tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24992551532218747702024-03-12T19:34:13.150-05:00Choosing Joy"Do not be grieved for the Joy of the Lord is my strength." Nehemiah 8:10Jenna Buettemeyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12342843089585972374noreply@blogger.comBlogger99513tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2499255153221874770.post-55288556621932108702021-09-30T12:42:00.002-05:002021-09-30T12:46:10.691-05:00A Month Gone. <p><span style="font-family: arial;">One month. On Sept. 21 it was a month. It feels like both an eternity and the blink of any eye at the same time. Time feels extremely weird to me right now. I almost feel like I am walking in a constant haze, or in someone else's life. I am doing all of my same things, being a mom, wife, shuttling the kids to all the things, cleaning and making all the lunches... but there is a pit in my stomach that doesn't go away. I go up to the cemetery at least once a week and sit by Adam's grave and journal or read my bible. It's actually been super therapeutic for me... but it really still doesn't feel real. I've reached a point where there is so much internal conflict about how I feel. Some days I am totally normal/fine, but then something happens, someone says something or I see something and it's like the huge wave taking me under water all over again. There are certain things I will never look at or thing of the same thing again. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbwDWTPVKD3-T_d2bTyKHtWEh1I2RVDhe4RgEdRooQGpM6BUWsLSC16b466TeRt80k8YE3sCQ2i7hYZ7CB2ejHFGpf9EV7YzuugzvLf7n63lV59k4Iii6M4c9NbdPQaHAOeFFMbl6L38/s2048/PicTapGo-2021-09-22-120500.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbwDWTPVKD3-T_d2bTyKHtWEh1I2RVDhe4RgEdRooQGpM6BUWsLSC16b466TeRt80k8YE3sCQ2i7hYZ7CB2ejHFGpf9EV7YzuugzvLf7n63lV59k4Iii6M4c9NbdPQaHAOeFFMbl6L38/w640-h640/PicTapGo-2021-09-22-120500.JPEG" width="640" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We walked in Adam's honor in the Out of the Darkness walk for the <a href="https://supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.personalCampaign&participantID=2449352" target="_blank">American Foundation for Suicide Prevention</a> last Sunday. It was amazing to see how much support our family had, but also devastating at the same time. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNE3pjjFeTRqq-vMsIO7vvwcsvEAYUkiKj3XG88xAVxzi7SJwk73LEJZKY4-pF1L3uGC8VLmPFqe8xnWdv1TzWRdC1yqLd0llDJTJvhy5ejZvltDLbNN-NvPC46hwdjabyh-07DeArTBo/s1440/602FA261-0D9D-4CFA-9FD7-A581531AC4E4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNE3pjjFeTRqq-vMsIO7vvwcsvEAYUkiKj3XG88xAVxzi7SJwk73LEJZKY4-pF1L3uGC8VLmPFqe8xnWdv1TzWRdC1yqLd0llDJTJvhy5ejZvltDLbNN-NvPC46hwdjabyh-07DeArTBo/w640-h640/602FA261-0D9D-4CFA-9FD7-A581531AC4E4.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">We are so thankful for so many friends supporting our family and helping us raise awareness for a cause that’s so important. </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It’s not getting easier. Not a moment goes by that I don’t think about him and miss him. We are forever changed and I will do everything in my power to make sure his story keeps being told. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); clear: both; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHC0WY1enpACWiawbTNbOnDJ7K6Wm1YLTpJbDg_a5PTCqat3pV6j3bkYogzHgkSIliLg1oeZgc5t5TFciuu94NLcCqwnOfqERokaIfvgX4ti2KbUDPnnnMVrOEnJPCF_6pSaJu-x9RYE/s2048/PicTapGo-2021-09-26-164409.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHC0WY1enpACWiawbTNbOnDJ7K6Wm1YLTpJbDg_a5PTCqat3pV6j3bkYogzHgkSIliLg1oeZgc5t5TFciuu94NLcCqwnOfqERokaIfvgX4ti2KbUDPnnnMVrOEnJPCF_6pSaJu-x9RYE/w640-h640/PicTapGo-2021-09-26-164409.JPEG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We finally told Sawyer last weekend, he's really still too young to comprehend it... but he has said some of the sweetest things. He told us he really wished that Jesus had a house here for Uncle Adam. It just breaks my heart seeing my kids hurt. