Time keeps on Tickin

Wow............ I can't believe it's already December. Time has flown!! Everyone in the Jones' house is keeping busy and growing up way to fast for Jerry and I.
Hunter is almost 15 months old and a bundle of energy!! He amazes me each and every day. He is learning so much. He says random words and lets us know when he wants something. He still hasn't broken the 20 lb. mark, so is still facing backwards in the carseat. I am thinking he will probably be that way until he is 2!! He eats table food, but is so active, he burns it off. ( I wish I had that luck.) He is still adored by his sisters and really anyone who he comes in contact with. He is my greatest blessing.
Olivia is doing great in 2nd grade. She reads so well and we are so proud of her. She is an awesome big sister and daughter. She is a great help to me!!
Chloe is also doing great in KG. She had a little mishap with the non English speaking, scissor happy little boy in her class............. lets just say she now has bangs.
The girls are excited about their Daddy and I getting married, especially since they get to wear pretty dresses and be flower girls.
Speaking of the wedding..................... things are coming along. I have to find shoes and then I can get my dress altered. The girls all have their dresses. We have invitations (it is a very small wedding, so don't be upset if you don't get invited). We have favor bags. I have my garter. We have a place to have the reception. We have a photographer. So yeah, I still have alot to do under 3 months. I am not stressing out. It will get done. In the end, we will still be married, so let the good times roll.
Jerry is good. He is out hunting as I type. Still hasn't shot Big Daddy. He went to W. KY for his annual hunting trip a few weeks ago and that was the longest 10 days!!! I was so glad when he came home. His job still stresses him out most of the time, but he does have a job. For that we are thankful.
I am kicking right along, taking life one day at a time. My kids this year are unique. I have a rough (average to below average) group the last period of the day for Pre-Algebra. Most days I leave with my blood pressure elevated!! I will make it through, but it will take every ounce of patience and strength I have. My first semester of my trek to getting my EdS is almost over. I took 3 classes. I am done with 2 of them and will take the final for the other one this next week. I am registered for 10 hours next semester, so I will need lots of prayer as I take classes and get married.
I am sorry I don't update as often as I should. Life keeps me pretty busy. Some of my family and friends haven't posted in months, so I don't feel so bad.

Here are some pictures taken in the last few weeks.................


Hunter chillin in his wagon.


Hunter and Isaiah enjoying an after school snack.


I L.O.V.E. this picture of Hunter and his Aunt Anne. He is giving her MUWAHS.


Chloe celebrating her 6th birthday.


The latest picture of the Fam...........................

Halloween 09

Hunter....aka Tigger.... and his Aunt Becky.



Jerry Jones Jr...... aka Isaiah......... aka Triple J



Hannah Montana......aka Olivia


Princess Chloe


Buzzed Light...........aka Jerry

A Ranger riding group that Jerry belongs to came to Royal Blue this weekend so he and the girls intended on riding with them. On Friday, 5 minutes up the first mountain, the drive shaft on the Ranger broke.............. so it was down the mountain and he and Uncle Scott got the Ranger loaded and were lazy............. waiting for Jerry's toy hauler to be ready so he could go pick it up, then getting the girls. No riding for them, but they decided to camp out in the trailer any way and enjoy the company.

Hunter, Isaiah, and I joined them yesterday afternoon. We relaxed in the trailer, watching a DVD and watching Hunter walk back and forth, and listening to it rain!! Nothing like rain on the tin roof. After relaxing, we headed up the Halloween festivities................ in the mud and sprinkles!! We had a great meal and good company. Uncle Scott and Aunt Becky joined us for a little while and we listened to a band. Hunter, Isaiah, and I headed home about 9 and Jerry and the girls stayed to camp out again. They will be home sometime this afternoon.

We usually go the Freeman house and join the family in trick or treating and weenie roasting but since Anne had her jaw surgery (and still isn't up to par) and Mom is out of town, we decided to forego the festivities this year. I missed it............... But we still had a good time.

Let's go fly a kite

Jerry and the girls and I rode up to the Top of the World in Windrock on Sunday to fly kites. It was a bit chilly but we had a great time.

My little posers.......................................

I'm still alive : )

Jerry and the kids last weekend.......................


Well, I have good news.................. I actually have Great News............. Jerry and I are getting married!!!! We got engaged a couple of weeks ago and I am SOOO over the Moon happy!!! We both are, so are the girls.............. Hunter has no clue what is going on!!
We are getting married on March 20th ............ where ?? we don't know....... It will be a very small affair, so don't be disappointed if you don't get an invite. We are inviting only close friends and family. We want simple, sweet and outdoorsy.

