Jess Berry Quote of The Day!

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.

Abraham Lincoln

Waking Up Smiling To This!

JXA tagged J.Monson and I on this beautiful masterpiece on Facebook today. Amazing DP art! Those happen to be limited edition throwback original recipe DP 24 pks too, for those of you that follow DP! I wonder if I could write out "MLB" (the superior professional sport) with all the 12 and 24 pks I have stockpiled under my bed? (Yes that is where I keep them!)

Thanks JXA!

Embrace Yourself Fully

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?” Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Marianne Williamson

Support Team Hydro!!!

Remember my awesome friend, Kate, that fights hydrocephalus every day? If you don't know about Kate, my hero, you can learn more here at Team Hydro. You know there are very few things that I "advertise" on my blog, however the fight against hydrocephalus deserves constant advertising!

Join the fight today! Become a Facebook fan today here. Follow them on Twitter or Tweeter as I prefer to call it.

Go to the Team Hydro site today, join the team, donate to the fight, and see how beautiful Kate who leads the fight in the most valiant way!

This is one fight worth joining!

Unplugging: A needed habit

Last week with the power out at my office and my home I was left to a darken apartment. My awesome boss suggested that I go for a walk, saying it was beautiful outside. What else could I do? No power meant no Internet. At first that caused panic to rise in my blackberry carrying, two laptops open at a time, with a third available in case of an emergency little heart. Taking my boss's suggestion I turned in my high heels for my running shoes, grabbed my fully charged iPod (thank goodness my brothers were boy scouts and that always "Be prepared" motto rubbed off on me where it really counts), and headed out onto the streets of sunny Palo Alto in February (yes it is sunny and warm in the winter in this place called California).

Quickly I realized that I was not the only lost soul wandering the streets as a mid-morning pass time. I wonder what others were listening to on their iPods? I took the chance to listen to much need words on meekness by Elder Maxwell (a voice that could soothe a crying baby). Listening to discourses on meekness for this girl is needed in high doses. I would imagine on a gorgeous day like this that no one was playing angry chick music on their iPods.

I watched the employees of the Soviet Safeway sit outside in flatbed pickups, as if they were assigned the night watch at a prison. One wrong glance towards those electric doors that remained open all day and I'd be plummeted by the bag-boy. A lady, with much wisdom in years, dressed in a bright purple blouse stopped me along the sidewalk. Within 15 minutes I knew her emergency plan, which included loading all of her food into her RV's fridge and then driving the 2.3 miles to Mtn View and hooking up to "life" again. As I was to start my walk again she instructed me that next time I'm in the market for a stove it MUST be a gas stove. Noted. Just as I was rounding the corner to the park I observed a gray-haired lady in a mini skirt, complete with black leggings biking down the street on a red tricycle-just like the tricycle that my neighbor, Luella, had growing up. I loved that trike! I almost chased this lady and offered to buy it off her-I would have offered to give her a pump back home of course. Who knew walking the streets of Palo Alto could lead to more entertaining people watching than attending another Mormon frat party?

I spent hours in the park that day. I wrote in my journal (I don't do that enough)...six pages later I had a hand cramp. Yet I was able record precious thoughts, random thoughts, thoughts about that awkward moment last week, that compliment that was oh not so smooth but made me melt all at the same time, my love for Palo Alto, and the dreams of swinging and playing Frisbee.

What did I realize after this day of being unplugged? I don't spend enough time outdoors. I should swing on a monthly basis (minimum requirement). Motivational speaking is something I should do someday (HN, please start working on this). I can make it a whole day without the Internet. EVERYONE in Palo Alto owns a dog, I could live without that. Flowers bloom in February, I don't think I could live without that.

New goal: spend time every week in the park writing-without a wireless signal.

Jess Berry Quote Of The Day!

It may be our own capacity to give love that makes us most lovable.

Elder Marlin K. Jensen

Hearting Wednesday

1. Massage (and a little acupuncture to top it off)

2. Hot tub (a solid 50 minutes)

3. This great tidbit from CP made my day (I can almost already hear "Curse You Kenji" being yelled)

4. Surprise package in the mail: my own hands free massager (thank you)

5. Having a laundry fairy (thank you)

Love

Falling in love is always from within, rather than from without.

Elder John A Widtsoe

I Wonder How Many People Feel This Way?

"The hands which hang down and most need to be lifted up belong to those too discouraged even to reach out anymore."

Elder Neal A Maxwell

Reach out!

Jess Berry Quote Of The Day!

Motherhood is the greatest potential influence either for good or ill in human life.

Pres. David O. McKay

Gchats Lead To Poor Eating Habits

***Who knew that talking about cereal would drive me to eat at 11:17 PM. Thanks JP...I'm placing all blame on you!
me: you Jenn

owe

me

a

blog

post

10:46 PM Jenn: POST

oh darn it too late

can it be on the merits of cereal boxes?

me: oh sure

Jenn: and how the bottom of frosted mini wheats should itself be a cereal

me: oh yes

Jenn: when it is all crushed up and is basically powdered sugar

10:47 PM me: that sort of makes me hungry

is it wrong of me to eat at 10:45?