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); clear: both; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZJKz3GuU4rGTs7pw46-EUrtNkJBHDnCawGt3o8rVWb6c_BF2n5jBCGnOMCGH2MDiQld5pibBQwm2dmq8LuwjRtffkdtdooklwnKwzp1cZ-Tc66Qc3dVNE-c1utd8RPN7F0hMegC_m3k/s2048/PicTapGo-2021-09-27-162023.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZJKz3GuU4rGTs7pw46-EUrtNkJBHDnCawGt3o8rVWb6c_BF2n5jBCGnOMCGH2MDiQld5pibBQwm2dmq8LuwjRtffkdtdooklwnKwzp1cZ-Tc66Qc3dVNE-c1utd8RPN7F0hMegC_m3k/w640-h640/PicTapGo-2021-09-27-162023.JPEG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I drove by the house we grew up in today. I don't know why other than it was on my way. The memories started flashing back through my mind again. Good memories, bad memories... just memories. Memories that I'll hold close forever because now they're just mine. I was asked for the first time last week if I had any </span></span><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">siblings. It hit me that for the rest of my life this is my reality. I answered, "I have a brother, but he has passed away." Thankfully this person just said they were so sorry and didn't ask a lot more questions... but that's just it, that is my reality now. </span></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don't like it. I don't want it to be my story or Adam's story. It's just not supposed to be this way but I cling to Gen. 50:20 - and I love the NKJV- "</span></span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">But as for you, you meant evil against me; </span><i style="font-size: 16px;">but</i><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as </span><i style="font-size: 16px;">it is</i><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> THIS DAY, to save many people alive." Genesis 50:20</span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial">God knew this would be the story and the journey we'd walk long before I did and that it would bring me to THIS day... and that He means It all for good. I'll cling to that, because nothing else makes it any better. I miss Adam every moment of every day. I'm adapting to the new reality the best I </span></span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial">can... but life will never be the same. </span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Arial"><br /></span></div></div><blockquote cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@jennachoosingjoy/video/7010454659794078981" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="7010454659794078981" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jennachoosingjoy" target="_blank" title="@jennachoosingjoy">@jennachoosingjoy</a> <p>This is a little different mash up with some closer up videos… and my reminder for you to take the videos & pics. 💜 <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp" target="_blank" title="fyp">##fyp</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tiktok" target="_blank" title="tiktok">##tiktok</a></p> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/memories-6766090434260240385" target="_blank" title="♬ memories - Maroon 5">♬ memories - Maroon 5</a> </section> </blockquote> <script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>Jenna Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17237169711003892349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2499255153221874770.post-82627512767206674532021-08-30T14:17:00.003-05:002021-08-30T14:30:22.227-05:00The Worst Day of My Life.