Packing and Moving and Christmas......OH MY!!!

Hey Everyone! :)

Well, this Christmas season has definitely been a CRAZY one in the Jones' household!! I don't even know where to begin!

We recently have been looking for a larger house. Our 1,000 sq foot home was no longer large enough for our growing family of 6. (Soon to be 7....Yes we are expecting again! Baby #5 will grace us with his or her presence in August! :) ) So I happened to stumble across this gorgeous 1,700 sq foot home that has a kitchen and living room that will make any homemaker salivate!! (I will be posting pics of the house soon!) Needless to say, we decided to make the move, but the owner wanted us in ASAP. So we did it, along with it being Dave's finals week in school, Trey's last week of school before break, Emmaline's 2nd Birthday, and myself being involved in our church's annual Singing Christmas Tree Spectacular! Whew...all I can say is it we couldn't have done it all without my parents and my inlaws helping out! And I am so glad that it is over!!

So this week begins a fresh chaos-free week! I can now redecorate my house for Christmas and have some holiday fun with the kiddos. I may even get some last minute knitting done!! :)

Menu Plan Monday! (November 14)

Hey Everyone!!

Well as you can see I didn't post a menu last week....and it showed at our house! LOL...so this week its back to routine! Well I have been trying some new crock pot recipes every Wednesday since that is one of our busiest evenings and so far so good!! The loaded baked potato soup was AMAZING!! So this week I am going to try out another one of the Crockin' Girls recipes!

Monday- Barbecue Chicken Tenders, Scalloped Potatoes, and Buttered Peas

Tuesday- Lasagna, Salad, and Garlic Bread

Wednesday- Taco Stew (new recipe!)

Thursday- Leftovers

Friday- Homemade Pizza (Thank you Lora for this awesome recipe!!)

To find more recipes or to share your family's menu go to Menu Plan Monday!

Well I hope you all have a blessed week in the kitchen!!
Blessings and Love!!

Menu Plan Monday (October 31st)

Hey Everybody!!!

It's been a long time since my last post, and I apologize for that. We have been going through a season of change here at the Jones household!! And with that change, I needed to take a break. But now I am back and ready for some holiday fun. :)

Now that fall is in full swing, I am going to be trying some new stews/soups with my dear friend, my crock-pot! :) It is the best way to make some A-MAZING food without slaving over a hot stove for hours...and with having 4 kiddos that makes this Momma quite happy. So off with the menu we go :)....

Monday- Dinner out with the fam! :)

Tuesday- Homemade BBQ Pork Chops*, Scalloped Potatoes, and Buttered Corn

Wednesday- Loaded Baked Potato Soup (new crock-pot recipe) with Ham Steaks

Thursday- Surprise Dinner ;) (Dave and I's 4 year anniversary!)

Friday- Chicken Casserole* with Green Beans

Saturday- Beef Nachos (Football Food :) )

* Recipes and Pictures to come!!

Want to share your family's menu, or just want to find some great recipes? Go to Menu Plan Monday!

Lots of changes will be happening here at Life & Love soon :) So stay following for some fun stuff!

Blessings and Love!!

Attention All Parents!!

Hi Everyone!!

Well its that time of year again! Its time for the Fall/Winter Columbus Kids Resale!! I am so excited about shopping this time!! They always have such great stuff!!

It starts at 8 am(but I would arrive around 7:30 because there is always a line) and ends at 2 pm. Also some items go half off at 12! It is super organized and everything they sell is in great condition! Here are a few pictures to spark your interest. :)









Here is a list of items you can expect to see:

Crib mattresses

bedding

curtains

room décor

rocking chairs

twin headboards

bassinets

changing table

kids tables and chairs

bikes

cozy coupes

DVD’s

books

video games

toy kitchens

Legos

Leapster

trains

slide

sand/water table

costumes

sports equipment

pack and plays

strollers (including jogging)

infant carriers/wraps/slings

walkers

exersaucers

highchairs

booster seats

baby bouncers

baby swings

baby gates

baby monitors

Bumbo seats

designer diaper bags

maternity/nursing clothing

infant-teen clothing

shoes and accessories.

Well I hope you can make it!! It is a great way to save some hard earned money!! Happy Shopping!

