Nashville Pics

Here are a few fun pictures from our Nashville trip

Day in Lexington

The Jones family hit Lexington today.
We first went to Bleed Blue tattoo and piercing so I could discuss the tree tattoo that I want.
Joe will be getting a sketch together for me. Hopefully it will be ready on Monday. I'm nervous that I wasn't able to get my vision across very well.
We then went to Circuit City and I finally got a Garmin GPS system. I've wanted one of these for years.
Chris finally broke down and said "yes, baby"!! I was so much fun playing with it the rest of our trip today.
After all this we went to Southland for their 5:30 service. It's always fun to go to other churches and take in their service. We went with David and Kelly and the kids were able to go to class together for the first time ever... I think. Gracie, Isaiah, Mia and Jackson had a blast together.
During service we witnessed 7 baptisms... praise the Lord!

After service we took Subway 'to go' and ate it at David's place of employment... Clark funeral home!
Might I add, this is a beautiful facility! The kiddos where able to run around and act crazy. They where loud enough to wake the dead!! HA HA HA!! It was killing me!!! HEE HEE HEE!!
side note: the place was empty.. not a body in sight!

Nashville TN

The Jones family had a wonderful 3 days in Nashville.
You will laugh at me for this, but I'll go ahead and admit this.
Chris and I had no idea that the CMA's were Thursday night. Once I found this out on Wednesday evening I was determined to spot a "STAR"!
We spent countless hours at the Opry Mills mall simply because it's huge and you just can't take a country girl to a mall that big. I was awe-struck. I had to go into every store that sold something that smelled good, tasted good or looked good on the kids! Needless to say, I drove Chris crazy. I loved this place.
Although I did not see anyone I knew we ate and shopped like never before.

The whole reason we went to Nashville was to take a tour of the Wyndham Vacation Resorts.
Yes, they suckered us into that. Over all, it was not bad. The dude that showed us around (Gene) was great.
His looks were a cross between Howie Mandell and Chris Daughtry.... not bad huh?
So we didn't purchase anything from them after 3 hours of talking but it really is a GREAT program that we now believe in.

We toured downtown Nashville and didn't see a person we knew. While there, we heard Miley Cirus performed a FREE concert the day before the CMA's. BUMMER. Wouldn't that have been cool to go to?
I think we may have seen all the people flooding out of the arena she performed in. Sometime Wednesday afternoon while driving down Broadway we saw a lot of people flocking around the arena. It looked important. Of course, at the time we had no idea all the starts where in town. Other wise I may have made a fool of myself.

We also went to the Aquarium Restaurant TWO TIMES because it was simply amazing. This place had a huge, floor to ceiling, salt water tank in the middle of the dining area. As you sat and ate you could watch huge fish, sharks, a guitar sharks, a nurse shark, and sting rays swim around. This place was too neat.
The kids where mesmerized by it and so were we. This place alone is worth a 3 1/2 hour drive.

We also saw Madagascar 2 at the IMAX. Now that was big, huge, large!! We sat in the back row and still felt like we were in the desert. I think we could have been in KY and saw it.

We hit build- a- bear today and Gracie made Miley who wears a "Nashville" t-shirt. I loved the Apple Barn in the Opry Mills mall. If you like apples,cookware, cook books, gifts, food and home-made candy this is your type of place too! I also had to hit the Yankee Candle Co store where I purchased their new Soy Holiday candle that is so cinnamon-y.
While downtown today we went to Fort Nashborough replica. We got awesome pics at this place.
After that, we headed to a disappointing Hard Rock Cafe. I've only been to a Hard Rock once and that was in Atlanta. Now Atlanta was rockin'.... Nashville, not so much.

After this we went to the Adventure Science Center.... this place ROCKED! We spend hours there and could have stayed longer. It was well worth the money and time. Gracie and Isaiah had a blast. Isaiah's favorite thing was a replica of a car with a clear hood to see inside. This was hands on. He was able to take off the back tires and rotate them and then get the car to start etc. He did this forever! I loved seeing him so excited about this object!