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbraLoqt-54reSmg_Wfr9PhY8ZMHyP5YmVS5NU3UBDPpS5ta0cZk51ID0s7hqTln1fwnvCA5OuuaSED3c9SoN0OXbgiVZB6jOnWF-vNHS_QMdVILEM2EqQoOFewhBV3uq_ED15A1olpo/s2048/RHY_3306+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbraLoqt-54reSmg_Wfr9PhY8ZMHyP5YmVS5NU3UBDPpS5ta0cZk51ID0s7hqTln1fwnvCA5OuuaSED3c9SoN0OXbgiVZB6jOnWF-vNHS_QMdVILEM2EqQoOFewhBV3uq_ED15A1olpo/w640-h426/RHY_3306+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How do you write about the worst day of your life? I'm not sure and yet here we are. I've had this post started with the curser blinking in the big white box for several days just waiting for me to share my thoughts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On May 25, 1990, I was 3 1/2 and my grandparents took me to Shoney's. It was my favorite restaurant and it was raining. That's all that I remember about that day, but it's also the day my brother came into the world. Since then I don't know of life without him, until now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My brother suffered with a lot of different ailments since his late teen years that he tried so hard to overcome. He had severe depression and had moved back in with my parents last year so they could try to help him get some relief. My parents did everything and took him to every appointment - even driving several times to Mayo Clinic to try to get answers and treatment for him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On August 21, 2021, the world as I know it took a tragic turn. Adam took his own life. Some things had transpired that day that gave us all a bad gut feeling, but Bryan took the kids and I out to the park to have a picnic that night to try to keep my mind from racing. While we were there our phones had spotty service and Bryan looked at his phone to see he had two missed phone calls from my dad. And that's where I feel like my world stopped. I didn't need to hear the words my dad said when Bryan called him back, I already knew in my heart. I don't remember a lot but I know I ended up on the ground in the parking lot at the park and Bryan had to physically put me in the car. That's a feeling of shock and immediate grief I wouldn't wish on anyone. That feeling hasn't left me yet. I feel like half of my heart was taken away that day. God placed our friends who were our very first phone call to help with the kids within a mile of us - all of us 20 miles from our homes and they were able to meet us within minutes to get the kids. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have lots of feelings and emotions about all of this, my horizons with mental health have been broadened so much through his journey, but I will save that for another day. It's too soon. God's hand was absolutely on that day, and while the tragic ending was not what any of us wanted, I know now that my brother is whole and at peace, something he tried so hard to find here on Earth. We had to break the news to Hudson and Rhett that night, and it was one of the hardest, if not the hardest, things I have ever had to do as parent. They slept with us in our room for several days and we spend a lot of time crying, remembering and trying to process everything. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We've spent the last week with my parents and my brother's long term girlfriend. We buried Adam on Friday. That was the second worst day of my life. His plot is right by Janet's and that brings us comfort but also reminds us so much of the brokenness here on Earth. I'll share more pictures soon, maybe. I've posted several on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/jennachoosingjoy" target="_blank">my Instagram</a> so feel free to check it out over there. I don't know when I'll write again, but I wanted to write and share his story because I feel like it is important. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm going to include his Obituary below with a link for donations to the Arkansas Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Adam was so loved. He was hilarious and he loved big. He was special and brilliant and there will never be another person like him. He will be missed every day for the rest of my life. I was his big sister for 31 years, and that will never stop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSKOtkQe46FmE6Y1maJ9cHb35ZTj9c9IwgjkYWvks5_46DFcA6uO_Kei1zlvJXicLp7SY1DTfWUFiuhQ9cELUz5Bn-byDAP_ARbVXTeMbzDEMbNt2FZveszzPJz1ob2toLo8HYpS5o1k/s1385/240785650_10100637284768833_91196634973560449_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1385" data-original-width="1039" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSKOtkQe46FmE6Y1maJ9cHb35ZTj9c9IwgjkYWvks5_46DFcA6uO_Kei1zlvJXicLp7SY1DTfWUFiuhQ9cELUz5Bn-byDAP_ARbVXTeMbzDEMbNt2FZveszzPJz1ob2toLo8HYpS5o1k/w300-h400/240785650_10100637284768833_91196634973560449_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">Adam Charles Kerby</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Adam Charles Kerby (31) departed this life on Saturday, August 21, 2021, in Bella Vista, Arkansas. He was born to parents Chuck and Mary Kerby on May 25, 1990, in Fayetteville, AR. He grew up in Bentonville and graduated from Bentonville High School in 2008. Adam attended Missouri State University and the University of Arkansas studying computer engineering. He was employed by Halliburton Energy Services in Tulsa, Oklahoma as a software developer. He made his life’s work from his love and knowledge of technology; he had an unmatched quick wit and sense of humor. He loved spending his spare time building computers and sharing that passion with others. </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Adam was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Joe Kerby of Kirksville, Missouri, and maternal grandmother, Kathleen Stephens, of Bella Vista, Arkansas. </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Adam is survived by his parents, Chuck and Mary Kerby of Bella Vista, Arkansas; sister, Jenna Buettemeyer, her husband, Bryan, nephews Hudson, Rhett and Sawyer Buettemeyer, and niece Remi Buettemeyer all of Bentonville; paternal grandmother, Jeda Kerby of Kirksville, Missouri; maternal grandfather, Robert Stephens, of Bella Vista, Arkansas and his longtime girlfriend, Ashlie Worm of Jane, Missouri, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who loved him very much. </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">There will be a private grave side service for immediate family, with a celebration of Adam’s life planned at a later date. </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made in Adam’s name to the<a href="https://supporting.afsp.org/campaign/AdamKerby" target="_blank"> Arkansas Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.</a></div></div></div><p><br /></p>Jenna Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17237169711003892349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2499255153221874770.post-43395056144607623542021-08-20T10:56:00.002-05:002021-08-20T10:59:55.001-05:00Remi Joy turns 3!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4xG_4g0bhFKo9A4WXPotSqDXJZvE3P5IyeDwmhsYxny9dGIIhGNVaX7LqXh2pWxUXwyTF8h4OQrTk3myqL78qNuVufmNxugP2Jr2xDkEIfdG9aOAxKspyWlAhyTeRNmCqboqICkkO0w/s2048/IMG_4833.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4xG_4g0bhFKo9A4WXPotSqDXJZvE3P5IyeDwmhsYxny9dGIIhGNVaX7LqXh2pWxUXwyTF8h4OQrTk3myqL78qNuVufmNxugP2Jr2xDkEIfdG9aOAxKspyWlAhyTeRNmCqboqICkkO0w/w640-h640/IMG_4833.