Filming Photos!

Here are some sneak peek photos from filming and editing our newest movie.  

Pretty much the best cast and crew I could ask for!  :-)

Birthday Catchup

In the midst of planning birthday parties and celebrations, I forgot to do a birthday post for Jamie and Michael!!!  I'm so sorry, but better late than never.  :-)

Jamie Nicole 

February 22, 2002

faithful penpal.  sweet little sister.  sweet sunny smile.  

We love you, Jamie!!!

 Michael Joseph

March 5, 2008

crazy one sided grin.  bare feet in the grass.  wonderful giggle.  

We love you little man!!!

Celebrating Love

We traditionally make a Valentine's dinner for our sweet mom and dad.  This year, with Erin in a culinary program, we were able to go a little more "gourmet" with our dinner.  On the menu?  Spinach with Baked Feta and Pecans, Parmesan Chicken, Green Beans, Cranberry Rice, Garlic and Rosemary Bread, and... for dessert, Red Velvet Cake with Chocolate and Strawberries.

Can anyone say delicious?

My precious sister, Erin and, just so you know, I still do a double take when I see myself in glasses. 

Our sprinkle helper

These two make any event fun.

The chef at work.

She showed up to serve. 

The love birds.

My little brother who is almost taller than I am now.

Making it beautiful.

And we finally got Emily in front of the camera!!!

They Danced Alone

A friend took this picture at a wedding we recently attended.  A couple celebrating 24 years of marriage helped a couple celebrate day one of their journey.

My mom and dad saw this picture and commented how old they are now.  That might be what they saw, but it wasn't what I saw.  In my mind, Mom looks even more beautiful now than she did when they got married.  And my dad looks even more handsome.

Because when I look at their early pictures, they weren't "mom and dad".  They were college kids who were "living on love".  They are still living on love, 24 years later, but they have faced life hand in hand, and they are more in love now than they were then,

Mom and dad, you see the wrinkles, but I see the eyes that have smiled at me for 20 years.  You see the grey hair, I see the love that has persevered with raising all eight of us.  You see what the world sees, but I see what God gave me.

If you were still 22, you wouldn't be my mom and dad.

 

Dear Summer

Dear Summer,

Families of squashes. 

Bare feet. 

Volleyballs.

Sweaty games of soccer.

Heat waves.

Swimming Pools.

Bowls of Ice Cream.

We miss all of these.  

Please come back soon!

Snowy Days

It's been rather cold lately!!!  And Michael's had to bundle up to go outside!!!

Michael, you are a great little brother!

My Love Letter

To the true loves in my life…

Rachel, for when you beat me terribly at soccer, for when you spin in circles and giggle, and for the long heart to heart walks down our road… I love you.

Erin, for the entertaining violin and cello duets, for the times you have chased chickens in the rain with me, and for the times you have cheered me with your unending good humor… I love you.

Emily, for the times you have tricked me to make me laugh or held me while I cried, for turning our bedroom into an art gallery of hedgehogs and penguins, and for just being there for me… I love you.

Ryan, for being the brother I prayed for, for encouraging me to run farther and try harder, and for demonstrating how to correctly throw a football… I love you.

Jamie, for helping me care more as you change from kid to young lady, for being my dance partner for the foxtrot, and for being a big sister to your younger siblings… I love you.

Sarah, for your adorable giggle when I tickle you, for running barefoot in the yard chasing chickens, and for your good attitude about life… I love you.

Michael, for your undying humor that makes me laugh, for your ability to try anything and land on your feet, and your uncanny knack for knowing when I need a hug… I love you.

Mommy, for being my confidant, best friend, and mom rolled into one, for showing me that motherhood is hard, but definitely worth it, and for showing me how to be more in love 24 years later, than the day you got married… I love you.

Daddy, for always being there when I have a question, for showing us how Christ loved His bride, and for setting the standard and raising the bar for what he will have to be to win my heart… I love you.

I love you all dearly.

Happy Valentines Day,

Jessica

I Was Born in the Wrong Century

I was born in the wrong century.  I had always suspected it, but never been quite sure.  Now I have proof.

I was doing some research for a book and was reading about the "Millennial" generation.  Technically this is my generation, but I find myself out of place!

Questions on tattoos, religious views, whether or not my parents were married, amount of texting, and my political views determined that I have a grand millennial score of 12.

Which makes me a Baby Boomer.

Exact Change

Guess what?  I think we're done filming!!!

Think being the critical word in that sentence.  :-)

 Now for editing and music!

Being Single!

What singleness does… 

 1. You can never start a statement with “I have something to tell you” because they’ll think you’re seeing someone.

2. If you are sharing exciting news you have to start with, “It’s not about a guy” which then makes the actual news less interesting because everyone wants to be in the know about your love life.

 

 3. If you hang out with someone of the the opposite sex more frequently people will start to ask “What’s going on?”

4. You can’t post anything love related without people wondering if you’re talking about “someone” specific.

5. You can’t ask if you can bring a friend without people wondering if you want them to meet a “friend”.
6. I bet you are now wondering if I am thinking about all of this because there’s a special someone in my life. Thus proving my point.

Dear Sarah,

 

Dear Sarah, 

You are the sunshine of our house.  Your sweet smile, adorable dimples, blue eyes, and charming giggle are the joy of my life, and I love you so much!!! 

You came into our home and lives 10 years ago today.  Happy Birthday, little sister!

Love, 

Your Big Sister, Jessica!

Happy Christmas Smiles

We had a wonderful Christmas morning (and day) together as a family.  A relaxing day of burning a fire (all day long!!!), eating everyone's delicious dishes, and spending time with our best friends (who also double as siblings!)

We did siblings gifts this year, one gift for each sibling from everyone.  Did that make any sense?  It's hard to explain!!!  :-)

But it made each gift even more meaningful!

The "bow wow" cup!  

Ryan gifted me a scarf, and I did the same for Sarah!

She is SO cute!

Thanksgiving Thursday!

On Thanksgiving Day, we had so much company it was unbelievable.  

 

The King of Spain visited. 

And Priscilla Mullins

And a turkey (which kept bumping into me and smiling)

And this sweet pumpkin came to spend the day.  (we didn't serve pumpkin pie!)

This was a very nice pilgrim couple who came and helped serve the meal.

And these two Indians were twins.  Isn't that amazing?