Fall Family Fun!

This weekend was SO much fun...I just had to share it with all my blog world friends!

This weekend was the "infamous" Oklahoma State Homecoming!  Stillwater has an enormous amount of Homecoming Festivities...so Adam and I decided that with it being his LAST homecoming as a student...we would take part.  Of course, there was no way we had time, or the energy to take part in everything Stillwater had to offer this weekend...but we did hit a few things.  On Saturday morning we went to the Homecoming Parade.  All I have to say is...the girls were ENAMORED!  We met up with a couple of friends, Daphne & Mat (and their 2 kiddos Carson & Paityn) and also with our friend/neighbor Jendi and her daughter Nilukshi.  One of my friends, Lyndsee, is Mrs. Payne County and will be competing in the Mrs. Oklahoma pageant in January...so of course...my girls HAD to have a picture with her!  After the parade, Adam and I were fortunate enough to be able to attend the BIG game against Nebraska.  Adam's dad came down from Tulsa to give us a MUCH needed break!  The game was so much fun...even though we lost (which is an entirely different story).  THANKS JEFF!!!!

This morning we woke up and met up with Mat & Daphne and their kiddos again, and made a trek out to Perkins Grider Family Farm to go to the Pumpkin Patch.  We spent an hour or so enjoying the 4 acre maze...and came home with 6 Pumpkins!  Addy also just HAD to pet "John" the goat.  (Who by the way...was the CUTEST, SWEETEST thing EVER!).  After the Pumpkin Patch, Adam and I decided to take our girls to lunch at El Mexicano.  At this point...we were already 45 minutes past nap time...and had spent the entire morning wearing the girls out...so we didn't have a very leisurely lunch.  LOL!  Oh well....it was an awesome weekend!

Adam and I plan on making more family outings over the course of our last 7 months here in Oklahoma.  We definitely want the girls to participate in as much fun stuff as Oklahoma has to offer before we move.  Today, I must admit that it hit me that in 7 short months...we won't live here anymore!  This tiny little town has a place in my heart...as it is where I met my husband...and gave birth to my 2 girls!  I am sure we haven't seen the last of Stillwater though!  Adam has family here...and alumni functions we will want to be a part of!!!

A Little Elaboration

Okay...So I have always loved journaling...but I must admit...for some reason I am soooooo much better at putting pen to paper than I am keeping up with my blog.  Ask anyone who knows me.  I can sit and write page upon page.  I can pour out my heart with pen and paper...so why do I have a problem doing the same here?  Maybe its the fear that putting it out there means the WHOLE world can see?  Who knows...but regardless...I do have people in far away places (like...Tucson!) who read this blog...and love seeing what is going on in our families life.  So as a result...brace yourself...this is going to be one heck of a blog!  :)

Our life is about to begin!  I say that...in all honesty...I know it began a LONG time ago.  But...all of our hard work, stress, sleepless nights, lack of finances, etc...are truly about to pay off.  Adam will be a college graduate in May!  It is sort of bittersweet.  Adam and I are moving away from where we have been the ENTIRE time we have known each other.  We will be leaving friends, family, a small town...to move on to a BIG city, no friends, but my family WILL be there.  Adam and I are almost 100% sure we will end up in San Antonio.  In fact...we have even toyed with the idea of moving there regardless of whether or not he immediately lands a job in his degree field.  San Antonio has so much to offer our little family.  Adam and I have been longing to make changes in our lives for quite sometime.  It is hard however, to make those changes...when you have already made a name for yourself in an EXTREMELY small town.  So...although the move will come with much excitement...it also comes with fear and anxiety! 

I have been learning A LOT lately to "Let go and Let God".  I have been forced down on my knees on more than one occasion...and it hasn't been pretty.  I have found myself uttering prayer after prayer...begging for guidance, wisdom, peace, rest.  In the past...I have been guilty of praying one time...and then giving up.  I have been guilty of uttering those meaningless prayers, "alright God...I need this...so....".  I would get SO frustrated when I got no answers...no wisdom, peace or rest.  All of a sudden it was like a light went on upstairs.  I don't TELL my husband to do something...I ask.  I don't non-chalantly share the contents of my heart with my husband...I pour them out.  Why would I not do the same with my Creator???  When that revelation came...it was like the floodgates opened.  I found myself praying like crazy during any free moment I got...many times...pouring my heart out over the dirty dishes.  Too many times I salted our dinner with my tears I am sure!!!  :)  Suddenly...answers began to come...not in the form of "DO THIS"...but more in the matter of guidance...opening doors....peace.  Suddenly...my desire to control (although it is still there...so don't get too excited!!!) has lessened.  I have found myself really turning everything over to God...and for the FIRST time in a VERY long time...I have found an immense PEACE.  