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Remi turned 3 in the middle of July. She is absolutely the best gift we never saw coming. She has fit in and completed our family in a perfect way that only God could do. She is smart, fun, helpful, strong willed, silly and has a huge heart. She always wants to be wherever I am. She loves everything PINK and Unicorns. She's 100% girl but can hold her own with her brothers NO problem. Sawyer is her best friend, they're only 18 months apart and have the sweetest relationship. She is a big fan of her biggest brothers and her daddy too... I think they like her too. ;) She is an absolute joy and I am so blessed that I get to be her Mama. </p><p>We originally scheduled her BIG birthday party for the Saturday following her birthday at the lake, but it was supposed to storm and we were exhausted from VBS week so we postponed it. That ended up being a huge blessing in disguise because a few days later is when I came down with Covid19 and I am so glad we didn't expose the whole world. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOnaD9vwojEg0SEA_CoTloufMVeRw7Xmki9rItGm7ZsiC4rGSivpJzNaePv57N15RSwPOVsex3XGBY2Bic0sNFtqbESBKkNYwUdIqXFC4yzjVny7EpYgxoUyizoB6ieRdKzf7vW06FVA/s2048/C863A1D8-534A-4310-A4D1-9CA79161EE09.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOnaD9vwojEg0SEA_CoTloufMVeRw7Xmki9rItGm7ZsiC4rGSivpJzNaePv57N15RSwPOVsex3XGBY2Bic0sNFtqbESBKkNYwUdIqXFC4yzjVny7EpYgxoUyizoB6ieRdKzf7vW06FVA/w640-h640/C863A1D8-534A-4310-A4D1-9CA79161EE09.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrj5C-C7tsXzAAsxDHATpibir4ISHHKe-95pcxpLSflCoGp2WdVaSbSYse9WyBjWa0EftNXfZuOsVxHqtmg3dvG4ZnqEI0lxxdgkUSudF6kANVxc9CiKInuhYeESva-ZoTzeunhhp1v4/s2048/IMG_4797.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrj5C-C7tsXzAAsxDHATpibir4ISHHKe-95pcxpLSflCoGp2WdVaSbSYse9WyBjWa0EftNXfZuOsVxHqtmg3dvG4ZnqEI0lxxdgkUSudF6kANVxc9CiKInuhYeESva-ZoTzeunhhp1v4/w640-h640/IMG_4797.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9UsOoCh9F5S-3R8CEibxrk-vgg7NwTunUShJj6zQqcaMnYwjeNyi507yQ2VViyMVHavf2DizxOpZ0yu6bfBCmu1KjkqNBZU2dPoVwmWie-z81OMS2DkYU69vP3ZGd28soZM2lK4biok/s2048/IMG_4813.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9UsOoCh9F5S-3R8CEibxrk-vgg7NwTunUShJj6zQqcaMnYwjeNyi507yQ2VViyMVHavf2DizxOpZ0yu6bfBCmu1KjkqNBZU2dPoVwmWie-z81OMS2DkYU69vP3ZGd28soZM2lK4biok/w640-h480/IMG_4813.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsmU5Ex7YwUBZCtIRDtndOhvGSRQT3gzLWF2qHbjYSfp9zKnaDctdJj_4_GRS6Rz3kVUQbnMXRdGHnT7vcMzBleoiGJMKqXx7SMx3KO107YOLrF6u3ohM9rfDNS5BR8Lz0o91eEYRLEU/s2048/IMG_4824.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsmU5Ex7YwUBZCtIRDtndOhvGSRQT3gzLWF2qHbjYSfp9zKnaDctdJj_4_GRS6Rz3kVUQbnMXRdGHnT7vcMzBleoiGJMKqXx7SMx3KO107YOLrF6u3ohM9rfDNS5BR8Lz0o91eEYRLEU/w640-h640/IMG_4824.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>All that to say, we celebrated last weekend with just my parents at the lake, since there has been such a huge increase in cases and the delta variant is still affecting vaccinated people we decided to keep it small this year. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQc5HLlHSHeh33t9lB2Q2QHo1xCItuDzeQXys1JjQLMqfA2ZJGeC0TlsYrFZFLm8nCAmTPL1IpX5rxtW8t85EWHgfkmbGbN_mmE5VKyaLHhmkrvVPwGSwG3yUD8x2mMuOKwjHvwL6QXns/s2048/IMG_5254.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQc5HLlHSHeh33t9lB2Q2QHo1xCItuDzeQXys1JjQLMqfA2ZJGeC0TlsYrFZFLm8nCAmTPL1IpX5rxtW8t85EWHgfkmbGbN_mmE5VKyaLHhmkrvVPwGSwG3yUD8x2mMuOKwjHvwL6QXns/w480-h640/IMG_5254.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grammy T and Papa J (her bio grandparents) sent her gifts since we couldn't do a big party, she LOVES this Unicorn!<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">My mom (also Grammy) got her ALL the unicorn things. And we had a unicorn cake. It was such a good day! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrCIDRAEoKLqAOYqv9I28-LNvBWljtXvptmBsWB7GpJ4qPi_Niq8D_n5IEbk-IUY-iL_eRrDgeh2fgrFdNXFvH4LtTgGKBvp-MEfUenQTZq0_H1MHLhCiTT7jLxyrx_AN6gwGfXrPtys/s2048/IMG_5699+2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrCIDRAEoKLqAOYqv9I28-LNvBWljtXvptmBsWB7GpJ4qPi_Niq8D_n5IEbk-IUY-iL_eRrDgeh2fgrFdNXFvH4LtTgGKBvp-MEfUenQTZq0_H1MHLhCiTT7jLxyrx_AN6gwGfXrPtys/w480-h640/IMG_5699+2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEc0wLZZOT8Jmdwtt6ybl5czLNWA6Qvm778rSlCBWex56bm03468Q_w_Omx8aOf1Ohyphenhyphenm6_JStYs3yVhUQNV0MO2fdIP4EmYyrQyimc55c_cwjoPHlGrwK_Nvo40UkOfgbZg2gc9pYF1E8/s2048/82456AAE-F3DF-4201-BED8-54C1E9D6B5F3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEc0wLZZOT8Jmdwtt6ybl5czLNWA6Qvm778rSlCBWex56bm03468Q_w_Omx8aOf1Ohyphenhyphenm6_JStYs3yVhUQNV0MO2fdIP4EmYyrQyimc55c_cwjoPHlGrwK_Nvo40UkOfgbZg2gc9pYF1E8/w360-h640/82456AAE-F3DF-4201-BED8-54C1E9D6B5F3.