Lucky.

I'm Jillisa, I married the sweetest boy, Austin. I'm so lucky!

I was bored this morning so I decided to recap our perfect day. As most of you remember, Aust was terrified to get married, literally! I remember vividly April 27, sitting in the waiting room at the temple waiting for them to come get us to meet our family and friends waiting for us to make the next BIG step. I remember those 20 min could not have possibly seemed any longer. Aust was pretty tearful, I was definitely shaking in nervousness, I tried to talk NON stop so he couldn't have his own thoughts. I was praying they would hurry up so that he didn't have time to re-think anything, ha ha selfish right? [But I knew I needed that boy in my life]. Soon a kind old man opened the door, winked at us and motioned for us to come with him, [Relived!]. More nervous than ever before, WE, [I the nervous shaky but excited girl, and him the sweetest tearful boy] walked to where our sealing room was, My cute grandpa met us at the door [he sealed us!] he kissed me on the cheek and guided us in. In the most beautiful room sat all our family, our best friends, the people who had supported us and loved us our whole lives ready to see us take that step! The rest, well its history, he said yes, I was relived and honestly I've never been happier.
My life changed Forever that day. I love that boy, lucky for me he loves me too! ;]

Holidays!

I really do love this time of year. I hate the cold but this year has been pleasant with mostly rain. But I just love everything, I love the smell of the mall and how busy it is, (supreme people watching opportunities) all the many family gatherings, christmas candy, parties, etc. We have had a great time thus far. This week alone we've had 3 Christmas parties, and lots more festivities. We had Austins work party, we won a sweet popcorn tin, ha ha and then we had both our family parties, and a great friend party. We have had lots of fun shopping trips, well I should say I have had lots with my mom and sisters! Austin has stayed busy as ever applying for any job that comes his way. We are looking forward to each others presents this year, but most of all we are so grateful for all the we have been blessed with, we are grateful for our testimony of the Savior and this special time of year to remember him! Hope everybody is alive and well!
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The Gibbons

Mike and
Austin
Austin holding our awesome wakeboarder snowflake
Shepherds
Craven family nativity

Celebration

Like I have mentioned, December 10 was a great day! I dare say I was more excited than Austin, ha ha I didnt sleep all to well. That could have been because I still had so much to do to get ready for a great day! I woke up early and met my mom to drive down to Marine Products to get Aust a graduation present from my parents:
We were pretty happy with our purchase especially cuz we got lots of free Ronix stickers as well! Than it was off to Ross to find something to wear, we had success. We were rushing through the isles but found something pretty fast, I was pleased so off we went.

By this point I was on the verge of running late because I still had my hair and make up to do so, back home I went while my mom ran another errand for me (bless her heart! shes the best!) This next present was for a bigger surprise later!


I got ready, Austin ironed his gown, then off to the ceremony we went. It was long, but he was towards the end so the anticipation kept us all alert. My parents, Austs parents and grandparents are were there to support him!

After the ceremony Austins parents took us out to eat to Texas Road House, it was excellent! For graduation Austins parents got him a class ring, its pretty cool, the coolest part would have to be the wakeboarder he got custom!
He didnt stop looking at it all day! It turned out perfect, what a great gift! I got him a gym membership & some muscle vitamins! We still have to go pick out his gym of choice! Right after dinner we went up to Layton to meet my family for dinner at Red Robin, we were obviously stuffed, so we just shared a shake! It was also my nephews birthday so we spent a second to celebrate with him! Last but not least came the best surprise. I blindfolded Aust and drove him all over so he was clueless of where we were going. We ended up at Boondocks where we met Nick (it was his b-day and he also graduated so his wife and I set up the surprise) We walked them into the party room where we took off their blindfolds to surprise them. We got a hold of everybody (friends and family) and they were all there to help celebrate! It was so fun, we spent the night bowling, laughing, and having fun. What a great day. Thanks to all who made it special and helped us celebrate!

Proud.

I remember many a time coming home from Austins house [early] while we were dating, frustrated and annoyed. At the time I was just upset because I was hanging out by myself while Austin studied. I thought this was so lame. There was many a conversation between us consisting of me just begging him to take a break, to forget studying and just be with me, some nights were so hard. I'll be the first to admit I hate being bored and being alone. Study time and homework became my very worst enemy I wont even go into finals week! [sadly I wasn't even the one who was doing the studying and homework! hmmmm selfish much? ha ha] Needless to say this became to big a big blessing in disguise!

After a while of dating I simply learned the routine, homework, study, online quizzes, then hang out. I learned quick that relaxing Sundays were actually wake up early and study before church then directly after church and late until it was time for bed days. I learned that days off for Austin didn't mean days off it meant wake up early and study ALL day- NO breaks until his head pounded so hard he could barely talk, then and only then was the homework and studying put away for a break. That headache usually left a pretty uptight and not so enthused boy to hang out with! But what a good sport he still was.
I learned to appreciate this. As time went on and we became more and more serious I was so grateful for this quality Austin had. I knew if he was that dedicated to school work, then it was a way of life for him. He never gives up, his effort is never less then 110%, he is motivated to achieve any goal despite all else going on around him.
With all that being said, I am so excited to announce that he did it, he succeeded, all those long nights, all those tests, dumb group projects, late night study jams, it paid off! December 10th was a great day! I couldn't be any more proud of my graduate! I'm so lucky to have him in my life! I'm grateful for all that he has taught me, he has blessed my life more than even he knows! Good Job Austin! I love you!
One Handsome Dude!
:]
The people that made it all possible! Love them!

Pink.

I think its safe to say, I've turned into quite the girly girl....

At last!

As Austin left tonight for one last group project assignment, I thought to myself how extremely proud I am of him! He graduates on Friday! I cant hardly believe it! He has been so motivated and dedicated to his school work over the last 2 years of dating/engagement/marriage! He certainly amazes me. There has been plenty of times I have wondered how on earth he does it! He gave up way to many weekend hangouts, sleep ins, wake-boarding time, activities, etc. He gets awesome grades and works so hard at everything he does. I am so blessed to have him in my life he is a perfect example of enduring to the end, as we both thought it would never end! I am so grateful for him his hard work and the opportunity he had to get an education! Congrats babe- I'm proud of you!

Its begining to look a lot like Christmas!

The holiday season is upon us! I must say I love this time of year, though I do hate the snow, its still a great time!

We had a great Thanksgiving. We were sad that we weren't able to split time between both families, so to make up for it the day before Thanksgiving we spent the night at Austins parents to hang out with his family! It was alot of fun. The next day we spent with my family having a grand ole' time. The prior week was my grandmas funeral so we spent lots of time with my family that whole week. It was good to see all of my cousins and aunts and uncles.
Let me assure you, this pic does NOT do our cute tree justice. My mom found the cutest little decorations and they make our tree look fresh out of a magazine! Austin did a great job stringing the lights, we both laughed about it as we recalled our dads stressing for hours each year over putting up the darn lights! We just had one plug issue seems as it was our first time doing this, luckily my dad came to the rescue to turn the female end into male end so we didn't have to re-string the whole thing!
I LOVE our cute little light that worked so perfectly for some garland and a bow!
Its been so fun to have our own little place to decorate! I wish we were home more so we could actually enjoy it! But until than, hope you all are having a great holiday season!