10:48 PM Jenn: hmm probably... i mean you've got to eat before 10:44, i had to rush back from fhe to have my bowl of frosted mini wheats (the bottom-yes!)

haha

yes

or no

or if you have good cereal you are allowed

me: well I have life cereal

10:49 PM Jenn: cinnamon life?

me: I am not a huge cereal eater

regular

I like three cereals

maybe 4

LIFE

Jenn: regular? jess berry that's like cardboard. no sugar at all

me: Corn Pops

Raisin Bran

Jenn: ooo corn pops are pretty good

raisin bran a solid choice

probably good to have in repetition

10:50 PM me: and on occasion Frosted Mini Wheats

Jenn: so jb what do you like to have for breakfast?

me: chocolate instant breakfast

I only eat half the package of course

10:54 PM because it is too chocolaty for me

Jenn: man you're against chocolate too?

me: NO never!

10:55 PM just too much in the morning and I'd either be flying off the walls or have a headache by noon

Jenn: ooo that sounds like yesterday when i had a fourth of a jar of nutella

me: but if you were to feed me chocolate cake in the morning I'd eat it

ooooo...maybe I should go eat Nutella

10:56 PM Jenn: yeah i think that is a good idea. hehe

me: lol

Jenn: do you like my status?

me: YES

being quoted by JP is my goal...every GCHAT!

10:57 PM people don't utilize their statuses enough

10:58 PM maybe that means they are boring?

Jenn: what do you mean utilize? like say hi so and so i'm available for dinner on such and such night you should ask me out?

perhaps

cause i was thinking of it.

me: oh...YES!

that is genius

Jenn: that would be desperate i believe

me: this one time

10:59 PM I put a link to a play in my status and said: I want to go to this!

Jenn: ?

yeah?

me: next thing I know...a guy asked me to the play

how about those results

Jenn: dang

11:00 PM see you could pull that off

i would get no response

me: (it helped the boy had already asked me out)

hehe

Jenn: hehe

me: you should try it

do it with subtly of course

11:01 PM don't use a "!"

Jenn: okay use "!!!" ?

me: hehe

Jenn: i really want to go here "link" hint hint!!!

me: 7 is better than 3

proven fact

11:02 PM Jenn: !!!!!!! seven is hard to count

why is it a proven fact?

me: haha...it is the perfect number

11:17 PM me: well now I am going to go eat chocolate cake

cuz I'm hungry

Jenn: do you have any milk to go with the cake?

me: yes I do

hehe

11:18 PM Jenn: whoo. that was close. chocolate cake needs milk with it

they're married

me: love you! sleep tight and post due by Thurs

married

love it

Jenn: don't tell chocolate chip cookies that though

me: haha

Jenn: good night!

me: oh I love chocolate chips

11:19 PM g night

Jenn: me too.

love you!

(virtual tuck in!) (*hug*)

me: hehe..YES

Jess Berry Quote of The Day!

Love is always bestowed as a gift - freely, willingly and without expectation. We don't love to be loved; we love to love.

Leo Buscaglia

Jess Berry Quote Of The Day!

It is seldom the Lord will do something for us that we can do for ourselves.

Elder L. Tom Perry

Be A People Builder

Be one who nurtures and who builds. Be one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them. Be fair with your competitors, whether in business, athletics, or elsewhere. Don’t get drawn into some of the parlance of our day and try to “win” by intimidation or by undermining someone’s character. Lend a hand to those who are frightened, lonely, or burdened.

If we could look into each other’s hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care.

Let us open our arms to each other, accept each other for who we are, assume everyone is doing the best he or she can, and look for ways to help leave quiet messages of love and encouragement instead of being destructive with bashing.

Elder Marvin J. Ashton

See full talk here.

What is Charity?

Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.

None of us need one more person bashing or pointing out where we have failed or fallen short. Most of us are already well aware of the areas in which we are weak. What each of us does need is family, friends, employers, and brothers and sisters who support us, who have the patience to teach us, who believe in us, and who believe we’re trying to do the best we can, in spite of our weaknesses. Whatever happened to giving each other the benefit of the doubt? Whatever happened to hoping that another person would succeed or achieve? Whatever happened to rooting for each other?

Elder Marvin J. Ashton

See full talk here.

For Hammer...The Wannabe Observer

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KT!

Happy Birthday KT! Thanks for being a true and constant friend all these years and in the years to come.

***It wouldn't be a true birthday post without a list...now remember that this is NOT an exhaustive list of why I heart KT...that could take ages to read...AND in no particular order.

