Big Sister Love.

 With oooing and ahhing non stop when they enter into their baby brothers NICU room, I just know these two big sisters are completely head over heels with the new little guy in our lives. Our girls had to wait about a week and a half after Anchor Joel was born before they could be in the same room with him. They did get a few sneak peeks in from the window (most adorable photo ever!)

NICU has a very strict policy that only brothers and sisters to the patient who are up to date with their immunizations. This might not seem like a big deal but when you aren't the most organized gal in the world (or even the neighborhood!) it takes some time to get all the records you need all compiled and ready to have your doctor sign off on them. Arly was behind on one shot, but she eagerly marched her way into the doctors office and took one for team Anchor. Finally, after 10 days of waiting, your sisters got to touch their precious little buddy... and I'm absolutely positive they fell in love all over again.

Both Arly & Alyn come in with us a couple of times per week and help with Anchor's 'hands on' time. They've gotten very good at doing his containment therapy (see how they have their hands lightly on his head and back? That makes him feel secure with boundaries... just like it feels for him in the womb). They also get to take his temperature under his arm pit and help with his 'milk pops!' - he loves a q-tip dipped in breast milk and rolled on his tongue. It's his absolutely favorite part of hands on care I'm sure of it!

I can't wait until the day when those precious little hands are holding their baby brother... tickling his toes... playing cars with him on the floor... throwing balls back and forth to each other. Some day.... sooner than we'll ever imagine.

Mamas, Date Your Daughters

Joel and I have been more intentional with spending quality one on one time with each of the big girls. Since Avin Janes arrived on the scene just over a year ago, we have been consumed by her: diapering, toddling, cuddling, watching her every move so we never miss a 'first.' 

I realize this can be a lot for the big girls because they've only ever known life as a family of 4. We felt it very important to make sure we were spending more time 'dating' our older daughters. 

I'm very thankful to this season of life. So much adjusting... Yet so much joy. 

Last Saturday, Alyn and I got our 'Griz' on and drove to town to cheer on our University of Montana Lady Griz! 

I wish I would've taken more photos of every detail so I can start using up my Project Life stash I've been collecting, but our hands were overflowing with all the concession stand goodies! When you're by yourself with your mom, you get to eat more than you can carry back to the seat in your own. 

Honestly, the game wasn't special. We go to Griz games often. 

It was the conversation on the way to town, the wandering through the stadium to find our seats (obviously neither of us had ever paid much attention to the map before!), the snacking, the giggles from watching our coach go crazy wild, her hand on my knee (I don't think she even realized she did that... But I noticed every second). 

Mamas, date your daughters. I wish I would have all along but I know starting now, at ages 10 and 8, we have many dates to learn about each other and help mold our daughters into the women they were made to be. 

What is your favorite mom/daughter date? Where do you go? What do you do? Let's start a list here to help each other get more ideas. 

XO

Jari

Relaxing Realizations

I guess it's been a couple of days since I've written here. Honestly, I have been in 100% relaxation mode!

We have been on a mini 'working' vacation... I say working because Joel had to travel for work this week and the girls and I just jumped in the car and went along for the fun. That is exactly what we were having... FUN! We even built a fort!

We spent the afternoon at our friend Kay's house to craft on Wednesday. See the goodies we made? The girls love spending time with 'Mama Kay' as they get to craft a little something every time.

The rest of the time, the girls and I pretty much have just hung out at the hotel. We got a suite this time so having the extra room proved very beneficial for a certain little one year old to take her 2 daily naps.

I dove into an incredible book yesterday and am almost finished today! Sparkly Green Earrings by Melanie Shankle is hilariously funny one moment and will bring a little quiet tear the next. Such a good read that I even skipped out on the nightly swimming session with family because I just couldn't put it down. (Truth be told, I had to force myself to write tonight because all I want to do is finish that book!)

It's amazing at how much a person can do when they are absent from the distractions of our every day life! I'm blown away at the girls and their ability to sit down and not only finish their school work in a very short amount of time, but really excel at it. They have finished their daily work in approximately 2 hours each day as opposed to the 5-6 hours it takes at home. The same amount of work, same difficulty... but I'm fairly positive there was a lack of "Alyn, please load the dishwasher. Arly, the dog needs fed. Can you watch Avin real quick while I switch laundry." And so many 'so ons' that I'm sure come out of my mouth almost every minute.

This week also brought on some deep conviction and evaluation of my life and heart. I am praying, planning and preparing for a new year that will be full of growth and action in a simplified way. I'm looking forward to a face lift... in all areas of my life. (Yeah, that kind of seems cliche typing it - but I'm ready to raise my standards for myself.) (I actually don't really need a face lift... but something else could be lifted.) (Did I just say that?!) (One more week of weaning and we are finished... CHEER & TEAR!)

XO

Jari

In... but not of

I'm realizing that in this season of being absent from social media, I have been spending a lot of time planning and reevaluating everything I do. Questioning what I'm doing and what is worth doing... is it adding value to my life or the lives of others. I'm loving this fast (even though I know my family and some friends are struggling with me not being on facebook right now - I heard a bit about that while we were home and surrounded by family the past couple of weeks)

Taking a 6 week break from comparing myself with others, getting locked in conversations that have nothing to do with me, and getting lost in a mound of photos of people I hardly know has really helped me refocus on myself, my faith and my family. 

With that being said, I do feel like I'm ready to go back to Instagram. I have noticed that I don't take nearly enough photos of my family and our every day moments that I want to remember forever without it. (Seems silly that I'll only remember taking the photos if I have a place to post them but for some reason, it just works that way)

So as of tonight, I'm back on Instagram. (Don't worry Grandma, I'll have them linked right to Facebook!) Not to get sucked in, but to use it as a tool. Oh I will have rules for myself that I will stay disciplined to follow but I'm excited to be back 'in the world.' 

That's one thing that I have realized... that the world is there. Here on the web.  I need to be a part of it. But only to add value to others, to glorify God and not devalue my little world. I will not allow myself to be consumed by it. 

The Word of God in the New Testament encourages us to continue our relationships with the world around us, but to be careful to live in a way that pleases God, not the culture:

1 John 2:15
Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

That's why I had to fast... Not just because I thought I needed a break, but because I was consumed with discontent of worldly things, ideas, and perfection. 

It was a slap in the face that I needed to back off, pray and fast so that I could refocus on my relationships: with God and my family. 

If I were to post right now, it would be of these two beautiful young ladies. Tonight they had their piano recital and both did an amazing job, even though they were both overly nervous. 

Since starting my social media fast, I have spent way more time with these girls. I've learned so much about them because I am intentional about listening to them. Really listening. I feel like I missed out on them because I was 'too busy.' All of the 'just a seconds' took over and that caused me to miss many minutes, hours and even seasons in their lives.

This brings me to one of my main rules.... you must not lose time with your girls. They are more precious than any 'like', 'follow' or 'tag' you'll ever receive. Do not get distracted and lose your focus on those beautiful brown eyes. They need you to be a focused, intentional, right now mama. God is working on my heart right now. I can feel it. I'm so excited to see what this next chapter holds for us. 

XO.

Jari

Cozy Cruise Down a Sparkling Memory Lane

Joel and I took our girls for a little cruise around our old stompin' grounds tonight.

I finally finished up their Advent Calendar (only 5 days late!) this morning  - - hard to do when you're on the road - - and tonight I knew that we had some free time and it would be the perfect opportunity to cruise around town looking at Christmas lights.

Right after we finished our Chinese delivery dinner... (heck yes, delivery because it was -11 degrees when we ordered dinner - - BURR!), we bundled up and heated up our new ride. (Have I told you that we got a new vehicle about 12 hours before we left MT!!? and we LOVE IT!)

Anyhoo, we bundled up, grabbed some hot caramel steamers to go, and made our way through West Boulevard. I will say that Joel and I were highly disappointed with the lack of Christmas lights up. It's been many years since I had been up there but when we were little, that street would GLOW like Clark Griswold's house. It was such a big thing for me to do while in Rapid City, that I absolutely wanted to take the girls up there to see the beautiful sight. But tonight just wasn't the night. Maybe 5 houses had lights up. So sad.

But our adventure didn't stop there. We drove up some big hill streets and saw some beautiful homes with lights. Then we drove past the hospital and showed the girls where they were born. Since we were on the right side of town, we did a drive by of our two homes in the city.

Oh my.... The house on Ivy brought back memories of Joel and I first learning about each other and living together for the first time. Many nights partying there. Many nights just snuggling on the couch getting to know each other. Many nights of tears there too when we experienced our first pregnancy as a loss. We parked out front and shared so many memories with the girls. It was surreal.

Then the apartments just down the street. That was Arly's first home. All the way until she was 16 months old before we moved across the state. I'll never forget climbing up the three flights of stairs with a baby and then sweet toddler while carrying groceries. She had her many firsts in that apartment and that is where we started our family. Two bedrooms, barely enough room for a dining table, and community laundry. Ah memories.

I loved tonight. I wish I had some photos to share with you but my phone battery was sucked dry. Which is nice to be unplugged and have the chance relax but not having photos to remember this memory really stinks.

That brings me to another point. So you know that I have been fasting from social media since October. I have found that because I'm not on Instagram, I'm not taking nearly as many photos of the girls or just documenting our every day moments.

I actually had a few of my favorite people (grandma, sister, aunties!) question me about my social media fast this past week and kind of beg me to come back... just for the photos of the girls.  I totally understand where they are coming from but I'm not ready to come back to Facebook at all yet. But I do want our family and friends to have photos of us. And I do want a reason to remember to take the photos throughout the day. But I'm struggling how I'm going to make that happen or whether I'm ready to go back at all. I've enjoyed the break. A lot.

Instagram would be the place I would return first. Honestly, it's what I miss the most. Just photos. I could even link it to my Facebook feed for those who aren't on IG.

Hmmmm....

Decisions, decisions. Lots of prayer and rules will be needed.

One more note:
Saturday is Avin's 1st birthday and we did a little shopping at downtown's square. Look how much fun the little Bear was having. Time to prepare for the party!

XO.
Jari

Happy Halloween & Hair Do!

This morning started off as a treat. This mama got a 2 1/2 hour timeout that involved scissors and some foil! Sounds scary... But it was far from that! 

Joel treated me once again with a morning at the salon. He came home from work to hang out with Avin, while the big girls were at school co-op at the church, so I could have some me time. 

As you know, I've been bleaching my hair for the past 2 years and it was pretty toast. Today I went with a more natural blond (almost my adult natural color) and cut about 5 inches off the back. I really like the new look but it'll still take some time to get used to. What do you think?

Then I rushed home as I still had a costume to make before my biggest little got home from school. I wanted to surprise her and have it finished and surprisingly, it happened! 

We went with all hand made costumes this year for Halloween. Arly chose Pocahontas and 2 yards of faux suede and a couple hot glue sticks later were we set with a poncho, skirt, headband with feathers and even a treat bag. 

(Wow! When I see this photo she looks so old... And beautiful... And I'm so proud of the lovely young lady she is becoming)

Alyn was 'Squirty' the clown. And an adorable clown she was! We had almost everything down in the dress up bin so all we had to get was the suspenders, shoe covers, and nose.

(She played the part quite well! She was hilarious and was the life of the party!)

Little Miss Avin almost got forgotten this year. Joel and I came across the funniest little grandma ensemble that we totally wanted her to be but couldn't find a used walker we could saw down to her size. So I kind of forgot all about her costume until 2 days ago. I remembered seeing a little octopus DIY costume on Pinterest a while back and totally winged it on her costume. It turned out completely adorable!!! 4 pairs of rights, a role of wire, a bag of poly-fil and some felt and we had ourselves the cutest little octopus you ever did see. 

(Everyone commented on how sweet she was. She even got pretty good walking with the belt of 6 extra legs by the end of the night!)

We had some of the sweetest friends join us for the trick or tearing and some super delicious chili (spicy and regular) and hot dogs. Add some hot chocolate, wassail and Oktoberfest and you have yourself one amazingly, comfortable, relaxing night with perfect company. 

We honestly couldn't have asked for better weather and conversation tonight. 

I'm heading to bed, with a happy heart and smile on my face, because I ended my month of focusing on relationship really doing just that. 

I'm so blessed to be surrounded by so many incredible people. 

(I'm going to have to watch this one!)

Happy Halloween!!!! From our house to yours!

Now bring on the Christmas music and tree!!

XO

Jari

Slow day

I can't believe how slow today went by. 

I truly believe that I got done what would have taken me almost a week to get finished. Laundry is caught up, 3 meals made (home made and all delicious I might add!), Avin's 9 month check up (only 1 1/2 months late!) and a Scentsy delivery made. 

I talked on the phone with my stepmom, sister and two team members. I got caught up on dishes and even did a short Scentsy  training... 2 minutes short to be exact!

Joel was home today too and while Avin was down for her afternoon nap, the rest of us sat, in silence, reading! It was incredibly relaxing. Joel got caught up on his Church Leadership reading, the bigs got school knocked out in less than 3 hours and I got dove into my bible study and am almost caught up. 

There was a moment while we were reading quietly together when I just sat... Soaked in the moment... And for the first time in a long time, I felt free. Free from the rush. Free from the constant distraction. I finally felt like I was in the moment. And that lasted almost all day!

I sat down this evening with a stack of piano music and tickled the ivories. I was a bit rusty but after a little while, it all started coming back. I'm not sure if I've ever played like that for my girls. I haven't sat down like that in almost 5 years! The look of pure joy on the girls' faces just affirmed that I made the best decision to step away from social media and get connected at home. 

I want to leave you with an incredible dessert that little miss Alyn made this evening all by herself. 

Caramel Apple Tart

You will need:

Puff pastry

2 honey crisp apples

1 cup brown sugar

1 lemon (juiced)

A pinch of salt

Caramel sauce 

Pecans (optional)

Core you apples and cut them into somewhat thin slices. Put apples into a bowl. Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the sliced apples. Add your brown sugar and stir. 

Lay your puff pastry sheet onto a lightly greased baking sheet. Cut it on half. Line up the apples on each puff pastry sheet. Fold up the edges of the pastry. 

Bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Warm your caramel in the microwave for 90 seconds.

When tart is finished, remove from oven and drizzle with warm caramel.

Add pecans if you wish. So delicious!!! The only thing missing was vanilla ice cream!

We had the best day. It's like Taylor Swift's song "Best Days"; I want my girls to remember these days. Days where we are just completely present with each other. 

Girls, today, I had the best day with you. 

XO

Jari

Clay Date

Alyn and I had the chance to sneak away for a few hours on Saturday and creeped through the north side until we found the perfect spot to spend 3 hours together... The Clay Studio!

It was  first time playing with clay and Miss Marlyse was an excellent teacher. We got to spend 3 FULL hours molding and shaping our clay into whatever we wanted... and could use however much clay we needed.

 Alyn made a little vase for her desk and the most adorable cloud shaped letter holder for her desk in her 'almost cloud' room. (We have a little more work to do in there before we show you.) I made a large vase and way too big of a coffee mug (I guess some mornings it'll be just right)

What I loved most about that day is the little words of praise to each other while we were molding and painting... the giggles when whatever we made flopped... the small talk throughout the day (I love her little voice. I love how she looks up at me from her cute little pink glasses. I love her 3rd grader grin!)

We met up with a friend and her son and just had a complete blast!

It'll take up to 2 weeks before we will be able to pick up our masterpieces... but I'm excited to see the look on her face when the firing and glazing are complete.

A quick trip for a pumpkin pie steamer and latte at the 'bucks and a loop or two around Goodwill, we headed home.

I loved our date. It made me so happy. I must be more intentional with spending one on one time with my growing girls. These days go by too fast.

XO.
Jari

5 Spry + 5 Crow = One Happy Mama!

I have a friend who is INCREDIBLY talented behind the lens and who is becoming like a sister to me. We had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with her capturing memories of our little family.... but I have a problem. I CAN'T DECIDE WHICH I LIKE BEST!!! I LOVE THEM ALL!

Jessie is a phenomenal photographer and owner of 5 Crow Photo here in the Missoula area and I'm so happy that she got these amazing shots of our family. She is so patient, full of ideas, flexible and the quality of her work just makes me melt.

Here's where I need your help!

I have this grand idea of creating a gallery wall that folds around a corner of a couple of walls in our home. We have next to nothing hanging up now, so I definitely want some family photos included in this gallery. But it's nearly impossible to choose on my own which photos to print when they are all so good. So please... could you let me know what your favorite 3 photos are by the number in which they are listed? Pretty pretty please?

And if you would be so kind... to go to 5 Crow Photo, look at her beautiful work and click LIKE. Jessie is working hard on getting her new studio ready and I know a little marketing help would just be icing on the cake! :) Oh and I heard she's doing something fun over there on her awesome page too!

CAUTION: Spry Family Overload.... Enjoy :)

Thank you Jessie. Love you beautiful friend.

XO.
Jari