jones_it

You might be in Portugal if...

2009-02-25T13:33:00.000-08:00

Greysen and Gabe... at the park

Tim and Brandon eating a ton of really unhealthy food... bitoque!

Queluz

My sweet friend Eva and Emma

Daddy and Greysen

Today, Brandon and I went to the mall because I had an appointment at the Apple store. Ok... that store is really cool and they gave me new phone cause mine was not good. Anyways, we ate in the food court. It was really strange. I don't think either of us have eaten in a food court since Portugal. We decided to get gyros from the little greek resteraunt. They were pretty good... that is also what we always ate in Portugal when we were at the food court. Then, we got some Italian ice cream and some coffee. The entire thing, minus three kids running a muck, was all too close to our lifestyle 2 years ago. So, of course, the conversation centered around Lisbon memeories. We started putting a list together that I thought I would share. You probably won't relate like we do unless you are Bailey, Billy, Kim, or someone else who lived in Lisbon.

You know your in Portugal When...

1.) You are packed into public transportation like cattle... end you exit smelling like onions.

2.) You have your child riding on your shoulders... you accidentally run his head into a low tree limb... and you are the only one that laughs. No one else thinks its funny... they actually look angry, as if you did it on purpose.

3.) The coffee is so strong that your urine actually smells identical to the coffee.

4.) You visit a tourist attraction and there are absolutely no safety devices installed. No matter how many feet in the air you are... no guardrails.

5.) Your doctor says ass and shit to your 8 year old daughter and thinks nothing of it.

6.) Beautiful purple trees are surrounding you that smell like pee.

7.) Your children have absolutely no toys so they paint the seminary with aloe plants... apparently aloe plants stain stucco.

8.) You look forward to eating fresh bread every single day with no consequences because you actually walk at least 5 miles a day.

9.) A kilo of squid is actuall the size of two walmart sacks stuffed to the brim. Once you realize that they are giving you 200 squid... it is too late. You then go home on the subway with two giant clear sacks filled with raw seafood. That will get some attention!

10.) You realize that the Portuguese are much better at cooking the squid/lulus than you are. Therefore, youthgroup kids on the mission trip... and your husband... end up throwing raw squid from the top of your apartment and laughing histerically as it bounces off the road.

11.) Papa Johns is fine dining... true story

12.) Your husband in one of the few men on the beach not wearing a speedo... and you are the only person in a one piece... Actually some of the women just wore bottoms... does that count?

13.) All the other children (besides mine) are wearing hats, sunglasses and covered in sunscreen.

14.) Dinner is served no earlier than 9:00 p.m....

15.) You are more spiritually aware or awakened to the need that is really everywhere. People need to be able to know or realize the unconditional love that they have from Christ... Today Brandon and I sat in the mall and not only did we discuss the funny parts of being in Portugal... but we talked about our walk with Christ when we were in Lisbon. It has been two years since we lived in Lisbon and we still struggle with serving Christ here. There is a need here... and while we want to be in Lisbon and would pack up everything and leave tomorrow if that was an option, God wants us here right now. As we watched people walking around the mall we were reminded that the people are Gods ultimate creation and "that" is bigger than Lisbon.

So, we miss Portugal in its beauty and unique lifestyle that it offered... but we will be content and faithful wherever we are.

Busy Times...

2009-02-21T22:57:00.000-08:00

Some Pictures of us over the last month... And a list of things we have done and said. (A half way attempt at catching up my blog)

Landon at the pool in Wichita... His eyes are so red because of the chlorine!

My beautiful mom and her new cute haircut!

The boys eating Arbys at our picnic on Claremore Lake. They are cute!

Mom and two of the kids in the hot tub. Too hot for Greysen!

Emma placed first at her Wichita Meet. I am so proud of her dedication and discipline!

I was reluctant to start the blog because I have no time. I haven't posted in over a month. So I am giving a quick summary of our lives with a few pictures. I posted these same pictures on facebook I think.

What have the Jones' been doing for the last month?

1. Nikki: 18 hours of school this semester... Aghhh!

2. Brandon: Working, Working, and Working

3. Emma: Right in the middle of Gymnastics meet season

4. Landon: Performing as Uncle Sam in his school play

5. Greysen: Fighting with Landon, of course

6. All of us minus Brandon plus Grannie... Trip to Wichita for a meet

7. Enjoying some time out from school and playing in the snow

8. All of us: Loving little Ella (our new niece/cousin)

9. Nikki: Coaching Level 3 and Level 4... I love it!

10. Brandon: Helping his parents remodel... It's looking good over there!

11. Boys: Video Games...

12. Nikki: Dieting... lost 15 pounds so far... woo hoo!

13. Nikki: Trying to keep up with facebook, It's exhausting

14. Landon: Getting ready for baseball season

15. Greysen: skipping baseball this season because he wants to be a wrestler and wear a cape and be called "Skippy John Jones" Ok, whatever... it saves me the money and trouble of having two kids in baseball.

16. Nikki: I made the honor roll

17. Emma: beginning to test me. Infamous Emma quote: "Mom, can Gravedigger sign my stomach?" Yep, she actually said that. Oh my, how am I going to do this?

