Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Marley, Sicky and a Tired Mommy

The Jones household has had a day. Last night, Nathan and I made the mistake of leaving the rest of Brenna's dinner on the table while we all went to watch Obama's inauguration speech. Brenna didn't each much and her plate had a hotdog, ketchup, grapes, and tater tots. We were hearing a little clinking in the kitchen and I sent Nathan in to tell tell the cat to get off the table. Little did we know that our sweet little Annie was hosting the spirit of Marley. Nathan found her licking Brenna's plate completely clean. Now before you feel sorry for Annie (aka. Marley) know that she had just eaten a full dinner of her own. She has never climbed on the table completely, so I guess we now how to watch out for Annie and Westin on our kitchen table. Now, who wants to come eat dinner with us?

Then at about 10:30 last night, Brenna started throwing up and continued for 5 more times. I have been dreading this day for 2.5 years now. I have heard the stories from other parents. How they awoke to a crying child who had a gross stench covering them. The child sat in bed with arms outreached wanting to be held and comforted. I have heard speakers compare it to how Christ sees us when we have sinned. I now completely understand the analogy. I walked into Brenna's room last night and was accosted by the stench and her cries of distress. After a bath to get all the vomit out of her hair and off her body, I ended up sleeping at the foot of Brenna's bed so that I could be with her to catch her puke each time she needed me. A mother's love is never ending. She didn't want me to leave. I think this illness really scared her. We didn't get much sleep last night. I am hoping for a very good nap and a sick little girl to feel better. Luckily she hasn't vomited since 4 am. Hopefully that part is over and now we just have to get rid of the fever.

So we have Marley, the Sicky. Can you guess who I am? That's right! I'm a tired Mommy in need of a nap today. I'm hoping the rest of the week ends well.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Our Week


Can you guess what I did on this day? That was quiet a load of laundry.

We played dress up for the first time. Brenna got a box of princess clothes for Christmas. Thanks G-daddy and Nonni! Brenna doesn't know how to dress herself very well yet, but if she keeps on playing with these clothes, she will have it in no time. I guess I will keep helping her until then.



There was one evening when Brenna and I went outside to play with bubbles while Daddy finished his nap. We haven't played with bubbles in a long time, and she had a great time chasing them again. Then our neighbors dogs came outside and she kept trying to talk to them through the fence. I think she learned this technique from Annie.

And can you say eyelashes?


On Thursday, I had to work, but I came home to a package. Mimi ordered Brenna a replacement Christmas present earlier this week and it came in already. After she went to bed, I took it out to make sure it didn't need to be assembled. Brenna was so excited when she saw it this morning. She has been playing with it all day today.


Nappy Nap time Horsey.

Nappy Nap time Mommy. (Nathan actually thought it was quite appropriate that the "Mommy" was sleeping above the barn. Luckily I never had to sleep in a hay loft.)

Monday, January 12, 2009

Texan Travelers

Brenna and I have done a lot of driving this past week. There were no pictures taken because I was bum. We were in SA on Tuesday for doctor's appointments. Then Nathan was out of town on Friday, I decided to visit Stacey and Chris in Austin. Thanks for having us. It was fun to spend some time with them again. Brenna was a trouper with all the car time. She loved watching her movies and listening to music. Thank goodness for modern conveniences. On the way home on Saturday we even stopped to shop a little at the outlet mall. I thoroughly spent the rest of our Christmas money, but I found lots of good deals.

Today was a day of grocery shopping and getting the house back together. You know, normal stuff. Hopefully I will have new pictures to share soon.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Narnia

Nathan and I watched "Prince Caspian" last night. It was good like the first movie. I have read all the books years ago, but I haven't read them lately. I didn't remember much from "Prince Caspian", and was surprised by many things in the movie. I was amazed by how well CS Lewis wrote the books. He wrote the gospel into the books so well that secular movie makers could make a movie portraying the message of the gospel solely by the picture Lewis painted with his words.

There was one scene in particular that has had me thinking. (If you haven't read or seen the movie yet, I might spoil a little in this paragraph, but the last paragraph is safe.) It was the scene where Caspian and Peter are fighting the image of the White Witch. They are both drawn her lies by the power of her words. They both falter without help. Edmond sneaks behind the wall entangling the witch. Remember in the previous movie, Edmond already fell prey to her lies. He wasn't willing to go there again. He stabbed the wall with his sword and the wall with the witch fell. We are left with Peter's view of the crumbled wall with empty promises and an image of Aslan, the king of all.

I was stunned by this simple image of the gospel. How often do I allow lies to build a wall blocking my view of my God? Jesus has torn down the ultimate wall for me so that I can clearly see God, but when I believe new lies, often it is my close friends that God uses to help me shatter the walls. I serve a great God who allows me to see Him. He sent his son to die for me so that I can live, and He continues to guide me through each day. He has given me Godly friends and family who uplift me and help me more often than I thank them. I am truly blessed.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

All Good Things Must Come to an End

Well, Christmas is over for this year. In fact, this past year is over too. Can you believe it is already 2009? I had to sign my first paper today and forgot it was January before I could even get to the year.

Let me give you a disclaimer on this post before I start. THIS IS A LONG POST! I have tons of pictures that I took over the past two weeks and I wanted to share so many of them. Let it be known that you have been warned.

We were at my Mom and Dad's house for the first week of the holiday. I can't believe how crazy three little kids can be in one house. I don't know how my grandparents did it when my Dad was growing up. At one point they had 5 kids under 5. This Christmas was fun because Tanner and Brenna really understood what was going on. They loved opening the gifts and passing them out. As adults, all we could do was help where we were needed and try to keep up.




Mom wanted us to all match on Christmas morning. I think the picture ended up pretty cute. We had fun with it.


Here is the picture of the quilt I made for Dad. He was very excited about it. I had a lot of fun making it for him. I also had fun teasing my brother over giving the best gift. If any of you know Aaron, he had always been very competitive. Many of you have heard the wisdom teeth story. I always love bringing that side of him out. I enjoy watching how it plays out. We both had a good laugh.


I posted pictures of Brenna and Bella while were in Houston. I tried to get a cute picture with Avery and Bella, but Avery wasn't in the mood. The picture is pretty cute anyways. Don't worry, Avery isn't scared of Bella, she is just not happy with the world as all 8 month olds become from time to time.


Tanner couldn't wait to share his reindeer food with Brenna. He had apparently been waiting all night for them to go out. He reminded Aaron as soon as he got up on the first morning they were in Houston. It was quite fun to watch the three of them.


One morning before Christmas, Aaron, Liz, and I took Tanner and Brenna to the park. It was wet, but the kids had a great time together. They especially loved jumping in the puddles. If only I had known to bring Brenna's rain boots.


Once Brenna realized how wet she was, she was ready to be home.


Then there was Nena's birthday. It was presents all over again. Although the kids just watched. But they did love helping her blow out the candles and they helped make the birthday cake.


After that celebration, it was time for the Jones' round two. Keith, Debbie and BJ came into Houston late on Friday, and we all left on Saturday morning. I am so glad they were able to come. We had a great time with all of them. Brenna got to open more presents when we got home. Again she had lots of fun. If you look closely, you can see her lips saying, "oooh".





We all went to San Antonio one day. BJ wanted to see the Alamo and the river walk. What fun to be there with them. Brenna especially loved the boat ride. What child would prefer the Alamo to a boat ride? Not Brenna, although she tolerated our time at the Alamo quite well.





Everyone had a great time. I was sad to say goodbye to family and face normal life again. I look forward to seeing what this new year brings us. So, fair-well 2008. You were a good year. May we all find joy in the next one as well.