Blessings and Love!

Homemade Granola Bars!

Here is a recipe that I must share!! It is absolutely delicious!! I found it at Three Many Cooks. They have some delicious looking recipes there!!

I did make a few alterations to it due to what I had in my pantry!

Here is the link to the recipe:

Granola Bars

Here are the alterations I made:

I substituted 1/2 c of milled flax seed for the 1/2 c of wheat germ

I substituted 1 c of pecans for the 1 c of almonds

I didn't add any dried fruit due to the fact my boys hate it! So I made it with an extra cup of chocolate chips....Although this is one substitution I won't make again...too much chocolate (if there is such a thing! LOL...) So I will probably add in different kinds of nuts in place of the dried fruit next time.

Well I hope you like it!! We sure did!! :)

Blessings and Love!

Menu Plan Monday! June 20th

Hey Everyone!!

Well this week's menu is going to be a tasty one!! I am doing some classic favorites that I haven't cooked for a while! Off with the menu!!


Monday- Chicken Pot Pie

Tuesday- Chicken Spaghetti*, Caesar Salad, and Garlic Bread

Wednesday- Fajita-Ranch Chicken Wraps

Thursday- Broiled Lemon Herb Tilapia, Jasmine Rice, and Asparagus

Friday- Garlic Beef* and White Rice


*I will post the recipes as I cook them!

For more recipes or to share your family's menu, go to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie!

Have a great week in the kitchen!!
Blessings and Love!!

Menu Plan Monday! June 6th

Hey Everybody!!

It has been almost a month since my last post. Our house has been a little on the chaotic side and now with school being over I am ready for a complete change!! This week marks the beginning of some much needed changes in the Jones household. And that includes getting back to menu planning! This week I am going to be trying out some new recipes. I am going to be weeding out the prepackaged processed foods from my house. Although it is cheaper and helps save us money, it isn't something I want my family or myself consuming any longer. Of course it is going to be a process. I have to think practically too whenever it comes to the financial side of it, but you will be seeing more and more fresh foods vs. processed foods on my menu! Well here we go!

Monday-Fajita-Ranch Chicken Wraps

Tuesday- Ham, Mashed Potatoes, and Buttered Green Beans

Wednesday-Pulled Pork BBQ (Crockpot)

Thursday- Bean and Beef Enchilada Casserole

Friday- Date Night out with my Hubby!!

Saturday- Broiled Cod, Jasmine Rice, and Broccoli

Sunday- Trey is being baptized this day so I am planning on having a cook out as long as the weather permits!! The menu is still undecided! Although I know Grilled Corn on the Cob will be on it...it's his favorite!

For more recipes or to share your family's menu, go to Menu Plan Monday.

Have a great week in the kitchen!
Blessings and Love!

Happy Mother's Day!!

Hymn to a Good Wife

10 A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.11 Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.12 Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.13 She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.14 She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.15 She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.16 She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.17 First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.18 She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.19 She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.20 She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor.21 She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.22 She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.23 Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers.24 She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.25 Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.26 When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.27 She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.28 Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise:29 "Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!"30 Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.31 Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!

What a privilege it is to be a mother!! I love love love Proverbs 31. It always seems to hit home with me whenever I am feeling overwhelmed with the day to day life of a homemaker. The Lord uses these verses to humble me and convict me, encourage me and guide me. I hope you all are having an amazing Mother's Day!! Enjoy your family today!! :)

Blessings and Love!!

Menu Plan Monday! May 2nd

Hey Everyone!

I have went a few weeks without planning out my menu and I am tired of that. hahaha....every time I think its ok...I have chaos in my kitchen and chaotic children! So needless to say menu planning is now becoming a priority! haha...well this week I am going to try a few new ones. It seems like all of the new recipes I have tried lately have kinda bombed. :( So hopefully this week is better!


Monday- Savory Blue Hake with rice and broccoli

Tuesday- Fajita-Ranch Chicken Wraps

Wednesday- Pulled Pork BBQ (Crockpot!)

Thursday- Grilling out! Jerk Chicken, Corn on the Cob, Baked Beans

Friday- Date Night Out with the Hubby! ;)

Saturday- Spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic bread

For more recipes or to share your family's menu, go to Menu Plan Monday! at Organizing Junkie!

