Friday, July 26, 2013

Toilet Mouth

I have a nasty, hilarious story to share today!
 
Wednesday, I was getting ready to go to prayer meeting when I heard Trinity say, "Mom, Titus dipped his tooth brush in the toilet." I ran in there and Trinity was sitting on the toilet peeing and Titus had his tooth brush in his hand. I grabbed it and threw it away and said, "Whew! I am so glad he didn't put it in his mouth!" Well... come to find out, he DID put it in his mouth! Talk about GROSS!!!!
 
But that's not the end. I was in the shower yesterday and looked out to find that Titus had dug in the trash and found the contaminated tooth brush and had it in his mouth!
 
If my children survive me raising them, it will be a big surprise! I think I need to hire a nanny to keep an eye on them every second!
 
So now, Titus' new name is "Toilet Mouth"! And Trinity thinks it's absolutely hilarious!



Thursday, July 25, 2013

My Kiddos

 
We had kind of a lazy day today. It was very cool outside so I let the kids play. They had a lot of fun getting dirty! Ugh!
 
I was watching them play and thought I'd take some pictures of them.
They were making me salad.



Doesn't it look yummy?!?

Trinity has been loving sidewalk chalk. She said the squares with lines were people? Ha! She has her daddy's art gene!




 
I love my kids! I am so blessed!

Monday, July 22, 2013

Unglued

I must confess something. I am really good at becoming unglued.

The house gets a mess. I become unglued.
Titus whines and won't stop. I become unglued.
A glass of milk gets spilled on the floor. I become unglued.

There are days that when every little thing doesn't go my way, I lose it!

Last week, I was doing "school work" with Trinity. She has been having trouble sounding out words that start with "th" correctly.

We were doing her school work when it was her nap time. She was sleepy and wasn't even trying. She could not sound out the words correctly and had stopped even trying. I became UNGLUED! We were both a crying mess. I had to pray and ask forgiveness and apologize to poor little Trinity.

And I hate that feeling.

But, I am so thankful that I serve a God who forgives. And not only does He forgive, He also helps us with our problem!

Yesterday in church, I was asked to sing. I felt like I needed to sing, "Who Am I" by Casting Crowns. I was singing it and I just started crying right in the middle of the song. (I am sure the people having to listen to me really thought I was crazy!) But I got to thinking... Who am I that the eyes that see my sin would look on me with LOVE?!? and watch me rise again. Who am I? That the voice that calms the sea, would call out through the rain, and calm the storm in me.

That part got me. There have been so many times it has felt like there was, not just a storm, but maybe a full blown hurricane going on inside me. And I felt like I was going to explode! But, I can call on Jesus and He calms me. And not just that, He helps me not to do it again. If He knows we really want to change, He will help us.

I am so thankful for salvation, but I am also so thankful that Jesus didn't save us and say, "There you go. You are saved now, try and live the best you know how. I'll just be sitting here watching you. Waiting for you to mess up so I can hit you over the head until you get it right!"

He doesn't do that. He is constantly here, leading me. Guiding me. Helping me when I am wrong.

There is a book out now called, Unglued. I want to download it so bad! I think it will really help me. Have any of you ever read it?

Well, I have opened my heart to you guys. I hope you don't think too bad of me. Becoming unglued is something Jesus and I are really working on. I am so glad prayer works!

Friday, July 19, 2013

Hernando

 Hey guys! I know I haven't blogged in a while. I'm want to try and do better. I really, really do! I have been busy... yada, yada, yada....

Anyways... tonight I had a spare minute so I wanted to share this story that happened tonight!
 
First, let me introduce you to Hernando the bear...
 
Hernando is a Build a Bear Workshop bear that we found at a yard sale last year for 25 cents. We instantly loved Hernando but, you see, he had a problem. He could talk.
 
When you would press his hand, he would say in a very annoying feminine-like MALE voice, "Goodnight. Sweet dreams. I love you baby."
 