After this we headed home. Nashville is a special place that we look forward to going back to!

Tooth Two

Gracie lost her second tooth this morning.
Somehow daddy knocked it out when he picked her up to give her a hug.
He is always hurting the kids somehow!!
This tooth was so loose it was really only a matter of time before it fell out.
Isaiah managed to knock both loose a few weeks ago.
So far there is no sign of either hole getting a tooth in anytime soon.
She's going to be the lith-ping tooth-leth wonder!

Obama 08

Is anyone else bummed and a little depressed over the 2008 election outcome?
I really just don't know what to think of this whole scenario.
This has NOTHING to do with Barack Obama being bi-racial.
It has everything to do with what he does and does not believe in and what he has and has not done.

I'm concerned about this young voting generation that is so ready for the "Change". I'm concerned about what the "change" is and what the outcome will be. I think it shows the lack of Christianity in our young people. Do they truly KNOW God?? Do they know Jesus at all?

I ask myself what this election outcome really says about our country that was founded on Christian principles and truths.

All I can do right now is shake my head.

Meal Planning

Chris found a really neat website for us through Dave Ramsey called E-Mealz at www.e-mealz.com.
Check it out, you may find this weekly meal planning and grocery list very helpful for your family!!

KCU

Today was our big day at KCU.
Chris was invited to speak at chapel this morning.
He was very excited to have been asked to speak. He's was nervous the whole week leading up to today.
We went up last night and stayed in the "Presidential Apartment" and Gracie and Isaiah thought it was awesome. It was simply an outdated one bedroom apartment. They acted like we were in a 4 star spa hotel!
Don't misunderstand me, we were very appreciative to get the place for the night. We took with us 2 of our youth from CCC so that they could tour the campus and make some future college decisions.
They seemed pleased.

Chris did a great job preaching this morning on "Systems vs Saviour". He was flooded with comments from some of his previous professors. That's always encouraging.
Another very encouraging and unexpected thing was that 3 of our friends from New Life came to listen to him as well. I called Amy and invited her so I knew she was coming (so glad to squeeze her again) but James Watkins and AJ Mulllholland both came as well simply to hear Chris.
That's awesome! Thanks guys!

Chris and I are both coming down with some kind of cold. The kids and I got a flu shot this week so hopefully we won't get anything serious. I hate cold weather for all the illnesses that come along with it.

I took the kids trick or treating tonight around Tara Est. We meet neighbors we've never seen before.
It was quick and painless. I think we visited 6 houses in our little loop. Gracie was a fairy and Isaiah was his famous Julius Peppers football player.

The tooth

Here are a few pictures of the wiggly tooth and the missing tooth. It's hard to tell which tooth is missing with her gap at the top but it is her bottom right that was wiggly and now gone!

Busy Week

I have a busy week ahead and have a lot on my mind.
Today I have got to get to the grocery. We are out of everything!
The poor kids are suffering!
Gracie has to start another week of school today and I have to get house work done. I'm so off schedule already b/c I worked later today than usual. Good news is, I don't go back in until Thursday AM!

Friday is a big day for us. Chris will be preaching at Chapel at KCU. He is very honored to have been invited to speak.
We are going to Grayson on Thursday as a family. Chris' parents will come in from NC on Friday and meet up at KCU for the big event.
Afterwards, they will be coming to London with us and spending a few days at our place.

Gracie lost her first tooth last week.
Isaiah knocked it loose about 2 weeks ago and it has just been gradually loosening up. I "pulled" it on Saturday and it nearly made Gracie pass out. She is just like me in that area.
Any time I had to pull a tooth I would get to queasy and sick. She was white as a ghost and had to lay down for a little while afterwards. She recovered quickly and is now proud of the whole event.
Her other bottom tooth is loose as well from where Isaiah hit her in the mouth twice in one week. It's only a matter of time until it falls out as well. The dentist said they were both knocked loose easier b/c of her adult teeth coming in under it. I think she'll get her adult teeth kinda early. Some of her older friends haven't lost a tooth yet and they get a little jealous. Look for pictures soon!

