It's been a while!!!!

It's been a while since I have posted anything new! Here are some updates with the Jones Family!

I have almost survived my first sememster of nurse practitioner school! I have been so busy with work, school, being a mom and a wife that I sometimes feel that life is passing me by! I take my last final tomorrow for Patho and I am so nervous! We will be leaving May 21 for Costa Rica and I am so excited! It will be so nice to take a break from life to relax on the beach!

Jackson has been learning so much, growing so fast, and is completely ALL boy! He says or does something new each day that cathces me off guard and makes me smile! He loves to be outside, hates to take naps, and he cannot wait to get into the river! He just got a new pair of swimming shorts and flip-flops! He has been having a little trouble saying the letter "F, " which is pretty funny when you hear him say "flip-flops." He calls them "tip-tops!" LOL! He is also the most tender hearted and loving child (even if he is mine)! He has to hug and kiss everyone- strangers included. A friend of mine called and told me how Jackson consoled another child at daycare who was crying for their mom or dad. I have to say I felt so proud! It also made me feel like we (Jonathan and I) are doing something right as parents!

Jonathan has continued to pursue his running hobby! He just completed the Music City Marathon in 3 hours and 32 minutes. We are so proud of him! He has been so dedicated to this and it has paid off! Along with his running hobby, we have been remodeling another home to sell! It is currently on the market and I think it's absolutely adorable! Jonathan spent almost every day after work at the house working on his "little porject!"

I am so blessed to have such an amazing child and eager husband!
There will be more pictures to come.... we just recently bought a new camera and I am learning how to download the pictures!

Not Me Monday!

I DID not end up eating that amazing piece of cake and wonderful food that was at Christie's baby shower on Saturday! Weight Watchers is not going to be pleased with my hips this week!!!!

I DID not end up with an ear infection while at work last night and there was not a single doctor in sight! I was able to contact one via phone and all I can say is: Thank goodness for 24 hour pharmacies in Murfreesboro and Rob Steiner!

I DID not come home to an amazing mess that my husband and son had made. Can you say mud, toys, dirty clothes, and dirty dishes EVERYWHERE!

I DID not end up leaving everything exactly where it laid because I felt too bad to clean up the mess! UGGGGHHH.... now my Monday is already off to a late start!

HAPPY MONDAY TO ALL! :-)

TAGGED!!!!!

The Game of Tag about your MAN:

1. Who is your man? Jonathan James Jones (JJ)
2. How long have you been together? we have been married almost 3 years!!
3. How long did you date? a year and a half
4. How old is your man? 28
5. Who eats more? Jonathan... he grazes more than eats! (LOL)
6. Who said "I love you" first? Jonathan! It was really sweet! Still makes me melt when I think about it!
7. Who is taller? Jonathan
8. Who sings better? Jonathan... I could NOT carry a tune in a bucket!
9. Who is smarter? I am the nerd in the family, but Jonathan is very smart! If he sets his mind to something he will accomplish it at all costs!
10. Whose temper is worse? This one depends on trigger (Ha!) Usually Jonathan is the one who gets upset/frustrated easily!
11. Who does the laundry? UMMMMM...... ME of course!
12. Who takes out the garbage? Both of us, but Jonathan is in charge of taking it to the dump....Oh how I miss trash pick up!
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Jonathan
14. Who pays the bills? Jonathan has taken on this task as our financial coordinator!
15. Who is better with the computer? Most of the time me, but since Jonathan started real estate he is becoming more computer savvy!
16. Who mows the lawn? Jonathan...we have 4.2 acres!
17. Who cooks dinner? If we are grilling Jonathan, but it is mostly me who does our cooking!
18. Who drives when you are together? Jonathan (he thinks I am a bad driver!)
19. Who pays when you go out? Usually Jonathan
20. Who is most stubborn? ABSOLUTELY Jonathan, but I have been known not to back down!
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Me....Jonathan does not like to admit it, but he will!
22. Whose parents do you see the most? We see both sets pretty equally. Jackson has a little something to do with this though!
23. Who kissed who first? I kissed Jonathan first! He was too cute!
24. Who asked who out? Jonathan! I said yes immediately! Like I said... he is too cute!
25. Who proposed? Jonathan
26. Who is more sensitive? Me! Here lately I am very emotional!
27. Who has more friends? Jonathan knows WAY more people than me, but we have the same set of friends. I guess its a balance?
28. Who has more siblings? Me, I have two brothers.
29. Who wears the pants in the family? It is a bit of a see-saw! But here lately it has been JACKSON!!!!!!