At first, we dealt with it. But tonight we decided it was time for Hernando to get a new, masculine MALE voice. So Dr. Ivy (me) performed voice-changing surgery on him. Dr. Ivy done all the necessary things to make sure he was healthy enough to have the surgery. Everything looked good. I gave him a shot to numb his back, opened him up, removed his heart, and then removed his voice box.
 
After removing the voice box, we found that it was possible to erase the previous annoying, feminine-like male voice and record a new, masculine MALE voice. A very special thanks to Dr. Steven who performed this part of the procedure. (I took Hernando in another room to "clean" his voice box and this is when Dr. Steven recorded the new voice. Trinity was not aware of this.)
 
So, Hernando came through surgery great and after he woke up from being sedated, we tried out his new voice. When I pushed the button, Hernando now said, in a very masculine voice, "Hello, my name is Hernando." Trinity's eyes got huge and her mouth fell open just like I had performed a miracle. She was so shocked that Hernando had a new voice! It was hilarious! She couldn't believe her ears! She didn't recognize Steven's voice. She said, "I have to go show Daddy!"
 
She was so happy Hernando got a new voice!


This is Trinity with her Build-a-Bears, Sarah the Panda, Princess the Rabbit, and Trixie the Bear.
 
And I thought I'd throw in a picture of this cute little guy!

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Day 7: What's Your Dream Job

Are we already 7 days into March?!? Wow!

I would have to say that my dream job would be being a stay-at-home mom. I love it and I don't care how much more money we would have or how much more stuff we would have if I had a "real job", I wouldn't trade being a SAHM for anything!

I love doing photography and selling Scentsy. And I get to do it from home!

One day I do plan on starting an Etsy store though! I already have the name picked out. I plan on calling it Far Above Rubies Children's Boutique. I love to make childrens' clothing and accessories!

So... that's all for today!

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Day 6: Your Last Random Act of Kindness

I guess my last random act of kindness was tonight when I drove to AND from Lexington because Steven was too tired. I am an awesome wife. How kind of me to do that for him, right?!?

Haha!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Day 5: Favorite Movies You Never Get Sick of Watching

Okay. So I will just start out by saying that we do not own a tv, nor do we watch movies.

*Slience*

Therefore, I do not have a favorite movie or show or anything of the sort.

And no, we are not Amish.

We do, however, let the kids watch Veggie Tales or learning DVDs. Things that will teach them. We also limit that because we do not think kids (or adults) should sit in front of a screen all day.

Random side note... It's snowing here!!!!!!

Monday, March 4, 2013

Day 4: Best Childhood Memory

I had a really good childhood. I was (am) very blessed. Or you could say spoiled. Or blessed and spoiled. Whatever.

I do not know what would be my best childhood memory. I had lots of good ones. So I'll just pick one and go with it!

When I was little, my brother-in-law made me this "tire" swing. Only he didn't use a tire. He used a huge PVC pipe and rope. But, me and my friends would spend all day long out there swinging on this swing. Even when I got older. This was the meeting place I guess. Where we told all our deepest, darkest secrets. Secrets like who we had a crush on that day and such!

We had a lot of fun on that swing. It would even hold 2 kids at once!

One of our favorite things to do is get on the swing and get another person to twist you and twist and twist and twist and then let go. You would spin for what felt like hours! And all your blood would rush to your toes. Or head. Or both. I can't remember. And when you would finally stop, you would think, 'Why in the world did I do that?' Ha!

I remember one time, we set off to dig a swimming pool under the swing. Yeah. Around an hour later we had a hole of about 3 inches wide and 2 inches deep. Pretty good progress when all you have is a spoon!

Well, I guess that's all for now!

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Day 3: What Makes You Happy

Lots of things make me happy. So there's no way I could choose just one.
Let's see...
1. Sunday naps
2. Iced coffee
3. Eating at restaurants
4. A clean house
5. Jesus
6. Spending time with my husband
7. Gettin' my praise on at church :)
8. The song Matthew 28 by IBC (side note, I'm not Apostolic)
9. My kiddos :)
10. Shopping

By the way... these are in no particular order :)

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Day 2: Favorite Quote(s)

Can the a Bible verse be a quote? If so, my favorite quote is,

Ephesians 3:20 KJV

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

That is my all time favorite verse!

