here we go again...

it was time for a refresh and maybe a little revival for this little spot of mine!  The old look and focus just wasn't fitting for me anymore.  My family has grown, my calendar has filled up, and life is just altogether different than it was 18 months ago!  Funny how it does that....

anyway, if you're one of my few followers, look our for some more Jones family shenanigans and my deep (or not so deep) thoughts on life!

seasons

I love living in a place that has 4 distinct seasons.  There are clear lines between each, making each transition known.  There is nothing like witnessing the earth come alive in spring, then settling down for a long winter's nap in the fall.  I love it.  Spring and fall happen to be my favorite, too...the change comes as a little bit of a surprise every year....like you forget just how beautiful it can all be.

Life is divided into seasons, too, I've found....though, many more than 4 repeating ones.  I happen to be in a very demanding season.  The one of raising all small children.  I carry the weight of our every day

almost entirely on my own.  Don't misunderstand....Bobby is extremely helpful around the house, and so engaged with our kids.....I'd actually venture to guess that he does a lot more than some husbands and dads, and for that I am thankful.  The reality is, though, that he works very hard at a job outside of our house, while I am here tending little ones!  I treasure my time with my kids, and know how blessed I am to be the one here caring for them every day.  The added responsibility of homeschooling Macie (now 7) makes for some heavy days.  

If I am not careful, I can take my eyes off of these blessings and focus on what I'm missing.  The one on one time with my husband, ladies' nights, a clean house, even alone time in the bathroom!  I try to stop and remind myself that those things will be a part of my life again, one day....just not now.  God has blessed me with 3 very active kids, and called me to be at home with them...teaching and training them to go out into our world for Him.  

I am super lucky to have a great community, though....so many do not have that.  I have a husband that supports and helps me around the house, great girlfriends who listen when I whine (and keep me in check) then pray for me, family that loves me, and a church that pours Christ into our household.  Without all of these things, I don't know where I'd be.

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just be here...

Day 2.....my "why" is simple.  I just want to be here.  To be a part of my kids lives, not just a static presence in the house, that only engages to discipline (much of which could be prevented if I were present).  The challenge asked us to write out our "why" and place it by the computer.....mine is only those three words on a sticky note.  "Just Be Here!" A pointed reminder that I don't need to spend every waking moment in front of the computer.  Now to figure out a way to do that as my lock screen on my phone! 

Sarah Mae also challenged us to engage with our spouse.  This one was easy for me.  Bobby and I put a high priority on time with each other....whether it be the 30 or so minutes between the girls' bedtime and us crashing hard for the night, or trying to squeeze in date nights.  Last night worked well since the girls are with my parents for the weekend.  We went to dinner and ran a couple of errands....we did have Virgil along as our third wheel, but he's a pretty quiet companion.  We had some good talks, and some good laughs!  So far, so good!

Today, we set up internet controls.....I have LeechBlock installed on my browser (firefox) and it works well (when I turn it on....yikes), but I may try Self Control (recommended in the eBook...for Mac only), since it seems a little more strict.  We'll see!  I'll also be turning the wifi off on my phone for now....unless it's during my designated "online times".  I have high hopes for new habits!

a late introduction

 

so, this little guy is Virgil Lee Jones.

He was born on June 30, 2013.

we love him.

unwired

Sarah Mae's 14 day unwired challenge is a very timely one for me.  I seem to always struggle with time spent on the internet....whether it's my desktop, tiny old laptop, or my iPhone.  This time increased dramatically during my pregnancy (tired, nauseous, just plain uncomfortable) and even more now that I'm nursing my 6 week old. 

I've done a couple of media fasts in the past (one for a week, another for a few days, and then other variations here and there) and always enjoy my time "away", but just like any other addiction or bad habit, it's easy to fall right back into your old pattern.  I did take the step, before Virgil was born, to delete all of the games off of my phone....and there were only a couple...words with friends and solitaire.  I banned myself from Candy Crush after a couple of days of obsessiveness!

I have a dear friend doing this challenge along with me, and we both look forward to the changes that are hopefully to come in our homes!  I really hope to be able to reconnect with my kids....my oldest, especially.  She needs to see me make her a priority and to show her that she is important to me and worth my time.  They also need to see me lead by example instead of a "do what I say, not what I do" type of parenting.  We severely limit their time with electronics.....neither of my girls have regular time to play on the computer or with their devices (Macie has a Kindle Fire HD and Leapster, and Emery has an iPod Touch full of games and a LeapPad).  They are almost always limited to long car rides or very short amounts of time.  Why should I not show them that I limit my time also, since I spend so much time telling them that too much time devoted to games and "devices" is bad for you?

As far as the challenge went today, it was a bit of a bust, but I had to start somewhere, right?  I didn't get 20 minutes of one on one time with each of the kids, but I did get time to focus on Emery and watch her play while I nursed Virgil at Macie's soccer practice, and we spent extra time at bedtime reading a book that Macie had chosen at bedtime.  Sadly, those two things alone are more that they would normally get, attention wise, from me. 

I'm thankful that there are women willing to admit their struggles, women that I can walk along this path with, and ones who are willing to hold me accountable when I just don't want to change. 

another acorn is growing on our family tree!

Most people already know this (and it's beginning to be pretty obvious, anyway!), but Baby Jones #3 is on the way!  I'm 16 weeks (well, I will be tomorrow), and feeling good!  The girls have started to notice my belly changing, and Macie thinks it's hysterical.  She came into my room friday while I was getting dressed after my shower and could not stop giggling. 

This one came as a surprise to us, which was a new experience for us....after all of our struggles (PCOS, infertility, miscarriages) a surprise pregnancy has never been on our radar.  We had even gotten to the point of having the "we're done" conversation.  The girls are at awesome ages (as they fuss in the playroom, ha!) and the stress of "trying" for us tends to be consuming and exhausting.  God, however, had a different plan for our family, and we couldn't be happier about it!

We're still adjusting, and I'm not sure the reality of a third baby actually joining our family has completely sunk in yet, but it's coming either way!  We have our "big" ultrasound in a few weeks, and I have a feeling it will be more real for us then, and then the name picking and baby planning can begin!!

First Grade!!!

                                              She's just growing up right before my eyes!!

 We started school again, yesterday.  We're using My Father's World again this year, and are loving it so far! Macie has been so excited to do her work the past two mornings, and was sad when I reminded her that we don't do school on Saturdays!

I made this board for our daily calendar, math, and bible memory time.  I also added a clock, weather chart, and our address and phone number for memorization.  I think this is her favorite part so far!

Today, we made clay pots like the ones that scrolls would have been stored in.  Our curriculum is covering Bible history this year, and we're learning about how the Bible (and all other writings) were written on scrolls.  She'll be making an alphabet scroll to start out this year.

Both girls really liked playing with the clay.  We used the simple salt dough recipe provided in our teachers manual.  Our clay pots are waiting now to dry, and then we'll paint them, just for fun!

Salt Dough 

1/2 cup corn starch

1/2 cup salt

3/4 cup flour

slowly add in 1/2 cup * of water until clay is easily kneaded without being too tacky

you can also add food coloring for an earthy color

*I needed to add a little more than that to get mine to stay together....just add it slowly, as needed.