Thursday, January 26, 2012

“Wife Swap” woes………

It is funny to me that

EVERY

TIME

our episode “Wife Swap” comes on I am flooded with Facebook friend requests, emails, and fb messages.

Funny because I have NEVER ONCE gotten a NASTY ONE…..

NEVER

ONCE.

I have ONLY gotten  beautiful letters and messages filled with sweetly woven words of praise.

Don’t get me wrong…..

I read the AWFUL things that were said about us on the blogs and message boards.

For about a WEEK.

After that I let it go…….

I never went back.

I knew that SOME people had some nasty things to say about us…

but, I got to the point where I kind of felt like…

“The proof was in the puddin.”

I knew that

WHAT

WE

STOOD

FOR

and

WHO

WE

WERE

made a bigger, more saturating sound than the CHATTER of a few “HATERS”.

I Believe THAT.

And then…

2 days ago- they aired it again.

And I knew it from the fb requests and the emails.

And once again it reminded me that no matter how much “flack” our family and our LIFESTYLE took from the “editing” of our life…..

GREAT

THINGS

CAME

FROM

IT.

Period.

We made new friends, helped plenty of people, and spread a message of ONE LOVE.

Nuff’ said.

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jana, Love your beautiful words. I have never seen the episode, but see you at the dance company all the time (our daughters were in Miss Marie's class last year). Anyway I see you as a great sweet mom with well rounded sweet kids, and Marie has nothing but awesome praises to give you all the time. Anyway glad to see that you moved past the haters!!
:) Hannahlee

vlk40 said...

I saw it just the other day again, and I will admit, that is how I found your blog. I'm not a creeper, just someone who admired your lifestyle so much that I wanted to find out more about your family. :) I am a mom of three wonderful teens, and I'm married to a great guy. We have watched the show in past airings, and this time the TX family irritated us just as much lol. My daughter (17) said she'd prefer to live in your cute house any day over the family's place in TX lol- and we all very much agreed. I think your husband was justified in his anger, and people who really know what life is about could see the truth. The love flowing from you, and your husband, and your family was real- we could feel it. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that we saw it, we loved it, and we were totally on your side!! Keep living the truth. :)

Anonymous said...

I still have yet to see it!!!

Katie said...

I just watched your family on the show and loved you guys. The other parents were terribly mean and I pray they changed for their kids.

Anonymous said...

Saw your episode yesterday and was really taken by your family. You should be applauded for creating a home of love. That is something that is far to scarce in today's world. My best to you and your entire family.

Kimmeedee said...

My daughter and I saw the WS episode yesterday! Our families are very different, but, you know, I felt love from your little house, and that we have in common. My daughter and I both agreed that "the couple with $3 in the bank" were so much happier than the couple with "everything."

Also, I liked how you tried to heal things with the other family's kids and their dad.

I really liked you and your family. God bless you all.

Anonymous said...

Hello,

I just saw your episode and I somewhat have mixed feelings about it. I have a friend.. best-friend actually who has become quite fond of the Rastafarian lifestyle (due to her boyfriend) and it's something that I am still trying to wrap around my head without offending her like when she refers to God as Jah...telling me to have faith etc...but how can one have faith without works? I can't allow myself to sit on my couch all day hoping that God will provide without me making an effort. I kind of see both sides of the table, I was raised in a family (somewhat like the TX family) where things such as "chores" were a big deal in our house and structure..my fav part of the episode was when you brought the daughter and father together as I dealt with that in my own relationship with my dad when I was her age..so it kind of took me down memory lane..and I can see where the stress of being in a structured home or living a structured lifestyle can come from..with homeschooling your children..once they have completed...how would you feel about them attending college if they wanted to go? or as they get older do ever fear them straying away from the Rastafarian Lifestyle? I do enjoy seeing those who live their lives with a free mind type of mindset and always wonder..do they work? and if it's possible to work a 9-5 WHILE still living the "Rastafarian" type of lifestyle, I definitely don't live by a planner or "spread sheet" but some structure is needed. Also, do you ever feel ...frustrated or like you have a lot on your plate with being a mom of 4 and your husband being apart of a band, etc...? I do feel it was mean that your husband wouldn't let the other wife say goodbye to your children seeing as though that's not the way you all are living..that you preach positivity and be nice to others..I felt it was a bit hypocritical..did he ever apologize? All in all it's nice to see others who can live their lives in that way, I am not someone who can lol...but I enjoy seeing others do it. Take Care & God Bless

Anonymous said...

