Keeping up with the Jones': November 2010

Wow - Time is passing so fast. When I look back over the past 2 months to try and tell you what we have been doing - I am just in awe of the fact of how blessed we really are.

Sept and October were very busy months for us to say the least.

We started off Sept with dove season and Bubba and Zac were able to hunt at Greg's and do the best they have ever done. I am so thankful that Zac has a daddy that is involved in his life.

We were also able to attend the honor flight ceremony for the WWII veterans. This was a very emotional ceremony. I am so thankful for the country I live in. Zac is still saying he wants to serve his country and enlist in the Marines. We will see if he changes his mind as he gets older :) Seeing this ceremony also excited Zac and I because it was just a few weeks before we headed to DC.

Bubba and I had a weekend planned in B'ham to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. He had won tickets to the George Strait, Reba and Leeanne Womack concert. Well he won a 2nd set and asked Brian and Donna to go with us at the last minute. We had a great time and even rode in a taxi! I told Bubba we were practicing for when we went to NYC!!! The concert was great and we had GREAT seats. We also attended the Fireproof your marriage event with Kirk Cameron that weekend. He did a great job and Warren Barfield did a great job as well. I love hearing other peoples testimonies and how God has worked in their life/marriage. It's just encouraging to hear how other people struggle and still make it. Bubba was patient with me and let me stalk (just kidding) /get my picture made with Kirk Cameron!!! It is below - kind of small but it was taken with me phone.

The next weekend we headed to Gatlinburg to celebrate my grandmother's 80th birthday. We also celebrated our anniversary, Bubba's birthday, and my uncle Guy's birthday. The cabin was HUGE. There is a picture below. The kids thought it was a mansion. It had 3 floors and a game room on the bottom floor for the kids - so needless to say we played alot of air hockey!

In between all of this busy - Bubba was trying to decide if he was going to Guatemala during fall break. He really wanted to go but the airline ticket was pretty expensive. So he decided to stay home. Well 2 weeks before leaving Bro. David came to Bubba and said - I have someone who wants to buy your plane ticket!!!! What an answered prayer - so Bubba went to Guatemala. I am so proud of him. He is not a traveler much less an international traveler!! He was able to love on the kids, continue to build friendships, hike a volcano, see pastor Jorge's village and many other things.

So while Bubba was in Guatemala, Zac and I headed to Washington DC. Maggie stayed with grandparents but was very busy all week with short trips and lots of shopping! Washington DC, Jamestown, Virginia, and Williamsburg, Virginia were amazing. The monuments are bigger than I ever imagined them to be. Arlington Cemetery was one of my favorite stops. The changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was amazing. The discipline and respect that the soldiers show is inspiring. Zac said this is where I want to be buried. I said lets not even talk about that! He is so dead set on joining the marines. I am very proud of him for his desire but I told him you can serve but don't plan where you want to be buried. Bubba called from the village in Guatemala on his first day and I was able to talk with one of the little girls that I have formed a friendship with. I am so thankful he had the opportunity to go back.

October was equally as busy as September but I am hopeful that November won't be so busy! Life is moving way too fast.

We celebrated Maggie's 10th birthday -I can't believe it- I don't have a child in the single digits anymore. Cherish your time with your children - it moves very fast.

Halloween weekend -

Maggie dressed up as something different all weekend! - She was Kirsten from American Girl (courtesy of Sarah Satterfield) on Friday for Book character day, construction worker Sat. night for Trunk or Treat, and an 80's girl Sunday night for Trick or treat. Luckily all the costumes were either borrowed or homemade!!!

Zac was a construction worker Sat. night and we dug up Bubba's old basketball uniform for him to wear Sunday night - it was hilarious!!

We participated in the Trunk or Treat at the church. All I can say is OMG - it was a huge success. I have never seen so many people in one place. It was so neat to see all the different costumes. Zac played with band as part of the entertainment and Maggie helped hand out candy. We were a construction zone workers as our theme for our trunk. We had a great time.

We also had the opportunity to trick or treat on Sunday evening. So we are hoping November is slower. The only thing we have now Nutcracker rehearsals!

Gatlinburg