We had a great time at the beach. The weather was great, the girls loved getting up early and playing on the beach ALLLL day. We captured sand crabs, built castles, dug forts in the sand, played with friends (little friends AND grown up friends) and enjoyed each day out of our regular routine.
It was nice catching up with friends from home who were there the same time - had a blast with The Harry crew. The kids had so much fun playing and running in the sand and splashing in the waves. The grown ups also had a fun night out for dinner and drinks, good time laughing and singing at karoke. We even got to go play with The Radfords one day at the pool.
It was a really nice time with family and friends. We had a litte time with Dad and my nephew Seth, and even had Liz and Mary there, too. It would've been fun if Uncle Sean were there, but since he pretty much lives at the beach in Florida, he didn't make it up.
Now back to our day to day operations, as the Jones Family Household Engineer, I'm ready to get us through the rest of the summer before school quickly sneaks up on us! Speaking of school...I have our back to school supply lists for Madelyn in kindergarten AND Emily at preschool, have lots to put together for the year ahead for both girls.
Hoping to get some time in this week to myself - organizing my crafty junk and sewing table. Ready to be creative again, it's been a while.
I'm thankful for the time we had to regroup and refocus. One of my very favorite things was watching my two little girls giggle and play on the beach, pretend they were mermaids, yelling at the waves because that made (the waves) bigger. They are so imaginative, so free-spirited and bring me happiness. I'll hold those memories forever, LOVE fills my heart.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Hello, are you out there?
Does anyone still keep up with our long lost blog? We all know it's been a long time since I've posted a blog. Things have been fine for all of us ... our girls are growing like the weeds that are thriving in this 100+ heat wave, Ben and I are here - thankful those weeds are green but trying not to let them take over!! HA
No really - we're thankful for our health and family, thankful we're able to enjoy day trips and vacations, thankful for our friends and play dates. Things have been good - really good.
Although I'd be fibbing if I didn't say we've had a hectic sort of year, adjusting to some family changes, some "what-ifs" and unknowns that neither Ben or myself seem to take in a go get 'em sort of attitude.
I have said it before, and never stuck with it - I (we) have to make some changes. I get so caught up in finding all these things to better my day-to-day life, but never give myself time or energy to focus on it. I think I'm too hard on myself and don't allow myself time to think of... ME. We love our life, where we are and what wonderful blessings we have, but something is just missing...something little - something simple. Just a small tweak could mean a whole lot more happiness for me, which means for us all :)
We're leaving for the beach in a few days, a much needed vacation to re-group and think about what truly makes us happy, what that small tweak will be when we return home and hit it head on!
Feels good to post again, whew - big sigh!
No really - we're thankful for our health and family, thankful we're able to enjoy day trips and vacations, thankful for our friends and play dates. Things have been good - really good.
Although I'd be fibbing if I didn't say we've had a hectic sort of year, adjusting to some family changes, some "what-ifs" and unknowns that neither Ben or myself seem to take in a go get 'em sort of attitude.
I have said it before, and never stuck with it - I (we) have to make some changes. I get so caught up in finding all these things to better my day-to-day life, but never give myself time or energy to focus on it. I think I'm too hard on myself and don't allow myself time to think of... ME. We love our life, where we are and what wonderful blessings we have, but something is just missing...something little - something simple. Just a small tweak could mean a whole lot more happiness for me, which means for us all :)
We're leaving for the beach in a few days, a much needed vacation to re-group and think about what truly makes us happy, what that small tweak will be when we return home and hit it head on!
Feels good to post again, whew - big sigh!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Just a minor setback...
Our house was on lock-down last week...we've all been sick. I have been sick with a cold for THREE weeks now! UGH! The girls have had stuffy OR runny noses, Madelyn has had a cough and even Ben stayed home last week when we both were hit with a 24hr bug. The aches, pains, fever, cough, sore throat...at least we were goin down together! :)
Back to the grind this week - back to school, back to playing, back to cooking & cleaning. By next week I'm going to have my menus planned out for the week ahead, it will help greatly with shopping trips and planning dinners. I've been struggling with that after the holidays.
Lots to start prepping for -- Bens Birthday, Valentines Day, Madelyn's Birthday...Em's in April -- it's all happening way too fast, I can't get it in my grasp!!
Back to the grind this week - back to school, back to playing, back to cooking & cleaning. By next week I'm going to have my menus planned out for the week ahead, it will help greatly with shopping trips and planning dinners. I've been struggling with that after the holidays.
Lots to start prepping for -- Bens Birthday, Valentines Day, Madelyn's Birthday...Em's in April -- it's all happening way too fast, I can't get it in my grasp!!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Happy Friday!!
Friday, ahhh, the weekend is upon us... Do you ever wake up to one of those days, the way it starts - you just know it's going to take you over? Well, mine started that way - but I'll be damned if I'm gonna let this day slam it's ugly door in my face!
It started with a certain drama queen screaming in her room at 7am, which woke up the little drama queen - but she woke up happy, she always does, arrgh ... So then it was a kicking and screaming fit on the floor that she didn't want to go to school - ok, keep calm, Mom - maybe I'm not awake yet, how did I get up these stairs without any coffee anyway??? Trying to take charge of the situation and get this queen ready for school was not working - so --- the worst possible thing in the world is about to happen to her - Toy.Story.Friends.Are.MINE The screaming stops and she's pleasantly eating breakfast....
Until...time for shoes and coat to get to preschool...tantrum #2 begins, but I'm determined and stand my ground...we finally make it to school...she has forgotten all about her Toy Story friends who are mine for the day and she's thrilled to see her teacher...and so am I! :)
Back at home, Em and I have laundry going, I just finished working out, gotta pay some bills, get lunch ready for the misfit when she arrives home and then (crossing fingers) it will be nap time...
Take that you Friday!!
It started with a certain drama queen screaming in her room at 7am, which woke up the little drama queen - but she woke up happy, she always does, arrgh ... So then it was a kicking and screaming fit on the floor that she didn't want to go to school - ok, keep calm, Mom - maybe I'm not awake yet, how did I get up these stairs without any coffee anyway??? Trying to take charge of the situation and get this queen ready for school was not working - so --- the worst possible thing in the world is about to happen to her - Toy.Story.Friends.Are.MINE The screaming stops and she's pleasantly eating breakfast....
Until...time for shoes and coat to get to preschool...tantrum #2 begins, but I'm determined and stand my ground...we finally make it to school...she has forgotten all about her Toy Story friends who are mine for the day and she's thrilled to see her teacher...and so am I! :)
Back at home, Em and I have laundry going, I just finished working out, gotta pay some bills, get lunch ready for the misfit when she arrives home and then (crossing fingers) it will be nap time...
Take that you Friday!!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Before I know it --
we're going to be celebrating a few certain little girlies birthdays...one who will be four and one who will be two! Sometimes I feel like the soon-to-be four year old is actually turning, hmm - maybe 13?? And the soon-to-be two year old is turning, well, TWO! (It's evident these days!)
I just can't believe that my babies are growing up - I find myself having real life conversations with Madelyn sometimes. It wasn't that long ago that little bug was cozy in the bassinet next to our bed. Coming home from preschool today we discussed why the electricity went out the night before - which involved the following:
The scary thing with her - she actually gets it, she's a gem, she's so smart and blows us and so many away. She loves all her little friends, she loves school - loves learning new things, loves pretending and dressing up. We enjoy such fun things these days - I can't imagine our days any different!
And Emily. She slept in that very same bassinet, wrapped up nice & warm - like a squeaky little burrito. Now she's going to be two. She certainly has the attitude of a two year old! She says "no" in the cutest, most innocent way - but she means it - boy does she mean it! And the minute she doesn't get her way, find the nearest earplugs and prepare to hear an atomic bomb! She is so fun, she's a free spirit - she's a little dare-devil and she's adventurous, she learns alot from her big sister. Who she ADORES. I can't imagine one without the other! She loves music, she loves to dance - bopping her head up and down, and sometimes if the mood is just right - she'll put her head and hands on the floor and turn in circles. She loves to serve tea and coffee "mo tea?" she says to us. She has a favorite little kitty, who she named "mama" - and a favorite little baby, who she also named "mama" (original, isn't it!?) She gives herself curls by twirling her hair and has a delicious little thumb that helps her get to sleep at night!
These birthday plans - hope to get them done, March 2nd and April 6th will be here before I know it!
I just can't believe that my babies are growing up - I find myself having real life conversations with Madelyn sometimes. It wasn't that long ago that little bug was cozy in the bassinet next to our bed. Coming home from preschool today we discussed why the electricity went out the night before - which involved the following:
electricity is in the power-lines, which are held up by the poles, and maybe there was a fender bender on the icy roads, or maybe a tree fell, and she is really concerned that someday WE might actually cause the power to go out if we had an accident.
The scary thing with her - she actually gets it, she's a gem, she's so smart and blows us and so many away. She loves all her little friends, she loves school - loves learning new things, loves pretending and dressing up. We enjoy such fun things these days - I can't imagine our days any different!
And Emily. She slept in that very same bassinet, wrapped up nice & warm - like a squeaky little burrito. Now she's going to be two. She certainly has the attitude of a two year old! She says "no" in the cutest, most innocent way - but she means it - boy does she mean it! And the minute she doesn't get her way, find the nearest earplugs and prepare to hear an atomic bomb! She is so fun, she's a free spirit - she's a little dare-devil and she's adventurous, she learns alot from her big sister. Who she ADORES. I can't imagine one without the other! She loves music, she loves to dance - bopping her head up and down, and sometimes if the mood is just right - she'll put her head and hands on the floor and turn in circles. She loves to serve tea and coffee "mo tea?" she says to us. She has a favorite little kitty, who she named "mama" - and a favorite little baby, who she also named "mama" (original, isn't it!?) She gives herself curls by twirling her hair and has a delicious little thumb that helps her get to sleep at night!
These birthday plans - hope to get them done, March 2nd and April 6th will be here before I know it!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Happy New Year!
Yes, yes, you are seeing it clearly - this is a new post on The Jones Family blog! I didn't keep up much in 2010, I'll scratch that and start fresh this year...
When I think of the past year - I think about the major events that happened and where we are now, starting another new year. I think of how, at the time, some those events seemed never-ending and they were (what I thought) some of the worst days ever. Now looking back - I am thankful that everything fell into place the way it was meant to. I am thankful that the few months I felt like a single mom, Ben DID in fact come home safely and wasn't far away somewhere faced with danger and fighting. I am thankful that after all the headache with selling and buying a home, we are happy and living more comfortable than we ever thought in our new home. I am thankful that our children wake up each morning healthy and excited to find out what the day is going to bring. I am thankful for our loving, supportive family and awesome friends that we couldn't live without!
New Years Eve we stayed in, a quiet night with the girls. They were in bed like normal - maybe this next one we'll see if they can stay up late??? Ben and I watched a movie and flipped on the crazy count-down with about 10 minutes to go. I always get that weird "lump in my throat" feeling, like I have so much I want to say and so little time to say it...and then it's over, the ball is down and everyone kisses - then we went to bed! HAHA
No real resolutions, just things that are important to think of every day, not just at New Years. I AM excited to say that I can cross off one of my goals from last year...but continue to "maintain" - my goal of getting back in shape for 2010 resulted in a 32 lb weight loss by the end of the summerl! WOOHOO!! I'm really not comfortable having attention on myself, so it's hard for me to share this news, but I feel great - physically, emotionally - all around :)
We're excited for this year, Madelyn turns FOUR, Emily turns TWO!!?? Gonna finally get some real vacation time in, Emily will start preschool in the fall (perhaps!). I'd like to get my creative juices flowing and start some personal projects - photos, sewing, decorating, baking, a little of everything :)
To all of our family and friends that follow us on our blog...Happy New Year! May this year bring you all the health and laughs and love that you all deserve! I promise you'll have more to read this year while you 'keep up with The Joneses' :)
When I think of the past year - I think about the major events that happened and where we are now, starting another new year. I think of how, at the time, some those events seemed never-ending and they were (what I thought) some of the worst days ever. Now looking back - I am thankful that everything fell into place the way it was meant to. I am thankful that the few months I felt like a single mom, Ben DID in fact come home safely and wasn't far away somewhere faced with danger and fighting. I am thankful that after all the headache with selling and buying a home, we are happy and living more comfortable than we ever thought in our new home. I am thankful that our children wake up each morning healthy and excited to find out what the day is going to bring. I am thankful for our loving, supportive family and awesome friends that we couldn't live without!
New Years Eve we stayed in, a quiet night with the girls. They were in bed like normal - maybe this next one we'll see if they can stay up late??? Ben and I watched a movie and flipped on the crazy count-down with about 10 minutes to go. I always get that weird "lump in my throat" feeling, like I have so much I want to say and so little time to say it...and then it's over, the ball is down and everyone kisses - then we went to bed! HAHA
No real resolutions, just things that are important to think of every day, not just at New Years. I AM excited to say that I can cross off one of my goals from last year...but continue to "maintain" - my goal of getting back in shape for 2010 resulted in a 32 lb weight loss by the end of the summerl! WOOHOO!! I'm really not comfortable having attention on myself, so it's hard for me to share this news, but I feel great - physically, emotionally - all around :)
We're excited for this year, Madelyn turns FOUR, Emily turns TWO!!?? Gonna finally get some real vacation time in, Emily will start preschool in the fall (perhaps!). I'd like to get my creative juices flowing and start some personal projects - photos, sewing, decorating, baking, a little of everything :)
To all of our family and friends that follow us on our blog...Happy New Year! May this year bring you all the health and laughs and love that you all deserve! I promise you'll have more to read this year while you 'keep up with The Joneses' :)
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
I'm going to post again...promise!
We're all still here! Just busy busy....snow has been and snow is coming....we'll be snuggled up the next few days....I am going to sit and post an update very soon, PROMISE!!
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