Eli Laughing in the Bathtub

Eli always loves bath time, but this bath was especially enjoyable! I turned off the water and he decided he wanted it on. So, he started pulling and after lots of effort, he turned it on! He was so proud of himself!! He would pull in on, clap and laugh hysterically! Yet again, reminding me how simple things can be enjoyable and not to take anything for granted. Eli lives in the now:

A Birthday Surprise

Ashton totally took me by surprise earlier this year when he decided to join the Orchestra and play the violin! He`s never really shown a lot of interest in sports, so I am happy that he has found his niche in music! For his 11th birthday he asked for an electric guitar. Since I think it`s important to provide kids with the opportunity, if it`s feasible, I bought Ashton his very first guitar:



His birthday was a couple of weeks ago, and he loves his guitar! He plays it every day. Now we have a drum set, acoustic and electric guitars, a violin and hopefully soon a piano!

During this already busy holiday season, it`s also my birthday (today! Happy Birthday to me)! So, last night Gio took me to Kona Grill for dinner (YUM!) and to see The Nutcracker! How adorable is my boyfriend? It was so sweet and unexpected. I adore you Gio, really! He also sent me flowers and took me shopping. I am a lucky girl.

Remebering to Enjoy the Simple Moments

Everywhere we go people comment on how happy Eli is. He truly is a happy baby! Gio`s parents had a church picnic last Sunday and they brought their dog Sammy. Eli loves animals, and Gio`s dad let Eli walk Sammy.... It was hilarious as between Eli`s new shoes and the dog`s fast pace, Eli kept falling, but he was laughing all the while:



Let Eli be a reminder, never stop enjoying the simple things in life! Eli seems to enjoy each new experience to it`s fullest! Kids are such a blessing and so pure and full of joy! We feel so blessed to be able to experience life in a new way again with Eli around. Can you remember when something as simple as walking a dog made you laugh out loud?

A Busy Weekend

Hot, dusky wind
The air smells like barbecue and sweet corn
People are everywhere
We stare, everyone wearing everything
People yell at you like they wouldn`t elsewhere
It`s like you`re in a movie from a time that no longer exists
More kids crying and confused, then laughing freely
It`s hot
The baby wants to get down and play
Pizza, popcorn, cold beer
Animals, "that`s good eatin right there..."
Screams
One girl puked
Cheap sunglasses, leather wallets, stuffed animals too big for your truck
Bob Marley music and shirts for sale
It`s a fun time, the state fair


So, if you can guess, we went to the Arizona State Fair yesterday. We had fun. The camera battery forgot to charge itself and we only had my phone. Basically we saw cows and rode a couple of rides. Eli wanted to run around, but hates wearing his new shoes. He doesn`t know how bad it feels to run on pavement with no shoes I guess. We decided it was best not to take him to Disneyland after all (told you so babe). So, anyways.... Halloween was fun and stuff, it just doesn`t seem quite right. It`s 200 degrees outside and it`s already November. Isn`t it supposed to be cold outside by now? I totally had fun, I guess the surprisingly hot weather is still throwing me off tilt. I mean, it just seems like spring, not fall. It`s just hard to believe it`s "the holiday season", probably my Utah roots... Nothing like the changing leaves and the first snowfall... 4 seasons in all their brilliance, just the way God intended.

Speaking of what God intended, check out our Halloween costumes, LOL...

Giovanni Singing

Giovanni has been singing at the Tempe Marketplace lately, which I think is so amazing! 100`s of people get to hear him each time he sings because it`s an outdoor stage:

He actually sang at the Grand Opening, which we have footage of. I`ll have to put that up on YouTube... but, lately they`ve been asking Gio and 602 Rising/Static to play there more often. I wish I had some better pictures, but you get the idea:

Always singing the infamous "Happy Birthday" song to someone:

He`s just so amazing!! I love you baby, keep doing the damn thang!

Eli`s First Birthday

My baby is so adorable! How sickening it is to heart this over and over, I`m sure, but I can`t help it! For Eli`s first birthday Gio thought it best to have a party (I think the family would have killed over if we didn`t). At first I was totally not into it... I`ve had at least 18 kid parties already, so I`m kind of over it already, but it is Gio`s first baby, so I get it... it`s just, I feel like the baby doesn`t care, so what are we really doing here? Sending out an invite for a present? Can`t we just skip the formalities and ask for a gift? "What does Eli want for his first birthday?" hrm, I dunno, a box of tissues, a pile of dirt, I know, money! Hahaha...

In spite of my initial lack of enthusiasm, party time came and I was finding myself feeling excited when the party finally started. I think the party girl deep inside never dies... the tired, overworked, mother of 3 just overtakes her sometimes...