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmvU3iwPsnY_4E2ZYmhKF2UToJriD8pThUxSNbHrbJBcYb9sH37XjWAxeehquroU-S8UmmGm3GJ7ouYsk4nP6-XIV0xSpYf7h2fyvb_aUDquZGqgSgOWX30-ih6pEJu7XvFdwl_jLs4U/s2048/BB898873-FA49-43DD-B03D-E6DF8AF6DAA4+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmvU3iwPsnY_4E2ZYmhKF2UToJriD8pThUxSNbHrbJBcYb9sH37XjWAxeehquroU-S8UmmGm3GJ7ouYsk4nP6-XIV0xSpYf7h2fyvb_aUDquZGqgSgOWX30-ih6pEJu7XvFdwl_jLs4U/w360-h640/BB898873-FA49-43DD-B03D-E6DF8AF6DAA4+2.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4p01jwhxvUG0I-Rvy9pMw3-qtwWYPtE6nhZ3D7_plQMn_UlIvlC18TNP6cxbFJHWfb77sz2VDHCMkQ_wMD63DMLYQEBk78O4b7fv-0JhRP_ungi8zbFiKxPMru7BXFSTPEN0R6f5CXs/s2048/IMG_5701.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4p01jwhxvUG0I-Rvy9pMw3-qtwWYPtE6nhZ3D7_plQMn_UlIvlC18TNP6cxbFJHWfb77sz2VDHCMkQ_wMD63DMLYQEBk78O4b7fv-0JhRP_ungi8zbFiKxPMru7BXFSTPEN0R6f5CXs/w640-h640/IMG_5701.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made this fun little <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jennachoosingjoy" target="_blank">TikTok</a> of our day - I've just started hanging out over there and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/jennachoosingjoy" target="_blank">on Instagram</a>. I am having a lot of fun. Love to have you follow along! Happy, Happy birthday Sister! Mama loves you so much! <3 </div><br /><p><br /></p> <blockquote cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@jennachoosingjoy/video/6996776075367812358" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="6996776075367812358" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;"> <section> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jennachoosingjoy" target="_blank" title="@jennachoosingjoy">@jennachoosingjoy</a> <p>Oh Arkansas Summer, I love you so. ❤️ <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/summer" target="_blank" title="summer">##summer</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/nwa" target="_blank" title="nwa">##nwa</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/bentonville" target="_blank" title="bentonville">##bentonville</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/arkansas" target="_blank" title="arkansas">##arkansas</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/sweetsummertime" target="_blank" title="sweetsummertime">##sweetsummertime</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/lake" target="_blank" title="lake">##lake</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/lakelife" target="_blank" title="lakelife">##lakelife</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/birthday" target="_blank" title="birthday">##birthday</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tube" target="_blank" title="tube">##tube</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/boat" target="_blank" title="boat">##boat</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/instagram" target="_blank" title="instagram">##instagram</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tiktok" target="_blank" title="tiktok">##tiktok</a></p> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/Feels-Like-Summer-6832314588738881537" target="_blank" title="♬ Feels Like Summer - Samuel Jack">♬ Feels Like Summer - Samuel Jack</a> </section> </blockquote> <script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>Jenna Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17237169711003892349noreply@blogger.com0