Happy Thanksgiving

The Jones/Collins festivities began last night after dinner. Brenna had to help Mimi make the cornbread. She is so cute helping. I can't resist taking pictures of her cooking.


Apparently it takes 4 to make good dressing.

Brenna went to bed shortly after that and we spent the rest of the night baking cookies and getting ready for the big day.

Thanksgiving day came. We didn't eat until 3:30 so there was a lot of time for important activities before the food.

Brenna is saving the world one fire at a time.


Brenna missed Thanksgiving dinner. Those darn naps. (I actually hope she misses the late afternoon dinners for a few more years.) However she did wake up in time to help blow the candles out.
Step one: Take a big breath

Step 2: Blow hard

Step 3: Register your shocked look


I guess everyone needs to catch up on computer skills with full tummies.


And of course you have to take a bath at the end of the day.


All in all we had a good day. We missed family that wasn't with us. Unfortunately everyone doesn't live in the same state. I hope your families all had a good day and enjoyed each other's company. I hope you were able to thank God for the your blessings and His care in your lives.

Now for tomorrow. Mom and I are joining the crazy people early in the morning. We have never done this before and we will probably know why tomorrow. Then there is the big concert tomorrow night. It should be a great day too.

Thus begins the Christmas holiday's of 2008.

Another fun Saturday

We had a great day today. Aaron brought the kids down to our house for the day. Brenna and Tanner played together all day and Avery tried to play with them. Liz was at a retreat and was not able to be a part of our day. It was fun to be able to spend this time with Aaron and the kids.

Aaron and I took the kids to the park down the street. He chased them while Avery and I laughed at how funny they were. For the most part, Brenna and Tanner play well together.

But there is the occasional argument. I'm not sure what this one was over, but they worked it out between themselves.








Brenna, Nathan, and I also went to have Brenna's picture taken with Santa today. It was really quite a busy day. Brenna did better this year than she did last year. She actually sat on Santa's lap. It took a little coercing from Nathan and I, but she did finally smile. She didn't say a word when we were in the room with Santa, but wouldn't stop talking him all the way home. What a silly girl.

It's Amazing!

If anyone has read Nathan's blog you know half the story. Excuse the repeat here. He beat me to the punch. All last week, the radio station in Houston was giving away tickets to the Casting Crowns concert in Houston. Several weeks ago Mom had told me about the concert. She wanted to buy tickets for Nathan and I, but decided that wouldn't be a good idea with Christmas coming. She decided she needed to win tickets when the radio stations started to give them away.

Well, last week she called and told me I needed to start listening on the computer. All week, she has been listening and calling in. Then she would call me and tell me she didn't win. Then last night, she called and told me to listen so that we could both call in. When the station announced that it was time to call in, I called. When no one answered after several minutes, I decided that we didn't win again and hung up. Not a minute later, Mom called to tell me she won. As Nathan said, "well, someone had to win."

We thought it was all over and Nathan and I had tickets (assuming the football team lost). Then tonight Mom called to tell me she won the grand prize. She gets to invite 22 people to a special dinner (with a guest appearance) and the concert. I can't believe she won the tickets then the grand prize. I don't think she has ever won anything before. I can't wait until next Friday night. How fun!

On a completely different note. I took this picture the other day. Can I tell you how much I love my camera? Do you see how it captured the rocks Brenna was dropping? How fun is that? It's amazing!

Youth Group

So, I am helping to start a youth group in our little church here in the large metropolis of Karnes City. This was our third week. It has been fun and challenging so far. I have been a mess of nerves and excitement. We have been working out a few kinks for the first two weeks, but this week ran smoothly despite a late start. I actually gave my first talk and it seemed to go over well. I am really praying that the kids will remember what we talked about and be able to apply it to their lives this week.

The challenge for me now is to keep up what we have started. I have to continue listen to what God wants to speak each week. Writing the talks is challenging because I have never done it before. I am praying that God will use me in these kids lives.

I have been learning names like crazy. I'm not very good at that in general, but have been making a huge effort to remember each person I meet. I have remembered all but one each week. I hate having to go back and ask for there names again. Hopefully that will get better as well. I love that we have new kids coming each week. The majority of them come back each week too.

I think those are all my thoughts for now. Nathan's one critique of tonight's talk was that I didn't "land the plane" very well. I agreed with him. As the end was coming out, I realized it was going to be a bumpy landing, but I didn't know how to fix it as I went along. Something else to learn.

Now to land this plane. Sorry for the jumble of thoughts tonight. My brain is quickly turning to mush. Also, I will be posting some new projects I am working on soon. I have many purses to finish in the next week. Hopefully I can come up with a talk and get all these purses done in one week. It will be a busy one.

San Antonio

Let me tell you how much I love being able to see my brother and family so often. I love my brother and always have. We played together as kids and got along most of the time. I knew that I missed spending time with him all those years I was away, but I never realized how much. Now that we live about an hour away and all Brenna's and my doctors are there, we seem to be visiting a lot. In fact today was the second week in a row.

While the kids were playing, I was able to spend a little time with Aaron picking his brain about my talk for the youth group on Sunday night. He is really good at what he does, and I am lucky enough that he doesn't charge me for the training. God has been using him for years in San Antonio and Brenham, and now he is using him inadvertently in Karnes City.

