Fall is hair

I've been waiting and waiting to get my fall "do" done.

I went in to the salon on Monday to have it darkened. Which, it is dark but I like it.

She put some mocha and copper in it. But I thought it looked a little too dull. She agreed.

So she said if I could come back that she'd put some highlights in it at no charge. I said "yeah, I can come in!!!" DUH!!

So today she put some red through-out the top. It's not really noticable in the pictures but it's there very subtly. It's a bright red too, but I love it!

I have to get used to this new me. When I look into the mirror I forget how dark it is and have to look again.

I think Chris likes it because it gives him a feeling of waking up to a new woman.

Blond wife for summer, dark haired wife for winter! Not bad!

Thanks Dena, you did great!

Trunk N Treat

Sunday night was CCC's Trunk N Treat.

It was our famly's first time doing this and it was FUN!!

For about an hour the kids got to play on the 4 HUGE blow-ups in the gym while adults sang karaoke!! You know, I should correct that because adults played on the blow up slides as much as the kids. Let me tell you, those things are slick!!

We also had hotdogs w/ chili and popcorn... you know, the good kind from the kettle popper!!

After that we had a brief devotion and then the kids were off to the trunks to get more candy than should be allowed.

My kids decided to use things we already had in the house for dress up. Gracie is a Tar Heel chearleader and Isaiah is Julius Peppers for the Panthers! Although I didnt' make it in any pictures, I was a teenager at a slumber party with BIG hair bows on my pig tails, pajama pants, toe socks and slippers.

We had kids and parents from the community that I had never seen before. I hope this outreach worked in a big way for them!

tooth

Isaiah gave me a scare today. He and Gracie got wild and running around the bedroom when daddy came home for lunch. They bumped head to mouth. His mouth to her head.
His front tooth started to bleed a little around the gum and Chris said it was a little loose.
I called the pediatric dentist in town and they suggested I bring him in. I had to leave to go babysit for a friend so Chris ran him over for an exam and an x-ray. Thankfully everything looked ok. Didn't appear to be any damage. They did tell us to keep an eye on it for any color changes and to let him eat softer foods for about a week.
I steamed broccoli tonight, which was super soft but he didn't like that a bit. Gracie on the other hand ate it for some reason.....and liked it!
He did like the popsicle just fine though.

Speaking of teeth, I get to go to the dentist again tomorrow for another filling! I was supposed to go last Friday, but his wife decided to have her baby. I think after this one I only have one more to get filled!!

P-O-T-T-Y TIME!

Last Wednesday Isaiah decided he wanted to use the potty all on his own. He came to me after he took a shower and said "I need to go potty" I was thrilled. I got the step stool for him and let him do his thing. He was so excited watching his "pee water" come out! Since Wednesday, I think we've had an accident each day but that's to be expected. I've been very brave and only put a diaper on him at night. We go out with big boy underwear on. He's peed all over himself twice at church now. But it's a lesson learned for him!! I've learned to carry extra socks, pants and a plastic bag in case of an accident.

The funniest story so far is when Isaiah got confused because the toilet seat was up (daddy didn't put it back down grr). He sat down on the toilet, minus the seat, and it about caused him to fall in. He got so caught up in the moment that he forgot to pull his underwear down. I heard him yell, "mommy, I peed in my underwear!" I got into the bathroom and he was hanging onto the toilet for dear life with his underwear still up around his waist....soaked! That one doesn't count as an accident because it wasn't his fault.

As for my hand, it's coming along. I still keep it wrapped up in order to keep it from busting open.

cuttin' it up

Today while washing dishes I cut the back of my thumb pretty deep on a glass. It hurts a bit but I refuse to go to the doctor for fear of stitches. It kinda lays open but is trying to close as long as I don't move or bend it. So I've got my thumb taped to the side of my hand so that I won't move it. It tends to bleed if I move it too much because the cut runs over the back knuckle. So, I'm sitting back letting Chris do my chores and all. I think he's gonna have to take us out to dinner tonite because I simply can't cook a good meal like this.

