It's a crazy life, but it's OUR life!

thankful

2011-11-09T11:14:00.000-08:00

Life is extremely trying right now, but...........I know I will always have these guys to keep me going!

So blessed

2011-10-03T10:35:00.000-07:00

I'm so blessed to have happy girls!!!

Since I have been MIA

2011-10-02T15:13:00.000-07:00

Well, since I have been MIA, a lot has happened in the Jones household. As you can see from the last post, we added a new addition to our family in February. Addelyn, aka..Addie, has brought a lot of tears to our life AND a lot of laughter. As Addie turned 3 weeks old, Colic presented itself! That was the start of a very black cloud over our life. I will come back to this subject in another post, but let's just say I had NO idea how strong us mommies and daddies could really be under extreme stress:) Maci meanwhile has been growing like crazy. She is now 21 months and never stops smiling, joking, running, talking (babbling), and keeping me on my toes! Eric is on his way to becoming a Firefighter. During this past year, he has been in the Fire Acadmey at one of the local Fire Districts as well as becoming a Volunteer Fireman. The station absolutely LOVES him and he has been working his tail off to hopefully getting on their list to be picked. I have been lucky to be at home with our 2 girls and let me tell you, "they" weren't lying when "they" say you can't put a price on a stay-at-home parent. Whoa!!! What a job, but those rewarding moments make the "job" word go all away!

It's a CRAZY life, but its OUR life!!!!

Introducing Addelyn Marie Jones

2011-03-04T08:06:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday---Feb 23, 2011

Addelyn Marie Jones

7 lbs 19 inch

Update

2011-01-13T11:58:00.000-08:00

Once again I am a slacker. I don't know why I procrastinate so much when it comes to updating this thing. Isn't blogging supposed to be fun? hehe

Well, Keeping up with the Jones' this past couple of months would have been hard to do. We have been extremely busy. The holidays kept bringing firsts to our home--Maci's first Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the most important--HER 1st BIRTHDAY!!! Eric is staying busy with his Fireman Career and I have been just trying to keep up with a now 1 year-old being almost 34 weeks pregnant. Maci had a blast on Thanksgiving being able to eat just about all the fixins' instead of baby food and Christmas/Santa was so memorable! It was so fun, yet surreal, to watch her upon gifts. Eric and I just sat back ( I with a tear in my eye!) and smiled because there is nothing like watching little ones at Christmas! I missed my family terribly, but thank goodness for Skype!!!! Here are some pics of the couple of months!

Birthday pics will be posted soon!!

Maci was a little full at Thanksgiving!

11 months already!

A Christmas Tree Maci's size!

Maci absolutely LOVED our tree. By the time Christmas came, ALL the ornaments were on only the top part of the tree.

Maci's new tricycle from Grandma

Christmas with Grandma

Extra Extra Read all about it....

2010-11-18T06:59:00.001-08:00

Maci is walking now.....agh!!! I love it! She is the cutest waddler I have ever seen. She walks everywhere chatting up a storm. As soon as I figure out to download video, you will see proof :)

10 months

2010-11-15T10:12:00.000-08:00

Time is just blowing by! Maci is now 10 months! I can't believe it. She is standing on her own, taking handful of steps, and she NEVER stops talking---hum, I wonder who she takes after.

Halloween Festivites

2010-11-04T11:41:00.000-07:00

I have never been one to "celebrate" Halloween or get really excited about it, BUT I didn't want to pass that attitude down to my kids. I want every holiday to be fun and have traditions that my kids remember and get excited about......SO, this year being that this was Maci's first Halloween, we started a few traditions in the Jones' household. Eric and I had soooo much fun reliving kid-like activities and watching our little daughter enjoy herself.

Enjoying fresh fall fruit

Daddy and Maci enjoying downtown Camas

Tricking or Treating downtown Camas with great friends (yes, we didn't dress up Maci)

Putting on a custome that was too small just to document Maci's first Halloween

Making Halloween Sugar Cookies

Halloween pumpkins from our garden--We will do this EVERY year. It was so fun to have homegrown pumpkins!

Halloween Morning pancakes

Maci sharing her FIRST pancake with mommy--Oh, and check out the jammies! They are skelton ones that glow in the dark!!! Way cool, huh?! hehe

Carving pumpkins with Daddy

The finished product!

My first Halloween!!!

Yea for fall--October

2010-10-25T12:24:00.000-07:00

What a fun month this has been! We have had such great weather so we have been able to enjoy ourselves outside (which usually NEVER happens at this time here in the NW).

Another month older....

Loves ANY eating time!!

1st swing ride

Bath time

September Happenings

2010-10-25T12:11:00.000-07:00

This month seemed like it never happend....Here is what we have been up to this month

Maci turned 8 months!

Day trip to Hood River

Labor Day visit with Grandpa

1st time in a boat at Grandma Parr's house

Crawling up a storm!

The Girls have an upperhand now!

