Lights at Temple Square and The Nutcracker

We decided this year to go see The Nutcracker at Capitol Theatre in Salt Lake City. We also had a gift certificate to stay at The Anniversary Inn and we still hadn't seen the lights at Temple Square so we made a nice weekend trip out it. It was a wonderful weekend and reminded us again why we are encouraged to continue dating your spouse after you get married.

We got to Temple Square just in time to see the Nativity.

I love this Nativity scene on the reflecting pool by the temple. I only wish there would have been snow- there is just something so magical about snow and light with all of the Nativity scenes around Temple Square

These are just spectacular to look at. I love the sparkly lights and the magical feeling of Christmas. It is wonderful to see how each country depicts the same story in their nativity sculptures.

I didn't take any pictures of them this year (except for the two that are in the picture above) because our camera battery died but I love the luminaries that are around the plaza near the Church office building. I took a closer look this year and noticed that each luminary has a word associated with the holidays (Peace, Joy, Merry Christmas, etc) in a different language and at the bottom it has the language and what it means in English. I think I've missed it in the past because there has been snow and I can't wait to go back next year.

Our last stop at Temple Square was "Our Spot". We have come back to this spot every year in December. It is is the exact spot where we got engaged. We were there on the exact date this year, December 18. I can't wait to see how this picture changes over the years. This year definitely wins hands down as the coldest, so far.


After our stop at Temple Square, we drove to The Anniversary Inn and checked into the Presidential suite. We forgot to take pictures of the room but loved that it has its own deck that we could see the city lights from. It was a beautiful view. The inversion was terrible but I loved that we could still see the city lights. I think we will book that room again sometime. I loved reading through that comment book they have in the room. Everyone raves about the service, beauty of the room, etc but my favorite comment was from a couple that was there celebrating their 50th anniversary. They wrote "we loved the room but the shower was a little hard to get out of for us old folks." Hilarious!! I have to admit that I LOVE the waterfall shower- we decided we would love to have one in our home at some point.

The next day we spent the good portion of the day looking at houses in Layton and Kaysville. Yes, we are in the market for a home. We didn't find anything during our day but did have fun looking at homes and learning more of what we are looking for in a home and the things that we both like. We will mostly likely end up purchasing a home in Salt Lake county but we haven't found anything yet.


We enjoyed dinner at Biaggi's at the Gateway in Salt Lake City (our favorite) before going to The Nutcracker. Neither of us had ever seen it and we both loved it. We had fantastic seats but it was a little bit cramped for my 6' 4" husband so we scoped out where we would be more comfortable next time we go to a show there. While the show was fantastic and I loved being there with J.D. my favorite part of the night was watching all of the little girls in their beautiful dresses and seeing the smiles on their faces as they watched the magic on stage.

My J.D.

Self portrait at Grandma Sullivan's "90th" Birthday party

With our two youngest nephews during what I call "Sullivan Family Fun weekend" 2010

If was to give advice to any girl looking for a husband I would tell her to find someone like my J.D. He is a man with the kindest heart and forgiving and understanding spirit and a big softy with his wife (except when I need to be called on something I shouldn't be doing- which I appreciate) and my rock when life is tough.
This past weekend had been a rough and tough one. I have mostly been myself but also feel like I have been walking around in a haze that I can't shake. If I would think too much about grandma and the memories I have that involve her and I would start to cry- this wonderful husband of mine is always right there holding my hand and my heart exactly when I needed it. He lets me have my space to mourn the lost of grandma and burst out in anger/frustration (because sometimes that is what works best for me) and gently tells me everything is going to be ok. He prays for my comfort to get through this week and for success in all that I do.
I told him on Saturday that I wanted to buy a new dress for grandma's funeral and he didn't object for one second, in fact, he encouraged me to. He reminded me that I haven't bought a new dress since I bought my wedding dress- two years ago. What woman wouldn't love that kind of support and encouragement!
He is a softy but he is a tough guy too. We start FSH injections tomorrow and he is going to be brave and give me the shots. I told him I was sure I could find a nurse at work that would do it for me if he didn't want to but he is going to man up and do it...what a great guy. His wife the future nurse gets nervous about giving a shot to herself.
I am so blessed- beyond measure! I always day dreamed about what my life would be like when I was married and this is so much better than I imagined. I am so grateful for the rock in my life that is my husband.

My J.D.

My friend Tara tagged me and although J.D. and I aren't married yet we are quickly approaching our wedding day. (I can't wait!!) I thought it would be fun for you to read a little bit about this fella that has come to mean the world to me.

1. Where did you meet your husband? Well he isn't quite my husband yet but close enough...lol
We actually met online. A good friend of mine was getting married to a guy she met online and told me I should give it another try. I figured what did I have to lose. I had met my share of shady characters and such but one more try wouldn't kill me. I saw J.D.'s picture and read his profile and thought I would say hello. Funny thing, I had seen his profile before but he lived in St. George and I wasn't about to do a long distance anything so I didn't do anything about it. Interestingly when I moved back to Salt Lake in March he had just been laid off from his job in St George and felt like he should apply for jobs in the Northern Utah but wanted to stay in St. George so he didn't do it. After being laid of 2 more times he FINALLY decided he better apply for jobs in a more stable market for his profession (computer programming) and got up a job in Orem in September. I logged on to the website about 2 weeks after he moved to Pleasant Grove.