My life was centered around so many things I am not proud of...and for the first time in my life...I wake up in the morning free of guilt.  That in and of itself is the biggest gift I have ever received.  I can look in the mirror...and actually smile...because instead of seeing this intensely ugly human being...I see what God intended for me to see.  

I say all this to give you an idea of how God's direction is really playing a huge role in our families lives.  I have always been the leader in our relationship.  Adam wants to be the head of our household...and I admit...I tried...at one point...and he quickly decided it wasn't for him.  However, being the control-freak I am...I refused to give it back.  I am learning to allow my husband to be the leader in our home.  I am learning to be the wife who is quiet...who doesn't feel the need to say everything that pops into her head.  I stress the word "learning".  Rome wasn't built in a day people... :)

Over the course of the next year...I am sure that the Lord is going to continue to break off this shell I have cocooned myself into.  For the first time...I am actually excited to be broken....

"The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places.  "Ernest Hemingway

WOW!

So we recently were shocked to find out that rather than Adam graduating in December of 2011...it actually turns out he will be graduating this upcoming May!  OMG!  A whole 7 months earlier than what we originally thought!

I can't believe that in 7 short months...we will be on our way to the next chapter of our lives!  I am so incredibly excited...and nervous its unreal!!!!

Random Ramblings

Major changes have occurred...yet again! 

One week ago, I quit my job.  There were many reasons behind it...and anyone who knows me really well doesn't need me to go into the details...but suffice it to say...BEST DECISION EVER!  The plan is for me to continue to stay home with the girls.  THANK THE LORD!  The cost of childcare alone would have eaten up my entire paycheck...and honestly?  I am NOT happy in the workplace at this particular point in my life!  I have responsibilities here at home to my husband and children....so at home is where I will be for the unforseen future.

This weekend Adam and I packed up the girls and headed off to Tulsa.  It was a much needed weekend away.  Friday evening, Adam and I were able to have a nice dinner at Fuji's and then we went over to our friends new condo for a little while.  Saturday,  Adam jetted off to play a day of discgolf with his friends and I loaded up my sister in law for a day of pedicures, shopping, and a movie.  That evening we went out with Andy and Ruth to the Looney Bin to see Kevin Bozeman.  WHO by the way...was absolutely HILARIOUS!
The girls spent the entire weekend laying around with grandpa...which was by far the highlight of his week I am sure!  :)

I have been quite the little deep thinker lately.  I am not sure if Adam knows what to make of it...but I think I am at a point in my life where I am learning even more about myself and what I value, think, etc.  Its kind of refreshing to realize things...even if those realizations can hurt sometimes!

Annslie is 7 months old.  Where has the time gone?  I swear it was just yesterday I was holding her for the first time!  She is crawling, pulling up, and even climbed 3 stairs at Adam's dads house this weekend.  I am sure before I know it she will be walking...so I guess its time to double check all the outlets!  Hehe.  

 Addyson is changing so much.  She is losing the "baby" look and really starting to look like a big girl.  She is constantly surprising Adam and I with the things she says.  She is SO curious!  She is constantly asking questions about EVERYTHING!  It is hard for me to believe that this time next year...she will be in Pre-K!  Where has the time gone?  I remember being pregnant with her!  She is REALLY into dressing up right now...and then asks me to take pictures of her after she has found an outfit to wear.  Sometimes I have to raise the eyebrow when she puts some stuff on...but I secretly I am super thrilled at how independent she is!

 Adam begins his first of the last 3 semesters of college.  We finally see a light at the end of the tunnell!  Neither one us knows exactly what is in store for our life after college...its a little scary to be honest.  However, we are soooo ready to embark on the next leg of our journey together.  We are stronger than ever as a couple.  The Lord has been really teaching me alot about myself...and as a result...has been really teaching me about being a wife!  Adam has been absolutely fabulous...he was on top of things as much as he could be while I was working...AND he took 6 hours of classes this summer!  He ended up with an A and a B in his classes, all while watching the kids, cleaning the house, cooking, etc.  I have had to learn to relinquish control though...which has NOT been easy AT ALL!  :)

Thats about all thats going on in the Jones' family lately....I am sure that as the days, weeks, months go by I will have more to update everyone on...but for right now...its time to get ready for yet another semester of school!  :)

Entirely Too Long!