I found my dress last weekend. Simple and Sweet...... I LOVE it!!!
Kathy and Anne have purchased their dresses.... simple and sweet.
We have decided on invitations.
I have decided on colors, cake, and few other minor things.
Still need to find a simple and sweet venue............... outdoors.



Jerry, Hunter and I at my cousin's wedding. I love this picture of us!!

School is going okay --- both are. My kids keep me busy and on edge. I am struggling to keep my cool with them half the time. They aren't real bright and there are alot of behavior problems, so I have to be stricter than usual.
My college classes are kicking my butt. Busy busy busy.............

I will try to keep up with this better, but I'm not making any promises. I am bizzy, bizzy, bizzy.

4th of July and Random pics

With only 1 month until school starts, I can't believe how fast this summer has gone. I guess teaching summer school and having the girls here so much has made it go by that much quicker. We have done lots of things................ boating, riding, and swimming. I am enjoying getting to spend so much time with Hunter and his sisters. Enjoy the pics...................


The girls playing in our slammin pool!!!


Hunter's first time on Buzzard's Bluff. This place is a family favorite!!


Our little boy showing his teeth.


Aunt Bette brought her nieces, Katie and MacKenzie up to the bluff to play with us.


Pyro Jones Fireworks from the bluff


Hunter snuggles with his Aunt Lana before getting in her pool.


Hunter LOVES this float!!!


Fun on the tubes.....................


I think Chloe was gonna push Isaiah off the tube!


Anne and I tubing............ before laughing so hard we fell off!!!


Four wheelin on the Fourth Family pic minus Hunter, who was with his Aunt Anne and her family for the day.


Chloe and I and our self portrait.


Jerry and 'Liv smile for Chloe to take their picture.


Before the fireworks began............... Hunter loved his first fireworks and sat and watched pretty much like he looks in this picture.

Family Time : )

I am so proud when I tell people my parents are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary on August 9th : ) WOW!!!!!! As part of the celebration, we had our family pictures done this past Friday............. outside.......... and boy, was it humid : )
But in spite of the heat and humidity, everyone did very well. Us girls refrained from our usual complaining, the kids were cooperative, even Hunter !!!!
Here are a few pictures that Isaiah randomly took with my camera and some I took. I think Isaiah has some talent. We won't get the professional pictures back for a few weeks. I am excited to see how they turned out!!


Daddy's Girls..........


Momma's Girls.......................


Hunter and Jerry


Hunter in the middle of his sisters and cousins

Hunter's 9 month check up

Hunter went to the doctor today for his 9 month check up.

He weighs 17 lbs. 10 oz.............. gaining a mere pound since April. Dr. James says he is healthy and fine, just little. He is in the 10% percentile for his weight and length (27.25") . His head is in the 50% percentile.

He isn't gaining much weight because he is so active at this point in life. He should be walking in the next few months, definitely before his first birthday.

His crankiness the past week is most likely due to a change in schedule. Jerry being gone probably had something to do with it as well. But this is only a theory.

He got his finger pricked. Didn't even flinch. And got a bright yellow bandaid that he was in total awe of.............cracked me up. His blood work came back fine.

He can start the Stage 3 baby foods and/or we can start crushing up table food. He can also start on juice in a sippy cup. We will start making changes when Hunter and I get back from my inservice in Gatlinburg. I am not going to try anything while we are away from home.

We go back in 3 months.........for his 1 year check up!!! It will be here before I know it.

I think that is all.................

Love and Hunter snuggles...........
Carol and the fam

I'm still here

Time has flown by.......... the end of the school year has come and gone. I am now doing summer school for half days for 8 more days. I have already done 10. We got the girls the Friday before Memorial Day and had them up until this past Thursday. I learned that I am not cut out to be a stay at home mother of 3. Bless those mommies that do that day in and day out. The plus side to the girls being here, besides that fact that they had rules and stability, was that they are great helpers. They help with laundry, dinner, cleaning, and Hunter. He still thinks they hung the moon. They talk to him and he giggles.
Hunter now has 6 teeth and we are awaiting the arrival of 2 more on the bottom. He is mobile and can get anywhere he wants to............ in an odd army crawl kind of way. He mocks sounds we make and makes us laugh and want to pull our hair out in the same breath. He will be 9 months old the 15th.
Jerry is still at his job and it still stresses him out, but I do think it is getting slightly better. He has learned to change the drum belt on the dryer and the motor on the air conditioner..... all in the same weekend!!!
Olivia just finished First Grade and is officially a Second grader. She got all A's and B's on her report card. She continues to amaze us with how smart she is.
Chloe is gearing up for Kindergarten. She tells anyone who asks, that she has 3 months until she starts school. The school better watch out for this one. She is a firecracker.
Me........ well, like I said, I am keeping busy with summer school and being a mom. That pretty much sums up my life. But I wouldn't want it any other way.

