My Next Challenge

As you know, I've been writing every day for the past 77 days (wow, time is flying by!)
I have grown over this little process and I'm learning, slowly but surely, to be consistent.

You may have noticed that I have fallen short on a lot of my 'topics' the past couple of months. '30 days of loving my husband' - I do love him, just haven't shared with you how I show him. 'What's on my plate' - I did so good and still follow the 30 days to feeling fit eating plan and am even down 2 more pounds!

But now, I'm taking a new spin for the next 31 days.

I'm participating in The Nesters 31 Day writing challenge. I will be writing on ONE topic, EVERY DAY, for the WHOLE month of October.

I thought and prayed about what I should write about and many topics came up... marriage, motherhood, friendship, faith... and then it hit me! RELATIONSHIPS!

This 13 letter word has meant so much to me my whole life... but it has consumed me the past month or two.

So that's what I chose.

I'm not sure where this will lead daily- but I have a very good feeling that I will grow this month.

If you had to write about one topic for 31 days... what would you write about?

Happy October!

XO.
Jari

Random post about our Day.

I have felt behind for the past few weeks and today, Joel helped me whip out many projects!

We sorted a Scentsy order first thing this morning.

We went to church and loved the message.
(Ok truth be told, it was shouting directly to my heart. You see, this morning, neither Joel nor I were any different in the way Adam & Eve blamed each other for their wrong doing. Yep, we were pretty immature and definite sinners this morning. We made up :) <---- real life marriage right there!

We delivered MANY orders this afternoon.

We quick grabbed some paint from Lowe's (Wet Pavement and Thistle Seed) and supplies so I could start 2 big projects in our home. Alyn's bedroom makeover (she's been waiting since her birthday in March... quite patiently I must add) & the Main Floor Makeover.

Then we hit our favorite... Target! We snagged up a comforter for her bedroom for $9.98! OOOooo WEEEeee What a Bargain! A new lamp, pillows and more accessories and she'll be good to go by the end of the week.
Do you know about Target Cartwheel App?!?! It's awesome... just sayin'

We got home, Joel made lunch and I picked up the house and got all the painting supplies ready. After lunch Alyn and I knocked out the paint job in her room! (it only took 1 hour so now I feel extra bad that I put it off for so long.) She thanked me so many times. She even said "Awesome! Now it won't feel like I'm sleeping in a dorm." HA! What does she know about dorms?!?

I packed up another Scentsy party ('tis the season for lots of parties!), while Joel and Arly cut down the grasses and tore out the flowers around our landscaping. We've already gotten our first frost and more to come soon so it all had to go! Highs this week - - 52 degrees! Time for cornstalks and mums! Or maybe snowmen soon?

Joel has almost finished all of the laundry. He even made a menu for us this week. Then he made dinner. MAN, I love that guy!

Avin has been a bit miserable all day. I think she's teething again. Which teeth come next? She has her 4 top and 4 bottom already. I spent a lot of my free time today snugglin' her on the couch. I cannot get enough of those blue eyes.

I finalized my 31 party with my friend Mel (I love supporting direct sales and other entrepreneurs!) and now I'm just finishing up with the lesson planning for this school week.

This mama totally had a treat.... or two.

Now off to finish my Sunday Seven and cozy up in bed.... with said awesome husband.

Nighties.
XO.
Jari

Inspired to Be Better Me

Today I attended the 'home going' service for a beautiful woman. One that I only had the privilege of meeting once.

My sweet friend Kaylyn lost her mom last week very unexpectedly to leukemia. Today they had a beautiful service for her beloved mother and I left with soaked eyes and a full heart.

Kaylyn,
The words you wrote to your mom were so loving and really touched everyone in the church today. Especially me. I feel as though I know your mom and that she was complete joy to be around. As I sit here and type this post, my heart swells with sorrow for knowing how you are sure to miss your moms hugs and laugh. As we sang today, 'It is well with my soul,' I know that you are comforted with sure faith that your sweet mom is in the presence of The Lord and is complete perfection. When you shared how much your mom meant to you and your brother, it made me really stop and think. I could feel the love in your family. Everyone could.

To be honest, I want that same kind of love with my kids. I might have it. I don't know. But I do know that I crave it. The Holy Spirit was definitely present and stirring affection in me today.

I want to be more present in the everyday.
I want to be into the little moments.
I want to love my girls like there's no tomorrow on earth.
I want to honor my husband more and love him with every fiber of my being.
I want to be a better sister, daughter, auntie, friend.

Thank you for loving your mom. Thank you for loving Jesus. Thank you for showing me how to be better. I love you dear friend.

