Alvin, Simon, Theadore

You remember the song don't you?
Alvin, Simon, Theadore. Dut dut du-du-du dut. Du-du-du-du dute dute.

The kids and I watched Alvin and the "Chickmunks" 3 times in 2 days.
They LOVED this movie.
I thought it was pretty cute as well.
It took me back to my childhood days of when I would listen to the story on RECORD!!
Isn't that funny!!??

Today we're at the library and I'll be on the hunt for a good, free movie!
I'm sure we'll end up with cartoons like Charlie and Lola.

This weekend the kids and I are heading to Washington Co, IN. My sister-in-law asked me to sing at their church's mother-daughter banquet. So we'll make the drive there for that and to visit family for a little while.
Please pray that we have a safe trip there and back... we'll be going through KY Derby traffic! AHHHH!

Back in NC

The Jones family is back in North Carolina for an unexpected visit.
Chris' Grandmother Corene passed away on Wednesday at that age of 92. WOW!
What a long life she lived!!
We're here for the funeral and to spend time with family.
Please keep the Jones family in your prayers.

POW

Each week a different partner at Starbucks is voted "Partner of the Week".
This week was MY week!! I was so excited. The POW gets free drinks for the week.
Kinda not fair since you get free drinks while you work anyway.
I think you should get free pastries for the week!!! That would for sure be an extra 10 pounds gained!

Maybe next I'll be voted Partner of the Month!! How corny am I??

Happy Spring

Hey there!!
Happy spring. I have nothing to tell you today other than it was such a beautiful day outside today.
I can't wait for full-fledge spring to just blow out our way!!!
Work is going great. I was awarded partner of the week which means I get free drinks all week, on and off the clock! Yeah me!!!

Today I'm just praisin' the Lord!
How about you??

ready for spring

I am so ready for spring. Anyone else??
As I drive around and see the Easter lillies in full bloom, it makes me long for the sweet, sweet smells of spring.
I'm ready to ditch the coats and sweaters.
I've started using my sunless tanner (I swore to never tan in a tanning bed again back in 2000)and am ready to wear capri pants, sandals and t-shirts!

I also look forward to getting out of the apartment more during the week by going to the park and letting the kids run around like a crazy people. Maybe I need to run around like the crazy lady I am too!!

big day

Today is a huge day for our friends Kelly and Jeni Carmichael (and Ethan and Katie-Rae).
Kelly and Jeni left today for a two week trip to India to rescue their girl, Macy and bring her home!
Please pray that they have a safe trip and that Macy responds well to her new family.
God has proven to be so good to them through this process and we pray everyone returns to Kentucky safe and happy.
Can't wait to see you, Macy!!!

School names

As summer approaches Chris and I have really had to start looking into what we need to do in order to start homeschooling Gracie this fall.
The more I think about it, pray about it and read about it; my heart is simply convicted that this is the right choice for our family.

One thing we have to do is come up with a school name. It can be anything you like.
We've come up with a few such as Victory Academy and Freedom Academy (very basic).
What I would like you to do is come up with an original name for our school.
The winner of this challenge will be sent a very special prize!!
So get creative in your thinking and send them my way!!

We're back

The Jones family is back to London and in full swing. I had to head back to the "grind" today at 5 AM.

The weekend away was a blessing from God.
Cris and I were able to spend about 3 whole days to ourselves. The "Weekend to Remember" conference was okay. I think I had much higher expectations so it wasn't as good as I thought it could and would be. Over all, we got a TON of info and a whole binder on things to work on with our marriage and become "one". Oneness was the title of the weekend. The bad thing was it was lecture upon lecture upon lecture. By Saturday afternoon I was about to fall asleep. I don't think I've ever drank as much caffeinated coffee as I did this weekend.

The hotel we stayed at in Concord, NC was directly across from the speedway. That was neat to see from the 8th floor of the hotel. And the mountains that were in the back drop of everything was so beautiful. Cris and I felt like King and Queen in the suite we were in. It was awesome!

Gotta go for today, but I've got more for ya later.

road trip

It's Thursday evening and the Jones family is in North Carolina.
Chris and I will be going to a marriage retreat/conference in Charlotte from Friday to Sunday. We look forward to the time away and the reconnecting. We'll be staying in the Embassy Suites Hotel and spa, now that sounds rewarding!
I think I'll be checking out the spa services first thing! Then we'll hit the pool and hot tub (can anyone say "fungus"?)

I'm daily thinking of my friends from New Life (Flemingsburg, KY) who are on the mission trip in Mexico right now.
My dear Amy and her 14 year old son Dustin where 2 that went. This is there first mission trip and first time flying as well. While they're away we're not able to communicate so I look forward to hearing all about the Mexico trip. I know God is using each one of them this week. I pray they have a safe journey home tomorrow as well.
I wish very badly I could have went with the New Life crew!!

been gone... for awhile now

I've been gone for some time now. (You've known that already haven't you??)
I got an eye infection last Tuesday and by Friday I had Chris' strep throat on top of it. I was lookin' and feelin' good!
I was in bed for a good week. I'm so glad to be up and going again. I have to say, Chris was the bomb husband and dad for that week. He was a regular "working mom" taking care of me, the kids, cooking and doing laundry... all that.
After being employed for almost 2 weeks I had to miss a full week of work due to being sick.
I assume when I call to get next weeks schedule, I still have a job. Not the best impression, but what do you do??
I actually look forward to going back to work. I still have LOTS of training to do!
I've not even gotten my first pay check yet. It's sitting on someone's desk somewhere.
That's CRAZY!

