Today is Jun 4th. Today would have been Jessica’s 21st birthday, a day of celebration, a day where she would have been considered “legal” in today’s society.

Most young people look forward to 21 as the day they are legal to drink alcohol but turning 21 also means you are legally considered an adult. Being 21 means you are able to make your own choices and decisions about who you are, what you want to do in life, that mom and dad’s permission is no longer needed.

Sadly, Jessica is not going to get that chance to make those decisions and choices. Those rights were taken away by a so called “adult” who made a terrible and ultimately tragic driving decision.

Today Jessica would have turned 21 and it would have been a grand celebration as Jessica would have expected no less. She loved parties and it would have been done in style, there is no doubt about that. However, Jessica is no longer with us but we will still celebrate and we will celebrate with style. Flowers will be placed on the grave, prayers will be said, tears will be shed and then a beer, glass of wine or a cocktail will be raised in her honor and her life will be celebrated as it should be, with style.

Happy 21st Birthday my dear, beautiful Jessica.

The trooper entered a plea of guilty today. Here is the statement I read to the media today:

This is the statement that I read after the trooper’s plea hearing:

We, the family of Jessica and Kelli Uhl, would like to take this opportunity to express how indebted we are to the St. Clair County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for their diligence and professionalism in bringing the case to a close that is acceptable to all parties.

We would also like to express our profound gratitude to everyone who has attended our fundraisers, donated blood, ate at Applebee’s or conveyed their sympathy, thoughts and prayers. We are forever grateful for your support throughout this ordeal.

We are hopeful that this conviction sends a message not only to all first responders and law enforcement officers, but to all drivers: please slow down, pay attention, put down the phone and drive safely.

Kim Schlau and Brian Uhl

An interview I did with KMOV Channel 4 news about Pursuit Safety and Focus Driven can be found here.

I will be meeting with Candy Priano of PursuitSafety in April and will hopefully be taking on more responsibility in the Midwest for Pursuit Safety.

Maybe this is what I’m supposed to be doing, maybe this is my life’s path.  And if it isn’t, then I’m still doing good work while I’m wondering why this happened.

The criminal trial will in all likelihood be continued until April 26, 2010.   The civil hearing is still set for April 19, 2010.

The latest news article about the motion to dismiss can be read here.

A memorial blood drive will be held on February 23, 2010, from 3pm to 8pm at the KC Hall in Collinsville, IL.

The deadline for applications for the Jessica Uhl Memoriaal Scholarship is March 31, 2010.

Criteria for selection include:

 Being an incoming freshman accepted at SIUE

• Being a graduate of Collinsville, Illinois High School
• Having an overall high school grade point average of B or better
• Have an interest in pursuing a major in Speech Communication – Public Relations track at SIUE
• An interest in a career in public relations.

Additionally, applicants must write a one-page essay outlining their high school or community college experiences, any personal achievements, and future goals or career plans in public relations, and submit two letters of reference. 

If you or someone you know is interested in applying, please contact Dr. Isaac Blankson, Chair of the Department of Speech Communications at SIUE by phone at 618/650-3631 or by email at iblanks@siue.edu.  I also have the letter and application as well, and would be glad to mail or email the information.  Just email me at kimberly.schlau AT gmail dot com.

We see the countless Christmas trees
around the world below
With tiny lights, like Heaven’s stars,
reflecting on the snow

The sight is so spectacular,
please wipe away the tear
For we are spending Christmas with
Jesus Christ this year.

We hear the many Christmas songs
that people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can’t compare
with the Christmas choir up here.

We have no words to tell you,
the joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description,
to hear the angels sing.

We know how much you miss us,
We see the pain inside your heart.
But we are not so far away,
We really aren’t apart.

So be happy for us, dear ones,
You know we hold you dear.
And be glad we’re spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.

We send you each a special gift,
from our heavenly home above.
We sent you each a memory
of our undying love.

After all, love is a gift more precious
than pure gold.
It was always most important
in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other,
as our Father said to do.
For we can’t count the blessing or love
He has for each of you.

So have a Merry Christmas and
wipe away that tear.
Remember, we are spending Christmas with
Jesus Christ this year.
Love Jessica and Kelli

November 23rd, 2009, exactly two years since Jess and Kelli were killed on I-64 by a State Trooper.  It still seems like yesterday when they were taken away from all of us.  A lot has happened since then but then again, a lot hasn’t happened.  Sure, there are now cable barriers setup along the highway where they were killed, scholarships have been setup and used, fundraisers have taken place and new laws have been created.  This is all wonderful stuff but I still wonder about those laws.  I continue to see State Troopers driving at high rates of speed without their lights or sirens on.  Anytime I see this, I say a prayer for everyone on the highway because it could happen again, some innocent person could be killed because a State Trooper was not following the law.  Ah, but I am getting off the subject now.  As I said, a lot of things have happened but then again, a lot hasn’t happened.  I am referring to the criminal and civil trials, in other words, maybe getting some justice and closure.  Both trials have been delayed, for expected reasons I am told, and are now set for March and April 2010.  I am told they won’t be delayed again.  I guess I will believe that when I see it.
 
Do I sound bitter?  Yes, I suppose I do and I am.  There are many reasons why I am so bitter, but to avoid jeopardizing either one of the trials, I shall avoid putting my reasons down in writing.  The good thing is that the public has voiced those reasons for me through their comments on various newspaper articles and for that I thank all of them.  So, has the pain lessened at all?  No, it has not.  I still miss those girls and I always will and the pain never goes away.  I feel it every time I drive by the location of their deaths, I feel it when I go to their graves, when I listen to music, while eating, while doing almost anything, the pain is there.  No, the pain has not lessened, I have only changed the way that I handle the pain.  Between that and the support of family and friends, I go on living day to day.
 
Thank you to everyone out there for your support to myself and my family, Kim and her family and for supporting all of the good things done in Jess and Kelli’s names.  I know the girls are in a far better place and they watch over all of us as angels will do. 
 
Jess and Kelli – GOD bless both of you.  We miss you, love you and know that we will never forget you. 
 
Love you both,
 
 Dad, Wendy, Tony and so many others.

Click here to schedule your appointment: www.givelife.org

Jessica and Kelli Uhl were killed on November 23rd, 2007 when an Illinois State Trooper hit their vehicle head on.

When: November 22nd, 2009
Where: Applebee’s Restaurant 610 North Bluff Road, Collinsville, IL
Time: 5:00pm to 9:00pm

20% of your total bill will benefit the Jessica Uhl Scholarship fund- SIU- Edwardsville and the Kelli Uhl Scholarship fund.

• Applies to dine in and carry out only.
• Does not apply to alcohol and gratuity.

I am hosting an online Pampered Chef party.  10-15% of the purchase price goes toward Jessica and Kelli’s scholarship fund, and if you book a party, I get an extra $3.00.  Bonus! 

Visit the official Pampered Chef webpage for Jessica and Kelli here.

Feel free to tell all your friends, co-workers, and perfect strangers on the street. 

Thank you.