XO.

Bible Study Coming Soon!

I've had a few friends hinting that they would like to be in a Bible study this fall. Well, I've been actually getting quite a few nudges from The Lord telling me it was time to lead a Bible study - no matter how ill-equipped I feel. 

Now I love me a little Beth Moore! She is a great teacher and is sound in The Word. Seeing her live was a highlight last year... you could feel The Holy Spirit moving that day in Boise at her Living Proof Live Event. 

So beginning Friday, Oct 18th, I'll be hosting/leading a small 10-week study at my home. 

Based on Isaiah 43:10, Beth explores what it means not only 'to believe in God' but 'to believe Him.' The bride of Jesus Christ in our generation is nearly paralyzed by unbelief. God is calling His bride to a fresh and lavish anointing of faith. Through studying the lives of Abraham, Moses, and others as examples of persons who believed God, Beth encourages women to deepen their own trust in God and receive a fresh word from Him. 

A Note from Beth Moore: 'God confronted me with the truth that though I had believed in Him for many years, I had hardly begun to believe Him. He made something clear to me that He has sent me forth to say to you: God is so much more than we have yet acknowledged and experienced. He is capable of tremendously more than we have witnessed. I have become utterly convinced that we see so little primarily because we believe Him for so little. Here's the great news: God wants to change all that!

What better way than to spend your fall & winter than with a bit coffee/tea, a few friends, a little Miss Beth and whole lot of God?!?! I can't think of anything better either.

Comment with any questions or for details.

XO.
Jari

An 'Almost Perfect' Thursday

They woke up early enough for mama to feed her babies some eggs and toast before the little pupils loaded the bus to learn at their church co-op school. (Mama has incredibly amazing friends who accept and teach her kiddos when she needs to focus on her business)

Baby Bear was taxi'd over to a dear (not to be confused with deer) friends house to be loved on by another sweet mama for almost 4 full hours!

Mama met a close friend at a coffee shop and chatted and set goals for the next month... (Shhh... She even smuggled in her own coconut coffee creamer!) She always leaves these chats filled up until they meet again. 

Next mama had to run lunch to her bigs at the church. Subway was too far away so she zipped down to Ruby's Cafe and got 2 BLTs and fruit salad to go. If you're local you know what a treat Ruby's is! Two little love notes written on the styrofoam boxes and a quick hi to friends and mama was off again. 

With a Scentsy basket party in tow, mama picked up papa and they went to the bank. Finally the title to the old blue Honda was notarized and ready to handed off to sweet friends. They got new bank cards and left the basket party for the bank ladies to sniff away until another day. 

Taco del Sol was on their menu for lunch and a big naked chicken burrito with extra jalapeños hit the spot. 

Mama dropped papa off and headed back home to pick up her wee one. Upon arrival of the their home, two huge Target  boxes blocked the door. (Project Main Floor Makeover will be underway oh so soon!)

Today was the very first day that while mama was away, the house cleaners played. Walking in to a clean home, almost top to bottom, was just what was needed to pull mama out of the drowning waters that a busy, family-school-business minded was nose deep in.  Papa played that card almost perfectly. 

The bigs were dropped off by the sweetest 'bus lady' ever and were grinning ear to ear. 

Mama took a nice long nap with her three sleeping beauties before sweating in a totally fun, uncoordinated manner, to the top 20 hits! She went home feeling Oula-la. Wink. 

A glass of wine, a soak in the tub with Luna (it's a fragrance people!) and ending the day with kisses from the family and this good book. 

Mama doesn't want this night to end. 

XO

Jari (mama ;)

Failure

I fail every day. I'm human. 

I've learned that I will make mistakes in everything I do... My marriage, motherhood, relationships and business. 

I'm ok with it... Now. I used to get myself all worked up in a tizzy over every little thing that went wrong or every time someone pointed out a failure. But now, since giving up perfection, I know that it's all just part of life. 

I'm not saying that I am a success at anything. But I do believe that I am succeeding in many things because I refuse to give up. Many failures equal success because I learn from the hard times. The conflicts. The tears. The anger. And change the way I approach, handle and act on the circumstance. 

It takes a lot of prayer, discipline and desire to keep going when things get difficult. Believe me, the arrow on the right is how I feel almost everyday. But I continue to go up... because I refuse to give up. I'll get better and better and learn more and more. 

Whether it's teaching my girls better, serving my husband more, or leading my team better... It takes effort and prayer to juggle it all. 

Thank you all who have shown me grace through my failures. 

