Sunday, July 25, 2010

Summer 2010 Trip Part 1

We have had a very busy summer so far. It started in July. The first weekend, we went camping...unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures. We came home, cleaned up and left 2 days later. Lucky for us, my dad was willing to chauffeur all over the place. There was a minor complication though...7 people in a motor home built for 2! Here is what it looked at right before we all would go to bed.
Life in the Motor home!

Our first stop was in Logan, Utah. It was a celebration for the Porter's 50th wedding anniversary. It turned into a real fun family reunion.
Siblings were able to get reacquainted. So, were cousins!
There was a reception...thanks to Cheryl and Patty.
The following day we had a family picnic...complete with games.
How much can you cover your family member with toilet paper in a minute....
Alright...so you can't toilet paper someone in one minute, so let's see who can mummify the person first....
Can you empty a whole Kleenex box in a minute? Ryan can...
What is a reunion without pictures...Here are all the siblings...Sonja, Patty, Becky, Wayne, Ben, Susan, Cheryl, David.
Here is Mom and Dad with all their children.
Look at the brothers...what handsome men they have turned into!
Here are all the sisters.
Here are the girls...all showing their "true nature"
Here are the men folk.
Here are the grandchildren who were present.
It was fun for all of us to get together!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

My Mother's Passing

Monday Night a beautiful person, my mom got her wings, She went to heaven and is now free to soar. Her earthly body traps her no more. She has fought a good fight. She has finished her course. She has kept the faith. God be with you 'til we meet again.


What a humbling experience to hold her hand as she walked into the next life! I feel privileged to have seen the smile on her face as her spirit left her crippled body. I know she is free and HAPPY now! I will miss her dearly! I feel it a special blessing to have been able to spend the last 3 weeks of her life serving her 24 hours a day. I felt that we created a special bond between the two of us...one stronger than just a mother/daughter bond. It is hard to explain!


Her funeral is open to anyone who wishes to attend. It will be Tuesday, June 1st at 11:00 in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; 910 Ridge Road, Littleton, CO. With a family greeting from 9:30-10:45.


A special thanks to my husband and children who so willingly let me stay and take care of my mother even though it was hard on them. I love you all so much!!!


Saturday, April 24, 2010

Prom Pictures - getting ready and being picked up!

Let's start with the hands...I painted them (free handed mind you!)
Here we are still adjusting her hair...
Adding flowers
Let's do some posing with the flowers we couldn't use!
Let's not forget the feet!
Finishing up.
Showing off the "mini train".




The traditional pinning on the boutonniere.
Placing of the corsage.
Showing off the corsage. (Julie you did a GREAT job!!!!!)
What a handsome couple!


Here is my favorite picture so far...
Posing in front of the car.
Getting in is always a trick, but she did it so gracefully!
Jeremy helped her settle in and then I had her pose!
Here they go!
Have FUN!!!

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Prom, Here We Come!

Hey everybody! So, my baby brother and I went on a week long band trip to Chicago over spring break and had a BLAST...but we drove overnight on the way home and I just couldn't sleep on the bus. As many of my friends and family members know, when I don't sleep...all I do the next day is cry. As I crossed the threshold to the home I had missed so dearly, I did just that in my mommy's arms.

Little did I know that my best friend, Jeremy Zelasko, had been up in my bedroom, seen me pull up to the house with suitcase in hand, and was currently making an escape out the back door. I was too sleepy and weepy to even be suspicious when I saw the Zelasko's car in the front yard. I didn't even question Jeremy's mom and sister following us as my mother guided me to my room for a much needed nap. As I opened my bedroom door, I had to rub my eyes to see if I was really tired enough to hallucinate a sea of pink balloons...all while Jeremy's mom and sister were flashing cameras at me and my reaction. (I haven't seen those pictures yet, I'm a bit worried) But here are the pictures my mommy and I took:
This one is a lovely photograph of me, crying(not exactly from joy, Sorry Jer) and my teary countenance is not to be misinterpreted as dismay either...you all know I just desperately needed a nap.


He even made me a GIRAFFE balloon!!!!!! Such talent! haha


After a luxurious, pleasurable, satisfying, and restorative nap, I popped all my balloons and collected all my treasures from the wreckage into a heap. The following is a photo of my pile, which I found to be an ineffably delightful assortment of chocolates and lyrics to songs about dancing and such, a few inside jokes, and a few notes from Jeremy's helpers as well.


I also discovered these allotments of evidence. They should read, ahem!: Jessica,-Will Smith (WILL)-Ewe(YOU)-Green Light(GO)-Number 2(TO)-PROM(duh)-with me*picture I took of Jeremy with a balloon in his shirt last summer*(Jeremy). For those of you who are a little slow, that reads: "Jessica, Will you go to prom with me/Jeremy?" For those of you who are EXCEEDINGLY slow, all this stuff means that Jeremy asked me prom:) Glad I'm not leaving anyone behind now. So, moving on!





A couple days passed (Jeremy may claim it was way more than a couple) in which I deliberately led the poor guy into a state of paranoia while he waited for my response. I was taking my time deciding the PERFECT way to say yes. Finally, I settled for this idea.

That's right. What you all behold is truly a plant in diapers. Of course, I knew any curious guy waiting for an answer to prom would look first inside the diaper!


Upon doing so, Jeremy will find this note to explain my intentions.


Yep, we had a blast asking and responding and I'm sure Prom this year will be a blast too! Stay tuned for more pictures when Prom finally rolls around later this month!

Love,

Jessica








Thursday, April 1, 2010