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