awwww the joys of online shopping

I don't know how my parents handled, or even looked forward to, Christmas shopping for us when we were kids. I can't imagine trudging around in the snow, from store to store, searching for our desired items. Online shopping didn't exist 30 years ago. Oh my!
I love online shopping.
Cyber Monday is my best friend at Christmastime.
I have been sitting at my computer for about an hour today. I have completed a large portion of my girls' shopping.
I did a good deal Monday too. I love Cyber Monday!
I have a bit more to do online. Each item will be shipped to my parents' house for Christmas morning. Yee haw!
I'll need to buy some of our items in stores and take them with us on the airplane. Thankfully our favorite airline, Southwest, allows two free suitcases per customer. Glory be!

Happy Christmas shopping!!

'Tis the season...

and I love it!!!

birthday boy

Today is my man's 39th birthday. He only has one more year as a thirty-something...
Dustin was born in Fort Walton Beach, FL on November 27, 1973 to Carolyn Ruth Fisher Rogers and Joseph Ronald Rogers. He is the second of five children.
He graduated from Fort Walton Beach High School in 1992 and departed for Provo, UT to attend Utah Valley State College.
In March of 1993 he went on his mission to London, England. While on his mission his family moved to Provo, UT. As luck would have it, they moved in across the street from my family.
He returned from his mission in March 1995. I graduated from Orem High School in May of 1995. We had our first date August 19.
Dust proposed on our six month anniversary, February 19, 1996.
We married four months later in the Salt Lake LDS temple--June 26.

I have been madly in love with Dustin for 17 years.

Here are 39 reasons why:

1- His brown eyes are magical. One look from him and I get butterflies in my stomach...still.
2- His smile. His eyes and teeth sparkle when he smiles...it's the best.
3- His laugh. I love his laugh. I especially love his laugh intertwined with mine and our girls' laughs.
4- He loves me completely. He loves me better than anyone ever could. Completely. Unconditionally.
5- He makes me smile.
6- He makes me laugh. I love when he makes me laugh. I love when he makes others laugh. His joking personality is my favorite. I can't imagine my life without his sense of humor.
7- He works hard for our family.
8- He is happy to help me however he can: he'll run errands, pick up girls, grab forgotten groceries, rub my back/feet/shoulders/neck, make sure the girls are obeying their mother, and tell me what I need to hear.
9- He is kind.
10- He is a kid at heart. He loves to color, build sandcastles, ride the girls' bikes and scooters, take naps, talk in Sacrament meeting, joke constantly and fall asleep eating candy.
11- He loves treats as much as I do.
12- He never complains. Seriously. Never. (Poor guy. He must go crazy listening to my complaining.)
13- He warms me up when I'm freezing cold. He doesn't get mad when I put my freezing cold feet on his legs. Bless him!
14- He understands my need to shop...not obsessively...just sporadically.
15- He's patient.
16- He always lets me control the remote.
17- He is sexy. His pecks and abs are the best. Oh, baby!
18- He's supportive. He understands my need to be a student at 35.
19- He is such a good dad. He loves his girls!
20- He loves to watch movies and TV shows with me.
21- He hates to share food. He'll purposely get movie candy he knows I won't want: Junior Mints, Milk Duds, Whoppers. Perhaps this should bother me but it doesn't. It just makes me smile.
22- He has baby soft feet. He wears the same pair of socks for days. He doesn't wash them after he wears them each day. He just shoves them back in his work boots. (I've tried to change this habit of his but it's hopeless. And apparently not necessary.) His feet don't sweat and they don't ever stink. They're seriously baby feet.
23- He loves to sleep as much as I do.
24- He never complains about my complete aversion to raw meat. Even when I declared our vegetarian status he didn't moan or whine. He just ate all the meat he could for lunch each day--restaurant style.
25- His testimony is constantly growing. He leads our family by his example. He trusts in the Lord.
26- He absolutely loves his mom. He will forever cherish her memory.
27- He is always willing to help with our girls: field trips, coaching teams, attending birthday parties, shopping, beach outings. He'll do it all. Every mom in town is jealous of my awesome hubby.
28- He remembers everyone. Random boy from his sophomore math class. He knows his name, where he worked, and who his parents are.
29- He is completely loyal. He would never do anything to betray me or those he loves.
30- He adores our nieces and nephews.
31- His love for our grandparents is the sweetest thing to witness. He absolutely cherishes them.
32- He works hard. He plays hard. He laughs hard. He loves with all he has.
33- He makes me feel appreciated. Always.
34- He is the best end to every day. We laugh. We talk. We watch TV. We read. We cuddle. He makes me excited to wrap up every day...it just gets better and better.
35- He likes the bathroom light completely dimmed while he showers. He stands in the stream of water on one leg, like a flamingo. He holds his arms in front of him at about a 45 degree angle so the water can trickle down his arms. Anytime I walk into the bathroom and see him in this position it makes me laugh. It is quintessential showering Dust.
36- He loves to watch NFL games as much as I do. Although we like an occasional NCAA game NFL is what we prefer.
37- I still remember the way he smelled on our first date. Occasionally he smells just like it and it sets my stomach on tilt-o-whirl. He will forever make my head spin round and round. I love my guy!
38- He honors his priesthood.
39- He is the ultimate family guy and I love, love, love him.

