Treading water... but it's time to swim.

My dear friend Dianna shared a blog post from Sally Clarkson this morning. I'm moved.  I'm convicted. 

 http://www.sallyclarkson.com/mentoring-monday-developing-a-vision-that-comprises-a-whole-life-to-complete/

I don't want a condo or a shack - which is what I have been building. I've been treading water for far too long without swimming a stroke for years. I woke up most days without a real action plan. I've never really meal planned in all my life (except for the few times I've tried to be Pinterest perfect.) I'm short tempered with my daughters and honestly I have no idea why. I haven't been submissive to my husband like I should, instead I've tried to be the boss of the family since day one. A boss without a real plan.... Sounds like a horrifying train wreck. And that's what it's been. I've whined and complained about my health and fitness for years, but only made temporary fixes to change. And them back to my old ways. I'm sad when I see pregnant ladies and small babies. I feel inadequate in everything I do. 

But the real problem... The top sickness I have... Is that I haven't been fully surrendered to Christ. That my heart wasn't wholly ready. I wanted to stay 'in charge'...  But clearly that just doesn't work. Back to the treading and living in a storm with no resources that Sally mentions above. 

I want an estate... Large, beautiful and glorifying to God. 

Jesus is the only way to build an estate. Full trust, full surrender; white flag! 

It's time for me to start living life seriously.... Eternally. It's time for planning and preparing. It's time to work on character and spend quality time with Proverbs 31 women in my life.  

What about you?  Are treading water without really swimming anywhere? Tired and exhausted like me? I invite you to take rest in The Lord. Oh I'm so grateful for that peace. Now only if I can remember to live in it. 

Praying. 

Oh and hey Dianna, it's time you started a blog friend. XO #jariwouldloveit

Date Night - Pedal Pub

Joel and I have been fairly consistent on making sure that we have time together outside of the home. 

We both recognize that dating in our marriage is vital for a strong relationship. 

We have done the normal dinner and drinks, but last night we were invited by some friends to try a pedal pub experience. 

Honestly, I thought this was going to be a drunkfest so I was hesitant to say yes. But I'm glad we chose to go and check it out. It was far from what I was expecting and turned into so much more. 

At 5:45pm, after settling our kiddos with the sitters, we arrived at Market on Front.

 This was the beginning of our experience.  I didn't even know this place existed. {see what we get for NEVER being home!}

After meeting the rest of the pedal crew, we walked to the bottom of the parking garage and found 'the bike!' 

It only took about 15 people and 13,383,675 heart beats later to push this traveling party up two ramps. This is exactly when I knew that what we were going to experience was well beyond my fitness level! 

Once we popped up the canopy, it wasn't long before our little journey had begun.  

Thirst Gear gives you a 3 hour tour (kind of like Gilligans Island, but without the waves) so you get to choose how you spend your time. We chose to pedal the longest leg of the trip and start our night at Draught Works Brewery. It didn't seem like that long of a trip until we started pedaling. Going 5 mph through and across downtown Missoula is quite the haul. Next time I'll definitely bring water... And maybe even wear biker shorts! (You know, the padded underwear type!)

During our trip, it was cool to just look around and see our little city. As fast as we go, sometimes I don't notice the little things. Last night I saw the first signs of autumn. That little orange tree reminded me of the transition and change that had been going on in my life. In my heart. 

After about 20 minutes we finally arrived at the brewery and we were hungry. First stop, Beastro! Joel and I shared a burger and sipped on an IPA. It was delicious. 

As we were walking back out to our bike, I thought this little ride would be a lot quicker and maybe just as eye catching as the 15 seater. Just as fun looking anyway. (Only in Missoula!)

Next stop, Kettle House north side. Park on the bridge. 

Walk through the tunnel. 

Up a lot of stairs. 

And beer and peanuts is your reward! Amber was my choice here and Joel opted for a Cold Smoke on nitro. 

One final stop to round out our night... 

A 'Pam' here (Pabst Blue Ribbon with clamato juice) and our 3 hours was up. It was a short 5 minute pedal back to the parking garage.  After a ridiculously fast and crazy ride down the ramp, we were ready to park! Friends, my legs were tired, my lungs burning, and my tush was numb.

