2012 again

I began this year with a post titled 2012 and as we are now at the end of the year I revisit the title again.
For our family the year began adjusting to life with a baby in the house once more, Mykhal's 16th bday, and Russ being home.  Changes are never easy, but growth is good.  Spring found us celebrating Lex's 19th bday, the 50th anniversary for Russ' folks, playing in the sand with great friends at Monahans, and buying our travel trailer.  Summer brought Scarborough Faire,  RETIREMENT! (still get excited about that one),  Kerrie's 13th bday, and Lex moving to Missouri.  In the fall we made the Birthday Bundle trip celebrating my mom's, Russ' grandma's, and his dad's birthdays.  Then another fun trip to the Texas Renaissance Faire which included more fun with great friends!  Thanksgiving was of course a blessed event with amazing fellowship.  And we have just returned from our annual Christmas trip!  Our trailer has seen many miles and many places and LOADS of fun!  It has been a richly blessed year without a doubt!
We look forward to 2013 with new plans and dreams, and new adventures.  Life is never dull, but it is always blessed.  May you also find the Blessings and the Joy that come from simply Living life.
Love and Peace to you all!

Things Aren't Always What They Seem

Lex called us the other night with this information.  She was referring to her relationship with Jonathan.   When they had moved all seemed bright, full of hope and promise.  But things aren't always what they seem.  Their relationship was not/is not good.  They have spent many hours in discussion and have concluded that they just aren't compatible in a marriage relationship.  They will soon be filing for divorce.  Lex is going to be moving back to Texas though not back to San Angelo.  She wants to stand on her own two feet and not on our toes or those of Jonathan's family.  To support herself and Matrim she is training for Medical Transcription work.  Being home with her baby is of utmost importance to her.  Spring looks to be an eventful time for all of us as we go to help her move and take a little time to see family along the way.  Once again the future is bright, full of hope and promise.

Pay cut

As of October 1 we started receiving our retirement sized pay check which amounts to about 1/2 what we were getting on active duty.  But with minor adjustments we are living life even more fully than we did before!  Without the rush and hurry and trying to get things done on the weekends and on rare off days, life is more relaxed and we do things as we feel like it or as they need doing.  More time is spent in long conversations, often over nothing major, just for the pleasure of sitting down to chat.  Meals are not hurried.  Meals are often more nutritious too since the making is not hurried.  There's plenty of time for making breads, slow cooking meats, preparing fresh vegetables and fruits.  We spend time most mornings doing yoga together, at least Russ and I do, then we linger over cups of coffee asking what the plans are for the day.  Sometimes there isn't one.  There's time with friends, longer trips with time for family.  We pursue interests that have been put to the back burner for too many years.  Life has taken on a whole new pattern.  And though there may not be the amount of money coming in that there once was, life is richer.

Laugh...Love...Live...Blessed

It's not just a philosophy anymore, it is the way our lives are lived.

Growing

I have noticed that grandchildren grow even faster than children.  It's just not right!  They are suppose to stay little longer! But alas, telling them doesn't work, bricks on their heads doesn't work, even not buying any bigger clothes doesn't work....sigh.  Instead I guess I will enjoy each new age and stage as it comes even if that is too fast.  Stole these from Lex's Facebook page **grin**

He's 10 months old now!

Home again!

We are home again from another grand adventure!  I do think I'm starting to really get into this whole retirement thing *cheshire cat smile*.  This time around we went over to the Houston area to go to Texas Renaissance Festival.  We also had some friends join us on this trip!  We drove over on Friday, did the Faire on Saturday and Sunday, then chilled out and played in Houston on Monday and Tuesday and drove home Wednesday.  Our friends came home Monday night but had as much fun at the Faire as we did!  In the couple weeks leading up to the Faire, we were all busy sewing costumes.  Mykhal made new tunics, a vest, pants, and a cloak for himself with only a bit of guidance and help cutting things out from me!  He could be quite the tailor let me tell you!  I made Kerrie a cloak as well as making Russ two more pair of pants, and a vest.  Russ and I had both ordered some additional costuming pieces online and picked up a few more the first day of the faire.  So much fun!  My friend Jessie made the costumes for herself and family (with a bit of help from me so it would go faster).  The kids stuck together and did their own thing and we all had such a wonderful time!  We did meals together at the camp site and that was fun too.  Can't wait till next time!  Ok here are some pictures ....

