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Crafting a Life of Love, Laughter, and Legacy!
Credit: John Hillin As a dynamic powerhouse in entertainment and lifestyle, and a devoted mother of four, Jessie James Decker has mastered the art of finding happiness in life’s small moments. Supported by her husband, former NFL star Eric Decker, Jessie skillfully balances her successful career with her fulfilling roles as a partner and a mother to their four children.
What started as a passion for performance and a vibrant music career has blossomed into ventures in fashion, cookbooks, and more, showcasing her boundless creativity.
From the rise of her Kittenish brand to her beloved wine club and expanding kitchenware and eyewear lines, Jessie’s journey illustrates the fulfilment that comes from embracing diverse passions. As she navigates a thriving career and a vibrant family life, Jessie shared with Beach Happy how she finds balance and joy.
Some of my earliest memories of performing are singing the ABC’s and “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” in front of my big Italian family in Louisiana. I would sit in their little house surrounded by all my aunts and uncles. My great aunts and uncles were all in their eighties, and I would sing for them from as early as two and three years old. They would lose their minds! They were super expressive like Italians are. I remember loving how much they loved it. Then my first time ever being on stage was when I was nine years old. My mom put me in a talent show in Baker, Louisiana. I had never performed on stage in my life. I just remember getting up there and feeling like it was where I was meant to be. I sang and yodelled a song called “Cowboy’s Sweetheart.” I had on red high-top tennis shoes, a blue jean vest, blue jean pants, and this cute little red headband. I sang and ended up winning the entire talent competition. When I say the entire talent competition, I mean they had different divisions: kid, teen, and senior citizen. I won the whole thing, so after that, I knew that was what I wanted to do forever. I loved singing and I loved performing.
I only lived in Italy for a year, but my mom will tell you it was one of the best experiences of her life. From there, we lived in about fourteen different places. Being a military kid definitely shaped me into the person I am today. I’m extremely adaptable and able to change situations and my surroundings pretty easily. But it’s also been nice living in one place now for my kids and having a hometown because I never did.
I started writing cookbooks because I love sharing recipes and helping families create memorable meals together. I didn’t really start cooking until I met Eric. I lived on my own or had girl roommates before him. It was just your typical takeout or throw in a pack of oatmeal for breakfast. But I had a hungry football player on my hands. He was always ordering Jimmy John’s. I was tired of it, so I called my mom and asked for the recipes she made when I was a kid, determined to figure it out. And I did figure it out. As I honed my cooking skills, I began sharing recipes on Instagram, which quickly garnered interest. People were asking for more, so I connected with my team to explore the possibility of a cookbook. I’m now on cookbook number three and working on my fourth.
I enjoy sharing recipes for people to make for their families. Sharing a meal at night when you’re all sitting around the table together is something that was embedded in me as a child, and it’s so special and so important for families. I feel like the heart of the home is the kitchen.
I’ve always loved fashion. I started designing clothes in middle school, specifically for my stage performances. I was deeply inspired by Selena Quintanilla who designed her own performance outfits and owned a boutique. I thought I wanted to be just like her and do that, so I started sketching. I knew I was going to have a clothing line. Then I had the opportunity to make a capsule collection of Kittenish in 2014. It continued to grow, and I officially launched the brand and the store in 2019. It took off and hasn’t slowed down since. I still pinch myself every day that I get to do what I love—helping women feel amazing with pieces that they truly love.
I always knew that I would have kids. I didn’t know I would have three let alone four! Now that I do, I can’t imagine life without them. I love having a big family. I grew up as a big-family girl. My family was everything to me, so having a family of my own now has been the greatest blessing.
I get asked this question a lot. I will tell you that it is putting children and your family at the top of the pyramid.
I always envisioned a pyramid, with what’s most important—your children and your family—at the top, and then you layer everything else underneath to balance it all out.
When you put what matters most at the top of this pyramid, everything kind of falls into place and you don’t feel any guilt. I’ve learned a lot along the way, but I think I’ve got it more figured out now than ever before. I always put my children first. I don’t book any work appointments or phone calls past picking them up from school. I try not to leave them for work trips unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Eric and I are committed to instilling core values in our kids, focusing on faith, love, kindness, and the importance of family time. We encourage them to work through everything together as a family. We do everything together, and from my experience as a parent, I can see how we’re building incredible confidence in our children. I couldn’t be more proud of them. I think when you’re asking what our core values are, I would just say that putting each other first, making sure that we’re all together as much as we can be, and always being kind are the fundamentals of our household. We’re a wolf pack.
I’ve been going to the beach, specifically the Destin and Panama City Beach area of Florida, since I was a little girl. It is my happy place. It’s where I’ve created countless cherished memories with my parents and siblings during our boat trips to Crab Island. Riding up and down Panama City Beach during spring break with the music on and the windows rolled down with the other spring breakers. The sugar-white sand and the gorgeous emerald water—it’s just such a special place to me. I remember saying that when I got older, I was going to have a place down here one day. I wanted to be able to do this with my family. I’m pretty fortunate that I’ve been able to do that and now it is a happy place for my children. It’s our second home.
I find happiness in simple, everyday moments with my family, whether it’s savoring a morning cup of coffee or watching my little ones wake up.
Over time, I’ve learned to live in the present, appreciating life’s little moments without constantly worrying about what’s next.
My career still drives me, and I am an entrepreneur and an artist. It’s my creative outlet, and I still need that part of myself too.
I am gearing up for some more projects. I have taken a lot of time off since having my baby, and with Denver, I don’t like having to rush to be anywhere. I work from home, and I prefer not having to be anywhere, especially after having a baby. I just needed some time to be home and just be. But I have a lot of projects coming up. I have more music coming out and more Kittenish news coming. I’m also working on another cookbook, and I have a home cookware line at Walmart that is expanding. There will be some great news coming out about that at the top of the year.
From her early days as a performer to her rise as a successful entrepreneur and devoted mother, Jessie exemplifies how ambition and contentment can harmoniously coexist. Whether reminiscing about treasured beach moments, managing a variety of projects, or savoring daily joys, Jessie’s experience offers an authentic example of finding happiness amid the busyness of life. As she continues to evolve and expand her horizons, her story serves as a reminder of the beauty in balancing ambition with the joys of everyday life. Her journey is a testament to the harmony that can exist between professional success and personal fulfillment.
