Nebraska

Hello


I am currently in the airport enjoying my 3 hour layover (yay!) while drinking an overly expensive drink and thinking about getting a $20 burger.  So I figured I would blog about my time in Nebraska.

I love visiting Nebraska. My family is there, my best friend is there, and basically all my childhood memories are there. Let's look at the week I had shall we. Please forgive formatting I hate this stupid website and it's stupid stupid stupidness.

It all started the night before where I watched the one and only Bob Ross

What is he even saying

The day I arrived was June 19th which happened to be both Father's Day and my Mom's birthday.
I got to celebrate the best parents in the whole wide world. Thank you so much for having me and loving me. You are my rock (s).

 



They picked me up from Omaha and we got to celebrate the both of them. We got a Champagne Gluten-Free cake that was filled with Raspberry and Strawberry filling. Throughout the week I had 4 pieces.

I ate a flower too

Someone also near and dear to my heart had a birthday this week. Happy first birthday Skippy-jon Jones

Have you ever seen a cuter cat

Hilary my dear you are the bean to my burrito. The truffle to my mayo. The gouda to my buddha. I would literally be a bowl of soup without you.

 

God save the Queen 

Goldenrod bakery was fun to look at, especially the fact that they had a ton of gluten free food.

 

We went to the escape room and dinner! It was supa fun and we escaped with moments to spare. 

  

Ashley's bachelorette party was a blast! I loved getting to know all the girls. 

    



I got new glasses

Cute

As always I loved seeing my main man Devin. Thank you for always being there for me and being one of my biggest cheerleaders. Snapchat me every day so I can pretend I live in Nebraska.  Love you always RIPORCSLAYER.

 

Sam and Ashley's wedding was beautiful. Ashley was absolutely gorgeous and so were the rest of the bridal team. The decor and food were fantastic and the dance floor was bomb. It was so fun being able to have my entire family on both sides there showing support for Sam and Ashley throughout the whole night.


Getting pampered was always great. I loved the hair and dresses Ashley picked out for her bridesmaids.


 

 


After getting ready we had a blast with pics. Here are some behind the scene pics.

bird

Where are you looking

 

The Reveal was adorable. They used white balloons to cover themselves until the 'moment of truth'.

 

The Grand Manse was the perfect setting. Lots of amazing decor done by Ashley's family. 

Seth gave an amazing toast and Sam and Ashley lit up the dance floor with their first dance.







Leftover food always rocks

I had a little bit of a hard time not making this day about me and fighting some sad feelings, but I'm glad God was able to pull me out of that pit and allow me to have an amazing night. I was able to turn those thoughts of self-pity into super fly dance moves. Thank you for your prayers; it means the world.

I didn't get to make a speech but if I could...this is what I would have said.

Sam- Sam, I always like to think that I took care of you as a big sister, but looking back, you really took care of me. I remember once being sick and crying on the couch when you were really little (like just started walking) and you brought a blanket over to me and covered me. I remember when I was having boy troubles the week before Valentine's Day, and when I woke up on V-Day I went to my spot at the table for breakfast, and you had left me a box of chocolates that you saved up for with your allowance. I remember another time I was sad (who knows why at this point, probably something really dumb like my tamagotchi died) and you made me one of your desserts from your cook book. I could go on and on. Those little moments in my life really added up and you brought me lots of joy when I was struggling. I want you to know that none of it went unnoticed and I am so blessed to have you as a brother. I love you so much and I could not be more proud of the man you have become and the woman you have chosen (but you already know that).
Ashley- I have never seen my brother cry. I'm sure I've seen him shed a few tears here and there, but when you came down the aisle and I saw the way Sam reacted, it was contagious. You must be one helluva woman to make him cry like that. I wish we could hang out more, but this past week I got two days to really hang out with you and it was the best. I got to see a new side of you and get to know your awesome sisters. You are hilarious and beautiful and strong. Thank you for choosing my brother and please keep him in line. I always said that I would have hated having a sister, but I guess I can make an exception for you.




-Jo



















P.S. Don't forget before you fly next to...

An Enticing Title

Hello-

My workplace is gorgeous. I must share pics from over the years.

I realize it's only pics of the backyard. Here's the front

I can't really think of what to write about..so I figure I'll go through all the emotions of my being right now:

Sad: Seeing people my age on Facebook with children and what appears to be 'happy perfect lives' kills me inside. I want that so bad. I'm sorry that I don't get on Facebook that often, but I don't have shame in admitting that it can be emotionally unhealthy for me.

Anger: This whole Stanford rape case is so upsetting. I could barely make it through reading her letter. I have absolutely no idea what it's like to be abused in that way, but I am livid for her. Should she have been drinking to the point of blacking out? Of course not. Did her drunkenness and immodesty give that man the right to attack her? Absolutely not. I could write more, but I honestly don't want to give that man any more attention than the media is already giving him.

Stress: My new position is only 30 hours. I accepted a second job as a pet sitter for my town, but my new boss keeps putting off sits, which means I've gone two weeks not getting what I was expected. I am stressed that I will have to start over and find another second job, even though if this works out the way it's supposed to then I will be super happy.

Surprised: My cat fell into the shower today.

Calm: I love my house. I love my sun room and I love my living room and I love my bedroom. I love coming home after work and curling up in front of the TV, and enjoying those few minutes of being calm between anxious thoughts. I love Saturdays and just being able to calmly lay down and do nothing. I enjoy being a bump on a log sometimes. Somedays I just need and want to do absolutely nothing at all, and that's ok.

Happy: I am truly blessed. I have my dream job, an amazing church (in one of the most liberal parts of the country), a family who loves me, amazing friends who encourage me, and above all else I have God. I remember when I was in 4th grade, I heard someone speak at chapel who 'warned' us of the percentage of people who turn away from God (or something) in adulthood. I went home and I remember in my perfect little 10 year old brain thinking 'Ha, I would never turn away from God! Not even if I was given a life like Job!' I then prayed a prayer that night along the lines of 'bring it on, I will never turn away from God no matter how hard my life is.' Well I wish I could go slap that 10 year old across the face because I'm pretty sure God said 'alright game on'. But throughout my pain, anguish, depression, anxiety, and constantly asking God, 'why did you do this to me', I am still proud to say that I am a child of God. And that prayer that I prayed still stands true to this day. So, sure, bring it on.

That was actually pretty interesting writing out all of that. I literally went through the emotions as I wrote. Cool. I don't want to end on a 'aww' note so here is a comic of me at night.

-Jo