I have always admired my beautiful, younger sister Julie. As we grew up together people were attracted to her fun and loving personality. I would call her the social butterfly and try to be as cool as her. Julie has always been involved in sports since childhood, including dance and tumbling at 5 years old and on to soccer, track and volleyball. As a college student at BYU, Julie competed as an heptathlete which involved high jump. long jump, javelin, shot put, 100 meter hurdles, 200 meters and 800 meter. Julie will tell you that she never loved to run, but eventually grew to love it as a hobby and for exercise.
Julie married John while they finished their undergraduate degree at BYU. Julie went on to become an dental assistant and worked up until they moved to the East Bay for John's chiropractic school. Adding to her many talents and interests, Julie decided to attend massage school and found a new love working on athletes and mothers. Julie graduated during her first pregnancy and quickly found many opportunities to work as a massage therapist, including the 49ers football team and the Warrior's basketball team.
Julie and John have an adorable, spunky daughter, Savvy, who is the center of their world. Becoming a mother has brought a new level of commitment and perspective to Julie's busy life. Julie has learned to be flexible and versatile to keep herself healthy and active while making her first priority the needs of her family. "It is important to take time for yourself," Julie says, "to keep up with personal time and to not lose yourself completely." While finding this balance, Julie has learned to be okay with not working out everyday.
"Sometimes you have to be creative to stay active," Julie tells me. Julie enjoys having a variety of ways to stay active while spending time with Savvy, including bike rides, rollerblading, runs around the marina, home workout videos and anything dance related. It has been important for Julie to find good babysitters and daycare's that she trusts to allow her to continue giving massages and work out at the gym. Julie enjoys spending time with her friends. Taking breaks periodically to be social helps Julie be a better mom and regroup.
Julie is grateful to be a mother because it brings her joy and happiness. "I chose to be a mother because I always wanted a family. Being the youngest of 7 children made my household a busy place and I was always very close with my siblings. They are all my best friends who I feel I can be myself around. I think it's a blessing to be able to have children, not everyone can have their own, and I wanted to take part in that blessing. Plus I think it's a natural, innate feeling to want to spread your seed, and raise children the way you feel is the right way. I think true happiness comes from raising a family."
Savvy likes to copy what her mom does and says, which has motivated Julie to be a good example and a better person. "I'm still learning how to be a good teacher, it takes a lot of patience and time. One of the things I try to do is read to her often and have her help me with little tasks around the house. She naturally likes to copy things that I do which reminds me she's learning all the time, so just taking the time to be patient and teach little things like getting dressed and putting on her shoes and cleaning up her toys can be fun. I find joy and self accomplishment when I see she is learning the things I teach her. Motherly pride I guess."
Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints, Julie developed a greater understanding of the teachings of Jesus Christ when becoming a mother. "The second I became a mother I knew that was what I was meant to be in this life. I felt a deep connection with my Savior in learning the meaning of selflessness and true unconditional love. I found how important it is to be a good example because they are watching you always and it is your responsibility to teach them good things."
California has become a good fit for Julie and John as they share a love for beach volleyball and the perfect weather. Together they are learning to be better parents and to strengthen their marriage. "John is a phenomenal father, he loves sharing all roles and duties as a parent. We have come closer as a couple in teaming up to get through tough times together. Parenting is tough work sometimes, I'm lucky to have someone to share the load. When one of us is feeling stressed and overloaded the other one picks up the slack."
I have loved seeing my little sister grow up and become a wonderful mother. I still try to be as cool as her, but I will never have her dance moves!