This one's for you, Chad Doerr

The Duluth Police department was kind to send Chris a few pictures of our car running one of two red lights while at the Catalyst conference.
You see, Chris thought becuase he was following Chad that he needed to run these red lights to keep up.
Luckily we only got caught on one.
I joked with him when he ran them (well after I yelled) that if they took a picture of our car, the ticket would mail to the address on our license.... Pecks Ridge. So we joked about that.
We were wrong, it came directly to London. They provided a few pictures of proof and let us know that the light had been red for 2.5 seconds when he went through it.
Now that's dangerous!! Chris assured me there was nothing coming when he ran it. Now, I feel better!
Our "keeping up with the Doerrs'" cost us $75 whoppers!

funnies

2 things:
1. I changed my myspace layout today. It's spooky so check it out. www.myspace.com/jenljones

2. So, I was in the dressing room the other day at Cato's and I hear a lady yell out "Euleen (you-lean) come here."
I couldn't help but laugh out loud and wonder if "You-Lean" had a twin "I-Lean"!!

Preach on, Preacha

Today was Chris' first sermon at Community Christian.
He did a great job both services. He taught about Christians not going to church because we are the church.
I also sang "If we are the body" by Casting Crowns.
It was a Jones Family day.
People asked us if the song went with the sermon or the sermon went with the song.
It was a great fit. That's the advantage of reading the sermon before it preached.
For the first time today, I could see Chris doing this (preaching to adults) and succeeding!!!
I think he's got something to look forward to in the future when his youth days come to an end.

My day

Let me share a part of my day with you.

I had a dentist appointment at 10:00 AM to get a cavity filled tooth drilled on.
I was sweatin' it! The reason, it had a deep cavity that could (and can) lead to a root canal. I fear the thought of pain at the dentist and I explained that to him.
He told me there was nothing to worry about because he was going to numb me up good.
He gave me two shots (which didn't hurt) and told me I shouldn't feel a thing because he gave extra for precaution. He poked on my gums and asked if I could feel it. I said "yes". So he proceeded to give me a third shot. AHHHH numb!!! VERY numb!!!
I put my ear buds in and went to musictown on my ipod. I didn't feel a thing, but was as tense as a hooker in church. I was afraid of the pain I might feel. After the drilling, suction and vibrating thing in my mouth he told me "if you didn't feel anything during that, then you're good!"
Oh, I was able to relax. I felt my butt cheeks finally touch the chair and my palms were beginning to dry up. "Wow, this is easy" I thought.

All in all, it ended up not being bad. He did tell me if I have any type of pain in the tooth, to come in for a root canal. If I can make it six months without any trouble then I should be good to go. With my numbed up and drooling face I smiled and said "shanks." I was numb for 3 hours!
Can you believe that?? I don't mind to bite on my cheek and drool for 3 hours as long as I don't feel a thing during the procedure.

We just had a DQ open in London and the kids wanted to go there for lunch. So we did.
I had to chew on the right side as well as learn how to drink thru a straw again. I told Chris I never wanted to have paralysis of the face. I know when I ordered our food the girl had to notice my mouth not moving. After we ate and got back to church Chris noticed he didn't have his phone. I called it and no answer. I continued to call it and it went straight to voice mail. Not a good sign! He hurried back to DQ and tried looking in the booth we were ate but he didn't want to scare the people sitting at it. He asked a worker if they'de seen it and they hadn't!
Oh boy, not the phone! He decided he'd go back to work and come back to DQ again later.
I called AT&T to have a block put on the phone so calls could not go out or come in.
I thought for sure it had been stolen and ready to be put on ebay for .99. The kids and I headed to Corbin to go to the large Christian book store there. While there, my phone rang. It was a young girl who said"I found a phone in the DQ parking lot." Well, I got really excited and people in the store new it!! I thanked her a million times and she offered to take it to him at church since she was in town. Praise the Lord! She saved us from a lot of headache and money.
The cool thing is, Chris got to meet someone and it could end up being an ordained moment by God! ***smiling!***

Now let me rewind. On my way from church to Corbin I was nearly in a very serious accident.
It shook me to the core.
A big dodge truck was coming down one of our roads. It's a very busy, 2 lane road with a speed limit of 35 mph. They were probably going faster than this but either way, they managed to drop their right wheel off the road. They over corrected and were heading towards me.
I saw smoke and heard their tires squeal! All I could say was "oh my goodness!" My reaction time was nonexistent (could have something to do with the numbing medication). By the grace of God he was able to pull that truck back into his lane right as I came past him. Adrenaline flew through my body immediately causing sweaty armpits and shaking hands. I stopped at the apartment and my legs were shaking and were so weak that it was hard for me to go up the stairs.
Gracie, remembering the last fender binder we were in, said "we almost got a dent in the car!"
I explained to her this would have been more then a dent. It would have sent us spinning off to who knows where.
Oh I was scared and thanking the Lord out loud for his protection!

