May you Believe.

THis has to be one of my favorite photos from last year. I scrapped this page in no time flat. The photo just inspired me so much. That is how I scrap though.. from my heart. It's not just about the paper and glue, although we love that too. IT is about the memory and the moment that is standing still in that photo. I don't remember alot from last Christmas. The last 2 years actually I have had battles with these shingles and kidneys. SO far after finding the correct medication... I THINK this year may be better. I hope so anyway. I look at Bella's eyes in this photo and it just says everything about Christmas to me. The magical look ina little girls face. The excitement of the lights and the beautiful decorations, the love she has for her family and friends, the anxiousness to open those gifts. ALl of it right there in that little girls face. THAT is what Keeps me going. It is all about the little ones for me. I love watching them when they get to decorate cookies or go to a Christmas parade. I really cant wait till tomorrow morning when she sees the things Santa brought her. Tonight we will read The Christmas Story and go over again the TRUE reason we celebrate Christmas. We hope you have a very blessed Christmas. May you BELIEVE not only with your eyes but with your heart the TRUE meaning of CHRISTMAS.
LOVE,
The Jones Family

For unto us this day is born a savior Christ The Lord.

Prayer Request

It is with great sadness I tell you that Our dear freind and loved one Billy Hall died this past Friday. I just found out so I am just letting you know the ones that have been praying for him and his family on his recovery. I know they thank you so much. Please remember them in the next few days as well since I KNOW it will be so very hard for them. He was a very fun person I can't remember a time not knowing him or his family. We all grew up together and were like family. It is times like these I hate living so far away. My heart goes out to Ladora and Jamie and Christopher. His grandson and his many neices and nephews, Also To Billy's parents and brothers and sisters. They are a large family. That really needs our prayers and our love right now. So please just say an extra for them and light a special candle tonight. Thank you.
We will miss you Billy Hall.

http://www.legacy.com/clarionledger/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=100007014

Baking Cookies

John and Bella did some baking today for our Goody boxes we are giving this year. Bella made cookies for Santa and John decorated some for hte boxes lol.
Bella had a GREAT TIME and loved every minute of it.


SHe concentrated really hard and wanted to not miss a spot!


What are you doing fun this Christmas?

Our Christmas Tree...

I know it will be a long time before I can have one of those BEAUTIFUL christmas trees with all the matching ornaments and the beautiful ornaments etc. BUT ya know what. I think I love my tree just the way it is. Decorated with love and so MUCH JOY by my 4 year old. All these ornaments bring special memories.
Aunt Carol makes these ornaments every year. This is one of the ones she sent for Bella. Isn't it precious.
This is the Angel of Fall I LOVE FALL my favorite season.
John collects monopoly games and EVERYTHING Monopoly. SO this ornament was perfect for him.
I was surprised with this one this year from Bella. SHe made this in class. Isn't just precious!!
She made this one this year too. SO CUTE!
She made this one last year in her 3k Class. She didnt go the full year but she did stay long enough to make an ornament lol
And my little angel Bella. This one is so sweet one of the first ones she got as a baby.

SO what makes your Christmas tree special? Maybe you have favorite ornaments or one of those pretty trees where everything matches. Whichever it is. Don't forget to include those in your holiday photos. Check out the list at Scrap-Diner so you dont miss any of the great shots this year at Christmas. Alot of these I had not thought of!! YOu will be glad someday You did a page on your favorite ornaments and why they are your favorites this year :)
I hope you have a Merry Christmas.

PS: Thank you to all of you whom are praying for us. I obviously am on the correct medication now. I feel already so much better. Still tired but I THINK Im gonna make it. NO HOSPITAL HURRRAYYY! Thank you again and Merry Christmas

IM HOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

THis is obviously the right medicien I showed MARKED improvement today so NO HOSPITAL thank you thank you THANK YOU LORD. and thank you to all who have been prayin!!

Bellas Christmas program at school

I watched the video but i couldnt really tell what she said. But she looked so cute lol
One thing I noticed on the tape were all the peopel hacking and coughing.
so I guess I am glad we didnt try to go. IM happy John taped it for me. Here are some photos from the program and their party as well.








You could tell they had a great time from what I saw and heard on the video they were singing REALLY loud. I THINK they really loved singing jingle Bells hahahaa. it was so cute. My family that will be here Christmas you can see the tape and the rest we will try to convert it so we can email to you or copy the tape. IT is not very long. VERY CUTE Though. I am not sure what Bella said I couldnt hear her. she was really cute though.

