Photo of the Week - December 19, 2010

I came home from work on Wednesday to a surprise in my living room. A piano! Kudos to Jeff for pulling off a fantastic surprise. I am very much enjoying my gift. Mom and Dad, you were right...I should have practiced more!

Jada


"When you play music you discover a part of yourself that you never knew existed." ~ Bill Evans

Photo of the Week - December 12, 2010

Lauren = College Graduate. Jeff = Proud Dad. Three cheers for Lauren.

Jada

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own.
And you know what you know. You are the guy (gal) who'll decide where to go.” Dr. Seuss

Photo of the Week - December 5, 2010

Jeff and I were all smiles on our 'date night' on Saturday.



Love is a flower which turns into fruit at marriage. ~Finnish Proverb

Photo of the Week - Thanksgiving, 2010

Oh, how I am thankful. The family and the feast are just to start the list. Yes, we did have a turkey and a tofukey this year! Enjoy the photos!

Jada









For flowers that bloom about our feet;
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird, and hum of bee;
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Photo of the Week - November 21, 2010

Friends,

Again this year, Jeff and I volunteered at our Church's 'Thanksgiving Meal'. We partnered with Maranatha Fellowship Center, a chruch on the South Side of Peoria, to host Thanksgiving for 300 people in the neighborhood. I snapped a few photos, but story is best told by the news coverage that was on-site. Although I do enjoy the photo showing the work of the balloon artist we had attending!

http://centralillinoisproud.com/fulltext?nxd_id=148966&watch=1

Jeff and I came home from the event tired yet excited by the experience and filled with hope for the future of the Adopt-A-Block ministry.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Jada



Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action. ~W.J. Cameron

Photo of the Week - November 14, 2010

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Zack Palmquist! Jeff and I had the pleasure of seeing our friends Zack and Sarah get married on Saturday. The ceremony was meaningful and the reception was lovely. My favorite moment of the day was catching Sarah just before the reception with some very special guests. This week's photos show the bride with young girls from our church that she had mentored and guided in recent years. It was magical to see the bright eyes of these girls as they screamed, giggled and rejoiced with their dear friend. It was as if for a moment the girls were living in their very own fairy tale complete with a princess who married the prince. Priceless moments.

Jada

Beauty is a radiance that originates from within and comes from inner security and strong character.
-- Jane Seymour

Just today I returned from a trip to Orlando, Florida. It was a fabulous trip, but I always find it nice to be home. I attended the Society of Women Engineers 2010 Conference. This is my fifth year partipating for Caterpillar, and each year I come away from the experience with new insights and motivation. On Friday night of the conference, the Society holds an Awards Banquet. It is, as a friend described, the Oscars of Women Engineers. This year I had the chance to chat with an award winner, Alma Kuppinger Foreman. Alma was one of the founding members of the Society 60 years ago. I had a delightful conversation with Alma, and learned that in her retirement she is volunteering in pre-schools.

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/swe/conference2010/#/138

Cheers, Jada

We still have work to do, you know. I haven't seen any children's books talk about women engineers or women scientists.
- Alma Kuppinger Foreman.

Photo of the Week - October 31, 2010

No, this week's photo is not a picture of Jeff and me heading to a costume party as a 'Fighting Illini' and an 'Ever grateful, ever true Boilermaker.' We went to see U of I vs Purdue in Champaign at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Jeff was keen to have me post the details of the game. I, however, am electing to showcase photos of the Boilermaker Band at the pre-game show!

Boiler Up!

Jada

Hail, Hail To Old Purdue!
All Hail To Our Old Gold And Black!
Hail, Hail To Old Purdue!
Our Friendship May She Never Lack.
Ever Grateful, Ever True,
Thus We Raise Our Song Anew;
Of The Days We've Spent With You,
All Hail Our Own Purdue!
- Purdue Fight Song

Photo of the Week - October 24, 2010

Friends and Family,

I was Bluffton bound on Friday afternoon. My goal this weekend was to give some TLC to my parents, especially my Mom after her knee replacement surgery a few weeks ago. Much to my surprise and joy, she was up walking and faithfully doing her exercises. She is well on the road to recovery...so much so that she was up for getting out of the house to go out to eat. We went to a Sunday brunch favorite, The Snug. Where good food and good friends come together!