Baby, I love you!!

Happy 39th birthday!!!

luck be a lady

Today I feel like a woman.
While it may be true I've been a woman for quite sometime, today I took a big step in becoming a real woman. What was that big step, you ask...
I had my first mammogram.
I've been married for over 16 years. I've run my own household since June 1996. I've had four babies and raised them into what I believe are beautiful young ladies. Somehow I've aged in the process. (That's weird!) I've served in every auxiliary presidency at church, served on the PTO Board for years, volunteered in numerous capacities at the schools, church, and otherwise. I've loved, fed, and nurtured my man.
But not until today as I was squished, pulled, and x-rayed did I truly feel like I'd reached womanhood.
Check that off my bucket list...till next year.
Without getting too graphic or too personal let's just say: certainly that process must be a bit easier for more buxom women--women that can easily place their bosoms on a level plane. That's a tad more difficult when you're chest is comparable to that yellow bikini. You know the one..."itsy, bitsy, teeny, weeny."

In other news: our house was shown today and there's another showing tomorrow morning. Yippee!! Let's get this wagon train a-movin'!

house for sale

Our kitchen is entirely devoid of enticing lunch packing materials. We do not have a single fruit in the house. We are down to the nitty gritty. Therefore the girls and I were unable to put together adequate lunches for school lunchboxes.
What does that make me? Lunch pick up and delivery girl.
Tana and Kenne wanted bagels with cream cheese from Not Just Bagels. That was easy enough. We picked 'em up on the way to school this morning. (The girls ran in. I stayed in the car. I was still in my well-loved green PINK sweatpants, polka dot fleece bathrobe, and socks with no shoes. I looked thrashed. The girls, however, looked adorable.)
Bug wanted a smoothie. Her lunch isn't till 11:07 so I had time to clean up a bit. I ran into Smoothie King (cause it's less than a mile from the house) at 10:55am and was stunned when the cashier told me my total was $5.29. Seriously? For a small smoothie? That's a ridiculous price.
Tatum wanted Chick Fil A. yuck! I hate that place and told her so this morning. After paying for Bug's smoothie, however, I'm thinking I'll just pick up the fried food platter for Tater (nuggets and fries with a side of grease, and cup of sugar. I mean Sprite). I know she'll be happy...

I delivered Ashton's smoothie

watched her suck it down
snuggled her as she fought the shivers

said goodbye

headed toward home

pulled into the neighborhood 

and immediately noticed this:

It's official, folks.

Our house is for sale!

"eyes all aglow"

Guess who started listening to Christmas music yesterday???
This girl!
It's not "cold outside" yet but, baby, I'm ready!
I'm ready for Christmas Eve kisses by the tree and under the mistletoe.

I awakened early this morning, about 5:40am. I realized sleep was futile. I dressed and laced up my trainers and headed out for a run. As much as I hate waking up early, I love running when the sun has yet to fully rise and the streets are mostly devoid of cars. I love feeling my body move as I breath in three steps...out three steps...in three steps...out three steps.

I returned just before 7am, showered, dressed, and "did" my hair (it's an air dry day/80's hair band day)...

The fact that I was dressed and ready by 7:30am is so unusual that it prompted severe questioning from each of my family members.

"Mom, where are you going?"

"Jess, what do you have today?"

"Why are you dressed?"

"What are you doing today?"

"What time did you get up?"

"Why are you ready?"

Apparently the fact that I'm in workout clothes most days has my family convinced I'm incapable of putting myself together completely. I'm gonna have to step up my game!! haha!