I also am a bit crazy over the whole 'Keep Calm and Carry On' quote. I love it!

And on a lighter note... everyone loves the quote, "Ain't nobody got time for that." Ha!

31 Day Blog Challenge! Day 1!

**I am posting this from my phone so I don't know where these pictures are going to show up...

Hey guys! Some of my friends done a blog challenge last month and I wanted to join them but I wasn't able to. So Amy sent me the link to another blog challenge for this month! I'm gonna try to keep this up because I think it will be fun!

Day 1: Self portrait and 5 random facts about yourself.

My self portrait was taken just now at 3:38 am! Ha! So I look awful!

Anyways... 5 random facts about myself. I don't think I can list just 5 so how about we change it to 20?

1. My full name is Ivis Maria Jones
2. I am a Scentsy Consultant
3. I am the youngest of 10 kids
4. I have been married for 7 1/2 years
5. I once got MVP at a volleyball tournament
6. I have done ventriloquism before
7. I love Orange Coke Zero
8. I have no knuckle in my left thumb
9. I hate spiders
10. I am in love with chevron stripes
11. I am very crafty
12. I am a photographer
13. I will be turning 26 come April 15th
14. I could eat pizza every day of the week
15. I am very good at being random
16. T.J. Maxx is my favorite store
17. I failed my driving test twice
18. I'm pretty nosey (I like to call it 'curious'
19. I am not a runner
20. I have never played the board game CLUE

Monday, February 18, 2013

Valentine's Day 2013

 
Valentine's day was so much fun this year! I love Valentine's day! Steven and I got the kids one present each. Every year since Trinity was born we would get the kids Little Golden Books for Valentine's day but this year I decided to get them Melissa and Doug toys instead. It was a hit!
 
 


Trinity loves anything to do with princesses!


Ain't he handsome?



I love these two!

Steven brought home flowers for me! I loved them!
 
On Friday after Valentine's day, Steven and I had a date at home without the kids! I love my kiddos but it was nice to have some kid-free time with my husband ;)
 
Hope y'all had a great Valentine's day too!

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Titus is ONE!

 
 
Today was Titus' first birthday party! Can you believe my little boy is ONE?!? I can't.
 
His actual birthday was Tuesday. We celebrated by taking him (and Trinity) to buy a balloon and then to Kroger to get a small cake for us to share. Then we ate at Cici's Pizza because Titus loves pizza!
 
Anyway, here are some pictures from his party...

Please don't make fun of my cake decorating skills. I am not good at it but it sure beats paying all that money to have one made!
Mr. Giraffe made a special guest appearance!



I sure do love these two!


I think the balloons were his favorite part!


Trinity loved the clothes he got!




Now time for cake...


Yummy!


We was SO messy!

Time for a bath!
He really enjoyed his birthday party! He was so tired tonight but he didn't want to go to bed. He just wanted to play with all his new toys!
 
Shew-wee! The past year FLEW! Next thing you know, he will be 10!

Thursday, January 10, 2013

2012...

What. A. Year.

2012 has definitely been the year of change around here. For everyone I know.

The change all started in February with the birth of Titus. Our little boy! Going from one child to 2, honestly, was very hard on me. Seriously, I cried the first 2 months of his life. But you know what? God brought me through that. He gave me the victory and put joy back into my life!

March, Steven turned 25!

In April was another big change. Our pastor and his wife felt God wanted them to pastor a church in Alabama. All the way in Alabama! The people who taught us about Holiness and treated us like thier own children were moving 6 hours away! Seriously, how in the world could we carry on? But you know what? We did. God helped us. And He is continuing to help us. He is very patient :)

So, our best friends stepped up as pastor and Steven became the assistant pastor. Another huge change.
In April, I turned 25! I don't do well with birthdays. Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful God has blessed me with another year, but man! I'm getting old!

