I know Jeff Goldblum

Yeah, I just did it.

I name dropped.

But there is a bigger story I want to tell, so I hope you will forgive me just this once.

Back in the We-don't-have-kids-yet-so-I-want-to-try-and-be-an-actress days, I attended Playhouse West.

More because of my gender than talent, after a few months, I was placed in Jeff's class. I am sure he would have preferred it had I been single.

Twice I week, I presented my rehearsed scene in front of the others and jotted down his expert critique in my black, pocket sized notebook.

They always say "Those that can't do, teach" in regards to acting. I didn't want a washed up wanna-be; I was paying good money for the best.

Not that Mr. Goldblum is the best, but you get what I mean. I wanted to learn from someone I respected and was actually working in the field.

The first few scenes under his tutelage were uncomfortable and nerve wracking.

As time went on, though, the fame haze began to clear and the kinks in his personality emerged....the funny way he used words that most of us scratched our heads upon utterance, run-on sentences that never quite fell on one coherent topic, the cadence of whispers and stutters upon examination of our work.

He became normal.

Every once in a while, his band played at clubs around town. Most of the students would go to watch his performance and try to make industry connections.

A few months after I met him, I was standing to the side of the dance floor and caught eyes with Jeff.

He smiled and waved, mouthed "hello, Jalynn".

Have I mentioned that my agent recommended I go by that name to sound more exotic? Not my proudest moment.

I smiled back.

A simple exchange, really.

I didn't think much of it, until it hit me later.

Jeff Goldblum knows me by name.

A few other times this happened- when paparazzi would take a photo or a tourist would stop him for his autograph.

It would again hit me that he is famous, and I felt special that he was a small part of my career.



Yesterday, I was driving to Village Kids Consignment.

I always get a little backward when driving to Ada. I don't drive the roads much on that end of town.

As I was traveling Cascade Road, I spotted a building that looked very familiar. I couldn't place why.

Like a punch in the gut, I remembered it was where Josh and I went on April 20th and heard the words, "your baby has a 0% chance of survival".

The wonderful, sweet realization that I was driving past the place where we got ZERO HOPE to go pick out summer clothes for all three kids made me deliriously happy.

And it was a hundred million times better than my days of being an acquaintance of Jeff Goldblum.

I am still so thankful, so grateful.

Psalm 71:5-8
New Living Translation (NLT)

5 O Lord, you alone are my hope.
I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood.
6 Yes, you have been with me from birth;
from my mother’s womb you have cared for me.
No wonder I am always praising you!
7 My life is an example to many,
because you have been my strength and protection.
8 That is why I can never stop praising you;
I declare your glory all day long.

I can usually get two of the three in good moods;-)

Tessa girl turns 7 months old tomorrow, and continues to be a joy.

Taking her off caffeine changed her disposition entirely. I would have called her high-maintenance before, but she is currently easy going and quick to laugh.

She weighs a whopping 13 pounds.

22 inches the last time we checked.

She delights when her brothers smile at her, but doesn't much like hugs.

She is cooing and talking, rolling over, and getting into a nice routine.

Handing her monitor over was slightly terrifying, but it is absolutely awesome to not have to lug that heavy machine around.

She continues to stay home 95% of the time, and only veers out once in a while to Grandma's house. Every once in a while we head to the airport (another tangible reminder of last Spring) to watch planes take off and land.

I have tentatively set May 13th (Mother's Day) for her baptism, so please save the date!;-)