The realtor's on his way to measure rooms and snap pictures. Oh boy! It's moving along. Pictures of our yard's "for sale" sign will be posted soon. Stay tuned. And listen to Christmas music. It's magical. Jack Frost's nipping at my nose...in my dreams.

ramblings

I'm sitting at the computer with a baby on my lap. I'm babysitting Brantley; he'll be 10 weeks on Friday. He's a sweetheart!
He is squirmy but happy. This might take a while...I can't type like I usually do...he might fall off my lap.
How long has it been since you had a baby on your lap?
Five minutes? A day? A month?
It's been six years since I had one of my own babies on my lap. Ashton turned six in July so it's been a long time since I had a 10 week old join me in my daily activities.
It's sure fun to have a baby in the house! It's surprising, though, how much my daily plans are altered when there's a hungry baby, a fussy baby, a poopy baby, etc. My usual speedy pace is slowed just a bit to considerably, depending on his mood.

I have a tendency to think a lot about body image (a lot!). Not really anyone else's. Just my own.
I'm frustrated because I've snacked more than usual this month which has caused a general fluffiness/softness/cloud-like quality around my midsection. Whether or not it's noticeable to others is neither here nor there. I notice it and I don't like it.

I'm pretty regular with my workouts.
--Understatement alert.--
I'm completely dedicated to a six-days-a-week workout regime. I take two 1.5hr yoga classes each week, I run, I walk, I squat/lunge/jack/lift/climb/etc.
It's not a lack of workouts that causes my fluffiness. It's the fact that I have a kitchen in my house. I'm pretty sure I'd be fine without my kitchen.
The fact that I have a fridge and cupboards with food in my kitchen totally gets me into trouble. Well, that and the fact that I love to bake and eat my yummy creations. That's what gets me into my cloud-like condition.
I am super duper dedicated in my healthy eating habits until about 3:30pm. From 3:30-7pm I tend to fall off the wagon really easily. Thankfully I'm surprisingly dedicated to my after 7pm no food curfew. It's those darn hours in between that get me into trouble. grrr!

Okay okay. My point...
I have come to realize that I am not a cooler, more awesome, person when I weigh five pounds less. I'm not nicer or friendlier or more Christlike when I'm only eating 1,500 calories a day after burning 700 or so during a work out. (Truthfully I'm probably meaner, grumpier, and more devil-like when I'm eating only that amount cause I feel like I'm going to starve to death!) People don't like me more when my inner thighs don't touch or when my booty looks like I have two cantaloupes shoved into my jeans, i.e., bootylicious. I'm not a better mom when my jawline is perfectly protruding or my arms look like my pre-pubescent daughters'.

Others aren't obsessed with the condition of my body so why am I? 
I know my body is a temple (1 Corinthians 6:19). I want to use it for righteous purposes and I am. I'm a wife. I'm a mother. I have conceived, carried, and delivered four beautiful baby girls--some of them pretty big: 7lbs 13oz, 8lbs 15oz, 6lbs 4oz, and 8lbs. I'm healthy. I'm strong. I sleep well at night. I'm able to do all that's required of me. I can run and not be weary and walk and not faint (D&C 89:20). And, bonus, I'm able to do this without the help of stimulants such as coffee, tea, or caffeinated sodas.

Why in the world do I get so caught up in my weight? my size? my appearance?

With that question in mind I also ask...
Why am I so caught up in the "latest" fashions: jeans, boots, scarves, bags, jewelry, sweaters, coats, tops, bathing suits, cover-ups, etc.???
When I have a closet full of cute clothes that fit me perfectly why do I always want more? I don't need new clothes because I've outgrown my old clothes. I just want more. Always.
I love new clothes. I love new shoes. I love wearing new clothes on a date and to church and, who am I kidding, to the grocery store. I can't wait to get dressed and go running or do yoga when I'm in new work out clothes.
Why is that?
Why do I thrill at the thought of a new pair of Seven jeans? Of course they make my booty look great but are they really worth $200? Do they make my bum look that good???? Yes!!
Am I more fun in new clothes? Am I a more giving person in new clothes? Am I a better friend when I wear new clothes?
I know I'm not more adventurous cause I don't want my new clothes to get dirty or ruined. Heaven forbid!
I'm not more giving because I'm too busy thinking about the next time I can get new clothes. It's like there's a voice on repeat in the back of my head, "how can I get more clothes? when can I get new boots? I want a purse, when can I get a new purse? oooh, how can I pay for those???" I'm certainly not like Heber J Grant, the sweet little boy in this clip. I've never removed clothes from my back to give to someone in need.

I have a girlfriend who is one of the greatest women I know. She is always kind. Always. To everyone. No matter what. Like our Father in Heaven she is not a respector of persons (Acts 10:34). She treats all equally. She is encouraging and supportive and helpful and determined. She is enthusiastic and always, always volunteering in a new capacity.
She isn't gorgeous. She doesn't look like Heidi Klum's twin. She's not a twig. She's not rock hard. She doesn't have perfect hair or perfect teeth. She doesn't wear designer label clothing. Yet she's one of the sweetest people I know.