Health news.. yeah I know yall are as sick of hearing about it as I am of being sick but we did take a bad turn yesterday. I havent called any of yall to tell you whats going on and its not because I dont want you to know.. its hard to call everyone .. and it hurts. It is easier this way since I know you all will read this and are looking at Bella's program photos. So bear with us the ones that are not interested, nothing personal just trying to do this ONE TIME. We did get the OTHER DR that I had seen once before on the phone. He changed me BACK to the meds that were working. My infectious disease dr, instead of another round of what the hospital had me on (that was working did I MENTION THAT ALREADY????) he put me back on the one I have been on FOREVER. seriously on and off for 2 years now at 47.00 a week... do the math.. (that obviously if I keep getting it, IS NOT WORKING hmmmmm lets find the sense in this. BELLA can figure this out) but the dude explained WHY he kept putting me on it but, that it is possible (hmm ya think) that I may have built up an immunity to it (nooo, your kidding? how much DID THAT COST US TO FIND THAT OUT???) SOrry, Im just totally aggravated at this point that they wait till 4 days before Christmas to decide MAYBE we need to do something.. anyway.. we called tonight when I couldnt FEEL the right side of my face...yeah scared us a little, and they put me back on the meds they gave me at the hospital.(HURRRAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!) I have already taken it several hours ago and I can feel my ear some now. It is still numb around where the shingles are but they are dryer and not got the blister part on them like they did. SO it is obvious this medicine is working. (PRAISE THE LORD) I am supposed to go back in tomorrow and the Dr. told me to bring my PJ's. That they will probably do IV therapy and possibly keep me. (sob, tears and frustration over whelm me) I know they want to get this out of my system but IM praying this stuff will just work and I dont have to stay in the hospital. I asked about an at home IV and he said ONLY WITH a home health nurse... and the weekends are tough...) Bella has suffered enough heck we all have. My poor hubby has been doing everything. This man must really love me Im telling you and Im so grateful to him, I REALLY AM. I owe him so much.
I haven't even finished all of your gifts. With the medicine I have been on (you can imagine the $$$ but that isn't the important part even right now)
Im making all your gifts, well most of them. I have done alot dont get me wrong but there are a few that I still have to do. I also enjoy making them It is a great distraction since pain medicine doesn't really help and he told me to scrap, get online or whatever it took to deal with all this. BUT, I feel they mean more than just going out and buying any old thing anyway. so, Be patient. as soon as Im well I will get the rest done. I know everyone understands...at least I HOPE you do. Don't give up on getting Christmas cards either You just may get a real surprise and receive them in mid January at the rate IM going. haha Doesn't mean we are not thinking of you all and don't love you.

IF I dont get to talk to you all or post anymore before then...Merry Christmas. I HOPE I will be back home this afternoon to update this post :) fingers toes and everything I can cross ... CROSSED :) IF you call and I don't answer.. DONT worry that means nothing. I could be asleep or just be in pain and don't feel like answering. Thanks for understanding. Thank you to everyone that has been praying. We love you and we HONESTLY DO APPRECIATE YOU.

beginning to look like CHRISTMAS

Finally it started cooling off some. We had a HUGE temperature drop that put me in the bed with what felt like broken bones (aint Lupus fun!) but now I think also it was these stupid Shingles coming back. The dr switched me back to the other medicine and IT JUST doesnt work soooo.. now it is back on my face ear and my back. If you have ever had a bad sunburn how it feels when you lay on the bed with a badly sunburned back.. well that is how it kinda feels except on the lesion or bumps that are open it is well.. It just hurts I guess is the best way to say it,. so I havent been on alot. I did before all this started ... AGAINNNN! get some scrapping done. Im gonna call this dr back and tell him this stuff is NOT working today so MAYBEEE this wont look so... FREAKISH by Christmas :( so say a prayer if you would.

Here are the gifts that I CAN SHOW YOU.. That I have made.