God is good... All the time. 

XO

Jari

Proverbs 31 Woman... I Have Some Work To Do

The Woman Who Fears the Lord (Proverbs 31:10-31)

10 [d] An excellent wife who can find?
    She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
    and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
    all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
    and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
    she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
    and provides food for her household
    and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
    with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself[e] with strength
    and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
    Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
    and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor
    and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
    for all her household are clothed in scarlet.[f]
22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
    her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates
    when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
    she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
    and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
    and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
    but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
    and let her works praise her in the gates.

XO.

Jari

52 Reasons We Love You DIY

Seriously the EASIEST little gift that might bring a tear or two to the recipient.

I know this has been around the block but it just popped into my head today.

Joel turned 34 today and to be honest, we don't really do much for each other on birthdays. I mean, I guess we do have something special to eat, we shower each other with love and hugs, and maybe a dessert (which tonight was a race to our local DQ to get 4 mini blizzards.... in the nick of time! Alyn and I cruised down the road, hit the green light and rolled up to the drive-thru at 9:00pm. They close at 9:00pm. They served us. HAPPY!)

A couple years ago, we did this for Joel.  Sweet sentiments throughout the day that we text him.

     

(awe... the girls were so little then. Adorable)

Today we did something similar with a deck of cards. We split the deck of 52 up between the 3 of us... Avin got a few cards too and showed her affection for her daddy by eating part of the cover card. We simply took a sharpie marker and wrote down the reasons we love Joel.

After some delicious Mustard Seed take-out, we had planned to play a quick family card game of Rummy before the Broncos creamed the Raiders. (Joel has been a Broncos fan for life!)

He is always the Official Shuffler and Dealer, so when he opened the deck, he noticed his gift.

He sat there and read them all aloud. It was a special moment for our family. He is my #1 on Earth and probably the same for our girls.

Happy Birthday my Love. 

XO.
Jari

Well Done Uncle Larry

Last night, our quiet, incredibly witty, and strong Uncle Larry went to be with The Lord. 

I'm proud to have known him. My Grandma Donna and her family has been so influential in my growing faith. Their love for one another and loyalty to loving and honoring Jesus over anything else has always been engrained on my heart. 

We know that Uncle Larry was a servant to Jesus. As I try to imagine the sound of The Lord's voice saying "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master." (Matthew 25:21), it brings tears of joy and awe to my eyes. 

A legacy lives on through the generations. I am so grateful to be a part of this one. <3 - Cousin Brooke

Thankful for my family. 

Thankful for my Savior. 

Tonight and always. 

XO

Home Is Where the Heart Is.... and the Target goodies!

I have no shame in sharing my love for Target.

It's a place for the WHOLE family!

Well, my family. After a full day of Scentsy party, softball practice, tailgating and stadium clean up... we were rewarded with a PSL (pumpkin spice latte!) and a family shopping trip to Target.

Ok seriously, we hadn't planned on going shopping this evening after such a busy day, but I got a text reminder from the bullseye during clean up that reminded me that almost ALL of their furniture was on sale today!

Remember, I've been working hard on FINALLY decorating our home to resemble us.

Maybe not this crazy...

It was fun grabbing two carts and filling them up with items that have been on my wish list for a while now (no impulse purchases, nothing full price, and we worked hard for the extra spending money! <--- Dave Ramsey would be so proud!)

Then when I got home, I needed help from the late night Saturday facebookers to decide between grey or black. What would you have picked?

Well, I'm heading back to my Pinterest board to delete some pins and clean it up (don't worry; just my Home Sweet Home board) and keep searching for the perfect textiles for our Main Floor Makeover!

I can't wait to show you before and afters... piece by piece.

What have you decorated lately? Care to share? I'd love to see!

XO.
Jari

Letting Go of Perfection

How many of us spend much of our days comparing ourselves to others?

I find that I do that way too much. Consumed by the knowledge of other people excelling at something I thought I should be great at too.

I think of my friends, neighbors, family and peers and always think I should be doing everything just like them. My friend Charlie; her house is ALWAYS clean... like spotless! She cooks amazing meals, does a menu plan and even has become a coupon master. She somehow gets it all done with 6 kiddos! My friend Joanna; she is a fitness expert. She seems to have it all together when it comes to nutrition and fitness and she looks amazing! My sister Jackie; she can chase 4 kiddos around PLUS find time to create the cutest scrapbooks of all of their adventures. My friend Melissa; she ALWAYS has fun no matter what. So much fun that her nickname is HYPAH! Life of the party! My friend Michele; always SO organized. This gal can keep track of everything to a T... and always have a smile on her face. My friend Cameryn; her style is JUST like mine, but she pulls it off in everything she does.... clothing fashion, home decor, hair! My sister Jenna; she can tell everyone how she feels about something without any reservation. When she is passionate about something, people know it. My friend Allison; her faith amazes me. She is an encouragement to many and protects her time with her family. What a priority to have! My neighbor Alisha; her garden is BEAUTIFUL! I'm pretty sure there isn't a weed in sight. My friend Danielle; she has a new passion for running and I want that too! And I could go on and on and on with many others.

