Happy Birthday Ethan!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Today my Ethan turns 14! Last night as I put him to bed (yes I still tuck him in every night) I told him the story of what I was doing at that time 14 years ago.

We were living in Ramsey (down around New Albany) because Aaron was working at UPS in Louisville. I had given up trying to get in and out of our waterbed a few months earlier, so we were sleeping in the spare bedroom. I spent the night sitting up in bed contracting every 10 minutes or so while watching OJ Simpsons now famous white bronco chase. When I think of my labor with Ethan... I always think of OJ.

We finally headed to the hospital about 5 a.m. We stopped at the McDonalds across the street first so Aaron could eat... while I contracted. However, Ethan was in no hurry and did not make his arrival until 6:16 that evening, after an extremely difficult forceps delivery. He weighed in at 8 lbs 3 oz. (same as his Uncle Kent) and had a head full of black hair. Not only was he our first baby, he was the biggest, outweighing both brothers and his sister by over a pound each, and also holds the record for most uncomfortable pregnacey, longest labor and most weight gained for me... I was HUGE!

The last fourteen years now seem like a blur, although some things seem like they happened only yesterday. His first steps, his seeing Austin for the first time, the first day of Kindergarten... etc. My tiny baby now looks down at me and takes great joy in being able to pick me up. His tiny baby feet are now two sizes bigger than his dads. And so it goes...

I had so many hopes and dreams for him the day he was born, so far they have all come true. He is such a handsome boy, straight A student, great person, always with a smile on his face just like his dad, sensitive, considerate, caring, very aware of the feelings of others, and just a joy to be around.

Happy Birthday Ethan! We love you.

Chapter closed...

This is Austin and BFF Brandon last night at the end of the season banquet for the Shoals Summer League. It marked the end of Austin's days in little league. Next year he will move on to Babe Ruth. So hard for me to believe. I can still see him in his tiny cleats playing t-ball seven short years ago. It was a bittersweet moment for me. You know how I am.

Last night also marked the beginning of the All-star season. This means from now until the end of July our life will be all about baseball. At this moment, it just makes me really tired thinking about it.

So here's to Austin. I'm sad to see his time at the park is over, but excited to see what lies ahead for him next year. I will miss spending my Tuesday and Thursday nights eating ballpark pretzels and watching him play.... NO WAIT ... Jaden moves up from t-ball next year... that means another seven years...do you know how old I will be in seven years....still spending my time at the ballpark at that age... still dealing with all the ballpark drama....somebody shoot me now!...

Just kidding... I love it!

No time to blog...

Take a week off and BAM! We have been hammered this week. Right now I think I have about 600 and some trophies downstairs to be put together and countless shirts and hats to finish... all-star orders, catfish festival orders... and on and on and on.

There has been lots of drama this week also, and those who know me well know I despise drama. When the drama starts to unfold, I revert to the fetal position. I want no part of it. Sometimes though, you get sucked in whether you want to or not. I think for the most part it is behind us this time, but then again, with some folks you never know. A lot of it was ballpark drama and that is the absolute worst!

Vacation is over... back to reality!

Slideshow...

Hope you have high speed... there are a lot of pictures here!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Vacation a success...

Well, on our way home from yet another successful Burns/Jones family vacation... We really did have a great time. Totally different feel with all of us in one house. I loved it. I am so fortunate to be part of a family that gets along and actually likes eachother and wants to hang out together.

We are tanned and well rested and sick of seafood! I took tons of pictures which I will post in a slide show tomorrow. The pic above was taken this morning right before we all headed out for the airport. (minus Patti cause she took the picture) Some of us had literally just gotten out of bed. :)

Seven days ago we were excitedly speeding down the interstate... today we are doing the same thing. We missed Ava horribly! She was a trooper though and had a great time being spoiled by mamaw. We are arguing about who gets to squeeze her first... I think I better win that one.

Good to get away.... but even better to get back home!

Wiped out Wednesday...

This is Jaden and Abby yesterday... they have played HARD this whole trip. they have been up early in the morning and up late for midnight swims. The beachhouse we are in has 6 bedrooms and one of them is called the bunkroom. It is a room that sleeps 6 kids in bunks. So cool. Anyway, as of 10 this morning... they were still snuggled up in there. It is slowly catching up with them. Bless their hearts. As soon as they get up though, I am sure they will hit it hard once again.

As for the rest of us... we are in total relaxation mode. The pace of this vacation has been perfect. Since we are all in one house, there is no bouncing back and forth from condo to condo. We can sit and visit as long as we want, and when we all go out to eat (all 12 of us) it is not such a big production to coordinate. All of the adults are in separate suites so we still have the privacy we normally would.

Gotta go... the sun and sand are calling

Vacation Day 2...

