chirp, chirp.

I was at my parent's house last night. I woke up this morning to the birds chirping - not unusual to hear, especially in the spring. But I thought while lying in bed - wow those sound like their right outside the window. A few hours later, after coffee and a shower, I opened the blinds. I noticed a bird hopped up on the windowsill and the way it quickly scurried along caught the corner of my eye. I went over to inspect, and there was a bird's nest built in the windowsill. The Momma Bird flew back and forth with food in her beak, scurried over and dropped it into the nest where my Mom and I counted 5 baby bird beaks. Back and forth she went, occasionally freezing if she sensed us. The nest was built on a tilt so we didn't have an aerial view of the babies but a side view. We stopped watching, I put my make-up on when I noticed, one of the babies was out on the windowsill! I didn't know how he'd gotten out or what he was doing. He paused, teetered a bit, paused and then he was gone! He fluttered into the bushes. I called mom back in to watch, it was truly incredible! The mom came back a few times and another bird, maybe the dad - I'm not sure. A little bit later and two little birds were left, but they were stuck. The windowsill was pushed out so the nest had been built but the birds had to carefully fit into the crack to get in and out and the babies just couldn't quite figure it out. They knew their siblings had gone but they kept going towards the side where there was no crack for them to slip out of....oh the stress! We felt so helpless, watching them struggle, wanting the mom to come back and help them, but what could she even do? It was crazy! (I was able to sanp a few photos).

My dad came home, we showed him what was going on and asked him to help. He suited up and went through the bushes to somehow adjust the screen and let the birds be free! Well as he appeared to help them, one of the birds got through the opening and hopped up on the windowsill! She flew away into the bush! But there was still one bird left...he had to have been tired. At one point it looked like they were both sitting down to rest lodged there between the window and the screen. Dad moved the screen just a little bit - we didn't want to squish the little guy and he was able to get underneath. Once he figured out where to go he moved along. He got to the windowsill and paused like he was contemplating what he had to do and what it would take, we cheered him on "you can do it!" and in the blink of an eye he was gone! All that was left was an empty nest. I felt sad for a moment, like it happened too fast - much like life sometimes. Yet it was one of the neatest experiences I can remember to see nature and creation come together so perfectly.

There was a bird's nest in Clemmons we kept an eye on for a while, but something got the eggs so we didn't get to see all of the beauty unfold. That experience made this experience even more exciting. I only wish we had noticed the baby birds sooner! But, how awesome to get to see them fly, for the very first time! My mom of course remarked on the empty nest and the momma bird, much like many of our parents are experiencing. It also seems to fit with the Hallmark commercial Mom showed me last weekend - now it's a tear jerker so get ready. I couldn't help but think of so many things watching the events unfold - God's amazing creation, animals and humans ways of caring for their nests and babies, the fear and unknown that lies out in the great wide open, the thrill of flying and the sadness at leaving or losing loved ones. I know to many it would just be a bird's nest but it was truly a wonder. I'm so thankful for that little glimpse of many things I got to see this morning.

Day 23 of thankfulness

I'm thankful for games. I haven't been known to be a big "game" playing person. But some games I really like (catchphrase...etc.). We also played a fun game tonight, "fishbowl" similar to "celebrity." It was really fun to act things out, pull together and guess random stuff to get the answers right! I see how they can break down barriers and get a group bonding through laughter. Games are fun and I'm thankful for them!

Thanksgiving Day

I'm especially thankful for a time to visit with family, share a wonderful meal and relax today. I'm thankful for hot chocolate and chats in the "conversation room" at my parents house. I'm thankful for the tradition of watching "A Muppet Christmas Carol" every Thanksgiving night. I'm thankful for my sister who I'll get to see this weekend and my sister-in-law who we missed at lunch today in Clayton with Matt's family. I'm thankful that God has friends everywhere and that we get to play a small part of sharing hope and love in this great big world.

Day 21 of thankfulness

Our shop was busy today and it was fun to wish people a Happy Thanksgiving! It reminds me to be thankful thankful for community. Though I didn't know all of our customers, I enjoy the hospitality industry and am glad to live in a place where people are generally friendly and neighborly even. Though our world has gotten more closed off in ways (cell phones connect us but also seem to disconnect us), face to face interaction with people in my own town is good. I encourage you to take part in Small Business Saturday coming up on the 24th, get to know the locals who run restaurants and shops where you live. They invest into the community and I'm sure would love to have a new friend as well. Let's continue to make our community what the word truly stands for - a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goal.

sweet

It has also been such a comfort to have friends leave comments on facebook, give hugs, texts, calls, etc. since we lost ashby. So thankful for my friends and fellow animal lovers. I certainly didn't want to leave out the fact that I am feeling the love. #thankful

Day 15 - tough day

Yesterday was really tough. Our sweet Ashby, who has certainly been on this blog headed to doggie heaven. She was 15. She was the best. People say you know when it's time...but it's awfully hard to say goodbye. She fit in with us - we always joked about her short legs matching the rest of us girls with short legs in the family. She loved chocolate and was protective when boys would try to hug me. She had a thing for kleenex and would always give the love you needed. We have all cried - the weather was cold and gray and felt really appropriate. Some days the weather just matches your mood. Yesterday it did. I haven't had much loss in my life, and I know that losing a pet is not the same as a person, but it is hard. Really hard - heck I could cry right now. But in the spirit of loss, is the spirit of thankfulness. So even though it hurts, I am incredibly thankful for sweet Ashby.