I made this for Bella's Teacher It holds Eye glasses. Her favorite team is Auburn and boy is it her favorite. Hope she likes it.
I also made her a Christmas ornament for her Tree. Bella helped! Im sure she has one but not one THat BELLA helped make hahaha.
This is for John's mom's 12 x 12 album she wanted more pages so I hooked her up. I made 11 pages so far to go in it. Here are just a few. With photos from last christmas and this year.
OK so this one the photo is Older but I had been meaning to scrap this to go in her book and forgot it wasnt in there so... scratch that last year and last christmas since Bella was 2 in this pic above, lol
This last year Nana's Sister Stephy and her husband Evans came down for business and Got to meet Bella for hte first time, It was an instant love connection. Bella just LOVES her and asks about her all the time especially when we paint her nails.
Bella was so scared Santa woudlnt be able to find her last year since we were at Nana and Papa's in Mississippi. I told her not to fear that santa always found the children ont he nice list.. BOY SHE MUSTA BEEN REAL GOOOOD! WE had to enlist my mother's van to help us get all of her stuff home hahahahahaa





Ok This is it for now I must go back to bed. Gonna beg that dr to put me back on the other meds that made me well faster. I SOOOO DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS so many more gifts to make and the clock is ticking.. I wonder if this is how the elves feel at Santa's workshop the week of Christmas hahahaahhaaBella has her school program and Christmas party at school today. John is going to take photos and video it for me since I wont be able to go :( BElla is going to look soooo cute in her dress I can't wait to see the tape when he gets back. I will upload the photos to show you after he gets home and I can get them on the computer.

OPERATION HOLLY!

Bella had her play last night at David and Diane Carter's Church. THey were so proud of her. THey said she did a fantastic job. I didn't get to go :( but John took some FABULOUS photos and I know David and Diane are HURRYING to RUSH ME that TAPE so I CAN WATCH MY BABY SING!!! hahahaha. Here are some photos.


we apprecitiate david and Diane SOOO much for Taking Bella to do this. We just love them so much! SO does Bella if you can't Tell!

Here is David lookin' all Mayorly!
Here they are in the homeless scene

The whole crew!!




They collected alot of Canned good and things for some familys that really needed it. I hope you find it in your hearts to donate to someone you thing may be in need or drop something off at a collections place for needy familys. WE can participate in so many ways from the local churches to donating to various charities. I know there are alot of children out there that aren't as fortunate as we are. Im so proud of Bella and how good she did for David and Diane.

PS: for all my pals across the water over yonder in Austrailia and New Zealand. Keep your eyes out in 2008 for BELLA! I have had 6 pages picked up by the Austrailian Magazine Scrapbooking Memories (can I get a WHEHEEWW THANK YOU LORD!!) we going international BABEEEEYYYYY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DI andI GOT TAGGED!

FIRST I HAVE TO SAY A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY NOT SO ILLEGAL ALIEN PAL DI! (that is my pet name for her hahaahaha) I hope you have a WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY TODAY GIRL. AND DON'T RUB IT IN TOO bad that your STILL younger than us all :P~~~ LOVE YA MEAN IT! HOPE You have a WONDERFUL day!

A Tag from Teri- lynn IM just a month late with it hahahaha. SORRY girl!

Ten things I did this weekend:
1. cleaned my scrap room
2. made a ton of stuff I cant show yet.
3. cooked these fabulous bacon thingys
4. Got a package that didnt belong to us
5. Got A FABULOUS early Christmas gift that totally made me smile HUGEEEEEE and one for Bella (Thank you liz!)
6. Spoke to the lady that used to live in our house (it was her box we got, funny story ha!)
7. Watched christmas movies
8. Played dress uo with Bella (we did hair)
9. Missed our family's Christmas party :( at my aunts house.
10. Today is Bella's program and David and Diane's church.. that I wont get to go to either :( so add cry to the list. BUT I will get over it fast Im just mad at myself for being sick. (all the blame time!!!)

9 things on my agenda this week:
1. finish making Christmas presents
2. Wrap Christmas Presents
3. Clean guest room
4. Clean the floor and couch
5. CLEAN BELLAS ROOM (throw away old toys she has trashed)
6. make the food goodies we are giving as christmas presents to neighbors (the ones that cant catch shingles) The others that are older IM terrified to cook anything for them and them catch this! WHat is the rule on that with shingles do yall know? anyone?
7. Scrap like a crazy person with a mission to finish all my christmas gifts
8. Call shannon and see if she can make Bella some Hair bows (if you are reading this HEY I NEED SOME HAIR BOWS ILL EMAIL YOU THE COLORS I NEED LOL)I know your busy so after the first of the year is fine.
9. Cry cuz I want to go to Bella's program Thursday but Know It is too risky being around all those germy children.

