2013

So, I have missed a bit of time in here.  Who knows when my next post will happen.  It seems life has come in the way of writing.  I guess I will simply enjoy it as it goes by.  2012 passed by with many changes in our lives.  Brenna finished Kindergarten and started first grade.  I wouldn't say she loves school, but she does do well in it.  She loves parts of it and she does love to learn some things.  I guess that makes her a typical kid.

The biggest change in our lives this year is our step in obedience into the Fostering world.  We as a family feel like God has asked us to open our home to hurting children who don't have a home and are in our foster system.  It has been a crazy ride for us.  We have had two completely different placements in the past year.  Our current placement has been with us for four months today.  What a change we have seen in him.  He is becoming quite the little man and we are honored to have him in our family at least for now.

This has not been an easy journey and we are just at the beginning of our time.  I keep wondering what pain and joy this next year will bring.  How will God change me as an individual and all 4 of us as a family?  I wish I could post a picture of the whole family, but I can't.  I don't have the heart to post the family without our little man.  For now, I can give you a glimpse of his cute Halloween costume from the backside and a current picture of Brenna.

Thanks to Mr. Mitchell for capturing such a great picture of our almost 7 year old.

He loves his "Tiger" the little man had to be a tiger for Halloween.

No More Squeaky

Last night at about 9:30 pm, Nathan and I became the proud owners of a new car. Well at least 20% of a new car. The bank owns the rest for now. It was about time to let the wonderful gift Toyota Sienna rest in peace. It served it's purpose well and was becoming very tired with each passing day. I can't express how nice it is to know that I will now be driving a safe, reliable car. What a wonderful gift. Not to mention all the handles, wipers, sprayer, and belts work, and there will no longer be random alarms going off for no apparent reason. Yea! In the words of Brenna, "Someone else can drive the squeaky car now. We were very grateful for it's use for several years now, but are glad to move on as well.

I can't say Nathan and I have much luck driving home new cars. When we bought his new car in 2003, on the way home, a deer jumped in front of him and almost caused him to wreck. It was quite scary for him as he was driving, but I was in the car behind him and nearly had to close my eyes (which probably would have caused me to run into the back of his new car. Last night as we were getting into my new car, we joked about that night so many years ago. I told him he needed to stay away from all deer tonight. Well, I shouldn't have said anything. A wild hog ran into a ditch next to us, and shortly after that a racoon ran directly in front of our tires. Let me just say, Nathan as very fast reflexes and the new car handles very well. We were very glad we weren't in the van which probably would have left something important on the road.

Kindergarten

I sit in my living room a week after school has started. I still have a hard time comprehending that Brenna is already in Kindergarten. How could she possibly be old enough to be in school? Didn't Nathan and I just bring her home from the hospital? Wasn't it just yesterday that I drove my little red civic with her in it for the first time and was almost paralyzed with fear? What happened to all the diapers and midnight feedings? What about sitting on that little potty in front of the TV and praising the little trickle that we heard after 45 min and several glasses of juice? It was bound to come at some point.

Nathan and I took her to her classroom on Monday. She was so brave. She found her name and sat right down at her spot. I know she was a little nervous, but she was also so excited to be at school. She was excited to meet new people and learn new things. Mostly she just wanted to go on the playground. I can't tell you how many times she asked Mrs. Lane (her teacher) that question. Now here I am at the end of the week. With a few thoughts about it.

I love the time I have before I pick Brenna up from school. They are precious hours I haven't had in years. I have had no problem filling them this week, and yet there is a sense of displacement and quite in the house. For five years now, I have been in every part of Brenna's life. Her world and my world were one. Even when she was going to day care, our worlds were one. Kindergarten has brought split. It is a good and healthy split, but I feel left behind in some ways. I am forced to find out about her day through her eyes and words. Sometimes the descriptions don't make much sense. Nathan and I have laughed at several. Like I said, this is normal and good, just a new place for me.

One of my prayers for Brenna was that she would learn to love school and want to go back each day. I am so thankful that God seems to have answered that positively for me. At the end of each day, she asks if she gets to go back the next day. I don't have to convince her. She is excited. I hope that excitement lasts at least a few years.