Hope you all have an amazing week in the kitchen!
Blessings and Love!

Wordless Wednesday!

Ben, on our way home from our Chicago trip!

When taking a road trip with Benny there is never a dull moment!! This picture says it all!! I'm redheaded and over it!! hahaha...too funny not to share! Have a great day!!

Have a picture you want to share? Link up to Wordless Wednesday!

April Fool's Day Dinner & Menu Plan Monday! April 4th

Hey there!!

I hope you all had a great week last week in the kitchen! We did!! The pretzel crusted chicken we GREAT!! And my April Fool's Dinner was so much fun! Here are some pics from it!

Chicken Pot Pie (aka the dessert)
It was actually Banana Cream Pudding with orange and yellow Starburst pieces for the corn and carrots, green skittles for peas, banana pieces for the potatoes and chicken, and baked pastry dough for the biscuits.

Cupcakes (aka the dinner)
These were actually pretty yummy! They were meatloaf cupcakes with mashed potato frosting!

The unsuspecting victims!

He was a little surprised! hahaha....!

Happy April Fool's Day!! LOL..

Well on with this week's menu!

Monday- Broiled Cod Fillets, Jasmine Rice, and Green Beans

Tuesday- Corn Dogs and Macaroni and Cheese

Wednesday- Tacos

Thursday- Chicken Casserole (carry over from last week and the recipe is to come!) and Green Beans

Friday- Lasagna with Garlic Bread

For more recipes or to share your family's menu, go to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie!

Have a great week!!
Blessings and Love!!

"A merry heart does good, like medicine." Proverbs 17:22 NKJV

After the Smoke (huh...powder) Cleared!

Hey Everyone!

Well as most of you know, we are have a herd of children, and not only do we have a herd but we have a very "busy" herd of children!! With that busyness comes messes and I do mean MESSES!! I left the girls' room for a minute at most and this is what I found!

Powder, Powder, and more POWDER!! (I am still finding powder in that room and it has been almost a week ago!! LOL)

As soon as I found them, I said, "Benny, what did you do?!?" And his reply was, "Sissy did it!"

But from the look of her WHITE hair, I don't think she did it alone! ;)

Just another day in life with toddlers!!
Blessings and Love!!

Menu Plan Monday! March 28th

Hey Everyone!

It has been a crazy past couple weeks! Two weeks ago was Spring Break for us and we took a mini vacation to Chicago. (more to come and pics too!) And last week I took a break from my computer completely to get our house back to normal after vacation and Trey's birthday party! LOL...but back to our routine and "normal" life!

This week's menu is going to have some family favorites along with some fun new things! Friday is April 1st and I have been planning on doing something fun for dinner that night! More to come on that one :)

Monday- Pretzel Crusted Chicken Tenders and Mac and Cheddar with Broccoli (all new...will post the recipes if they pass the hubby test!)

Tuesday- Spaghetti with meat sauce and Garlic Bread

Wednesday- Tacos!

Thursday- Chicken Casserole and Green Beans (recipe for chicken casserole to come!)

Friday- Surprise Meal! lol...more to come on this one!

For more recipes or to share your family's menu, go to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie!

Have a great week in the kitchen!
Blessings and Love!

Menu Plan Monday! March 14th

Hey Everyone!!

Well I had full intentions of planning my menu out last week and it didn't get done! And it showed when dinner time hit. It was chaotic! But this week is a new week! So we will be having some yummy favorites and then part of the week we will be going out of town for our oldest son's 7th birthday! He is in love with Legos (what little boy isn't!?!) and we are going to a Lego Discovery Center in Chicago (Pictures to Come!!). Any who back to the menu!!

Monday-Pork Roast with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, and Salad

Tuesday- Tacos!

Wednesday- Crock-pot Pulled Pork Barbecue with Macaroni and Cheese

Thursday-St. Patrick's Day Brunch(recipes and post to come) / Leave for Chicago

Friday-In Chicago

Saturday-In Chicago

Sunday- Trey's Birthday Party at Chuck E. Cheese

For more recipes or to share your family's menu, go to Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie!

