Sunday, December 28, 2008
Merry Christmas, Jonesies!
We started a new tradition- Jones Family Shopping Day! On the 23rd, we got everyone ready and went out for a fun day of shopping for each other! We took the kids to a really huge dollar store and let them each have a turn picking out gifts for their siblings. This proved to be a really fun thing to do- they were so proud of their selections- and they even wrapped them themselves! Then, we went to lunch and finished the day doing a little last minute shopping for other gifts. The kids were pretty great, all things considered. And the snow kept coming.
Christmas morning we awoke to the pitter patter of little feet, running around our room. We all went downstairs and very systematically opened our presents. (We were organized this year- mess was very minimal!) Highlights included a pink guitar for Annie, Two-wheel scooters for Charlie and Soph, a CD boombox for Henry and another ride-on toy for Mags. Each kid received what they wanted and everyone was happy...
Then came Christmas Number Two. Grandma and Grandpa Obray edition.
They arrived around lunch time with insane quantities of gifts for the kids. We have so many new games, puzzles, toys and books that I think we could successfully run our own Boys and Girls Club. It was wonderful. The kids are in heaven. Thanks G & G- we are so so excited about our new things!
It really was a wonderful holiday. Everyone was happy. Jim was home with us most of the week, which was a lot of fun. I'm always a little sad when the holidays are over, but I'm already thinking of my list of home improvements to start in January, so the sadness is minimal! :)
12-21-08 Happy FIRST Birthday, Maggie!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Soph/Fia.
I call this phenom the appearance of FIA.
Sophia- or SOPH as she is generally known, is a very sweet, fun-loving little lady. Yes, she has more sass in her than most four year olds (it can't be easy being the only female triplet AND the middle daughter...)- she holds her own pretty well with the brothers.
But sometimes, we find that our sweet little Soph has been replaced by the maniacal and completely irrational FIA. Fia is not a popular person around the Jones house. She has been known to create some substantial messes- usually involving water, fingernail polish or lip gloss, pen or crayon, make-up on occasion... and Fia ALWAYS heralds her appearance with a monster-sized fit.
We have learned to be patient with Fia. At times, she needs to cool off in her room for a bit and take a breather. Sometimes, when we ask Fia where Soph went, we find that Soph wasn't far and she's more than happy to find her way back. In fact, in a conversation I had with SOPH the other day, I found out that Fia often appears "when I don't get enough attention". (How's that for perceptive!)
It isn't easy to be pulled five directions and try to meet everyone's emotional needs- but we do the best we can and I don't think that the occasional visit from Fia will leave any lasting damage on anyone (well, unless you count the HOUSE...).
We are so blessed to have our little Sophie- even when Fia rears her mischievous head. I can't imagine our family without her.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9zn2hewCiw.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Smooth Jazz.
There's nothing like a little SMOOTH JAZZ to soothe the soul before bedtime. Keep your eye on Henry (yellow headband, Buzz jammies). I almost peed my pants laughing. Cutest kids ever.
Press "pause" on the Playlist while you play this one- you need the background music from the video for the full effect... enjoy.
Into the Woods.
The giant tree beside Jim? Yeah, Ours. We had to shave it down a bit... :)
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Epiphany.
I Am A Dork.
Truly. I am a bonafide dork. I'm not saying that folks who think out speeches in their minds and mentally compose letters in the shower are dorks (phew Candi- I think you're okay...). What I mean is, the way I use language- the wordy, lengthy way I explain things... I have always been blessed with a mind that easily recalls and uses vocabulary. At times, I am a bit overzealous in my use of words. Often, I find the most ridiculously ambiguous ways of explaining things. There are times my dorkiness has worked to my advantage (mostly involving academia), but for the most part, it's a scarlet "D" that I must bear.*
Thankfully, I was also blessed with a pretty solid self-concept as a youngster, a trait which often protects those of us who call ourselves dorks from really realizing or fully acknowledging it.
Other signs I am realizing are indicative of dorkdom:
matching socks, shirt and scrunchies. (A favorite past time of mine in bygone days- scrunchie days)
sleeping with a blankie. (Yes, I do still have it. Yes, I do still sleep with it. It's soft- don't judge me.)
reading embarrassing amounts YA lit.(Guilty. I do have a good reason for this, but I won't explain now.)
being overly melodramatic. (see * above)
having a psychotic tendency to become enamored of and obsessed with things of questionable dorkiness (ie: Harry Potter, Twilight, Strawberry Shortcake, etc.)
having the word "dork" written upon your forehead. (Okay, that one isn't true, but you get the point)
I think I am willing to not only accept my dorkiness, but embrace it. I think we dorks of the world make more "fun" mommies and daddies. I think we express ourselves well and have a finger on the pulse of what makes us happy. Not really such a bad thing, don't you think?
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Turkey Day.
In the interest of ending this post on a good, non-threatening note, I want to give you a quick list of things I am thankful for...
Right now, I'm thankful for health, for kids that are healthy enough to be WHINING non-stop, waiting for their turn at the yearly Playstation fest (yes, we only take it out one day a year). I am glad they are healthy enough that I can hear them whine, that I have them near me, even if they are noisy.
I am thankful for Jim- for all that he does for our family. I am glad he has found a creative outlet in his blog and I'm seeing, again, glimmers of the pre-law school man that I married. I love you, Shum. Thanks for your constant, amazing support and patience.
I am thankful for my adorable, sneaky, messy, silly, children- for each of their unique personalities, for their snotty noses, for the precious things they make for me, for their efforts to help out and countless other things. Even when they're crazy and loud I am so glad that they are here. I am grateful that they have the ability to do all that they do- even if it's naughty sometimes.