Frazier Farm

The kids and I went to Frazier Farm which is a local farm in Laurel County.
It was a hop, skip and a jump away.
It is literally a family's farm/home ran by a mom and dad of 5 school aged children.
We were the only ones there so I was skeptical at first that we would have fun.
But I was totally wrong.
We first fed the ducks and one goose. Gracie was scared to death that they would get her.
Then we went through the round hay bail maze and played hide n seek in there.
Mrs. Frazier brought out two 3 1/2 week old piglets (Porky and Petunia) that were absolutely adorable.
Again, Gracie was scared they would get her.
After playing with the pigs we went on our own wagon ride around the farm to the pumpkin patch where we each picked a little pumpkin. We were able to see goats, pigs, cows and ponies on the wagon ride and 2 small ponds.
After pumpkin pickin' we went through the smaller corn maze. They have a 3 acre corn maze, but we decided that might not be a good thing for us to get lost in.

They also had a barn full of all sorts of pumpkins and gourds. We went through all they had to tried to pick a variety to decorate with. I plan on drying my duck neck and apple gourds out to use decoration one day. I think they are very neat looking when dry.
Over all, we had a really fun 2 1/2 hours together on the farm!

Karate Song

One of Isaiah's favorite songs is the "Karate Song". It's one we learned at camp so it has fun motions.
You do arm chops and even the "karate kid" stance.
Here's the words:
Oh magnify the Lord
For HE is worthy to be praised!
Oh magnify the Lord
for HE is worthy to be praised!
Hosanna, (HUH) blessed be the
rock of my salvation
Hosanna, (HUH HUH) blessed be the
rock of my salvation.

One day while singing this in the van/truck/suv/crossover (whatever) he asks Chris
"Dad, what is a TOOBEE?"
Not understanding Chris said "A what?"
Isaiah said, "A TOOBEE. It says 'for He is worthy TOOBEE praised'!"
At this point Chris wanted to make up something like, it's an instrument like a tuba but you play it with your toes etc...
But he explained it was two words that meant "yet to come". Well he didn't get that either.
But now he knows it's not a toobee!
Funny!

The spider man room

Isaiah is so excited about his spider man room.
We had a cute spider man 3 border up but it fell down. We have to redo that one.
Here's pictures of his dresser that I painted and he and Gracie super excited about putting spider man on the wall!

Signature Hot Chocolate

Have you tried the new Signature Hot Chocolate at Starbucks??
If not, you MUST!
It is to die for.
It is made with 4 different, all natural cocoas. There aren't any artificial sugars or added things and no high fructose corn syrup! YUM YUM!
We offer 3 different variaties.
Our original Signature HC with steamed cocoa, whipped cream and chocolate powder.
A hazelnut HC with hazelnut , steamed cocoa, whipped cream and chocolate powder
and then my personal favorite the Salted Carmel.
It has toffee nut, steamed cocoa, whipped cream, caramel drizzle and roasted sea salt!
This is my new obsession. I crave it daily! It is so rich and creamy!! It's not your kids cocoa!
This is an adults' drink!

SOLD!!

We finally finalized on the Pecks Ridge house on Thursday.
We met up with the new owners and got all the T's crossed and I's dotted.
I'm praising the Lord for getting this one off our shoulders.
One down one to go!!!
Other than friends and memories we have no more ties to Flemingsburg, KY.


This morning at church Gracie went on stage with Chris to answer some questions of things they have been learning in Jr. Church. It was the cutest thing. It brought tears to my eyes seeing her up there holding her mic with such confidence answering questions.
Keith is out of town this weekend and next, so Chris was able to preach today as well as next Sunday.
This is his first back to back preaching since we've been in London.
I look forward to it. At one time I told him he was not cut out for preaching but he's come a long way.
I think his approach is excellent. I'm very proud of him!

