! It is my favorite thing about Christmas

2. I love the feelings, the decorations and the smells...but please don't start them until AFTER Thanksgiving

3. I hate the stress of finding presents, but I love the feeling of seeing my family and friends open their gifts. It makes it worth it each year. Oh and I love seeing what Brian gets me, every year is amazing!


Top 3 things you look forward to in the week

1. The weekend for football

2. The nights I don't have school so I can be with Brian

3. Going to sleep each night

Top 3 events happening this week

1. Halloween Party on Friday! And as a bonus, I took the day off from school!

2. Utah vs. New Mexico on Saturday

3. Its going to sound funny, but a class I am taking on Asperger's Syndrome Thursday night. I know I am a dork

I tag Heidi, Stevie and Nicole

Moab

This fall has been a different one for me. I have gone back to school to get my teaching license and for part of my masters, I am teaching part time at Sprucewood Elementary in Sandy, and I am still teaching a few classes of gymnastics each week. With all of that, it was really nice to get out of town this weekend for a quick little four wheeling trip to Moab. We left Friday morning and spent the afternoon exploring a ghost town down by Green River. It was so amazing to see all of the old buildings and the think that people use to live there.







This was an old rail way shack thingy. I might looked scared in the picture...ok I really was terrified because it was so quiet that I thought at any moment something was going to come kill us.





This was the general store at one point. I was a little less terrified because I had my man by my side but still, pretty creepy.






After spending the afternoon at the ghost town, we met up with the rest of Brian's family and found Crystal Gyeser. It apparently only explodes times a day, but someone told me the water inside was boiling, so of course I did not have the guts to look for myself. With my luck, it would have exploded in my face. We called it a night after that and set up camp.






The next day was a little more exciting. We woke up to it starting to rain, we had to get right into the cars and start the day early. It rained, and rained, and rained all day which made four wheeling a little more tricky. Luckily most of the time we were on slick rock. But we did have a few getting stuck issues that caused the men to be out in the rain, cold and mud for over an hour. After that, and then proceeding to get lost of the top of a mountain with cliffs on either side, we decided it would be best to just drive into Moab and get a hotel for the night. We spent the night walking up and down Moab, eating pizza, and watching some much needed football. It ended up being an ok night after a drama filled day.






Here are Brian and I fighting the rain at a super cool canyon. Below is a better picture of what the canyon looked like.

Sunday we spent the day at Arches National Park. I had never been there in all my years of living in Utah, so it was a really cool day. I was in awe at all of the beautiful landscapes, mountain formations, and of course the Arches. It was absolutely incredible to see.

Here I am at Delicate Arch. It is actually to the right but this was the view. It was breath taking.






Delicate Arch. It was absolutely amazing. So much better than the pictures. It made the hike up the mountain totally worth it.







This was probably my favorite parts of the weekend. There is a trail that only 4-wheel drive cars can go on that takes up up to Tower Arch. It was such a fun trail to ride on and the ending result was awesome!!! Overall, it was a super fun weekend and a quick little trip out of the city.

VOTE VOTE VOTE

I know some of you might not like him, but the team down south's coach is currently in first place. We don't want that. So click on the link below and go support Kyle! GO UTES!!!

Kyle Whittingham