The Adventures of.....

So, today was a busy, beautiful day.

A pretty "typical" friday.

Getting Jax off to school (which is always exciting),

Zumba!

Cbear at Whitney's

Helping at Jaxon's school (HUGE burst for this guy-Leprechaun in the hall)

Visiting teaching-Christi Hortin, Cher Coleman-LOVE them

Bath while listening to Mosiah 3 and 4 (King Benjamin)

A trim (pretty exciting when I'm the client AND the stylist doing the trimming)

Getting ready-legging and cozy dress-kind-of-day

Listened to "Hilary Weeks" radio on Pandora

Felt the love of my Heavenly Father

Felt the real peace of the atonement

A 20-minute cleaning frenzy

A chat with Jamous and my favorite neighbor EVER (Meliss)

Tweetie birds and Linc playing in the front "yard"

Dinner (turkey melts with avacado mmm)

Family date to pick up Tin Tin, and shakes at Arctic Circle

Checked out Ivory Parkside Estates model

Snuggled BRAINS out, watched cozy movie

Cbear put on my boots, heart melted

Got yelled at by my sassy 7-year-old, boo.

Starting off a peaceful weekend.

I love these days, these "typical" days.

Oh, how I MUST REMEMBER the miracle of my every day.

So much gratitude to be felt and abundance to be appreciated.

Such a blessed girl.

xo

Picture Perspective

(Baby just woke up, so this is the abbreviated version...)

So, the other night I couldn't sleep. And when that happens, I get out my journal and do a "My Mind Dumped..." It's sort of a download, from mind to journal. Then I list everything that's on my mind until it's empty...

I ended up listing a few things that are some of the "BEST" things that I'm not creating time for...You know, the good, better, best talk by Dallin H. Oaks?!? Surprisingly, one theme was dominant on this list. PICTURES. I have made many mistakes, Yes, I have. One thing I have done right is taking lots and lots and lots and LOTS of pictures. Thank. Heavens. Even though they sit in folders on my computer, cds, and external hard drive, some printed out, they ARE there. BUT, I am dying to create Blurb books/ Blog book so we can enjoy them even more!

I just finished looking through photos from when James and I were engaged all the way through these days...I had an epiphany. Those pictures tell a story. Not of how much money we had in our account at the time, not how clean my house was. Not how much debt we had, not even how fit I was, or what clothes we were wearing, or even what car we drove...They tell a story of the JOY in our lives..A snap shot of the happiness that sparkled in Jaxon's eyes, James' eyes, mine, my family and friends' eyes...A peek into the journey of my marriage with James. So sockety to watch us growing. Our love. What perspective! How inspiring! Now, right now...I am re-committed to go create more joy. Forget about.......the rest...........How many things occupy my thoughts--Both worthy and unworthy of my energy and precious time, that fit into ........the rest..........category?!?! Love this paradigm shift. Feels like something the Christy Jex, on her death bed, would tell the Christy Jex of now, with babies, and many things that could rob the JOY, if she could. I'll take it!

I think this is what Dallin H. Oaks was getting at. Each of us DESERVES to take inventory and decide what it is that deserves our T.I.M.E? I am taking inventory again....While I'm at it,

SAY CHEESE!!!!!!!!!!!! click.....

My New Life

Hahaha, I was initially being sarcastic about the whole "Yearly Post" title, but I dang near pulled that off! Shoot! Well, I have been "tied" (lovingly) up with other things....and people...

Speaking of, we have a new little person that joined our crazy family three months ago. He has had a viscous ear infection, since he was four weeks old. Five different antibiotics later, our wonderful pediatricians, Michael Whiting and Kim Mortenson, concluded it's tubes for this little dude. Except going under isn't as safe until three months of age. SO, today was that day! He got his tubes, and it went great. Poor little guy, he had one hell-of-a-time waking up from the anesthesia...He looked POOOOOOOOR!!! (You know when you see someone suffering, or even just looking less than adequate at something they are diligently attempting? That's called "looking poor.") Broke James and my heart. OUCH. He has done better as the day has worn on. Looking forward to some serious relief for this sweet little fella. He SOO deserves it! Not to mention, some solid hours of sleep all in a row sounds heavenly.

I have been pleasantly shocked and also just plain shocked at life with two babies. HOLY MOLY! I have learned more than I could possibly put into words. ALL about patience, finding peace amidst CHAOS, more intensely actually creating JOY amidst chaos, and loving moments that would have sent my OCDness into a blustery whirlwind 3 months ago. And THAT, my friends, is excellent news. Aren't we here on this earth to LEARN and GROW!?!? I am grateful for the growth I have felt, even though those after pains of growth can ache, I TRULY AM grateful for these intense, sleepless, S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G, lessons.