It's almost exhausting even sitting here typing this out. It's been a long time since I've felt good about what I'm capable of doing. Most days, that is just getting through the day.

Over the past week, I've learned to let it all go. I can't be perfect. No one can. I can't 'pretend' that I have it all together. I don't. I can only be thankful for the moments I have. Perfection has trapped me for too long. It has kept me from being a good me. From being a good wife and mom too.

Perfection... ADIOS YO! Ain't nobody got time for that.

Food on the floor. Sticky face kids. PJs in the grocery store. Wet hair on a conference call. Hiding in the car for a quiet place. Laundry unfolded. Pizza for dinner. Sheets not on our bed (for like 2 months!) Bags still packed from last trip. Dishes in the sink. Mini blinds are STILL hanging. Toenail polish is chipped. Unfinished schoolwork. That's my life. And I'm ok with it.


NOTE: All of my friends, family, neighbors and peers have AMAZING talents and passions. I'm so grateful that I have them to look up to in certain areas... what they're good at... so they can share ideas and encouragement with me.

XO.
Jari

Off to Shcool

Today was the first day of our Shcool co-op. Yes I know that it's not spelled correctly but it is :) 

Last year a few of us moms named our church homeschool co-op, SHCool. Sovereign Hope is cool is how it came about. And it's funny because that is exactly how we pronounce it- shhhcool :)

Anyway, I've been very involved the last two years with teaching, set up, clean up and most importantly, spending time with my homeschoolin' mamas. I cherish my time with each of them. 

However, this year I just couldn't do it. It broke my heart to have to let it go, but I knew it was the right decision the moment I told the moms. 

You see, I wear many hats. Wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, teacher, cook, housekeeper, diaper changer, baby chaser, bible study host, customer service, trainer, party girl, leader to hundreds of Scentsy Family consultants. 

To be very honest, I wasn't wearing any of my hats well. Somehow, I got lost in the mix of life... Overwhelmed by just trying to get from day to day. 

After much prayer, I knew that something I had failed to do forever is set boundaries. I had to start protecting my time with my family. I had to start focusing and loving my husband better. I had to start being a better mom every day. I had to start leading and building relationships with my Scentsy team. 

So, some things had to go. Some hats had to temporarily get put on the shelf. 

I feel good. I feel like I can conquer my to do list... With a joyful heart. 

XO

Jari

Family Photos Sneak Peek

Tonight I just want to brag on our very talented friend, Jessie Crowley of 5 Crow Photo, has quite the eye for fun, vibrant, 'catching the REAL us' photography! I'm so impressed with these few sneak peeks of our latest session of family photos....

She truly can take a group of rag tags and make us into adorable photo subjects - - if I do say so myself.

THANK YOU JESSIE!!!!!!!!!!

 

Also a HUGE THANK YOU to our super stylish friend, Cameryn, who helped prep all of us girls for the photo shoot by doing our hair and make-up in true Cameryn fashion. ALWAYS CUTE! And lastly, thanks to Missy, of Elegant Events in Missoula for opening up her shop for our eclectic, vintage style!

Psst. You should go 'Like' their pages to see all their talent!

XO.
Jari

Functional Wall Art

Every time I look up while changing or dressing, this little wall art makes me melt. I love that fuzzy bear hat. 

So I wanted to share how we made it. 

The window frame was found at flea market in SD quite a few years ago... And honestly, had sat in storage for the longest time. It was red so I painted it black to match our bedroom. (We are sharing with Avin... For now)

We added chicken wire to the back (stapled on) and now it has become a functioning piece of wall art. 

I had the girls take their favorite pieces of scrapbook paper and decoupage them onto a few clothespins. This is what holds the darling bear photo & Avin's newborn photo onto the chicken wire. 

I use a small corner of the wired window to hold sweet Bear's (Avin) hair bows. 

The barrettes just slide right through the wire and just looks so cute!

The knobs on the bottom of the frame are the perfect bonus to this piece. They hold her headbands perfectly. 