2010-10-13T16:18:00.000-07:00

Well, as if Eric wasn't out numbered when Maci showed up, he is REALLY going to be out-numbered in March. hehe That's right--We are going to be having another GIRL. I would have sworn I was pregnant with a boy this time, but little did I know. The biggest thing though, the ultrasound shows our little girl is healthy and growing right on schedule:)

Motherhood--Life as we knew it

2010-09-22T13:09:00.000-07:00

I have been doing a lot of "thinking" lately. I am not for sure if I am hormonal from being pregnant or if it is just the joys of being a mother, but I have sure teared up ALOT lately. Maci has changed my whole perspective on life as I "knew it". I always used to wonder why my parents, especially my mom, would worry so much, cry at a drop of a hat about one of her children, or work 3 jobs sometimes just to make ends meet, BUT know I think I have just a small inkling why. I would DIE for my children if I had to---Does it really just happen like that--Motherhood--life as we knew it changes in an instant? Maci absolutely has done something to my heart that nothing could have done before. I can just stare at the baby monitor and shed a tear at how peaceful she is sleeping in her OWN bed, not mine or the way she grabs at my face as she is in my arms as to say, "Mom, I LOVE YOU!", or when we look at pictures and we stumble upon one of her and her dad and her face lights up as she says"dadda dadda dadda"! Oh boy, life as I knew it is no more--THIS is life. My mom wasn't different, mean, or weird she was just like every mom then, now and after me---our life--our hearts change. This new little sprout definitely threw us for a loop, but my heart must be big enough to hurt and love so more. I loved the life "as I knew it", but hand in hand with my husband, This IS the life now and what a blessing and honor!

1st time swimming

2010-09-20T08:12:00.000-07:00

We took Maci swimming for the first time this weekend and she LOVED it. I thought there would be a little apprehension from her at first, but not at all. She has discovered her higher range voice, so that immediately came out as Eric put her in the pool. We had so much fun watching her frog kick and show pure bliss!

All tuckered out!

August

2010-09-16T12:24:00.000-07:00

This was a very special month because Maci was able to meet the rest of the family: her uncles and aunt in Utah. We had so much fun, but missed Eric:(

Pops with Maci

Maci with Uncle Scott

Beth, Cathryn, and John

Maci with all the Aunts and Uncles

Maci LOVES her Nana

Maci turned 7 months

Hike to Hamilton Mountain in the BIG GIRL backpack

I LOVE our little family

We our loving our summer--SAY CHEESE!

Maci learned to crawl and sit up by herself

July

2010-09-16T11:55:00.001-07:00

Smiling and laughing all the time

Daddy's Birthday!

Fun days in the saucer

Warm days at Daddy's Ball Games

4th fo July at Grandma's house on the beach

First time in the swimming pool--LOVED IT!

Johnny Jump up time! ( I know, not the most appealing look:))

Look I'm 6 months already!

Catching up....June

2010-09-16T11:40:00.000-07:00

For the sake of journaling and keeping family and friends in the loop that don't use Facebook--Here is a recap of our summer:

June

Maci's first hike: Beacon Rock

We made it to the top!

A fun visit from Aunt Cathryn

A quick day trip to the coast with Aunt Cathryn

Maci's first meals of cereal

Yea--5 months!!

Coming Soon

2010-09-10T09:33:00.000-07:00

It is a good thing that I probably don't have too many followers BECAUSE I haven't had anything for you to "follow". I am making a vow to myself that you will see a spring/summer update THIS weekend. Maci is growing like a weed as well as another little sprout..... so there are many things to catch up on.

Zoo Days

2010-05-16T08:57:00.001-07:00

We had a wonderful day as a family at the Zoo. It was Maci's first visit and she LOVED it. She was able to get up close and personal with so many animals.

Happy 4 months my sweet Maci!

2010-05-12T08:10:00.001-07:00

Boy, what a month this has been. Maci seems to have found her own little personality this past 4 weeks. She is like her mother, extremely stubborn, but like her father, very sweet and for the most part pleasant. She is kind of attached to her mom though these days. It is wierd, but absolutely wonderful to be wanted so badly; however, I can't seem to get as much done these days. Maci, life just doesn't seem possible without you, and during these past 4 months we have been extremley blessed to have you a part of our family.

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-10T13:27:00.000-07:00

I hope all of you mothers had a wonderful Mother's Day! This year was extremely special because it was my first Mother's Day. Our little family had a wonderful day! Thanks to Eric's crafty work, Maci made me a homemade gift and card--THE BEST!!

Homemade Heart that is carved "MOM"

Card from Maci and Daddy

Heart says "Love U Maci"

Maci spending time with Mommy on a gorgeous Mother's Day

"SO BIG!"

2010-04-28T14:24:00.001-07:00

This has become one of Maci's favorite games. It brough back fun memories when we used to do this with my sister Cathryn.

Look, I'm 3 months old

2010-04-28T14:17:00.001-07:00

I know, this post is a little late, but better late than never right? Maci turned 3 months old on April 11th. We have become smitten by her. She recognizes her mommy and daddy now and expresses it with a HUGE smile. She has slept through the night a couple of times now, but on average, she only gets up once a night to feed. We think she is extremely strong and loves to kick and flap her arms when she is happy. Just recently she began to laugh, not just giggle AND can hold her head up during tummy time for quite sometime. We love her so much and are so grateful for her little spirit in our home.

Daddy's little ball girl

2010-04-28T14:11:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was Eric's first Baseball Game. He was so thrilled to share it with his little girl. He has high hopes for her!

April

2010-04-21T08:40:00.000-07:00

April has been a big month for our family. Here is what we have been up to:

Maci's first Easter

Maci's Easter Dress--Gotta love the tongue!