One of my favorite parts about tonight was showing up and seeing one of my newest Scentsy girls on the same tour! I vote for our next team meeting to be a ride through the town together.... Team building, sharing ideas and laughing. 

One final photo of our pedal group before it was time for us to snag our littles back for the night. It was fun to meet this group of pedalers. We only knew 3 people but when this night was over, everyone felt like friends. It took a lot of work (way more than I was expecting) to make this ride a success. But was worth it. 

Who wants to join us for a ride sometime soon?!

Our Story (The Middle)

I had no idea what he and Arly were up to that afternoon in November 2003. (later to find out they were RING shopping!)

They left for a while in the afternoon while I stayed home and cleaned the house. (Okay let's be real, I probably napped for half of the time!)

When they came in the door, little 9 month old Arly looked like she spent the whole day with her dad. A little dirty face and dirty pants!

I took her into her bedroom to clean her up. I hollered out to Joel "So, what did you guys do while you were out?"

He came in the room and ..... are you ready for a romantic burst?!?!?

Right as I was in the middle of wiping a dirty little baby butt, he tries handing me this box! Seriously!? Now?!

I know how every little girl dreams of a fairy tale proposal and wedding.... I wasn't any different.

But I also wasn't going to turn down the man that I love because he was too excited to give me a ring that he just financed a few hours ago! (I mean.... he was EXCITED!)

I just sat there in tears. So happy. Feeling so complete. Like our little family was ready to become one unit.

We got married in May 2004. It was a beautiful, quiet wedding with only our closest friends and family. The location was a little Stave church (Norwegian architecture) in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

On an overcast Saturday afternoon, the mister and I said 'I do' and promised to be husband and wife forever. Almost all of our family was in attendance (minus my sister Jenna who was just days before having her first baby in California). It was nearly perfect.

A string quartet. My handsome dad walking me down the aisle. (You can't see them in the photos but there were deer crossing the background too!)

Sweet little Arly (15 months then) helping her big cousin Kaci be flower girls.

Shortly after Pastor Brown announced us as Mr. & Mrs. Spry, the thunder rolled. The rain drops started to fall..... and it started pouring!

They say that rain is a good sign on a wedding day. That would have fooled me. It seemed the storm didn't stop for quite a few years....

To be continued.....

Our Story (The Beginning)

Underneath a starry dark sky, next to a warm little fire, surrounded by new friends and old (and by old I mean longtime friends... Not age ;), four couples shared their stories of how they met and started dating. We heard very formal, traditional and just the sweetest stories. 

Stories of diamonds, childhood camps and persistent pursuit. 

Our story isn't so traditional. Our story of proposal isn't very romantic. In fact, our story almost didn't last very long. 

Let's start from the beginning....

Joel and I met at a party in college. It was my freshman year and Joel was a junior playing baseball at a university nearby. I had become friends with a couple of his friends from high school. 

He decided to come up one Wednesday night to party with his friend Steve. I happened to be at the same party with my friends and we instantly started flirting. 

Let me just say that it was like love at first sight. I swore that didn't exist before I met him.... But it does. (Let me just tell you that seeing him in a uniform just makes me.... well, let's just say it makes me melt!) We have been together ever since meeting that Wednesday night in April 2001. 

We were little party animals. We were always with friends, drinking and totally head over heels with each other that whole summer. At the end of summer we moved in with each other, along with a couple of my best guy friends from high school. 

I remember thinking at the time that it was crazy we were living together because I barely knew him. Almost like he was this stranger that I just met but knew I loved.

That fall and next spring were filled with the same routine: work & party. 

Early that spring we found out we were expecting a child. I remember that I couldn't wait to tell Joel. He was actually on his way home from a baseball trip in Oklahoma on a bus full of teammates and friends when I called him. I remember both of us having feelings of fear and excitement. 

Fourteen weeks into this pregnancy, after sharing the exciting news with our families, we had a routine ultrasound that showed no heartbeat.... No fetus. What we had was a called a blighted ovum. Basically an unfertilized egg that makes your body feel and grow as if it were growing a baby. 

