Who is @jenniferajanes

Today in my continuing series on Who is_______? I am happy to share with you about Jennifer Janes.  I started interacting with Jennifer earlier this year.  She actually guest posted for me once before.  Jennifer is funny, engaging and someone I enjoy interacting with daily.  I was really more than pleased to read her answers to my questions and discovered more to her humorous side.  Keep on reading to see what I mean.

Tell me about your family (Spouse, kids, where you grew up, where you are living)

My husband, Jeremy, and I live with our two beautiful daughters in Arkansas.  I’ve lived in this area most of my life, although I was on the other side of the state line until I married Jeremy.  He was born in Arizona but moved to Arkansas before he was old enough to remember the Southwest.  We enjoy being near both of our families and like that our area is pretty family friendly.

How long have you been married?

We just celebrated ten years of marriage.  Our first date was a blind one, so we usually celebrate that date too.  It has been over twelve years since the night we met.

What is the one thing you love most about your spouse?

I love his faithfulness.

What would your spouse say is the thing they love most about you?

I asked him.  He actually said two things–that I’m an encourager and a prayer warrior.

What has been the key/success to your marriage?

Commitment.  Knowing that divorce is not an option.  We’ve been through a lot of tough times, but we both meant the vows we took, so divorce has never come up.  We’re in this together for the long haul, no matter what.

What is one of your favorite things about being a parent?
My heart melts every time one of the girls wraps her arms around my neck and gives me a kiss on the cheek.  Those moments are precious!  As the girls get older, those moments don’t come around as frequently as they once did.

Since you are a full-time mom, what are things you do to keep your sanity?  Did you always plan on home schooling your kids?  How do you feel about that role of being both a mom and a full-time teacher?

I’m supposed to be sane?  Seriously, I make breaks throughout the day to talk on the phone and text with my husband and some friends.  I try to get out for a date night with Jeremy at least once a month and will get together with friends for a visit as often as possible.  I also schedule play dates with families the girls and I get along well with.  That’s a double score–the mom and I get to visit while the kids play together.  It goes without saying that time in prayer and the Word is crucial to my survival.

No, I definitely didn’t plan to home school my kids.  I was a classroom teacher when I met my husband.  We both have families full of public school employees–administrators, teachers, and counselors.  But when our older daughter was three years old, I started thinking about home schooling, although I didn’t know why.  When I mentioned it to Jeremy, he said he was thinking about it too.  We began praying together about the path God wanted us to take for our children’s education, and we felt a strong leading to home school.  So, here we are.

Being a stay-at-home-mom is a thankless job anyway, and adding home schooling to that means that we’re often misunderstood and criticized for our choices.  I just look at home schooling as an extension of what I was doing with the girls anyway.  Instead of trying to coax them to say their first words or take their first steps, I’m coaxing them through learning to read, multiplication facts, and the scientific method.  The joy at seeing their eyes light up when they accomplish something new for the first time hasn’t diminished, although the accomplishments have changed.
What are some other jobs you have had?  What was your very first job?  What lessons did you learn from it?

My very first job was babysitting the children of neighbors and my parent’s friends.  What did I learn?  That taking care of children is a hard job, but it’s a rewarding one too!  I have also done clerical work, served as a research assistant, and been a classroom teacher.

Of all the jobs you have had, which job have, you enjoyed the most.
Of all the jobs I’ve had, I would say my current “position” is the most enjoyable one I’ve ever had.  It’s also the hardest!

What do you do to relax?

What does “relax” mean?  I try to relax by reading, writing, chatting with folks through social media, and spending time with my wonderful family and friends.

What hobbies/interests do you enjoy?
I have always loved to read, and that hasn’t changed through the years!  I also enjoy writing, doing Bible study, and watching movies.  I tried to teach myself to knit a few years ago, but I discovered that I like the idea of knitting much more than I enjoy the process!

What music/songs are shuffling around on your Ipod/Itunes or Spotify?

I don’t have an iPod or Spotify account, but I do have some songs on my phone that keep me going by refocusing me when life gets overwhelming.  Current favorites are Strong Enough by Matthew West, Praise You in This Storm by Casting Crowns, With One Word by Shane & Shane, Forever Reign by Hillsong United, and Waiting Here for You by Christy Nockels.

What books are on your nightstand?
My Bible, Thunder of Heaven by Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall, and assorted devotional books.

How are you connected or involved in your community?

I am active in the children’s ministry and lead a book club at our church.  I am also the Arkansas political liaison for our local home school group.  I don’t volunteer as much as I would like to because our schedule is packed with my younger daughter’s specialist and therapy appointments.

What things are you most passionate about?

I am passionate about pointing people to Christ so they can survive in this world and have their eternal future secured.

Not to put you in a box, but what words would define you as a person?
Friendly, loyal, encourager, Christ-follower.

Why did you get into blogging?  What is the response from folks when you share with them you are a blogger?

I actually got into blogging in 2005, when my brother gave me my blog for Christmas.  He gave me a Christmas card with my URL, username, and password listed.  I had never considered blogging before that.  For the first few years, I used my blog to let the 2.3 people who read it know what was going on with the kids and other things in my life.  I didn’t start blogging seriously until April 2010.

I get varied responses.  Some people think it’s great that I blog, and others have no idea what I’m talking about or why I would want to do it.
When it comes to social media, what is your purpose for using it?  What are the positives and negatives you have found using it?
I use social media to connect with others.  I enjoy “meeting” and getting to know new people.  I consider social media a way to stay in touch with others and keep a running conversation going.  The positives are having another way to connect with others.  The negatives are using social media so much that you don’t interact with your family and friends in real life, and letting it become an addiction.
What do you find humorous?
I think the things my kids say and do are hysterical.  Jeremy is amusing too, although he doesn’t usually intend to be.

Who in history do you admire the most?
I really admire Ruth and Esther.  They left behind everything they knew and everyone they loved and walked in obedience through some very scary situations.

What is something that moves you to tears?
People going above what’s “expected” of them to be kind and compassionate to others.  I saw the newer version of Miracle on34th Street not long ago.  The scene of the Santa speaking sign language to the deaf girl when all she wanted was to be with him moved me to tears.  I cry when similar things happen to us, like when a mom calls to ask what my younger daughter can eat because she wants to make sure my daughter’s restricted diet is accommodated at her child’s birthday party.  Not everyone does that.  That’s going above and beyond.
Do you feel like you are living out your calling?
Absolutely.  There is no doubt in my mind that I’m fulfilling God’s purpose for this season of my life.

When you look in the mirror what do you see?
I see a woman who wants to want God more than her next breath and someone who has hopes, dreams, and fears that she turns over to God regularly because she keeps taking them back.

How has God transformed you the most?
He has transformed me the most by showing me that I really can do anything through His strength.  I do things and deal with things daily that I never thought I’d be capable of.

Name two things on your bucket list?
I’ve never been to Disney World.  I would really like to share that experience with my husband and children, preferably before the kids think they’re too old to go!  I would also love to take an Alaskan cruise.  I’ve seen the state from the interior but never the coastal areas.
In the end when your life is over, what do you hope to be remembered for?

I want people to remember me for unwavering faith, for loving like God does, and for being faithful in prayer.

Anything else you want to share or let people know?
I love dark chocolate and iced tea that’s not too sweet.  I’m still completely lost on Google +.  I root for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks and St. Louis Cardinals even when they’re losing.  I was raised a Texas Longhorns fan.  (Love can make you do strange things.)

You can and should check out her blog at Jennifer A. Janes - http://jenniferajanes.com