I LOVED LOVED LOVED your family on Wife Swap. I just saw the episode and I really enjoyed it. I think you are wonderful parents with a beautiful family :)

<3

Erin said...

I think it's great that you want to live an unstructured life and that you have friends who will pick up the slack. I thought you were very sweet and loving and that you did a great job getting the Texas family back into showing their love for one another. What disappointed me was your husband's use of the word "judgmental" when he didn't feel like trying new things. When you go on "Wife Swap", you have to assume you will be challenged. The Wife Swap episodes I have enjoyed most were those in which both families learned from one another. You may not have agreed with most of what the other mom was comfortable, but there had to have been some useful ideas from her. And your husband, who is supposed to be so loving, was himself very judgmental and, in my opinion, just flat-out mean and rude. Did your family use any of the tools the other mom shared? And like the previous poster, did your husband ever apologize?

Jana said...

Yes Erin...he apoligized...they didnt air that bcs that wouldnt make very controversial TV now would it??

Anonymous said...

@ Anonymous September 5, 2012 5:52 PM you're an asshole and I feel sorry for you because you're probably too ignorant to realize you're an asshole.

@ Jana & Family, Your husband is right, Jah WILL provide! As long as you have Jah in your hearts and attitudes, everything else will fall into place. May your family continue to be blessed and be an example of how we all SHOULD be striving to live.

One Love!
Rastafari!!!

Anonymous said...

I loved you guys!!! You are amazing!! There is hope for humanity for people like you and your husband. You all have the most beautiful souls!!

Anonymous said...

First off the rasta man is the biggest moron I have ever seen. Your lazy, your a bum and you do not deserve the right to have children, any moron can have a child only a man can be a father. You chose your lifestyle before your children's needs. Rasta mom, I think your a good person and I wish you the best. I don't think if you had that loser in your life you'd do things the same way. These are your children, you only get one shot at raising them. Your husband is a lazy bum, nothing more.

Anonymous said...

I feel as if it is amazing to have faith that jah or in my religion, God will provide, but how can jah provide an education and a job and a home to your children? Don't you feel that it is unfair to let your children fall into poverty themselves because of your inability to provide? Eventually, they will transform into their own people and what then? Don't you feel like they will be stressed by the situation and not seeing friends everyday? If not for yourselves, do it for your children! Provide them a stable home! I feel like it is ridiculous that while you guys borrow food and clothes from your friends, your husband uses the money in the jar to buy beer for himself. I mean come on, children come first. They always will and it should be that way. I may not believe in rigorous discipline like the other family, but your children and HUSBAND should have some responsibility. And finally, yes, the other wife was judgmental in some aspects but she was trying to help. YOUR HUSBAND was rude, insufferable and mean. There was absolutely no love in his motives. His manipulation of your young children's feelings was unbelievable. He was living the pretend Rastafarian life because he only lived the ideals when it was convenient.

Anonymous said...

Lastly, how can you afford Internet if you only have three dollars in your bank account?!!!

Anonymous said...

your husband had an angry crazy glint in his eye. does he have a criminal record?

Anonymous said...

your husband manipulates. freaky weird style. not rastah at all.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Lastly, how can you afford Internet if you only have three dollars in your bank account?!!!

Anonymous said...

I agree with the above comments!!

Astrozombie said...

Get a job losers

Anonymous said...

Life is supposed to be about balance. You can live the Rasta lifestyle, all you want..but you also have to be able to provide for yourself and your children..and not by mooching of your friends that do have jobs. Thank your "materialistic" friends for providing not Jah. And I can guarantee you that any of those 3rd world families that kept being brought up would love Jah to provide then a way to give their children more. Jah has provided you health and an environment where you can get a job and be productive. I'm sure Jah isn't proud of anyone that chooses to beg rather then work hard...Balance, people...Balance.

Anonymous said...

