Ode to the Jode

I have a wonderful husband - that is no secret.

From Day 1 - he had his hands full. When we jubilantly walked out of the Salt Lake Temple on our Wedding Day, I tripped. Not like 'fall down on your face trip' - but tripped none the less. For those of you who know me well - I tend to do quirky things like this often. I was pretty excited to make that first appearance as husband and wife. Anyway - look at this picture I found of us later that day. I'm just taking it all in...and Jody is afraid I'm going to tumble down the stairs.

Like I said - he had his hands full.

I think the world of him. He is a hard worker, caring, athletic, good looking and amazing with our children. Because of Jody I can look out my back window and see this:

It is so beautiful. And it is all because of him.


I also love that Jody is willing to work hard to turn something worn into something renewed and incredible. He would rather dedicate the time and energy to have the ownership of creating something beautiful verses spending money to easily buy the finished product. Jodes took this used dining room table... (this picture is from Jody's Ugly Sweater Birthday Party.)

He sanded all of the chairs and table. It was a hefty project, which took MANY long hours. But after staining and painting - the result is amazing!

And my favorite aspect about Jodes is the example he is to others. When we visited Disney World a few months ago, we were waiting in line for Pirates of the Caribbean. A lady also in line came up to Jody and said,

"You are LDS - right?"

I'm thinking, "She must be playing 'Spot the Mormon' but how did she know?" We weren't wearing matching shirts....socks with sandals...any of the dead giveaways. :) Jody had a nice chat with her, and it wasn't until weeks later that he told me how she knew. (That in of itself is very Jody. He doesn't like to put himself in the spotlight. He is humble that way.)

She said, "I can tell you are LDS because of the way you are holding your baby. It is tender. And it is special."

Now I'm not saying those of other faiths don't adore their children. That's simply not true. However, Jody carries a radiating love for our girls. Strangers can tell there is something special about him. And I feel blessed to know he is my other half.

Age is Just a Number...

Earlier this summer, some of my best friends and I stayed up in Salt Lake City for a Girl's Night Out. These girls are the friends with whom I confided most during those college years when I was making monumental decisions that would direct the path of my life. They are amazing women...and it's safe to say that when we get together - we tend to get borderline silly...okay downright hilarious!!


Let's rewind to before the outrageous jumping tricks began...We had some InCreDiBLe desserts at the Hotel Monaco downtown. So Good!!


* Cathy * Melinda * Brittany *



After a great sit-up/push-up workout organized by Cathy, we were ready for a relaxing night of uninterrupted sleep with no children. But then this happened...






Hmmm...not sure how I didn't break my neck on this one.


This is Cathy laughing SO hard at HOW ridiculous we look!


We finished off the outing with facials at a Day Spa the next morning. Thanks Jody for watching the girls so that this could happen!

No Bears Allowed!

We set out for a fun weekend of gooey marshmallows, lots of dirt, a star-filled sky and laughing around the campfire with great friends.


Jody making some gourmet crackers with jalapeño jelly spread.




* Jessica * Brittany * Lindsey *

The S'mores and Hotdogs were sublime.

{Hmmm...Ben whatcha doing back there?!}

*Waking up in Nature* Both Sienna and Gracie really liked camping. And sleeping in a tent with two little ones...not bad at all! The Pack and Play even fit inside our tent. Gracie slept like a log. I don't think she moved once all night. And Sienna...well. She usually doesn't sleep through the night at home anyway - so getting up with her, in the tent, was no big deal.

*Giving Kisses*

*A Time for Everything*

That's true - but they are not the same time.

Sarah Ban Breathnach writes in her book of Simple Abundance that:

" You cannot raise happy, secure, emotionally well adjusted children, revel in a fabulous marriage and work a sixty-hour week. You want to, I know. So do I. But we can't. It is physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually impossible. We have tried. We have failed."

To have someone else say this gives me great comfort. As women, we often feel like we need to do it all. (And do it all perfectly.)

Recently as Jody and I looked at our financial budget, we realized I need some sort of part-time work in order to offset what we will call 'My Fabulous Annual Colonoscopy Fund.' Medical bills call, and so I call the news director at KUTV where I have reported as a freelancer since 2009. Since Sienna joined our family - I haven't worked at 2News as often for a few reasons: Sienna has had some serious anxiety & mommy attachment issues, and it has been difficult to leave her (at all). And mostly - Goodness! Having two kids is way harder than one. I have wanted and needed to be at home.

But I need consistent work, and so I talk to the news director and express my interest in working more regularly. She tells me if I want to work at 2News more than the occasional freelance fill-in, I should apply for their new position. It's a full-time position, and my heart drops. My hopes sink because I don't want to work full-time. I don't want someone else raising my children.

I have already had this conversation with the Lord. He knows me personally, just as He knows you.

And so I don't even apply.

Within a week, a new opportunity presents itself. I am offered a position at the local high school co-teaching their Television Broadcasting Classes. It's part-time. It's good pay. And it's something where I feel I can make a difference in the lives of others. Teaching has been on my Bucket List...and now I get to do it!