Its been entirely too long since I updated....and so much has happened to update everyone on!

After a lot of thought, prayer, decisions, mind changes....etc.  Adam and I finally made the decision that I will need to return to work for the remainder of his college career.  I hate the thought of putting my baby girls in daycare.  I firmly believe that it is my duty to care for and raise our children....and I hate the thought that someone else will be doing the bulk of it for me.  However, ultimately...our children have needs that need to be met...and at this time....I am the one who is going to have to become the main breadwinner.  It will be a difficult transition for me.  Not seeing my precious girls all day long is definitely going to be hard for me. 

Adam is finally closing in on graduation....the light is at the end of the tunnel!  I cannot believe in just 3 semesters my hubby will be a college graduate.  I am super excited to see where the Lord takes us when he graduates. 

God has been really laying on my heart the need for change in my life.  As a young girl who was raised in a Godly home...I find myself craving that for my children.  I want my girls, in this crazy/sinful world to know the Lord.  I want them to experience the peace that only he can give.  However, in order to do that for my children....I need to make the step back towards church.  I need to set aside my hang ups and get back to my roots.  Please pray for me...God could not have made it more clear that it is time.

Addyson is going to be three next month!  SOOOOOO hard to believe that she is no longer a baby!  It feels like just yesterday I felt her kick for the first time....like just yesterday I was bringing her home from the hospital.  She is growing up so quickly...and I find myself...in the midst of the craziness that being 3 brings...staring at her in awe...

Annslie is going to be 5 months on Sunday!  OMG...My little chub has quite the personality!  She is such a happy baby...rarely cries and is always smiling!  She is currently in her swing...snoozing away!  After having one child who wakes up between 530-630 every morning...it is quite the surprise that we have a sleeper on our hands!  Annslie would sleep all day if I let her!  :)

All in all the Jones Family is doing great....things are kicking into high gear around here...and life is getting a little crazy...but we are enjoying it!

Time is Flying!

Its hard for me to believe that next week Annslie will be 4 months old!  It seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital! 

Addyson is becoming quite the little smarty pants!  She is sooooo sassy.  I swear sometimes I look at her and wonder when she turned 13! 

Here are some pics for everyone! 

Becoming a Big Girl!

Anyone who has had the privilege of meeting my "almost" 3 year old knows she is probably JUST as stubborn as her mommy and daddy. This has posed somewhat of a problem when trying to teach her how to do things like a "big girl." Actually, I take that back. She has brushed her teeth like a big girl (on her own), washes her hair like a "big girl" (with help), and sits at the table and eats politely (most of the time)! However, one area that we have been having difficulty with is the dreaded potty training.

I must admit...I went into the whole potty training thing thinking that it would be a breeze. I mean...girls are supposedly easier than boys to train. Boy...I was WRONG! When Addy was about 18 months old she started showing some signs that she was ready. She hated being in a wet or dirty diaper, was very interested in the "big girl potty", and would normally tell me before she needed to go #2. So...off I went to the store to buy panties, pullups, and a fancy potty chair.

Flash forward almost a year and a half. I am still buying diapers...for 2! We were planning on revisiting the potty training while I was pregnant with Annslie. However, with me being on bedrest and the fact that studies show that most children regress when a new baby enters the family...we decided to wait. In all honesty I was sooooo tired of trying to "convince" my little girl that going potty was "sooooo cool!". I finally decided..."Enough is enough...eventually she will get tired of wearing the diaper...and I will just encourage her without making too big of a fuss."

Well, that must have been what it took! Once I finally backed off...and she saw that her baby sister ALSO used diapers...she finally took an interest in that cute pink princess potty that plays dramatic music everytime something lands in it!

I am not going to get too excited...but I DID buy her some cool "BIG GIRL" princess potty wipes. And...today I am going to go pick up some big girl panties (since obviously she has outgrown the ones I originally bought). We shall see...but heres hoping shes potty trained by 3...otherwise...mommy might have a meltdown! HAHA