Shortly after that pregnancy we once again found out we were expecting. We welcomed sweet Arly Jaxson into this world in February 2003. 

My parents were among many people who suggested we get married. Neither Joel nor I were ready. We felt that having a baby was a huge commitment already and were nervous about adding any other commitments to our plates at that moment. 

Now I'm not saying we doubted we would stay together because we still loved each other but wanted to get this parenting thing down first. 

We spent a lot of time falling in love with having this new little girl in our lives and every thing we did revolved around her. Joel showed so much love to me as not only a girlfriend but a mom too. You could see love oozing from him... He was the sweetest daddy. 

(Print from Etsy: Kinley Kate Press) 

The routine continued: work, baby, sleep... Baby, work, baby, sleep. 

The proposal?! That's where I was going with this story..... I guess I got a little detailed in this story of ours. 

The day he proposed.... 

To be continued....

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

Quelf + Mission: I Do

It's the name of a board game! And it is hilarious!!! It's a game of nonsense, laughter and the silliest rules (roolz) you've ever had to follow. 

Apparently so fun it puts dads to sleep. Or maybe it's because we started a board game at 10:30 at night. 

Joel and I are heading out of town early Tuesday for the rest if the week. We are going to Boise to spend time with the top leaders in Scentsy (many of them are sweet friends) and corporate. I'm so excited! 

Anyway, we wanted to spend tonight having quality fun time with the bigs. The girls had played this game in Kalispell with some family friends earlier this summer and I surprised them with it tonight! 

If you're looking for a super fun - for almost all ages - (Avin was too little ;) - game... I highly recommend Quelf!

Yesterday I mentioned being more intentional with loving my husband well.

Today's result of:

1/30

I got up to my alarm this morning and stayed completely calm while getting everyone out the door on time for church. This was an extra difficult task because it was also the day that our family took family photos! (I can't wait to see the work Jessie did! And Cameryn made all of us girls look extra pretty!)

While Joel was at softball tryouts helping other coaches, I cleaned our main living area that has been complete chaos from the sale for the past couple weeks. He was surprised when he came home and could see the couches and floor. 

Now it's time for bed.... I bet I can find something else tonight that would show my love... *wink. <---- for married couples only. 

XO

Jari

When I Said I Do

As I was unpacking from having our car loaded preparing for the worst from the fire, I took a peek into the big white plastic bag. I had a special moment with the heavily laced and beaded dress I wore on that chilly May morning. 

On May 29, 2004, I said 'I do' to the guy who made my whole world twist around... In all the good ways and the hard ways. I married the fun, super sexy, generous and compassionate man whom my sweet little girl called Daddy. 

It seems now that we were just kids. 

Running my fingers down the heavy dress, I remembered every moment of that day. The butterflies of anticipation of my groom seeing me for the first time in the dress. Of our first family photo of all with the same last name. 

Joel has always made me feel loved... More than I ever knew was possible. 

Over time, with a growing family, careers and business, it seems like we get stuck in the everyday hum drum of life. Like we just go about our days doing the same things, saying the same things, caring the same way. I mean I know I tell him 'I love you' but what am I doing to SHOW him that I love him? And appreciate him?

As I was hanging up the dress that resembled that beautiful rainy day and promise to each other, it was a reminder that I need to love my husband more. Love him differently than I have been. 

Sometimes I get mouthy. (Ok a lot of times). It is so comfortable for me to give him my 'worst' of me when I need to be giving him my 'best' part of me. 

I'm ready to love him like Jesus commands us. 

I'm challenging myself to find 30 ways to love my husband better and show him love. I'm going to be intentional for the next 30 days and to share it here with you all. I'm choosing 30 days because I know that's what it takes to make it a habit for me. That's what I want... to fill my husbands heart up with love daily. Maybe we can strengthen and deepen our relationship with our spouse and learn something about ourselves in the process. 

If you are following my blog, I encourage you to try this with me. If you do something different to show love to you spouse (big or small) please comment. I want to hear and cheer you on. 

When I said 'I do' I meant it... Forever. 

XO

Jari