Birthdays abound

So last week, on the 4th, we once again hit the road!  September is a busy birthday month for us!  My mom's is the 7th, Russ' grandma's is the 9th, and Russ' dad's is the 11th.  Our little Nathan's birthday is today!  Shortly after Nathan went to Heaven some VERY dear friends of ours gave us a bear with instructions on naming a star for Nathan.  In the past 3 1/2 years the timing just never seemed right.  Then when it did seem right too many other life things were happening.  We had hoped to get the star picked before Lex and family moved, but it just didn't happen.  So we decided to celebrate his birthday by choosing his star this year.  We are all excited to do this later today!
Now, backing up a bit....
We hit the road on the 4th and drove up to the Dallas area.  We had dinner with my folks that evening then spent the next day with them to celebrate my mom's birthday a little early.  It was the day my folks did a devotional time with one of the local Senior Centers so I got to experience one of life's purest joys.....I got to play the piano for my mom to sing and got to hear my Dad share his heart on scripture.  I began accompanying my mom as a preteen.  Dad use to say we had our own little dog and pony show with him preaching, me playing and mom singing.  Precious memories for sure!  We spent that afternoon visiting and catching up a bit then I cooked dinner for them.  Brisket had cooked int he crock pot all day and boy was it yummy!  We had german potato salad, a lovely green salad, and then brownies for dessert.

The 6th we hitched up again and drove up to the Tulsa area.  Russ' folks went up too so we got to camp together!  The 7th we enjoyed a quieter morning and then Russ and his dad went to pick up Great Grandma and Aunt Connie.  Russ' mom had decorated up a little pavilion in the camp site so we set up all the good food there and enjoyed the pleasant weather.  Well that is until the storm blew in!  It hit an hour earlier than we had thought it would and it hit hard and fast!  We all nearly blew away!  We got a bit wet, but we all made it safely back to the trailers and finished our little party there.  It was a wonderful time with family!  4 generations together!  Great Grandma turned 94 this year!  After returning the ladies back home safely we had a quiet evening.  The8th we went into Claremore and enjoyed a couple of museums there.  If you are ever up in the area be sure to stop in at the Will Roger's Memorial Museum!  What a treat!!  I didn't get many pix this trip, but this view was too pretty not to capture.  I was looking out over the Will Rogers' family tomb area into the beautiful Oklahoma countryside.

The 9th found us on the road once again back to the Dallas area.  We were able to have dinner with my folks again and then got things ready for our third party of the trip.  With lists made we ran to the store on the 10th and then headed over to Russ' folks house to visit and catch up a  bit.  Then in late afternoon Russ' brother and family came over and we enjoyed cooking for Dad's birthday!  Steaks, mashed taters, gravy, stuffing, green beans, and then pecan pie, angel food cake, and banana pudding for dessert!  YUM! Oh can't forget the garlic bread and corn muffins!  Talk about STUFFED!

It was a wonderful evening!

We headed home on the 11th and since I was having sinus headache and there were some cross winds I  drove us home.  I even pulled the trailer through the gas stations WITHOUT hitting anything or anyone!  It was a leisurely day but we were very glad to park the trailer and unhitch.....at least for a few weeks!  Life is NEVER dull!

So Much

So very much has been happening and I just have not made the time to sit and blog it all.  Since Russ' retirement ceremony and party, life has kept us hopping!
First, our son-in-law Jonathan finished his military training and came home!  Lex and Matrim were beyond happy to see him!  Matrim took right to his daddy and his daddy stepped right up into the role.  It's a beautiful thing to see!
Next, we celebrated Kerrie's 13th birthday.