I am thankful for my amazing parents- for their support in all ways. I truly don't know what I would do without them nearby. I know that moving was a sacrifice for them, but I'm so (selfishly) glad that they did. I truly cannot count the number of times they have bailed me out with child care, cleaning abhorrent messes, sneaking in to clean my house when we're gone, building me FURNITURE!, painting, building shelving and fences, basically clothing my children, and the list goes ON... I am so grateful for all they do in our behalf. They are truly amazing.
I am blessed to have really outstanding friends. I won't list you all, you know who you are. From the ones I grew up with, to the college roomies, to the Valpo buddies, to our newer friends in Washington and B-L, I have laughed and cried and shared countless moments with all of you. Thanks for listening to me whine, for watching my kids, for tolerating the messes they make in your houses (sorry about the fingernail polish, Brooke...), for buying my bows, for just listening in general. You are all hot mamas and deserve to win the lottery. Yes, you too.
Okay, I'm also grateful for the hot chocolate I scrubbed out of my newly cleaned carpet (thanks Dad!) this morning. Having hot chocolate to clean means that we have food to eat, and a house to live in, which are both wonderful things.
And, of course, I am grateful for the Gospel in my life, for my Savior and a Heavenly Father who is constantly mindful of my needs and considerate of my pleas for help.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Don't forget to sleep in. More bargains for me. :)
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Cute Charlie.
Charlie: "Mom, did you know Jesus is a doctor?"
Me: "Hmmm? What did you say buddy?"
Charlie: (louder- noisy car) "Jesus is a special kind of doctor mom."
Me: "Really? Where did you learn that?"
Charlie: "From my head. He is, Mom. He's a special doctor. "
Sophie: "Mom! Charlie's telling big whoppers again! "
(screaming ensues)
Charlie: "He is Mom. He makes people better when they're sick or they get dead. See, he's a doctor"
Me: (smiling) "I suppose you're right buddy."
(Conversation about the priesthood follows, Charlie still insisting on doctor status, etc.)
I love that kid.
Big Thanks from Tallulah.
Happy (belated) Bday Annie!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
For anyone local who follows my blog...
Tallulah Twinkletoes!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Maris Farms
Leavenworth
Scholz Farms
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Inspector Deloris
I loved this idea, since we battle with the same problems.
Jim decided to take everything a step further and actually create a blog for Deloris (www.inspectordeloris.blogspot.com) and an email address. It's hilarious.
My kids are waiting for the results of Deloris' first visit today. We will email them to ourselves from her account and read them after dinner. Our "Leavenworth dollars" will be dependent on how we react to Deloris' findings. My kids are totally excited- and a little weirded out ("how is she going to get in our house if nobody's home?") etc. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Inspector Deloris will make a splash at our house. If anyone out there wants to try it out, show your kids the blog to lend your facade some legitimacy, and let the fun begin. :)
Friday, September 26, 2008
Reminders.
Somehow, in all of this, I find I forget, occasionally, how precious my little family is- how unique and important each "crazy" little spirit is and how much I have to teach them and how much I hope they are learning from me.
I reflected on this today as I sat in a funeral for one of Annie's little friends, Mara Adams. Little Mara returned to live with her Heavenly Father Monday after an eleven month battle with a brain tumor that was supposed to have claimed her life after six months. She was the dearest little six year old girl. Her mother, Heather, wrote the "Life Sketch" (eulogy) in a letter format to Mara, relating all the sweet memories she has of her short life. It was heart wrenching. It was so touching and so impressive the number of people, both members and non-members of our faith that were touched by Mara's life and in whose lives her impact was felt. (The chapel and adjoining cultural hall were full- it was standing room only.) Read more about her at www. maraadams.com
I am so blessed to be the steward of these dear little spirits of our Heavenly Father. I know I need to hug them a little tighter, talk to them a little more, be a little more patient. Watching what the Adams' are experiencing right now is a confirmation of that. Truly, we never know what the Lord's plan is for our little ones- we need to love them every day like it's the last day we have them in mortality. I know this is something I need to try a little harder to do- move past the impatience and bite my tongue- make a greater effort to teach with love. Today was just a really good reminder of that.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
First Day of First Grade! 9/2/08
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Review of our Favorite Summer Moments
We also went to Great Wolf Lodge (without the camera, sadly) and had a blast on the indoor waterslides, sleeping in the cool Kid Cabin, and wearing ourselves out! (Totally fun, for those considering it...)
We saw lots of movies... Wall-E, Kit Kittredge, Kung-Fu Panda, Horton Hears a Who, and The Dark Knight (mom and dad).
backtrack... Memorial Day Hike
backtrack... Easter 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Cool new stuff.
The playlist is just fun. I have an eclectic mix for your listening enjoyment. My college girls will recognize many of these (C-L, Lal, Steph, etc.)- talk about nostalgia! (Nothin' like a Bob day, Carrie-Lynn!) Many of you will be sad to hear that I was unable to include SWASS by Sir Mix-A-Lot, as, sadly, it was not a listed option. Take heart, however, good patrons, I will not rest until I locate it. (Except that I need to go to bed soon, so I won't not rest until after that...)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
EXTRAVAGANZA
So, as is tradition, I went a little nuts with the birthday party again this year. Not that I don't with other parties as well, but this one was super fun.
We did a backyard carnival in Mom and Dad's backyard, complete with games, prizes, cotton candy, hot dogs, popcorn, 8 helpful teenagers, 24 crazy kids, 96 humid degrees and a day that ended in sunburn and complete exhaustion. It was a blast, and yes, I would do it again. The trio loved it. A few highlights...