School is Cool

Wow. Where did summer go? Ah, I remember - fighting, screaming, running, camping, tv, computer, Busch, pool, sleepovers, books on tape (forced upon the children by mother while they were strapped down in the car and were helpless to save themselves) side note: Pike just used the word 'mischief' in a sentence- results from books on tape? I think so. Anyway, carrying on: staying up late, crafts, cooking, so many things. It still went by too fast. Now the kids are all in some sort of school and I was really trying to focus and not fall to pieces over the loss of their babyhood. now I see it was no big deal really. All the tears for the sacrifices I have made as a mom and would miss, what a joy it was to do. Seriously, all moms know the sacrifices we make moment to moment. I will truly remember all the hard times in a positive light now that the toddler and baby years have passed for my brood and I will miss the fullness of happiness that accompanied them. What is a small cavity compared to chocolate mousse cake? And yes, school is cool. All of my kids love it (of course it has only been two days - just go with it, please, for the sake of the blog, OK?) The kids hop right on the bus. They hop off at 4 just as easy as you please and I am happy to hear of their adventures and then I make them do their homework. I get the opportunity to miss them which I do not get to do while I am screaming at them "do not burn up in the camp fire!!" or "Put you brother down!!" etc. So sharpen your pencils, the Jones kids are in school.

Sunday Lessons

Today at church Michael taught a lesson about King Solomon. When God asked him what he wanted he Said An understanding heart : "In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. Give therefore thy servant and understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? Michael taught about how we need to have wisdom, in our lives to judge between things of the world and things that are eternal in nature. The possessions we will take with us in the next life are things like our testimonies, knowledge, and the spiritual gifts from God that we develop. Michael also taught about having a broken heart and a contrite spirit. We need to be humble like a little child and we have to be teachable and willing to submit to the will of the Lord. Solomon was a great judge and earthy king. We become more like the Savior; our heavenly judge and King, when we do these things.

In Young Women's the Bishop taught about being kind and including others. That great happiness can come from not having any regrets about how we treat others. If we are christlike we will be better friends and we should act so especially at church amoung all the youth.

Pike's lesson was on the prophet Elijah. He sealed the heavens for three and a half years 'he made all the water go away' as Pike says. He did this beause the people were worshipping Baal. He also learned about Zarephath and the oil and meal that did not run out for many days because she

More Carpentry Pictures

I just want to add these pictures for those family members following our blog.

The Saw

Here is my baby with a very sharp object. I am so proud of him. Today I taught him how to use one of the most dangerous tools a kid can get a hold of before they graduate to power tools. He did really well and my heart just swelled to see how excited and proud of himself he was when he sawed completely through a board for the first time. Jordan was hammering away next to me as I supervised Pike, and she said " I don't feel like a kid anymore." Yup, you guys are growing up. Hopefully your lives will be as true as your nails. I love you guys. And I said "AIDAN GET AWAY FROM THAT SAW!!"

4 am Bike Ride

I am alive. I went for a little bike ride at four in the morning today. It was dark and cloudy and the moon only peaked out from behind the ghostly clouds occasionally as I wound my way through neighborhood streets. I was really scared but I plugged in my ipod and turned up the music and rode and explored parts of the developments I hadn't seen before in the dark. The air was cool, soft, and smelled so sweet. The music of nature was so loud I could hear every churl and whirl of the bugs and animals and who knows what other creatures over the volume of my comforting music in my ear buds. It is kind of funny that it was so quiet and so loud at the same time. I did see a deer sweeping away from me into some one's yard. In the dark it looked like it moved like one of Stephanie Meyer's vampires. It was pretty surreal. No one was up, there were no cars and no people and almost no lights on in the houses. I felt so courageous and independent and at the same time I was constantly thinking that I should return to the safety of my home behind the dead bolt. If I had thought I had more time I might have explored the bike path at night but thankfully I thought I had to be home for Michael to go to work at 5 and I was spared knowing how un-courageous I really am or as Michael said: crazy.

LDS.org - Liahona Article - Mothers Who Know

LDS.org - Liahona Article - Mothers Who Know

Children's Music

Right now we are listening to the Bare Naked Ladies children's album. Yesterday we introduced the kids to Raffi's Joshua Giraffe - he was so sticky and his mom "wouldn't lick me". It is never too late to find cool kids music.

