My family lost everything Wednesday, May 10th, 2023 when our motorhome parked next to our house had what we believe is an electrical fire and destroyed our home in the fire. Our family is safe, even our Cockapoo, Fergus and our turtle, Kickbump.
There are a couple ways you can help:
1. Money-I’ll share links to Venmo and GoFundMe.
2. If you’re considering having portraits taken this year and want an unforgettable experience, please hire me! I’m the family breadwinner. And my husband is the stay at home dad and CEO of our home and 4 children.
3. Prayers! Our kids are 10, 8, 3 and 1 and my husband had to choose who to save first as the 1 and 3 were upstairs asleep as he came from the basement doing laundry and saw the side of the house engulfed in flames
The community support has been tremendous and we feel so loved! And by the grace of God, my husband found the only thing I was needing-the wooden box of ashes from the baby we miscarried in 2020. Ember June. The box was in the front of the house where the worst damage was 💗
There are a couple ways you can help:
1. Money-I’ll share links to Venmo and GoFundMe.
2. If you’re considering having portraits taken this year and want an unforgettable experience, please hire me! I’m the family breadwinner. And my husband is the stay at home dad and CEO of our home and 4 children.
3. Prayers! Our kids are 10, 8, 3 and 1 and my husband had to choose who to save first as the 1 and 3 were upstairs asleep as he came from the basement doing laundry and saw the side of the house engulfed in flames
The community support has been tremendous and we feel so loved! And by the grace of God, my husband found the only thing I was needing-the wooden box of ashes from the baby we miscarried in 2020. Ember June. The box was in the front of the house where the worst damage was 💗
Here is the longer version.
My husband is living his dream being the stay at home dad and me the breadwinner. It’s only been a short time and it’s amazing for everyone!
Wednesday morning he was in the motorhome getting it ready for the season. The 2 car batteries to start it were dead so he removed them and went to place in his van. Walking to the back, Brixen, out 3 year old came to the door and wanted a nap. He set the batteries down and then laid down with her. This was around 9:30.
Once she was asleep, he went and grabbed the batteries and put them in his van so they could go get new ones after naps. Dexter, our 14 month old, was sleeping in our room on our mattress on the floor.
Next, we went to the basement to do laundry. As soon as he started the drier the electricity went out. He walked to the electrical room to see if he could figure it out. He could hear Dexter upstairs was awake and planned to come upstairs after he figured out the electricity. Of course the electricity was out because the motorhome was on fire and the wire to the house had burned through, After having no luck he went upstairs.
He heard shouting outside and could see the outside of the house engulfed in flames. He saw the police out the front window. Instead of running out the back door he was standing next to, he ran into the hall. He went to our room first since it was closest to the motorhome. He scrambled around frantically searching for our 14 month old son. He couldn’t locate him so he ran down the hall to where Brixen, our 3 1/2 year old, was sleeping. He grabbed her from sleep and shouted they had to get out. He went into the kitchen and the North Pekin police Chief Minton was at the back door.. They turned to see Dexter and Fergus coming down the hall. Ryan handed the kids to Chief Minton and grabbed our Cockapoo, Fergus from the couch. They drove across the street and Ryan called me.
his phone was switching between handset and hands free in his van so nothing was making sense. I feared one of the kids had died and I hysterically started shouting. He confirmed everyone was ok and the house was on fire. Well, surely he was mistaken. I was convinced it was just the motorhome.
My husband is living his dream being the stay at home dad and me the breadwinner. It’s only been a short time and it’s amazing for everyone!
Wednesday morning he was in the motorhome getting it ready for the season. The 2 car batteries to start it were dead so he removed them and went to place in his van. Walking to the back, Brixen, out 3 year old came to the door and wanted a nap. He set the batteries down and then laid down with her. This was around 9:30.
Once she was asleep, he went and grabbed the batteries and put them in his van so they could go get new ones after naps. Dexter, our 14 month old, was sleeping in our room on our mattress on the floor.
Next, we went to the basement to do laundry. As soon as he started the drier the electricity went out. He walked to the electrical room to see if he could figure it out. He could hear Dexter upstairs was awake and planned to come upstairs after he figured out the electricity. Of course the electricity was out because the motorhome was on fire and the wire to the house had burned through, After having no luck he went upstairs.
He heard shouting outside and could see the outside of the house engulfed in flames. He saw the police out the front window. Instead of running out the back door he was standing next to, he ran into the hall. He went to our room first since it was closest to the motorhome. He scrambled around frantically searching for our 14 month old son. He couldn’t locate him so he ran down the hall to where Brixen, our 3 1/2 year old, was sleeping. He grabbed her from sleep and shouted they had to get out. He went into the kitchen and the North Pekin police Chief Minton was at the back door.. They turned to see Dexter and Fergus coming down the hall. Ryan handed the kids to Chief Minton and grabbed our Cockapoo, Fergus from the couch. They drove across the street and Ryan called me.
his phone was switching between handset and hands free in his van so nothing was making sense. I feared one of the kids had died and I hysterically started shouting. He confirmed everyone was ok and the house was on fire. Well, surely he was mistaken. I was convinced it was just the motorhome.
To be continued…
You know how you WANT to update your portraits, but it's so much work! Clothing coordination, location, timing...all the things! That's what I do! I create an experience where you come and experience pampering and luxury. From walking through your closet to select the perfect clothing, coordinating with your family's clothing, hair and makeup artistry, catered in lunch, and even wall art installation! Show up and smile, we do the rest. It's portraits made easy with Jenni Williams Photography, specializing in Beauty, Branding, Business Headshots and Family Photography.
