The PA Reunion in IDAHO!

Mer suggested well over a year in advance that we all meet in Idaho for a reunion. Well it happened! It was a short but fun reunion! We've added quite a few to the group since we all lived in PA together and we are still growing! We ate well...MPR, NJ, and, SJ all enjoyed their Idaho Berry burgers almost too much! We picked raspberries, huckleberries, we partook of raspberry/huckleberry shakes, we had at least two or more people up every hour of the day at my house. (The joy of babies). Babies kissed, wrestled, and were spoiled with lots of affection. All were able to visit THE Berry Oil HQ. We had time to just talk. I am so glad everyone was able to come. We did miss, JD! Below is a snapshot of the good time we all had together...until next time!   

Two Years...Time Flies

I left the beautiful and green Palo Alto two years ago today. Some days it seems just like yesterday and other days I feel like life has changed so much that I hardly would recognize that carefree life. I think life slows down and speeds up all at once these days, if both are possible. 

This part year we were busy at Berry Oil, so busy I forgot about most things other than software and software. I even missed March Madness (I know, a sin).  I'm happy to say that this year we are not implementing a new accounting software system. We have some exciting things coming, that might keep me as busy as last year but at least it won't be only software.  Here is to dominating the world this coming year...I mean, working hard. 

I also took the long needed and happy leap to a family ward. I now serve in the Young Women organization. I know, some of you out there are thinking: Jess Berry teaching the youth-that's totally awesome and I wish I were a youth again, while others are thinking: Jess Berry teaching the youth-that's totally frightening and I'm so thankful I am not a youth in her ward. I suspect my young women fall on either side of that spectrum, depending on the day with me. My goal is to prepare these young ladies for life, in the unconventional form that life seems to take for some of us, and to make sure that they know I am crazy and awesome all rolled into one. Being the only single leader in our young women group and being a bit of a feminist (compared to most Idaho women) I am bringing a little shock factor to our group and hopefully I'm setting a good example?   

My body continues to refine my soul daily...hopefully for the better. Let's just say that this year I'm a little more excited for the resurrection than the year before. My hope is that my summer and fall will be better than the winter and spring physically and if not that I'll have the patience to endure. 

I miss Palo Alto, my California family, and I hope to visit a little more frequently. I do, however, realize how lucky I am to have spent my formative "adult youth" years there and appreciate my new life here as I age quickly. :) 

A Little Reunion With A Couple Little Additions

 It only took two years of living back in Idaho to make it happen but SEC, SJ, GH, and I finally found time for a few days of fun together. We ate good food, colored Easter eggs with Eve (little Sandi), shopped, talked, shopped some more, talked some more, made Gari make homemade biscuits at 9pm one night, tried to take a group selfie, had 4 year Eve take a group picture (turns out our legs take good pictures, see below), and just a had great time spending together. Can it possibly be over ten years since we all met? We still look great and I love that SJ and Mike have added Eve and Claire to the group! Thanks for the great trip! Looking forward to the next go around!   

We also decided to dye the last egg in all the colors, hence the ugly brown one! 

 The best biscuits you'll ever taste! Oh how I've missed these amazing treats! Thanks Gari! 

Henry's Lake

The Berrys spent this cold Saturday on Henry's Lake. I suspect that Jack and Ardella were there watching, wishing they were fishing with our poles. It was freezing but great memories were made. 

Lacey Lou caught the most fish...I was pretty jealous

The Precursor Anniversary To The Berry National Holiday

Twelve years ago today my birthday became a little more important or rather a little more significant. A real second lease on life. Recall story here. I looked back at this blog over the last several years and I always post on this particular day. Probably to remind myself not to squander my life away, to remember that it is a miracle I'm here. To remember to not make a poor choice like I did that morning all those years ago. Maybe to remind myself when the days are really hard, when the aches, the pains, the "growing" experiences seem too much that it is miracle I get to experience the less than pleasant days of life. I wish I could say with enthusiasm today that I look forward to another great year, this year has been exhausting, challenging, and a year of just making it through. However, I trust in something much larger than myself, a loving Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ, whom I know is the great equalizer...all things will be made equal. So while this year has been exhausting and I might feel older than 80 this year, I am grateful I have experienced it and look forward to this next year hopefully being a little less exhausting.      