Also, I have been working my post baby BEAUTIFUL (positive affirmation) body ;) out!! I must say, the first time I ran, I could feel every ounce of that 30 pounds I had to lose! POUNDS is right! I felt like an elephant pounding that poor treadmill! It feels so good to move my body. SO good. I dreamt of moving all sorts of fast, and furious while I was a whale that last month of pregnancy...So HAPPY DAY that I can! My whole point in bringing this up, is as I work out, I think of so many things I want to blog about. SO many! Apparently, it's my "thinking" time. I am convinced without regular work-outs, I would be on some sort of anti-depressant. Those endorphins that are released are REAL! I can feel them rush my being, spirit, and body! I LOVE IT! Even when I hate it, I love it. So, my working out has re-inspired me to take a few minutes and exercise my writing muscle. I LOVE TO write! And it truly is a release for me, so when I feel inspired, I will write, when I don't I won't! I am committed to keep this blogging thing a HAPPY thing, not a "I'M SO BEHIND" thing. So, there it is.
I love my life,
I love my family.
I love my framily.
Happy day and happy night.

Yearly Post

It has almost been a year since I posted on my blog. Wow..If you scroll down a couple of posts, there is a post about me not feeling like blogging is my thing. Maybe it's not. But writing sure is. Connecting with people I love sure is. MAKING A BLOG BLURB BOOK sure is. JOURNALING IS. SO........I feel like at this point, I would love to commit to accepting exactly what I do and calling it perfect.

I don't know about you, but sometimes I get caught in the "If I can't do it perfect, I don't want to do it at all" trap. Hence, the blog famine. Not one more thing to "DO!" or be behind on. BUT, journaling has always been a passion of mine. And that's the reason I started in the first place....My friend talked me into it dangling the "making a pretty glossy blog book at the end of the year" idea over my head. I ADORE that idea. Absolutely. So, Maybe it's a good time to re-commit. I love being real, and sharing my passion, journaling my passion, Jaxon's hilariousisms, lessons learned, priceless perspective that only occurs in the heat of each moment. Those moments pass, then......Poof, the window closes and a moment is potentionally lost.

Here I go.

New moment. New day.

Love.

Remembering

Sunrise, Sunrise...

Looks like mornin in your eyes. But the clock's held 9:15 for hours...Thank you much Nora Jones. So this morning, at 5:07am, my alarm on my phone began "serenading" me with "You, are my baby love, baby love, you make the sunshine bright, OOOH boy, you're my every everything that I could ever dream of." Typically when I hear that song, I scramble to hit any button so the madness will STOP! Again and again. and again. and again. Anyone who really knows me knows I am certainly, not in ANY circumstances a "morning person." It honestly feels like the absolutely most dreadful, unnatural, and horrific occurrence, getting out of bed. ESPECIALLY before the sun has come up.

My sweetheart, I love this, used to have to get up at 4ish in the morning to catch the "express bus" that went straight up to the U from Provo when we were first married. Back when he was planning on Dental School, HA! It was hilarious, the first word out of his mouth every morning, without fail, was some sort of profanity. Usually OH SHI*!!!!! Not that I blame him. We are two peas in a pod.

I, on the other hand, can honestly say, besides those days when I used to have to wake up and take him down to the bus-stop, I haven't seen the sunrise in YEARS!!! Not even when Jaxon was nursing. THANK heavens for that.

My friend, Steph and I have had several tearful laughs talking about this issue. She told me about her morning wos and it has to do with the first words out of her mouth being SOB. So now we have a code, "it's been an SOB morning, but I'm trying to get over it." This is one of the reasons I love this woman so much. MM hm

So back to this morning. Steph is leaving for 5 weeks to Florida today. :( :( :( I am so happy that she gets to run away and have a great time, but I might cry, that's all I have to say. So she has been going to Jazzercise for a while now at the butt crack of dawn, 5:30. I decided to take one for the team and go with her today for a "going away" present for her. (not really, but HA HA, how generous am I? Shows how much I love her.) I can honestly say, besides the agony of realizing after that damn song blares on my phone and jerks me out of my peaceful state that I can't keep throwing it against the wall every time it speaks up, I actually have to move my tush vertical and move my ace, I actually enjoyed "sneaking up on the day" by being awake early enough to witness an actual SUNRISE!

