Snacks

Hands down, favorite Christmas gift, giant box of Aunt Annies variety snacks.

She signed more for them all morning, Then she got them and she was glad, She even liked them more than this shopping cart, She would not share any with him so he was forced to eat a wooden hammer,

Here she is telling us how glad she is that she got a box of Christmas bunnies.

December 24: It's A Wrap

Good Christmas Eve to you friends.

Well, I made it, twenty four days of posting and I didn't miss a post. I hope you have enjoyed twenty four days of over indulgent photos of my Little, 'cause let's be honest does anyone really read the words?

Christmas has officially started for us, we had Christmas morning at our house this morning with the pets and now we are snug as some bugs in a rug at Babs and G-Dads.

I'll leave you with these words I wrote last year. Having a baby was fresh on my mind and it really made me think about what Mary went through birthing baby Jesus.

I've been struck with awe these last few days thinking about the birth of Christ and comparing it to what I now know about birth. As the mister and I watched "the Nativity" the other night my thoughts have turned to Mary and I wonder how she did it.
How did she bare the pain, feel the warmth, fall in love, and keep it all together?
How did she grab the babe in those first moments, when you are still in shock that your body has produced something that is moving and screaming at you, and not fall apart knowing that the miracle on her chest was the King she had been looking for?
How did she feel as she swaddled her son and yet realized He was not her own?
When I look at my own I think things like, how do I let go, how do I keep her from harm, and how do I save her from ever having a broken heart?
But her own, sweet Mary, she new He would have to leave, she could not protect Him from the pain He faced, and He was broken already for His people...yet there he was, baby God in her arms, fast asleep while she stared at him.(if her first night was anything like mine).
I stared most of that first night with my own, amazed, afraid, and in love. I can only imagine that she felt the same except multiplied a hundred times b/c she was holding Jesus.
So this Christmas Eve, where ever you find yourself, whether it be happy to be with the ones your heart holds dear, or excited about what the morning will bring, or staring at a face you love, I pray you will feel the awe that is the true magic of this night, the Sacrifice came into this world and Love became the Hero of our stories and He became our very own.
Sleep in heavenly peace friends.
Good night.
I've been struck with awe these last few days thinking about the birth of Christ and comparing it to what I now know about birth. As the mister and I watched "the Nativity" the other night my thoughts have turned to Mary and I wonder how she did it.
How did she bare the pain, feel the warmth, fall in love, and keep it all together?
How did she grab the babe in those first moments, when you are still in shock that your body has produced something that is moving and screaming at you, and not fall apart knowing that the miracle on her chest was the King she had been looking for?
How did she feel as she swaddled her son and yet realized He was not her own?
When I look at my own I think things like, how do I let go, how do I keep her from harm, and how do I save her from ever having a broken heart?
But her own, sweet Mary, she new He would have to leave, she could not protect Him from the pain He faced, and He was broken already for His people...yet there he was, baby God in her arms, fast asleep while she stared at him.(if her first night was anything like mine).
I stared most of that first night with my own, amazed, afraid, and in love. I can only imagine that she felt the same except multiplied a hundred times b/c she was holding Jesus.
So this Christmas Eve, where ever you find yourself, whether it be happy to be with the ones your heart holds dear, or excited about what the morning will bring, or staring at a face you love, I pray you will feel the awe that is the true magic of this night, the Sacrifice came into this world and Love became the Hero of our stories and He became our very own.

Sleep in heavenly peace friends...thanks for reading!

December 23: Hope

I hope you're done your shopping.
I hope you mailed your cards.
I hope you baked some cookies (and ate a couple).
I hope your laundry is done.
I hope that you have had some eggnog or hot chocolate this season.
I hope that you drove around and looked at Christmas lights.
I hope that you wore red this December at least once (don't worry if you haven't there is still time),
I hope that not feeling worn out and tired.

I hope that you know the hope that Christmas all but whispers to us in these busy times.
My plan, in this evening or two that I have left before Christmas arrives, is to listen for the whisper and let my heart be full of the love that He sent to us that night...

Here's hoping you do the same.

I interrupt this posting to bring you our dog Gus...who is more like a polar bear.

December 22: Christmas Flashback

Tonight, dear ones, I am struggling for words to write. In fact I have back spaced my words at least twice. So since I am all a struggle you can go back and enjoy this post from last December that is one of my all time favorites, at no extra charge you may also enjoy these pictures of my sweetling fighting back tears standing in the snow.

December 21: Theories

I have a lot of theories about a lot of things. One I was reminded of just today was that we who have to love our family members from afar, appreciate them much more than if we saw them every day....However if your uncle, brother, mother, sister, father, aunt live just down the road from you, please don't judge my theory too harshly, I'm just being envious of your happy circumstances!
We sent Uncle Trevor home today, and boy will he be missed. What a wonderful early Christmas present having him here with us was.
Here hoping the ones you love are just a stones throw away!

