tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48162800435708669782024-03-12T22:35:21.437-06:00Slice of JeanJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.comBlogger716125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-61045266853481481712020-04-16T22:56:00.001-06:002020-04-16T23:02:11.087-06:00QuarantineFirst: a snapshot. They call them "Quarantine Time Capsules" these days. W
I usually wake up around 8:30. Today it was 7:40 on the dot, thanks to an earthquake - yet another aftershock of the bigger earthquake that happened 2 weeks ago (which also woke us up). The epicenter is far enough from us that I haven't felt most of the MANY aftershocks, but I did feel this one. Hooray.
I make breakfast,Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-53007300171463410452020-04-16T00:22:00.000-06:002020-04-16T00:22:20.752-06:00To Begin AgainOnce upon a time I kept a blog. It was steady, in a "I write about whatever I want to" kind of way, and I enjoyed a lot of things about it.
Then Facebook and Instagram and smartphones and network marketing and branding happened in the online world, and I couldn't/didn't want to keep up. Also 4 babies and huge body/brain/family/life changes happened. I went from reading and thinking and writing Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-8308810252840747462019-12-08T22:59:00.001-07:002019-12-08T23:26:44.151-07:00Emma turns 8
My dear Emma,
Your birthday is always a tender time for me. I remember the circumstances of your birth so clearly - our young family working through tough times, my determination to make your birth a better experience than Will's, the wonderful fulfillment of that wish, the overwhelming feelings I felt afterward. I was in awe of my own capabilities and the miracle of life; in awe of you, my Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-77104848391905926982019-06-01T22:56:00.000-06:002019-12-08T22:57:02.001-07:00Will is nine!My Will,
You are nine! Not so little anymore. You've started playing baseball this year and loved it. We loved watching you play. You had a great 3rd grade teacher and made the best friend you've ever had - Jude. It's been a good time of life. You're old enough to go play on your own, having late nights and riding bikes through the neighborhood. Any time we talk about the eventuality of us Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-18260502763856902132019-03-06T19:00:00.000-07:002019-03-22T06:28:13.563-06:00George turns THREE
My dear George,
I can't believe my baby is three. It's been three years since you arrived so unexpectedly to our family. You are officially a "big boy" now, with a big boy bed and sleeping in your underwear.
You like to sleep anywhere but your own bed. You choose where to take naps, so sometimes it's under Emma's bed, sometimes it's in Lexi's bottom bunk with a fort built around you, Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-46436950003009073022019-02-24T19:29:00.000-07:002019-03-21T07:30:05.108-06:00Lex is 5!
Dear Lex,
You are five years old! You are dying to go to school (and you've been ready for it for ages). You are reading some, writing a little, and you are my little social butterfly. You want to be playing with friends every second of the day.
You are very loving and affectionate. You want kisses and hugs multiple times a day; you sit on the laps of your primary teachers anytime they will Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-3879107854877174102018-12-08T22:37:00.003-07:002018-12-08T22:56:50.331-07:00Emma 7My dear Emma,
I'm in a delightful stage where I'm starting to realize what everyone means when they say their daughter is their best friend. You have been my right hand man for over a year now, and I often think about what a gift you are to me.
You like to be clean and organized, you love your brother George with all your heart. You've been sharing a room with him, and I know it's not always Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-25942834428785835512018-06-01T21:43:00.000-06:002018-12-08T21:43:29.447-07:00Will at 8My Will,
You are eight years old, the age you've waited for as long as you can remember. It's been a very exciting time and a lot of planning has gone into the events of the birthday week. Memorial Day (when we went for the first time, and also bought Lagoon season passes!), Last Day of School, Birthday, Baptism. You've been pretty mature about it all.
You have thrived in Kaysville. Any time Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-38372287959318001642018-03-06T07:14:00.000-07:002018-04-27T07:14:26.117-06:00Georgie PorgieDear sweet George,
You are two! I'm excited because you have such big things ahead of you - talking, potty training, moving to a big bed. I'm sad because that means, for the first time in nearly eight years, I won't have a baby. You've already been in a crib longer than any of your siblings....we always needed the crib for another baby by now!
You are the joy and entertainment in our home. You Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-54740248989017508992018-02-24T14:30:00.000-07:002018-03-05T14:30:28.207-07:00Lucky LexDear Lex,
You are four!! You've been excited for this day for months. And really, it's hard to believe you're just barely four. I'm not the only one who thinks you act older - your nursery leaders, primary and preschool teachers do too. Pretty much anyone who interacts with you can see how mature you are.
You've grown SO much in the past year. You started preschool, the last seven months of Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-15980194640182019472018-01-30T10:17:00.002-07:002018-02-05T16:30:17.985-07:00The AIP
FIRST, SOME BACKSTORY.
Ten years ago, when Slice and I were dating, engaged & newly married, I got really sick for a long time. After six months I finally went to the doctor, confident that I had Mono. He tested me for strep, it came back positive immediately, he gave me antibiotics and sent me on my way.
A few years later I felt sick again - I was having dizzy spells, my hair Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-7609401279102081262017-12-08T21:02:00.004-07:002017-12-08T21:02:57.155-07:00Emma turns 6
Emma Grace,
My very favorite thing about you right now is this: "Mom, what can I help with?"
