daddy

How do I sufficiently tell my dad on one day how much I love him? There is something about a daddy-daughter bond that can't be described. I'll always feel so connected to him. Maybe its because he was my stay at home mommy while I grew up, or we would go kayaking, camping, fishing, hiking, backpacking, and do everything together. Or maybe its because we would sing primary songs while driving in the big blue bus, go to Weinerschnitzel every week after my dance class, or that I was the only child for 4 years. Or that there is just a special daddy-daughter connection that we are lucky enough to have. I love him. What else can I say? Nothing captures the love I have for him enough. But I'll try and share some other memories that are special to me.

When I am sick, dad becomes very protective. He will sit with me for hours to comfort me as I'm throwing up or curled in a ball because of the pain. He is also very willing to give me a father's blessing.

Dad is the most supportive dad I know. He is at everything! You can never question how much he supports his kids, for we know our parents love and support us.

He always tries to teach us how to keep a balanced life. Now that I'm older this has been very beneficial to me. I remember things dad taught me about keeping my life in order and balanced.

Side by side in the closet. 'Nuf said :)

Facebook. "Er what's this box?!"

There's no upside....

Anyways. I love him. I could go on for days. But I just want him to know I love him, and am proud of who he is. He has been through a lot, but I am grateful he has been a fighter and shows everyone around him a great example.

I love you Dad. Happy Father's Day!

Princess Festival

One of my most favorite things ever is being a part of the Princess Festival. Basically all week long we do an interactive show with princesses for little girls for a charity that supports a city in Kenya, Africa. Pretty Awesome! And what else does Jessica need in life? Performing, little girls, being a princess, and helping people!!! Ya its the best :) So here are some of my favorite pics...Throughout the week I was Sleeping Beauty, an Evil Step-sister, and the Blue Fairy (from Pinocchio) who was the tour guide.

*Still waiting for the pics from my dad of me as sleeping beauty and the pics of Adam and I together. That was the other cool part of this whole experience, Adam did it with me!! Yay for sibling bonding! He was the best Peter Pan EVER!!! For those of you who haven't seen Adam in a while, he is growing up. I really love that I've had the chance to spend more time with him.

life

Time seems to pass with more speed as the days go on. I find that having 5 minutes to think by myself is a blessing. I love jam-packing my schedule with lots of good things, but sometimes I want just 1 day to have to catch up on everything and to have for myself. But I doubt that will happen.

I'm sort of on edge and stressed right now. One of the boys I take care of, Thad, only has a few days left in this life. More than likely I will be there when he passes away. There could never be enough words to describe all my feelings about this. Every moment I fear that it might be his last breath. Life is so precious. He has always been so close to the veil. I just hate seeing him fight for every breathe and be in pain. He has stopped eating and drinking and won't take most of his meds. How can I not feel guilty when he passes away? If I'm there I know I will worry I didn't do something right. I worry for his sisters. They are struggling.

Where do I fit? How do I help this experience be a little smoother and how do I provide comfort?

I'm just so grateful and still very stunned that I get to have the opportunity to take care of him in his last days. What an angel. So scary that he could be gone when I go into work early tomorrow morning. I worry that I won't be of enough help to his sisters once it happens.

But all the worry in the world won't help the situation. I just keep a constant prayer in my heart that by the guidance of the spirit I will know what to do.

It reminds me that everyone's life is fragile and I need to let those people I care about know I love them. So if you're reading this....I love you. Honest. Thank you for all that you help me with each and every day.

Special Olympics!!

The Results are in:

Jade (Tennis Ball Throw)-2nd place
He focused so hard and threw so well! I was his one-on-one coach and loved every minute of it!

Ryan (Wheelchair Race)-3rd place
I got to time his race, and so he saw me cheering the whole time! He was adorable & so excited!

Rob (Wheelchair Race)-4th
So sad! His wheel caught on to this rubber stuff on the track and he got stuck. But he kept a huge smile on his face and I couldn't have been more proud of his great attitude.

Davy (Tennis Ball Throw)-1st place
So Davy is blind and deaf, and he also happened to have allergies the day of Olympics and so the nurses gave him a lot of meds. He was completely out of it!!!! It was so hilarious! I spent 20 minutes shaking him and patting his face, and he wouldn't budge. So I wheel him up to the place he is supposed to throw and I set the ball in his hand, and it was like a catapult with me pushing it. Everyone was laughing because he wouldn't wake up, and he ended up getting 1st :) It was so funny! He loved playing with his medal after!

O boy!! Special Olympics were the best!! I got to be an official coach, and everything :) It was awesome to see my boys get so excited, and do their best. I felt so proud.

Something else that was just simply amazing was that, my mom and dad came to support them! THEY LOVED THAT!!! Now keep in mind it was a bazillion degrees, and my mom was dying, but she didn't complain and she stayed the whole time. I was so happy and grateful they supported the guys.

p.s. Rob and my dad are pretty much BFF's now, and it is adorable :)

something much bigger than me

I love the moments in life when you feel connected to something so much bigger.

Ah, Family. :)
I had the amazing chance to put on a dress of my grandma's mother's dress. So its my great-grandmother's dress that she wore to my grandma's wedding. Gorgeous. Seriously. Great-grandma had this dress custom made for her and she was very short...I hear she was like 5'0"....so you can already tell that odds were against this dress fitting me.

I have never worn a dress that fit more perfectly. Ever. As soon as I zipped it up tears were flowing down my cheeks. I felt like I was a part of something. I could feel my great gramma's spirit all around me.

It was just awesome! My gramma Patti gave the dress to me, and said gramma and grandpa Epperson were dancing because I fit in the dress! :) It was so generous.

I just love feeling like I am a part of something important. Somehow I feel connected to the past through this dress. I love that.

I wonder if there will be anything of mine that my great-granddaughters will cherish...what a weird thing to think about!

Well, I love my family. A lot. I am so grateful I could be a member of our awesome Family Tree, I feel pretty lucky :)

angels

So I am new to this blogging business.
I get confused on what I'm supposed
to write, but then I feel left out that
I'm not a part of the craze.

I can't compete with my creative
cousin, who is also super adorable, but
I will be me :)

I went swimming with the people I take care of, lets say Sam and Stu. Its amazing how much attention two sweet

kids can get from the whole rec center. Eyes were staring. Completley fixed on them. Did they think we didn't notice?
Everytime we exchanged words or moved,
the whole room was
fixed
on Sam, Stu,
and me.

Some talents lie in baking, or cleaning, others in singing.
I wish more were able to see people for the way they
are. The way our Father sees each of us.

Able to love, and accept.
Love everyone, even if
they hunch over when walking,
or can't even move.
Even if they are making
weird grunts, or
can't control their movement.
If they can't communicate
the way we "normal" people do.
They should be loved and accepted even more then "the normal joe" you pass on the street.
There is a light and spirit stronger in each one of them that we could only hope to have one day.

I'm kinda passionate about this :)

Anyways,
I'm grateful that Sam and Stu
don't judge those that stare,
make mean comments,
or don't understand.
They automatically love and accept Everyone.

I'm grateful Ryan, Jade, David, Rob, Sam, and Stu are all a huge part of my life.

If you want an instant smile Or you need a reminder of how lucky You are Just tell me, Come visit any one of them, and you won't regret it.
I have the 2 best jobs in the world.