I got to shake it using the step. (a fun little twist on the workout--ending up 180 degrees opposite the whole class, SMACK dab in the front one time.) But you know, it really was refreshing! I got to have a nice bath with Franky(tunes) and all the tub toys, of course, but alone! I can't remember the last time I have done that. Normally the sound of the tub water running is Jaxon's que to bolt, strip, and join whoever is getting in. Here are some perks from waking up earlier. (I have been considering pros and cons to see if it's really worth it.)

*Some completely alone time. No one needs anything, and it's my choice what I listen to, think, and do.

*Move that body!! I am an active person, naturally. But it doesn't always come natural if ya know what I mean. Having a little one makes things a little tougher, timing wise. It is so nice to get it done first thing in the morning, so I can feel the release FIRST and start my day and thinking right.

*Heavenly Father answers prayers when my mind is emptier and more open. Those two components usually don't grace my mind during my chaotic days. How about you?

*An extra few hours before anyone is even living!!!! Oh, my goodness. How often do we, moms, complain about never having any ME time?!?!? I wish for more all the time. Not girl's night out, or date night, but at home with no one asking for anything, or needing anything just "hm what can I do now?" type time...Well, it may not be easy to hear, but for me, at least, it's my own dang fault. If I choose to sleep in, I am pretty much kissing ME time goodbye. Choices, choices.

*An overall better feeling about utilizing life and putting first things first. I am a huge believer that we constantly need to nourish our minds, spirits, and hearts by reading wholesome, uplifting books (including the scriptures) AND write in a journal. I LOVE THIS. However, sometimes, as crucial as this is in the overall scheme, it can all-too-easily be pushed aside and soon we find ourselves depleted, tired, overwhelmed, maybe depressed, hopeless, NOT in touch with the Spirit, and definitely not our "best selves."

This, for me is the most important aspect and the argument that might just help me continue to move my ace and start living, really living, when normally I would be dead to the world and swearing my face off. It looks pretty clear cut on paper doesn't it? HM...we'll see how it goes tomorrow when that dang phone blares rudely and interrupts my blissful sleep.

What do you think?!

Grateful Girl (read bold part if its too long for you)

I am soo grateful for my Hunny, James. To be really honest, when I read so many people talking about how their husband is just perfect and life is perfect and their kids are perfect, blah blah blah (sorry) I get a little gagging sensation and a nauseous feeling!! I told you I was being honest. I think because I adore people who are real. Genuine. Comfortable realizing that life in fact isn't always "perfect."

Don't get me wrong, I strongly, STRONGLY believe that our way of thinking, talking, interacting truly can "attract" more tragedy or more fulfillment into our lives---but the reality is, we are learning. Therefore, we can't possibly think 100% positive all the time and have nothing but rosy days all our lives through. I believe it's how we handle ourselves amidst heart-break that can dictate what we get more of. I thoroughly enjoy reading about, learning about, and associating with people who accentuate the positive and build on it, but are confident enough about themselves to realize that perhaps everyone in this world is learning and has down right crappy days sometimes!!! And can recognize it and learn from it.

It is so powerful to talk to someone who is gracious & humble enough to share how they have grown in life. Maybe come from a certain paradigm and over time & through some learning experiences has adapted & learned to appreciate and even embrace a different vantage point. Make sense???? I love hearing about happy endings that involve growth, tears, stretching, learning, humility, commitment, compromise, hard work, faith, REAL CHARACTER etc to reach a higher, more fulfilling place in life and spirit. Where at the beginning of a challenge, it might be overwhelming to even fathom facing such trials (adventures as we like to call them) but at the end of the day feel gratitude for the transcending place they have found.

So with that being said, I could name so many people closest to me who have been such in-credible examples of this to me. SO MANY. People who have truly faced devastation and chosen to create joy and to be a beacon of light for the rest of us to watch in aw. Each of you can pretty much think of our interaction and squeeze yourself for me, because I have pulled something from it and it's a blessing to me. I too hope to be one of those who is willing to share some life lessons and always express gratitude for the priceless paradigm shifts I experience. I would love to lift even one person's spirit in the process.

Now back to my first seemingly irrelevant sentence. Today I had chaos in my head, and unfamiliar "uncertainties" bouncing in my brain. My sweet husband truly is becoming more everyday my best friend and knows how to calm the mind of this crazy ocd girl. After reading my rant above you know I am for real! It feels so good when the words that come from me are 100% authentic. I love my sweetheart.

