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Jordan's Birthday Party

Jordan's tenth birthday was so fun.

We had it at Jamestown Beach, our new favorite spot. Michael grilled some delicious dogs. Jordan had two friends come; one from church and one from school and then a herd of cousins. I made two cakes one exploded but I loved how this one turned out with the melted frosting.

We were running super late and when we got to the beach it was so crowded we weren't sure if the party was possible. But we found a spot and sqeezed in and everything worked out. Next time we will be on time or choose a day other than Saturday!

The best part of all was how happy all the kids were to play in the river and I did not have to do anything to entertain them. I had a craft and games all prepared but did not have to use them. I will save it for another time. I think we will have every birthday party at the beach. Lanian will love it. December is not too cold here, right?

Leaps and Bounds

We have grown leaps and bounds this summer. Not only are we not housing any turtles but we are not even catching any turtles, well those two don't really count because it wasn't quite summer and ... they don't count!

Look at our little summer bikeride - notice how we are just looking with our eyes not with our hands! The maturity and restraint is amazing. I am so proud of us!!

Spring Photos

Missing My Ut-ards

I miss my bro and his family.

Changes

As you can see things are changing round here. (I love The Cutest Blog on the Block website with free backgrounds, they are so much nicer and more fun than standard Blogger templates.)

And are C. Jane and Nie Nie really sisters? Check them out they are both fabulous!

But really things are changing in my life as well as my blog. I have completed one college class and I am going to finish another in May. Big steps for me because me and college have not always gotten along. I can't wait to enroll in more classes for the Fall. I already have my classes picked out. I hope to take 4 fully weighted classes instead of the two pass/ fail classes I have this semester.
The reason I may be able to take 4 classes next semester is (be strong...I will not cry for sadness/happiness) because Little A is going to Kindergarten!! I can't believe it. Just yesterday I was trying to get through each day (each moment) under the weight of toddlers and infants constantly begging for their every need and minuet desires to be taken care of . He will be a BIG boy until 3:50pm every Monday, Tuesday. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
I remember all the deep breaths and counting, all the visualizations of calm outcomes, the focus on this terrible time not lasting forever and trying to hold on to each moment because I would never it get it back - why I took so many pictures and saved almost every work of art as dad can attest to. And now it is here- the sweetness and simplicity of hard physically labor and stress of babies is over for me, no more poopy diapers to throw at dad, no more makeup to clean off the walls, no more tantrums - well maybe less, no more baby talk, no more miniature clothes......
Some of my friends and family have said that this transition is nothing compared to when the birds fly out of the nest completely. I hope that by then I have accepted and dealt with this because to be quite honest I am having a tough time. Although I have been so blessed to have a calling in the Junior Nursery. Every Sunday I can get sweaty and hot and count to ten.

Isn't funny how our Heavenly father always know just what we need when we need it?

Our Grandpa Moss

Grandpa Moss was always there. He was never too busy to see you although he might be asleep. He came to every birthday party he could and ate his piece of cake without any complaint. He was always willing to watch television with you especially a game. And one day he even came to the Jones Movie Theatre to watch Seabiscuit. We put our television in the bay window, lined up our couches and set one up on enclyclopedias so it would be elevated above the one in front just like a real stadium seating theatre. We popped popcorn and made sure the stereo was set up loud. He was there and he still is in our hearts and thoughts. We miss you Grandpa and we will see you later.

Basketball Jones

Here are some basketball pictures that do not do the kids Justice but they are all my poor camara will do. We have had the best time playing basketball this year. Michael took to it like a duck to water, Jordan has warmed up slowly but she is liking it as well. They are both so athletic and good sports - I am so proud of them! We love going to the games as a family and cheering our teams on, well mom loves going to the games as a family and cheering. The little guys lose interest quickly and rather run around making their dad crazy which mom also finds very entertaining. Jordan is in the girls 10 and under team named Lady Patriots and pike is on the boys 8 and under team named Knicks. they both have great coaches and great kids on their teams many of whom they knew already from school.

Michael and Amanda

Here we are on the first day of our earthly journey together. I am just as in love with Michael, if not more so, now after 11 years of marriage and four children. I am so grateful for Michael and the love and support he has given to me. He is my best friend. I would rather hang out with him than anyone else even though I see him every day (well there are those occasional moments when I love that he has activities that take him outside but they are rare). He is amazing. He does my dishes, he drives! bless him, he shops when I don't feel like shopping, he mops when I don't feel like mopping, basically he does whatever I ask of him and more. So, after making this list I am feeling like a bad wife. I knew I had the better half of this deal but this doesn't seem fair. Maybe I will surprise Michael one day with a big truck to make up for all the meals I didn't cook and the dirt I didn't sweep and the clutter I kept that drives him crazy. One day I will because I love him.

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.