judi free!

I thought having a baby would…

• end my career
• ruin my marriage
• be full of tedious work
• end of many friendships
• end my social life
• make me boring

Instead, having a baby has…

• given me a new passion for my work
• increased the joy in my marriage
• shown me that tedious work for your own baby is actually fun
• started and bloomed many new friendships
• started a whole new social world
• made me more alive with energy with new perspectives

We hear so many negative reasons why people don’t want to have kids. I’m here to tell you that if you have a good foundation and joy in your life, a baby will enhance everything you already have.  Now…get to baby making!

Here’s the thing about blogs…you write it in hopes that someone will read it.

Only…when a certain someone tells you they have read your blog (which is what you want, right?), you immediately take a mental inventory of what’s on your blog to ensure there’s nothing too damaging or revealing on your blog.

Then, inevitably, the next blog post you write is tainted because you are trying to write for your readers and not for yourself.

This is why twitter wins sometimes.

The last 6 weeks have been a wonderful, dream state blur. Words don’t come close to describing the emotions and love that we have experienced.

For now, here’s a quick list of things that We are learning and experiencing:

Burping, farting, pooping and peeing are celebrated on a semi-hourly basis.

There are not enough burp cloths in the world.

Losing a pacifier at the wrong time is devastating.

Hearing my baby cry isn’t stressful.

You can become an expert at many new things in less than 6 weeks with daily practice. Case in point: diaper changing.

Being a mommy has rewards that outweigh stretch marks, 3 am feedings, and 30 extra pounds.

Praying never felt so good.

Check out junejett.com to hear about June’s adventures!

My mind and emotions have been swimming in the deep end lately. I can’t believe I haven’t posted in 2 weeks. That’s the longest I’ve ever gone without spilling my guts for the world to read.

I think it’s time for some spillage, but I can’t seem to get my thoughts in order. Tomorrow, I will have a good post. I promise. I’m not a dead link. And I’m not a mom blog (even though I can hardly keep my mind of my precious little baby girl, June). Here’s what happened in the past 2 weeks:

1. We felt June kick on the outside of my tummy for the first time – magical.
2. We had house guests from Missouri.
3. We are welcoming Joshua White into our home tonight. This will be our first “face-to-face” with anyone from the internets.
4. My face has gotten fatter – I’m fairly sure of this even though my friends swear it’s not true.
5. French fries make my feet swell up, but I can’t seem to stay away from them.
6. I started watching the HBO series, Big Love. It’s just wrong.
7. We had a snow storm and 2 snow days.
8. God taught me some lessons.
9. I miss my blog friends.

Is there such a thing as reasonable fear with the Lord?

I hear statements like, “Every good parent worries for their child.” and I can’t help but wonder if it’s true. Fear is the opposite of faith…so are we just comforting ourselves and making excuses for our fear?

I want to live FREE of fear and the promises in the Word tell me I can. Right???!?!?!?!?!

Ever since I got the iPhone, I take pictures of myself every day. E-V-E-R-Y-D-A-Y!!!! I told my friends this and they laughed their heads off…especially when they saw the pictures. I’m a dweeb that likes to check her makeup and take funny pictures.

For your enjoyment:

I just woke up

With my helmet cam (a whole other story)

Yes, I'm driving. Yes, I have a weird 1/2 open eye.

I have 100 that look just like this.

Last night, I spent some time with some of my best buddys at the hospital. What should have been a somber and awkward time was a refreshing and belly-gut-laughing time.

I am slowly feeling the tug on my heart to give more…  I want to do more. My plate feels full, but just when I think there’s nothing left to give, God prepares a way and my cup overfloweth!

Seriously, Mark and I gave so much time and money last month and we ended up having more money left over in the bank account and more time together than EVER. It was truly supernatural. We are more energetic and refreshed than ever.

This life is not my own. These posessions are not mine to keep. My time is well spent with others I love. My heart is pounding as I write this…

I’ve been in rare form this week. Noticibly edgy…facetious …cutting…and as one co-worker described “SASSY”.

I don’t know what’s gotten into me, but I don’t feel like being sweet to people. When something witty (or cutting) comes to mind, I just blurt it out. I just don’t feel like my “Happy-go-lucky” self!

Sorry if I have said anything to hurt or offend  you in the past week. I just need to get into the Word and humble myself I guess…

Here are some questions I’m pondering this week:

1. Do I just need an attitude adjustment or is this just my real personality?
2. Can “SASSY” ever be a good thing?
3. If everyone is rubbing me the wrong way…am I the one who needs to turn around?

Me vs. Me

1. I don’t like shopping at newly opened stores – they don’t have sale racks yet. Target without sale racks = SUCKS
2. I filled up my gas tank for $35 instead of $50 – it was great
3. I really hate to be alone. I was alone all day Saturday and almost lost my mind. I filled the empty space with shopping with strangers – probably not the best option (but I did get a new pair of amazing boots).
4. Every store I shopped at this weekend was crowded and busy – are we sure we are in an ecomonic crisis?
5. Mark and I like sushi now – we must be growing up
6. More than anything in the ENTIRE world, I love to spend time with my husband
7. I cut my hair to look “futuristic” for a friend’s birthday party. It was the bomb - and now I have bangs.
8. If you have a choice between Cottonelle  & Cottonelle ULTRA for the exact same price…why wouldn’t you always get ULTRA?

How was your weekend?

