Xtend Barre, What???

(www.Jodileemusic.com) 

When people ask me about my workout, their always a little confused when they hear me say Xtend Barre. What exactly is Xtend Barre? The Xtend Barre Workout is basically a mix of  Pilates and Dance Amplified. After having my last baby I was having major sciatic nerve pain. I knew I needed something to help strengthen my core. A friend told me about Xtend Barre in Provo  I've been attending Xtend Barre for about a year now and I'm 100% hooked! It has completely helped with my nerve pain and I feel so much STRONGER. I didn't expect dramatic results in such a short time. It really does sculpt your body. Best of all I have more Stamina throughout the day.

HERE is all the info you need to learn more about Xtend Barre. I do regular Xtend Barre class once or twice a week.

 I try and do Xtend Barre Stick twice a week. The stick class has a bit more Pilates than regular Xrend Barre. It's my favorite class. You can learn about Xtend Barre Stick class  HERE

My husband is always asking me what I do in class and thanks to  Xtend Barre Provo he was able to find out.

 Xtend Barre Provo hosted a BYOM (Bring Your Own Man) night

It was the perfect way for my guy to see what I do. Being a triathlete, I don't think my husband anticipated how challenging the class would be. He was completely sore the next day. 

I think it's fair to say most the men were exhausted by the end of class.

If you are looking for a great core workout with small burst of cardio

Xtend Barre is a great fit for you plus you get to feel like a ballerina.

Here are some photos from BYOM Night! We had a BLAST!

 

 Photo Credit Provo Xtend Barre

Crafting with LOVE

 

If you are reading this from my Website you can go to http://jodileemusic.blogspot.com/ to read all my blog post

 

 

 

I love a gorgeous craft project but as I've gotten older my crafting has changed. If it's a project my kids cant be involved in I typically wont spend much time doing it. To me crafting is much more than creating something tangibly beautiful that you can look at or use, its about creating moments with your family and friends. There is nothing better than being surrounded by your children at a table full of crafts discussing your future plans and different events that have transpired. Its around the crafting table where some of our funniest moments have taken place. When prepping for a craft project, particularly when it involves holiday décor I ask myself  three question's

1. Is it an easy enough project to where my kids can get involved? There is nothing worse than doing a project that is so detailed there is no room for error. (We want to have fun while crafting)

 

2. Is it a craft project that can be tailored to what I like?  I really enjoy taking an idea, then making it my own. I love simplicity and beautiful colors.

 

3. Once the craft project is done and displayed in our  home, I ask myself......Does this create an environment that feels good? Will my kids feel good in this space every time they walk in the door from school?  Does this environment encourage my kids excitement for the upcoming holiday?

 

 

Here's an easy little valentine craft  my kids and I did. We cut heart shapes out of colored paper we had around the house creating a heart shaped garland then strung it up over our upstairs mantel . I have since added valentine's day lantern string lights. You can get them HERE  My favorite part about this craft is that each heart is completely different and imperfect. This led to a beautiful conversation with my kids. We talked about how we are all unique and imperfect. That's what makes the world such an interesting, wonderful place. This little project took  about 40 minutes but the conversation we had will last forever.

 

  Our down stairs mantel needed a little something too

The felt heart garland and pre-lit heart tinsel garland are from target you can get them HERE

and HERE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Music In My Soul

 I always say music is my language, it's in my soul, in my blood but it's NOT who I am. I learned years ago music is something I do but it does not define me. I believe it's an unhealthy mindset when a performer of any kind uses the phrase "_____ is who I am".   I have been singing and performing since the age of 5. My professionally career began at the age of 10. It's all I've ever known. The stage feels like home to me. It would be easy for me to get caught up in the idea that singing is who I am. My worth as a person is much, much more than my singing.  By the time I was married I was burned out, tired and ready to take a breather from music. (Not singing) I would continued to sing around the house in my car anywhere I was alone. I made it clear to my newlywed husband that I didn't want anyone to know I was a singer.  I needed to figure out who I was without my voice without performing. About 8 months into my "Soul searching"  I saw a flyer for a singing competition at the mall. CASH PRIZES! Nothing is more appealing to a newlywed than cash. We needed that money and I was going to get it. So I got on stage, I performed and sang my heart out. It was completely therapeutic and I was reminded why I love to sing. Not to be a star, or be in the music business, or perform on stage but to communicate the best way my soul knows how......MUSIC!  There is nothing more rewarding to me as a singer/songwriter than sharing and communicating music from one heart to another. We all have a language, a way of expressing ourselves. what's yours?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas in a SMALL Town

