I Have Nothing Interesting To Say

For those of you who periodically check out our blog and couldn't care less about the things my kids do, or what my in-laws did for holiday celebrations, or what I think of the many baby-namings of the world...this might not be anything new. I have nothing to say. Nothing at all interesting happened today that I feel would be fascinating enough to captivate, entertain, or enthrall.

But here's the deal. For just this moment I want to say I'm grateful for the trivial. I'm thankful for the ordinary day-to-day tasks that I typically rant, rave, cringe, cry, complain, and whine about. The fact that today was boring and common means that I am still Amy the stay-at-home mom of two crazy girls. I'm still the wife of a good man who supports and encourages me...even in my irrationally pregnant state. I still have a warm place to sleep at night and food to eat--even chocolate. My family is all only a phone call away. I am surrounded by people I care about. And most of the time I feel involved and needed in my life.

What can I say. It's a good day!

Tis' the Season to be Thankful

If there's anything better than a good Thanksgiving dinner, it's Thanksgiving dinner with family. And I mean FAMILY! We had a mini family reunion in Idaho this last weekend. Almost everyone was able to come. We were only missing Steve and Becca's husband, Jerran. (One of these days we'll be able to get everyone together at the same time.)

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner complete with turkey and ham (compliments of Grandma) and ate at "The Center" in Blackfoot. We decided there just wasn't enough space in Grandma's house for all 19 of us. The food was wonderful and we all ate until we were ready to burst...then we had pie.

The next day was just as full of food and family as the day before. We went to Lava Hot Springs with Grandpa and Grandma Joye and ate ourselves silly once again. They had rented the gymnasium of the elementary school and we had all sorts of room for kids to ride, run, bike, and swing around. Amazingly enough, no one got hurt...at least seriously. Ian, Daniel, and Andy all showed off their strength and took turns climbing the rope. When was the last time you were able to do that? Me? Never.

I think the biggest entertainment of the weekend was the wiggle-cars! As you can see, they were enjoyed by young and old:

Happy Thanksgiving Jones family! We love you!

Wait For It...

Today was the official ultrasound day. There has been much speculation as to the gender of our forthcoming baby and I do believe that most, if not all, speculators have agreed that the time has come for the Jones family to finally receive a boy. Ian has been telling everyone that he's sure it's a girl...partially to prepare himself for what he called the "inevitable". I have had no intuition at all for which I've been slightly disappointed. (Aren't we, as women, entitled to that whole women's/mother's intuition? Apparently not.)

So, our family took a little field trip to the doctors office today and were able to see the first pictures of Jones Junior # 3. Any guesses yet?

I've been playing around with the idea of not actually posting the gender...to make all of you as anxious with anticipation as I have been the last 20 weeks. But I figured I might be lynched if I did. So, here we go: IT'S A...

That's right...I knew that the Lord had a sense of humor, and here's a wonderful example of it. I have to admit I almost cried. Not out of joy. Out of sheer TERROR. So, we'll all be able to get a great laugh as I attempt to be a mother to a baby boy. Holy crap.

Things You May or May Not Know About Me

Someone recently tagged me with the "Six Things You May or May Not Know About Me" deal...so after much reflection and thought I decided to post the results. Keep in mind, there are some of you out there that actually might know these insane things about me...so no guarantees that they are unknown to any of you!

1. When I was a kid I wanted to be Indiana Jones. Hey...I guess I got the Jones part.
2. I've never had a broken bone.
3. I can spell the word "blood" with my fingers.
4. I'm a complete font-elitist. I detest certain fonts for no other reason than I just do. I love others for the same inexplicable reason. I've had arguments with employers as to why my choice of font was better than theirs. I've been known to boycott certain retail establishments because I think they are stupid to have used a particular font.
5. I can't stand the unnecessary and moronic use of the letter "K" as a marketing ploy (stuff like "Kountry Kollections" or "Kart Kountry" or "Kash n' Karry"). The sight of such atrocities actually makes me want to hit someone. No, really...I want to beat someone up.
6. Strange grocery-shopping compulsion: I feel the need to buy fruit in even numbers. For example, if I need 4 bananas and the only option is a bunch with 3, a bunch with 5, or a bunch with 6...I'll choose 6. And no...I don't pull extra bananas off of the bunch at the store...that's just rude.