Also in April, the devil fought me with something that, looking back, was the most crazy, ignorant, stupidest (I know that's not a word but it fits) thing ever. Then, it looked huge. But now, I think, 'What was I thinking? Did I REALLY believe that?' But, God knew exactly what I was going through and facing and He brought me right on through. Praise God!

I think God let us rest from change in May. But, in June, Steven and I felt God wanting us to move closer to our church. Then, we lived 35 minutes away, which really isn't too far, but it was far enough away to hinder us from helping like we should.

Moving meant being 35 minutes from my Mommy and Daddy as opposed to 35 sceonds. That was hard on me. But, God brought me through that also!

So we started looking for houses in Danville. Steven wanted a house that was cheap (our house was paid off so he understandably wanted a low house payment). I, on the other hand, wanted a house with at least 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, an extra room for a play room, a craft room, an office for Steven, a laundry room, a walk-in pantry, oh! And it HAS to be close to Orange Leaf! Is that too much to ask?

Well, we found a house we thought was perfect! Only it didn't have any of the little details I wanted :) Except it was close to Orange Leaf! But by that time, I was convinced I couldn't get all those extra rooms for our budget.  So we put in an offer and we thought for sure this was the house! Our offer got rejected. We put in another offer and it was rejected too and they accepted another person's offer.

I cried and thought we would never find another house as good! I tend to be on the dramatic side sometimes.

I believe we just about looked in every house in Danville that was for sale (and probably some that weren't) twice!

It would be years before we ever found a house! We would have to live in the multi-colored trailor park by Red Wing! (Those of you who have ever been to Danville, know where I'm talking about) Like I said, I tend to be a tad dramatic.

But, Steven was looking online and found a nice looking house that had been listed for a while but it had never showed up in our searches for some reason. So on our anniversary, we drove by it. We both loved it from the outside and wanted to look inside. We found an agent and looked in it and we loved it even more! We put in an offer. It was rejected. So were all the other offers we put in. We just stopped since they didn't want to budge on the price obviously and started looking for other houses.

We didn't find any we liked as good as that house but oh well. Then one morning at, like, 3 a.m., I woke up and decided to look at that house one more time on the app I had on my phone. The priced had just dropped dramatically! I was so excited! So we put in another offer (actually it was the same offer they had just rejected) and it was accepted!

On October 31st, we moved in! I thought moving would be fun and exciting. And it has been, but it has also been a very hard, nerve-racking, trying, emotional time. Lots of blood, sweat, & tears have gone into fixing this house up. But, God has helped us through every.single.bit of it. If He had not, I would probably be bald from pulling my hair out!

You see, at first, everything was going wrong. We had $250 of our flooring stolen, the drywall work turned out to be a mess and we had to redo it all, it seemed like all the building materials were more expensive than we thought, Steven's tools kept breaking, and so on...

But, there could have been a lot more gone wrong. The basement leaked (we knew this before we bought the house) and it ended up costing thousands of dollars less to fix than we thought, there was an electrical issue that was going to take days to fix plus it was going to cost $500 but it ended up taking 30 minutes and $150, Steven found another electrical problem that could have caught the house on fire if he had not found it, and just tonight, Steven was able to fix the shower upstairs. He had thought it would take around 5 hours (because he was going to have to take the entire tub out and put it back in) but he got to looking at it and found the problem to be a lot smaller than he thought and it took 15 minutes to fix!

God has been so good to us. You see, in 2012, the devil fought us harder than ever before. But, we relied on God more than ever before which means we are closer to Him. As long as I got King Jesus, I don't need nobody else!

Oh, and by the way, our new house has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a play room, a craft room, an office for Steven, a laundry room, and a walk-in pantry, 2 garages, and a shed. And its about double the size of the first house we put an offer in on. (Its about 10 minutes from Orange Leaf, but, only 2 1/2 minutes from Walmart!)

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Ephesians 3:20