Simplicity

I am totally overwhelmed today...not because things are crazy but because I have been lacking focus for the last few days and it's all crashing down on me today. I wish it was just one area of my life so I could clean it up really quickly but it seems to be everything at once...home, family, work, finances, health, spirit...EVERYTHING. This whole 2 month period was supposed to be about finding balance and health...as Dr. Phil would say, "How's that workin' for ya?".

At the beginning of this journey a friend recommended a book called, "Simplicity" by Mindy Caligure, perfect enough I thought, so I searched 3 different websites to find the one that could get it to me the fastest. It got here, I opened it, read the first 13 pages and it's been sitting on my nightstand for the last 3 weeks...true Jodi style. I opened it again today and this is what I read,

"Simplicity means taking action to align one's exterior world with one's interior values and commitment to God." and continues, "Through simplicity we become consistent and experience alignment, integrity, wholeness. We live out the values we profess; we discard what doesn't serve us. We feel complete-not pulled in many directions but rather resolutely pursuing the one path that really matters."

FEEL COMPLETE...music to my ears! EXPERIENCE ALIGNMENT, INTEGRITY, WHOLENESS...oh more beautiful sounds! THE ONE PATH THAT REALLY MATTERS...could it be any clearer Jodi????

I think I mentioned before I've started a journal for Parker and each day it's hard for me to feel like I do a good enough job telling him how much I love him and how there is nothing I wouldn't do for him and how my life would have less meaning if I wasn't his mom...Guess what, God feels that way about ME...in fact, sometimes it's hard for me to believe it, but His feelings are even stronger and His sacrifice larger than any I've had to give. I'm reminded that by pursuing the One that really matters simplicity will come, wholeness will be felt and life will be better.

I'm excited to get my thoughts out but I also feel pretty vulnerable...I have to believe that by sharing my feelings, experiences and thoughts I am getting closer to that alignment- this is who I am right now, inside and out.

Getting back to 'normal'...

What a week it's been! We had a great Thanksgiving in Sacramento with my brother-in-law, nieces and Zach's mom. I got all of my Christmas shopping done on Thursday night/Friday. It was so super easy and I feel great about the deals I got this year!

We came back to Chico Friday afternoon and I was off to my old ladies house for my 24 hour shift. Sunday was AWESOME...I cleaned out my closet and dresser! 4 LARGE trash bags full of items to donate (that WILL be dropped off today)! I L-O-V-E cleaning things out these days!!!! It feels like a 30-day cleanse in just one day! Monday, P and I headed over to the Campbell house to spend a couple of days with our friends, Keaton (11.9-his b-day's on 12/27), Bryce (9) and Kyla (6). It was super fun! Parker LOVES the 'Big Kids'. It was a great week and I am SO glad to be back home and getting back to 'normal'.

I was reminded again this week about the loss of our baby...the reality. We're all doing totally fine, but it's funny how it can just pop up in your face. I was also reminded that God is in control, as long as I get out of the way. His plan is far better than mine and I am so thankful for that!

I've also started a Parker Journal in the last 3-4 days. It's been so fun to write down my day to day life with him and to think about him reading it in 25 years. I am SO lucky to be his mom and SO grateful to have him in my life. It has reminded me how great my life is and how blessed I truly am...I pray I stay open to these 'lessons' that are coming in this 're-do' and embrace the changes that need to be made...or they'll be made without me...which is ok too. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

We've had a busy morning at home getting ready to head down to Uncle Josh, Bella and Avery's house for Thanksgiving dinner. Zach worked out, P and I watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and I prepped for my 1st ever, early-morning, black friday! I'm not doing the whole 3am thing but my goal is to be out the door by 5am. It's going to be the first Christmas that P really 'gets' so I'm excited to pick up a few things for him that he'll be super excited about. Good news is, since I prepped this morning, the rest of the day will be focused on my gratitude for the people around me.

We are truly a blessed family. Great home, great friends, great work places, great church, GREAT kid, great family, great health...SO THANKFUL for the blessings that have been given to us this year and the years before.

This year my family is in 5 different locations, Sacramento, Palm Desert, Minnesota, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. We wish we could be with everyone but we know each celebration will be special and filled with love.

I hope you enjoy this day where ever you are. Please know that we love and appreciate each of you and thank God for your role in our lives. We couldn't be the people we are today without the influences of our friends and family. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Good Morning Weekend

I have to say, I think it's been a good 7 weeks since I've woken up on a Saturday morning and just got to stay in my jammies. I LOVE IT!!!