The kids are good, well good in the physical sense, they act bad a lot. We're at church right now and they're running around the gym like monkeys out of a cage.
I'm getting my internet time in that I miss so much.
I long for internet at home again.

Oh and let me tell you this.
I got a message on ebay from a person I'd purchased from back in October.
I sent her negative feedback b/c she told me twice I'd get my hair bows by Christmas and they came sometime in late January. I think that's fair on my part. She did tell me her child was ill and sent me a free bow... blah blah blah. I still left negative feed back. She then left me negative feedback because I left her negative feedback.
Read it for yourself on ebay.com jljmary .
She sent me a message asking if I wanted to retract my negative feedback and she'd retract hers! I said "no way, I don't do business like that. I left negative feedback for a reason." She left it to get back at me.... how wrong!!!

Thanks for listening today!

Livin' it up

I've had two "days" of training. A total of 8 hours..... 32 to go!!
I'll work this week on Tuesday and Thursday from 7p-11p and again on Friday for our official ribbon cutting ceremony at 2:00. I'm excited about that.
I assume I'll make the local paper in my black get up and green apron.
So far all I've learned to do is make an espresso and steam 2% milk. I have so much more training to do before I'm able to help a single person.
I still have to learn the rest of the hot bar, then the cold bar, then register and lastly drive thru. Can a girl my age learn all this?
What's funny is I'm training with a 17 year old girl. Don't I feel old??!!
None the less, I still love my free coffee and I love my new job!
Come see me sometime!!

JenBucks

I went in for my interview yesterday and walked out an employee of Starbucks.
I start today from 2-6 PM. How easy was that??
I really am excited to have a job that hopefully will be low stress and yet fun.
I look forward to the environment and learning to make new beverages. Oh and I also look forward to the pastries! This job could cause weight gain!

I'll be working 4-5 hours shifts about 3 days a week. Very simple.
I'm hoping to work early mornings before Cris goes into work and late evenings when he gets off work. I think it's all going to work out. I'm just thanking God that he has provided me with the opportunity to witness to others as well as being able to make a little money to put into savings! Every penny counts!!

JOB??

I went into the London Starbucks today to get an application.
I only want to work very part time. We'll see if I qualify or not.
They are supposed to open next Friday, January 25th.
I can't wait!!!

My kind of place

I have found a great new hang out for the Jones family (mainly me).
While the kids and I were walking along Main Street in the freezing cold yesterday, we came upon a place called Sel Et Poivre. I had never heard of it nor seen it in all my times driving passed it.... ON Main Street.
We decided to go in and take a look and get a menu. Upon entrance I new this was my kind of place. Black and warm yellow walls with beautiful hanging lights, open ceilings, bright red suede-like chair covers and booths, black and white photos, free WiFi, a daily changing menu(the kind on a chalk board) and best of all...... they serve Starbucks coffee.
Where have I been since moving to London???
When we moved here I asked about a Starbucks and someone told us that there was a place that served the coffee and they acted as though it wasn't very good. THEY ARE WRONG!!
The gingerbread lattes are great and the white hot chocolate is rich. The menu looks absolutely scrumptious. I can't wait to come here with Chris for lunch or a dinner night out.
When the kids and I came yesterday it was us 3 and 3 other kids in the place and that was all.
When we got here tonight at 8:00 PM it was a packed house. We had to wait to get a table. Chris was ready to go and I asked him to wait so we could sit and take in the atmosphere. I also wanted to be able to get on the internet while here. Gracie is acting like such a grown up drinking her white hot chocolate out of her Starbucks cup. What a hoot!!!
If you're ever in London, come onto Main Street and find Sel Et Poivre and find me as well!!

observing

It's 11:42 PM and I'm sitting up just observing.
Jim Jones, David Jones, Chris Jones and Wayne Wilson have been playing monopoly for a few hours now.
Aaron Pelsue and I have been watching some football game that's a big deal to the guys here.
Nor Nor is asleep on the couch and has been for awhile now.
It's interesting to just sit here and listen to these 5 men sit around playing childish games and watching football.
I'm bored out of my head but not ready for bed.
So, I'll continue to make small talk and listen.

Rate my photo

http://www.picture.com/voteforme/photovote1.asp?PID=2446449

Go to this sight and you can rate my photo of Gracie that I submitted into an online photo contest. If I win, I'm not sure what I get but I'd like to find out!!


