Jennifer was one of the prettiest babies I have ever seen.  She was a headful of platinum blonde curls, big brown eyes, and little pink cheeks.  My earliest memory of her is watching my aunt feed her dinner at our grandmother’s kitchen table.  She was eating field peas mixed in with butter beans, and couldn’t have been much more than a year old, which would have made me five. 

Jenny.

See, in my mind’s eye, Jennifer is still Jenny.  She is stuck at 4 years old, the first summer we spent together at our grandparents’ home, tan and rosy, running around in a bubble suit romper, alternately chasing or being chased by Oscar, the family Boxer.  We had three full summers together, and were alternately good and awful to one another.  She would break my toys, and I would do my best to terrify her out of sleeping.  But she also put up with me using her for a hair model, and was blessedly patient with me while I lectured her on makeup and beauty routines.

She was the first out of the six of the cousins to get married and have babies, and she’s been an excellent model of homemaker and mother.  Her children are polite.  They are well-mannered.  They are helpful and good.  They are smart and work hard in school.  That’s a reflection of their mom.  Not a bad mirror at all. 

Jennifer is creative and funny.  She makes these cakes that should be on Food Network.  She really understands the mechanics of keeping house.  Now listen, I admire this.  I really admire women who know how to keep house and have order–I don’t.  That’s not my gift.  Jennifer’s house could be a magazine set.

She’s a lovely grown woman, but she’ll always be that pretty little girl to me.

Meet Jennifer.

Name: Jennifer Nestell
Age Range: 30s
Preferred Job Title: Domestic Goddess/Student
Industry: Home making

Describe your family: Full of men…So at all times there is chaos, messiness, and smells that you wouldn’t believe. But I couldn’t imagine my life any other way.

What does the first hour of your day look like? The first half hour of my day, begins by making sure my boys get up on time, eat breakfast, brush their teeth, and make it to the bus stop. The second half is me washing my face contemplating going back to sleep. But that never seems to work out that way.

The last hour? Relaxing and talking to my husband about our days, uninterrupted.

What makes you feel successful? Watching my family meet their goals and excelling at what they love.

What brings you joy? My kids coming up to me out of nowhere and telling me they love me and that I am a good mom. My Lesa. =)

What women do you admire? I would have to say my Mom, my Grandma, and my Aunt Donna. They all have taught me many things. Mainly to be strong and to fight for my family! So that is what I do. I am grateful to have them in my life.

What do you like best about your closest friend? My bestie Lesa goodness what is not to like?? She is the most loyal person I know! She can laugh in any situation and well she just brings me joy.

What do you like best about yourself? The same thing I hate about myself. I trust too easily.

What advice would you give boys about girls? Always treat them with respect!

How do you overcome adversity? With Gods help.

How do you want to be remembered? Well I want my husband to remember that I am the sexiest woman alive. And that he will never do any better then me. My kids to remember that I love them at ALL times and that they always come first!! My extended family that even though we don’t get to see each other a lot I love you all and think of you often. And my friends that it doesn’t get any more loyal, loving and dependable then me! Anyone else can remember me however they like!