Epiphane @ Subway

So yesterday I was feeling so great!! Just coming home from an extremely successful meeting in Provo but feeling starving ( it was three and I hadn't eaten for the day yet, duh). The problem was, NOTHING sounded good. They had tons of pizza, pop, chips and salsa at the meeting, but that sounded repulsive to me, ah! Not even my fire-grilled steak-Cafe Rio salad with extra sauce sounded good. Then, a few minutes later, I saw it. Subway stood gleaming in the sunshine. OH yes!! Perfect!! I got my regular sandwich and got back in my car. This beautiful scrumptious sandwich was honestly a little slice a heaven. I was totally engulfed in the texture, smell, warmth, and combination of wonderful flavors all coming together to create this masterpiece. If you've ever seen Ratatouille, you can picture me and Remi eating together while fireworks crackled above our heads...if you haven't seen it, you need to. I think the only word that just might catch my passion for this sandwich would have to be purely 100% orgasmic! Sorry!!!

Here's the epiphane...If the Subway worker would have asked me three years ago, "What would you like on your sandwich?" here's what I would say, "White bread, turkey, no cheese, lettuce, PICKLES like you can't believe how many pickles are on it. Keep going. Even more. Okay I guess that's good. Mayo. TONS of mustard. That pretty much does it." Wow. Ever since I can remember I have liked "pickle sandwiches with a little meat." I rarely felt satisfied with the amount of pickles I was given. One time, however, I got what I wanted on a big mac at Burger King. We took pictures--it was that momentous! Yesterday when the cute burnett asked me, "What sandwich can I make for you?" Here was my response, "Wheat bread. Turkey and ham. Pepper jack cheese. Toasted. Little lettuce. Tomatoes with lots of salt and pepper right on them. Banana peppers. Spinach. Oil and vinegar. That looks wonderful!!! Oh baby!" ( I really said that to her, ha ha:) So I began thinking...What has changed my mind? NOT ONE PICKLE OR DROP OF MUSTARD?!?!? What is responsible for this?

And here is the epiphane, really this time... I got married 5 years ago to a very sweet man. James Jex. One trait I love and admire in him is his complete acceptance of me- all my quirks, faults, OCD isms, craziness still his quiet strength and confidence and love for me is all I ever hear and feel from him. He never picks me apart or criticizes me or even questions my ways. (although he probably should) Over the years while eating food together, I would non-assumingly as part of a casual conversation ask questions once in a while, like, "OOOh don't you love your sandwich. MMM! Mine is SO good, you wannna taste it?" So he would politely say after taking a bite, "Yeah thats good." I asked,"You like all the pickles?" He would respond after being pressed for a real answer, "Well yeah, but I like tasting a lot of flavors not just one on a sandwich." Hm. What a concept. I had never considered that.

So gradually I would add a couple different veggies or meats on our visits to Subway to test out his gentle suggestion. And over time I found a whole new world and I found what I religiously ordered without fail was actually not as tastey as my new creations. I know this might a bit over stated and you might be asking yourself, "What's the big deal??? Why did crazy Christy spend all this time and write a NOVEL about a sandwich?"

Really my purpose is to recognize this as a symbol for a whole plethera of aspects of my life that have been enriched and magnified by being married to this wonderful guy. And also to notice and celebrate the joy of gradual improvements that bring so much light, joy, epiphanes, and good energy the soul! Not only have I found a whole new world of food, but gradually my stubborn mindset has been pried open and I have discovered there is a lot to learn and appreciate in this world!!! Not just in my way, but there are countless perspectives and endless possibilities in this massive world!! Which now reveals my passionate intrigue with people in general. Once James' influence helped me see that there is another vantage point besides my own that sometimes feels better than my original perspective, I can't get enough discovering new people, perspectives, cultures, etc...I feel SO liberated! Even still, I will be the first to admit that we have had our share of hard times. In marriage, life, parenting, death, all of the struggles we can encounter in this world. But gratefully I declare today that I feel I have lived in the palm of my Heavenly Father's had through it all and I continue to do so. I really haven't ever loved James as much as I do today. We have learned so much from each other and from the truly seemingly overewhelming challenges we have faced together. I used to resent our differences and try to force change in issues that are impossible to change in a person.

Now I try to embrace and appreciate our differences and have experienced a blossoming in our relationship that is truly UNBELIEVABLE!!!! I love my sweetheart and honestly can say I enjoy a friendship with him that feeds my soul. Alelujah! Not something that came without some effort, but so rewarding after a few years of "adjusting" :) I look SO forward to our years to come. My best buddy! I can't wait to see what else I learn from a seemingly insignificant occurance. And to think, all of this sprung from a Subway sandwich that hit the spot.