I am tagging anyone who wants to share! Let me know if you complete this so I can pop over to your blog and read about your man!!!

Busy as a Bee!

It has been a while since I last posted a blog. Since my last blog, my little boy had his second birthday (as you can see from the pictures above). I had a clown come to his birthday party and all the kids seemed to really enjoy it! He was really amazing! We also had a clown bouncy station that the kids had a blast playing inside! Jackson went to sleep about 5:30 or 6:00 after we got home and slept until 8:30 the next morning! I am seriously thinking of investing money in one of those things! LOL! Now our house is filled with all sorts of toys and fun stuff to keep Jackson busy!

As if my schedule wasn't busy enough with working 3 days each week, taking care of a toddler and a husband, I just started back to school. I began my first semester in the Nurse Practitioner program at TSU last week. I am very excited and nervous, but praying that my memory and abilities to learn will not fail me! I am still participating in the local chapter of Junior Axillary (JA) and I just completed my first week back at Weight Watchers meeting (Bathing suit season is just around the corner!) I am proud to say that after one week I lost 3.4lbs! I stopped going to weight watchers due to a busy schedule and I began to slowly gain weight. I am striving to drink more water, eat more fruit and veggies and making sure my son and husband does the same.

Jonathan is currently training for another marathon in 3 weeks. He will be going to Alabama February 14th for the Mercedes Marathon. So, this Valentine's Day Jackson and I will be cheering his daddy on as he runs 26.1 miiles! I am so proud of all his determination!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR JACKSON, HAPPY BIRTHDAY

TO YOU!!!!

Also sending out Birthday wishes to Aunt Rhonda! We love you!

My little boy will be turning 2 January 9th. While I have to accept this, in my mind it does not seem possible.

I remember brining this tiny little baby home... and none of his clothes fit. Going to the doctor the day after we brought him home with a list of questions (The doctor must have thought I was crazy!) Watching him as he learned to eat cereal (and Jonathan thinking we were going to feed him cheerios...lol) to watching him crawl, walk, and talk! My how time has passed us by!

Here are just a few pictures of my sweet little boy. For the past 2 years he has blessed Jonathan and I with more love and understanding than I ever thought I could have. He has helped me to appreciate the small things in life, made me open my heart and love more than I ever thought possible, can make me laugh just by hearing his laugh, smile at his silly mannerism, and cry when I have to punish him! I thank the Lord each day for my little boy, his health, and all he has given our family!

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY JACKSON ~

LOVE MOMMY!

Christmas morning and Prayers

Santa was very good to Jackson this year! It was so fun to watch him open all his presents. We did have to open some of them on his new tractor! We took him outside Christmas afternoon to learn how to ride his tractor and I happened to catch this picture of him! It just amazed me at how quickly he learned how to drive it! He still has trouble turning the steering wheel, but there is no problem with him pushing the peddle! LOL!

On another note. I am sending out my prayers and thoughts to a loved on in my family. My cousin and his wife recently suffered a loss that I can't begin to imagine. My cousin-in-law was pregnant and had developed recent complications. She was placed on bedrest at 29 weeks. She went to the hospital on Sunday (12/28) and had some worsening of her complications. The baby was delivered that evening and had many complications. Unfortunately, their little angle passed away that evening. My mother called to tell me the news and my heart sank. I have no words to comfort this family, but I believe our Lord knows all and there a reason beyond our control for all things. Please keep this special family in your prayers.

Emergency Room Please.....

