Real Mom: Jenna Crandall
I owe a lot to todays Real Mom, Jenna Crandall. Jenna is the reason we started this blog that has turned into a BIG part of our lives. Not only is Jenna my business partner, but also a dear friend. She is compassionate and loyal with a heart of gold! I don’t know anyone with as much energy as Jenna. The night we arrived in Dallas(after a full day of being moms and traveling) we went to the hotel gym for a quick workout. As I’m struggling to get through a set of kettle bell swings Jenna jumps into a full aerobic workout including bench jumps. I’ve never seen anyone move that fast without face planting. It was pretty incredible. I’m really proud of Jenna for sharing certain parts of her life that I know are hard to re-live and especially write down. It takes a lot of courage to be open and vulnerable for a public audience. I’m grateful for this friend of mine and really excited for you to get to know her more. Welcome todays Real Mom, Jenna Crandall…
What’s the first thing you do in the morning?
When the kids hear that we are awake everyone gets in bed with us and we hang out in our room for at least 15 minutes. I’m not a morning person so it takes me awhile to get going. Usually while I’m in bed I check my emails for anything that might be important before I start the day. I get out of bed and put on my gym clothes. I take the kids to school and then usually run on the treadmill while I watch Kelly & Michael. It’s my routine and it helps me keep up with life.
What got you through your hardest time?
Hands down my faith,family and my husband. Dennis walked into my life the very second I needed him to. He has been the biggest blessing in my life. I’ve never met anyone like Dennis Crandall.
Favorite snack?
Definitely Chips and Salsa. And if it’s Friday night, Popcorn and Milk Duds
What is you’re number one beauty item?
Eyelash Extensions for sure! Most days I don’t have time to put make-up on. These make me feel good about walking out the door without make-up on. I also can’t live without this morning skin care routine – C. E. Ferulic / Sunscreen FACE & EYES / Eye Cream / Lipgloss
Describe your style:
I feel like I have 2 different styles. My mom style and my going out style. MOM STYLE – I wear a lot of active wear while running around during the day. My favorite TEE-Shirt of all time is this one in every color. I wear a lot of denim from MADEWELL & love finding tops like this one to mix up my mom style. I wear these sneakers most days. GOING OUT STYLE – I definitely dress feminine/chic and I’m drawn to silk blouses, pretty dresses and classic pieces. I do follow trends so I always incorporate some trendy pieces. I don’t really like wearing jewelry so I only wear it for a couple hours at a time. The only item I’ll wear all day long is this Tory Burch wrap bracelet or my Helen Ficalora necklace with my kids initials on it. Otherwise I feel extremely claustrophobic.
What has surprised you most about motherhood?
Motherhood is a constant surprise! Everyday I’m learning something new from my children—from the funny things they say to avoid going to bed to the resilient way they deal with childhood in a busy world. There is one experience that stands out in my mind as being particularly important for my perspective as a mom, though. When I was in my third trimester with my youngest, Chloe, my doctor informed me that she wasn’t measuring very well. I visited my doctor’s office several times a week only to learn that Chloe wasn’t receiving enough oxygen and, as a result, she wasn’t able to grow the way she should be growing. The doctor began a very frank discussion of what needed to be done; either Chloe was to be born within 24 hours or we were playing with her life. I was panicked. And vulnerable. And more panicked. To this point, I had brought two amazing children into the world without any major complications. I never imagined that the birth of my third child could surprise me. Chloe came into the world (at 33 weeks) the same way she’s taken on the world: strong, happy, irrepressible, and ever so sweet. Though she had to join us early (and at a dainty 4 lbs and 7 ozs), she’s been our fighter ever since. Despite the scare we were given about what could have happened upon her arrival (and just how devastating that might have been), what actually surprised me most about Chloe’s birth is the feeling of familiarity I had when I first saw her. I know lots of mothers feel this way, but it was a stunning and overwhelming feeling I’ll never forget. I realized I loved Chloe before I ever held her tiny 4 lb. frame in my hands. I fought for her before she had to fight for herself. That she was born perfectly healthy was one of the sweetest blessings of my life (and one I don’t take for granted for a second), but the actual surprise—the one that still makes me pause each time I hear all three of my children “negotiate” a later bedtime or play together in the park—is how deep is a mother’s love. Maybe that’s because it’s our job to fight for them long before they ever have to fight for themselves…
(3 1/2 months old weighing in at 10lbs.)
Favorite way to stay fit:
I love my treadmill. I walk or run at least 45 minutes a day on the treadmill. I do incline and mix up my speed every 5 minutes. I also love taking fitness classes. They keep me motivated and inspired. If I get myself to the gym everyday it makes the rest of my week better.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
I’m actually a major goofball at heart. I think when people meet me they are surprised at how laid back I am with everything. It takes A LOT to ruffle my feathers. And for some reason when I was little I always told people I would never have a little girl. Only boys. Davis (my first) was definitely expected to be a boy. So when I had my next two ultrasounds and found out I was blessed with 2 baby girls I sobbed and hugged my ultrasound tech for 30 minutes. I truly thought I was going to raise all boys.
Tell us how LunchPails and Lipstick came to be?