Rate My Photo, Click Here

Christmas, is it really over? Did you have a good one???
We sure did and still are??
We had planned on leaving London Wednesday morning but ended up leaving at 5:00 PM on Christmas day. After opening presents and having lunch, Chris threw out the idea of going on to NC. I told him if we were going to do that I needed to get cleaning and doing some laundry to pack.
So in about 3 hours I did 2 loads of laundry, cleaned out the fridge and got all the lunch stuff washed up. After that, we were on our way. The kids were so very excited that we left a day early. They also were so excited (as was I) that we were going to show up at the house unannounced.
The plan worked. We turned off our car lights when we pulled into the drive and rang the doorbell at about 10:30 PM. Pop's face was VERY confused when he came to the door.
When it opened we said "Merry Christmas!"
How fun!!!
We got up the next morning got our showers (except for Chris b/c it's a Christmas tradition to not shower) at some breakfast and then started the present opening process.
The 5 kids went first. After them, we cleaned up some paper and had intermission time. Then it was adult time! I think my favorite gift was the Beth Moore daily "Praying God's Word prayer cards"from David and Kelly... thanks guys!
Isaiah's fav gift was his full spider-man suit, Gracie's favorite gift was her Gabriella doll, Chris' fav gift was the book "Skin" by Ted Dekker.

Today Chris and I went out shopping. He's wanting to find a new pair of shoes and I was on the hunt for a digital camera. We did research online and found what I wanted at Walmart!
Right now I'm charging the camera battery. Once it's ready, I'll be taking some pics and playing around with it. I love new gadgets!

We've got another 4 days in NC and we will do some more after Christmas sales shopping. I always get the kids' winter clothes for next year at this time. It really does save the bucks!!

Merry Christmas

Tomorrow is the last Sunday before Christmas which means lots of Christmas music in church service. YEAH!! I love Christmas songs.. don't you??

Monday night CCC will be having our Christmas Eve service where I'll be Mary and sing Breath of Heaven. I think our bell choir will also be playing. They are so beautiful to hear! There's nothing like bells at Christmas time!

Monday day Amy and Dustin will be coming to our apartment in London for the first time. We'll eat, chat, open gifts and just catch up for awhile. I can't wait to see them again! Amy and I have seen each other a few times since the big move but she has not seen the kids since July.

I so look forward to Tuesday morning. Oh, the ah and wonder in the kids' eyes as they peer upon all their gifts. I too noticed I had a couple under the tree...obviously I've been a good girl this year. I look forward to reading them the Christmas story (even though Gracie has it memorized) and just talking about Jesus' birthday! I'm as excited as the children!!

Then Wednesday morn we'll head towards Advance, NC where the weather will be in the high 50's!! This weather is crazy. I'm so glad we were able to see snow last weekend while at my parents home in Indiana. Even though we did have to drive thru 3 inches of the stuff up and over and around those country roads, it was still so pretty!

Well, as usual, I'm off to Walmart for the 3rd day in a row. I REALLY must be crazy.

Merry Christmas and have a BLESSED new year in Jesus Christ!

From our home to yours!

can you believe it?

Can you believe Christmas is almost here??
I love seeing the wrapped gifts under out little tree. The kids have done so well this year.
They've not picked up a single present to try and open it.
I can't help but think back to last year when I was watching little Noah Fizer at my house in Flemingsburg. He came over 2 times a week and through December, he opened a present everytime he was there. I had to rewrap a few of them. Thankfully Isaiah never did that.

Gracie had something interesting happen to her this past Saturday, December 15 exactly one month from when Isaiah had the same thing happen.
She managed to dislocate her elbow just as Isaiah did. Hers did not seem to be as bad though.
She was hanging around Chris' neck when it happened. He had no idea she did it, but it must have caught just right when she was hanging and it pulled out of socket.
He left to go back to work and she came up to me and tole me she "needed a band-aid cause her arm hurt" I asked her to show me where and to tell me what happened.
She wasn't holding hers close to her belly like Isaiah did but when I told her to lift it above her head she said it hurt.
I then grabbed her hand and turned it inward just slightly. She let out a yell and that's when I knew it had been pulled out. I told her I had to twist her arm in and up and it would be over.
So I did just that. She let out a yelp and then was up and playing.

Isn't it strange how I'd never heard of such a thing and then, just like that, I'm taking one to the ER and mending the other? Chris was very impressed with my doctoring skills when I called him and gave him the news. I told him "it didn't hurt me any to do it."

We'll be off to NC the day after Christmas for about a week. We'll be with the WHOLE family a few days then David and Kelly and the 3 kids will head to her parents house for a few days/nights.
I'll have more internet time while there. Not having internet in the home is killing me. I can't sit and research things like I used to , or shoot out a quick email and my blog is lacking in effort.... I know~~!!

Chris has come for his computer so I must go!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Today is Isaiah's 3rd Birthday.

So far, we've had a home-made breakfast together, even though I was the only one who liked it.

Then we went to the restaurant of Isaiah's choice, which was McDonald's with the play land.

Later today we'll have cake and ice cream and open presents!

What a fun day!