Maci with all of her bunnies and duck

Maci was able to finally meet one of her Aunts, Aunt Sarah!

FUN IN THE SUN with Daddy and Mommy

Mommyhood here I come!

2010-04-20T08:45:00.001-07:00

Eric and I have made the decision for me to stay home with this little bundle of joy! It is going to be a sacrifice, BUT the rewards and blessings will trump all sacrifices.

Miss Maci

2010-03-27T11:14:00.000-07:00

We are trying to capture Maci's beautiful personality, but it never fails when we do, her tongue is always out and she looks down just as we take the picture. Oh well, it is still fun dressing her up and taking pictures. Can't believe how big she is getting!!!

Where did the time go

2010-03-23T10:11:00.000-07:00

I am not for sure where the time has gone this past 2 1/2 months! Being a mother has been THE most rewarding, hardest jobs ever. What a blessing Maci has brough to our family. We have been fortunate to have both myself and Eric home these past 3 months to share in Maci's growth. We have really tried to take advantage of our time and do as much as we can while we are both off work. Here are pictures to show our what we have been up to

First Bath

Visit From Grandma

Enjoying some Tummy Time :)

Meeting Grandpa Jones

Maci turning one month old

Maci's first trip to the beach

All bundeld up for her walk

First documented smile

Maci meeting her Pop in Indiana

Turning two months in Indiana

Maci meeting Great Grandmother Schauss and documenting a 4 generation event!

Spending time with Grandma in Indiana

Maci pretty in her Sunday Dress

Maci and Mom haning out in Indiana

Seeing my cousin Kris and her family. Our visit was WAY to short!!

Having to say goodbye to Grandparents in Indiana :(

Maci, Eric and I have had an incredible first 2 1/2 months! We can't imagine our lives without Maci. It was such a wonderful experience to bring Maci back to Indiana to meet all of my family (except for all of her Uncles and Aunt:() Pop and Grandma were so loving and what a blessing to have Maci spendtime with my Grandmother, her Great Grandmother.

Visit from Grandma

2010-02-01T14:24:00.000-08:00

This past week my mother was able to come stay with me. Eric was out of town for the week, so it was just the girls and what fun we had. Maci was able to spend some wonderful quality time with her Grandma. Grandma sure had fun and I know that it was just as memorable for Maci. I love my mom so much and grateful for all that she is. It was so fun to see her in the role of Grandma. I was quickly reverted back to a young child watching her with Maci and admiring her tender touch and quiet, peaceful words. Thank you mom for a wonderful, unforgettable week. Maci is so lucky to have you as a grandma!

Introducing Maci Gayle Jones

2010-01-16T16:51:00.000-08:00

Our little "Angel in Waiting" graced us with her presence on Monday night, January 11th, at 10:32 pm weighing in at 7 pds 6 oz and 20 1/2 inches long. It was a very uneventful 6 hour labor (with about 8 hours of waiting before that after my water broke). Eric was a wonderful coach and I like to think that I was pretty good at pushing her out as well. hehe.

Maci is a beautiful, calm but alert little girl. She is a GREAT eater and sleeps about 3-4 hours at a time at night already. We are excited for everyone to meet her and can't wait to watch her grow. .....And yes, Maci is already the apple of Eric's eye and it was just as I thought--he is SMITTEN by her. Tears in his eyes are tears of a Father's love that is truely priceless.

Happy New Year....Here's to "finding meaning" in all things

2010-01-02T07:52:00.000-08:00

2010--What can I say? This is going to be one heck of a start to a new decade. I can't believe how fast this past 10 years have flown! I have been in WA now for all of that time and I couldn't be happier at this very moment. I have been reflecting this past couple of days and feeling so blessed. Around us, the world seems to be in quite deseray, BUT my life, is perfect. Sure, there has and will always be ups and downs, but I truely believe it is how we look at them and work through them that affects are attitudes about our life. LIFE is about learning, growing, loving, hurting, caring, sharing, and the list goes on. With my Grandma's passing, I have thought about her life and the LONG life that she lived. She had a wonderful life--hard, I am sure at times, but VERY fruitful. She had a mother and father that raised her wonderfully, married a strong, hard working man who then together were extroadinary parents to 3 beatiful people. Those beautiful individuals passed on those blessing to know one of many Grandchildren--ME:) I feel so honored to become a parent this year. What a gift Eric and I will be given this year. I want to lead a legacy that one day, my Granddaughter will look back and admire and cherish! I am going to challenge myself this year because I know this year will be "challenging" to FIND MEANING IN ALL THINGS. Our little family will hopefully be going through some changes that Eric and I are praying so desperately for. They may or may not work out as we want them, but we are, as a family, going to try to "find meaning in all things". Everythign we do and the outcome has purpse and "means" something. I look back at certain obstacles that have been placed in my life and even Eric's. As we talked about them in hindsighth--we have found meaning in those and have gain respect for God's plan and why those paths were a little quarky and hard at times. The meaning may not always be the outcome that we want, BUT we will remind ourselves that it is what we "need or will see the meaning in later".

I hope that EVERYONE has a "meaningful" 2010. I cherish each one of you and grateful that you are in my life. Cheers!

HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Jones'

Christmas '09

2010-01-02T07:35:00.000-08:00

Christmas was hard this year, BUT it was still wonderful to spend it at home! I love having all the lights off with just the Xmas lights on. Here is our house this year. Eric was persistant that we needed a bigger tree this year. As you can see, it over took our front room. I was hesitant at first, but it did end up looking GREAT! Hope everyone had a wonderful Xmas!

Christmas Morning

9 months pregnant on Christmas

Eric and his mom

Christmas Dinner set up--we had to imprevise because our house is a little small :)

Grandma vonHarten

2010-01-02T07:26:00.001-08:00

Christmas was bitter sweet this year. Sweet in the fact, that Eric and I were able to spend our first Xmas together in our house. Because I am 9 months pregnant we didn't feel comfortable having me travel anywhere far, so everyone came to us. It was so nice not to have to spend half our time in a car! The Bitter part of Xmas was that morning I received a call from my family that my Grandma had just past away. As much as we had prepared ourselves that Grandma was ailing and hadn't been doing too well over the past couple of months, it was still so very hard. I was so fortunate enough to grow up with my Grandma and have her in so many of my memories. She has always been of comfort to me and taught me so much. The pictures above was two years ago--the last time I saw her. I am so glad that she isn't suffering anymore, but my heart aches that I wasn't able to see her before she said goodbye to this mortal earth. I LOVE you Grandma and know you are so happy to see Grandpa. He has been waiting patiently for you.

Merry Xmas from the Jones'

2009-12-23T14:50:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone!!! I was not very good this year with sending out Christmas cards, darn it. I said that I would make up for last year this year because my Xmas cards last year were Wedding "Thank You" notes--Lame!!! I had an amazing baby shower a couple of weeks ago and had about 30 or so thank you notes to write, so unfortunately that took precedent. Sorry everyone! You will be sure to get a baby announcement in a month or so to make up for my Christmas Card Cheer.

Eric and I do want to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas. I will be missing my family and friends that are not close this holiday season. Hugs and Kisses to you all. We hope Santa brings all of your favorite things and most of all, we pray that the Light of Christ is upon us all and we rejoice in his birth! We hope that 2010 is a wonderful year for you and your family. Love you all and so grateful for your love, support, and friendships.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year xoxo, The Jones'

To my baby girl in waiting....

2009-12-22T13:46:00.000-08:00

Maci
I can't believe that this time is almost up. Our Heavenly Father is about ready to let you go to come down and finally be with your dad and I. It is surreal to think that I am about to be a mom. I have really taken these last 9 months to "try" to figure out what that means. I definitely know that I will not be perfect and for those first few days or I am sure, a lot longer, there will be a lot of "wingin' it", BUT I can tell you one thing, I will LOVE you to the stars and back and then some and hopefully that will make up for the lack of knowledge. My mom, your soon to be grandma, did a an amazing job setting a good example of what a mom is supposed to be like. If I can be half the person she was and still is, I think me and you are going to be just fine.
I have to let you in a little secret and I have talked to you already before during your stay in my belly about this--Your dad---oh boy, watch out. His heart is going to absolutely melt when he takes his first glance at you. From the time your cheek meets his cheek, I KNOW you will have taken first place in his heart. I am ok with that too! Here is the secret about him---His heart and emotions are bigger than his body. He has so much love to give and he will give that to you in ways that I will never know how to. When your dad married me that night, I was able to have a dance with my dad and even though I am not a little girl anymore, that love that I have my dad and him for me was still SO strong. My dad held me tight during that dance and kissed me on the check and I know that it was just like yesterday for him when he did that when I was born. Maci, You are SO lucky to have Eric as your daddy. When I met him, I knew that he would always love me, but more importantly, without a shadow of a doubt, I knew he was the ONE to be the father of our babies. Oh, I am so excited see all the adventures you both will go on. Be prepared--He already has as fishing pole for you and snowboarding lessons ready after that 4th Bday of yours.
Thank you my dear Maci for choosing us as your parents. We hope to enrich and bless your life as much as we will ours. Can't wait to meet you!!! xoxo Your mom to be

33 weeks

2009-11-29T07:53:00.000-08:00

Maci is well on her way of growing! I feel like over this past week, I can literally see my belly grow. It has become very sereal for Eric and I now that we are getting closer to my due date. Maci is a kicking machine and I am finally feeling the "uncomfortable" "get her out of my belly" stage. Goodness--I have sooooo much more appreciation for pregnant mothers now. I cannot believe the toll that pregancy has on your body, BUT I do need to be extremely grateful that I am very healthy and maintained a great body weight...so far:)

Here's to 1 year!

2009-11-29T07:45:00.001-08:00

1 year ago today was when the Man of my Dreams became mine forever!

I LOVE YOU ERIC!

My inquiring mind would like to know.......

2009-11-03T14:43:00.000-08:00

I often have questions that I would love to hear other people's views or ideas on. I am not for sure who my followers are or if I have any :), but I thought I would throw some questions out that I have been thinking about lately. Let me know what you think..

1. Our 1st year anniversary is coming up. What are some really fun ways to celebrate this occasion that are not elaborate or expensive? What is a good "guy" gift to give? I am clueless!

2. Does nesting consist of a lot of baking? I have been baking EVERY weekend for the past month. I have never done that or had the urge to do so. If it does, what were your favorite things to bake or cook?