Gratefulness, Day 3

november 3, 2012:

tonight i'm thankful for my sweet dog. she's fifteen, and everyday she's around we are grateful. it's true, there's nothing like a having dog, a friend.

Ashby and me a few years back at the beach. Love.
My mom's super tan leg behind us.

Liebster Award!

Jenny from Williams Way nominated me for this super cool award. I haven't blogged in ages - so I feel bad that she has been following me, it has probably been terribly disappointing...haha! But this gave me a good reason to get back on it. Here are my 11 random facts followed by answers to the 11 questions she asked me.


Oh! and here's how Jenny explains the award: "The Liebster Blog Award is given to bloggers by bloggers. It’s a way to acknowledge each other and say “you’re doing a great job”. It is for blogs with 200 or less followers, so it’s also a nice way to spread the word about smaller blogs and get them more readers and followers!


When you receive the award, you post 11 random facts about yourself and answer 11 questions from the person(s) who nominated you. You pass the Award onto 11 other blogs (make sure you tell them you nominated them!) and ask them 11 questions. You’re not allowed to nominate the blog(s) who nominated you! (To get the button, right click the picture on my page and save the picture to your computer. You can then upload to your blog.)" Thanks Jenny!

Here are my nominees:
Life and The Times (my sister)
Los Dos Daubertos
Sarah Gabriel
Vibrant Grace



I follow some other bloggers but these are my buddies, so - if you're in, here are the questions I have for ya!

1. What makes you happy?

2. Is there anything that challenges you daily?

3. Where would you like to travel?

4. What's your favorite weekend routine?

5. Reading any good books?

6. If you could do a day over, what day would it be?

7. What is one of your favorite places? Could be a vacation spot, or a local coffee shop...

8. Do you like facebook? (haha)

9. Current music kick?

10. Describe your dream job.

11. What do you value in friendships?


And now...here are my 11 random facts followed by answers to the 11 questions she asked me.

1. I haven't blogged in a long time because we opened a frozen yogurt bar this spring. This has kept me very busy and my brain somewhat sidetracked. I've missed putting my random thoughts out for the world however, so maybe I can pick it back up now!


2. Matt and I went to Cambodia this summer to visit my brother Logan. He was serving with International Justice Mission. It was a wonderful trip - and material for a separate blog post!


3. My sister got married in May. She looked stunning. Also material for another blog post.


4. I think instead of having a sweet tooth, I must have sweet teeth. Seriously, why are desserts and sweet treats so good?! Ah....


5. I took my first "pilates barre" class last week. The teacher complimented my form. I felt pretty awesome. (haha)


6. My family dog is 15. She's the sweetest. It's hard to see her age. Every day we have her is a good day. But it is sad to think too much on it.


7. I miss the ocean. I've seen it three times this summer, which is a pretty good number, but it doesn't feel like enough!


8. Live music makes my heart happy. Something about the performance and seeing all the elements actually happening in front of me. Oh I do love it. It draws me in. Must go to a concert soon!


9. I'm enjoying working in the hospitality/food industry. Generally customers are happy in our yogurt shop. This makes the job fun. When customers are not happy it is hard but a good learning experience.


10. I wish I was good at decorating. It is not something that I feel naturally gifted at doing. However I'm growing more confident as we move around and settle in new spaces. I am also developing a taste for certain items, putting things together, etc. It is fun!


11. Some of my happiest times are when my family is all together. It doesn't happen a lot but I love when it does!



Now here are my answers to Jenny's questions!


1. If you knew you would not fail, what is the first thing you would do?

This is a hard one! I feel like maybe something sporty? I always wanted to be a lifeguard but never took the training course - seems like a silly answer but I'll go with that. I'd be a lifeguard. And work at the beach - that seems even scarier! haha

2. (Borrowed this question from Sarah) Describe yourself as a paint color. Give a name and tell why it fits you.

"Bask in the Sun" - a nice shade of soft yellow. Warmth. I like that shade of paint first of all, and I love the sun. And yellow.

3. What were you most scared of when you were a child?

Bad guys of any sort. Kidnapped, fires, murders. Eek!

4. What is your favorite quote right now?

A friend's mom recently passed away...their family always loved Jimmy Buffett. This week I've remembered the quote I associated with their family: "wrinkles only go where smiles have been."

