Good Friday Has Come Early This Year...

Fridays are a BIG deal lately...

Three Fridays ago I had surgery (which will hopefully make me feel much better)!

Last Friday I finally finished my taxes (I also procrastinate that one)!

This Friday (TODAY) I quit my job! 

See, Fridays are a BIG deal! Now for some more news...

At the end of April, after 5 glorious years in the beautiful, Zion-like Bay Area I am saying goodbye to the place that has become home to me (and a more wonderful home than I ever imagined could be possible when I arrived) and returning to another home to work for Berry Oil.  It will be sad to leave my PA family and home, yet the right decisions aren't always the easiest decisions.  The time I've spent in PA will continue to impact my life for eternity. People are good, so good, so giving, so loving, so supportive. This in a sentence describes what I learned day in and day out the past 5 years from the incredible people that would and DO do anything for me. Thanks to each of you!   

It will be an amazing reunion with my Idaho family. Jack Berry is probably singing Hallelujah in Heaven, as I know Dadio is on earth.  Plus, I've got a lot of little girls that are extremely excited for my arrival. I quote  5 year old, Averina: "We'll have girl dates. We'll shop, we'll paint nails, get in the hot tub, have sleepovers, and I'll stay with you and Hailey and Mattie can live with Mom and Dad." How can I pass that up?       

Here is to My Good Friday coming early this year!!

Things That Intimidate Me...

Burly football players

My 7th grade band teacher (mostly just scared me)

climbing mountains 

AR being on the opposite team in ultimate 

and...

The Home Depot! 

It might be because everything is super-sized in this store (yes I'll admit I can barely reach the bottom shelves in most aisles). It might be because they have 10,000 options for light fixtures. It might be because they have more lumber than a small forest. It might because every salesperson sees the deer in the headlights look and one of them is constantly asking if I'm lost. The answer to that question is always YES in that store. It is as if I wear a neon sign when I step in the door. 

Today folks marks a special occasion...I went to The Home Depot by MYSELF for the first time ever (granted I've been in that store five times tops).  Even though I was overwhelmed just walking through the door I stayed for two hours and actually came home with paint samples, granite samples, wood samples, and lots of ideas...I am still overwhelmed and next time will make sure I have supervision. 

PS...I fell in love with this yellow tile. 

Pass It On

A Rainy Cook Club

HN wowed us again at cook club with this divine chicken noodle soup. I love cook club. I'd cancel on my own mother to attend cook club. It is where I learn to eat well...I mean "cook" well...

Words For Others To Live By*...

I kid not when I say I received an email with this line from JNS moments ago. 


"Anything for Jess Berry"


It just rolls off the tongue with such ease. Love it! Consider this my quote of the day, or the week, or the month. :) 


 *I am kidding that others should live by this. At least not 100 percent of the time. 

My Favorite Shoes

Even when it isn't raining these boots are my favorite (and I wear them shamelessly often)! Luckily for me it poured rain Saturday so I not only was being fashionably cute but practical as well...bonus. 

Tagging Along With Mama Berry

Mama Berry thought she'd take me to run errands on Wednesday. I lasted about one store. Long enough to snap these shots of her with her signature pattern...leopard print. I begged her to purchase these gems but for some unknown reason she refused...    

As an act of goodwill I allowed her to snap this gem of me. Very fitting of my personality obviously. 

The Cool Shades Club

Love getting these pictures in my inbox! 

(Mattie Faye is eating well) :) 

March Recovery (aka Lounging)

My life has been pretty low key lately:

surgery (everything went well)

Mama Berry taking care of me 

sleeping 

watching movies

being consumed in March Madness! (yes I planned the surgery at exactly the right time)

watching as my bracket was busted in the first round...but we all love a Cinderella story

receiving beautiful flowers...our living room looks like a garden

recovering (or lounging as Mama Berry tells me) on the couch and in my bed

watching as Mama Berry sorted, cleaned, organized (aka whipped me into shape)

Thanks Mama Berry for coming! 

Finding the Incredible: What Cancer and Trials Can Teach Us

A Lesson For The Future Me One Day...

and for all you married folk that still read my blog. 

The Art of a Good Marriage by Wilferd Arlan Peterson

A good marriage must be created.

In the art of marriage the little things are the big things...

It is never being too old to hold hands.

It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once each day.

It is never going to sleep angry.

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.

It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.

It is speaking words of appreciation and

demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.

It is finding room for the things of the spirit.

It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

It is not only marrying the right partner...

It is being the right partner.

Jess Berry Quote of The Day!

It’s wonderful to do something you love for so many years. Not everyone has that.


Jan Berenstain


-Words to aspire to say of my own life one day. 

My Favorite Brown Eyed Girl!

Looking through Windows

Perfect Way To Start A Saturday Morning!

 There are very few things I'll admit that I deem higher to perfecting a start to any morning, particularly Saturday mornings than golf. 

Prayer

Scripture Study 

Sleeping in 

Temple ties with golf (yes, ties as both are places I commune with the Lord)

JNS agrees I am sure...

God Will Lift Us Up

Amen Sister, AMEN! You're my newest hero. Thank you for reminding of such precious truths. 

Advice To Live By!

Jess Berry Quote of The Day!

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.


Helen Keller

From the Friendly Skies

 Arizona 

Las Vegas, shout out to AR!