December 20: Couch Day

No real post today. Still sick. This is the first time I have actually sat up . I hope that means I'm on the mend. Since I was down and out Libby did the cooking for us!

December 19: Snow

It intrigued her.She was happy to try it.
She hated it.
But it is very nice.

No more words...I've got the sick that the Little had.

December 18: Slow and Steady

Even as I type snow falls to the floor, covering our quiet corner of this world with a blanket so apt for this season, I can hardly stand it. My sweetling is resting quietly, improved from last night, after a visit to the doctor and some much needed antibiotics. My mister took to the mountains today for some brotherly snow boarding time. I must selfishly confess that I wish that he were safe and warm with me tonight instead of somewhere between here and there, in this winter wonderland that is gracing our region. However, since he is not I am forced to stare at the looming pile of laundry that needs to be put away, or empty the dishwasher, or write Christmas cards, or wrap gifts, or do some stitching, or, or, or. There are a lot of or's tonight that I'm just going to let go, while I keep up with my promise to you and drink a cup of tea.

I was just thinking that there is much to be done before Christmas, and judging by the amount of people in Walmart, while waiting for the Little's prescription to be filled, there are many other people, at least in this little town, who are making themselves crazy with business. My thought is that, I think God sent the snow as a gift to force us into quiet. To give us an opportunity to stop running and rushing, to clear our minds of what this season has become, and maybe take this moment of being trapped at home, while he decorates the world outside, to remember what day really is approaching.
The day he sent his son, a redemption for us all.
Isn't that amazing?

Just a thought.
To you dear ones, I am wishing you a night full of abandonemnt of chores and quiet reflection of that blessed day that quickly comes.

These pics are just because...the one below is of Gus being still earlier
and this one is just sweet.
Grace and peace,
xxx

December 17: Sick Leave

My mom told me not write about this, but I'm finding it hard to think of anything else. This picture of the Little in her Christmas red dress was taken before she was sick all over it 3 times in car on the way home from Christmas shopping with Uncle Trevor today. It was before we had to pull off the road, strip her down to her diaper to clean her and the car up. It was also before she went through 3 pairs of pj's, 2 sets of mommy's clothes, 2 baths, 5 more times of getting sick, and one call to the doctor.
It's safe to say, we all feeling a little green around the edges at this point...so I will happily say goodnight!
Here's hoping for a sick free blog post tomorrow.

December 16: December + Fur = A Huge Must

To be honest I'm not wearing a huge amount fur these days, but I really like the way the Little can pull of this furry Monsoon poncho. Thanks Grandma!




Be cozy and bright!
xxx

December 15: Duck and Cover

When we moved into this house last year we put up minimal Christmas paraphernalia, we didn't have what we needed really. Mr. Jones knowing my desire for a house that sparkled, braved the dangers of Walmart the day after Christmas to ensure that this year our house would be warm with the glow of Christmas lights.
We have two pretty reindeer standing in the garden, the bushes covered, and pre-lit garland around the porch and over the door. It looks lovely. I love pulling down our little lane at night and seeing our house all aglow at the end of the road.
You can imagine my surprise that it would appear that my pretty decorations have turned a bit hazardous. Upon leaving the house for a cookie exchange Friday night, I was forced to the ground by a kamikaze sparrow that decided to nest in our garland. It would be an understatement to say I was surprised, however after having a fun time with girlfriends at the cookie exchange I forgot about the incident. That is, I forgot until I arrived home only to have that little stinker dart at my head again.
Interestingly enough the bird only flies at my head (basically every time I leave) it conveniently is not there when Kev or Trev exits or enters. They both look at me a little weird when I exit in front of them and duck or wave my arms like a mad woman. Kev was standing in the yard (taking a picture for me) and saw it fly off though, so I have a witness that I am not imagining things!
I do feel a little bit bad that come January, the little bird will surely loose it's resting spot, on the other hand I will feel a bit safer...

Anywho, for all of you who skip my creative efforts at writing and go straight to the pictures, here is a shot that Uncle Trev took of the Little and I wrapping presents today. Have you ever tried to wrap presents with a one year old? It is basically impossible. She looks pretty innocent in this picture but if you receive a present from us that it slightly wrinkled or soggy you will surely know why.
Grace and Peace my friends...
10 days till the big day, the day that changed history for us all.
Exciting isn't it!
xxx

