Durango

The plan was to leave early in the morning (2 a.m.) Wednesday for Colorado. Jon called Tuesday mid morning and said "do you want to leave this afternoon? Maybe 4 or so? I am ready to get out of town!" I was excited to go to and had most everything ready to leave. So, I agreed and off we went. MB took a nap. Price played his Leapster. We stopped in Elk City to eat at McDonald's for dinner. I put the kids in their pj's and off we went. We stopped again about an hour later for a potty break. The kids watched the Polar Express then fell asleep. We stopped again at Loves for gas. From there I drove us into New Mexico. We stopped at a Days Inn in Tucumcari to stay the night. The kids had a midnight snack of cheese cubes, blueberries and Price chowed half a jar of pickled okra. The night was sort of restless because Jon is battling a head cold, Price coughed alot during the night and Maggie Beth was just confused about where we were I think.

None the less, we were up and at'em by 7. We had waffles at the hotel and hit the road again. We made our way through NM. The kids did so awesome!!! MB was content watching Praise Baby videos and Elmo. Price watched them too, played his Leapster and colored. He played silly games with Maggie Beth that made her giggle. We stopped at a Walgreen's in Albuquerque to get more meds for Jon and take a potty break. Around Cuba NM, I climbed in the back and made turkey and cheese sandwiches, chips and apple slices for the fam. We ate and kept driving on. Price got all kinds of thrilled when we spotted snow on the sides of the road! When we got to Bloomfield, it started snowing! Yay! : )

We pulled into Durango and were so taken with its charm and beauty. What a lovely town!! Our hotel is wonderful. Price and Jon hit the hot tub last night. We walked the town and ate at Tequila's Mexican Restaurant. We came back to the hotel room for hot chocolate and a game of checkers. The four of us snuggled in the king size bed and watched Beauty and the Beast on TV (the whole thing). Then off to bed. So far the trip has been sweet. Not sweet as in "cool" but sweet as in special. Jon and I have been so blessed with our little family.

I'm Ba-aaaack!

After exactly a 3 month break from writing, I am back to blogging! I will catch you up on the details of why I was unavailable to blog about my life the last few months, but for now I will just give you the short version:

1) I was packing our 2,800 square foot house to move!

2) I was garage selling our stuff....lots of stuff!

3) I was hauling stuff to Goodwill

4) I was moving what was left into a 2 bedroom, 1,000 square foot house

5) I was unpacking and settling into our new residence

6) I started a part-time job at our church as the secretary

7) We are preparing to take a family road trip over the Thanksgiving holiday

8) I am planning Maggie Beth's first birthday party! (OMG!!!! Can it be possible?)

(Sigh)......it has been a whirlwind to say the least, but we have been so blessed through it all! I can't wait to update you on what God has been doing the last several weeks!

Summer of Super Heroes!

Watch out bad guys, Price is here to save the day! This has been the adorable summer of super heroes! I never now what character will come down the stairs next! He has Spiderman and Iron Man costumes, but the ones that get worn the most are the ones with a "P" on them. He makes up his own super hero names and powers. Of course no hero is complete without spectacular sound effects, and Price is NOT short on those! The pows, booms, bangs, wacks and pops flow freely throughout the ENTIRE day! : ) He is definately "all boy" and I LOVE IT! This ittle man is most certainly my hero!

Kindergarten

Price is going to Kindergarten! I feel like someone should pinch me because it just doesnt seem possible! He looked so cute in his little plaid shorts, polo and deck shoes. He took off out the door with his backpack and lunch box in tow.

Jon gave Price big hugs before school like he always does, but this time he held onto his boy a little longer. YaYa came over to see Price and then rode with me to take him to school. I was fine all morning until it was time to hug him and say goodbye. HE was fine. I, on the other hand, walked down the hall from his classroom like a weeping bafoon! I am so happy he is growing and learning and getting his little wings. I was emotional because I kept thinking "where does the time go?"

He has a wonderful teacher! Mrs. Walker is a sweet lady with a daughter Price's age. Price is social and loves to learn. He has always enjoyed being around other children. I am so proud of him. He is smart and friendly and loves structure. He is going to LOVE kindergarten!

Maggie Beth is 8 months

Maggie Beth is 8 months old! She is a little sweetheart! She sits up really well. She leans forward on her hands and knees and rocks back and forth. If she tries to get something out of reach, she falls down on her tummy and will eventually get frustrated and roll over onto her back. She has one tooth and another is just below the gums. She gets excited when she sees drinks with straws, icecream and popsicles. She gets most excited when she sees Price! She says Mama, Da da, and Bubba. Though she may not know she is calling us by our "names" she has got us all covered! Watching Harley makes her giggle. She claps her hands when I say "pat-a-cake" and cries if I leave the room. In church, she sings. She says "aaaahhh" the whole time the band is playing. It is so darn cute! She LOVES bathtime, swimming in the pool and splashing her little hands in water on her high chair tray. She very much dislikes getting strapped into her carseat, but is fine once she is all buckled in. Her favorite snacks are graham crackers, nilla wafers, Gerber puffs and most any fruit. She eats best during lunch and she is a pro at the sippy cup! She naps at 9 am., 1 p.m., sleeping about 1 to 1.5 hours each time, and goes to bed around 8 p.m. She wakes around midnight and 5 a.m. to nurse and sometimes wakes between times wanting her bink (which makes for one tired Mama). Her day starts around 7 a.m. Maggie Beth is cuddly, sweet, dainty, smiley, happy and vocal. We love and adore our little angel baby!

