To Mark

A funny thing happens to a marriage when you have kids. First comes the euphoric feeling that you have from becoming parents for the first time. Next comes the exhaustion from all of the sleepless nights. Then it gets a little easier as they grow. Eventually, you end up where Mark and I have found ourselves. Having one child in elementary school and one in middle school proves to be quite a handful; homework, dinner, bedtimes, work, doctor visits, dental visits, etc. etc. etc. During the rush of everyday life, it is easy to forget to say "I love you" enough to your spouse. I, for sure, am guilty of this. So, I decided that this post would be my way of reminding my husband that I do love him dearly....even if I forget to say it.

Oh...where do I start. I guess at the beginning! Mark and I have known each other since we were very young (around 6th grade). However, we DID NOT like each other. He came from one crowd and I came from another. I still remember sitting in church (where we met) and looking at him in disgust. It definitely was NOT love at first sight. A few years later, my best friend and Mark's cousin were "dating" and decided that it would be convenient if Mark and I got together. So, against my will, I accepted. (By the way, the feeling was mutual...he didn't like me any more than I did him!) But that night is when I realized that I loved him (November 23, 1993....this date is more important to me than our wedding anniversary). He was surely not the person that I thought he was before. He was kind and sincere and, as we got to know each other, he loved me for me. I loved that he was confident and didn't care what people thought about him or what he did (This is one of the things that, today, I still admire, but hate at the same time!)

(Our very first pictures! hahaha)

And the rest is history! We have been together for 16 years and married for 12. Our everyday life is chaos sometimes and I am the worst at taking time out to say I love you. So here goes....

TO MARK....

I love you very much. Thank you for all that you do. I can't imagine my journey through this life without you by my side. You are my best friend and my soul mate. I love you so much... forever and always!

Doomed

Well, it's official......we are all doomed! Kayli has come down with the nasty stomach flu that is spreading like wildfire all over town. I have been waiting and watching to see which kid would bring it home first...Kayli won!

Mark and Chase went hunting (AGAIN) and Kayli slept all day so it has been very quiet around here....except for the scouring and scrubbing and bleaching and disinfecting that I have been doing. I have never used as much lysol as I have today! I have heard that this particular bug is very contagious and is usually passed pretty quickly to each other so I am taking extreme measures!

So now, the house is spic-and-span,the laundry's done and the kids are in bed. All that's left to do is wonder who will be next.....=(

Thankful

There are times in life that a higher power gives you something to think about. I wouldn't call myself a overly religious person and I sure don't go to church as often as I should; but, I do believe in God and I do believe that he makes things happen for a reason.

Being a new "blogger" , I decided tonight to check out some blogs by other people to get some ideas, etc. when I came upon another young mother's blog. She was around my age and was married with kids....nothing unusually interesting. Until, I saw a post to the side that said they had lost their 2nd child at only 8 days old in 2007. As a mother, the thought of this is unthinkable. As I continued to read about their journey, my heart was overcome with grief for them as parents and, at the same time, thankfulness that I am allowed the privilege of seeing my children grow. Their daughter was diagnosed with a condition during pregnancy and they had prepared themselves as best they could for what was to come. She lived for 8 days before she died.

During the busy routine of life, it is so easy to take for granted what God has given us. Some days my children drive me crazy (these last few days for sure) but on days such as these, when God reminds me of the incredible gift that he has given us, I will hug them a little tighter and tell them I love them one extra time before I go to sleep. And then I will thank God for reminding me that I am blessed to be a mother of 2 beautiful, healthy children.

Snowed In

On Wednesday night, the kids were praying for snow. On Thursday morning, they got what they asked for! Although it was only about an inch, it was enough to close schools and make the roads too slick to travel. So we have been inside by the warm fire for 3 full days now! The kids have enjoyed the snowball fights and snowman attempts (hard to build a snowman out of an inch of snow) and it has been a nice break from work for me.