There really isn't much else to say.............. We are staying busy. Trying to stay sane. And I am loving every minute of it.

Here are some pictures from various activities:


The girls and Hunter watching "Little Einsteins". Not sure what Olivia is driving and Chloe definitely has the "just woke up" look.


Jerry and Hunter at Riverfront Park.


Hunter came to school with me.


Hunter's first ride in the Ranger. He LOVED it. And don't worry, it was a smooth trail.


Hunter and I relaxing on an island. We went boating this day. Hunter hated wearing the life vest.

Everybodys Got "Stuff"

The more I live, the more I learn. A few years ago I thought that my problems were nothing compared to what some people go through. I would sweep my woes and worries under the rug so to speak, because "there are people out there who have way worse problems than I do" ......... But after the last few years of soul searching, I know that "we all got stuff"........... My woes and worries are just as important to me as yours are to you. You never know what other people are going through. One's woes are not to be belittled by anyone. They are valid feelings that need to be discussed with someone. Talk about your "stuff" or you will stress yourself out.

So when you feel like there is "no one who will understand" you know what, they may not, but I bet they will listen and that itself will help you feel better. We all have stuff to deal with. How we deal with it is the challenge.

Trust me, been there, done that, have the therapy bill to prove it.

Thank you to those of you -- family and friends -- who provide me with a place to talk about my stuff.
Love you all.....................

Keepin up with the Jones'

I just realized it has been over 2 weeks since my last post...........My bad. No excuses, just living life and keepin on keepin on................

Hunter is still in a holding pattern of the 2 bottom teeth, but we are sure his top teeth are right around the corner. He chews on everything and anything he can grab (hair, necklaces, shirt collars, etc.). He is eating baby food, Stage 2, every day, 3 times a day with bottles in between and at night and in the morning. I look forward to the bedtime bottles, cause that is when I really get to bond and just watch him as he falls off to sleep. He must think that Huggies is donating diapers to us, cause the boy uses way too many of them.............. for "nuggets" if you know what I mean!! I have learned to be resourceful yet keep him clean and dry. He is no longer to be anywhere that has any height to it unless he is strapped in and watched. He is way to squirmy and rolls over ALL the time! He is a maniac. He is full of energy and still has the Hunter smile we all know and love.

Jerry hates......okay, severly detests his job. Because of our stellar economy, about 75% of the company has been let go, which means that one person may have to do 2 other peoples jobs, like Jerry is. I don't understand b/c he cannot effectively do all the jobs at the same time. He comes home very frustrated. We would love for him to get a new job, but again, this stoopid economy has us all being thankful for what we have and scared to look for something else. But what I want to know, is the stress worth it all? Life is too short to be stressed all the time.

The girls........... we got them again after Spring Break, and they were still talking about their week here. We get them this weekend and are celebrating Olivia's 7th Birthday on Sunday, here at the house. We have invited my family, Jerry's family, and of course, Katie and Kenzie. We decided we couldn't do a big ol' kid party this year and Olivia is excited to have any kind of celebration. I am sure they will do something on Saturday for her birthday as well. I am looking forward to seeing them as always. They will probably notice that I have cleaned and organized things around here. They usually notice....... especially Chloe.

Me.............. um, yeah...... I am staying busy with Hunter, school, afterschool, Hunter, the house. I stay tired. I try to get to bed early, but my mind keeps turning and I cant actually fall asleep. I have been on a rampage this week. My sitter couldn't keep Hunter on Monday, so I moved Hunter from room to room and cleaned. I told Jerry to watch out --- some of his stuff might end up on Craigslist or EbaY!!!! Jerry and I have started eating better and doing more activities. I have been at it for a week and a half and feel better already. I have way too many clothes waiting on me that I can't yet fit back in to.

I think thats all for now..........................

Momma needs a vacay!

I have come to the realization that my body is not cut out to be a stay at home mom to 3 children under the age of 7. After two and half days with Olivia, Chloe, and Hunter ALL day, each day, I am completely and totally worn out!! Don't get me wrong, they are full of funny sayings and fun times, but they do require alot of attention. I have laughed, I have cried, and I have screamed.

I admire my mother now more than ever!!! 3 days with 3 kids........about the same amount of age difference as my sisters and I...........I don't see how my mom did it. Bless you Momma!!!

We had a great time this week............we had a picnic at the park with Aunt Bette and her nieces,

tredged to Goodwill to show the girls how to bargain shop, and then I single-handedly took my 3 childrens to Walmart. Was I stoopid or what??? Completely exhausted is more like it.

We also went to the public library for story time with Aunt Bette and her nieces.