L&L came to be because of one phone conversation. I was working on a blog I had at the time and realized I needed help. Blogging is a lot of work and most people don’t realize the time it takes. Naturally, I called the beautiful Lisa Harris to help me! She thought about it and decided she wanted to give it a try. LunchPails & Lipstick is definitely my baby and I’m so proud of it. Lisa and I have learned how to juggle the work load with our families and personal lives. Our blogging time is usually late at night or early in the morning. It’s been fun to bring our kids to work with us. They think the process is fun and we treat it like a job for them. They get paid when they work and they love the idea of making their own money. If you ask my girls to take a picture, you will most likely get a hand on the hip and a diva pose with it.
Top items on your Summer wish list:
1. Tory Burch Bag (amazing color for summer) 2. In love with this SWIMSUIT in coral & white 3. This pair of Jeans by Current Elliot
What has been your biggest life hurdle?
When I was a senior in high school, my parent’s divorced after a long legal battle. This experience rocked my world. I had always been a daddy’s girl, and could barely cope with daily life without my dad in it. My mom, amidst coping with all the pain from the divorce, went back to work; and my younger sister, who was in junior high in the time, tried to figure out having a normal adolescence despite the fact that our world was being ripped apart. My brothers both left to serve a mission for our church {HERE}. At the time I felt like it was my job to make sure everyone around me was okay, that we would survive; and, from time to time, I even believed it was my duty to put a smile on each of our faces even though I actually felt more like crying my eyes out. I’m not sure anyone knew just how much pain I was in, or that each morning I would lay in my bed until I had prayed for enough faith for my feet to even find the floor. Somehow, I waded through the first moments, and then the first months. This was our new identity, a new normal.
No one builds a family–with beautiful, clear memories of dance recitals and vacations and family dinners—just to watch it shatter into a million different pieces. Every day I struggled. How could I be a better daughter to my mother? How could I help my dad get his life figured out? How could I help my sister? Why had my dad made these decisions? Was it my fault? I was mourning our old family and trying to make reconciliation with our new one. What ultimately sustained me during the times when I thought my pain was too much for my body, or when I would see my hero’s (mom and dad) hearts breaking, or my young, undeserving sister confused by our new circumstances, was my faith. In the mornings when I prayed for enough faith to get me out of bed, a voice inside me would say, “You can do this Jenna.” Day by day, little by little, peace reentered my world and over time joy replaced my sadness. Like my dad,mom, sister and two brothers, I’ve created new memories of love and strength. Now, I celebrate the good times I have with my family; the love my husband and I share with one another and our children; getting to talk & laugh with my dad again and the beautiful bride my mother was on her recent wedding day. I also believe my dad has found greater peace, which, in turn, makes me happy. He will always be the special dad that taught me how to ride my bike, that gave me a shoulder to cry on and that danced with me at my wedding. Love and forgiveness is the true power of healing. In the end, I’m most grateful for the foundation of faith that got me through this particular rough spot. And though it took me some time, I’m grateful to look back on this experience and know that it shaped my capacity for hope. Even when we’re in our deepest, darkest moments—thinking we might actually fall victim to a hurdle that’s too tall or too big for us—I believe faith and hope will sustain us, heal our hearts, and refine our characters.
SHOP THE STORY
Comments & Replies
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Loved hearing your story! Random, but Do you mind sharing the brand/model of your treadmill? We are in the market for a good one but don’t know where to start! Thanks!
So beautiful, Jenna. Loved hearing your story. xoxo
Thank you so much Cathy! I think of our Evanston days often. And please let me know when you’re coming to NY. My treat this time for a show. xx
I’ve been following this blog for quite some time now and it’s definitely one of my faves!
Jenna, I just wanted to let you know that I think it was awesome of you to share your past
struggles and how you have moved forward. You are my fashion icon and love how positive you are! Thanks for being such a great person and I am thankful that you have started this blog
because I get a lot out of it!
Wow! Thank you for all those kind and nice words! Thank you for reading and sharing. Made my day.
loved hearing your heart Jenna! So inspiring. You’re a beautiful mama!
thank you so much!
Loved both of your spotlights. So impressed & happy with your success with L&L- love getting my email updates. You both are such amazing, fun, and talented Ladies and incredible mommies. Wish I had a Lisa & Jenna that lived in Idaho. Love you both. Xoxo
Thank you ARYN! It’s been way too long since I’ve seen your pretty face. Reunion time. Let’s crash Summer’s place in UTAH. Miss you.
I loved reading this about you Jenn! I remember ALL of this like it was yesterday. I remember sitting in the park with you on that hard, hard day in highschool….and I remember praying for a miracle as you went in to have Chloe. You are an amazing mom and have the biggest heart! I’m lucky to call you my best friend, even if we live a million miles from each other, you are always there for me! You are pretty amazing!!!! You are such an example to everyone who meets you. Love you tons and tons!
Oh Sum, you’re making me cry now. Thank you for that. In a perfect world I would live with you or next door. I’m sure Michael will be fine with me being third wheel again. 🙂
Sitting here on the tarmac waiting for my flight to take off so read the whole article. Must’ve been so hard to go through that in high school and loved reading all your responses! Can relate to so many..like eyelash extensions! And mommy style (aka survival mode) vs going out style! Completely different wardrobes for each!