For now, I will enjoy each day of Kindergarten, take pictures the new things and love watching her learn and grow. I wonder if the sadness of being split ever leaves completely or if that is why all parents ask their children how their day at school was. I wonder if there is always a part that misses those precious first years of complete unity with your children. I guess time will tell.

Under 100

We have had this Africa countdown from almost a year before we leave. Today marks 100 days until we board a plane to leave for Bela Bela, South Africa. Wow. I can't wait to see what God will bring that week of my life. I can't wait to love on the people of Africa. I am especially excited about the playing with and loving the kids there. There is still a lot to do here before we leave. Nathan and I need to work on our will. We also both need tetnus shots. There are bags to pack, things to buy for the trip, and hearts to prepare. I am working on all those items. Sometimes it feels like the end of July will never come, and sometimes it feels like I need to put the breaks on a little because I may never get ready in time. Most of all I want God to be honored in this preparation time as well as our time there. I don't want to get to August 2011 the same person that I am in Apri 2011. I want to be molded and changed by God's hand in my life.

If you are praying for this trip, please pray that I will keep seeking God in everything I do. Also, that I will have open to ears to hear his gentle whisper and an obedient heart to follow his commands. Again, thank you to all who are participating on this trip with Nathan and I, your support is so important to us. Thank for being our partners.

The FInished Product

YEA! I am so proud of myself. I love the way the patio turned out. Three trips to the supply store later, I finally had enough flagstone to complete the project. So much fun. I still have to let the stand settle a little and then I will be able to move Crabby (the sandbox) to his new home.

Ground Shaking

Well, not shaking, but moving. I have discovered that moving bits of earth from one spot to another is very hard work. For a moment, I though I bit off more than I could chew. Thanks to very smart people, who must think I am stronger and handier outside than I really am, I decided to take on a flagstone patio project. I'm not done, but I did manage to level the area for the most part as well as lay down the gravel. Hopefully in the end the stones will lie flat enough to not trip us or allow us to stub our toes.

It all began because of a snake. Those darn snakes. For a little while I wondered if I would ever go outside again. I quickly realized that wasn't really possible since Brenna and I both love to be outside. But I have been more mindful of the likely homes I am supplying for said snakes. One was in the patio area. We have had Brenna's sand box in the grass by the house for a year now with no sand in it. She keeps asking for sand, but after my snake experience I noticed how much the grass grew up around the box. Hence the patio. I am hoping to finish and then finally fill her box knowing I have made her world a slightly safer place. We shall see.

On a whole different subject, our Africa trip is coming along. I can't believe how soon it is coming. I have a count down going and there are around 130 more days until we leave. Wow. That is soon, and there are still so many details to care for. On Friday this week we are doing something called Secret Church. I am excited about it, but a little worried about the time of day considering I don't think well after 9:00 at night. Secret Church goes from 6:00-12:00 Friday night. I am looking forward to the worship and a new knowledge of my Heavenly Father, but man that is late. I hope my brain can last.

One more note of randomness. Brenna and I are both excited about our Wednesday and Thursday this week. We will be visit Amy, Krissy, and the Mitchell's in Round Rock. It has become a Spring Break Tradition. I just told Brenna yesterday and now she will probably not stop talking about it until we get there. So glad to have friendships that last through the years and can be transferred down to our children.

Snakes

Snakes, Snakes You must go
for I am mighty with a hoe

If with your family you long to stay
Be gone from my yard come what may


This has been my fear from the moment we moved in and I realized I was living in snake territory. I was moving the hose in our front flower bed when I came upon the late coral snake pictured above. Talk about "freaking out." By the way, we must use that expression in our household a lot because Brenna has used it twice today. As I am frantically trying to smash the snake in half with a long garden tool, I am calling for Nathan to no avail. Shaking in my boots, no wait... Shaking in my flip flops, I strike the poor creature repeatedly because it keeps moving. Finally Nathan comes to my rescue to make sure the snake is officially dead and dispose of him. What an afternoon. Needless to say, the original task of watering the yard never happened. Tomorrow is a new day.

The Massacre

The line up depicted above is the result of the brutal massacre that occured in our house. Apparently Sophie has not received the memo that she is no longer a puppy. She is so sneaky too. When unattended she takes every opportunity to attack Brenna's stuffed animal. She is especially fond of the plastic eyes on the animals. I guess she doesn't like all those animals watching her. When we got home, I promply became Dr. Mom and stepped up to the super glue challenge. Over the past few weeks, I am sorry to say that Sophie has not become better and my fingers have suffered from the excess glue. Hopefully she will eventually grow out of this stage and I will no longer have to care for suffering stuffed animals.

Badger Pride and Sophie

Okay, so the title doesn't make much sense. I just couldn't think of anything else. I'm doing good to get something written here. We are in the heart of football season and in the Jones house, that means crazy. The high school band did great at marching contest yesterday and the football team is undefeated so far. That doesn't bode well for our Thanksgiving break, but it is exciting for the community. Brenna loves being a part of the seasons. Every home game Friday, Brenna sees my Badger shirt and exclaims, "Yea! It's Badger day." She then goes for her shirt. It is fun living in a small South Texas town during football season even for someone who doesn't love football.


I also realized I haven't posted a picture of Sophie sense she was a puppy. She still acts like a puppy, but she has grown up so much. I love that exuberant dog.


Can anyone say joy. Most talk about a boy and his dog, but this girl definitely loves her dog.

Summer 2010

So, today was officially the last day of summer. Nathan starts school with kids tomorrow. Brenna will start school tomorrow a year from now. I guess I shouldn't really be worrying about that yet. I'm not really worried. Just a thought.


I thought I should post something about this summer. I know, I got way behind on here. Sorry to all those reading in Georgia. I didn't do it on purpose, just ran out of time. So, here are a few pictures to sum up the summer.

First of all, Brenna did swimming lessons again. She had a great time and learned to swim even better. We really do have a little fish. Also this year, she learned that jumping off the diving board is lots of fun. She asked to do it almost every time we were at the pool. So cute.


We also went to Galvaston with my family.
Brenna had a great time playing with her cousins and with her daddy.
Nathan and Brenna finished digging the hole Aaron and Tanner began.
It really is amazing that a hole can occupy someones time so well.
After the beach, Brenna went home with Mimi and Poppi. Nathan and I were able to spend some time together and I was able to paint Brenna's room. Hers became my second favorite in the house. Speaking of paint. I need to post some pictures of the painted rooms in our house. I'll save that for another post. Brenna, Tanner, and Avery also went back to Mimi and Poppi's house for Cousins Week. They had a great time together, but I think Mom is still recovering from it.

And that is our summer. Nothing terribly exciting, but a nice time. Nathan spent a lot of time being Mr. Mom. I think Brenna loved the time she got to spend with Daddy. I think Daddy also liked spending time with Brenna. There were lots of smiles and giggle.

Long time no see

Wow, it has been awhile. I have to say, I have been a little overwelmed. I'm also not promising to right regularly again yet. I am having a hard time adjusting to working part time. I very happy for my job now, just adjusting my time management. I know I will get better.

Last week and this week has been especially crazy because of VBS. It is lots of work, but well worth the time. We are all tired in this house, but doing well. Hopefully we will get a little rest this week. Maybe I can get some pictures up soon, but I'm not making any promises.

Wishful thinking

Sewing Machine, oh, sewing machine. How I do miss thee. I long for your gentle purr in my ear as we create new items together. I miss the feel of your pedal under my foot, and the shine of your little light as it shows where the fabric should go.

Maybe one day I will finish painting this house and will feel the joy of creating projects with you again.

In Tribute

My precious grandmother went to be with Jesus last week on May 2. I can't even express the degree of sadness that has enveloped my heart. I already miss her dearly, and I don't forsee it getting much better soon. I loved my Nena so much. I haven't really grasped the consept that she isn't here with us anymore. I keep expecting to answer the phone and try to explain how to fix the TV for her. I could rairly fix it over the phone for her and inevitably refered her to Nathan's cell phone. My sweet husband could always patiently walk her through the solution to fix the problem.

There are so many things I will miss about Nena. She had the most amazing giving spirit. She freely gave her love, attention, and resouces to anyone in need and some that just wanted. Ask anyone what the remember most about Nena and they will tell you she was one of the most generous people they knew. Speeking of friends, Nena had friends she didn't even know about. Anyone who met her was instantly a friend. Shy to a fault, she learned to move past her first instinct to avoid new people and situations. She learned to care for herself and make new friends everywhere she went.

Her name wasn't Nena, but that is what everyone called her. She was born Edith and stayed that way until I was born. I renamed her Nena and it stuck. No one knows how I picked that name, but that is who she became to everyone. Shortly after her death, I had several people express that they never even knew her given name. She was always simply Nena. Maybe her peers called her Edith at one point, but many of them had grandkids too and ended up sticking with Nena instead.

I was blessed to have 34 years with my Nena. Many kids don't have as many years with their grandparents. In the later years, I spent some time caring for her. I watched her interact with Brenna and got glimpses of my childhood again. I wish I could have had more years with her, but know that she is without pain with Jesus now. I am greatful that she is now able to dance with her beloved husband again. Her knees and back no longer hurt and she doesn't have any need for a cane, walker, or wheelchair. She didn't suffer over long years, and the last words she said and heard were, "I love you." I pray I will go that well one day.

She was loved by many which was evit at her well attended funeral. What a beautiful service of laughter and tears. She would have loved the service. It was a great time to remember and reflect on her life. It will remain a precious memory for me to hold in my heart. The graveside service was quiet and intimate as we said our last goodbyes for now. I am thankful that this goodbye is not forever for I will one day be able to hug my grandmother again. Her body may lie beside her husband and inlaws, but her spirits is dancing with them in heaven.

Brenna Bear

My little Brenna Bear, where have the years gone? Are you really already 4 years old? You are such a little girl now, no longer a little baby. Although you will always be my baby girl. You have grown a lot this year. I'll start with your vocabulary. It is practiced almost all day long. You amaze me with the words you know. I have to laugh at some of the new grown up words you randomly use. They creep into your speach and surprise me. You pick up language so quickly probably due to your love for books.

Speeking of books, we read all the time. You love to go to the library and pick out new books to read. You no longer fall asleep each day at nap time, but we do have rest time. If you aren't sleepy, you like to "read" in bed. You spend the whole time looking at each book I have piled on your bed. You have also been known to fall asleep with a book on your head. You are following in your father's footsteps.

I love the way your sense of humor has started to take off. Daddy says his prayers were answered because you got my looks and his sense of humor. I'm not sure if it is really his sense of humor, but you do love to laugh. You love to make other people laugh. Often you will laugh and then wait to see if anyone around you laughs too. Of course if you get a response, you will perform again.

You love music and dancing. If you are watching a show you will get up to dance whenever music is playing. And you are always the last one to watch the credits with Daddy. Daddy is watching to see who wrote the score, but you want to hear every last note of the score. It is fun to see you sitting at the end of a movie long after all the other kids have left.

I love to hear you sing. You even hit the right notes most of the time. Daddy and I were recently discussing how much we would love to hear you sing in church someday. I'm not sure if you will enjoy singing in front of a bunch of people, but you do love singing your praise songs to Jesus.

Speaking of Jesus, your prayers are starting to develop past the rote memory ones. For so long you have said the same thing every night, but in the past month you have started to change it up a bit. I think you are starting to understand how to talk to Jesus. I'm sure it stirs his heart as is does mine. You pray for people in your life and for those you don't even know. It is so sweet to hear you pray for your friends and to ask how they are doing the next day.

I love to watch you playing with your friends. You are such a friendly little thing. You have several "best friends" and love to play with them at their house our ours. You are learning to share your toys better and you are playing with your friends instead of beside them.

I can't believe that I only have one year left before you go to school. It just doesn't seem possible.

I love you with all my heart. You are my little Brenna Bear, my love bug, my sweet pea. I am so thankful God chose you to be my little girl.

Moved in

Well, sort of moved in. All our worldly possesions are now in the new house. We are so excited to be here. I can't even begin to describe how blessed I feel. We all (including pets) love the new house. We are still living in chaos with boxes everywhere you turn, but it is a cleaner and roomier chaos.

