The Lullaby Album in the Deseret News

Please visit my Music Blog to read the article that appeared in the Deseret News (Salt Lake City, UT) on Friday, August 28th, 2009.

http://jenniferthomasmusic.wordpress.com/

A Day in My Life {Video Blog}

My life has changed so much since becoming a mom this past year, and I'm still learning how to juggle everything. Here is a glimpse into a day in my life as a professional musician, wife, and mother.

I don't claim it is exciting - but it is real, and it is honest.

New Beautiful Photos from Jenni's Dad - Ruby Beach

My parents went over to the peninsula this past week and my dad took some really amazing photos. They will be up for sale in the gallery on his website soon: www.ronsouthworth.com

Flying by the Seat of my Pants

...is how I feel the last year of my life has been like.

Don't get me wrong, the last year has provided me with some really wonderful memories. I became a new mom, I've really enjoyed my time with our little family, walks in the park, reading books and singing in the rocking chair, etc.

BUT

When it comes to getting things done, I seem to do them when it is convenient for Preston. OR he gets neglected so I can get them done. How I managed to write and record a new album in this last year is beyond me. Oh wait, that's right, it took a lot of extremely late nights, putting Will in charge of being Mr. Mom, and not getting much else done.

Not any more.

This morning as I drove myself to the gym to work off some more pregnancy weight that I'm still carrying around, I had a little chat with myself that went something like this...

Me: "Jenni, you could be getting so much more done during the day."

Me: "Okay but how do I do that? I feel like I just fly by the seat of my pants all of the time."

Me: "Three words: Get. Up. Earlier."

Okay, now getting up early has not really been an option for me for the past year because in case you didn't get the 411 on our little guy, up until recently he has never been the greatest sleeper. He only started sleeping through the night once he turned a year old, and even now, he still struggles.

Granted, he's made HUGE strides in the sleeping department but he's still got some issues (like waking Mom and Dad up at 5am every morning!).

But my point is, I feel he's made enough improvement sleeping that I am actually finally getting some decent sleep myself. No more waking up 5 times a night and nursing. Nuff said.

So back to my chat with myself in the car, I decided that I'm going to take my life by the reigns and get in control again. I'm going to really try harder to improve my time management skills.

How am I going to do this you ask?

Well, checklists have always worked wonders for me so I figure that is where I'll start. My brilliant mother must have known that because this was my checklist when I was 3 years old.

Things that I want to improve about myself will be included, such as:

• Practicing the piano every day (playing lullabies for the last year does wonders for downgrading your playing skills...haha)
• Setting aside playtime with Preston everyday - whether going to the park, reading books, or just playing.
• Going to the gym EARLY in the morning to get it done.
• Doing something nice for Will every day and having quality time together.
• Reading and praying.

And every day, hopefully, there will be a check, check, check, and another check.

I think the absolute hardest thing for me to do will be getting up early and going to the gym. Right now, I usually go during Preston's naptime around 10 or 11am. BUT (sigh), as Will is buckling down harder on his job search, I need to make sure he has adequate personal time during the day for that and so I've got to get my workouts done earlier so I can watch Preston the rest of the day.

Seriously, I am NOT a morning person, I don't do physical activity well in the morning, and I love staying up late at night. This. Will. Be. A. Challenge.

Anyway, I just feel like I have more potential inside of me to be a better person physically, spiritually, socially, mentally, EVERYTHING. I don't want to be just mediocre. No more flying by the seat of my pants and just living out of convenience. Time to shape up and push myself.

Watch out, Jenni veresion 2.0 will be coming soon....LOL

Will on the News

If you want to see Will running in his cute little runner shorts on Seattle's King 5 News, check out this article and video:

http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_081809WAB-internet-addiction-center-LJ.f1222024.html?rss

Will's Notes: Okay, Jenni beat me to the punch. I was going to blog about this but she probably knows me too well.

Our friends down the street run an internet addiction retreat. It's somewhat similar to an alcohol & drug detox center, but it is specifically for people with internet, video gaming, texting addictions, etc... Well, since I'm somewhat free during the day with lack of employment, I've been helping out a couple times a week with fitness and outdoor recreation for their patients. Trying to find fun, alternative outlets that they can enjoy once they return to civilazation to keep them away from their technology addictions.

I've been lucky as their 1st patient used to run cross country and track, so we've been doing lots of trail running and hiking. He is also an amazing violinist in which Jenni has sat down with him and done some work with him on his violin.

Anyway, since internet addicition retreats are still somewhat of a new thing, they have been garnishing plenty of press lately. This was a clip from our local & regional NBC affialiate. They have also done interviews with Time.com and local radio stations.

Thanks babe, for being so good & quick to post this! I don't know how you keep up so well with your umpteenth blogs. You make me look like a slacker as I still have blogs from a year ago that I started and never finished or never started.

Maybe I can learn from you. As long as we don't have to enroll you in this program.

Preston's Blog: Part 2 - Trees!

Jenni's note: In case you were wondering where the heck we were in these pictures, it was on top of Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park over on the Washington Peninsula. This is post #2 of Preston's posts (part of a 3 series posting). Go back to read #1 about boats.

Coming Next: Preston's Post Part 3 - Sunny Sunsets!