You will make memories and enjoy a fabulous day and I just can't wait for you to experience it! You will have beautiful portraits to remember your amazing experience. A wonderful bonus, really. The memories are priceless. That's why I would suggest you share this experience with someone. A friend, sister, mom. How fun! Your partner, children, pets? We can focus the session on you and bring them in at the end once you are done with your portraits! So, dream with me...
I plan ALL the details for your dream session. What I do isn't even about photography. It's about interaction and connection. Dreaming big. Giving you a time and space of pampering and luxury. An experience where you really just 'show up and smile and we do the rest'. It's so simple. How many things do you do in life where you get to sit back and relax and let someone take care of the details! I've got you on wardrobe and dreaming at the Style and Concept Consultation. We'll even walk through your closet together to select the perfect styles for on-camera. All you do is pack up the items we talked about and arrive at the studio parking lot for your session. We're even going to meet you at your car and carry up your things. I like to refer to it as 'senior pictures for grown-ups'. Bring your hobbies, dreams, passions. This is all about showcasing YOU! Because at 18 we didn't know ourselves but don't we have a better idea now? We've learned and grown and changed and I want to CELEBRATE YOU! While we're on the subject of planning, I want you to know that I can't lose weight for you, but my retoucher is HIGHLY SKILLED at sculpting and toning in a natural way so you look like you on your best day.
Your dream session starts with TLC! You'll enjoy an hour of complimentary pampering hair and makeup artistry so you're looking and feeling fabulous! Sit back and relax and enjoy! Flip through the latest copy of 'Construction Beauty' magazine while sipping on a beverage of choice. Then, it's my turn for the magic! We will have a fantastic time together bringing our shared vision to life. We will laugh and talk and become friends. It's the best! KNOW you will look photogenic with our expertly guided natural posing of your face, body and arms as well as facial expression coaching. If we're adding family into your session, we will bring them in after your turn and complete your session!
Break time! Enjoy a catered lunch right here at the studio while I prepare your portraits! I offer the benefit of a same day Image Reveal and Order Appointment so we will make all your selections right after lunch. My studio assistant will watch your children or take them to Elevate Trampoline Park!
How will you enjoy your portraits? Wall art, albums, prints? I can't wait to see what you select. For a role this important, only the finest print products will do. Products like luxurious handcrafted Albums, elegant Portfolio Boxes and timeless Matted Prints. You’ll discover how our signature Intimate Wall Portrait and show-stopping Impact Art Collections will be right at home on your showcase walls. My favorite moment of the day is when you view your images. You light up. You are delighted and thrilled with your portraits. Sometimes you even cry. Sometimes I do too. I help you narrow them down and select the very best images. If you're a hugger, we will end the day with a hug. .
Celebration Day! Your portraits have arrived! I'll bring your portraits and my professional wall art installation!
We will stand back and admire your beautiful portraits. Now all you have to do is enjoy! The final image presentation will serve as your daily reminder that Yes, you are loved. You are incredible. You have worth and beauty.
I can’t wait to help you decorate your home with love.
Show up and smile, we do the rest. It's portraits made easy by Jenni Williams Photography.
(ALL the EXCLAMATION MARKS! I'm super high energy, outgoing, bubbly, smiley and FUN and it's the best way I can communicate that all in the written word. One call or in person interaction and you'll be able to understand. I love my life.)
Your dream session starts with TLC! You'll enjoy an hour of complimentary pampering hair and makeup artistry so you're looking and feeling fabulous! Sit back and relax and enjoy! Flip through the latest copy of 'Construction Beauty' magazine while sipping on a beverage of choice. Then, it's my turn for the magic! We will have a fantastic time together bringing our shared vision to life. We will laugh and talk and become friends. It's the best! KNOW you will look photogenic with our expertly guided natural posing of your face, body and arms as well as facial expression coaching. If we're adding family into your session, we will bring them in after your turn and complete your session!
Break time! Enjoy a catered lunch right here at the studio while I prepare your portraits! I offer the benefit of a same day Image Reveal and Order Appointment so we will make all your selections right after lunch. My studio assistant will watch your children or take them to Elevate Trampoline Park!
How will you enjoy your portraits? Wall art, albums, prints? I can't wait to see what you select. For a role this important, only the finest print products will do. Products like luxurious handcrafted Albums, elegant Portfolio Boxes and timeless Matted Prints. You’ll discover how our signature Intimate Wall Portrait and show-stopping Impact Art Collections will be right at home on your showcase walls. My favorite moment of the day is when you view your images. You light up. You are delighted and thrilled with your portraits. Sometimes you even cry. Sometimes I do too. I help you narrow them down and select the very best images. If you're a hugger, we will end the day with a hug. .
Celebration Day! Your portraits have arrived! I'll bring your portraits and my professional wall art installation!
We will stand back and admire your beautiful portraits. Now all you have to do is enjoy! The final image presentation will serve as your daily reminder that Yes, you are loved. You are incredible. You have worth and beauty.
I can’t wait to help you decorate your home with love.
Show up and smile, we do the rest. It's portraits made easy by Jenni Williams Photography.
(ALL the EXCLAMATION MARKS! I'm super high energy, outgoing, bubbly, smiley and FUN and it's the best way I can communicate that all in the written word. One call or in person interaction and you'll be able to understand. I love my life.)