While Chris was away this weekend doing his "man getaway" with his man friends, I decided to refinish an old dresser my parents gave me years ago.
Isaiah doesn't have any dressers so I thought I'd create a new look for him.
I primed it first in a really deep blue then painted over it with a bright red (spider man colors).
The brush strokes allowed the blue to come out underneath in spots. It's neat looking.
It's not perfect but Chris really likes it and so does Isaiah. I guess I shouldn't care too much since it's going into a 3 1/2 year old's room. It will probably be destroyed by next week!

no go

Well we didn't make it to the closing today. Somehow all the necessary paperwork didn't get done so we're going to try to do this again tomorrow. Needless to say, we're a little disappointed and confused.
I allowed myself to get excited and then this. So now I won't let myself get over stimulated until it is truly finished.

Cat skin

Isaiah took a shower this evening and got himself all washed and dried up. We were going over each body part to make sure he had gotten them all good and dry when he remembered he didn't get his ears.
He asked "Can I dry my ears?" I said "yeah, why?"
"Because my cat skins" he said with question.
I knew exactly what he was talking about and I just smiled and asked " You mean your CAT scan?"
Real excited he said "Yeah, can I dry them?"
I told him he could dry his ears and that later he'd be having a CAT scan.
He asked "Will they come out?"
I said "Will what come out, your ears?"
He yelled"No, my cat skins!?

I thought I could pee my pants over this one! Totally blog worthy!

Praise the Lord!

Have you heard the good news??
We are closing on our Flemingsburg house tomorrow in Mt. Sterling at 4:00!!
We are just excited as can be!
God has really been with us over the past year+. He has taught us patience and with patience knowledge.
It truly is all about His time!
I am so thankful to have one house gone and only one to sell!! What a burden released off our families' shoulders!
Pray for the family that is purchasing this house.
They have rented it from us since we left there, and I feel we've been a positive influence on them.
We were really trying to get them into church but haven't had any luck so far.
Pray that the house will be a blessing to them and that someone will cross their path and lead them to Christ!

Beautiful Day

For the first time in a long time, I can say I enjoyed our worship service today.
Now I know it is never about me, the music, the instruments etc, but yet it is... it's all about dynamics.
I love the beauty of simplicity.
One man on a mic and piano , 2 women on a mic, one man on a guitar and one man on drums...
it's that simple!
We were able to rock out our praise with Marvelous Light (which I love) and gradually slowed it down to the simple "Our God Reigns, Our God Reigns, Forever YOUR kingdom reigns" just slowly building it to a rocked out praise session.
I was truly pumped this morning and still am!
Man, this is my passion and what I love to do for my Lord!

Apple pickin'

Today was apple picking day at Haney's Orchard in Nancy, KY.
Nancy is about 10 minutes past Somerset, KY so it was about an hours drive.
Not bad at all.
We went with Cornerstone Christian schools' K-2 Grade so there were a LOT of kids there.
I was able to go with 2 other homeschool families Kim and her 3 girls MaKenna (6), Ella (4), Emsly (21 mo) and Melissa and her 2 kiddos Sam (2) and Grace (6). Us moms were out numbered 7-3 by small children.
It was a little hectic, but we're glad we went.
After the orchard we drove on into Somerset and ate at McDonalds and let the kids run around and get to know eachother.
Afterwards, we went to the Somerset Library which is awesome. The first level is the "adult" level and the upstairs is all for kids! You can actually be a little loud up there. The whole floor is dedicated to kids.
It's an awesome place! We stayed there about an hour and a half just looking around, talking and letting the kids play some more.

We now have about a peck of apples here at the house. I think we may cook some up with cinnamon and maybe bake an apple pie... yum yum!!

A few pictures

Gracie's new hair cut, SGI 2008 Jones vacation, First day of School