Moving day went well thanks to a lot of help from friends and family. Thank you so much all who came to move the Jones. We really appreciate your help. It was supposed to rain all day Friday and Saturday. Dad and I did a lot of praying and God didn't fail again. He held the rain off until we were done moving everything. I think one load was sprinkled on, but we were able to wipe that furniture off. It was a lot of work, but it is so nice to be here. Now to just get settled and unpacked. I guess it did take me 3 weeks to pack. That probably means I should give myself at least that much time to unpack.

I thought I would post a few pictures before I began to unpack some more today. I am really down to one room. I'm not ready to unpack books because I want to paint the walls soon. It just doesn't make sense to put books on shelves then just take them back down.

This is our house.

When you walk in the front door, this is what you see. The kitchen is straight ahead. Master bed, laundry, and garage are to the right. The living room is to the left.

Turn right and you see our bedroom straight ahead or...

the laundry room and garage going down the hall to the right.

This is the master bedroom with me standing in the bathroom doorway. The door to the hall is on the left.

This is the master bathroom.

If you look left inside the door, you see the living room and dining room.


The kitchen is right beside the dining area.

If you walk down a small hall off the living room, Brenna's room is straight ahead.

The spare bedroom is next to Brenna's room on one side.

And the spare bathroom is on the other side of her room.

This is the view from the back door. There are often cattle grazing behind our house. Guess what Annie does a lot?

Here is what the back of the house looks like.


And that concludes our tour of the new house. Thanks for dropping by. Sorry for the mess you were exposed to, but it will be better organized soon or I may go crazy.

Moving Night

How strange it seems, that I have book ended my life here on E. Calvert. That first night two and a half years ago, I cried myself to sleep, and left a lamp on through the night. I scarcely sleep that night for fear of bugs crawling all over me. It was a legitimate fear although luckily, unfulfilled.

Tonight, on this last night at this home, sleep evades me. I am awake with excitement, thankfulness, joy, and anticipation. I am ready to complete the move into our new home on Fair Lane Dr. Nathan and I purchased our first home yesterday morning. It is a modest home of about 15000 square feet. It is clean, bug free, and well insulated. It has a very well laid floor plan, and lots of storage space. There is floor space for Brenna and the pets to run in circles, and it is ours. God’s blessings overwhelm me tonight. His care surrounds my every thought and leaves me almost speechless. How can I express my gratitude and love? How can I bottle this grateful heart and display it each day?

Alone, before the chaos of yesterday began, Nathan and I stepped into our new home. We walked through each room and enjoyed our time together. I wish I would have thought to pray for the home: to dedicate it to the work of God, to give it back to Him. Tonight, on our first night there, when all is quiet and everyone has left, I will spend time placing our first little home back into Your hands.

Still Waiting

Buying a house is sooooooo frustrating. I spend all day trying to decipher diabolical feelings. On one side, I am so excited about our future. I am envisioning us in the new home. I am thinking about wall colors and what it will be like to walk in the front door of our first home. It is all so fun. Then there is the other nasty side of buying a home. I madly pack the house, make plans and arrangements, set up utilities, only to find that other people don't do their jobs very well. I don't like not having a since of control. Right now I am learning to deal with my lack of control, or go crazy. I choose to deal with it, but it isn't easy.

I have the house mostly packed, therefore, I no longer have cooking supplies. I have packed the baking dishes, measuring cups and spoons, and plates. I have had a successful yard sale in which I sold the oven that we don't need. It will probably be leaving us at the end of the week. So, even if I didn't have said baking necessities, I would have no oven to put them in. My solution, use the churches or eat out. The church may be a little inconvenient, but there really isn't a good selection of restaurants here in the large metropolis of Karnes City.

Hopefully I don't have to mail anything. Yes, the envelopes are packed too. No sewing projects for me now. All books are stored away. I didn't pack clothes or Brenna's room so we will be dressed and entertained.

Though I do have list of complaints, I still hold to my thankful heart. I am so grateful for this new home. I am ready to make it ours. I am thankful that God has provided the house and the funds to purchase. I am thankful for family members that are helping us financially, with prayers, and with muscles. I am thankful for lessons learned even though they may not be easy. I am thankful in the midst of this chaos.