I grew up in a small town. It was a wonderful place to grow up. so many fun traditions like THIS one.
Christmas, though, was my absolute favorite growing up. Because we were in a small town Christmas wasn't as commercialized as it might be in a larger city. We didn't have a Target, Walmart, or Mall. I recall a particular Christmas. I was about 10 or 11 years old and our town was having a huge Tree lighting ceremony. Everyone in town was there. I sang "I saw Mommy kissing Santa clause"  directly after my song Santa Clause blew magic sparkling dust in the air and the tree lit up. It was the most incredible thing my little 10 year old mind could imagine. There were countless festivities leading up to Christmas day. Christmas Parade, raffles, School Plays, watching Christmas Movies at the old theater. The list goes on and on........ Our Little town was decorated like a small village in a snow globe.  It was simple and yet the most magical experience a child could have. I remember my 6th grade Christmas. My Teacher Mr. Joseph ordered LEATHER KITS  (Not this nice) for each of us students. I made a wallet for my Dad, a key holder for my Mom and a Belt for my older Brother. I wish I could remember what gifts I made for my other siblings. I so clearly remember What I made for my brother because on Christmas morning when he opened his gift "The Belt"  was clearly to small for him. He Simply smiled and thanked me. I felt so good inside knowing I had worked so hard to make these gifts for the people I love most. There is something wonderfully  beautiful about Christmas in a Small Town.


Every time I'm asked to sing Christmas music, I always make sure "Silver Bells" is on my list. It reminds me of Christmas in my hometown. Of course I change the Lyrics to "Country" instead of 'City". It just feels right

Here is a video of my Daughter and I singing "Silver Bells" a few weeks ago. Enjoy!

"Mirrors Cover"

Justine Timberlake-Mirrors (Jodi Lee and Jhonny K Acoustic Cover) On iTunes and Spotify

 You can watch video HERE

Technology Fast

A couple months ago our little family did a week-long Technology Fast. This was in conjunction with our stake who was doing a media fast. No TV, Music, email, Facebook, or texting.... for a WEEK! unless it's  work or church related. I have to admit I was nervous.....really nervous.  I decided to keep a daily journal of our experience.

 

Day1- Here we Go! first thing I noticed is that when I have a free moment I find myself grabbing my phone to check my Facebook, email or instagram. It's complete habit I don't even realize I'm doing it. Yikes! this might be harder then I thought. The kids are doing great! My oldest Son (Who is 12) complained a little in the morning but that's it.

 

Day3- Quote from my oldest Son "It's been kind of hard, but technology's not that Cool"

I think he's trying to convince himself. As of me, I've been doing great and haven't cheated once. (I've been tempted though)... My husband who is a financial broker by trade watches TV and follows twitter accounts concerning the ups and downs of the market. Technically he could still watch TV and follow these accounts as it pertains to his works, but he chose not to.

 

Day6- Wow things are so peaceful around here. I can't remember the last time I felt this good, and my house is looking extra clean these days.  A Quote from my Husband "I feel so much lighter and not as weighed down. I have a renewed sense of clarity"

 

Day7- By the end of the week there was an incredible spirit in our home. A spirit of peace. My kids weren't arguing as much, my house had much more order, and I think all of us felt a closeness to our Heavenly Father that we haven't felt in awhile.

 My 8 year old daughter said it best "Mom, I have really started to notice things more. Like on the way home today I noticed a tree. We drive past that tree everyday, but today it was a TREE! Big and beautiful. It made me look around a notice all the beautiful things Heavenly Father has created for us. I'm thankful, Mom."

 

Conclusion:

When we are still and quiet there is a beautiful peace that comes and surrounds us and settles in our hearts. Through that peace we feel the love of our Savior and we are reminded of who we really are.

 

 

AMERICA

 I am forever thankful!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
... May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

 

"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the white House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness, You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism." -Erma Bombeck

I hope you all had a wonderful July 4th.