After that, the kids and I went to the Riverfront park so that Mrs. Sandra could take some pictures of the kids for me. As a reward for their posing, we let the girls play and Aunt Bette met us there with her girls to play for a while.

Chloe, Olivia, Katie, and Kenzie.....fast friends

It was then time to come home and rest before going to Team Kids with Aunt Bette.

Here are a few of the pictures we took at the park.





One thing I realized is that I am getting old.............I have vericose veins. I am having to watch shows like Handy Manny, Little Einsteins, and such. Chloe serenaded me with the many theme songs to each show.

Hunter went the doctor for his 6 month checkup. He weighs 16 lbs. and is very healthy. The appt went well. I am hoping his 3 shots don't keep us up all nite!!!

Ready for a break because of Spring Break............ Momma Puddle.

A little Birdy

So yesterday, Thursday, I was bebopping down Airport Rd., on my way to the babysitters, minding my own business, when all of the sudden BAM........... Rockin' Robin flies out of nowhere and smacks into the grill of the magic minivan!!! I jumped and yelled (probably something not very nice) and looked in the rear view mirror to see if Robin was flopping in the road. She wasn't so I assumed that the dang bird was smacked against the grill of the van.

I thought to myself, "Self, I bet that Rockin Robin is stillstuck in your grill. When you get to the sitters, check it out."

So I continue on my way, anxious to see what Rockin Robin has done to the grill of the minivan .......When H E L L O --- Robin flies OUT of the grill and right past me, causing me to jump again and yell something. I am glad the sitter was in her house.

Apparently Rockin Robin was simply tired from all that flying and wanted to hitch aride 5 miles down the road!!


Hunter update.............. He got his second tooth Wednesday. He has handled them pretty well. We have had to give him little Tylenol or Orajel. He is still a drooling mess!!! And loves rubbing his tongue on his new teeth!!
He is also rolling over like crazy. Before I know it, he will be driving, going to prom, and be a junior in high school. I am savering every moment with him, Because it won't be like this for long!

Hunter's First Tooth

While outside doing yard work yesterday, I happened to look over and notice that Hunter's tooth had finally broke through. You can barely see it in this picture, but trust me, it is through the gum now!! We were all very excited........ Me, Jerry, Hunter, and Olivia.
Hunter called his Grandma and Grandpa and told them, as well as sending this picture to family and friends. Mom said I was Hunter's age when I got my first tooth.......... 5 and 1/2 months.

Memory and Memories

Do you ever feel like you are losing your ever-lovin' mind? That is how I feel lately. If I don't write something down AND put it some place I will SEE it, I forget. My world is a series of Post - it notes!! I have always been scatter-brained, but this is getting ridiculous. Thank Heavens I haven't forgotten something really important, like Hunter. I am getting old I suppose.



While I was taking a shower, this was Jerry entertaining Hunter............


From what I can remember, Here are some highlights the past week................

Monday, we had a snow day. I don't know why. I didn't see anything. I know it was cold and windy on Sunday.

I took this on Monday while Hunter was laying on the bed with me.


Monday evening, Jerry and I went and picked up Girl Scout cookies and went to his Dad's to sort them out with Scott and Becky. It was a late night and Hunter was not on his schedule, so needless to say, I didn't get much sleep that night.
By Tuesday afternoon I was struggling to stay awake and had to go to Knoxville for a doctor appt. The 32oz of Diet Coke didn't even help me. I got home, fed Hunter, and we were all asleep by 8:45!! Wednesday I had stinkin bus duty and then afterschool, so I was really worn out by the time we got home. Again, I fed Hunter and I believe we were all in bed by 9:00.
Thursday was even busier and even though we had been to bed early, Hunter was still getting up in the middle of the nite and eating. I wasn't getting good, solid sleep.


Jerry got the girls yesterday for our weekend. When I got home from school and Walmart, we moved the truck and brought out the jump ropes. We had fun teaching the girls the right time to jump. Jerry and I both jumped and I am definitely feeling the affects of it this morning. I had way too many things moving on my body that really needed to stay put!!!

After jumproping and eating dinner, I put Hunter on the floor. He has been struggling to roll over from his back to his belly. He finally did it last nite!!!!

Almost there...........................

A successful rollover............ check out the drool beads.

Check out my link for PeasInOurPod............. Arissa had a busy week. She also had some art in an artshow at a local museum. I hate that I missed the evening.

I am going to a wedding today with Hunter and Aunt Bette. A very sweet former student, whom I took under my wing after her mother passed away, is getting married. I would not miss Cassie's wedding for the world. She has already called me this morning to make sure I was still coming and to tell me to come see her before she walks down the aisle. I am sure I am going to cry. I do hate that I am going to miss a family function this afternoon because of the wedding, but I know they understand. They know how close I am to Cassie. I love them for that understanding.