2. How long did you date before you got married? I don't remember the day we first exchanged emails and phone numbers but our first face to face meeting was October 5...so today is our 3 month anniversary (yes, I'm that cheesy) and we will be married on March 28, 2009 so 5 1/2 months from when we met...almost 6 months.

3. How long have you been married? That doesn't apply to us just yet.

4. What does he do that surprises you? He sends me text messages throughout the day and listens to me when I mention things I need to do or get even when I don't think he is listening. He also sends me an email every morning that is usually waiting for me when I get to work.

5. What is your favorite feature of his? I love his eyes...they sparkle when he is laughing...it just makes my heart so happy.

6. What is his best quality? He has alot and I discover more everyday. He is so kind and loving towards me and is genuinely interested in the things that are important to me. He encourages me to follow my dreams. I most admire his desire to be a man of God.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Lissa. Interestingly I have always hated it when anyone called me that...it just seems to fit with him.

8. What is his favorite food? Lasagna

9. What is his favorite sport? Football

10. When and where did you first kiss? At his house on his couch when we were watching a movie.

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? We like to watch movies at home and play games. We both enjoy the arts so I'm sure that will become a large part of our lives too.

12. Do you have any children? Not yet but we hope to some day.

13. Does he have any hidden talents? Not that I'm aware of but I have lots of years to figure them out if he does.

14. How old is he? 31

15. Who said I love you first? I did but he claims that he did.

16. What is his favorite music? He likes the big hair bands from the 80's and country music. I'm not a big fan of the big hair bands so when we are together he listens to country... I sure appreciate it too!

17. What do you admire most about him? He strives to be better today than he was the day before. He is a hard worker and a desire to do well at his job.

18. What is his favorite color? Dark Purple

19. Will he read this? Yes, I know he reads my blog

20. I tag Tiffany, Holly, Kellie and Julie

It's Official

WE'RE ENGAGED!!!!
The date has changed to March 28, 2009 at The Historic Shelton in Idaho Falls!

For those of you that have been wondering and following my love story with J.D. we have some exciting news. We are engaged! I posted a picture so you can see the mystery man that I have been gushing about. It is a picture of us at Zion's National Park over the Thanksgiving weekend. It was absolutely beautiful and I like this picture of us. (No we were not intending to match in the picture but everyone likes to point out we are "matchy-matchy")

I know my girlfriends are just dying to hear the story of how he proposed... so here goes. It is finals week at school and most of my classes have a written and a practical test. However, on Tuesday I had my pathology final and that class doesn't have a practical test. I hadn't missed any Pathology lectures so after I was done with the written final I was able to leave. J.D. and I had planned ahead to go to see the lights at Temple Square that night. We had talked about going a few times before Tuesday but the First Presidency Christmas Devotional was one Sunday and The MOTAB Christmas Concert was the next Saturday so we decided to not go down with all the craziness and crowds on those days.

Since it was Finals week and I wanted a break from studying Tuesday seemed like a great night to go. J.D. had his company party that night that I wasn't able to attend because of school so he drove up to Salt Lake after his party and after I was done with class. We met at my apartment and drove to Temple Square. He had his camera with him and handed it to me to take pictures because he said I take better pictures...I don't if that's true but who was I to argue. The lights were absolutely beautiful but it was ooooh so cold. We walked by the big nativity scene by the North visitors center and circled around in that area. I wanted something to warm up so we went to the street vendor and go me some hot spiced cider...YUMMY!

We walked back in the South gates and took some pictures of the temple with the sparkly lights there then headed out to the reflecting pool and up by the Church office building. It never occurred to me that there were lights and nativity scenes and such up by the Church office building but some of my favorite stuff was up there. So we proceeded up to the fountain by the Church office building. If you haven't seen the "bags" they have in the area around that with cut out scenes you need to go see them...they are beautiful! Anyway, we got to the east side of the fountain and no one was there but us. J.D. asked me to take a picture of the temple including the lights on either side of the lawn area going towards the temple. So I climbed up on the ledge of the fountain and took a picture- which turned out really nice. When I turned around my J.D. had a big smile on his face and was holding up the ring and asked me to be his wife. I was so excited! I knew it was coming sometime soon but he did such a great job surprising me!

I requested that when he proposed that we not have a crowd around so we don't have a picture of us right after the proposal but I do have a picture of us at Temple Square that night. They are on J.D.'s camera so I will have to upload them later. I can't express how grateful I am for such a wonderful man. I am adding a picture of my beautiful ring both in the box and on my hand. J.D. said it fits my hand perfectly and I couldn't agree more. How lucky am I!!?!!

This is not a great picture as I took it with my camera phone. But you get the idea. I sent this to my mom and sister and promptly got calls from both of them that I needed to be wearing it.

So this is the ring on my hand...where it will always be! Again, not the best picture because it was taken with my cell phone but you can at least see the ring.

We have set the date for March 21, 2009. We are going to look at sites this weekend while we are in Idaho celebrating Christmas with my family. I am really leaning towards the Historic Shelton Chapel & Reception Center. I just love the look of the building and grounds. One of my sister's friends had a reception there and I fell in love with it when I saw it 6 years ago. More info will be coming, I promise!

Until next time...