3. What is a special thing to do with the birth of your first child? I had a thought of Eric and I writing her letters and having her read them when she is 16 or 18 about our thoughts and hopes and feelings of when she was born. Is that cheesy?

4. Does anyone feel overwhelmed with pictures and getting them up in your house, but presenting them in a decorative way? I am SO stressed out about that for some reason. I have so many great pictures to put up and a huge wall to do it with, but I have no idea how to make it look good.

5. Do you fix the same things for dinner every week? We do. With a child coming into our home, how do you find time to mix it up and still eat healthy? Casseroles, I know, are convenient, but usually packed with fat. Any ideas?

Ok, I think I am done for now. Maybe I will make this a weekly ritual. Just maybe someone out there has these same questions and I am not the only one :) Have a great rest of the week everyone! xoxo

October Festivities

2009-11-01T14:15:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how fast October went by! Fall has come and is leaving us swiftly, fall/winter clothes are replacing all of my short sleeve and SKINNY clothes, and pumpkin patches, Halloween festivities have come and gone! Whew! I am exhausted and the two main holidays plus our one year anniversary haven't any started :)

We are fortunate to live in the city where the Roloff's live that are featured in Little People, Big World. We went with some friends this year to their pumpkin patch. It was so fun! My friend and I were so celebrity shocked--I never took my camera off my neck, in case I saw one of them. We were actually fortunate to park right in front of their house AND see all of the boys. The oldest son/twin was so nice when I asked for a picture. He was actually working--changing the garbage cans. Overall, we were SO impressed with how down to earth they were and so trusting--we parked literally RIGHT in front of their house. I took pictures to prove it :)

The Roloff House

Chantell, Evan and I with Jeremey (the oldest Roloff)

The Wilsey Family and me in front of the Roloff House

The youngest Roloff kid

Eric and I waited until Halloween this year to carve our pumpkins. I was just in the mood this year to carve pumpkins for some reason, but thanks to my ever persistent and great attitude husband, we finished at 5:30 pm Halloween night. We always carve two for our cats too. Next year though that tradition gets thrown out the window. We will have a child that will take their place :) I think we did pretty good under the circumstances of time. Since last year and the discovery of green pumpkins, he is hooked on only getting a green pumpkin for himself. The "Boo" one is mine. I thought it was pretty cool, not at all Martha Stewart-ish, but it was going to have to work this year :) Hope all of you had a great Halloween.

Baby Jones' update

2009-10-29T11:56:00.001-07:00

The Jones' household has been extremely busy over the last couple of months. Eric is finishing up his busy summer paving schedule and I am just getting more prego by the day. Reality is really setting in that a sweet baby will be coming to us in just a couple of months. Our house is slowly being "babyfied" with baby furniture, gear, and tons of PINK clothes. Eric can't believe how much stuff is out there that is pink. Because of all of the pink clothes we have, Eric was pretty adament that we didn't turn the baby's room into a pink pepto room also :) I will post a picture soon of the finished room, but all I can say is that I am glad I suported his idea. We LOVE what we picked out and know she will be living like a queen!

Here is a picture of Miss Jones in all of her glory so far

28 weeks and 4 days

SCORE: Girls 2 Boys 1

2009-09-14T13:42:00.000-07:00

Come January 16th, Eric will officially be outnumbered by the girls! Yes, that is right, the Jones' are having a girl. We had our ultra sound a couple of weeks ago and the announcement of a girl was just the topper. Eric and I were both counting the toes, fingers, arms and legs before we rejoiced of the sex. Check on all the above! All we truly cared about was her health. She is growing right on schedule and looks beautiful. As soon as I figure out how to post the ultrasound picture, I will, but the verdict is she has my nose and from the looks of it, her lips are comin' from her momma! Eric is thrilled to be a daddy to a baby girl and what a wonderful father he will be!

This experience, though it is only half way through, has been a very reflective, interesting one for me. Eric has been working more than sleeping and eating put together, so I have been by myself a lot thinking, talking to her, and thinking about being a mom. During these thought moments, there isn't a time that I don't reflect back on my mother and watching her mother us. It is amazing how fast the roles switch when you become pregnant--all of a sudden, YOU are the grown up now and when I mean grown up--I mean PARENT. As children, we think we have all the answers and our parents have no idea how we feel, think, or look at the world. I go over in my head so many incidences growing up and take the view looking in as a parent would and I see my mother as truly amazing. Having this little one inside of me, parent means something totally different than it did when I was a child or still to this day as my mother's child. My mom was a graceful mother--She made everything look easy and natural. Will that happen for me? I worry about that. I worry that I will not be strong for her. Will I be able to protect her in any situation. How will I know what is best for her. My mom made it looks so very easy. I pray that Eric and I will know or at least be guided and listen to our heart.

So as far as name go, Eric and I are complete odds. We had a definite name for a boy and we knew if it was going to be a girl, we would have some issues because I have two names I love and he loves the other one. We would love to hear your thoughts about what name you like best:

Henley
Emerson
Brooklyn

PS--picture disclaimer: HORRIBLE smile. I had the camera on self timer and I felt so silly smiling to a camera without someone behind it. So, this isn't the best picture, but rather proof of a growing belly.