In the words of Gru from Despicable Me: "Lightbulb!"
They don't go hand in hand...
A perfect body doesn't beget a better Jessica.
Fabulous clothes don't generate nicer words from my mouth or kinder feelings in my heart or warmer regard for my neighbors.
Of course I can sport a rockin' bod and the latest and greatest attire and still be Christlike. Absolutely.
But I don't have to be physically "perfect" to be a great wife/mom/friend/sister/daughter/etc.

I know this.
I've always known this.
So WHY do I get so caught up in it?????
why?
Why?
WHY?

...The baby has had it. He's been a trooper on my lap but he's getting restless. We're going to go play and watch for the school bus. The elementary school girls will be home soon and they're going to love holding this little guy while they try to make him "coo".

search. ponder. pray.

Dustin made quite an announcement last night. With very teary eyes he told the girls that since the day they were each born he has thought of their needs above his own, about their experiences rather than his, and their enjoyment before his. Because of this, he said, "We have decided to move to Utah."
The girls' reactions were varied. Tana burst into quiet tears. Kenne smiled with disbelieving eyes. Tatum's hands immediately flew into the air as a "YES!" escaped her lips. Ashton seemed thoroughly confused. As the shock passed their reactions turned to questions and ultimately pure enthusiasm.
We are excited about this change in our family's future. It will be an adventure for sure.
Although there are some gaping holes in our plans...such as Dustin's career once in Utah...we are sure this is what we are supposed to do. After fasting and praying we feel very confident and comforted in our decision.
From now till June we will savor every moment of our life in Destin. We will relish moments spent with family and friends. We will play at the beach and soak up the sun. We will enjoy our favorite restaurants and dessert spots. And most importantly we will continue to pray for guidance and direction, confident the Lord will make known his will for us.
Aww, Destin! You've been a terrific home. We will love you forever!

grain

A couple days ago I was packing Ashton's lunch for school.
I said, "Bug, you have apple slices, a plum, and a yogurt. What else do you want?"
"Uhh, green beans."
I replied, "You need to have a grain."
"But I want green beans."
I said, "Grain. You need a grain."
"Okay, okay, I'll have grain beans."
hahaha!
I laughed about that all day!

This morning the girls were fighting and just being mean. Mostly it was Tatum and Ashton; it's always Tatum and Ashton. They were just being majorly impatient and ornery. I guess Ashton finally had had enough because she slid this note under Tatum's bedroom door:

I find this note hilarious. I know as the mom I should be upset by this and I did get after Ashton for not being kind. But this totally cracks me up!
First off, the smiley face after the mean statement is hilarious. Secondly, it's adorable that even though she doesn't "like" Tatum she still signed the note, "Love, Bug".
This note actually made this morning's fighting tolerable. 

These little girlies of mine are so darn cute. I wish they were always sweet and obedient. They're pretty awesome even when they're grumpy, but they're so much more fabulous when they're like this:

i rocked my vote

This morning I awakened at 6am. Immediately I wondered if I should stick to my plan to vote at 9, after baby Brantley arrived, or if I should get dressed and go immediately. I said my morning prayer and decided there was no better time than the present. I threw on my trusty lulu lemon layers (the clothes that prompted Tana to say, "I wonder if people think you always wear yoga clothes." I said, "Why, do you?" To which she replied, "Yes!" haha!) and headed to Destin United Methodist Church, my polling station. I arrived at 6:30am; the polls opened at 7am. I was probably #15 in line.

I read "Heaven is Here", looked at facebook and instagram, and reread a few of the amendments I'd soon be voting yes/no for.

I was elated at 7, on the dot, when the church doors opened and we were welcomed inside. I was frozen! I excitedly took my ballot and filled in my bubbles like a good girl. I've never been happier to vote for a president/vice president team. I have such faith in my selection. I pray they are victorious! And I pray this election is decided tonight; I can't bear the thought of waiting for days before we know who won.