December 14: Economic Downfall

I love getting Christmas cards! Especially ones with pictures of you and your family in them. So where are they all this year?
Sure, we have received a few, but I would have to say that the wall where we hang them for display is a bit scarce in comparison to years past.
What's the deal?
Is it the hard economic times?
Are we on people's naughty list?
Has the price of postage reached such extortionate levels that the good people of America are boycotting the USPS?
Or is that everyone has read this blog and realizes that posting Christmas cards would required a trip to the post office to purchase stamps?
Whatever the reason, I am feeling a bit neglected at that lack of Christmas cards delivered to the Jones's...
Who am I to judge really, I haven't mailed a single card yet. I am happy to report however, the envelops are addressed, minus the stamps (still not ready to go back to the post office just yet).
So as soon as those blessed, warm wished, greetings arrive you can expect one to arrive in your post.
That is, of course, if you're on our list and if you're not, there certainly must be a good explanation why you're not...I can't think of one person on our naughty list...except for maybe that lady at the grocery store that called the Little a husky boy...
So to you dear ones, tonight I am wishing you mail boxes over flowing with Christmas greetings from the ones you that you love!
(If you're one of those really organized people I know who have already sent out your Christmas cards, just disregard this post. I was just kidding and not really complaining at all!)

December 13: Great News

Well, besides Libby finally fitting into this beautiful dress from Grandma.
And sitting by the tree, so that I could snap a couple of blurry pictures after her nap,
Uncle Trevor is coming here tonight to stay with us for a whole week.
Libs calls him something like Trthppppt. I hope you can pronounce that. Regardless of whether or not she can say his name right, we are so excited to spend some time with Uncle Trthppppt!
Happy Sunday!

December 12: Where Do You Nestle Your Head

We are resting our sleepy heads on these cool pillows I stitched the other day!
Okay, not really, but they are making our nuetral green couches a sight more colorful thanks to my friend Mel . She gave me a birthday gift that was sure to inspire creativity, which included the colorful fabric I used on the pillows, a iron on transfer pencil, and "Found Art" my new favorite book.
Thanks for the inspiration Mel!

And to you my faithful few, I'm hoping you have a Mel in your life that inspires you to do something creative today!
Be blessed.

P.S. I'm off to a Christmas party with the Brit. Last year at this very same WORK Christmas party I got sick in his co-worker's front yard, I'm hoping tonight goes better!

December 11: How Did I Get Here

Today's post was going to be about the pillows I made yesterday. However, an interesting turn of events has led me to change my thoughts.
Every now and then in life things happen to remind me of just all the places I have been and cause me to be amazed at how very small our world is. My bff Laura (if you link to her blog and she hasn't updated you can leave her nasty comments for me) sent me a text message this evening and asked me if I new Chad Reed. I read the name, sure that it sounded it familiar, but I couldn't quite place it. So I asked her how he claimed he new me...
Ahem, he said that he dated me.
Well that doesn't really clear up the mystery, or maybe it is embarrassing because it is a mystery.
Anywho, to make a long story short, he saw me with Laura the other week on church parking lot, that we just stopped at briefly so Libby and I could meet one of Laura's friends. After we left he asked Laura's friend if my name was Carly and claimed he new me.
Well, after a phone call to my mother to help straiten out the time line, I did go out on a few dates with him, nearly 15 years ago. Get this part though, he was from Kentucky and I was from Maryland, back when he knew me and now I live in Virginia and he just happened to see me in the brief 2 seconds I was in Florida, where he now lives. How small is our world and how weird is that?
The sad part for me is that it makes me have to dig up a time in my life that I'm sure I have buried for a good reason. I was lost in a broken hearted haze back then and despite the kindness of anyone who tried to find there way through that haze to the true me, I am certain it didn't work. I have a strong feeling that I wasn't very nice to him. I'm sure that most people could look back at their teenage years and not feel very proud, but I was really struggling and it was the start t of a long and hard rebellion for me.
So, thanks to modern technology I looked him up tonight on facebook. I have hopes of sending him a message and letting him know that I was a crazy teenage girl back then and that through God's grace he has made something lovely out of this crazy life.

Some how I got here with him and now we have her and it is like a breath of fresh air when I think about where I used to be.

Alright...now that's off my chest.
Tomorrow I'll write about pillows.

It's 11:54...December 11 post in time.
These pics of for you Grandma and cousin Jill!
Sleep tight friends.
xx

December 10: Gift Granted

You simply must go back and read this post from 2 years ago.
It would seem to me, that no stuff sheep is needed for our sheep dog anymore. Our little Gus has found a sheep to herd. I know that I have mentioned it before, but they love each other. Actually, I think I wrote this same post about a month ago.
My mom babysat for us the other day and she said that the Little sat on the landing with Gus for the longest time just giving him cuddles, and in turn he would lick her back...which to be honest is a little gross, yet somehow, heart warming!
These pictures are from playing outside this morning (I'll have you know we were dressed and ready to face the day head on by 7:45!) When Libs is walking around outside, Gus can't handle it. He just runs circles around her, and if he can't circle her, he just barks at her until he can.

I think that he may have mistaken her tassel for a squeaky toy!

I think I took this picture b/c they were both barking

She looks so small when she is with him

Happy herding!
By the way...15 days and counting!