She received lots of fun things but her two biggest gifts were her very own makeup and a Kindle touch.  Then we took a "pizza" cake to church to celebrate with friends.
A couple weeks later we said "good luck and farewell" to Jonathan, Lex, and Matrim as they moved off to Missouri to their first duty station.  They stopped to visit grandparents and Great Grandma along the way and made it safe and sound.  They are planning to live on base and will finally be out of their hotel the first of October.

We tried to have some down time to plan after the kids left, but it didn't work.  We still got our planning done, but we were as busy as ever with projects, friends new and old, and getting things lined up for coming adventures.
As public school has started so has MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and I have volunteered to be the mentor to the local group this year.  They had they kick off and I have already been greatly blessed!
Then it was time to take our trailer in for a check up at the dealer down near San Antonio.  So we made the appt and off we went.  We decided to combine some fun in with  that so we dropped the trailer off and headed for Natural Bridge Caverns.  What a NEAT place!  The pictures don't do it justice, but here are some that I took....

See the Natural Bridge going across?

Just amazing....

Notice the "jelly fish" formation

There were pools of water everywhere and the sound of dripping water.  we even got dripped on a few times.  They called it "Cave Kisses".  Temperature is a constant 70 degrees with 99% humidity.

The "witches face" in the top of this structure

the wall of one of the rooms.  The super thin pieces grow about an inch every 100 years.

and the light is shining on the "profile of the mountain king"

It was all just incredible!  

So if you find yourself needing to escape and you are in San Antonio, head for the caverns for a tremendous treat!

More adventures to come.....

We are....

RETIRED!!!!
Yep you read that right.  Russ had his retirement ceremony Tuesday, July 3.  We were surrounded by family and military comrades.  And it was a beautifully done event.

Our Narrator, Lt. Stayton...

His commander, Lt Col Huisman, gave a brief rundown of Russ' 

accomplishments during his time of service....

The Meritorious Service Medal ...

Many awards...

His retirement pin...

Even a few awards for me...

And some gorgeous roses from the unit...

(Russ gave some to his mom too and they were equally beautiful!)

The kids received the Military Brat award ....

Grandson just chilled and watched the show...

A wonderfully done shadow box commemorating his time in both the Army and the Air Force...

A few last words...

And it was PARTY TIME!!

We were surrounded by both our local family and those from out of town for a wonderful evening of fellowship and good food.  

Our military career has been a good one.  It was a life we enjoyed for the most part.  The time has come though to move forward to new adventures and playing the part of home support team as the next generation steps up.  Lex and Jonathan and Matrim leave for their first duty station later this month!  

Tis bittersweet as we are so excited for them but will greatly miss having them close.

....but hey!  We're retired now....and we have a travel trailer.....I think I feel a road trip coming on!

May your lives be as richly blessed as ours!

More pics and our garden now

So here are more pictures that Russ' mom took before we left for the faire on Saturday.    I made the pants for the guys, Mykhal's tunic, my blouse, the outer dress on Kerrie, and the grey belts with pouches and cup straps around our waists.  Modifications have already been thought of for the next go round.  So of course there will be more pix in the future!

And here are a few pix of our garden now.

There's just one huge tomato plant there in the foreground.  Okra plants are the tall things in the back, and that's gobs of wonderful red leaf lettuce in between.  Right in front of the okra our leeks are getting big and hidden by the tomato plant are the onions that have really taken off.  Such a difference from last year.

Rosemary is the closest bush, then there's the basil, and cilantro, and you can hardly see the huge parsley bushes below all that!  I didn't get pix of the sweet potato slips around the corner but they are growing like crazy too.

This is mostly watermelon with a few weeds thrown in the mix.  I think we will be enjoying LOTS of watermelon this year!  YEA!!

