First Day of School

Will and his first grade teacher.

All morning long Will had this look in his eye as if to say, "I was made for this." He's a fun kid and a great student.

A few weeks ago we headed to Alabama for a much needed family vacation. It could not have been better. We did absolutely nothing. Had no set agenda and moved at a snails pace for most of the week. My only goal that week was to not have a sunburned child (thanks to SPF 70). We were so unbelievably pale. In my younger years I might have cared how I stood out like a sore thumb now I'm happy to glow among all the leathery skin that's out there. It was great fun and just what the Jones family needed.

The next few pictures where so fun to take. The boys are not much for sitting still but they do like their fair share of fun. Once you get them going you're guaranteed a good laugh and probably a few good pictures.

A ton of fun with the cousins.

I think it was right after this that Will was stung by a jellyfish. He handled it like a champ. I thought after that he would never get back in the water. He was back in within minutes.

Pierson was so funny all he wanted to do was dig and dig some more. He had sand in every little part of his body. I'm still finding sand in my dryer.

I forgot

I can't believe I forgot this. We were down south a month or so ago and made a quick stop, in San Antonio. I can't believe this slipped my mind considering this was a major deal to Pierson. He is a huge Davy Crockett fan and this will probably be the highlight of his summer. Other then listening to the Lone Ranger at night before bed it's pretty much "born on a mountaintop in Tennessee...." Davy Davy Crockett king of the wild frontier. You should see him when he puts on his coon skin hat and vest, pretty cute.

Will this work?

Normally, I'm not particularly interested in what Oprah is pedaling these days, but today was a little different. She had Jessica Seinfeld (yes Jerry's wife) on the show talking about her new cookbook. I do enjoy my fair share of cookbooks, but this one was different. It potentially holds the key to my children eating vegetables. This is a big problem in our house and causes a ton of conflict. I would love to say my kids ate anything I put in front of them, but they don't. I always said I would not have "those" kind of kids, well I've got "those" kind of kids. Yes I'm an easy sucker for anything that says it will get my kids to eat vegetables so I'm buying it tomorrow. Lets hope its not wasted money.

Summer happenings for the Jones family

Barry's finished!!!! The biggest event by far for us has been Barry's graduation in May.


Made a little trip to Slappy's Playhouse. A fun way to introduce kids to the theater.

A fun trip to the cowgirl hall of fame.

Everywhere we go the boys find the need to do some sort of super hero move. They can't resist a wide open space


Theses pictures were not easy to get. The sky was just about to open up and all the boys wanted to do was get in the fountain behind them.

We started our summer a little early with a trip to my mom's in Florida. We had a few fun stops like New Orleans. We had a great time, but there is still much to be done on the coast. You see the destruction everywhere. It's quite strange when you drive into the city from the east-you're immediately confronted with the damage. It was a wonderful visit. (The French Quarters a great deal)

A prayer taken from The Divine Hours

O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into my heart your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

I Miss My Dad

The funniest thing happened to me the other day. I was in a room where sound equipment was being used and a strange beeping sound was coming from one of the speakers. At first the sound was really annoying, but then (as bizarre as this sounds) it reminded me of something. The sound was identical to the sound in my dad's hospital room before he died. It was very weird. I thought how could something seemingly unimportant and very annoying remind me of my dad. It was hard to hold back tears, but I thought the people around might not get that a beeping sound was making me cry. I really miss my dad.

My dad liked to make me laugh. I would laugh so hard I'd fall onto the floor. I miss my dad. He'd always introduce me as, " Have you met my pretty little girl." I miss my dad. We had heated discussions. Everything from faith to politics. I miss my dad. He loved his country. I miss my dad. I haven't called my mother in three weeks because I have to face he's gone. I miss my dad. He always bought me a watch for Christmas whether I needed it or not. Maybe he was trying to tell me something. I miss my dad. He told me many times how much my grandfather would have loved me. I miss my dad. The way he loved my mother. He loved her with all of his being. I miss my dad. Watching him kneel to pray when I was a little girl. I miss my dad. He liked to call me honey. I miss my dad. He wanted to name me after his dog - Suzanne (he really loved that dog). I miss my dad. He liked to tell me, "you came along at the right time." I miss my dad. When I was a kid he loved to take me to Kmart to get my picture taken, dirty face and all. I miss my dad. He trusted me with all of his being. I miss my dad.

My Journey

I made it through the second day of Lent. That statement sounds so pathetic, but this morning I woke up and thought oh crap I've got to do it again. About 15 minutes or so later things were pretty good. There was such freedom in what I had begun. The idea of Lent had been a little overwhelming, but when I found myself in the midst of my struggles there was something very profound that happened, His strength was transforming. Normally, I’m so consumed with life that my eyes are not fixed on Christ.

My practicing Lent helps me reorient myself to God.

I find myself calling out to him again and again Lord Jesus Christ Son of the Living God have mercy on me a sinner.

I came across this prayer in The Divine Hours written by Phyllis Tickle. Considering the season it was fitting.

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in me a new and contrite heart, that I, worthily lamenting my sins and acknowledging my wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.