I am thankful I can vote. I am thankful I live in America and that I'm a US citizen. I am thankful I am able to fulfill my civic responsibilities. I am thankful that I am informed and aware of the issues that are important to me, my family, and our country. I am thankful others have paved the way for my vote. I am thankful to live in a God-fearing country. I am thankful for the opportunity to teach our daughters the importance of standing up for what we know is right, i.e., voting pro-life and defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

My heart is full as I think of the countless blessings I enjoy. I am indebted to my loving Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. I have a fabulous husband whom I cherish. He is a hard worker and provides well for our family. I have four beautiful daughters who are good, honest, happy people. I have wonderful parents, as does Dust. We have the world's best siblings/spouses, nieces, nephews, and grandparents. We have healthy food readily available at all times; clean water is abundant. We have policemen and firemen who risk their lives to insure the safety of others. We are fortunate to have amazing schools and teachers; our girls are receiving a fabulous education. Our testimonies are strong; our faith is growing. We are blessed by the testimonies and faith of others. I have a healthy body, as do each of my family members. I feel overwhelmed as I think of all the Lord has blessed me with.



Ashton walked in the door yesterday and proclaimed, "I'm voting for Mitt because his favorite food is granola and he likes horses. My favorite food is granola too."

Well there you have it, folks. The decision is easy! At least when you're six and all that matters is good food and a love of horses.

gooooooaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am sitting in a quiet house. All I can hear is the calm hum of the computer and the clicking of the keyboard as I type. Everyone is asleep. It is 11:00pm.
I just finished baking 100 chocolate chip cookies for our tri-Stake Youth Hoedown/Fall Festival tomorrow night.
Just for the record, I make awesome chocolate chip cookies! I'm not an uber-talented cook but I make a mean cookie. If I do say so myself.
I am relishing my time "alone" in this quiet, calm house. I want to do far more than I have time for. I really want to watch "Pride and Prejudice" but am quite confident I'd be asleep within 30 minutes. I could vacuum, scour bathrooms, or scrub baseboards but that's not as tempting as it usually is for me this time of night.
I want to "lay low like broccoli".

Tatum and Ashton had their final soccer games of the season tonight. They both played at 5:45. Miraculously I was able to see them both score; of course their fields are on complete opposite sides of the sports complex. Yee Haw!!! I was so excited for them! This was Ashton's first goal of the season. (She'd rather do handstands and cartwheels than chase down a soccer ball.) Ron & D'Ann saw both goals as well. Bonus!
Ashton had her team party at Fat Daddy's (pizzeria & arcade). Dust and I ate pizza and chatted with friends. The girls scarfed down their pizza so they could get to playin' games and winnin' all sorts of arcade crap, I mean prizes.

As Thanksgiving approaches I'm remembering the darling song the girls all sang in their Thanksgiving programs at Jacob's Ladder Preschool. "Thank you, Lord, for families. For everything you've given me. Puppy dogs and ice cream. I'm glad it's Thanksgiving. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." It's such a cute song and totally made cuter by the three and four year old voices singing along.

Tater didn't actually sing along when she was three. She looked more like this:

Poor baby! She did not want to be on that stage!

She was much more into it as a four year old:

Ahhhh, it's Movember so Dust is well on his way to looking like this:

I think it's great to support men's health and all, and get the word out about prostate cancer. But seriously, mustaches are a good look on like .05% of men.

So if you see my hubby around town just know that this hideous 'stache is to show his support of a really good cause and he actually is not a pedophile.

If, however, he decides to sport some transition lenses, I too will begin questioning his intentions with my own and others' children. And I will be singing, "Hide yo kids!"

happy halloween

Halloween is always a much-anticipated holiday for my girls. They begin thinking about costumes months in advance. They wonder what will be best. They wonder what their friends will be. They attempt to infuse their mother, who shows significantly less enthusiasm, with as much excitement regarding costume selections and purchasing.
Earlier this week Ashton began talking about next year's costume. Seriously? haha! I'm showing no interest, whatsoever, in that conversation!

The girls all looked darling!

Ashton was a nice witch:

Tatum was an 80's girl:

Kennedy was the Mad Hatter:

Montana was the Cheshire Cat:

They're cuties!



We had a great Halloween night! We went to dinner at LaPaz and trick-or-treated with four other families--the Williams, Watkins, Martineaus, and Robertsons.

Kennedy's crew and Montana were all decked out in "Alice in Wonderland" attire:

Melisse was Alice, Kennedy the Mad Hatter, Baelyn the Rabbit, Mary Hannah the Queen of Hearts, and Tana the Cheshire Cat.

Tatum and Anna Haisten were 80's girls. Claire was a masked ballerina (without the mask for dinner).

This is the cute clan pre-dinner and candy:

We ran into Caroline Stanford. Bug was excited:

Ashton saw her buddy (and darling oldest cousin) Stetson:

Keeping up with the big girls wore Ashton, and Dust, out. This is at the end of a long, fun night: