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