Wednesday, June 30, 2010

The JDs Graduate BBQ

Graduate #1 SJ
Graduate #2 AR (Does anyone else find it funny that AR has his Virgina Law shirt on for his BBQ celebrating graduating from Stanford Law?)
I love grilling! I would do this daily if I had a grill like this one.
Homemade Jello from SJ...so pretty and delicious.
CP and Rib Rdb
The Baileys...thanks for hosting the BBQ...always a party.

Monday, June 21, 2010

In Case You Were Curious...

about how I spend my time two to three days a week...see me as the human pin-cushion below. Mama Berry, these are mostly for you. I don't even cry when she sticks me with the needles.
Acupuncture + massage (on an every couple of days basis) = A Happy Jess the rest of the time
Yes, those needles are going into my head, will be honest I was nervous about needles in my head but after awhile you get use to it.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father's Day Dadio!


(photo courtesy of someone who loves Dadio)

This Father's Day week I've been brought back again and again to the same scripture in the Old Testament.

1 Samuel 16:7
"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

There are many wonderful qualities my Dadio possesses and reasons why I love him (click here to remember some of them) but the quality that stands out most is embodied in the scripture above. My Dadio looks beyond the outward appearances and discerns the goodness in the hearts of others, particularly those within his family and ward, namely me. My Dadio has never seen a runt that can't do much in this 5 foot nothing stature but rather a heart with endless potential. As a daughter, as a child with physical limitations, and as a friend that ability My Dadio cultivates to take a deeper look into the hearts of men is more appreciated that any material means a Father can or does provide.

Dadio, I love you...even when you are snoring. ;)

Happy Father's Day to All!




Friday, June 18, 2010

Some of My Favorite Graduates

Stanford Graduation ceremonies (particularly the entrance of graduates) wouldn't fly at a BYU school...man I missed the boat on this one!
Congrats RL!!! How proud we are of you! Yet I'll say it again, I'm not happy about you leaving us.
Our JDs: SJ and AR! We love you both!!! Congratulations!
A little family compiled of two accountants plus a JD (soon to be legit lawyer). I promise we are not boring, even though at first glance our professions might speak otherwise.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Family, Our Most Important Assignment

Our most important and powerful assignments are in the family. They are important because the family has the opportunity at the start of a child’s life to put feet firmly on the path home. Parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles are made more powerful guides and rescuers by the bonds of love that are the very nature of a family.

Henry B. Eyring, “Help Them on Their Way Home, Ensign, May 2010, 23



Monday, June 14, 2010

Jess Berry Quote of The Day!

Patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can—working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Continue in Patience,” Ensign, May 2010, 57

Sunday, June 13, 2010

The Importance of Duty

Duty does not require perfection, but it does require diligence. It is not simply what is legal; it is what is virtuous. It is not reserved to the mighty or high in station but instead rests on a foundation of personal responsibility, integrity, and courage. Doing one’s duty is a manifestation of one’s faith.

Keith B. McMullin, “Our Path of Duty,” Ensign, May 2010, 14

Friday, June 11, 2010

What "Welcomed" Me Home

Along with an ironic note that said: We love you.

To the young man that delivered these yellow creatures, my roommates thank you for providing extra potassium to their diets. As for me I laughed at the joke and promise that if you reveal yourself I'll pay you back with the same measure of love. :)

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Meet Thor...

The Hottest Pinewood Derby Car since the year my brother's scout troop did covered wagons for cars (clearly a poor idea).
Thor after a good couple of hours with a handsaw manned by T. Hazy.
T.Hazy (or as most know him: the most talented product designer) hard at work sanding Thor. The majority ( 97 percent) of the credit goes to T. Hazy for this creation. I did hold the flashlight folks, was decent quality control, and provided moral support.
Thor after two coats of red...
Thor in all his glory! While we didn't win, we made a respectable showing...winning isn't everything* though folks.

*I'll of course deny admitting this if ever asked while playing sports if losing is okay.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Bringing Roommates Together One Curl At A Time

Post Monday night dinner JP let me curl her hair!
Doesn't she look beautiful!!
Roommates that are the same height!
I should have gone to beauty school instead...so much more fun curling hair than playing in spreadsheets.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Happy 50th Anniversary!!!

50 years!!! I know what you're thinking, there is no way my Grandma is old enough to be married 50 years. Good genes my friends...that lady has looked the same for at least 25 years and Poncho does too, minus a lot of hair that use to be on his head. hehe This couple has 10 children and too many grandchildren for me to count. We sure love them! Thanks for letting us celebrate you, your love, and the impact you've had on our lives.

This first photo captures their personalities so very well!
That is a little more reasonable.
The happy couple plus their oldest (I'll say favorite in parentheses for sake of others) granddaughter. Please note the resemblance between myself and my grandma. Basically if you'd like to see the future Jess or how I'll age through the years look no further. Many call me Coleen Junior or mistake me for another daughter, I personally won't complain because again, very good genes!
Gordo plus the Three Johns. :)
Dadio called Gordo before the party and said: Hey Gordo, let's match tonight so Jess will take a photo and I'll make her blog! Gordo's response: Sure thing, but you're buying me dinner.
They do look GREAT!
This is the inside of the anniversary book I made for my grandparents. It was a huge undertaking but all their children, in-laws, and grandchildren contributed memories about them and photos. Some parts look like a a five year old made it but over all I think it turned out pretty great.
This is what I spent almost every spare moment of time on and then some for much of the last month...now it is onto the Rawle wedding book...then I'll be retiring.
Some of the little girls plus Sam Jam at the party.


The Wannabe Graduates


Luckily we have a few years till Sam Jam and Averina are ready to graduate.


MoCo Loves Gordo

Sunday, June 6, 2010

The Kid of The Family Graduates AND Turns 18...

Our very own Joshy Squashy turned 18 years old on Friday and then graduated that same night. Pretty sweet present in my opinion. Congratulations Kid! We do love you, even if you are the baby of the family. ;)


Averina and I with my "happy to be taking photos" bros.
Squashy with Poncho and Grandma
The proud parents!
(I'm sure they are partly smiling because they don't have to sit through another graduation ceremony again)
The Fabulous Five (one day we will take a good photo...)

Joshy's Everyday Outfit

Alright, really just his post graduation, birthday outfit. After spending the afternoon looking through his childhood photos and finding three plus photos of Joshy in a dress and makeup (hey I always wanted a little sister so he had no choice but to play dress up when he was little) hot pink pants don't even ruffle my feathers.

Matty's Everyday Outfit

Equipped with gun, ammo, and his trusty Droid...the high-tech hunter.

Cucumber Monster

There was an entire cucumber before Averina sat down...five minutes later...not even one slice. Watch your veggies very carefully when this one is around!




The Winner Is...

Big Smiles...for now...

See the winner on the sidebar soon. Thanks for voting.

(Mama Berry really had the final say since she did give me the breath of life.)


7 Reasons Why I've Been Ignoring You...

1. I've been playing with my little girls
2. I've been closing the books for May (literally)
3. I've been too sick to be funny
4. I've been consuming insane amounts of red meat
5. I've been consuming Idaho sized portions of potatoes in all their forms
6. I've been having sleepovers with the cutest 4 yr old that loves me
7. I've been eating home-canned pears every morning for breakfast