Sweet baby Eli saved the day... with dozens of friends and family crammed in our house, Eli crawled around in a sort of baby hospitable way, smiling and clapping the whole while. There`s no question Eli definitely came from parents who love to socialize and entertain! He was a ham the whole day... No lack of food and sleep could stop him!



I have to say, the cupcake was the cutest thing I`ve ever seen...



The whole party sang and laughed as Eli put on his show.

So, happy birthday wonder baby, Mamma and Daddy love you...

Register and Vote!!

We will decide what happens on November 4th over the next few days. Voter registration deadlines are looming in most states. If you aren`t registered to vote, you only have a few days left! If you are registered, encourage others to as well. It`s easy and can be done right online. The people you encourage to register could decide this election!!!

Let's make sure Barack Obama wins on November 4th and doesn`t default to McCain simply because more Republicans are registered!!!!!


To get registered to vote or make sure your friends are registered, go here:

http://www.voteforchange.com/

DO IT!!!! We need a change and that change can only happen if enough voters register and get to the polls on election day to vote Obama! Right now there are more republicans registered then democrats and you know what that could mean!!!!!!!

REGISTER and VOTE people! No excuses!! You owe it to your country! People fought and died so you could have the right to vote! Don`t let their efforts be in vane!

Watch "A More Perfect Union"

and Yes We Can by will.i.am

Need more info on Obama? Go to: http://www.barackobama.com

I want change...

American Idol SUCKS

So, Giovanni is HANDS DOWN the BEST singer I have ever known. No joke. The first time I heard him sing I was in total awe, and anyone who knows me knows I`m his biggest fan, always bragging about him... (it`s probably annoying now that I think about it). Anyways, I digress... SO, Gio has tried out for American Idol again this year (it was the 3rd time) and he got passed through the first few rounds. They gave him a "golden ticket" to come back a month later, which was today. So, he`s been preparing for a whole month; mentally, physically and, of course, vocally. He was 100% prepared and went in confidently. First few judges passed him, no problem, then he had to sing for this old British dude. All the guy said was, "You aren`t what the show is looking for".
WHAT??? This show isn`t looking for TALENT? I`m seriously in total shock! Anyone who knows him can see what an incredible singer he is! He gets paid to sing for goodness sake! He`s been a professional singer for 8 years! People pay him to sing at weddings, concerts, birthdays, church and for charity events.. he get paid to sing on other artists albums! He sang at many Phoenix Suns games, did charity events with Queen Latifah and Earth Wind and Fire! My point is (I could go on an on, but none of you need the whole bio) the STUPID SHOW is totally rigged! I`m telling you! You gotta be fat, too tall, goofy, stupid, horrible at singing, Rastafarian, in the military, bald, blind or something else outrageous! They aren`t looking for TALENTED SINGERS! They are looking to meet a freaking quota! It`s a reality TV show that needs ratings, and they`ll try anything... using the contestants as bait. That show has totally gone down hill! The group songs are a joke. Half the contestants can`t even sing (can someone say Sanjiah? Or, what about the winner, Taylor Hicks? What the hell happened to that guy?!!?)
On top of all of that, their contract is absolutely ridiculous. They reserve the right to completely embarrass you at any given time. They control how you dress, what you sing, how you wear your hair, where you go... basically your every move, for the next 3 years. It`s insane! Then you are stuck on tour with a bunch of karaoke singers for the next year and you have to dance like your on High School Musical for a bunch of teeny boppers....
So, SCREW YOU AMERICAN IDOL!
Gio, your better off doing it your way anyways. We just gotta save enough money to put out your album. Who needs bogus reality TV anyways? Your fans will love and respect the fact that you worked hard and persevered! Look out world, Giovanni Amato will be the next American Idol and it won`t be because of a stupid TV show!

I love you baby!! ROCK ON!!!!

Yoga

Okay, so I decided to start taking yoga again.... As you can see from my last post, the gym membership is not working out so well. Although, I did make it to the gym yesterday and feel fantastic, I really think it`s the yoga classes that are paying off. My boss and good friend, Eleni, and I have been trying to make it to class at least 3 times a week. It`s hard to squeeze anything else into my already crazy schedule, but yoga is SO worth it! It`s much more then a fitness thing, it really is the entire scope, the "mind, body AND soul" of it that makes the greatest impact. It is too easy to get caught up in the stress, worry and business of day to day life. Taking a mental break that reminds you who you really are and what life is about, that`s necessary.
For now I`m content going a few times a week at level 1, but not for long. For years now I`ve been wanting to teach. Back when I was younger I used to teach yoga for a woman's group at church. Since then it`s always been my dream to teach again, but i knew I needed to get certified and so it always got put on the back burner. Now, 8 years later, I think I`m ready. Eli is a year old now and I can no longer use "I just had a baby" as an excuse. I want to get certified and teach yoga within the next year.
One of my favorite quotes says, "A goal without a plan is just a wish."
So, here I go. Yoga class 3 times a week is the start...
What are your dreams, goals, wishes, desires? Do you have a plan?

