22 April 2011


well, after a long day of travel yesterday we have finally made it to my parents house.  what a dream.  it's so nice to have a big yard and driveway and places for goldie to run around.  she woke up this morning in exploration mode-- her favorite activity of the day was stacking boxes of jello and playing with the lids on mason jars.  annie miraculously is sleeping on her back nicely (we might have used the swing A LOT in these past few weeks) and all day has been a little bundle of joy... as usual.  my girls are special.  i love them so.

saying goodbye to jake was not easy and not fun.  that's all i'll say about that.

it's weird knowing that i'll be at my parents house for 4.5 months.  usually we just come here for a week to visit, but i definitely unpacked my clothes into drawers and have set up diaper battle stations on every floor.  i feel tired from all the packing and changes that have happened for our family this past month, but i know that the exhaustion is a step in the direction of a great and happy future.

i'm feeling rejuvenated.  i start crossfit on monday, which i am completely 100% excited and scared for all at the same time.  i'm kind of ready to kick my own butt back into shape.  plus when your husband isn't seeing you for two months at a time... i mean a lot can be accomplished in two months.  i'm hoping the wow-factor will be in my back pocket next time i see good old jake.  ugh, i miss him.  BAH.  anyway, i have had really strong feelings to just embrace motherhood, meaning:  don't be in such a rush to go run "errands" and don't have such a long list of "things to do."  this day has been spent feeding, cleaning, and playing outside with my children and it has felt so natural and wonderful that i could just burst.  i also have felt impressed to learn how to be a better teacher.  i've been talking a lot more with goldie, showing her things and saying words, etc.  i feel like ever since annie was born, we've just been in GO-mode...i'm so done with it.  so this summer is going to be a summer of taking photos, playing outside, letting my hair be wild and my outfits not match, rolling in the grass with my children, eating fruit and veggies while taking a walk on my favorite trail, letting ourselves get sticky with popsicles... i mean the list goes on.  i'm also taking this time to focus a lot on myself (in the evenings when all is quieter of course).  i feel like i have a lot of spiritual things that i want to work on, and i also want to increase my knowledge on all things LIFE.  remember college?  when i learned and expanded my brain on a daily basis?  i'm going to work on getting that back.  i'm also going to work on hardening my legs and tummy and slimming my arce.  i am also going to read.  read read read.  i'm over tv...seriously.

anyway, it has been crazy preparing for this moment of knowing that i'm already here and jake's already set for his training and especially that we're apart.  i'm not good at goodbyes.. i never have been.  i'm gone from utah and it's very sad to me.  but i'm really not focusing on that, if i'm being completely honest.  like i said, i know all of these things are leading me in the direction of a happy and bright future, one that is closer than i think.  there is sacrifice in life, period.  inevitable sacrifice in every situation.  

i choose glass half full.

with that, i'm going to go grill the chicken that i marinated for my parents and i (one condition on staying here is that i get to cook a few times a week.  i'll take it!) and feed my chickens.  let the games of life renewal begin.

huzzah.

goldie playing:




have you ever seen a yummier baby?:


10 comments:

Jenna Eve said...

My husband did crossfit for awhile and it is intense, good luck. That is a very pretty picture of you.

Breanne King said...

you left utah. I'm glad you didn't sell your house. Maybe you'll come back in a couple years and we won't have left here yet and we can hang out more. I never knew why we didn't. And we'd both have more kids, and Goldie, Annie and Archie can play in the yard while we sit on the porch with our newer babies...

The Scalese Family said...

I know we don't know eachother but I need to tell you that I think you are so inspiring. I love to read your blog. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on life and motherhood. Ps you look amazing and your girls are little angels.
sincerely,
Jessica

Jen Holtkamp said...

so glad you made it safely! i love love love your summer images. oh yeah, annie is an absolute doll. i love the last one of you two :) -jen

jenna said...

miss you so much already.

i'm going to be deathly jealous when you way 2 lbs after cross fit.

i'm so proud of you for doing it and for doing all of this in such a short time. i love you.

Jodi said...

even though we're in pretty different situations, i know a little how you feel...tyler left today and it will be six weeks till i see him. oh the things we do to ourselves...we'll make it though!

michael. mindy. dane. said...

i loved this post. so refreshing. it made me excited for summer and the chance to be home with my little boy and play and enjoy those lazy summer days. thanks for that :) also, you look fabulous, and your girls are adorable.

Rachel said...

Good luck this summer Jenna! I know it's hard without the hubby (I feel like that every time Kirk has his tests) but it's so nice you have your parents' support and your BEAUTIFUL girls. :) --Rachel

CASEY & NICOLE said...

I remember when Casey left for the same training. I had just had a baby and a toddler in tow like you. I also stayed with my parents. I will just tell you now that it was worth it!! You don't seem like you need any reinforcement in that area but honestly you guys are going to be happy in the end of this hard time. Anyway, I'm Casey's wife Nikki, and I love following your blog...Casey was the one helping Jake with this process. You and your family are darling and I hope the time flies for you...and just remember how much more you guys are going to love life after this is all over with!!

Lisa said...

Jenna, your girls are to die for. They are both so perfect!!! The next few months will hopefully fly by and then you will be on to your next adventure!