I was also able to spend a little time with Liz. I have loved getting to know her better over the past year that we have been in Texas. I was never able to spend this much time with her until we moved here. She is the perfect mate for my brother, and I love her dearly.

One of the best things about living close is that Brenna gets to play with her cousins. She loves going to "Tanner's" house to play. In fact, today when we left, she talked about the next time we go to Tanner's house all the way home. They play very well together, and it has been fun watching Avery start to join in the group. The last time we were there, she played on the floor with both kids. Brenna still isn't very sure about her, but is learning that she isn't too bad. Today they had a little bonding time after a little coxing from Liz and I. Brenna wasn't sure if she really wanted to sit by Avery or just continue playing by herself. Liz and I were persistent and eventually convinced her that it would be a great idea.


Sorry they are a little blurry. I got some new lenses from a wonderful friend. I am still learning about them. Please be patient with me.

A changed "Triumvirate"

Brenna: Mommy, I need to put "blankie" in bed.

Mommy: That's a good idea. "Be-be" needs to go to bed so we will know where to find him at nap time.

Brenna: No "blankie"!

My heart froze. "What, no 'be-be'?" When did she decide to change her blankets name? I thought her cute little baby word for blanket would stay around forever. That is her "be-be". Apparently Brenna is ready to move on with a new more grown up name. I wonder if there will be a part of me that will feels sad with each new thing she grows out of? "Sigh"

Return of the Killer Ant

I believe I mentioned my critter bite last week. I wasn't positive what bit or stung me, but I thought it was a giant ant I saw crawling out of the dirt around the flower I was transplanting. Anyways, it was one of the worse, most painful insect bites I have ever felt. It actually hurt the next morning then it itched for days later. I never saw a mark.

Today after a very different morning walk than I had planned (more in a minute), I saw one of my terrorist ant's siblings. I decided to take a picture and capture it. (Very carefully, I might add. Those suckers hurt.) I may have exaggerated slightly about his size, but it is very big. I think the one I caught is about 1/2 to 3/4 an inch. That is one big ant. Also notice the size of the pinchers on the front of it's head. I can't wait to find out what kind of insect this ant is. Sorry the second picture is blurry, but look and see the open pinchers.



I had quite an adventure this morning. It all happened before I got home to save our house from the killer ants. I decided to go on a walk with Brenna and take Annie this morning. I got everyone ready and out the door only to notice that the tire on Brenna's stroller was flat. (We seem to be having trouble with our tires: cars, strollers. What is next?) So, I pumped it up feeling very grateful for our handy air compressor again. Meanwhile, Annie was sneaking down the driveway until my two year old reprimanded her and I realized what was happening. Annie was tied up for the rest of the pumping.

Once the tires were filled, we took off at a brisk walk. We are really quite a sight. I am pushing a big stroller, Brenna is looking around to find Annie, and Annie is trying to decide to listen to me or choke herself to an early death by pulling us all.
I was watching the tire for a few minutes to make sure it looked like it was holding it's air. It seemed fine so I continued along. About 1/4 a mile down the road, I began to notice a funny noise that wasn't coming from me, Brenna, or Annie. I looked down and that darn tire was flat again. So, Annie, Brenna and I turned around and headed the 1/4 mile back home. The distance wouldn't have been so bad, but I had to basically carry the stroller with Brenna seated in it, and fight a dog who thinks she is in control the whole way home. Do you think anyone saw us? I hope not.

Halloween (sort of)

Brenna and I went to Houston this past weekend. I went to the Quilt Show with Mom and Aunt Peggy. We had a great time and saw all sorts of wonderful things and projects to buy. We had to restrain ourselves somewhat, but it was fun to just look too. Anyways, the quilt show was actually on Halloween and we didn't get back until later in the evening. I wasn't really sure I wanted Brenna to "trick or treat" yet either. She doesn't need the candy, and I don't think she would really know what she was doing, but I didn't want to deprive her of the fun of dressing up. Mom came up with the brilliant idea of having a fall festival at her house. It was a huge hit. Brenna is still talking about her prizes. I am always amazed at how creative Mom can be and that some things don't have to be big to be a big hit with a toddler.

Anyways, here are some of the things we did. Let me just say for the record, if I use the word "we" in the next few sentences, I am using it very loosely. Mom did most of the work.

First Mom and Brenna bobbed for apples (Two year old, modified style).



Next Mom brought out a pot filled with water and carrots. (I'm not sure what this had to do with Halloween, but Brenna loved it anyway.) Brenna had to fish out the carrots with a strainer. She did this one several times. When she got all the carrots out on her table, she lined them up and then plopped them back in the water.


Mom hid some of the prizes for Brenna to find and then we set up an obstacle course for her to go through.

Somewhere in there, Brenna also bowled with a beach ball and some blocks.


For each game she played, Mom let her pick out a prize and put it in a bag. Brenna really loved that part. She has also enjoyed the treats Mom bought for her. I thought crackers and snack foods in little bags would be better than candy. Brenna didn't seem to mind.


I think everyone enjoyed the evening. It may have been a little different, but it was perfect for Brenna at two and a half. She went to bed tired and happy. In my books, that is called a good day.