YOU MIGHT BE A REDNECK IF............

You might be a redneck if you prop your shotgun up on a barstool to hold your broken microwave door shut so that it will cook for an extended period of time. A redneck or really, really lazy. Our microwave is broken people and the door will not shut. I thought my family would feel a sense of desperation and go out and buy all new stainless appliances for the sake of one broken microwave, but it looks like they feel shotguns as a cooking utensil is perfectly sensible and cost-effective. Could somebody help me please?????

OUR DISNEY EXHAUSTION... I MEAN VACATION

Well I have never run a marathon and probably never will but I can say I just completed a week long visit to Walt Disney World that ought to count as some sort of qualifying event for an Olympic triathalon or something. I can describe myself in one word at this moment- exhausted! I cannot believe how fast 10 hours can go by in that magical place (and on another note how slow it can go by in an airport when you miss a connecting flight and get stuck for 6 hours- but that is another story). We went non-stop in 14 hour days fighting much bigger crowds than we had hoped for in order to take in every sight and sound disney had to offer. You sort of embark on a mission to get your monies worth because it is no cheap vacation I will tell you. So you hurry, hurry, hurry in order to wait, wait, wait. No line was long enough to discourage two little boys missing a week of school. They had a BLAST and did not seem to be phased by the fact that we were suddenly surrounded by more people than probably inhabit the entire state of South Dakota. February is not an off month for the Disney resort, and I hear they are laying people off! Are they kidding me? The media is definitely making the economy worse. I have battle wounds to prove that Disney is not hard up for business. Anyway, our temporary home for the week was The Dolphin resort conveniently located in between Epcot and Hollywood studios just adjacent to the Boardwalk. We loved the resort and its direct access to the parks. It was as beautiful as the weather and when put together it was paradise found. I just wish we would have had another day to just relax there. But, park hopping was calling and so we went. The Magic Kindom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom- we park hopped to them all. Monorails, Boats, Busses, Trains- any means of locomotion we could find to get us where we wanted to go. If I close my eyes right now I still have the feeling of being on a roller coaster. Yes, roller coasters! As many times as we could and as many as we could find. My dreams of leasurely rides through Its a Small World or Peter Pan were squashed with the thrill two boys found on Space Mountain, Rockin Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Test Trak and their absolute favorite- Expedition Everest (which I have to say is my favorite too). I am usually not a roller coaster kind of girl but a good mother cant very well send one of her babies into such terrifying circusmastances as a single rider. We did so many things that I could never mention them all in a single post. I hope my mission was accomplished- creating life long memories for my boys like my parents did for me. I felt like a kid again. The lights, the parades, the fireworks, the music, the magic that is Disney are hopefully etched inside of my boys for life. I hope we return as a family but if not I hope the memories we made will always remind them that it is possible to wish upon a star and have your dreams come true.

THE VALENTINE BOX

Well Jaxon and I sat down tonight to undertake the yearly task of "THE VALENTINE BOX" for the classroom valentine exchange. I must say this used to be something I really enjoyed and likely squelched any creative juices in Jordan due to my obsessive need for neat and adorable. Nevermind if it looked like a child actually produced it. Well, whatever the first child loses in imagination due to overbearing parents the second child inherits since mom is now too tired and thinks a childs own work and creativity ought to count for more than whatever any parent did no matter how neat and adorable. So here is the result. Jaxon discovered the face deformer setting on the laptop webcam, snapped his photos, printed them and felt led to glue them to the top of his aluminum foil wrapped box with the words ... "I LOVE YOU BABE" across the top. I am sure the girls will be impressed but for now Jaxon is realy impressed with himself. And mama couldnt be more inspired by his creativity. What a proud moment.

IMPATIENCE AS SEEN THROUGH THE EXPRESSIONS OF A TODDLER

I thought I would post these pics of my adorable nephew Luke. I thought they demonstrate perfectly a child's opinion of a photo shoot. No words necessary.

THREE GIRLS AND A LODGE

There are more to these pics than just me and my two best friends, Kim and Cella. They tell a story of 3 best friends, a remote cabin in the woods of Eastern Arkansas, initialized plush robes that symbolize an attempt to title the cabin a Lodge, and 8 years of the best memories of my life. Thanks to my "girls" for being in my life and to our "men" for making it all possible!!! Whatever change comes our way I know one thing will always remain constant- OUR FRIENDSHIP! Hooty WHO girls!!!!

ITS BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

Well it has been freezing here for a couple of weeks. We have not been above freezing in 12 days and for most of those it has barely made it to 0- yes I said ZERO! We finally got a beautiful snowfall last night to make these frigid temperatures worthwhile. I say if it has to be this cold it may as well snow. Especially at Christmas. Here are a couple of pics taken of the house this morning and our dogs letting you all know that "BABY ITS COLD OUTSIDE!"

Christmas at the Joneses

Well some of my blog readers have been upset with me for not blogging more often so I thought I would post a few pics of what it looks like around the Jones house for Christmas. You will see one of our trees by the fireplace where we open gifts. I tried to capture the snowy scene outside but didnt notice our babies are standing at the door wanting to be let inside. I put all of our Chrismtas cards on the staircase this year and I just love this. I love looking at all of the wonderful families in our lives so thank you for all of the sweet cards and if you didnt send me one you better next year. This is one of my favorite things to look forward to during Christmas. I also posted a picture of our resident elf, Cocoa. He is keeping good watch over all the Jones boys and reporting back to the North Pole nightly on their behavior. So far so good! Maybe he can stay all year long! The boys and I have also decorated some sugar cookies so I thought I would post a picture of the product of our labor. Why is the idea always more fun than it actaully turns out to be. Especially with two boys that would rather eat the dough than spend any quality still time icing cookies.