My Big Bro In A Perfect Nutshell

My One Year Anniversary

One year ago I left my home in Palo Alto and returned to my Tetonia home. I told myself it would take at least a year to feel settled and adjusted back to Idaho living. I was right. I still am very much a Californian Idahoan. I still freeze in this "balmy" weather we have in Idaho. I still crave frozen yogurt and Thai food on a daily basis. I still eat like a "hippy" according to my brother. I still wear my Sperry's and skinny jeans. I still love my bright colors (hence a blue house with a purple door among the sea of brown ones). I still miss Gustavo. I still miss shopping at H&M. I still get up on Saturdays wanting to walk The Dish. Most importantly, I still miss my California family.

Having said that, many things have changed. 

I am a homeowner! I sit by my fireplace at night and remind myself how awesome it is to have a place to call my own (and NO roommates!). I now do more home decor shopping than clothes shopping. I work in a very spacious office, that has a door (no more cubicle life for me). I LOVE work. I never thought I'd say that, let alone really mean it. We are working hard and there are great things ahead for Berry Oil. Working with family is extremely fulfilling. I'm grateful I get to be a part of such a legacy. For the most part, I am feeling better physically than I was a year ago and when I'm not I've got an army of family and new neighbors that are there to help me. In my free time I get to spend time with the coolest little girls in the world. They make me feel like a million bucks, give me purpose, and really think I'm the coolest (which is pretty awesome). While I wear my boots more than I wear my Sperry's here, I feel at peace with the changes that have occurred this past year. 

I look forward to another year ahead, with hopefully a little more golfing. I'll continue to blend my Idaho and California roots together to be make the next year even more awesome.   

PS...visitor welcome anytime! COME!

In Honor Of Jack Berry And The Yankees

Today is Jack Berry's birthday. At lunch Dadio was trash-talking my Yanks saying they were going to get beat today. I reminded him that today is Jack Berry's birthday and that the Yanks wouldn't lose on his birthday. In honor of his birthday I had tomatoes and macaroni ..so good! Always makes me think of my Grandpa and Grandma!  

Love and miss that one of a kind, Jack Berry!

Saturday Mornings

On the Mormon Channel on YouTube, the LDS church has added all these classic 1980s and 1990s commercials on family...I loved them growing up and still love them! 

Family Flashbacks #2

 Joshy

 The Erickson clan (minus Johnny) after Trena returned home from her mission. Loving the glasses, Susie Q. 

 Berry 1, 2, and 3...the younger years

Sam Jam and Joshy

 Jed Fred...also loving the glasses

 Mama Berry...clearly we know where Averina gets her cheese smile

 And Dadio...we clearly know where Matty and Joshy get their good looks too

Happy Father's Day

While Dadio no longer sports the mustache one thing hasn't changed, he's still the greatest Dadio a girl could ask for. He's also become the grandpa that I knew he'd be, adored by the little girls and spoils them silly.  I'm proud to be a Berry and the daughter of such an amazing father.  Happy Father's Day Dadio!   

Jack Berry...I spoke about him today in church and while he taught me to love the Yankees, The Price Is Right, and the family business; he mostly taught me family is most important. Still miss him but luckily for me the Jack Berry memories run through my veins. 

Poncho Villa! Happy Father's Day. You've not met a more hilarious and dedicated to his family (especially his grandchildren) man. To some he might seem rough around the edges but he's really got a marshmallow heart. 

And he's tries to give everyone birthday spankings...some things never change. 

Mattie Faye loves to cuddle with her Papa.

Matty's quite the daddy to his little girls as well...today it was a dog pile on daddy day because all three wanted to cuddle with Daddy at the same time.