That pretty well sums you up; you ask every day. You're so helpful and caring and responsible, I forget that you're only six. You play with George. You fetch things. You help me clean and organize and even cook, always cheerfully. I'll tell you how grateful I am, but I don't think you'll understand Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-63845152867416706712017-06-01T21:48:00.000-06:002018-12-08T21:49:56.894-07:00Will's 7thWill,
I'm writing this much after the fact, but don't think I just forgot. Our lives have been unbelievably crazy in the last year. In August of last year, your dad left for DevMountain. You started 1st grade and, to be honest, it was a rough start. You didn't want to go to school, you cried often and never wanted to do homework. It was a hard transition and having Dad gone all during the week Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-64646064025762133532017-04-02T21:26:00.003-06:002017-04-02T21:26:50.769-06:00Living in LimboFor some reason, anytime I've taken a blogging hiatus I feel the need to explain myself (EMILY) (KIANA), so, here's my explanation this time around: I've been in limbo.
Major limbo, like don't-know-what-the-next-month-holds limbo. Where-will-we-live. How-long-until-the-bank-account-hits-0. What-should-we-do-with-the-house. Which-possessions-do-we-sell-off-first. What-is-life-even-about Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-46504278726870893332017-03-06T22:36:00.000-07:002017-03-12T22:36:36.082-06:00George.My dear, sweet George,
We've reached a year with you!! Your first birthday was as low-key a birthday as we've ever had in this family (partly because you're in a full leg cast) but you are as low-key as they come, so it was fitting. You've added a precious element of calm to our family, and I am so grateful for you and your sweet spirit. As I've told anyone who would understand, "I finally got aJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-51489886978655388232017-02-24T22:23:00.000-07:002017-03-01T22:24:17.327-07:00Lex turns 3
My Dear Lex,
You turned 3 today! It's been three whole years since you joined our family!
We had a princess tea party today with your friends at Grandma's. It wasn't your first choice (that would have been Angie's house with your "best friends" Dannica and Lydia), but it was great anyway. Your birthday presents are pretty indicative of the stage you're in - magnifying glass, bubbles, Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-15605743919469447222016-12-08T22:11:00.000-07:002016-12-11T22:11:54.507-07:00Emma's 5th
Dear Emma,
It's your fifth birthday! Five years since I first saw your beautiful face. That was such a the great day.
You've done so many fun things in the last year. You started tumbling, broke your arm trying to do a tuck-jump, and bawled after the final tumbling performance when you didn't get to participate. It was devastating. You also started reading, and you've Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-45395260348582406272016-11-06T21:41:00.002-07:002016-11-16T11:36:00.961-07:00the moneyPer Slice's repeated requests I've compiled a post about our finances. More specifically, the things we've done over the last few years to create financial peace in our marriage & home. We've learned a lot about finance and personal habits, human psychology, etc. as we've gone through this process. I'll tell you right up front that the most important thing is communication, Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-37372503440390439982016-10-23T21:25:00.000-06:002016-11-06T21:47:06.548-07:00since u been goneParenting solo has given me many opportunities for self-examination. Inventory, if you will. And in that spirit, I give you a list of things I am NOT good at.
Food things. All the food things, I truly hate them. Planning food, shopping for it, bringing it in, putting it away, pulling it out, cooking it, fighting with my children as they refuse to eat it, cleaning it up. If I could just do dishesJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-84409429427175694062016-10-16T21:32:00.002-06:002016-10-23T21:31:24.985-06:00The DrowningIt's been three months since my last post and I'm just now feeling like I'm getting the hang of this single parenting gig. And by "the hang of it," I mean I only had one major breakdown last week (spent an entire day doing nothing) and I dyed my hair purple.
Yep.
I think of this quote often -
- because it's the closest description I can find to what my life feels like. Barely keeping my head Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-53036471967541928242016-07-07T22:41:00.001-06:002016-07-08T09:00:50.072-06:00just a late-night rant.I think I'm finally feeling the panic/weariness/despair that I should have felt four months ago.
Slice is working on a project in Cedar City for a couple weeks, so I'm a single mother to FOUR CHILDREN who are home ALL DAY EVERY DAY thank you summertime. None of them are old enough to be any real help to me, so I basically spend every waking minute feeding, cleaning up after them, or silencing Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-5000778541702581112016-06-01T12:13:00.000-06:002016-06-16T12:26:29.047-06:00Six years of motherhood!
My Dear Will,
It's summer, and that means your birthday! You were confused this year because you knew that "summer" means "school's out," and you got out on May 27th, but your birthday wasn't 'til the next week. We had a few days of arguing over that.
You LOVED going to school this year!You would drop anything if I told you it was time to get ready for school. Your teacher gave out Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-76443615126707103752016-05-27T17:07:00.000-06:002016-05-27T17:11:19.395-06:00The LifeIf I wasn't so obsessive about my writing, I could be churning out blog posts daily - courtesy of blogging apps and my abundance of time spent sitting (nursing). Heaven knows I'm reading and thinking and feeling and reacting to stuff that's going on, and that I should be writing. But no. My writing style requires too much rewording and rewriting to post anything of substance through a Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-75187909944547016462016-05-06T16:39:00.001-06:002016-05-06T16:54:34.100-06:00The ReactionsWe've gotten a few predictable reactions from people who hear that Slice lost his job. Many express condolences, which is very kind, and many mention job opportunities that they know about. I don't remember this happening last time - but it seems like people have come out of the woodwork with ideas of things that Slice could do, so we could stay in Roosevelt.
The other most common reactionJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4816280043570866978.post-32241481541970978882016-04-26T15:59:00.002-06:002016-04-26T15:59:50.224-06:00The OptionsWe have SO MANY options, y'all.
Slice could try to get another job here in the Basin, oilfield or no. He could try to get a job outside the Basin (St George?). He could start classes again at our local USU extension to finish up a degree. He could go to school somewhere else - we've discussed UVU's Fire & Rescue Academy at great length. I could try to get back in the workforce Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13697768042555599145noreply@blogger.com3