Jones Clan

Jon's aunt Pat (Kari's sister)

Brandon and Price

Bradley

Price and Uncle Josh (Jon's brother)

Jon's cousin Brandon, and his wife Lindy

Jon's cousin Steven

Steven's girls, Sara and Katie

Our pool

Jon's family is a huge gaggle. His mom is one of 8 children. Most of them have at least 3 children, so Jon has alot of first cousins. Most of his cousins have 2 children, so the family tree keeps growing more branches. Today, the Jone's clan participated in a softball tournament in Amber for a fundraiser. After winning the first game and losing the next 2, they all went to eat at Mazzios Pizza and then cam to our house to swim.

Drive in movie

learning....

Got it!

Jon took Price to see Toy Story 3 at the drive-in. I packed popcorn, grapes, and string cheese for snacks so my men could munch during the show. While waiting for the movie, Price learned how to do the "Texas stinks" sign that all Sooner Born children learn to do. It did rain a little, but they sat in the cab of the truck and had a great time! Yay for good summer fun!

Adoration!!

Maggie Beth LOVES her big brother! He will simply walk into the room and she grins ear to ear!! When he plays, she looks at him like he is the most amazing thing she has ever seen. It is complete adoration!...and so stink'n sweet to see the love the have for each other! These pics were taken while she was watching her "bubby."

I mean really....he is pretty adorable!

Lake Rats

Uh-Oh! Watch out!

YaYa wants one now too!

Bryce, Joshua and Price

Tam Tam, YaYa and Babby!

Maggie Beth's first dip in the lake!

Poppy's First Mate

Over the weekend, we went to the lake with our extended family! It was a blast!!!! My mom, aunt Tam and aunt Abby; Abby's boyfriend Barry, Evva, Clint, Keelyn and Bryce. Bridget, Caleb, Joshua, Isaac and Micaiah. My dad, me Price and Maggie Beth. My mom's cousin from North Dakota, Roger, his wife Chris and their 4 children; Matthew, Aubrey, Alexa and Jaden. 11 children total! We went out on the boat, swam in the lake, and played on Jet Skiis. After Price had his first ride on the Jet Ski, he said "Mom, that was SO fun! I have to get one of those!" We laughed and had a great time! Precious memories were made this weekend. So fun!!! : )

Proverbs 22:6

"Teach your children to choose the right path and when they are older, they will remain upon it." Proverbs 22:6.

This scripture has been like a broken record in my head the last month or so; I can't escape it! I think about it, chew on it and pray it for myself as a Momma leading innocent little lambs. I have asked God what to do with it. How does He want me to apply it? We have created a habit of having a devotion in the morning over breakfast (about 5 minutes) and Price recites several memory verses and prays most nights before he goes to sleep. I kept feeling though that there should be a deeper level of learning and understanding for Price. He is capable. He has a child's heart. He is sensitive to things concerning God. As a result, I have put together a little study of the Bible in chronological order. Each day has a Bible story, activity and scripture. We will continue the scripture memory and I am on a hunt for a new devotion to start with the new school year. More than anything, I pray God blesses this time we share together in the Bible. I pray He captures my son's heart with his Holy Word, and this begins the start of a lifelong hunger and thirst know his heavenly Father. I pray Price grows in wisdom and that his heart longs to be like Jesus!

July 4th

My babies on a rainy, humid July 4th. Precious American children.

7 months!

Happy 7 month birthday to Maggie Beth! What a sweet little gift from heaven!!

End of the road

So, I know many people say they will never buy a minivan. I was one of them. But after having baby #2, it just seemed like the natural thing to do. We were all a little cramped in the Murano when we had to load Price's school bags, soccer stuff, Maggie Beth's baby stroller, diaper bag and anything else we needed to tote along with us. I also wanted to be able to pick up Price's school friends or cousins and bring them home with us or go to the park. In order to do that, we needed more seats. Anyway, last Saturday, we sold the 2007 Nissan Murano. It was a little sad. I really liked that car. It was dependable and I loved having the leather seats (very practical with children). We have found a 2000 Toyota Sienna that seems to have been taken good care of. It has cloth seats and is "older" but it is going to work great for out family. The best part of all is that it eliminates our crazy expensive car payment! Yay!

So its the end of the road for the Murano. I am sure I will be driving a minivan until my kids start to drive themselves around; and at this point, I will get something sweet and sassy to drive around! Pics of the van coming soon.

Small Group

Jon and I are very blessed to be a part of a wonderful church here; New Life Christian Church. There are a group of young married couples with small children that meet every Wednesday evening. We hosted the June family night at our house. We had fun! Jon grilled, the kiddos swam and we got to fellowship and laugh with great friends! Kathrine and Wesley......

.......some of the guys Jon and Maggie Beth

The Lafevre's

Megan and the girls

John and the Kopec kids

Chris and Addi

My lil guy Toni and Landry Ash and Mr. B