Beside the watermelon are strawberry plants that are starting to produce and I neglected to get a picture of our fig tree too but it's still alive and well!  We will have a great bounty of garden fresh goodies this year!!

Weekend fun

We had an amazingly fun time this past weekend.  We took our trailer up to Russ' folks house and parked in their LONG driveway.  We spent Thursday playing around in Dallas, Friday was our 21st wedding Anniversary and we had a big family cookout.  Then Saturday and Sunday we went to  Scarborough Faire.  Saturday we went in costume, but Sunday found us in more modern clothing.  Both days were a blast!  I will have more pictures to post later and some of our growing garden, but for now here is a quick taste of our fun....

Breaking it in

Russ and I took our new trailer to the Goodfellow Rec Camp on Lake Nasworthy this past Friday night.  Was a GREAT experience!!  We found a few things that needed fixing, and some other things we want to make life in it run smoothly.  All repairs are VERY minor and we will take it back down to the dealer later in the summer to get those things taken care of.  In the mean time we are really looking forward to taking it out again!

This spring's garden

So we have almost everything planted.  Still waiting on an order of strawberry plants from a friend and we will be putting in some sugar snap peas as soon as they sprout.  But for now, in this flower bed we have rosemary there on the right.  It is several years old and REALLY likes that spot.  Along with it we have tea roses planted in front of the windows, then basil, cilantro, parsley, lavender, and bee balm put in around the roses.  

In this bed, we have aloe on the left end, watermelon under the right window, mint on the right end, and we will put the strawberries under the window unit, then the sugar snap peas will fill in.

And the main bed has marigolds with beets between on the far left, then tomatoes with carrots around them.  Blackberries across the back, onions in front of them.  The second line of marigolds has spinach between and lettuce beside.  Then comes the leeks and okra.  The back right corner has blue berries.

So we shall see how things go this year.  I must go get some new hoses for the drip system today since our set up is so different.  For now Kerrie is using a watering can and a sprinkler.  

Food and Fun

So lots of fun things going on with the Jones Ohana!  For starters, we are working on our garden!  Last year the summer was so extreme we really didn't get to enjoy our garden.  So this year we are expanding and trying again!  Here is the start of this year's garden plot.  Same location as the tires and tubs from last year.  But this year my dear husband is home to help me create in reality the vision I have in my head.

The plants for the garden.  Though my herbs will be planted in this bed instead of the main garden.

So that was the food and part of the fun part.  Now here is the rest of the fun....

See what the "Easter Bunny" bought me?

It's a 2012 Keystone Bullet model 248RKS.  It's 28'10" long, sleeps 5-6, has a nice slide out, 

and room for everything ....so far.  

This was taken Saturday near San Antonio as we were preparing to leave the lot and head home.

This is the master bed in the nose of the trailer.  It's a queen size bed with closet space on either side and room for extra linens above.  The door toward the front of the trailer leads to our room.

Here is the nice little bathroom,

And the 3 part linen closet.

This is part of the slide out and is directly across from the bathroom.  The left hand side is the pantry and the other two doors are a wardrobe.

Here is the other half of the slide out.  This sofa folds out and has an air mattress that goes on top.  Plenty of space for the kids' doo-dads above.

This is the fold down table.  The little TV with sound system and cd/dvd player and a little bit of storage above it.  This is directly across from the couch.

And here is my kitchen!  The sink is single basin and 9" deep.  The stove and oven are the only things that are propane only.  Everything else can run on electricity or propane.  Notice the pretty backsplash I installed?  I already have my pots and pans and dishes all put away in there!  With room to spare!

...for now.

The trailer has the Thermal Package so it's extra insulated for all year use!!  We plan on breaking it in with a close to home camping trip at Lake Nasworthy so we can figure out if we need to do anything differently and be able to fix that right away if we do need something different.  Then our fist bigger trip will be in May when we go to Scarborough Faire!  We can't wait!!  Fun adventures here we come!!