Featured Friend Number Two.

I first heard about Jessica from my little brother, Kyle. She worked with him at Jamba Juice and they got along pretty well, for the most part! :) I was so excited when she started dating Elliot because for me that meant another "sister-in-law" added to the Wilde bunch. I remember many nights talking to her about how much she wanted to marry Elliot among other things. We grew so close in our time together before we moved out here. I remember crying SO hard the night before we jumped in our U-Haul saying good-bye to her because I didn't know if I was ever going to see her again. I said to Elliot, "You better marry her, because if you don't... I will probably never see her again and that will be your fault!" Kind of harsh... I know. Since then, we've only grown closer through e-mail... instant messaging and an occasional phone call. She is one of the nicest, most giving people I know. She knows how to make you feel good about yourself. She is so full of compliments! Her home is amazing (although, I have yet to see it in person). She has a knack for making things beautiful. She makes gorgeous quilts, clothes, cards, tree skirts... you name it. She has an eye for design and you can see that in how she decorates her home. She is such a hard worker for her little family. She loves to plan events and throws amazing themed parties! She and Elliot are such an example to Jeremy and I of how a marriage should be. They are so in love, you can tell just in the way they look at each other. We were blessed to have her in our home for a week in October. It was so much fun to have her all to myself and really get to know her better. I hope this helps you see why I love this girl so much!