Have a great week in the Lord!
Blessings and Love!!

"She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day."
Proverbs 31:15 MSG

A Fun Family Afternoon!

Hey everyone!!

What a beautiful Saturday we had this week!! The sun was shining and the temperature was in the low 60's. And we took advantage of it!! My father-in-law has been wanting to start a tradition of going to the Hanger for brunch on one Saturday a month so we finally went on Saturday and it was so much fun! We had a delicious breakfast and watched the airplanes and helicopters take off and land. The boys thought it was pretty awesome! Here are some pictures of our day!

Before we even went in to eat we watched 2 helicopters take off! It was really exciting for the kiddos!

Benny thought it was pretty cool!!

So did Trey!

Blue Eyes did too!

And AnnaLeigh slept through it! haha...I don't think she was too impressed!

Then we went in for some yummy breakfast! The kiddos got Mickey Mouse pancakes and if you know my kids that was almost better than the helicopters! Almost! haha

Trey being adorable!

And Benny too!

Then we got to go out and look at and get in one of the Army Helicopters!! Trey now wants to be an "Army man"!

Just Precious! I love little moments like these!

Before we left, we got to watch the Army helicopter take off. And once again the boys were in awe! haha

Sweet Benny and Daddy!

Emma and Papaw JJ

Trey!!

AnnaLeigh decided to wake up for this one!

A great ending to our afternoon!

Hope you all have had a great weekend!!
Blessings and Love!!

Attention ALL Parents and Grandparents!!

Hey!!

If any of you are in the Columbus area tomorrow Saturday March 5th, you aren't going to want to miss Columbus Kids Resale at Northside Middle School!! It is from 8am to 2pm and it is a great sale!! I buy most of my kids clothes and accessories there! Here is a list of items you can expect to find:

*Spring/Summer Clothing and accessories (infant-teen)
*Maternity Clothing of all seasons
*Uniforms: school, sports, band cheer, gymnastics, and dance
*Toys and Video Games: board games, puzzles, blocks, dolls, electronics, trucks, cars, pull toys.
*Play equipment: sports equipment, swings, ride-ons, tricycles, slides, cars, sand boxes, water tables, yard toys, scooters, bikes, kitchens, playhouses, etc.
*Nursery/Baby Items: diaper bags, monitors, bedding, bottles, room décor, bathtubs, rockers, furniture, blankets etc.
*Baby Equipment: swings, exersaucers, strollers, bouncy seats, slings, carriers, high chairs, boosters
*Books and Media: current books about children, parenting, education, and pregnancy

Hope you all can make it!! Happy Shopping!!
Blessings and Love!

Welcoming our new little Jones!!

Hey everyone!

It feels like an eternity since my last blog post! So I thought I would update you all as to what life has been like for the Jones' for the past 2 months!

We finally welcomed our newest daughter, AnnaLeigh Marceline Jones, into the world on January 28th. She weighed 6 lbs 10 oz and measured at 19 inches long!

Our family minus Benny and Emma!

Sweet Big Brother Love! He was so excited!

Sissy meets her new sister!

Benny came to meet his sister, but was too impressed! LOL...he took one look at her and said NO!! But he has come around and now loves on her!

Cuddling with Daddy!

Sweet Baby!

So Sweet!!

Whenever we came home from the hospital, both boys were sick! Trey tested positive for the flu, and Benny had a respiratory infection! So they were quarantined at their grandparents houses for a few days. Then about a week later Emma and AnnaLeigh started showing some signs of sinus infections and were coughing their heads off. So we went to walk-in on a Saturday and both girls had ear infections!! Later on that night around midnight, I woke up to feed AnnaLeigh and she was burning up!! I checked her temperature and it was 101! So I take her to the ER (doctor's orders) and she tests positive for RSV. She was only 16 days old at this point! So they admitted her and we stayed in the hospital for a week. But we are so blessed!! She recovered so well!! God is so GOOD!

So we have been home two weeks this Saturday and boy does it feel great to be home! So now it is back to routine for us. Starting next week I will be back to menu planning and adding a few new blog parties to my routine! So stay posted for some fun!!


"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

What an awesome God we serve!!

Blessings and Love!!