Hi! I’m Jenny, and this is my family.
I’ve been a wife to Dereck for seven years, an attorney for four years, and a mom for three years. Being a mom, a working mom, a single mom, a woman who wants to be a mom—none of it is easy. We need each other. If you need to read a post that makes you say, “Whew! Glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t have a clean house today!” or you want to attend a Des Moines Moms Blog event to make you say, “Whew! Glad I’m not the only one who lets her three-year-old dress herself!” I’ll have your back.
And now, for some details:
- I’m an Iowa native. I was born in Osage, raised near Riceville, and graduated from Ogden High School (B-U-L-L-D-O-G-S!).
- Dereck and I got married on 06/07/08. I almost always think our anniversary is June 6.
- We met at Iowa State University, where I got an English degree and he got a Business Management degree. We never went to a football game. Gasp! We got married right before I started law school.
- The first year of marriage is the hardest year of marriage.
- The first year of law school is the hardest year of law school.
- But we made it. (bicep emoji)
- I’ll try to write without referencing emojis from now on, though I can make no promises.
- Dereck owns Thelma’s! Have you heard of them? They deliver warm cookies in the metro and sell ice cream sandwiches at local events and in your area Hy-Vee store. Eat the snickerdoodle and don’t look back.
- I’m really proud of Dereck, even though he rarely brings me cookies.
- I have five brothers and a sister. We’re not Catholic and we all have the same parents, thankyouverymuch. Can you believe I’ve been asked those questions?
- Briefly, some life advice—there are two questions you should never ask: “So, when are you going to have a/another kid?” and “Wow, you’re having another kid?”
- I have an unusually high pain tolerance. See above re: brothers.
- I’ve had two med-free childbirths. The first was accidental. See above re: pain tolerance. The second was on purpose. I felt mentally unprepared the first time; the second time I felt stronger in mind, body, and soul than I ever have in my life.
- But darn it, get the epidural if you want it. And don’t if you don’t!
- I feel the need to over-compliment pregnant women and new moms, to the point that it probably seems insincere. I just need every one of them to know in their heart that they’re doing great and nobody in this whole world can do it better for their baby. (I’m talking to you, Nola, Kayla, Lydia, Katie, and Mandy!)
- My daughter Marlo is three. She is outspoken, smart, funny, sensitive, and the most conscientious big sister. Well, except for the vigorous tickling—but she’s working on that.
- My daughter Gwen is eight months old. Her birthday is my birthday. Her first cries were to the tune of the Happy Birthday song. (Just kidding, but that would have been really thoughtful of her.) She is a more reserved mama’s girl than her sister has ever been. I like the cuddles, it’s no secret. I also like that she and Marlo constantly remind us of their individuality.
- The Lewis fam just moved to Polk City, and we love it.
- We go to church at Capitol City in Ankeny.
- Capitol City has fitness classes. Have you been?! I haven’t, but I’d like to think about it maybe someday.
- I hate to admit it, but I’m shy. I feel more confident when I write. Twenty sixteen resolution: write more.
I’m thankful to have the opportunity to write more this year with Des Moines Moms Blog, and I look forward to getting to know your details, dear readers.