8 shows I've watched last week:
1. GREYS (RERUN)
2. Men in trees (rerun but I hadnt seen it)
3. Meet the Robinsons
4. Oprahs Favorite things (I just love those shows)
5. Rachel Ray (I hardly ever miss it LOVE her show)
6. JOyce Meyer (I love her!!)
7. Survivor
8. House (rerun)

7 things I cooked last week (HAHAHAHAHAHAHA I know my husband just laughed OUT LOUD at this)
1. CHeese toast
2. Tea
3. THESE bacon wrap things
4. pop tart
5. Brocolli cheese/ or a brocolli cheese roasted potatoe
6. Does Microwave count? Sorry, Seriously, I really Havn't cooked alot since being so sick the last few months John does most of our cooking these days. I did cook alot during Thanksgiving. BUt John is a wonderful cook and enjoys doing it so I LET him have that pleasure.
7. ASK ME AGAIN NEXT WEEK AFTER I DO ALL THESE CHRISTMAS TREATS giggle



6 things I read this week
1. tons of email
2. Power of the Praying wife (read it daily)
3. Blogs
4. Message boards that I am on
5. Elmo goes to the fire house
6. the christmas smelly book (another of Bellas favorites)

5 Reasons to be happy today
1. Bella is going to be in the program at David and Dianes church (please lord don't let her still ahve this tummy virus so she can go. They are really counting on her and she wants to do it and has practised so hard!)
2. My shingles are so much better than last week, still not well but better
3. This medicine doesnt make me AS dizzy as that other one.
4. Watching Bella sing her little songs and practise for her play.
5. That John will get to be with her at the play and they will video it so I can watch!!

4 things I need to buy
1. gift certificates
2. photos to finish this book
3. The book POWER OF THE PRAYING PARENT, Also want that book deceptivly delicious or well I would go to the library... rofl
4. Christmas food stuffs


3 people I saw this weekend
1. JOhn
2. Bella
3. Diane

2 things I am thankful right now
1. That Bella is sleeping peacefully and her stomach seems better
2. That I have John and Bella and my family and friends. I dont know if I would survive without them!

and one more thought:
We take so many things for granted every day. Getting to go to the store and christmas shop may seem like a chore to so many people right now, or going to Christmas events, There are so many including myself that wish so desperatly they could get out and do things.... Be thankful for just a moment for your health and that you are able to do the little things... That you don't have to worry about germs and take expensive medications! WE truly dont get it or appreciate them until WE arent able to do them anymore :)

PS: I tag... DI, Annette, WendyJ, Greta, Jan, Sherine, Joanne, Elizabeth, lynn, Cherylwray, Lucy, AND YOU if you are reading this hahahahahahahaha!

here are my treasures

Today is upload day at Treasures and here are the things I made for it. I told yall I would put up how to make this little planner thingy. IT wasnt hard at all trust me. I was so pushed for time this year. Being in the bed almost 2 weeks DIDNT HELP but thank the lord Im up and able to do some stuff now. THe sponsor this month was SCRAPWORKS. THey sent some TOTALLY COOOL product with chipboard embellishments everything you see here is scrapworks except the cardstock and the ink. They really did spoil us bad!

It is sinking in the realization that we are not gonna get to go home for Christmas. THis is the first year ever that I have missed a christmas with my family all together. Kinda depressing well actually VERY DEPRESSING. Especially since it is because I can't go. but we talked to the dr and tried to think of every way possible but it is just too risky with the meds I am on. John also has to work Christmas eve nad the day after Christmas. WIth it falling in the middle of the week it would be so hard physically on us. Driving 3 hours one way these days with my health is horrid. esp since errrm wearing the required upper undergarmets send me into fits of pain sometimes. MAN the things we take for granted!!
I am not even getting to go to any of BEllas little programs this year, she has one sunday at church but THEY PROMISE me they are videoing it and also emailing me tons of photos that I can share with you here. I am not gonna get to go to Bellas Christmas program at her school either so John is gonna try and video that for me and take some pictures. I was very upset I couldnt go. I have been trying to figure out a way.. maybe nasa would let me borrow an astronaut suit? or a bio hazard suit from the epa? oh well it was a thought. Soooo. anyway.. here I sit scrapbooking so I wont be sad lol.

AND AS promised! HEREEE is how to make this little cute planner. ITS SIMPLE SIMPLE REALLY.
1. get a sheet of 12 x 12 cardstock. fold it over 1/3 the way.
2. crease it well.
3. THEN FOLD it into 3 sections like an airline ticket sorta.
4. take a small amount of glue and glue down the sides to make the pockets
5. add your patterened paper
6. add your stickers and ribbon to tie it with (you just add it to the back) but dont glue all the way across just the right two sections) taht way you can tie it around the front of it.
voila there ya go. SIMPLE REALLY!