Okay, so as many of you already know I'a a nurse and I used to work in our local ER. However, yesterday I found myself as a customer at the ER. I had been trying so desperatly to avoid going out there, but by mid-day I was becoming unbearable for my poor husband to deal with. My reason for making this little trip you ask.... PINK EYE. Not just in one, but both eyes!!! This is the first time that I can ever recall having Pink eye, but let me tell you I do not ever want it again!!!! And to top it off.... we think Jackson may have it too. So, there is a doctor's visit in his oh so near future!

Prayers....

Sending out thoughts and prayers to a family suffering a recent loss. May God give you peace during this difficult time.

Christmas play

Jackson was in his very first Christmas play this year. All of the girls and boys in his preschool sang Milton the Mouse and wore these cute mouse ears! I was impressed that Jackson actually kept the ears on! It was the most adorable thing ever! We were so proud of him! The top photo is of Jackson and Marli (AKA Mauri around our house). Jackson just loves his Marli!

I have been deprived of my computer for a while now. It seems that our antivirus had stopped working so I had to have a "tune up" done to get the ole computer back in shape! (Gosh, don't I wish that is all I had to do to get back into shape- LOL!) Having said that, I have posted a few more pics from my recent family vacation! I also wanted to update everyone on all that has been going on with The Jones family!

Jackson has been growing and changing so much that it has been such a treat to watch him. I pulled out his old pictures from last Christmas and I could not believe what one year has made. Last night he was in a Christmas Program for his "school." The entire preschool sang and danced. All of the kids were too cute (I will post pictures once I get them downloaded!) We have been getting ready for his 2nd, YES, 2nd birthday and I am can't wait to see him open his Christmas presents from Santa this year! We have been reading The Night Before Christmas since the end of November and Sunday night my adorable little boy started reciting it as I read it to him! Once again....amazed by how clever he is!

Jonathan has been doing wonderful! As most people know, he has been running and training for the Music City Marathon in April! I am so proud of how determined he has been with the training (he gets up on Friday mornings at 2:30 to run 16 miles before going to work!) With all his "extra time" (HA) he has also been working for BenLomand and Kirby Realty. The Lord continually blessed Jonathan this year in his real estate! I am so proud to have such an amazing husband and determined husband!

As for myself.... I have been busy getting settled into work at MTMC, getting ready to return to school in the Nurse Practitioner Program and trying to juggle the work that is required of so many moms! As if I did not have enough to balance with the coming year, I decided I wanted to join Junior Axillary of McMinnville. So, in October I became a provisional member of JA and I have met so many wonder women who are all inspiring in their own way! I am so proud to be a part of such a wonderful mission. These ladies devote their time and energy to helping less fortunate children and familes in McMinnville.

So, to all our wonderful family and friends.....I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a Blessed New Year! May you all have health, love, happiness, and joy this Holiday season!

Gatlinburg 2008 and Christmas in the Park 2008

Here are a few pictures of 2008's Christmas in the Park and our most recent trip to Gatlinburg! I has such a blast at Christmas in the Park and I enjoyed getting to see all the people come out for the festivities! Jonathan brought Jackson downtown and he got to see Santa! Our recent vacation was also a blast! They had Christmas lights lining the streets in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg! We stayed in an amazing cabin with my family and just has the most relaxing and amazing weekend. My older brother, Kyle, is the one in the picture with Jackson! My little hunter!! TOO CUTE!!

Relaxation time

This weekend my parents, siblings, and aunt and uncle will be heading out for Gatlinburge! I am soooo excited to show Jackson the Christmas lights (Also excited about some much needed R & R!) This weekend trip has been somewhat of a family tradition since I lived in Knoxville. This is my birthday weekend and while I enjoy the trip, I am not looking forward to another year going by! It seems like this past year has been a whirlwind and my feet have not hit the ground yet! Having that said.... I am hoping this weekend will allow me to rest and come back charged as new and OLDER woman! New Pictures of a family vacation soon to come......