I have a new realization for recognizing the difference between Worldly Success and Authentic Success. Both types of success can pay the bills - so to speak. But only Authentic Success happens when we listen to our hearts.

And Yes, there is a time for everything! Perhaps down the road - I will be chasing headlines and reporting for CNN. The dream doesn't have to die simply because the time is not right. However, for me right now, it's a time to try and master the art of getting more puréed carrots in my baby's mouth - verses on her face.

And it's my time to hold my baby and take in that sweet smell after her bath.

Children are going to be small for a very short period of time. The Lord has provided a working opportunity for me, and I am so grateful.

But this is my season to wipe a runny nose, play hide n'seek and rock a crying baby.

The Good Morning...

To my 3 1/2 year old, the "morning" doesn't exist.

It's The Good Morning.
"Mom, can I please have some juice in the Good Morning? Mom, can we go for a walk in the Good Morning?"

We tried to explain to her Good Morning is a phrase or greeting - NOT a time of day.

It didn't click.

And that's okay. Because when I hear those little feet come rushing into my bedroom as the sun is coming up...and Gracie says, "Mom Wake Up. It's the Good Morning!"

I forget about my worries (or tiredness) and remember how much Good is waiting for me when I open my eyes.

Gracie's Dance Recital

We are so proud of Gracie. She shined like a star at her Dance Performance! Many of the girls are 4 or 5 years old in her class. Gracie is only 3, and she did great. She looked forward to her dance class each week.

(And with the umbrellas as props...it's amazing there were no injuries related to this performance!) :)

A Trip to the Sunshine State!

Talk about needing a "Vacation from your Vacation!" This trip was jam-packed with non-stop fun. We were all exhausted by the end of the week. However, I'm already itching to go back. I think Jody is fine to wait awhile! :)




My Favorite part of the entire trip was watching Gracie with the Characters. She was beyond excited.

It was so cute!!




She wanted to wear her Princess Dress to meet Sleeping Beauty. (Can you tell by this picture HOW hot it was?! We are just a couple of Puddles and a Princess...)




A much-needed nap for both of them!!





We traveled to Orlando with my parents for an entire week. Michael was strong-willed that he did NOT want to go. We all felt pretty bad about that...until we spent a day in the 94 degree heat and humidity. Michael would have been so hot - stuck in his wheelchair. We missed him, but we know he was much more comfortable back at home.


We spent a few days with Kerry, Stacy & their kids. They were so good to us and showed us all around SeaWorld.

Sienna was such a great baby on this trip. And she cut her first tooth while we were hopping from theme parks and the beach. (What a trooper!) Gracie...well...I think the poor thing is about done in this picture!


We did sneak in some lounging by the pool and lake.






We met Baby Lindsey for the first time on this trip! Sienna and Lindsey are only nine days apart. Both babies spent some weeks in the transverse position before being born. And both decided to move on their own saving Stacy and I a C-Section. I think these two were good friends in Heaven. And it was wonderful for them to meet up again here on this earth!


Cocoa Beach


What a trip! It was so much fun!! We saved up our Sky Miles and money to travel to Orlando, and we waited eagerly for May to arrive. Now it has come and gone! It will be a long time before we make it back to Florida, so we are glad we have so many great, enjoyable (and hilarious) memories.

Senior Moments

It's that time of the year when high-school Seniors graduate...however, that's not the type of Senior Moment I'm talking about. I'm talking about my brain going to mush. This week I've had my share of senior moments.

Going to the store can be like getting lost in the Bermuda Triangle. We go into the store...and it's hours before we come out! After finishing our weekly grocery shopping, I'm pushing one of those ridiculous carts with the cars attached in front. I say ridiculous because they are the Semi Truck of Shopping Carts. Trying to turn, in one of those, takes some serious skills. We walk out into the parking lot and through an entire row of cars. Our Jeep is nowhere in sight.

Hmmmmm. Down another row. No Jeep.

That's weird. I know I parked on the east side of the store. Again up one row.

Nothing.

I call Jody. "I can't find the Jeep!" His response, "Have you thought about where you parked it?"

"Really??!! Yes, that's all I'm thinking about!" (And I'm also thinking a little about the fact that this might be one of those practical joke shows where silly things happen to random people...so just in case secret cameras are rolling; I'm smiling and trying to look composed.)

But now the lady waiting in her SUV for her husband, who is in the store, is laughing at me. And one of the Smith's Employees comes and asks me if I lost my car. And the whole time Gracie is yelling from her little cart-car "What Happened To Our Car?"

So I go to the west side of the store, even though my brain is telling me we parked on the east side. And Yes! There it is.

Senior Moment #2
(The "Wow! You're So Old" Situation)

The young salesclerk at Children's Place rings me up.

Her: "Cute Shirt! I like that."

Me: "Thanks it reminds me of a shirt Kelly Kapowski would wear."

Her: Silence. Confused. Blank Stare.

Me: "You know...From Saved By the Bell."

Her: Still Nothing. She didn't know.

I hope this made you laugh!