So now, we wait. I pray that God will continue to remind me that HE is in control, that I can trust HIM, and that HIS timing is best. I may not understand or see why we must wait, but there is a reason. I pray for patience while I wait. Patience with Brenna when I am stressed. Patience with title companies that won't move fast. Patience with myself as I learn to wait.

We will be moving soon, but for now, we wait.

Frankenpuppy

(Beware, graphic pictures follow story.)
On Wednesday morning, I was trying to do what is best for my dogs. I got up extra early to walk the dogs after I went for a short run. While all three of us were walking, a big dog came tearing after us. Unfortunately, Annie, my aggressive little dog, stepped up to the challenge. I don't think she really antagonized the fight and it wasn't a territorial issue. We were across the street and on the opposite side of the road. Regardless of why it happened, Annie was attacked. I started screaming for someone to get me a water hose, but no one could help. I thought I was watching my dog die. It was an awful experience I never want to repeat. The little girl who owned the other dog was trying to pull her dog off Annie, but she wasn't strong enough. Finally the girl's mom came out and got the dog off Annie. Sweet Annie Boo earned herself a night at the vet and many stitches. She has a doozie of a scar to brag about.

I am so thankful that Brenna was not with me. I am so thankful that my dog is still alive even though she doesn't feel well tonight. I am thankful the other dog didn't go after Sophie. She would be dead. I am thankful the little girl didn't get hurt badly, and I am thankful that I wasn't hurt. I am also thankful that Annie should heal well.

On parenting a four year old

Well, almost four year old. I can't believe she is almost four. I know, I know, all parents say that about their children as they approach a birthday. Yet, it is so true. How can my little baby already be a... what? Is she still a toddler, or is she called something else now. The next thing I know we will be looking for clothes in the little girl section instead of the toddler section.

And back to the title, I'm not sure I really have any parenting tips. Most days, I feel like I am flying by the seat of my pants. I'm not sure if I have ever prayed more diligently for anything. Parenting is hard, exhausting, intimidating, infuriating, irritating, and confusing to name a few adjectives. And yet, it is also fulfilling, joyous, exhilarating, laughable, fun, and purposeful. It is one of those things in life that can be two completely different things at the same time.

As Brenna quickly approaches four, I am amazed by how many choice she has to make. Some are so hard, and it is hard for me, the parent, to teach her how to make good choices without crushing her free spirit. I am trying to teach her an obedient spirit and happy heart, while I learn it myself daily. Isn't that the way parenting goes.

We had a good week for the most part. We have spent a lot of time outside. The weather was beautiful most days. We didn't make it to the park during the week, but she and Daddy went to the this afternoon. She had a great time with Daddy and was glad to go with him. We were also able to go take some bluebonnet pictures yesterday. I'll leave you with the most recent pictures.


Jump rope still needs a little practice.



Brenna making a big mess in the dirt.


She was so excited to wear her princess dress in the flowers.

Half way

We are half way through March and I have written almost nothing. How sad is that. I used to write almost every day. Now I am down to once or twice a month. Not a good rate there. Hopefully I will start making the time to write again soon. This past week was spring break for Nathan. It may go down in history as the worse spring break for him. He had his wisdom teeth extracted. Although it was easier than some because three of the for teeth were erupted, it still doesn't feel good. He has spent a lot of time lying around, playing video games, and watching movies. At least he did get rest this week.

While Nathan was recovering, Brenna and I went to Austin to visit a friend who was visiting her parents. Brenna and Krissy had a great time together, and Amy and I had a great time too. Each time I get to see Amy, our girls have more fun together. They play well together and enjoy friendship. It is fun for Amy and I to watch. Unfortunately, this time, I forgot to take my camera, so there are no pictures.

I am busily trying to get this house packed. What a chore. It is easier to move across the street than across the country, but moving is moving. I still have to pack most things in the house. So, packing is what I will be doing for the rest of March. Not a fun chore, but it is for a fun reason this time. We are excited about our new house. Speaking of the new house, all the paper work is coming together. We received a letter of acceptance for the loan application. That is exciting. I think this is really going to happen this time. I can't believe Nathan and I are actually going to be home owners in less than a month.

I'll let the pictures tell what Brenna and I have done with the rest of our spring break week.