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Jessica Hollan Wilde

What is your favorite thing about being a Wilde? My name is AWESOME! Jessica Wilde...doesn't that just sound AMAZING? I love my name, its the best name I've ever heard. Actually before I even liked Elliot my friend Sam and I went through all of the last names of every guy I had ever liked (or knew at the time) and we decided Jessica Wilde sounded the best. Unfortunately at the time I had no clue I would marry Elliot, so I thought it was an impossibility. Hooray for having the best name ever!
• Who is your hero? Jim Lovell. I know its dorky but he is an amazing person. He was an astronaut in the 60s and was on Apollo 8 which orbited the moon for the first time. He also was the commander of Apollo 13 which beat the odds and arrived back at earth safely. He is the author of my favorite book--Lost Moon. He now lives in Chicago and helps his son run a restaurant called "Lovells of Lake Forest." This is the reason I want to go to Chicago so bad--to eat at his restaurant. My dream!! I did email him once to tell him how much I look up to me and he emailed me back telling me I am a "lovely girl."
• At 8:23 on a Thursday night... what are you normally doing? If Elliot is at work I am sewing or at my mom's house. If Elliot's not at work we're at my mom's house or running errands.
  If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Chicago to eat at Lovell's of Lake Forest. Once that dream is achieved...back to Cayman Islands. I love it there.
• Pink or Yellow? Pink, unless its chicken
• Favorite color combination? Red, cream, sage, and black. Although I also like pink and brown.
• Favorite beverage? I really like limeade or chocolate milk.
• What is your favorite thing about Elliot? Oh where do I start? He's so much more amazing than I ever imagined any husband being to their wife. My FAVORITE thing though is that he is so much like a little kid. He likes to play with toys and run around with the kids...he doesn't want "boring presents" for Christmas but toys. (just wait until you see what I decided to get him...) Ok there are 2 things...sorry I couldn't choose! I love the way he treats me. He supports me in everything and does SO much for me without complaining. I couldn't imagine a better husband! Boy did I choose well.
• Favorite calling you've had in the church? Being a primary teacher was really hard while I was doing, but I am finding myself missing it now that it's been a little while. It was amazing to teach those little kids about the gospel and watch their testimonies grow because of it.
• Describe yourself in two words. In love
• Why do you love cats so much? Ha ha, wow, no one has asked me that. Well I grew up with them...my parents got a kitten when I was a couple of months old and then she had kittens and I got to keep one. I named her cuddles, but we started calling her "pretty kitty" when I was in high school. She was the most amazing cat--she would cuddle up to me and let me do anything I wanted to her and still love me. She turned into be one of my cherished friends. In elementary school she would let me hug her and cuddle me when I was scared. When I was in high school she would lick my tears away as I cried over boys or the woes of growing up. When Elliot proposed I actually said "can I have a kitty?" before I said yes. Now I have my little Macy, and although she is clearly the cutest little kitty ever, I do think my obsession with her has something to do with the fact that I don't have a baby of my own so I am applying some of that nurturing and love to my cat. Favorite scripture and why? Doctrine and Covenants 6:36-37 "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen." This scripture has been a strength in my teenage years and on through today. It always seems to apply to the challenge(s) I am facing, and the second verse about the Savior having nail prints in His hands and feet, and a wound in His side makes it so personal to me; it teaches me the Savior really did suffer for me.
• What is your favorite thing about having a house of your own? My favorite thing is that I know I am not wasting money on rent and instead am making an investment that will come in handy later.
• Describe your first date with Elliot. Hmm...who all reads your blog? It was Halloween and we went somewhere and watched a scary movie. They first put in some weird movie but I got up to leave because it was rated R and Elliot made them change it. We watched the Ring instead. It was a big group date with Ricky and Silvia, Jen and Derek, Scott and some girl, Jared and Tiffany, and then a bunch of people that showed up last minute that we didn't know. I was pretty nervous because I didn't want to lead Elliot on and make him think I liked him.
• What do you think your life will be like in 10 years? Hopefully I will be a mommy and Elliot will be working...maybe 3 or 4 kids. I hope we move to a bigger house if we have that many kids, or at least add on!
• Who is your favorite apostle and why? I really like....hmmm...them all for different reasons. I guess if I had to choose 1 I would choose Bednar because his talks always make me want to be a better person and apply to me.
• What is your favorite meal to cook? Fettuccine Alfredo, although Elliot's favorite meal for me to cook is Dijon chicken.
• One household chore you despise? Laundry. Elliot knows he will forever do the laundry if he wants anything to get done. I think I may have done 3 loads since we got married. And I have never been good at putting clean clothes away--so Elliot does that too. And he does the mopping.
• Who does more cooking, you or Elliot? I probably do but he does a good share of it. He's really good at helping me out in the kitchen.
• What did you want to be when you grew up, when you were little? When I was really little I wanted to be a vet, but then I figured out I didn't want to see animals sick, and I don't really care for snakes. Then I wanted to be a pet shop owner, but then I figured out they don't get paid more. Then about Jr. high I decided I wanted to work at Novell. And here I am!
• What is your favorite part about your job? That its so flexible...I can work from home or take time off whenever I need it without having to find a sub. And the pay and benefits help me love it too;)
• What is your favorite memory from your wedding day? Hmm... so many to choose from. Probably Elliot flipping out in the celestial room right before we got married. I've NEVER seen him so scared..he was shaking. I was laughing and laughing at him.
• Favorite primary song? Army of Helaman
• Embarrassing moment? Um...the Drain-o story. When Elliot and I were first married we got fish as pets. (the only pet allowed in our apartment). I was cleaning out the nasty fish tank and dumped all the sick water into the tub. It clogged the tub...so I took chop sticks and was pushing on the drain trying to unclog it with no luck. It was a Saturday night, and we only had 1 shower, and Elliot was at work. I thought to myself "I can do this, I'm not a wimp...I can take care of myself" so I went to Walmart and bought 2 canisters of Drain-o. One you pour in and one that you place on the drain and push down and it shoots a bunch of stuff (with a money back guarantee if it doesn't work.) I got home and poured in the 1st Drano and nothing happened. I then took the other kind which I could tell was putting a lot of pressure through, but again, doing nothing. I was so mad! I filled out the little card for my money back (even though it was only $3 it was the principle of the thing) and called Elliot. He didn't answer, so crying left a message that I clogged the drain and I tried to fix it but I couldn't and we would have to shower at his parents' house and call a plumber on Monday. Then I went to bed. Sunday morning Elliot woke me up and said in the sweetest voice "honey, I fixed the drain." I said "YOU DID?!?" to which he replied "yes, the drain was plugged." Oh I felt so stupid.

To see and learn more about Jessica and her sweet family click HERE