Happy Birthday to my dear husband

2009-07-21T16:13:00.000-07:00

How could you not love this face? I know I can't resist. If you know my husband, I think that all would agree with me when I say, Eric is...

gentle, kind hearted, strong, honest, nEVER says a mean or negative thing about anyone, happy, talented at EVERYTHING he does, handy man, enemy-less, never complains, super-hero/hard worker, has a smile that will make anyone melt, hANDSOME, loving husband

Eric, I am so blessed to have you in my life and you make me want to be a better person just being you! Thank you for loving me! Happy Birthday Bebe!

It's been 2 months? Really?

2009-07-09T13:20:00.000-07:00

I don't think that blogging is my forte. My posts seem to come in months not days, but I will get everyone caught up fairly quickly.

MAY
First comes LOVE, then comes MARRIAGE, then comes BABY in the baby carriage!!! What a wonderful Mother's Day I had! We found out that I was pregnant the day before Mother's day, so it made Mother's day very special for us and our Mothers (soon to be Grandmothers :) The first couple of weeks was pure bliss. I felt great and quite boastful that I may not get sick. Well, I was surely humbled around week 6. Memorial Day weekend is when it all started---Nassau 24/7, ALWAYS tired, eating constantly, and check everything else on the list that happens to pregnant women the first trimester. Eric is having a lot of fun watching me go through this awkward phase. He has become very protective of me and wants to get me EVERYTHING I am craving. He is bound and determined not to gain weight with me and I have to say he is doing a great job. He has lost 25 pounds since the beginning of the year and he has gone to the gym way more than me.

JUNE
I HATE being pregnant. I never thought I would say that, but the month of June was miserable. ALWAYS nauseated, nothing and everything sounded good, slept over 11 hours a night, not being able to go to the gym, my chest all of a sudden looks "fuller" and so does my middle section--no belly yet, just softer :) Eric had a great Father's Day. I got him some Baby/Father books that I am not for sure if he enjoyed, but I am not his father, so the real gifts come next year. We were able to see the baby and heartbeat for the first time on June 9th. I cried of course! It was truly amazing.

Our garden is growing like crazy and we are already reaping the rewards. Below is a progression of our garden:

Some of the fruits of our labor

JULY
I am feeling so much better and nearing the end of the my first trimester. I was finally able to have my doctor's appointment. It was so strange to me when I found out I was pregnant I was told that the doctor doesn't need to see me until around week 12. Because I am such a control freak,that did not sit well with me. I just had to know if I had a little one inside of me and if everything was ok. After talking with the nurse, we were able to have the ultra sound back in June for my peace of mind. Let me tell you--that made such a difference! So anyways, it was great to see the doctor. She was awesome and did another ultrasound. Everything looks great, LJ (little Jones) seems to be doing fine. LJ was sucking his finger in one of the shots--it was SOOOOO cute!

We had a great 4th of July up at Eric's Mom's house.

Eric painted his mom's deck

Cooled off by jumping into the Ocean

We did lots of crabbing...yum!!

Eric and his Dad made homemade Fireworks...I wasn't a fan!

And relaxed with a whole lot of these.

Play Ball

2009-04-27T18:22:00.000-07:00

If any of you know my husband, you will know that Eric counts down the days until Opening Season from the time the winning team takes away the Title of World Series Champs! You would never know we had other channels on cable from about April-Oct because baseball is ALWAYS on. Since I have met Eric, I have learned to love the sport. Quite frankly, if you ask him, he will tell you that I blow his socks off with the baseball knowledge that I have. Already this year, Eric had to google to make sure I was right because he didn't know the answer! HA! I LOVED it!! So, those of you again who know Eric will know that he played minor league baseball and would go back in a minute if he got "the call". So, when his baseball league starts our weekends are not as we know them anymore---They are lived at the baseball field. I have to admit--I love the game and I LOVE the game with my cute husband catching in it.....

Me and my baseball wife buddy!

"29 and mighty fine"

Congrats Scott...BYU is going to miss you!

2009-04-24T15:23:00.001-07:00

I can't believe my little brother is graduating from BYU today! Scott is an amazing person, brother, son, and now husband. I was fortunate, not just to be the older sister and boss him around :), but I was also VERY lucky to be be there to watch him grow up into this fine young man.

CONGRATULATIONS SCOTT!
Congrats to you too Jana for standing beside him and supporting him through this journey. He is lucky to have you!!

Easter Weekend

2009-04-13T18:03:00.000-07:00

Easter was a very quick trip up North to see Eric's mom. We love it where she lives so any chance we get to go to see her, we are there!! We are very fortunate that she lives on the Saratoga Passage which is right before the San Juan Islands AND right next to the Skagit Valley where they are known for the growing the beautiful tulip and daffodil fields. It is absolutely breath-taking. This trip we were in between peak seasons of the daffodils and the tulips, but it was still incredible to see the seas of yellow from the daffodil fields.

Driving through Seattle at Sunset

Eric's Mom at a Tulip/Daffodil Garden

Eric and his mom

Eric being silly in front of the tulips

B & E

Have you EVER seen a bigger daffodil?

A daffodil field---I just love the Red Barn in the background. You should see what it looks like with fields of color from the tulips---INCREDIBLE

Sunset off of E's mom's deck

I made E smile!