HOPE YOU Have a great time making it like I did. NOW fill it up with receipts and christmas list and hit the mall!

SNOW? in ALABAMA?

Now that I have your attention hahahaha. NO, it isnt snowing but YOU COULNDT CONVINCE BElla of that. SHe just KNEW she was seeing snow.. fields and fields of it.. errr wellt he fact it is in the mid upper 70's here makes THAT IMPOSSIBLE!!!
BUT YOU KNOW I had to do a page for her book about her new found snow. Take a peek.
Here is the journaling if your like me and can't see too good anymore lol
As we came around the curve, Bella’s eyes lit up
and as soon as she saw it I KNEW what she
Was about to say.”LOOK! IT SNOWED!”
IT was hard to tell her that no, this was not snow
This was actually cotton. Fields and fields of
The soft fluffy stuff as far as the eye can see.
Living way down in Mobile, Alabama we don’t
See much snow, but in her eyes this will ALWAYS
Be THE BEST Bama snowfall ever!


Genuine “fresh picked” Alabama Snow


HOPE you get a little bit of "snow" in whichever form you can get where you live.

Sights Of Christmas past...

Here is my All about ME page for December for Scrap-diner. I chose to go with the theme.. MEETING SANTA. when the first time was you REALLY remember Santa. I know I saw him before this but this was my first REAL remembrance of him. The photo is kinda blurry but I had to scrap it. I was so impressed HE KNEW MY NAME. COME join the fun with the ALL ABOUT ME scrapping at scrap-diner.
This month at Treasures we were given kits from Scrapworks to use. IT was the perfect paper to show off some Of Bellas FAVORITE ornaments from last year on her AUNT Karen and UNCLE WIndale's Tree. I always get so nervous because Karen has all those BEAUTIFUL Hallmark ornaments. You know the ones that move and sing and are soo gorgeous. BElla is just mesmerized by them. SHe spends so much time looking at each and every one of them and I just sit there staring so scared she is going to break something. Karen is so sweet with her though and shows her each one and what they do. I hate we aren't going to get to go up this year maybe afterwards we will see but with shingles its scary and no immune system. I really love that she gets to spend that special time with her aunt and uncle sine she doesnt get to see them that much. SHe always talks about it and remembered it this year again how Aunt Karen has the "pretty ornaments" at her house.
This is Taz. Doesn't he looks so sweet. DONT LET THAT sweet face fool you. hahha he is a menace in disguise. Im just kidding Taz is my nephew dog of my brother and Karen. HE is a mischievious sweetie. WHo thinks he is 10 feet tall. I caught this adorable photo of him tuckered out after all the christmas excitement and present opening. He was sacked out beside a christmas bag and was actually sharing my sentiment. I NEED A NAP MAN!
You can see these and more of the Scrapwork paper designs this month where they are the featured sponsor at Treasures to scrap.

SO what pages of Christmas past have you done this year? Are you caught up? Have you sent out your Christmas cards yet? If so then PPPFFFTTTTTTTTTTT! :P~~ can you say I HAVENT STARTED YET! I have a few cards done a couple gifts thats it. This last bout with shingles just about did me in. SO I keep saying I want to post pone Christmas till January... no one will listen though hahaa. OH well. IT will get done as it always does. We are just settling this year for a more quiet meaningful Christmas. Not alot of rush and excitement. DR's orders ;( I can't wait to watch Bella though. SHe really is excited this year and watching her little face light up with all the decorations and the whimsy is more than I could ever hope for.

Snow-Diva and Scrap-diner

I started on her before I had gotten sick and worked on her a little even after but... on well the photo isn't great but then neighter am I lol.. I wanted a DIFFERENT snow person. I have seen pretty snowpeople the old fashioned ones and all the others. BELLa is sucha little diva I figured HEY WHY NOT make it in TRUE BElla SPIRIT. so here she is.

I also uploaded my ALL ABOUT ME CHALLNEGE for this month at SCRAP-DINER.COM so go check it out and PARTICIPATE. ITS FUN! ITs all about meeting the big guy this time.

So come on and Join in the FUN!

Did you see our AD IN SCRAPBOOKS ETC? IF NOT take a look, IT has a 10% off coupon with it so take advantage of the sale while its HOT :)