However, Mark is working double time due to the weather so that leaves me here ALONE with the kids. Don't get me wrong....I love my kids; BUT, there is a reason why I am not a stay-at-home mom. For 3 days I have had no other adult in the house to talk to! I have cleaned up messes and dealt with fights and tried to entertain 2 bored kids AND 2 dogs that act like children! I am about to lose my mind!

Then, this morning, just as Mark and I are finally about to get out of the house to go shopping in Huntsville ( I think he could sense that I was going crazy because Mark and shopping....please, that doesn't happen often) he gets called in to work! AAAAHHHHH!

So, that was at 11am. It is now 5pm and still no Mark! We are trying to stay busy but I am running out of stuff for the kids to do.....and running out of patience!

Like I said, I love my kids and I am thankful for everyday that I can spend with them; but some days....don't we all just need a break!

Oh well...at least I can reuse this post as my speech for the "MOM OF THE YEAR" award!

An early morning post...

It's "back to school day" at The Jones' house. Even after an 8:30pm bedtime and repeated warnings to get to sleep...Chase was still awake at 12am last night! So, of course, that means that it was NOT fun dragging him out of bed at 6:45am this morning! This morning was a little slow going but, we made it on time and I am now enjoying the part that I love most about school days...peace and quiet for 2 hours before I have to be at work....Yea me!

Oh, the joys of working for the utility company...poor Mark is working twice as much this week. The cold weather has reeked havoc on Decatur's water mains and they are bursting like balloons all over the city! I feel so sorry for him. Doesn't it sound miserable to work on a water leak in 30 degree weather? There doesn't look like there is an end in sight, either, with lows in the single digits for the weekend and 70% chance of snow tomorrow. Last time I checked, we lived in the South....right?

I guess it's my turn to join the daily grind. I sure wish that I could stay here, all warm in my snuggie next to the fire (yeah, that's right...I SAID SNUGGIE! I love it and I don't care what I look like!) but, I guess the bills won't get paid on thier own! Bye!

Our first blog....

Ok...thanks to my sister, I am now starting a Jones Family blog! After seeing how cute "Adventures of the Adams' Family" was, I just had to try it out for myself! While I am excited to share all of the things that go on in our crazy life with all of the people that I love, I think I might just be crazy to take on one more thing "to do"!!! Nevertheless, I am excited to build our family blogspot and will try my best to keep everyone "up with The Jones"!!!

So the new year has begun and I must say we are off to a great start! Mark and I celebrated my 30th birthday on Saturday (Jan 2) with an overnight trip to Nashville with 8 of the best friends that anyone can have! Who would have thought that a dysfunctional t-ball team would lead to forever friendships! (It's a long story.....) Jamey, Mel, Keith, Amy, Stephen, Tonya, Aaron, Karissa ( in no particular order)....we love you guys and are thankful that you have been put into our lives!!

For the first time ever, I have officially become a "hunter's widow". Mark and Chase have started hunting EVERY Saturday. After all these years, I never thought that Mark could possibly find a hobby more expensive than racing....boy, was I wrong! Although, I guess I can't complain too much...Kayli and I do have the house all to ourselves on Saturdays! You wouldn't believe how quiet it is with no boys around! Plus, they love it and some extra father/son time never hurts! I am glad that they can share something that they both truly love.

Kayli will turn 12 years old in March. Scary thoughts enter my mind when I think about all of the things to come along with the teenage years! Boyfriends and make-up and driving....oh my! However, she is a beautiful, smart, and responsible girl and I must say that I am proud of the young lady that she is growing into. She has a bright future and I can't wait to watch her shine all the way through! I love you, mayford! =)

Chase is 7 and is being his usual self. Sometimes I wonder if we are all just visiting his world! Everyday he makes us laugh, drives us crazy and then reminds us what a big heart he carries in that little body. He is a sweet little boy that just wants to experience all that life has to offer...all at one time! He has been going at 100mph since the day he was born and, honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way! He keeps us young and we love him to pieces!

Well, I guess that is enough to get us started! I hope to post often but, like I said before, our life is crazy! Thanks for checking out our new blog and for "keepin' up with The Jones'!