Eric fixing his mom's tacky Easter lights. She has tacky lights for every holiday. It is pretty funny to see what she has up every holiday!

I LOVE my mother-in-law and fell so lucky and blessed to have her in my life. She is so good to me and is always so accommodating when we visit. We wish we could just see her more.

Spring is in the Air

2009-04-05T16:42:00.000-07:00

Spring is probably my favorite time of year. The air has lost its chill, buds begin to show on the trees and come up from the ground, and everything becomes green again. Speaking of green, the Jones' have a bit of a green thumb this year. We have made some changes to our back yard and have a better planned garden. Eric has spent some much time leveling the ground, gathering rocks from the nearby stream and creating what I know will be an awesome crop in a couple of months

We planted our vegetables and flowers, now it is time to water them and watch them grow!! The dirt off to the left will hopefully be green grass in a couple of months.

Hurley and Cooper watched us while we did all of the work!

Look at this flower box Eric made me for my birthday.....ANOTHER surprise. He totally outdid himself. I couldn't believe that he made it!

Cannon Beach

2009-04-05T16:19:00.000-07:00

Eric and I joke all of the time that he doesn't surprise me very often and that I am ALWAYS hinting about how I would LOVE to be surprised about anything or with anything--I am not picky! Well, we have been wanting to take a weekend trip to the coast for quite sometime and so for my birthday Eric SURPRISED me with a trip to the beach. We stayed in a beautiful Lodge hotel right on the beach.

This was the view outside of our room. The rock is called "Haystack Rock". It is huge!!

Us looking down at Cannon Beach

Eric spent a lot of time on the beach flying is trick kite

Of course, it wouldn't be right if I didn't take a picture of myself :)

We had a wonderful time taking hikes, enjoying the breathtaking views, eating wonderful food, and spending time with each other. Eric is off the hook for awhile and doesn't have to surprise me for a little while!

I'm Back...what we have been up to

2009-04-05T16:07:00.000-07:00

Boy, has it really been a month and a half since I last blogged? I think it has! I can't believe how fast 2009 is flying by. Since I last blogged, this is what we have been up....

Eric dry-walled our unfinished garage

We had a great visit from Eric's sister!

I got a new camera!

And I had an AWESOME 32nd Bday with my husband and incredible friends! Thank you everyone for making my birthday so special.

Dora? What do you think

2009-02-19T06:48:00.000-08:00

A couple of months ago, I was blow drying my hair and my "swooped" bangs were blown straight across my face and I thought it was kinda of cute, so I cute my hair and gave my self bangs. I came home from work a couple of days ago and Eric saw that my hair looked a little different. I had pulled some of my hair back so my bangs were very apparent. He, in his very nice way, let me know that he would like my old haircut back because he thought I looked like Dora the Explorer. Do I really look like Dora?

Cancun...part 4...last one :)

2009-02-19T06:31:00.000-08:00

The Beach in Front of our Resort

Our Building's Name

Bye Bye Cancun

Cancun...part 3

2009-02-19T06:25:00.000-08:00

hope everyone wants more pics... I have TONS

If anyone really knows me, this picture is a must :) (view from our room)

Eric went on a fishing excursion...Really, does it get any better than this? Eric would say, NO!

Eric reeling in his catch

Eric in the streets at Isla Magure

The sun beauties

Cancun...part 2

2009-02-19T06:18:00.001-08:00

Does it get any better than this?

Eric and a Mexican Spider Man...hilarious!

My Man and the Sea

Eric and Mr Pelican

Cancun, Mexico

2009-02-18T06:37:00.000-08:00

The pics are in :) Eric and I had an amazing time in Cancun. We stayed in an all-inclusive resort and LOVED it. We were able to eat and drink whatever we wanted, WHEN ever we wanted! There was even Room Service at any time if we didn't eat enough once we got back to our room. The weather was incredible and the people were so nice. Eric works with Spanish people so he knew some words, but I had no idea that he knew so much. All of the Spanish people LOVED it when Eric talked to them in Spanish. I ended up picking up some words, but not like Eric. We were able to go down town one night and WOW, let me tell you how "locco" (crazy) the Mexican drivers are. I truly thought I was going to die a couple of times. They have no respect for the dotted lines that run down the road that separate lanes. If a driver needs to get somewhere faster than you, they just make their own lane! Really, I thought I was going to die.

So, here are some pics... I am going to have to do multiple posts because I can not seem to add more that the below pictures in this post.

Bed Head:) This is the first morning we woke and realized that we were looking straight out into the ocean.

View from our Room

Eric. The whole week, I called him the Man and the Sea because he LOVES the ocean so much

Beth

True Love

I LOVED these chairs. They were everywhere in the Resort

Can you hardly wait????

2009-02-17T16:22:00.000-08:00

Stay tuned....pics coming VERY soon from Cancun:)

Checking In

2009-01-28T11:30:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to let my avid followers (if I have any...lol) know that I am still alive. It is crazy how much life gets away from you and before you know it, it has been over a month since I blogged. It seems like January has gone by so fast! I have been meaning to sit down in front of the computer every weekend to update my blog, but I always think that everyone wants to see pictures because reading one's blah, blah, blah probably isn't the most fun thing to do and I don't have any pics to share right now. I do have some exciting news though, Eric and I are going on our belated Honeymoon next weekend to CANCUN and we can hardly wait. I will for sure have pics to share then and hopefully some fun stories. Sorry about the lame post and get ready in a couple of weeks for redeeming one!