Cottonelle vs. Cottonelle Ultra - No contest

 

Tokyo Joes - Sushi, Rice Bowls, Hot Husband & New Bangs

Notice the iphone and blackberry, new bangs and sushi!

 

We know how to have fun!

• sing like an angel
• relate better to my friends when they are going through hard times
• be more knowledgeable about Scripture
• listen better – much better (sorry Mark for the constant interruptions)
• win $1,000,000 playing McDonald’s Monopoly
• start my own business
• lose 15 lbs.

The funny thing about this list is that only one of these things requires luck…the rest, I just need to work at. I can do it. I know I can. SUCCESS IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO EFFORT. Luck is for losers (even though I did win a $50 gas card) - and the rest is in our hands to work hard and become everything we ever dreamed of.

Being raised in a Hispanic family in a small town has made the definition of family blurry to me. The random stranger you meet at the grocery store is apparently your cousin and the nice gentleman at church is “Brother” John. 

Now, as I grow older, the definition grows even fuzzy-er. I have in-laws who are more like my friends and I have friends that feel like they are family. To add to that, I have a church family whom I adore and love.

All this to say, I think I’m finally understanding what God intended for us as the Family of God…we are all children with ONE FATHER and led by ONE SPIRIT. I have never felt so surrounded by loving people as much as I have this year. Although only a few of them are “blood relatives”, all of them are family!

I am speaking at Ladies Night this Friday at ORCC. I am a little intimidated. I am supposed to talk about having joy in family relationships.

The problem is that the room will be filled with women much older and wiser than me. I do have incredible joy in my marriage and it is so easy to blog and write about the beautiful joys and the ”everyday wonderful” life that I have. It all sounds so good on paper, but will it translate in a room of mothers, wives, pastors, widows, professionals, divorcees, and mentors? Will they be laden with doubt and think that this naive girl just hasn’t experienced enough marriage to know what she’s talking about (will I be laden with doubt?).

Here’s my outline for Friday (on paper):

1. I have been happily married to the man I love for 5 1/2 years (insert joke on how I still count by the 1/2 year)
2. We find joy in our families and marriage by living everyday wonderful – Give quick breakdown of our “everyday wonderful rules” (click the marriage category if you want to read them).
3. We are trying to start a family and while we have endured much pain and loss this year, we find strength to endure by choosing to praise God despite the circumstances – I’ll give a quick nugget on the difference between Praise and Worship and how it is emotionally and spiritually necessary to PRAISE during hard times (that’s a whole other blog post).

Oh God, please give me strength and confidence to talk to these wonderful women. If even not for them, then for me.

If you are in Denver (and a woman) come on out and have
some girl time on Friday!

Since my parents moved to town, I have learned that I still have some learning to do. In my mind, I am a young, sophisticated, and independent woman. What else could I possibly need to learn???

Here’s the 1st lesson I’ve learned since they have been here: Say What You Mean…Mean What You Say. Sounds simple…but it’s really not. I’m realizing that I’m flaky. YES. Flaky. The worst kind of flaky too. I tell people all of the time that I will be somewhere or do something and then I don’t do it. I make excuses and all sorts of explanations of why I didn’t or can’t do something that I said I would do.

My parents did not sit me down to teach me this lesson…they simply believed me when I told them that I would come over to their house. No follow up phone call to double-check that I would come. They just sat by the door and waited for me. I was so convicted because I knew I couldn’t back out or cancel at the last minute (like I normally do). If I even mention in a casual conversation…”I’ll swing by on Friday”…then at the end of the conversation, they say “OK, we will see you on Friday.” Period. I said it. If I said it, I must have meant it. If I meant it, then I surely will do it…right?

I thought about all of the things my parents said they would do (like move to Denver). All of the promises they have made, they have kept. I have no reason to doubt them when they tell me that they will do something or be somewhere. It is so comforting to know that you can rely on someone’s word. No second-guessing if they will show up or cancel on you. No awkward conversations. No broken promises. No leading people on. Right now, my word isn’t worth much, but I’m going to change that. My word will be my bond…I’m looking forward to this!

This week, I went to church directly after work on TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY – 3 weeknights in a row.

I was working and volunteering. I was worshiping and being fed. I was fellowshipping and having real community. I was dreaming and planning. I feel like our church has become more active – or maybe I have just become more active.

The days were long, 13-hour days, but for some reason…I didn’t mind at all. I think this is a sign. A sign that I could very well be ready for revival. Revival in the terms that I am perfectly OK with God interrupting my perfect little schedule. I’m OK with being at church every night instead of my cozy little home. I’m OK with spending my lunch hour reading the bible instead of going out with friends. I’m OK with the people at church being my best friends. I’m OK that the first place I kiss my husband all day long is on stage before worship starts.

Are you ready for revival to interrupt your life?

I have been told that my blog is GIRLY. I LOVE THAT!!!

So I share with you my secret passion: I love to do hair and make up!

Specifically – hair and make up for weddings! It can be very stressful, as a wedding is the ultimate dress up day for a woman, but it is so fabulously fun when everything turns out right. Here is my beatiful friend, Deanna, on her wedding day with her bridesmaids. I did Deanna’s makeup and her bridesmaid’s hair - aren’t they lovely?

Ladies, if you need your hair or makeup done for a special occasion (prom, homecoming, blind date, wedding). Just give me a shout – it’s my favorite thing to do!  I am doing hair for a bridal party on Saturday morning and I’m so STINKIN EXCITED!