tis the season to be jolly

fa la la la la-la la la laaaaaaaaaa!!!

Yes, it is the Christmas season. I think if you ask 10 people, you are likely to get at least 6 different responses as to what this season means to them.

For me, while I thoroughly enjoy the merriment, gift-giving, family time and food (lots of food)- I also really like to ensure that I continually celebrate Jesus. I know He wasn't born in December, but alas this is the time that we have set aside to say "happy birthday"! So Christmas represents life, hope, salvation, joy....Jesus. Its also synonymous with family, food, and Junkanoo!!!!!!!!!!!!

While, those values and traditions remain relevant for me, this Christmas is different. It was the first time, that as an adult, living on my own, that I've put up my own Christmas tree. weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee can you say excited? side note: it seriously made my day [week, nah season] when Dayton walked in with the tree and surprised me! Of course, Daelyn Grace is still totally oblivious so there isn't so much excitement from her, but just her presence has made it a very special one. She is by far my best. gift. ever!

I didn't buy any gifts for her and probably won't until she's at least 2 years old, when there is a recognition of a "gift"--not that she is by any means short on gifts. The tree already has gifts for her and an extra large stocking filled with baby goodies. However,  I do want is to begin Jones' family traditions. Traditions that keep us (and teach her) to be grounded in our faith; to celebrate life, freedom, hope, joy and salvation. Traditions that go beyond the superficiality of the newest toy. I haven't figured out what that's gonna be yet.

I do plan on asking all her godparents to make a tree decoration that we can use annually when we put up the tree. But as for us...Dayton, Daelyn and I- I'm drawing a blank. Maybe it will come to me on Christmas day? :)

What are your family traditions, whether past or current? If not yours, do you have any suggestions for me?

Merry Christmas from the Jones family. May these days be filled with joy, hope, peace and fulfillment regardless of how (or if) you choose to celebrate. 

As I was drafting this, I realized that it would have been ideal to have a family picture for this week's post but apparently, I'm still new to this family thing and failed on the holiday family picture card thing. sigh. I promise to do better next year). But until then....enjoy the sights and sounds of Junkanoo!

Grace peace love and joy,
Gia

babymoon

That's apparently what vacation before a baby (during pregnancy) is called.

So apparently, that's what we just took. It was lovely. Rest and blessed are my reflection words from this past week.

It started out two weekends ago with a trip to Kansas City to visit the in-laws. Wish I took pics to show but it was an overall nice time. Hubby got some past due quality time with his dad and sister (and step mom) and I got some no-work, no-internship, no-dissertation, no-any-kind-of-responsibilities time.

What did I do? Other than spending time with the in-laws, eating and a bit of shopping, I got enough time to become fully acquainted with all those cloth diapers that was gifted to me (last week's post). I figured out (well, I think) how to use them, got some sense of what else is needed and then somewhat created a plan of action for this new adventure! weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee I'm nervous yet excited about it.

On the final day, we ventured outdoors, it was literally the first time in 4 days, that I left the property. And what girl can't appreciate this- we went shopping and we got a ton of goodies for the little miss from her grandparents. So much so, that it is imperative now (with all the gifts thus far) to take inventory so that any future baby gift selections are not giving me toooo much of the same thing. I think I've officially got enough receiving blankets.

On Wednesday, we jet-setted to Eastern USA and spent another 3 days, this time just the two (or three) of us. What I was hoping to be more of a chance to be tourist in the US capital city, didn't quite pan out but no disappointment here. There is always another opportunity. Besides, I've got an awesome group of women that live in the area who I love getting together with, so that's always a bonus when visiting that part of town.  The highlight of this part of the babymoon other than some awesomely cool deals and alone time with hubby...was the maternity shoot. One of those awesome women I was talking about is a photographer and we got to spent 2ish hours with her. It was a blast.
It was also cool that the location she selected was in the park between the Capital building and the other monument...on the National Mall. Up until now, I'd only seen these major landmarks on tv. uber cool indeed. (pictured above. not mine)

All of the photos from the shoot aren't up yet but the "teaser" is....take a look. Maternity Shoot with Valerie


Grace peace and love,
Gia

Meet the Family!

Here are a couple pics from my brother's wedding this past weekend 8/8/09. As I mentioned, I worked hard but it was for a worthy cause...I would go to the ends of the earth for my family. We just that tight.

the crazy lady/day-of-coordinator, taking a moment...literally one second (I had already started walking) to pose for the camera!

the family! I have two immediate families. The people here are the ones who I shared the same roof with from my early teens until I left for college. We are the modern day Brady Bunch except we put a lil island twist on it. l-r: Ashlee (little sister), Keith (step-dad), Me, Vernard (groom/little brother), Deann (his beautiful bride), Cindy (mommy), Brently (older brother). front row: l-r Keith Jr (little brother) and finally the diva Keiani (little sister).

me still working...trying to make sure those pics are perfect!

and finally, the lovely couple!

smooches!

been M.I.A.

I took off for two days and visited the beautiful island of Eleuthera, Bahamas. the first day I spent with the family where we all (6 adults; 4 teens; 2 children & 2 babies ) were huddled in a 2 bd/1bth house. yes I said 2 bedroom house and think cottage more than house. In retrospect, I really wish I took pics of the sleeping arrangements because we actually had a mattress laid out in the kitchen on one night!! The house reminded me of stories/movies I've heard about showing the plight of immigrants in a new country.

All-in-all, it was seriously FUN! I think each of us appreciated the freedom and quietness of the settlement in our own way. My grandmother, aunt and mom found solace on an old wooden bench under a massive tree. The teens and kids (except babies) literally lived on the beach and are now about 3 shades darker...and I, well I enjoyed a little of everything.

Eleuthera, is literally a 15 min flight from Nassau and is my 2nd home. My mom and her siblings were all born and raised there (early years) in the small settlement of Hatchet Bay. I hope to live there one day...before retirement. In fact, my dream to start a residential treatment facility for emotionally distressed adolescent girls will be housed on this island. Its quiet, gorgeous and close enough to Nassau and S Florida for me to get the 'city' life when necessary! I visit at least once per year- usually for work related stuff but from time to time, DH and I get there for small weekend getaways.

Back to this trip: I love bonding with my cousins...especially when they are younger and I'm still 'fun'. By the time they get to the tweens (9-12) - I'm no longer interesting and of course the teen years are worse because I'm simply unrelate-able (if that's a word). So, the highlight of the family times was my playing with my 17- and 7- month male cousins. here I am 'bonding' with the elder of the 2 babies present. He is an active, curious and sharp little onewho developed a certain fascination with my camera ;)

smooches!