Dinner Time

We went to Grandma and Pa's house for Thanksgiving dinner and Jackson had a blast playing with the toy train his Granny Do sent for him! I was able to make Jonathan take a few pics with us and I caught one of Jackson and his Aunt Tiff. Jackson has currently fell in love with 2 movies... The Polar Express and Cars. These are the only two things we have been watching lately! So, when we went to sit in the living room after dinner, channel 2 was actually playing The Polar Express! Jackson was so funny because he was not used to the commercial's and couldn't figure out where the train had gone! This year Jackson is so excited about Santa. Jonathan and I can't wait to see his sweet face on Christmas morning!

Thank You

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings, thank you, Lord that I can hear... for there are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep, as long as possible, my eyes closed against the morning light, thank you, Lord that I can see... for there are many who are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, thank you, Lord that I have the strength to rise... for there are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short and children are so loud, thank you, Lord for my family...for there are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines, and the menu is, at times, unbalanced, thank you, Lord for the food we have... because there are so many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous, thank you, Lord for the opportunity to work... for there are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord..for life.

Author Unknown


Last week the "job loss" that is continually growing among our nation hit my family close to home. My father was "laid off" until mid January. We are hoping and praying that this is just temporary. Times are uncertain for many and I am aware many people are dealing with the same losses. I began to think of the many things in my life that I am thankful for, but these are things I tend to overlook. So, today... and everyday I pray I will be reminded of the blessings I have been given.

CONGRATS!

A special family will be welcoming a new addition around September 2009! We are so excited for Toby, Jennifer, and Marli! I know Marli will be such a big help!

A long winters nap....

It seems like I am only blogging about once a month here lately! I just had to share some updated pictures and information with everyone! Jackson was the cutest little GOLFER you could imagine for Halloween this year. We took him trick or treating the night before Halloween because we left Halloween morning to spend some time in Gatlinburge with Jonathan's family! It was absolutely breathtaking where we stayed. Jonathan and I got lost while going to the cabin and ended up on the top of a mountain! Let me just say the picture does not do the sight justice! I would not mind revisiting that place again soon! Jackson and I have also been very busy this weekend . Jonathan went hunting so we stayed at the house and put up the Christmas decorations! Jackson is having a ball running back and forth playing with the "small" christmas trees. (I put up our large family tree, three smaller trees, and one tree on our office desk- bet you can't guess which holiday I prefer best!) In the middle of all this, I managed to throw one of my greatest friends a baby shower! I can't wait to meet little Asa and spend time with him! I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season! Bless you and yours this wonderful season!

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY....

I have been so busy lately that I have not had time to blog. I have been adjusting to working at MTMC and keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed that I will begin school in January! I also just recently joined JA and I am so excited to help more in the community! Joanthan and I have also taken the pacifer away from Jackson and I am proud to say that he is doing pretty good without it! We are slowly working on potty training! He is doing pretty good at it right now, but he did have an accident in his Nana's shoes (sorry mom)! In the midst of all this, Jonathan and Jackson were both really sick last week and I had to be a nurse at home too!!! I am enjoying my life right now.... no matter how busy I am!!!!

More news.....

Kyle's surgery was successful!!!! They did not have to remove any of his colon. The surgeon did find a mass on his colon and removed it though. Apparently this mass has been the cause of his problems! The surgeon said he thought the mass was benign, but he sent it off just to make sure. Kyle is doing really well and he will have to stay at MTMC for 3-5 days, but overall he is doing great! Please continue to keep him in your prayers that he will have a speedy recovery and be home soon! Thanks to everyone who has kept him in their thoughts and prayers!

Please Pray!

My older brother, Kyle, is having surgery today to remove a portion of his colon. The surgeon thinks he will have to remove 8-10 inches of his colon. He will be in the hospital approximately 4-5 days providing there are no complications during surgery. Kyle has been having trouble with his colon now for about 2 yrs or longer and since his last hospital stay he has lost a significant amount of weight. He has only been able to eat homemade chicken noodle soup, scrambled eggs, and Ensure shakes since he came home from the hospital in July! Please keep him and my sister-in-law, Rhonda, in your prayers while they are going through uncertain waters!