May you enjoy both good food and good friends in the week ahead!

Jada


No I cannot forget where it is that I come from
I cannot forget the people who love me
Yeah, I can be myself here in this small town
And people let me be just what I want to be
- from Small Town by John Mellencamp

Photo of the Week - October 17, 2010

Friends,

Not sure this week's photos need much explaining. Jordan was home on fall break. He brought his friend In-Bum home with him from school. In-Bum is from South Korea and hadn't carved a pumpkin. We couldn't let fall break pass without a few new experiences!

Happy Fall!

Jada

Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch that he thinks is the most sincere. He's gotta pick this one. He's got to. I don't see how a pumpkin patch can be more sincere than this one. You can look around and there's not a sign of hypocrisy. Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see. - Linus

Friends,

How I love fall! Oh my, what beautiful weather we have been blessed with in Central Illinois this past week. And what a lovely day it was on Saturday to get married. Friends Gabe & Brittany tied the not with a lovely and meaningful ceremony followed by a fun reception. Congrats to the lovely couple!


In all of the wedding cake, hope is the sweetest of plums.
- Douglas Jerrold

Photo of the Week - October 3, 2010

Friends and Family,

Knowing me, you might think these pictures are taken of me leading an aerobics class. Guess again! I have started leading the kids music time at church. Rest easy, the microphone is turned off while I'm singing. I lead the kids in hand motions and encourage them to sing along. Jeff snapped these photos of me today as we were 'hanging out' with the K-3rd graders. What a hoot!

Enjoy the music around you this week.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Photo of the Week - September 27, 2010

Late September means one thing for the folks in Bluffton, Indiana...Street Fair! Jeff and I drove home to Bluffton on Friday night to be ready for a dose of fun at the 100th Street Fair. We walked the midway, connected with old friends, and had our share of fair food. On Saturday night we met up with friends from high school and their children. This weeks photos shows a sweet moment I captured of my friends' children. These boys not only understand the fair spirit of friendship and food, but also the important lessons of sharing. I also must add that these two boys had only met once before two years ago. Enjoy.

Jada

C.S. Lewis, author
"Nothing that you have not given away will ever truly be yours."

Photo of the Week - September 19, 2010

Friends and family,

It was a busy week of recruiting in West Lafayette last week. We took a quick break on Wednesday afternoon to visit Discount Den to get one of their famous Den Pops. Way too much soda for one serving and terribly environmentally unfriendly with the styrofoam container, but it is still a Purdue classic.

After returning home to Peoria, I had a fun filled weekend with the family. We spent Sunday afternoon and evening celebrating Uncle Mel's 90th Birthday. What a fun reason to celebrate! And his 102 yr old cousin came to the party too!

Enjoy!
Jada

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. ~Mark Twain

Photo of the Week - September 12, 2010

Friends,

Yet again this harvest, I find myself trekking East to Indiana. This weekend I visited three Universities...U of I with Jeff for a football game, Purdue for recruiting, and Wabash to visit Jordan. I love the drive especially during this time of year. Bright days with the promise of fall. It was a special weekend with sweet moments from each stop on my journey.

Enjoy the journey.

Jada




Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.
Robert Louis Stevenson

Photo of the Week - Sept 5, 2010

Ahhh, Long weekend, how I love thee! Full of cook-outs, eating out, work outs and hanging out. All of this fun, and the only photo I have to show for my weekend is Jeff toiling away on Labor Day to paint the entrance to the house. It looks lovely and clean.

And we did move an organ into the house...I'm sure it will somehow manifest itself into an upcoming update. Stay tuned!

Jada

God give me work, till my life shall end
And life, till my work is done.
~Epitaph of Winifred Holtby

Photo of the Week - August 29, 2010

Friends and Family,

Dad turns 70 this week. We had a fun celebration with him this weekend in Peoria. He is twice my age...now if I could only be half as wise. Love you, Dad.