5. If your mom called you right now and said she's cooking dinner and wants you to plan the menu what would you choose?

Dirt Cake for dessert. Maybe this crispy chicken dish she made when I was growing up, we were talking about how we haven't had that in forever. Yes, that would be a fun dish to have again.
6. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

By the sea.

7. Describe your favorite hobby. . . why is it your favorite?

Zumba has become pretty a highlight of my week! Love it - I've never had so much fun working out.

8. (Borrowed from Sarah, she had fun questions) What elements are must-haves in your dream home?

Windows are also something I'm realizing I appreciate more and more. It's funny how you all the sudden become a "grown up" and care about features of a house. Windows, a great master bedroom and bath.


9. This dinner that your mom is fixing...who would you invite?

My family, duh! And of course Matt would be by my side. (free food? he's there! ;)


10. If you had a day off with absolutely no obligations or limits, how would you spend it?

Sleep in, stay in my pj's for a while, and go be in the sunshine, either by a body of water, or just in the park. Clean up and have a nice dinner date - this girl always loves a reason to dress up a bit!

11. Who do you look up to the most, and why?

I look up to my parents the most. I look up to each of them for different reasons. My dad because of the Godly, genuine man he is. My mom for the ways she raised us, continues to care about us and adapts as a pastor's wife, I think as I grow up I realize the sacrifices they both made for us a kid's. I look up to them both very much and am thankful for their example of marriage.

A Jones Christmas Tour

I am loving being in our cute rental house for Christmas! It has been fun to unpack our decorations from our very first Christmas together and find places for everything. Here are a few photos of what our house looks like for Christmas this year!

Happy birthday Matt!

So grateful for a day to celebrate my hubby. He makes me laugh everyday and I know I'm a better person because he is in my life. Here's to 28!

Dog-sitting

I am keeping my family's sweet dog this week. My parents are out of town for the week, so Ashby is hanging out here in Southern Pines. She is 14 years old (human years). It's great to have her here, for the companionship, and just because she's so cute. I've heard that people with pets live longer, and I can see how it really helps just to have something to care for, walk and enjoy. I feel like I'm cherishing her more at this stage in her life and in my own stage even...(not going too far into that or I'll cry).

Here's a photo from our snowy Christmas:

Isn't she the cutest?

Ocean

I just spent a week at Topsail Island with my family. It was such a wonderful getaway. No make-up, lots of sunshine, bocce ball, and seafood. But most importantly, a break from the world, a chance to relax and be renewed.

I've always been drawn to the ocean. I have loved the beach for as long as I can remember. The sound of the waves soothe me. The vastness of the open sea inspires me. I guess I just need to be reminded that things are bigger than they seem. Life is not just about me. Something greater is out there. Other people's needs are out there. These things, I am reminded of at the beach.

What a friend we have in Jesus...

This song was in my head this morning, I found myself prompted to sing it instead of turn on the TV. It's a beautiful old hymn, written in 1855. My dad used to sing this to me when I was younger and couldn't sleep. Still today, it's comforting to me.

I didn't actually watch this youtube video, I just had it playing on my computer. I hope it touches your heart like it does mine.

What A Friend We Have in Jesus

"What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear,
What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer.
Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer." - Joseph M. Scriven

Happy Birthday!

My mom and my dad have birthdays in August. My mom's was last week, and my dads is today! Happy birthday folks, I love you so much!

Home

My parents moved a few weeks ago. I have been traveling so much with SummerShine I had not been able to see their new place. I got to visit last week (was it last week?!) and see where they are now. It was odd, following a GPS to my parents house. Needing directions to go home? A funny feeling. But as soon as I got there, I was reminded again that "home" is not a house, but the people that make it up. There is beauty in being in the same place with family, people that know you and love you just the way you are. Though the houses have been different over the years, home is where the heart is, where the love is.

There is also nothing like coming home to Matt. Being away from him for weeks off and on is hard. The different time zones make communication sometimes limited. I love pulling into the driveway knowing he is waiting for me inside. I came home this week to flowers and a sweet card. Home.

All Grown Up!!!!!

My little brother, and only brother, graduated from UNC in May. He actually graduated on Mother's Day which is a nice gift to my mom and dad for that matter. We enjoyed a cook-out at his townhome, nicknamed the "Domecave," on Saturday night and a fun lunch gathering after all the graduation festivities. Thankfully the rain moved on, so we could enjoy the ceremony. (Although the weather affected the "cuteness" of our outfits).

Domecave Party:

~These boys Logan has tutored and loved the last 4 years. They were so cute!



I feel like I was just graduating from college, and he was graduating from high school (2007). Wow. Time does go quickly. I am SO proud of the man he is and the Lord's work throughout his life. He's spending his summer interning at International Justice Mission, in DC. I am looking forward to seeing him in the big city!

A few more pictures from the celebration:

Family Photo!

True Friends.

Classic.

Handsome.

I believe the actual ceremony photos were caught on a different camera, so this what I have. Proud of you Log!