Zach's working out, P's all cozied up on the couch watching Fireman Sam and I'm checking in with the WWW. I've already cleaned the kitchen sink (my new thing, I have to do 1 task for my house before the T.V. or computer get turned on) and I'm ready to take on the floors.

Later today we get to go to Sac to celebrate our youngest niece's 3rd B-day. We're all excited to see them and their new house. Parker LOVES his cousins...we wish we saw them more.

Anyway, I hope you all have a GREAT Saturday!

Back in action!

I feel like I am finally getting back into the swing of things since my spa weekend...that didn't end up being a spa weekend.

Couple highlights...

My oldest little old lady (104 yrs old) slid out of her wheelchair while I was gone at the grocery store...THANKFULLY (and amazingly) she didn't break anything or really get hurt at all. Praise the Lord! I got to see my friend Kenny when the fire engine came to help her and my little ladies totally flirted with the firemen! SO CUTE!

I set-off the whole house alarm closing a window...man those things are LOUD.

Now back to my normal. I had a great day at work yesterday! It's mid-year review time and it was a great feeling to report on goals I've already accomplished that aren't even due yet! SO THANKFUL for my job, supervisor and co-workers! I feel blessed to work in a place where innovation isn't just ok-it's expected. I have never been in such a healthy work environment and I feel SO blessed!

Music class today, laundry, floors-trying to get a handle on this place then off to work. I'm feeling great and full of gratitude!

I hope you have a blessed day and know that if you're reading this, I AM THANKFUL FOR YOU!

Spa Weekend...kinda

For the last 1.5 years I've had a little side job...I spend 2-24hr. shifts per month with 2 sisters...94 yrs old and 104 yrs old...yep...TOTALLY SERIOUS! I got hooked up because my friend Jana helps manage their 'business affairs' and they have someone that lives with them 24/7 but she gets 2-24 hr shifts off a month...that's where I come in. It's been fun hearing their stories and the money has been a blessing so I'm thankful.

This weekend their 'live-in' is taking her grandkids to Disneyland so I'll be there from 7pm tonight until Sunday at 8pm. It's really hard to be away from my boys that long and be in the same town so, I'm calling it my spa weekend! I've packed my scrubs, masks, nail polish, files, People and O magazines and GREAT snacks. Needless to say, these ladies do not own a computer (nor have they ever used one) so I will also be taking a break from my posts (and all outside communication) as well. Enjoy your weekend my friends...I'll be back in action Monday.

Tears in My Eyes Excited!

I found out yesterday that one of my old Newport friends is pregnant with twins and I am SOOOOO very excited for her and her husband. It sounded like it had been a long journey to get there and she is SO pumped! I found out through her status update on Facebook...I told her I was "tears in my eyes excited" for her...you know that feeling, when tears just show up in your eyes...happy tears! She had just heard the heartbeats and there is NOTHING that sounds as sweet as that 'thud-thud-thud'...I cannot imagine what it would be like to hear 2! SO COOL!

Many of you already know, but I had a miscarriage 2 weeks ago today. I went in for my ultrasound and the baby had no heartbeat. I was supposed to be 11 weeks but the baby only measured 10w 2d so it had probably happened just a few days earlier. I was scheduled for a D & C the next evening. Instantly in my head, I knew this was not the end of the world, but my heart was broken.

It's been amazing to hear from so many friends and others that they too have gone through the experience. Not only the experience of miscarrying, but of being "ok" in their head but devastated in their heart. I'm SO thankful that we had a great pregnancy experience the first time (minus the broken leg and all) so I know we're capable. This is just not a club that I wanted to join, although I don't think anyone does.

Now, I'm trying to figure out how I 'commemorate' the little life that was growing inside me, that I had hopes for and plans for and that we were picking out names for...how do you honor that? I think this blog is one way. We had been trying to get pregnant and we were ecstatic when we found out we were but also a little surprised. I knew I could have been in a better place physically, mentally and organizationally (the chaos that surrounds) than I was. So this is my do-over. I get to spend the rest of the year doing that and I'm pretty excited. Once again time is flying by, so I need to get a move on!

The moral of this post is I know in my HEART that GOD IS GOOD and LOVING and HAS A PLAN FOR MY LIFE. I'm tired of passively living and taking what comes my way. I want to walk with HIM and LIVE with the LOVE and PURPOSE that he has for me. I am SO THANKFUL that one day I will hear the sweet sounds of the 'thud-thud-thud' and I SO look forward to experiencing the JOY and BLESSING that we did before.






Congrats again to Heather and enjoy the next 7 months...it's A BLAST!!!!