“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.” Abraham Lincoln

Photo of the Week - August 22, 2010

Friends and Family,

Two thumbs up from John and Dot! Jordan and I had some cooking lessons this weekend and we invited "Grandma & Grandpa" for dinner. We tested the ice cream maker...The results were more shake like, but still yummy. It was a fun family dinner full of stories and laughter.

May you enjoy some stories and laughter this week.

Jada


"I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream."

Photo of the Week - August 16, 2010

Friends and Family,

Jeff, Lauren, Ethan and I headed off to Pittsburgh last week on a college visit. I was charmed by the city's bridges and night scape views. Enjoy the photos!

Jada


I would always reserve a special place in my heart for Pittsburgh.
Willie Stargell

Photo of the Week - August 8, 2010

Painting a room, mulching a flower bed, laying tile...could this be fun? Jeff and I teamed up with some of our friends to help complete a home makeover. We were chipping in and having fun while helping some friends preparing for the arrival of their adopted son in a few months. Housework is much more enjoyable when done with friends! I was cleaning a light fixture in my photo (notice the nicely painted yellow wall in the background!). Jeff was painting a ceiling in his photo (notice the lovely pink shower cap on Jeff!).

Have a great week. May we all find some fun in the routine tasks!

Jada

It's all in the attitude - housework is exercise. Slim your way to a clean home! ~Linda Solegato

Photo of the Week - Aug 1, 2010

Super Heroes to the rescue!

Jeff and I started our acting debut as a married couple today. We were cast as Water Woman and Pizza Man for the church's children ministry. It is a month long theme in which the kids learn that Heroes do the unexpected! Water woman is a sweet but "drippy" hero. Holy Pepperoni, Pizza Man is always in a hurry to make deliveries on time! We were laughing at ourselves as we took center stage. You will likely join us in laughter when you see this photo!

Enjoy! Jada

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Christopher Reeve

Photo of the Week - July 25, 2010

Friends and Family,

It was a hot and steamy Saturday. However, I was thrilled to be out in the sun with friends and Jeff at a volunteer project with a multi-church event. Our church partnered with three other churches. We installed a new landscape for Manual High School in Peoria. This was the first time since our wedding that Jeff and I have called a time out and served in the community, and we were very blessed. See some of the handy work...Jeff did the design and donated the materials. I did my best with a shovel.

Check us out on line too:

http://centralillinoisproud.com/fulltext?nxd_id=128485&watch=1


http://www.centralillinoisnewscenter.com/news/local/Helping-Hands-Reach-Across-Peoria-99175679.html


In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' Acts 20:35

Photo of the Week - July 18, 2010

Friends and Family,

Take me out to the Ball Game! It was family night at the Peoria Chiefs game for the Hoerr Nursery employees. Barbecue dinner, lawn seats, and a clear July evening made for some All-American fun. I got my picture taken with Sunny Bear...who isn't the mascot, but a fun game attraction none the less.

Enjoy!

Jada

A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz. ~Humphrey Bogart

Ok, Ok, not exactly the best quote coming from a vegetarian, but I trust that you get my jist!

Photo of the Week - July 11, 2010

Friends,

I am going on 15 days of married life now and I am convinced that it is a spectacular institution. In the midst of merging two home, opening gifts, and submitting paperwork for a name change, we took a time out. On Saturday we headed up to the top of the Peoria Heights Water Tower with Jared and Jordan. We enjoyed looking out over all of Peoria and Peoria Heights. It was a gorgeous day...both in beauty and experience.



The American city should be a collection of communities where every member has a right to belong. It should be a place where every man feels safe on his streets and in the house of his friends. It should be a place where each individual’s dignity and self-respect is strengthened by the respect and affection of his neighbors. It should be a place where each of us can find the satisfaction and warmth which comes from being a member of the community of man. This is what man sought at the dawn of civilization. It is what we seek today.
Lyndon B. Johnson