Okay. I added to this post earlier but it got erased somehow. So I am going to try again, it will not be as witty and fabulous but I do want to record this perfect summer day and display to the world what kind of mother I am.

So, here's just a quick run through of what happened today:

• kids watched TV all morning, yes, all morning
• played children's music
• had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and yes, despite my initial decision I did in fact pick the old crusty jelly bits out of the peanut butter. It made all the difference.
• kicked children out of house - they hammered nails with screw drivers into Michael's good piece of 2x4 until 20 minutes later when at last, I found the hammer! Then I gave them each comprehensive lessons on nail hammering into the scrap wood we have saved. Pike made a picture frame, Lanian laid out plans to make a temple but changed to a tank, Aidan made a tank, and Jordan after many struggles gave up and resignedly said," I guess I will go take apart the mattress". (We dissected an old mattress yesterday. Very educational.)
• Jordan and Aidan found grubs
• kids pulled the mattress out from our porch to under the trampoline to play on (white trash?)
• kids napped!! yeah!
• Aidan ate 2 peanut butter and ketchup tacos
• kids played on the computer
• Corniesha came over
• Grandma Jones came to babysit so I could go to Young Women's

Just another day when Michael is at work.

Fish

Fish are friends. Now I have 10 friends. Thank you for this amazing application. Feed my fish, friends. Look! Friends feeding friends.

Pike's Baptism

Here is the video for Pike that I made to show at the baptism. (Actually the video will not process so maybe I will find a new way to publish it). We are so proud of Pike for making the choice to be baptized; to receive a remission of his sins, to promise to always remember Jesus Christ, to keep his commandments, and to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Pike's grandpa, Robert Jones conducted (he is first counselor in the bishopric), the opening song was A Child's Prayer, Jordan gave the opening prayer, I spoke on baptism, Michael baptized Pike, then we watched this video, Benita (Pike's grandma) spoke on the Holy Ghost, Robert spoke and welcomed Pike as the newest member of the ward, the closing song was I Am A Child of God and Lanian gave the closing prayer. We had ice cream sundaes for a refreshment afterwards. It was a especially sweet experience for me this time because when Jordan was baptized the year before I was so overwhelmed I didn't or couldn't really think straight. This time I felt the Spirit so strongly and I could enjoy the experience of seeing my child be baptized. What a joy and a privilege - one of my hopes for Pike since before he was born - and I hope he will continue on and develop his testimony and progress in the gospel. I hope he will receive the priesthood and go on a mission and one day be sealed to a darling girl forever and have a herd of children of his own. I hope he will grow to be a righteous, loving, competent adult. I wish this for all of my kids.

Lanian too!

Lanian needs a video too. He is such a cute kid! He is such a good big brother and little brother - and son for that matter. And he does speak quite well if you were wondering...

Aidan Vs. Jaws

I love this trampoline. $80 bucks of joy. The best purchase we ever made. The kids jump on it every day. They all can do a flip which one day will qualify them for circus folk, for which I am so proud. In this video Aidan wrestles a great white. I am not sure who wins but the animal still roams the area. Well, both animals are still around.

A boy, a trampoline and a shark.

Easter

Here it is : The annual Jones Easter picture! My adorable brood, I love them so much. I was so proud of them. We left with no major destruction - no one seriously hurt and nothing destroyed beyond fixing. (Right, Laura?)

Jordan doing a jig.

Auntie Laura

Grandma Styer

What an amazing Easter we had this year! We were able to go to Medina, Ohio and visit with Grandma Styer , Auntie Laura, and Uncle Keith. Laura made the most fabulous dinner of ham, roasted sweet potatoes, corn souffle, steamed broccoli, and rolls. It was so good. We had an easter egg hunt and the kids ate all of the candy except the Reese's cups which Dad helped consume.

I am so grateful for the amazing family my Heavenly Father has blessed me with and I am so grateful for the oppurtunity he blessed me with to be able to visit with them. I love you Grandma! I love you Laura and Keith!

Pottery Barn

So, when is someone going to make a computer desk system that looks like the Pottery Barn Bedford collection but with a Walmart price tag? Just wondering. I have been surfing for hours and nothing comes close. Every fashion designer that hits the runway has an instant knock off in the stores the next day , I dont think it is a stretch to do the same for the furniture industry. Target: I am disapointed in you.