A Free Ride

 Freddie is a wonderful horse for our little girls.

The other day the girls and Aaron wanted to walk from the gate to the house, which is about 1/2 mile.  I went on ahead to the ranch in the pickup.  I was mildly concerned if the walk would be too much for Kylee since she had been so sick for so many days, but they needed to run off some energy so I didn't worry too much about it.  If they did get tired, Daddy was there to carry them.

A few minutes later I looked out the window, and realized there was nothing to worry about.  Both little girls were riding Freddie bareback without a bridle or anything.  Freddie was just following Aaron on up to the house.  So the girls got a free ride and Aaron and Freddie got a nice little walk  :)

Good Morning!!!

Good morning from the Ranch.

Merry Christmas ya'll!!!

I'm home with Kylee since she's really sick.  Aaron and Krysten went ahead to the ranch this morning and hopefully we'll head up tomorrow.  We are planning on being there thru Christmas. 

I have cleaned and done tons of laundry.  I even did dishes.  I am running out of things to do.  I know, I still need to wrap presents and get packed for the week, but I seem to be procrastinating...dunno why. 

I keep checking Facebook about every 15 minutes.  Not much exciting happens during those 15 minutes.  I'm even too lazy to facestalk people.  I also keep checking my blog, but no one has posted anything new in the last 15 minutes. 

I guess that means that it's my turn to post something.

One of the things I enjoy about Christmas time is receiving all the Christmas letters and pictures from all our friends and family.  I love reading the letters and looking at the pictures and seeing how everyone has grown/changed in the last year.  I love hear about what people have been up to- even if I already knew what they were up to. 

Most years I even send out my own version of a Christmas letter, sometimes a picture.   I even had my picture all picked out that I was going to send out this year.  I knew it as soon as I snapped the picture 6 months ago.  It was a gorgeous picture of my 3 girls. 

The lousy economy has now even hit my Christmas picture.  Blame it on Obama, why not?!!  So, in the interest in saving money this year, I have decided to send virtual Christmas greetings. 

Our year has been an insanely busy one.  Anyone that reads my blog, or follows me on Facebook can attest to that.  We joke that if it weren't for our cell phones, Aaron and I would never get to talk to eachother.  We are extremely busy with our activities and the girls' activities.  And no, I don't want to get into a philosophical discussion on whether or not we are too busy.  We'll save that for another day.

Tracey is halfway thru her 8th grade year (don't remind me that high school is just around the corner).  She's involved in sports- volleyball and basketball.  She's also active with our church's youth group called Surge.  She can't wait until she gets her license and we even let her drive to the neighbor's house.  Hey!  Don't freak out- it's a dirt road.  So that makes it okay.  Don't argue. :)  She had 2 surgeries on her arm this past spring, and she now needs to return for another in March.  Please keep praying for healing on her arm. 

Kylee is going to PreK this year and absolutely loves it.  She really loves school and I hope she will continue to be challenged.  She started out at the Montessori School and really excelled there, but we put her in PreK in the fall because, well, because it's free!  Anyone that has ever met her knows she has a huge personality...I don't think she's ever met a stranger.  This summer we saw some new places and she really remembers them and talks about them.  Abraham Lincoln I think will forever be in her mind, and she knows lots about him too.  Elvis is also a fascination for her, not his music- but his house. 

Krysten is fabulous.  Her curls and those blue eyes are gonna be heartbreakers soon.  She is so mischevious.  She draws on everything.  Just last night I caught her drawing on the laundry basket with a sharpie she'd found somewhere.  She is going to daycare and really enjoys it there.  It is right across the street from Kylee's school, so Kylee is there part time as well.  Her and Kylee have also started ballet.  Kylee loves it, but I'm thinking hiphop would be more Krysten's style!

Despite my best efforts, I am still down in Lordsburg.  I am still teaching PE.  Enough about that.  I am also still teaching in AWANA's.  I've been doing it for about 7 years.  Krysten and Kylee have also started Cubbies and they have lots of fun.

(Now, I know if you're not around here you might not realize this BUT- Kylee goes to school in the Cobre school district, Tracey goes to the Silver school district, and I am in the Lordsburg district.  Three different districts?  Three different schedules?  And you wonder why my life is crazy!)

Aaron is still fighting fire with the forest service, although I think he's discovered a direction he really enjoys- teaching.   He really enjoys leading the fire trainings that fire fighters are required to attend.  He has a passion for it, so I know he'll do great.  He and I also have a small group Bible study that we lead in our church.  I really love our small group and we have so much fun.

Tracey, Krysten, and Kylee at the Covered Bridge park in Zumbrota, Minnesota.

Merry Christmas!

from the Jones family,

Aaron, Dayna, Tracey, Kylee, and Krysten

My Journey Through the NFL

"Who's your favorite NFL team?"

That is probably the most asked question of a PE teacher.  Maybe any teacher for that matter.  Older students seem obsessed with wanting to know who you cheer for on the weekends. 

For years my usual answer was "I don't have one."  This response was usually met with puzzled looks.  "I don't really care for football."  That was met with even more puzzled looks.  Almost anti-American. 

My dear hubby is a big football fan.  Thanks to ESPN, NBC, and the NFL channel football is on in our house 24/7.  I have picked up some football knowledge through osmosis.  Aaron was very patient in explaining the game to me and now that I understand a small smidgen of it, I kinda enjoy it.

So I decided I would pick a football team to become a fan of.  (Now I know all you die-hard football fans out there would shudder at that so you might want to skip the rest of this.)

I began a very lengthy elimination process. 

I evaluated teams based on stats, records, playoff potential, and quarterback ratings.

NOT!!  

I evaluated teams based on a rigorous process of comparing team colors and team names.   My hubby told me to eliminate the Cowboys and the Packers.  So in the interest of saving my marriage, I immediately crossed those off my list.  Wasn't difficult.

I didn't like the stripey helmets, so the Bengals got scratched.  I refuse to wear blue and orange (blech!) so bye-bye Broncos.  Some mascots just didn't do it for me...the Browns?  Come on.  That doesn't exactly strike fear in you.  I also refused to cheer from any team from Texas.  I don't like Mike Ditka so there went the Bears (but Urlacher is from NM, so that posed a bit of a conflict for me.)

And so on.  You get the idea. 

Finally I had only a few teams left on the list.   Since we had just been to Tampa, FL I felt a connection with their team.  Plus, pirates are kinda cool. 

*insert drum roll please*

I chose the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Now I had an answer.  All were happy.  For awhile.

Problem was, I never watched a game, couldn't name a single player on the team and sometimes I even forgot I was supposed to be cheering for them.

So the next season I picked a new team.  I am ashamed to admit I jumped on the bandwagon and became a Saints fan.  Not ashamed to be a Saints fan, only ashamed of the bandwagon jumping.

Rejoicing in the land.  I even knew who the quarterback was.

The next season I forgot to cheer for them.  I also felt no connection with anyone.  So I again began my search for another team. 

*insert another drum roll*

I have chosen a new team.  This team was even one of my finalists in my original quest.

I really like Michael Vick.  His team was also one of my original finalist teams, mainly due to him.  Then he had a bit of a difficulty.  We won't go into that now.

But he's back!!!

So by combining my original finalist teams...you get...

Be proud.  I can name their quarterback, I actually watch their games (which is probably an important thing to do as a fan), they are the conference rivals of the Cowboys (and I'm a total Cowboys hater), their colors aren't bad, and there is a distinct possibility that I might even have the chance to go to a live game.  You see, they play the 49ers (which is Aaron's team). 

My quest to find a football team has finally ended in Philadelphia. 

Thank you for coming with me on this tumultuous and confusing journey :)

Tis the season...

...basketball season.
Basketball is definitely Tracey's favorite sport.  She's been playing basketball since she was in 1st grade and every year we've watched her grow up, develop her skills, and enjoy the game.  It's been a great journey watching her mature to the point she is now. 

She is an 8th grader this year so it's the last season before moving up to the high school.  Yikes, I don't even want to think about that...the fact that my first born will be in high school in less than a year...oy.

As some of you know, she changed schools last year and now attends La Plata here in Silver City.  Before that she rode down with me to Lordsburg, all the way from Kinder thru 6th grade.  It was an easy transition for her and for us.  It's so much easier having her attend the school in the same town we live in, especially now that she's busy with extracurricular activites. 

I've learned a few things now that I'm the parent of a player instead of just the player.  It is way more nerve-wracking being the parent.  Holy cow!  They've had some close games and I think I've been a basketcase inside.  (I try not be one of those outwardly dramatic parents).  It's so exciting to watch your child make great plays and score points. 

I remember after all my games when I was in school my dad and I would rehash the game play-by-play.  We would discuss mistakes and celebrate the successes together.  I had forgotten the fun of doing that.  Now, Tracey and I talk about her games afterward.

Recently, my parents came down to see one of Tracey's games.  Usually they leave immediately afterward to go back to Quemado, but this time they decided to spend the night.  I know my dad was pleased as punch because once again he got to rehash the game, this time with his granddaughter, just like he and I used to do.  I know Tracey enoyed getting to talk with him about it.   I know I enjoyed all of us talking about the game, it was lots of fun and brought back lots of memories.

** I was waiting til I downloaded more pics to post this, but it's been so long since I've posted, I thought I'd share it anyway.  Enjoy**

My newest hobby

I have become fascinated with hair bows.  I luuuurve to get them and put them in my girls' hair.  Lucky for me they like hair bows too.

I bought my first ones at a craft fair last year.  The girls' loved them.  I've even looked them up on Etsy and was dangerously close to ordering some.  But I held back since I was feeling broke at the time. 

I went to the craft fair again this year.  And bought more bows. 

Then I had a brilliant idea. 

Surely I can make own bows, right?  Right.

So I've been looking all over the Internet for instructions and found some great ones here.

This afternoon I decided to try my luck at making some.  It was definitely a first-timer bow and I've got a lot of practicing to do.  I also made a fancy hair-tie with ribbons for Tracey to wear for her games but didn't get a picture of that yet. 

I learned that I need a bigger variety of ribbon (hint, hint...good Christmas idea) and more colors.  The colors I bought are Tracey's school colors and were intended to make something the girls could wear to her games. 

Tracey also made some bows and blogged about it here.

I will try and get more pictures and share them with you guys.  Hopefully we'll see some improvement *grin*.

Unlocked

I just finished reading Karen Kingsbury's latest book "Unlocked".  Wow. 

I have read most of her books and I love, love, absolutely love the entire Baxter family series...all 14 of them, starting with Redemption.  I've also read most of her stand-alone books as well.  I would recommend everyone read these books, every last one of them.  They are that great.

She is a Christian author who writes books about struggles and issues that real Christians deal with and also includes stories of those who discover the Lord.  It's impossible for me to read any of her books without crying, sometimes so much that I can't see the pages.  You can always tell if I read all night because the next day my eyes are all puffy from so much crying.  lol

Unlocked is about a boy who has autism and he finds his way out of his locked world via music and connecting with his childhood friend.  But autism isn't the only 'locked' issue in the book, she also deals with students unlocking the beauty within themselves and seeing it in others. 

I would love it if anybody reading this picked up one of her books and read it.  Even if it's not "Unlocked".  However, I think Unlocked is one of her best books. 

If you do, please let me know.  Or if you are a fan, I would love to hear from you.  What's your favorite? 

New friends and old friends

Recently one of my best friends from college came to this area for a visit.  Since college she's lived in California, Ohio, and now back to Arizona, where she's from. So we really haven't gotten to see eachother in many years.

I had never met her children, and she'd never met mine so it was fun to see them make friends and play together.  I guess that's a sign of what stage we are in life- when you can't wait for your kids to get to meet eachother and then hope that they become close friends and grow up together just as their parents did. 



Krysten was sick so I only had Kylee with me, but that didn't seem to matter to anyone. 

What a bunch of goofy kids :)

.

Mandy and Dayna

2010.

Ky-Ky turns 5

Happy 5th Birthday, Kylee

Proof we need a bigger house. 

And, there were at least 7-8 people were missing from this photo.  

Zia Lucia Craciunescu

***UPDATE:   Zia is home!!!!!***  (Friday, Nov 12)

My bloggy friends, meet Zia Lucia Craciunescu!!!

Isn't she just so fabulous?  Here she is with her mama, Gina and one of her sisters, Denali.

And here she is again with her most wonderful, fantabulous cousin!  I was so excited to get to hold her.  She is still in the NICU but they are able to take her to a 'family room'.  All my girls got to see her, so that was extra special for them. 

As soon as she starts growing faster and doing better with her breathing she will be able to come home. 

She is almost 43 weeks old now.  Or 3 weeks old.  Or 14 weeks old. 

Daddy's little girl. 

For those of you who don't know, Zia was delivered via C-section at 30 weeks.  She wasn't growing because the umbilical cord wasn't working right.  She was less than 2 pounds when she was born!  Like many preemies, she's had some rough times but she's doing much better now.  Please continue to pray for her. 

Halloween

The Friday before Halloween was the day when everyone was allowed to wear their costumes to school.  But there was a caveat...it had to be a book character- to coincide with the Read-A-Thon.  At the eleventh hour (literally) I decided to go as Skippyjon Jones.  For anyone who is unfamiliar with Skippyjon Jones, I recommend reading one of his books.  They are HILARIOUS!  They are about a siamese cat who wants to be a chihuahua.  Skippito is his alter-ego. 

Anyway, here is my Skippito costume.  Yes, I made it all. 

On Saturday we drove to Tucson to see Zia.  (more on her later).  That night we went to Trunk or Treat at Grama Lucy's church.  It was lots of fun and the girls got lots of candy of course.  BTW, this was the SECOND Trunk or Treat we had attended in as many days. 

I totally loved my costume!!  I even was asked to pose for several pictures by complete strangers!

Minnie Mouse

A purple butterfly.

Phantom of the Opera

What a motley crew we make.  The musketeer is my cousin Denali.

I suffer from the syndrome of wanting to do as many things as possible at all times.  I love being busy and having things to do.  Unfortunately, then I stress over it all.  My Halloween weekend was no exception.

Friday- #1 6:00pm Trunk or Treat at the girls' daycare. 

            #2  7:00pm  Surprise birthday party for a close friend's daughter.  I was in charge of getting her other

                  3 kids to the party on time.  Notice the time crunch.  Insert stresser.

Saturday-  #3  8:00am (actuality-9:30am) drive to Tucson to visit Zia and the rest of Gina's family.  Then

                       drive to Sierra Vista.

                 #4   6:00pm Trunk or Treat

                        10:00pm - depart Sierra Vista to drive home (3 hour drive)

Sunday-  #5  9:00am Sunday School and Church (honestly, I skipped SS so I could sleep)

               #6  4:00pm Costume parade

                #7  5:00pm  insert a wee bit of trick or treating

                #8  6:00pm  - game night at friend's house.

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday-  sleep.  Decompress.  Swear I will never do 3 days of Halloween again.  Remind me of this next year, please.

Invisibility.

One of the blogs I read is called Attack of the Redneck Mommy.  She is sentimental, sarcastic, hilarious, and sometimes even a bit crude.  She has 3 children, one of which is medically fragile.  He has a whole host of medical problems of which I am not going to list here.  She recently blogged about his 'superpower' of invisiblity.  It is completely heartwrenching.

Please, please read it for yourself.

Wordless Wednesday

My crazy, hectic, insanely busy life.

I have lots of pictures that I want to post.  I have lots of stuff I want to share with you guys.  But I don't have lots of time to get it all done.

My Halloween weekend was super hectic and I'm trying to recover from all the missed sleep.  So, instead of blogging last night, I made myself go to bed at a decent hour.  No guarantees about blogging tonight either. 

Plus, I've got to get my house cleaned up and in presentable shape for company becuz it's Kylee's 5th birthday this weekend.  And no, I don't know exactly what I'm gonna do...that's why no one's been invited yet.  But don't worry, whenever I get my act together, you'll hear about it.  For those of you that know me, know that I am the queen of last minute preparations.  So this shouldn't come as a surprise at all. 

So don't abandon me yet, I promise I will try and find the time soon to let you know all about our Halloween adventures. 

I will tell you this....

...I got to see and hold baby Zia this weekend!!!  Definitely the highlight of my weekend and yes, I do have pictures of that!!!!

Snowmen are NOT supposed to come before Halloween.

Recently my husband spent a considerable amount of time in the mountains of Colorado near Boulder.  During this time he experienced the seasons abruptly shifting from Indian summer to frigid winter.  It snowed 2-3 times on them while they were gone.  Each time he called home, or sent me pix of the snow; I made sure to tell him about how it was in the 80's here and that I was enjoying my shorts and t-shirts.  I'm nothing if not supportive, right?

Here is a picture of how they spent one afternoon when it snowed too much to get to the work site.  In case you don't understand, Mr. Snowman here is decked out in complete woodcutting gear. 

Mizzou finally beats Oklahoma!! woot woot!!

Pumpkin Pickin'

This past weekend I took the girls to pick pumpkins in Las Cruces at the Mesilla Valley Maze.  If you live in this area you definitely need to take a trip there in the Fall. 

You get to take a hayride out to the fields where you can choose your own pumpkins.  There are all kinds of sizes and colors of pumpkins and gourds.  This part is the girls' favorite part of the whole day.  Their rule is that if you pick it, you carry it.  Great words of wisdom.  I repeated this mantra to my girls.  And they followed it...for about 3.6 seconds. 

They picked fairly small pumpkins that were easily carried.  However, freshly picked pumpkins have stickers on the stems.  Their delicate little hands weren't havin' none of that sticker bizness!!  So guess who got to carry their pumpkins.

Not the hayride driver, that's fo' sho'.

Not only did they pick out their own pumpkins, they each found little baby pumpkins that they wanted.  Plus, I found a cool white one (maybe a gourd, who cares) and of course, we got Tracey a good sized one. 

I'm sure I looked like a pumpkin sized idiot for carting around 4 pumpkins.  The girls so graciously carried their baby ones. 

There's lots of other stuff to do beside pumpkins.  There's a super cool maze that they create in their corn field but I haven't ventured into it yet.  I'm still waiting till I am fairly confident I won't have to carry the two girls out after they drop from exhaustion from all the walking. 

There are some HUGE slides to keep kids happy.  There's also plenty of games to pay-to-play but sshhh! my kids don't know that yet. 

We had lots of fun and are already looking forward to next year.

Introducing..."the world according to me"

I would like to introduce all of my readers to a new blog that is listed on my "blogstalking" list.

The author of this blog is none other than.....my oldest daughter, Tracey!!!

So go on over and take a gander at the world according to me. 

Claude Monet reincarnated

Krysten Monet (emphasis on the Monet) would like to give you a tour of her canvas our house.

 Look Mom, crayon on the TV!
(along with a myriad of other...stuff)

 "I thought it was wotion."

(foundation poured on the carpet.  let's not even mention how much

she had smeared all over her entire body. or how difficult large amounts of makeup

 is to wash off the entire body. did i mention entire?  just checking)

 Front door greetings.

 White was just so....plain.

 Tracey's mirror does a lot of sweating...therefore the need for deodorant applied liberally.

 A love note to greet me each time I turn on the light in my bedroom.

 Tables are not just for eating, you know.

In case burglars climbing through our windows need a little...crayon therapy. 

Thank you for joining Krysten on this tour of our house. 

If she ever comes to your house...

...be afraid.  Be very afraid.

I only hope that she will give me credit for not killing her supporting her when she becomes a famous painter.

2010 Lady Broncos- volleyball

Tracey's 8th grade volleyball season has come to a close.  They had a great season this year, ending with a winning record and greatly improved skills. 

Later, I have realized that 'ohmygosh' I will be watching her play at the high school next year!!!  Wow, where has the time gone?

The girls and their daddy. 

Kudos to them for spending hours at the gym watching their big sister play.