Margaritas

I finally hit up the gym. Can you believe it? Only 2 months of the stupid membership fees and I have already gone twice... what?!! You`re supposed to go more then once every month? I generally hang out with people who don`t go to the gym, they drink Margaritas, LOL... What do YOU do with your free time? Inspire me.

How Full is Your Glass?

I think that I have just had one of the worst weeks of my life....
Which is strange, because I`ve had so many....
You know, on second thought, I take it back. Not of my life, just one of the crappiest weeks I`ve had in a while.
I think the problem is, a lot of us buy into the thought process that continues the whole snowball effect. How many times have you heard someone say:

"When it rains, it pours"
"Oh, it`s just Murphy`s Law"
"Bad things always happen in 3`s"

Your just setting yourself up! If you think everything is going wrong, guess what is going to happen? It`s just like seeing the glass half empty, it`s all about perception. Unfortunately for me, I got caught up in the negativity, and I just added fuel to the fire. Although, every once in a while, I think it`s okay, maybe even necessary. It`s like having a good cry, it just feels good sometimes to let it all out.
I am ready to let all of this negativity go now. One week is enough indulgence for me. It`s time for me to get back on track... Time for me to remember, it`s not about what happens, it`s about how I receive it. It`s about seeing the brighter side of even the toughest moments...

My air conditioning went out and it was 100 degrees in my house.
Last week I was upset, couldn`t see how this could be happening to me... now I can say:
Thank you God, at least I have a house to live in. At least my children are fed and have a roof over their head. There are people living on the street.

One of my employees caused a lot of hardship for me at work.
Last week I was furious, how could she treat me this way? Now I can say:
Other people`s bitterness, is just jealousy, ignorance or insecurity. I can not be hurt by this, I chose how I feel. I have the choice to be happy.


I started to become lost in myself. Wondering what the purpose of all of this was, why this was happening to me.
Last week I was lost. Waiting for something to change. Now I can say:
If I don`t like what is happening, then I should get up and do something about it. Change can only happen by action.


Like George Bernard Shaw said:

"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them."

Good. I`m motivated. If I don`t like what is happening, there is no one to blame but myself. This week I will not see the glass have full... I will see it overflowing with happiness in abundance.

Wish me luck!

A Little Bit About Me

Last night I started thinking about my need to share. I have always processed my thoughts "out loud" weather it be through talking with my friends and family, singing, writing poetry or journaling. I have a b log for work and i have a blog for my poetry, but I still feel this need to write and share! So, this is my blog for "everything else"... where anything and everything goes.

A little about me, Jenny:


















I have 3 amazing kids:

Ashton, who is 10:




















Abi who is 8:




















And, Eli, who is 9 months:















I can`t even begin to explain how each one has changed my life, helped teach me who I am and, of course, brought me unimaginable JOY!

I love being a Mommy and have often times said I know I was born to be a Mom. Well, it hasn`t always been easy, and some, knowing how early I started, would question if I`ve always felt this way. But, even when I was young and afraid, pregnant for the first time, I knew.

Mommy is a big identifier with me, naturally. But, I feel like I`ve always been a Mom, it`s hard to remember a time I wasn`t. That might explain the Motherly instincts I have with my boyfriend...

Giovanni:




















We`ve had about 4 years together now. He has been compassionate, loving, caring, understanding, and all in all, a great guy. He met me after I had been in and out a few unhealthy relationships, and was there for me when everything seemed to be falling apart. He`s been like a step dad to my older kids, always showing them respect and love. Now he is a stay at home dad with Eli, and even watches the older kids while they are out of school. On top of all of that, he is an amazing vocalist and entertainer. He sings every weekend with a band called 602 Rising. He truly is an inspired person. I love him deeply.

During the week my time is mostly spent at work. I am the Strategic Sales Director for an internet marketing firm here is Gilbert, Arizona. I head up the sales and customer service staff. It`s a very demanding job and does take a lot of my energy. I love what I do though, and I know I`m really good at it. It`s comforting to have job security and to know that I can support m family. I couldn`t always say that.

There are lots of things I am passionate about. I love yoga, reading, writing, cooking, red wine, music, dancing, singing, traveling.... I really could go on and on. There`s something inside of me that thirsts for the new, weather it be trying new foods, traveling to new places, making new friends or thinking in a whole new way.

I consider myself very open minded. I am on an eternal quest to find my own spiritual path. I keep quotes, books, CD`s, movies and people all around me that inspire me and help guide me to my own spiritual awaking.

I feel like you become like those you associate with, so I think it is extremely important to surround yourself with positive people.

Today I am on a quest. My house is messy and my baby needs me... so I am off to play SUPER MOM.... but, I hope this is the start of something BIG, something new for you too!

Happy reading!

Jen