Ahh the sweet life... So far so great. Weather has been great... food has been great... family has been great... the house is awesome! We are lovin life right now.

I took this picture yesterday morning as I had my morning coffee, and as I am typing this, I am looking at the same view. Phenomenal.

More beach and sun today...maybe a little shopping this afternoon. We have all decided to just let the day come to us... how cool is that.

VACATION!!!...

FINALLY...As I am typing this, we are speeding down the interstate at 80 mph on our way to the airport... I thought this day would never get here.

It has been an eventful week to say the least. Carlye had her baby, little miss Albanye Jene, on Friday night. They are both home and doing great. Roger's funeral was today and went as well as could be expected. One journey ends, and another begins... the circle of life. There were a few times in the last couple of days we didn't think anything else could possible go wrong... the changing of flights, the demise of our central air... tying up loose ends on this and that... but thankfully our God is a God of details and we should know better than to sweat the small stuff, cause He worked it all out in His time and His timing is always perfect. We have seen that several times this week! Amazing...

I am slowly getting into vacation mode. I am determined to make this one great. We all need it so desperately. Big boys in the back seat watching School of Rock for the 124th time... little Jade sound asleep... Aaron and I excitedly chatting away. Life is good...

Early Friday...

Those of you who know me, know I am NOT a morning person (susan!) Today, little miss Ava started in about 4 a.m. and by the time I got her settle back in and quiet around 4:45, I was wide awake. So, I did the unusual... I got up!

I paid the bills, did some shirt artwork, did a lot of deep, contemplative thinking like I tend to do these days (do all people do that as they get older or is it just me?!) renewed my license plates online, had my morning coffee, and watched the sun come up.... all before 6:30... How productive is that!!!

I thought about Carlye...waiting to have her 3rd little girl. Texted with her yesterday. She is miserable and anxious. I reminded her to cherish these last days. You forget all too soon what its like to carry that little life around. I envy her (even though I don't want to do it again!)

I thought about Kristy...also carrying #3 and miserable from throwing up around the clock. Talked to her yesterday also. She was feeling much better. Said the nausea had suddenly lifted... Just what I had been praying for...Prayer is Powerful!

I thought a lot about Roger's family. Arrangements will be made this morning. Will be a tough day for everyone.

I had.. and am still having.. some major quiet time. Maybe there is something to this morning stuff after all... Looks like its going to be a beautiful day!

Thinking Thursday...

This Thursday... I am thinking about Aaron's Uncle Roger. He passed away around 11:30 this morning after a two year battle with cancer. Roger was at home surrounded by his family and his passing was peaceful.

And so, instead of packing for vacation, we are preparing for a funeral. It is extremely sad. That family has had way more than their share of loss. Roger lost his son Shannon to leukemia nearly 20 years ago, and his wife Janet passed away soon after also from cancer.

So... on this thinking thursday

I think I am so thankful that Roger is no longer in pain...

I think God is awesome, in that He turned a recent trip to the hospital into an opportunity for baptism...

I think it will be extremely tough on the kids... being in your 30's and having lost both parents must be unbearable....

I think poor little Damon is taking this the hardest and will have a rough way to go for awhile...

I think we all take comfort in the fact that Roger is in heaven reunited with his son that he missed so much...

I think it would be great if all of you reading this would keep the family in your prayers...

The big picture...

This was another crazy Tuesday... and it isn't over yet. Shirts and trophies are calling my name. Just as I was getting everything wrapped up to go away for a week, four huge jobs came in today. And so it goes...

Ethan's double header for tonight was cancelled, and I must say I am relieved. Last night we got home from Orleans at 10:00. Tomorrow night, its Paoli and Thursday night, North Daviess... When am I suppose to pack for vacation.... When am I suppose to think about vacation. There simply are not enough hours in the day.

As I am typing this, I can hardly keep my eyes open. This is one of those days I feel like crawling in a hole. I don't get this way too often, but right now I am feeling the weight of the world.

This is one of those days when I have give myself a talking to...to remind myself to FROG... Fully Rely on God... To remind myself that my life is good and my problems are small... to remember others who are going through trials....those who are sick... those who have sick children... those who are dying... those watching a family member die. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own little world in our own lives, we fail to see the bigger picture. I am pausing a moment to look at the bigger picture.

So... shame on me for having my little pity party. I think I have straightened myself out now.

Proverbs 3: 5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do and He will direct your path."

Water logged...

What a great weekend! We were very busy, but we didn't mind. The weather was awesome!

I am happy to report that graduation went well for Haley and Kent survived.

This is a short entry cause I am TIRED! But the above picture was too good not to post. Tomorrow starts a busy week! Gearing up for vacation... double headers for Ethan Monday - Thursday... games for Austin on tues. and thurs... Making me more tired just thinking about it!