Frosty the Snowman

2008-12-30T10:10:00.001-08:00

We were fortunate to have a White Christmas this Year. It just didn't "snow"on Christmas, it "SNOWED"! We accumulated about a foot of snow over about a week's time. It was absolutely insane. Schools were closed for two weeks, chains were required on all highways, and I have never seen so many people use public transportation or walk. As you will see from our pics, Frosty the Snowman came to Town!

2nd Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

2008-12-17T16:40:00.000-08:00

This is the second year that we have a party with all of friends wearing Ugly Xmas Sweaters. Last year we started this tradition and it was a hit! We were supposed to wear ugly xmas sweaters, but last year one our friends (Jamie) thought we said Ugly Sweater Party, so he had just bought an ugly sweater. He luckily found out right before the party that "xmas" was the theme, so he ran to Michael's and bedazzled the thing up and it was a bigger hit than all of ours. So, this year, we used his idea and all of us made our own. It was absolutely hilarious. The picture above is Eric making his and below is me with my finished product!

Xmas is in the Air: "Xmas Lights"

2008-12-17T16:29:00.001-08:00

This is our Perfect Xmas Tree in all of its Glory!

It is hard to really see all of our coordinating ornaments (red and white balls, green and red oblong shaped ones, and big big red balls). I have tons of childhood and other ornaments, but I felt very lazy this year and didn't put them up. Frankly it was because I didn't want to put them away. I packed them so nicely last year, I didn't want to disturb their yearly slumber. Once there are children, all of the other ornaments are going on the tree for sure!

This is our lighted house. We think that the trees with the red lights on them look like something out of the Grinch Movie. They are kind of weird shaped and the lights aren't "perfect" as Eric would say. We are very proud of our well lighted house because this is our First Christmas in this house and there is just something special about the "First-Everythings". The Wreath above the garage is from our wedding. Doesn't it look "perfect" there? There is EVEN snow on the ground. Picture Perfect, huh?!

Xmas is Surely in the Air: "The Perfect Tree"

2008-12-10T17:37:00.001-08:00

Eric and I took some of our friends to cut down xmas trees last weekend. It was such a beautiful day and soooo fun!!! There is something liberating about holding an a saw (a VERY dull saw at that!) and going to find "the TREE". Like Eric and I have discussed even before this year, there is no "perfect tree", but how is it when we are looking for one, we are overcome by finding the "perfect tree". As we looked around the tree farm, Eric truly believed that a 10 foot tree would fit in our house. Now mind you, the top of our ceiling is 9 feet tall so why the 10 foot tree would work is beyond me, but it is fun to listen to his reasoning :) Any ways, after waying the cost and how big our room really is, we decided on the "perfect tree". Our friends were able to find their perfect trees as well. As you will see, once we found our perfect tree, we just had to hug it :)

And the Candid Pics are In!

2008-12-10T12:30:00.000-08:00

Beth and Eric with their Families

Beth and Siblings

Beth with her handsome Brothers

The Family

The Wedding Party

Beth and Eric

I haven't been able to get with our photographer yet from the wedding to post some "professional" shots, but i do have some candid pics from what other people took that I wanted to share. You have to bare with me because I have NO IDEA how to layout these pictures and what I am doing:) I will try not to bore you either with posting tons of wedding pics so I will make sure that I keep it to a minimum. (Isn't it fun though to see pics of weddings!! I love to see anyone's wedding pics because everyone is so happy and full of love and joy)

We have joined the CYBER world

2008-12-05T15:29:00.001-08:00

Well, we did it! Can you believe it. I have been holding off and holding off for some reason to joining the life of being a blogger. Believe it or not, this stuff really intimidates me. Me having to write and people trying to follow what I have to say. For those that really know me, I am a WAY better talker than writer. So, as I embark on this blogging journey and I seem to not make very much sense, just read it out loud and act like I am talking to you:)

So, I am going to stay away from the intimidating stuff....bringing everyone up to speed with my life and how I ended up here today. I don't know why, but I think that would take FOREVER and I hope that I have done an "ok" job via email, phone, etc... to date keeping everyone informed of my life! I will though take you back a couple of weeks or so ago and update you to today.

I GOT MARRIED!!!! As you see in the picture, that is my wonderful, handsome husband that I was fortunate to marry last week, Nov 29th!!! What a wonderful day it was. The topper was marrying this incredible person, but the extra special part was having my incredible family here with me. My 4 siblings, sister-in-law, my parents and all of Eric's family were here for Thanksgiving and the wedding and WHAT AN INCREDIBLE TIME WE HAD! I did not want to see them go on Sunday. I think that I cried that night and all the next day :( But anyways, the wedding was so special and what a blessing to have so much support there to wish us well. Since I am just getting started doing this blog thing, I have to be honest, I have no freakin' idea how to post pictures and if you are like me, pictures on someone's blog is way more interesting them reading what they have to say. So, I will stop babbling and find out how to post pics and get those posted so you can see in our expressions what an incredible week it was.

I look forward to sharing my thoughts, stories, and pics with all of you and hopefully I can get Eric to join in!