Capture the Flag

The kids had a R.A.S.H. fellowship during visitation tonight. Oh, and R.A.S.H. is "Running Around Snatching Humans". :) They drove around and paid visits to their friends who haven't been to church in a while, to "snatch" them and bring them back. They had pizza and snacks, and played games like dodge ball and capture the flag. Here's J getting double teamed:
And here's the smallest one trying to capture the flag from the biggest:
Gotta have ambition! ;)

Talented Hands

My sister took the personal DNA test, she is a "Faithful Artist", and this is part of the reason why the "Artist" part:

I can remember when I was little, I used to love to watch her practice, loved watching her hands move over the keys. I still do. :)

Waiting on Tigger

I woke up to cries of "Mommy!! Tummy hurt!!" at about 3:30 this morning. His tummy must have hurt, but by the time I got to him it was all better, and all over! So his favorite Tigger pillow had to soak and now he's having a "bath". RJ is ready for him to be done :)

Highway Sunset

Butterfly

Actually looks more like some sort of moth, but he was in the "Butterfly Garden", so what the hey :)
Update: Thanks to Florida Cracker 's tip, I believe we have determined that this is a "Skipper Moth". Not sure exactly which one, but that's what he looks like.

I am an "Encouraging Idealist"

I saw this test on another blog
I don't usually agree with these kind of things, but this one seemed pretty accurate. If you want to see what your "personal DNA" is, I have a link to the right ------>

You are an Encouraging Idealist.


personal DNA

You are an Idealist

As an IDEALIST, you are distinctive for your integration of confidence, imagination, willingness to explore, and desire for competence over style.

You have a strong capacity to comprehend the inner workings of things, finding new ideas and innovative insights to feed your curious nature.

You are quite comfortable in the realm of abstract thought. You don't need a practical solution to every one of life's questions.

You are comfortable with the decisions you make in life. You don't need to second-guess yourself, or seek a lot of opinions before you make up your mind.

You enjoy the routines that you have created in your life, and don't feel the need to shake things up just for the sake of change.

You generally succeed at what you do, and others would describe you as successful.

It is important to you that products be efficient – looking good has to come second to working well.

You aren't the kind of person who needs to collect stylish items in an attempt to create an attractive environment – you know that what matters most is function, not style.

Your independent streak allows you to make decisions efficiently and to trust your instincts

You're not afraid to let your emotions guide you, and you're generally considerate of others' feelings as well.

If you want to be different:
You take time to explore your own thoughts and ideas, but this experience would only be heightened if you opened yourself up even more to others' ideas.

Your faith in yourself and your lifestyle is well-founded, but the occasional foray into the unknown might broaden your perspective and help you see things differently.

how you relate to others

You are Encouraging

Your outgoing nature, understanding of others, and directness make you ENCOURAGING.

You want others to do well for themselves, and you generally believe in their abilities.

You often know what's good for people because of your caring nature and your worldview.

When you care about someone, you don't keep it to yourself: you are good at letting people know that you're thinking of them.

Because you trust people, you take violations of that trust very seriously.

You thrive in social situations, and even though you know who you like and who you don't like, you can interact well with many different types of people.

You have a healthy respect for people who have earned what they have, and you strive to be similar to successful others.

You are a loyal friend and a good listener.

If you want to be different:
Sometimes, in the course of being encouraging, you can be a bit judgmental—this can make it more difficult for others to follow your advice.

While you are an expert at getting the most out of the world and taking advantage of many experiences, you might gain some insight by taking the time to be alone, reflect on things, or just observe the goings-on in the world.

IS there such a thing???

Wildlife Encounters

Or, reason #5 why you NEVER leave your camera at home...

I didn't expect to see anything interesting at my daughter's orthodontist appt this morning, but this little guy was nosing around the back door when we were leaving. You just never know what you'll see, no matter how mundane your plans are :)

Monday Mood

A little dark, a little off kilter... weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Ps. 30:5

A Lovely End to a Lovely Day

Tagged again!

By Shana

Four jobs I've held:
Pet Store
Insurance Company
Dole
Church Nursery

Four movies I can watch over again:
Slingblade
Dazed and Confused
Grease
Gone With the Wind

Four places I have lived:
Southside of Jax
Oceanway
Arlington
Fruit Cove

Four t.v. shows I watch:
Dr. Phil
King of Queens
Friends
Scrubs

Four places I've been on vacation:
Gatlinburg/ Pigeon Forge, TN
Disney World
Livingston, TN
North Carolina

Four favorite foods:
Fried Chicken
Prime Rib
Crab legs
BBQ

Four websites I visit:
KBBC
Izzie and Huskers Boston site
Parents
My blog people

Four people I am tagging:
Melissa
Debbie
Ronlin
Carla
Any one else wanna play???

Happy Birthday Jonah!

This is my friend Meiching. We spent the afternoon at her house celebrating her son's birthday.
It was a full house...well, more full than normal. Len and Meiching always have a full house. They have six children and one more coming soon. Right now, they also have three exchange students living with them. While we were there, two more exchange students were dropped off, for a grand total of 11 kids living in the house, and many more cousins and friends visiting! They are truly amazing people and I'm proud to call them friends. :)
The kids enjoyed some swimming...
Games...
And of course birthday cake :)

Happy Birthday Jonah :)

More pics HERE

Rainbow

5 O'Clock Shadow

Tropical

National Ice Cream Day!!

Silly Dad
My sister and sister-in-law. Poor sis-in-law...my brother went to youth camp for the week, she misses him so. We tried to cheer her up with ice cream. ;o)
MINE!!!
Big Love

It really was National Ice Cream day today. Sorry if you missed it. :)

Long Day

Yes, that is 4:29 A-M! The oldest kids left this morning for camp #2, they had to be at the church by 5:00. So yes, I have been up ever since. :)

Once again, going over the rules. Only this time, it's Bro. Kit, not Bro. Randall. :)
Charter bus this time too, since they are going all the way to NC. The bus is only 60 days old. I think it looks like a discotheque inside.
Since I was already up, and alone, I figured I would catch the sunrise on the way home.
Sunrise on Julington Creek, it was a beautiful morning.

Psalms 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Family Reunion 07

Today we had our annual family reunion, on my Dad's side. It's held at my cousin's lake house near Hawthorne. They have had the property since '91, but tornados took the house down about 3 years ago. They just finished the new one and moved into it full time. It's three levels and really beautiful inside.

RJ had a blast
So did the big kids :)
the boys look forward to this every year, so much that one year, my oldest gave up camp because he didn't want to miss it.
Wipeout!!!
It was a good day, I really appreciate that Fred and Evey are so willing to offer their place every year so our family can get together.

And on a side note...I FILLED UP MY FLASH CARD!! For the first time ever...I was on the boat photographing the boys when all the sudden, no more clicky-click. I almost panicked, then I saw it flashing "CF CARD IS FULL, PLEASE INSERT NEW CARD" Dude, 2gb. I need to slow down.

Or not. :)

more pics HERE

New "Old" Friend

Well, it was bound to happen. This Mickey Mouse doll is over 40 years old. When I was about 6 or 7, a young couple that went to our church kind of "adopted" me. They didn't have any children yet, so they practiced on me. :) We had a relationship that lasted many years, through them having children of their own and me babysitting for them. They took me to the fair a few times, to see the Lippizan Stallions, and always bought me birthday and Christmas presents. The Mrs. of the couple had this Mickey doll for several years before she gave it to me. I promised her I would always keep him, and I have. He's a little worn, but has been well loved. RJ finally spotted him on my top closet shelf this afternoon. All my kids have loved him, now it's the little one's turn.
He has had a big love for the Mouse since we went to Disney last January
This is from the first time they met. :) I can't wait to take him back again.

What is it?

They are OFF!!! :)

Before:

Coming off...
making a new mold (This was fun, notice his amusement and her irritation at me)
new pics for the file:
Dr. J. Jones
And just a few days shy of one year, the finished product!

Storming

That is all.

Leftovers

My oldest son bought some fireworks on the 4th, but he hasn't had a chance to shoot them off. I took him and a friend of his to the site of a new park that is being built, so they could have some fun without annoying the neighbors.

They had fun with them, but I was more impressed with the lighted fountains. It looks like it's going to be a really nice place!
I still like the river the best, though :)