Christmas, aaaah Christmas

Merry Christmas 2012! From A snowy Christmas Eve to a peaceful Christmas Day, we are blessed with love, family, and the saving grace of our Lord Jesus. May you find joy in the upcoming year and be filled with God's grace upon your life. 

Blessings,
Mrs. Jones

A Sweet Moment in my Christmas Day

Christmas is a great joy for me; all my children, smiling, laughing, just being together, my husband waking up next to me in the morning ready to have coffee, and the joy of opening gifts as a family. We decided to exchange names this year and focus on one person. Boo had my name and was quite creative with her gifts. And you should know Christmas never comes or goes without one session of tears from the Momma. This sweet gift was The One this year. I mentioned to Boo I'd like a Message Bible in passing. We were talking about studying God's Word and the different versions out there. Actually Boo, Lina and I we were looking for a Study Bible for her brother's gift. Little did I know she would tuck that conversation away, find one at a thrift store and create her own cover for me. Boo has an eye for photography and created this out of her own pictures. She found letters to make the spine and personally signed a lovely inscription inside. My very own Gracie-May treasure. Just for me. Always there. Always mine. I love it!

Hiking, Getting Lost, and Hiking, NOT Getting Lost

 

My sweet friend and now hiking buddy, Michele, and I decided we would get some exercise. With all the Holiday treats sitting on my thighs, I was more than ready!  T told me where the trail head was and what to look for. Well, we walked, enjoy the beauty of the area, walked, laughed, and walked some more. We asked ourselves,"Is this was the way to go? It makes a loop, right?" We trudged through snow, up hills, down hill, but never did find grandma's house. The views are amazing, but then again, we are in Colorado. Winter hiking is as great as summertime.

We were soooo lost by now. But what's a girl to do but keep on walking! Ten miles, yes, 10 miles later, we found the car. It reminded me of the marathon training I did with another friend in Cali. :) We hopped in the Subi and drove straight to Starbucks. We decided a smoothie would be less calories than a coffee or at least we hope so!

Today we ventured out again to get some more exercise since we all know how much more has been placed on the table since then and goodness knows I love to laugh with Michele. We ran across this in the snow on our way up Spruce Mtn. It speaks volumes!

Could this be more beautiful? The storm is coming in and we are expecting snow tonight. Yeah! A white Christmas!! This is at the top of the ridge, lovely, just lovely isn't it? and yes we did stop often to play with our IPhone cameras and enjoy the views. But can ya blame us?

We made it without getting lost this time!  Five Miles and some GREAT conversation, just how I like to exercise.  Merry Christmas Everyone!

Let it Snow!

 Snow, Snow Snow!

We awoke to a Winter Wonderland this morning. Our drive to church was just beaUtiFul!

Yes, I do live here. :)

And boy do we need it! Our state is in a drought for sure and this snow is a welcome change. Shoveling? Yeah, anyday for this moisture. It has been so warm this fall that T even started watering our trees this week. We don't lose them next spring. From watering to snow and cold temperatures. I love Colorado!

Lights!

We love our Christmas lights. We put them on the house, on the tree, around the yard, and apparently, on ourselves too.

 

Charley objected to being lit up, though we tried. Instead, she enjoyed the warmth of the fire light.

 

 

But the best light of all is the star over the manger in our yard. It reminds us of the true Light of the World.... Jesus

Happy Anniversary to Us!

It was time to escape the hustle and bustle of life for 24 hours. Just me and my man. No one else. I like it that way;  the undivided attention and the pure moments of quiet. When you're secure in who you are as a couple, quiet is okay too. We went a few hours away to Breckenridge, Co; a quaint town with some great shops to browse about. We had a wonderful meal, coffee in an old house Starbucks, watched a movie in our room and toasted 23 years of marriage.

Happy Anniversary Husband. I love you!

Being Honest

I have so much to write and so little time to do it anymore. I find these ideas flowing in my head, dying to find paper and all the time wondering if I can even share them without back lash. So for now, I shall keep my words simple and one day share how I really feel. Today just isn't that day.

Working women try hard to find balance. I know that cause I live it. Truth be told, it isn't possible. Somethings got to give and it usually hurts. I've been at this full time work thing for over a year now and find each day a new question pops in my mind. Today it's "Surely there's a better way?"

Let's go back a bit. Okay, more than a bit. Say 22 years ago. I was newly married, working full time, trying to be a wife and an employee, pregnant with our first baby and one big fat mess.

Finally the husband say,"What do you want?!" Exasperated, I am sure.

"I just want to stay home!!"

"Then stay home already!" And that was the end of the working wife, soon to be momma.

I never skipped a beat. We had balance...most of the time. There were a few hard arguments here and there to make sure we STAYED balanced. I felt overworked with 4 children at times, but who doesn't when you're raising children. I also had my own pity parties  that God got invited to aaaand I would say, He gave me a good talkin' too, bringin' me back in balance oooh, once again.

T and I look to God's Word for the roles we pursue. I love being a wife and a momma as well as Love, LOVE being the teacher, encourager, mediocre cook, and all around Go to Girl for our children. He works hard, very hard in his job as well as manages our finances, maintenance of every sort from the yard to the car, Mr. Advice, and even cooks better than me. Not to mention he is there for his oh so needy wife. That in and of itself is BIG!  What we do works.

Or did.

Now, life as we live it today, well, that life...we're still workin' though the kinks. And let me just say, there's been plenty. PLeNtY!

T is now Mr. Carpool, Mr Errand Dad, Mr. Keep the House Clean for sale Man, Mr. Encourage the wife as she falls apart on me Husband, Mr. Cook, and all the rest he already did. Me, my role.. full time 5th grade teacher, wife and momma.

 I am tired. Awake at 5:45am, out the door at 6:45am. Students arrive at 8:05am and it doesn't stop until I leave at 4:00pm. Home and then the night begins. I am off to bed no later than 9:30pm to be able to do it all over again or cause I literally fall asleep! Now you have to know, I am a type B personality. Type B people get TIRED. We need less noise and activity. I can do type A well but to rejuvenate I can't go on, and on, and on without a break.

So what's the answer? I don't know just yet. God's plan is good and I know this is where I need to be today. But tomorrow...tomorrow is another day.  In the mean time I am understanding the challenges of working moms and growing in grace. Trying to wear three or four different hats isn't easy, quite honestly, impossible. Somethings got to give, question is.. what?

Reality Check:

So where are you? Working too much? Not quite sure what the next step is? Yeah, I can relate. Let's try seeking after God's best and nothing less. He'll show us what to do. And remember, your Right isn't gonna be my Right. That's the grace part.

Thanks for Listening,
Tina, aka
Tuna Jones

Boo's Send Off

We made it to Florida in August with ALLLL of Boo's things. Okay, so not ALL. We shipped some of it! We were amazed, simply amazed at the beauty and peaceful feeling of SEU. We knew this was a perfect fit for our Boosie. We toured the campus before the hub-bub of check in took place and found the serenity luring. Of course we had to go to the Gulf Coast and put our feet in the warm waters while we were there. Can't go that close to a beach and not go see it. So, our Boo is off and running. She is determined to finish in two years and move on in life's journey. Until then she is enjoying new friendships, new adventures and some God moments that will change her forever. We miss her but know that God's plans are bigger than ours. 

We love you Elizabeth!