In short, the Lord showed us his mercy in three BIG ways today.
First-by letting us meet a dentist at our church who is willing to help us out.
Second-by letting someone find his phone and then have to come to CCC to drop it off...... I see cool things happening!
Third- He spared the kids and I from what could have been a wreck.

Remember When

You Know You Grew Up In the 80's if:
1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE.
2. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton
3. You know that 'WOAH' comes from Joey on Blossom
4. If you ever watched 'Fraggle Rock'
5. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.
6. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.
7. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.
8. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.
9. You played the game 'MASH'(Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House)
10. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.
11. You know the profound meaning of ' WAX ON , WAX OFF'
12. You wanted to be a Goonie.
13. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us...head-to-toe)
14. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.
15. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.
16. You took lunch boxes to school...and traded Garbage Pailkids in the schoolyard.
17. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.
18. You still get the urge to say 'NOT' after every sentence.
19. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.
20. You had BIG permed hair
21. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes.
22. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying 'I know you are, but what am I?' 23. You remember 'I've fallen and I can't get up'
24. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.
25. You have ever played with a Skip-It.
26. You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.
27. You remember watching both Gremlins movies.
28. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.

Highlights

My goal today is to highlight some facts and events that happened over our 5 day trip between Catalyst in Atalanta and church in Ashville.

While at catalyst we broke some Guinness Book of World Records such as:
- the most bubbles being blown at one time
-the most frisbees being thrown at one time
-the most frisbees popping the most bubbles at one time (this got a little wild)
-breaking the most records (literally breaking 45's) it sounded like rice krispies

Fact: if 11,000 people blow those whistle suckers, it can break a light bulb and a wine glass!
-When those same 11,000 people blow those whistle suckers, it is EAR PIERCING! YOUCH!
-We saw Atlanta Falcons player Joe Horn while at the mall and he drives a sweet ride.
-When 11,000 people get let out of a confernce for lunch, it takes more than an hour to get somewhere and back!!!
-Jeremy Kane, from Greenville, IN, is one funny Metro-Redneck! You can take the boy out of the county, but you can't take the country out of the boy!
-Sometimes in worship it's just too hard to even say words. THANK YOU JESUS FOR MAKING ME SPEECHLESS!
-There are people like Flemingsburgs' "Tim" in Ashville, NC!!
-Having to throw away a starbucks coffee that is 3/4 full is a sin! Forgive me, Lord!
-Sometimes you have to "sneak" food and drink into places that don't allow it so you aren't causing more sins... as spoken about above.
-Rick Warren makes more money than I could ever even phathom!
-Rick Warren is a "reverse tither". He tithes 90% and lives on 10%.. now that's rich!!!
-When I run low on sleep, I can laugh really hard about nothing!
-8 adults can fit into a mini van.
-Joe (GCC) stands with his toes turned under and they look cut off!
-It's good to spend 5 days with your spouse without kids!
-My God is GOOD!

Orange Peel

I want to do my best to describe the church service Chris and I went to today in Ashville, NC.
The church is Highland Christian and it's located in downtown Ashville. It's a beautiful setting.
The mountains grace the backdrop of the skies when I looked out over the city. I was able to get some great pictures on my phone but have no clue how to get them to my computer.

So this body of people, known as the church, gather in a building called The Orange Peel. It's an old brick building with beaten up hardwood floors and a fairly large stage. The outer walls of the interior is the bar area. There is a large sign over head that reads "bar" and you'll see budweiser handles on tap. Weird experience. This place isn't an actual bar, it is more of a place where local entertainment may take place such as concerts or plays but it happens to serve alcohol. After getting over the bottles of wine and bud gear I found myself taking in the atmosphere. It was a younger crowd mostly in jeans and tees. I saw a lot of mowhawks and some piercings. I wore khahkis and wedges and was over dressed! There were plenty of youngsters too. children toddler age and older are in the worship with their parents. They are given craft packets to work that go along with the sermon topic. Their motto is "busy hands, listening ears".
Another intersting thing to take in (this one was hard) was the food and drinks. At the bar area, church goers serve coffe and bagels. During singing time people would go and get coffee and bagels and sit down with it. Now this would not work in a traditional church atmosphere, but this is FAR from traditional. The place was somewhat noisy but the music was loud and drowned most of it out. It was not a large area, so people where seated closely like at a concert.

Today's service was different because it was their 2nd anniversary since the church was planted. In the future they do hope to have their own building but until then, the orange peel is working great with about 350 strong!
So, as I mentioned today's service was different in that we sang some opening songs (very cool) and then they played vidoes of the past events that have taken place over the last 2 years. Between video plugs we may sing a song and there would be some type of drama. There was dance, poetry and the kids sang a song. This was the most diverse group and worship I've ever seen. I was never uncomfortable with any part of the worship as progressive as it was. It all just made sense!
Because they don't have a building to keep supplies and offices in they also don't pass communion with trays! OH KNOW!! Is that allowed??
It was a neat concept that made me very nervous at first. They had ONE cup and a plate of bread. I said to myself "I WILL NOT drink from the community cup!" But I watched as people went forward to take the communion and they simply took a cracker and dipped it into the juice. AAAHHHH, relief! So, Chris and I got up and did the same. What a simple concept!

Service runs promptly 10-11:30. They have to be out by 12:00 so once it's over chairs are folded and put away, instruments are packed up, Highland gear and pamphlets are put away, the kids packets are put into totes, the fold up church sign is taken from the front entrance and all things are packed up and taken to homes until the next Sunday morning.
During the week they have to meet in homes or public places. They have the concept of "being in the community" down! They do things as a church in the park often, what an excellent witness!

I look forward to going back to HCC and seeing them grow in God!

reverb!

It's late Friday night and Chris and I are back into the hotel exhausted!
We're drained yet so full after two full days of teaching and praising!
Catalyst is a high impact, high profile, high energy leadership conference.
This is NOT for the faint of heart or wimps!!!!
My favorite speaker from the first day was Francis Chan. Before this, I had never heard of this little guy. Boy does he have a passion and an unexplainable love for Jesus. He reminded us of how special we are as children of God and how he knew us before we where in our mothers womb and SET US APART! (Jeremiah 1:5) How awesome! This verse was particularly special to him because his mother died giving birth to him.
In that same day I was graced with words from Rick Warren and Andy Stanley.

Day two was another intense day. Worship was outrageous. We were blessed both days with the praise band from Andy Stanley's church North Pointe. They Rock!
I think my favorite speaker today was a toss up between Craig Groeschel and Dave Ramsey. Both are very funny, 'say it like it is' type of guys! We also were blessed to hear John C. Maxwell, what a soft hearted man!

I can't wait for God to take the information given to me these past 2 days and using me for his Kingdom and Glory!!!

I also had a great time with the group from Greenville Christian from Greenville, IN!
I met Joe, Berry, Kim and Jeremy (who also went to Eastern High School in Pekin, IN!!)
Chad and Jennifer-it was great to share this event with you all!!!!

Atlanta Bound

Chris and I leave tomorrow for the Catalyst Leadership Conference held on Thursday and Friday. We'll meet Pop in NC where he'll get the kids. They'll stay at Nor Nor and Pops house a full 8 days while Chris and I are at the conference in Atalanta. While there we'll hear Andy Stanley, Craig Groeschel, John C. Maxwell and more. After the conference we'll head off to Ashville, NC to Highland Christian to visit a service there on Sunday morning. Chris has heard really good things about the youth program and wants to see how things are ran, and meet the minister to exchange thoughts.

I'd really like to see the Biltmore Estate while there but don't know if we'll take the time to do that.

I'm super excited to be going to my first conference with Chris. I'm hoping to be like a snake that sheds its old skin to become renewed.