I feel as if it is amazing to have faith that jah or in my religion, God will provide, but how can jah provide an education and a job and a home to your children? Don't you feel that it is unfair to let your children fall into poverty themselves because of your inability to provide? Eventually, they will transform into their own people and what then? Don't you feel like they will be stressed by the situation and not seeing friends everyday? If not for yourselves, do it for your children! Provide them a stable home! I feel like it is ridiculous that while you guys borrow food and clothes from your friends, your husband uses the money in the jar to buy beer for himself. I mean come on, children come first. They always will and it should be that way. I may not believe in rigorous discipline like the other family, but your children and HUSBAND should have some responsibility. And finally, yes, the other wife was judgmental in some aspects but she was trying to help. YOUR HUSBAND was rude, insufferable and mean. There was absolutely no love in his motives. His manipulation of your young children's feelings was unbelievable. He was living the pretend Rastafarian life because he only lived the ideals when it was convenient.

Anonymous said...

Are you on facebook? I would love to be your Friend on there! My sister and I are a huge fan of your episode! Obviously I was inspired enough to find you online! ��

Anonymous said...

Right? Birth of their children was paid by who? Tax payers?

Anonymous said...

A job? They are too busy living off others.

Anonymous said...

If I hear that guy say rastafarin one more time, I think I will lose my mind. He acted like a child. That wife is very loving, however, she is a bit brainwashed by that man. He should help her more and appreciate her more. But obviously this is a show, so who knows if it was even a true depiction of how that family actually is. With editing and what the producers wanted the audience to see, it could have been all very skewed. For that other family...yuck. They are all in denial and do not know what really matters in this world. Buying an 8,000 dollar movie theatre is so ridiculous. I would rather travel with that money and create experiences, rather than watching other peoples experiences on that movie theatre. Ha ha, such a typical pig headed man. Very sad. I think both families were a bit extreme. But that's the point of the show!

Ella said...

Hey watched this today! Loved it so much I looked you up on the Internet and found this blog.

The wife is amazing and should be a humanitarian worker and a great role model for all humans... Hubby was being authentic... You all get credit ... Most of society does not realise how blinded we are by consumerism... Keep Karma banking! Thanks for being who you are and not backing down.

Ella said...

Oh and I'm all the way in Australia!!

Anonymous said...

nerds.

Anonymous said...

You had no food in your house. Your house was nasty, you rather sit on your ass than take care of your kids. You took what little money you had and brought beer. Your kids and wife deserve more. You are a bum . Why can't you work and do music. A part time job would do. You want to live in poverty, fine,but your kids didn't ask for it, you may that their way of living. But it is okay to take their last and buy beer. I would of had more respect for you if you would have set in front of the store and bum change like the bum that you are. But you took your kids last. While they get hand me down can.food with no nutrition value. You fake rasta. Every Rasta I know have a strong work ethic. You are fake and a bum who took something beautiful and tarnished it.You suppose to pray and make it happen. Not sit on your ass and take the scraps your giving you mut.

Anonymous said...

I think the way you live is ridiculous. I think you and your spouse are both lazy, and wait for hand outs in order to live. Everyone deserves to live the way they want to, that is why my husband risk his life in the military for 20 years. Kids need structure! They need routine. You should be ashamed of how your family looks on Wifeswap. Get a job!!

Free spirited but responsible woman said...

I've never felt so compelled to express my feelings about a tv show as I feel about this one. I've NEVER commented on any show. I just saw this episode & am horrified by the actions of the Rasta husband. He is a narcisstic, immature man. He has 4 kids and does NOTHING to provide. He lets others provide for them under the guise of 'Jah'. He is just lazy & wants to be a 'rock star' like he is a teenager!Just as in other religons, yes God provides...but he gives you the tools (a functioning brain & body) to get out there & get a job! They gave him a job deleting emails because he has no marketable skills. Did it ever occur to him that he could work & help others in need? Instead of always TAKING? At the end of the episode I was truly bothered by him keeping his kids on the porch to say goodbye to her! He is an absolute hyprocrite! And id bet the reason they were moving is cuz Jah didn't provide rent for a few months & they were being evicted.Grow up Mr. Rasta & provide for your beautiful family. You can be Rasta & work at the same time. I feel so sorry for the kids. Its my wish that when the kids get a little older, they stray from him & want better for themselves. Mr Rasta is self centered & is only concerned for his own dreams...get a dam job and be the dad that nurtures your children's dreams for their futures.

Denise said...

I know this episode aired years ago but this husband was so rude everything jah this Jah that! Rastafari! It was annoying and I hope their kids grew up getting an education and turned out ok. The dad was a selfish jerk and although the mom had a good heart and seems sweet, to cheat your kids out of friends and education was selfish!!!