So now you all know 6 additional things about Amy that you really didn't need to know...and you're most likely saying to yourself, "Boy, that girl's nuts." or "Gee, that explains so much."

Hugs and kisses!

I Just Wanted To Share

In my never-ending quest for baby names I've come across some doozies. And I mean doozies! Here are my top ten lists for the night. I hope you all sleep well knowing that despite all the cruelties your parents ever inflicted on you...you've been saved from the endless torture these children will have to endure (these are actual documented namings...not just names in a baby name book):

Boys:
10. Maxigan
9. Marvelous (sheesh, why not Fantastic?)
8. Onarada
7. Festus (yup, it's a holiday for the rest-of-us)
6. Enobi (help me Kobi-Wan-Enobi)
5. Argyle (I have a couple pairs of his socks, I think)
4. Joeaziel
3. Rebecca (I did NOT accidently put this one in the boys list)
2. Jawarhalal
1. Treoganeke (I can't even pronounce this one. Anyone?)

Girls:
10. Tenlee
9. Velandra
8. Rodana
7. Oleo
6. Velveeta (very good in dips)
5. Deztini (yup, pronounced "destiny")
4. Lettice
3. Pookie Bair
2. Poopsie Dier (Pookie's twin sis)
1. Latrina (in Italian "Latrina" actually means "latrine". Nice.)

Enjoy!

Tender Mercies

I hope that when I get up to heaven and stand before the judgement seat I will be granted forgiveness for the many, many, many, times I've said, "Why did I have children?" I wish that I didn't have to admit that I ask myself this question daily...but I think I do. I told myself a couple months ago that I needed to cut myself a little slack. I decided that if I reached the end of the day and I was still alive...it was a success! I know, it's pathetic to measure success on the basis of whether I am able to breath in and out, but that was my plan.

However, in spite of this recent slack-cutting, most of the time I feel I've reached the end of my rope. Success (as I've defined it personally) doesn't feel much like success when I find myself crying my eyes out at the end of the day because I know that I've behaved like the world's worst mother for the last 16 hours. And I wonder why I try.

But then there are moments like these:

A little girl who was supposed to be getting ready for bed dresses up like a beautiful princess and comes downstairs with the brightest smile just to show her mommy how pretty she is. These are the moments Heavenly Father has granted to this particular mom as a gift. I get to wrap my arms around a precious child and just laugh with her, love her, tell her what a gorgeous princess she is, and feel like perhaps this wonderous moment is the answer. This is why I have children.

You Have GOT To Be Kidding Me!

As I progress in this blessed, yet perpetually annoying, pregnancy, I'm sure you will all get sick of me expressing my many evolving pet peeves. But today I just can't hold it in. I've discovered once again that I have a distinct dislike for stupidity...in all of its various forms. So what is the source of my rage today? Baby names. That's right...the names that parents choose to impose upon their children for their entire earthly lives. (Well at least until they are old enough to have them legally changed.) I'm going to focus on one particular baby name faux pas. SPELLING. I've compiled a short list of my very favorite irritants. (I will also provide the appropriate translation so you will not be as confused as I have been):

Elyzibythe (Elizabeth)
Ginapher (Jennifer)
Mikol (Michael)
Suezynn (Susan)
Pstephen (Stephen or Steven)
Sydnyee / Cidne (Sidney)
Silest (Celeste)
Karryllinne (Caroline...good grief)
Duglass (Douglas)
Mykynziee (Mackensie)
Kloie (Chloe)

Please join with me in my one-woman battle to rid the world of such cruelties. I ask you...do we honestly need more children being beat up in the playgrounds of the world? Let us all answer with a resounding NO!

Mom or Dad?

So, apparently my kids are more Jones than Heninger (as if we didn't already know that). Maybe # 3 will be mine. :)

Hide and Seek

You can barely notice the blatant "peeking"! :)