Our sweet friend Kelly Dollar gifted us this sign when we had Avin. I feel so blessed every day. Thank you Dolla' for the constant remind and the perfect addition to her room. 

And there you have it. An easy but oh so adorable way to display your favorite photos while showcasing and organizing the cute hair accessories for your little princess. 

I think I might make another one for my earrings and necklaces!

Oh and this is what it looked like more toward the floor! (And then I cleaned our room:)

XO

Jari

New Routine + More than a Checkmark

No post last night... I fell fast asleep after a long, loving conversation with our friends. Excited to share what we talked about.... later.

One thing I've been trying to do lately is spending more intentional time with my kiddos.... in the morning... one on one.

This morning Alyn and I had a cup of 'joe out on the deck together.... over a quiet Bible reading. We enjoyed the outdoors this morning... the chirping of birds and the crispness in the air that reminds me that Autumn is coming.

We have been using the S.O.A.P method during our bible time lately for the 3 big girls in our house (yep, I'm a big girl!) A friend shared the Good Morning Girls study with me a few weeks ago and we are loving it.

Since reading my bible the past few years, the majority of the time I was using a reading plan that left me feeling behind and overwhelmed. I usually felt like my time reading was only to put a check in the box... to highlight it off my list of to-dos. Thinking of it more as a novel.

This method gives you a short reading plan and then you S.O.A.P.

S = Write the Scripture - I suggest getting a cute tablet or journal for this! Makes it pretty.

O = Write down 1 or 2 Observations from the verses you wrote down.

A = Write down 1 or 2 Applications from the verses.

P = Pray over what you learned that day.

It's so easy - doesn't take long at all - but help you understand what God is revealing about himself. That's what it is... not a rule book or a suggestion book. Not a self-help book. But a book to show you how AWESOME our God is.... how MERCIFUL The Lord is... and how GRACIOUS He is to us... ALWAYS.

My affection for The Word is growing. I'm spending more time in prayer. I'm memorizing scripture to hold in my heart.

Best of all, my kids are too. Nothing can make a Mama Bear's heart so full as to see her children growing to love The Lord.

XO.
Jari

Goodbye Freddie

We had many memories with you. 

We outgrew you. 

You will be loved. 

We sold our 1956 Mercury tear drop to a sweet lady, Kim, who will be repainting Freddie (the name we have this Mercury... You know... Freddie Mercury- lead singer for Queen!) a yellow with crowns! 

Kim and her daughter will be going on a month long trip this year and she will keeping us updated through Facebook. I'm so excited for this mother/daughter combo who will have the best little camper around to take this life journey in!

Blessed to have made memories with this sweet camper and feeling good to finally share it with others. 

XO

Jari <---- feeling happy with just a few tears. 

Quick catch up

It always feels so good to be home when you've been away....

Where we were, was the best place to be this week!

I spent the majority of the 7 hour road trip home thinking about what I'm going to do differently and more effectively in our business. 

I'm so excited to be a 'She Do' (more on that later) and am already using my time more intentionally. 

While Joel, Arly & Alyn were at softball practice this afternoon, I couldn't help but just play on the floor with Avin. It felt like the first time this week that I could really just play with her. We read books, snuggled and cruised all over the house :)

We snuggled until she fell asleep... Stretched out into her crib. (There is nothing like your own bed...amen?)

When I really felt like sitting on the couch just veggin' out this afternoon, I got up and started grading schoolwork!

I'm all caught up!

When Joel and the big girls got home we all unpacked our bags and picked up the living room and kitchen from the trip and garage sale last week - finally it's somewhat baby-proof again! Ha!

I even sat down and did some Scentsy work! I need to be prepared because tomorrow is an exciting day! I can't wait to show you what I'm talking about! Yummmmm!!!!

I'm going to bed again, with a thankful heart... Overflowing with love and friendship. 

Missing our friends already. 

XO

Jari

The Chat

Sharing your heart is not always easy... Unless you share it with someone who totally gets it. 

Tonight I had a talk with a sweet friend whom I've come to love like a sister. 

She keeps it real. Encourages me. Let's me cry. And lovingly doesn't sugar coat anything. For that I am thankful. 

Whether I'm feeling overwhelmed, insecure, unsure of what to do next I know I can count on her to listen and love me through times and pray with me. For that...thank you. 

I'm so thankful for the friendships that I have with so many of my Scentsy sisters. We all come from different stages and phases of life... But we all have a few things in common: to better our own lives and to help enrich others. 

Girls, you did that for me tonight. 

Thank you.

XO

Jari