Generosity

Last week was a rough week for many reasons,...not going to completely go into it,...however there were circumstances that just really affected us tremendously. Josh always seems to keep a postive attitude and being optimistic on things, however my mood lately just has been a little down and upseting. We went to visit a Church yesterday and the service was focused on Wise Investments but tied in with Generosity. There were several quotes that I particularly loved. "We make a living with what we make. We make a life with what we give."- Winston Churchill. We were asked what our check book would say about us and also we were educated with many versus about how giving: draws you closer to God, increases your faith, has eternal value, is the best blessing, and brings joy. This particular bible versus was given out of many different(my favorite):

Proverbs 3:5-9
5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best.Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over.But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline; don't sulk under his loving correction.It's the child he loves that God corrects; a father's delight is behind all this.

Boy did I need to hear that one again. God completely knew what was placed on my heart lately! The music and message was very uplifting and I just felt a sense of relief on the past few days that had been so bad at the time.

Later yesterday evening, Josh and I went to dinner for my Mawmaw's 76th bday dinner! By the way, Happy Birthday Mawmaw!! :) We returned later that evening to boxes on our front steps. We assumed it was soccer items like it usually is... ex. shirts, balls,...whatever. Well Josh walked up to the front door as I was getting Jackson out of his car seat. To our amazement there were 2 huge boxes and brown paper bag FULL of groceries. Josh hollered at me and told me what it was with a big smile on his face. I just sat in the back seat crying while Jackson was still waiting patiently in his seat. What a blessing! :*) Very generous!! The cool thing was that there was no note or anything to indicate who the food was from. Is that not God's hand at work or what?!? No matter how big our storm is or what were going through God is always standing right beside us to fight through it!!

Thank you also to all our friends and family. You all are so important to us and thank you for being there for us. We are so thankful for you!! We are so incredibly blessed!! :)

Warm weather where did you go??

This weekend was absolutely wonderful. We had such wonderful weather here in good ole Salem VA! We had a cookout at Nicole and Rich's on Saturday which was SO nice. Just a nice time relaxing with friends. The kiddos got to have fun outside...and Nicole and I cured our craving for a yummy steak. I also learned how to make homemade doughnuts! I apparantly live in a hole, anybody else know how to make "homemade doughnuts"?? I do now! :)

The weather actually stayed so gorgeous we took Jman to the park after church on Sunday. He had a really good time. Still a little small but it was still lots of fun!

Riding the horsey with Dada!

Here he comes!!

The weekend was really fun but the anticipation for a cute little baby girl was continuing.... I saw Em on Saturday at the ball field and she was SO ready for the arrival of Charley (so were us all)! She didn't have to wait too much longer.....

Congrats Dowdy Family!!! Charlotte Jane is a little princess!! We are so happy for yall! Sam you're a lucky big bro! She's beautiful guys!

Also the excitement doesn't end there... there is a little girl who is turning one tomorrow!!! Happy 1st birthday Riley Elizabeth!! Wow time sure has flown by. Only 27 more years til her and Jackson's wedding now. She's one year closer (don't tell Tony).

Top 10 hints it's getting close to spring time!

*Top 10 hints that it’s getting close to spring time for the Jones Household*

1. American Idol is finally over with the people who can’t carry a tune and is down to the top 12,…now 13…Go Anoop Dogg!!!

2. Josh and I don’t see each other sometimes til bedtime on week days,…that’s right it’s game time!

3. It’s time to by those yummy chocolate Easter Eggs filled with stuff like peanut butter, butter cream…etc from Cyndee’s Church….DE-LI-CIOUS!!!

4. Ally May is caught sunbathing out on the back deck.

5. The Bachelor is over….by the way,…what in the world happened?!?!? I’m still distressed over it, can you tell?

6. SweetTart jelly beans are on the shelf in all major grocery stores and pharmacies.

7. I’m wanting to go a tad bit lighter with my hair color and a few inches shorter,…Josh too,…he’s always wanting me to go more blonde, shocking!

8. It’s time for daylight savings time, ugh!

9. Time for my semi annual dentist checkup, anyone who knows me well knows that I am a huge whiner when it comes to going to the dentist!!!

10. The weather feels like it’s almost time to break out the flipflops!

Oh yeah,...maybe we need a #11...Mr taking uncle Zack's sunglasses...c'mon warm weather!

"He's kind of a big deal"

This past Friday the ladies got to have a sleepover!! Wahoo. We had so much fun! We had TONS of yummy snacks (some of Em's favs...aka Nicole's delicious goodness), played some mad gab, and watched a lot of the learning channel. Boy did I realize that I need to watch some TLC on a regular basis!

I did come realize that Samster is an all star at "hoops"! That's right college recruiters get ready! Every single shot he threw up was in the net! April educated me that "He's kind of a big deal" and that he told us he was the 1/2 time entertainment at Brad's bball game. Go Sam!

I also realized this weekend that I'm an absolute LOSER at mad gab. April and Cam were Champs with it! I need some pointers ladies.

I did want to give a quick shout out to my husband of almost 4 years...here's proof that Chris let me cut his hair a little! What a trustworthy friend....Josh won't even trust me to cut his hair. Thanks Chris,...and thanks for the yummy "pantakes"!

Crazy!


Anyway I had a much need relaxing weekend and fun with girls! We definitely need to do it again soon when we would have the whole gang...Amy we missed you! :(

Holidays and Birthdays

Hope everyone had a fabulous Valentine's Day!! <3

Ours was a lot of fun... and eventful. We were debating on eating in Salem thinking it wouldn't be too busy but my brilliant husband thought that hey,...it was 5:00 the mall area wouldn't be too busy,....WRONG. We spent 20 minutes getting the wait time at Olive Garden, Logans, and O'Charleys..it was crazy 2 hour waits! Then Em and I discover that there was VIP parking and no waiting at IHOP! Score! I love me some breakfast food! So that's where we had our romantic Valentine's day dinner, and it was YUMMY, either that or I was just really hungry. The funny part of it all was the fact that the boys went and got us a table while Em and I got movie tickets. So Josh and Chris come rolling up to Ihop on valentine's day,...TOO FUNNY!

This was my yummy meal!!

Let it be known we were probably the livest bunch there but we had fun!

I also want to give a shout out to my Ashe!! HAPPY 24TH BIRTHDAY! :) Ashlee has been one of my closest friends for about 7 years,...wow is that right? I am so grateful for our friendship. Time sure does fly by....

Here's a picture of us getting excited for all of our Christmas festivities. We usually watch Christmas Vacation every year while eating cinnimon rolls and trying to figure out my high-tech coffee maker. Here we saw a house that was AWESOME. It had every imaginable blow up Christmas yard decoration.

We also share a love for some great food.

Skiing this past December!

Hope you had a great birshday Ashe!

Feeling the February FEVER

That's right boys and girls we're in the final countdown for Salem High School Women's soccer tryouts! Josh is getting more and more anxious. On the down fall, since his super smart wife decided to register him to vote in his first presidential election this year he has been ironically summoned for jury duty! He's suppose to call in to get more instructions the Friday before tryouts. Could we say "WORST TIMING EVER!"?! Not to mentioned makes me feel completely guilty! Most of you are probably saying to yourself anyway: He's 28 why isn't he registered to vote?! That was my comment after getting lectured. Thank goodness he's not mad though. On the upside,... indoor soccer is finally over on Saturday nights! We're ones that are usually out and on the go and I'm so tired of sitting in on the weekends.

On the subject of February and spring soccer season,...I'm SO loving this nice weather. Look at this little cutie patuti enjoying his day outside. Him and Mal had a play day this week and went to the park! :)

He's so brave,..no hands! :)

Regis these are my lifelines:

Lately I have stubbled on some very valuable tools. I'm not sure if it's just come with age, or being a mother, or what but here are a few of my lifelines I use on a daily basis:

1. Coffee! Something I have every morning. Unfortunately I can't make it the way I like it so my mom has spoiled me making it JUST right (Monday thru Friday).

2. Google! Yes I know most people use it every now and then,...I probably use it about 10 times a day,...at least! When I was pregnant I starting utilizing it for the first time in my life.

3. Spray and Wash! It's not just the regular spray and wash my friends....this one has oxi clean with it to!! Double bonus!! Most of you know I do work in sales,...I could totally go door to door selling this product. Just spray in on the stain let it sit for less than 5 minutes and throw it in the wash. That's it!! No scrubbing!! Wahoo!

Update on Mr: He is on the go. I know last post I mentioned he was hopping forward and crawling backwards, now he's moving forward. Look at him go! :) Marty got him the jammies,...aren't they adorable?? It has a velcro cape! haha

Also he's tried several diffent foods, not just baby foods. Thanks to Aunt Cole he's tasted a yummy cream puff, lemon, and much more! haha

He fell asleep eating.

Batman and his daddy! PRECIOUS!