18. Greysen quote: "Guys, look at Grannies legs... they are dotted and striped!" Amazed at my moms legs in a swimsuit. Gotta love the innocence.

19. Greysen quote: talking to my mom... "Are you allowed to eat candy, like... does your mom say it's ok?"

20. Landon: professed that he wants to be a famous guitar player and singer so he can tell people about Jesus in a cool way. Awe... that is sweet. I am glad he doesn't want gravedigger to sign his stomach! HaHa!

21. Visiting new churches... the year long task of finding a new church. This is getting old. Tomorrow, we visit Life Church Owasso. I hope we love it

Pictures from the last few months...

2009-01-19T18:51:00.001-08:00

Oh yes... once your children get older this is the highest level of participation you can expect out of them when it comes to a group photo.

Yah... this one didn't really work either. In their defense, it is pretty cold outside. In my defense, this is why no one got cutesy photo Christmas cards from the Jones'.

Greysen showing his football spirit at Landons football game.

Landons attempt at taking a knee when a player was injured on the feild. He looked so cute all padded up.

My five year old still gets giant fruit smoothie mustaches when he takes a drink. Reason # 124 why we will probably do Kindergarten again!

Emma in the bathroom at El Tequila. She had been in there a while and some ladies came out cracking up... so I decided to investigate. Yep, she is blowing her mouth open with one of the most powerful hand dryers ever.

Ella Elizabeth Lindsey

2009-01-15T20:47:00.001-08:00

This is my new sweet niece... I think I am in love with her. She was born January 15th around 1:30 in the morning. She weighed 6 lbs. 6 oz. I have never seen a baby that small. I only get to have 8 and 9 (almost 10) pounders. She literally fits in my hand when she is all squished up in her blanket.

Seeing Ella today reminded me of having babies... of course. Actually, let me rephrase that. Seeing Lindsey, Levi, and Ella allowed me to recall so many memories. Now keep in mind that I, unlike most of you who read my blog, have closed down the baby making factory. I have not given birth in over 5 years. That is a strange feeling. For a long period in my life, I was either pregnant or nursing. Anyhow, last night, as I sat up at the hospital with Levi's family and my in-laws we all shared our labor stories. Once one person shares a labor story, everyone shares their labor stories. (I have some good ones if ever you are interested) Anyways, everyone there had their babies in less than a couple hours. So they were betting Lindsey would too. As the night progressed we realized that would not be the case. Brandon and I eventually had to go home and take care of our children. I got the phone call around 1:45 in the morning that Ella was born. For some reason I sat up in bed and started balling. It was really bizarre how overcome with emotion I was. I am kind of glad I wasn't there. That would have been awkward... Anyways, I just prayed that God would raise her up in such a way that she would live for Him. I haven't cried in extreme happiness and gratitude in such a long time.

Today, I went up to see her after I got out of class. She is so beautiful. I loved having her all to myself for a little while. But the thing I loved most about the day was watching and listening to Lindsey and Levi. Levi was so sweet as he worried about not being good enough at diaper changing. Lindsey was quietly nervous as she worked with the lactation nurse and Ella. Both parents were exhausted and thriving on an hour or so of sleep, yet reluctant to send their new little girl to the nursery for a couple hours. I grew a great deal of respect for my sister and brother-in-law today. As I reflected back on those same emotions my first, second, and third time around... I truly understood where they were. Their lives are forever changed in such an amazing way.

I miss having babies. I was the crazy lady that loved being pregnant, giving birth... all of it. My epidurals didn't work... I was in labor 28 hours once... I pushed for over 2 hours once. My labor experiences weren't picture perfect. But once my child was in my arms all the pain was forgotten. I remembered that today and I loved reliving it through an outsiders perspective. I am truly thankful to be a new Auntie Nikki.

Blogging Again

2009-01-09T20:20:00.000-08:00

This is by far the worst punishment for feuding siblings. Although we have thought of some good ones in the past.

Top 5 Unusual, yet Effective, Punishments in the Jones Household...

1.) Making the kids stand in the driveway with a handmade poster that says "I love my brother/sister. Please honk if you believe me!" They could not come inside until they received 5 honks.

2.) Placing a bar stool in the front yard and making them stand on it together hugging. If they let go of the hugging position one of them would fall. If they fell... then their 10 minutes started over.

3.) One of the most effective ever... sleeping in the other persons bed. This punishment resulted from a fight that occurred close to bed time. Emma had to sleep in Landon's bed and Landon had to sleep in Emma's bed. That totally grossed them out!

4.) The dreaded essay. If we say hateful things to one another... we get to write a one page essay naming all the things we like about our sibling. Next we have to recite the essay to our offended in front of the whole family. The family then votes if the essay was realistic... if it was sincere then there is an apology with a forgiveness. If not... back to the drawing board.

5.) The hand holding... timeless, classic, and still effective.

In our home we have to get creative with punishments. Of course we spank, lecture, time-out, and ground... but I feel like they become immune to that after so many times. It is always effective to spice it up a bit! One day they will realize it was all out of love. Who knows, maybe they too will carry on some of our sickly creative means of discipline.