PS: The first person besides KT to figure out the double significance for 14 reasons will win something (maybe I'll even throw in a hug...or a high five...all depending on how much I like the person to win).

1. Not only can KT pull off PINK tights but she DOES! (See below)

2. Constant in her devotion to God, in her duty, in her family, in her friendships.

3. She makes heart shaped waffles with chocolate chips.

4. She remembers my strong heart for me when I forget.

5. Gives of herself freely (i.e. tutoring every week and loves it).

6. We have matching Ninja North Face jackets.

7. She clearly has Ninja skills (see below for evidence).

8. Feisty, strong, straight shooter, honestly gives feedback.

9. Understands the importance of hot tubbing.

10. Loves Oysters.

11. She's the gchat queen! I cannot share entire chats since they really all run together but I'll give you a teaser to get a sense of the greatest...

me: exactly

12:50 PM KT: but ya. it's good.

how was the wedding?

me: it was wonderful

and raining

but wonderful

KT: awesome

12:51 PM me: I love love

and marriage

KT: hahaha

why?

12:52 PM me: it is just happy...i am not sure what I drank but lately I am becoming a softy, maybe even a romantic (a closet romantic of course)

KT: hahaha

right

hee hee

12. Detail oriented...in all the right ways.

13. Loves her family, shows it both by word and deed. An example to live by.

14. Beautiful young and as she increases in wisdom with age! (see above).

Doing Our Best

The Lord doesn't expect us to work harder than we are able. He doesn't (nor should we) compare our efforts to those of others. Our Heavenly Father asks only that we do the best we can—that we work according to our full capacity, however great or small that may be.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Two Principles for Any Economy," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 56

Jess Berry Quote Of The Day!

Self-sufficiency is the enemy of salvation. If you are self-sufficient, you have no need of God. If you have no need of God, you do not seek Him. If you do not seek Him, you will not find Him.

William Nicholson

History Repeating Itself Already

Matty called tonight to inform me that Avery has started down a path we started many years ago...

Amie asks Avery: Will you help with the dishes?

Avery says: I've got to go to the bathroom.

The Berry dish dodge technique. Every family has a dish dodge technique, whether they are willing to admit to it or not. Obviously this 4 year old is learning from her father rather quickly. Matty was the best dish dodger in our family. He'll swear that I created that trick but at the end of the day we all know who "had to go to the bathroom" the most when dish time came around.

We turned out alright even with our dodging; therefore I still have very high hopes for Averina!

Jess Berry Quote of The Day!

No one can really pull you up very high-you loose your grip on the rope. But on your own two feet you can climb mountains.

Louis Brandies

Jess Berry Quote Of The Day!

It is very important that we not assume the perspective of mortality in making the decisions that bear on eternity!

Elder Neal A. Maxwell

God Loves Us Completely

God does not look on the outward appearance. I believe that He doesn’t care one bit if we live in a castle or a cottage, if we are handsome or homely, if we are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Love of God,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 22

Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?

Guest Blogger: Email From Mama Berry

Jess since you are not answering your phone, i have a couple of follow up questions for you.

1. have you found a chiropractor and when is your appt?

2. Have you quit playing football.....as i am still nursing my knee i can't help but think about your sore body and how you are going to have to take better care of it or else. Even the bike helmet won't prevent that kind of wear and tear.

3. you are beautiful

4. When is the fireside for the youth you are speaking at? what are you going to say? give me your 1st or 2nd draft

5. Is it still raining? It rained here today and then snow went to Jackson and not much snow at all over there.

6. Do you feel better than last time i talked to you?

7 Have you been out of bed? hehehe

8. Are you as tired as me? I need my battery charged again (stopped at the library so i think i might just lounge and read books and not answer the door or the phone and just make something up about being confined to bed)

9. Do you want me to hug the girls for you? Morgan came over sun nite for a while and she kept wandering around saying Jessica jessica jessica we explained that you weren't here she just kept looking for you it was funny

10. Did you know that uncle rico is coaching josh's basketball game tonight? I'll let you know how it goes

11. Is your mother random?

love mom

Charity: An Example of the Believers

Everybody heals with love...

Jess Berry Quote of The Day!

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.

Buddha

Masking Promptings of the Holy Spirit

The inspiring influence of the Holy Spirit can be overcome or masked by strong emotions, such as anger, hate, passion, fear, or pride. When such influences are present, it is like trying to savor the delicate flavor of a grape while eating a jalapeño pepper. Both flavors are present, but one completely overpowers the other. In like manner, strong emotions overcome the delicate promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Richard G. Scott, "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 8

The Beautiful Day

On a beautiful day that I dream about

In a world I would love to see,
Is a beautiful place where the sun comes out
And it shines in the sky for me.
On this beautiful winter’s morning,
If my wish could come true somehow,
Then the beautiful day that I dream about

Would be here and now.

The Beautiful Day