Christmas twirl

So we have this family tradition. That started a very long time ago. And it used to occur every night in December. Then we got older. So now it only occurs on December 1st and Christmas Eve. Tonight it occured a little differently than it ever has before. Half of us at my house and half of us in North Carolina, via Skype. I rejoice in the existence of Skype (that's a bonus rejoice). More importantly, I rejoice in family traditions. And in being able to keep them going even when we can't all necessarily be in the same room.

Sister Day

I spent the majority of my day with my sis. We ran some errands. She made a yummy dinner and I cut the veggies for the salad :) We watched her hubby kick booty at volleyball. It was a good day. I rejoice in having a sister who I enjoy spending time with.

Happy Birthday Michael!

Although Michael's, my brother in law, birthday was a couple weeks ago, today we had a little party for him. Well, actually, his lovely wife, also known as my lovely sister, had a party for him :) It was at their house and included lots of yummy, homemade food. Like homemade salsa. And burgers with bacon in them. Can you say yum? It was also the first time that all us Cali Joneses had been together since my parents left and brother. So that was pretty great. We skyped with Mom, Dad, and Randall for a bit which made it even better. I rejoice, as I have many times before, in having a family who I love spending time with.

Sanding, scraping, and steak tacos

First off, I'm definitely still getting in the habit of "rejoicing" again so, please forgive me for the nights I forget:)

Tonight I rejoice in a fun time with my sis and sis in law. My lovely sister Rebecca came over today and helped me start on sanding and scraping all the old paint off a bookshelf I want to paint. Then, after we spent a couple hours working on that, Jess came over and we had dinner together. I made steak tacos with lettuce shells and they were super yummy. I rejoice in a good time with people I love.

Urgent Care

So my brother Ryan hurt his arm a couple days ago and it was still bothering him pretty badly today. Because of that Mom decided it would be a good idea to take him to get it checked out just in case. Thankfully, his arm is not broken. But, it was nice to get the chance to hang out with him a bit and go to dinner afterwards. I rejoice in oldest/youngest sibling time :)

A Life Well Lived

Since I'm at mommy and daddy's house tonight, I had to take advantage of the computer access and rejoice in my amazing grandmother's home going. She is safe in the arms of Jesus as of early this morning. No more pain, suffering, or confusion for her. Only praising our Savior and catching up with old friends :) I rejoice in the amazing woman of God she was and the great example her life was to me. And in the promise that I will see her again someday!

Tacos and Ping Pong

Family is here from out of town, for our cousin's wedding. So tonight we hung out at the fam's house, ate tacos, played a ping pong tournament, and laughed a whole super lot. I rejoice in having a family who is fun to be around and in getting the chance to spend some time with family I don't see that often.

Birch Street Symphony

The Orange County Symphony has had a show on Birch Street in Brea the last 3 nights. Tonight I got to go and enjoy some incredible music, both instrumentally and vocally. In my opinion, the theme for tonight was the best of the three nights. Broadway! So fun! I also got to hang out with my super awesome roomie, a great work friend, and some of my incredible family. Good night. I rejoice in good music and good fellowship.

Convos

With my long lost sister, aka Rachel, catching up on life. And a lil heart to heart with my bff, aka Kristi. Conversations like these do my heart good. And make my love tank feel full. I rejoice in having people in my life who I can really "talk" to. About the good, the bad, and the ugly of life.

SUYL

Tonight I rejoice in the fact that I have an amazing sister-in-law who loves me enough to do this  for me :) She's the greatest!

BYT

What is it about you? :) Tonight was my brother's, Ryan and Randall, final show of "Annie" with Biola Youth Theater. It was so good! I have been going to see BYT shows for as long as I can remember and they never cease to amaze me. I love watching all the talented young people up there, especially my siblings. It brings a big sister joy to watch her younger brothers entertain the audience and make them laugh. I loved every minute of the show tonight. I rejoice in the chance to support my lil bros and the chance to be entertained while doing so. Thank you God for quality entertainment!

First Dinner at the Kridner's

I went over and hung out with my sis today in her new house for the first time since she's been married. It was great fun. And, she invited me to stay for dinner. Burritos! Yum! One of my favorites. I rejoice in the chance to spend quality time with a very special person in my life. And in the chance to join her, her hubby and her MIL for dinner.

Godly Father

I rejoice in the fact that I've been blessed with one. And the chance to spend time with him and my wonderful family today.

Talented Brothers

Debuted in Annie tonight. They did so good! I love watching my brothers perform, as Drake and a cabinet member (aka, the comic relief). I rejoice in the opportunity to be entertained by my brothers. Oh, and in the chance to spend the evening with my family. We we're just missing our Rachie...

Walk with Mom and Dad

They think they're pretty funny. That makes going on a walk pretty entertaining. I rejoice in being blessed with humorous parents.

Happy Birthday Mommy

I rejoice in a day to celebrate my amazing mom, even if it was kind of a crazy day. I rejoice that my mom loves me. I rejoice that my mom sees the lighter side of life. I rejoice that my mom gives great advice. I rejoice that she prays for me. I rejoice that she works hard. I rejoice in the great example she is to me. And above all, I rejoice that she loves Jesus and has taught me to do the same. Happy Birthday to the best mom ever!

Prom Pics, Food Trucks, and a Cheap Movie

My baby brothers went to prom tonight. Weird. They're growing up so fast. But, I rejoice in the chance to be a special part of their lives and be included in the special days. And be there to take pictures :)

After picture time, Ash and I headed to the weekly food truck meet up in Fullerton, for our very first time, and tried out some yummy food. We also took some to mom and gram. I rejoice in good food and the chance to experience something I've been wanting to experience for awhile.

Lastly, I rejoice in $2 movies. And the chance to hang out and catch up with Ash while driving all around town and enjoying food truck food :)

Risen Savior and Sister's First Home

This morning I enjoyed a great time of worship and celebrating the resurrection of our Savior. I am so unworthy, yet so thankful.

Our fam had plan to go to the beach (since Mom and Dad may not get to go as often sometime very soon) but had to change our plans due to the weather. So, we ended up at Rebecca and Michael's new place, which they just got this weekend. So, it wasn't really set up yet or anything but it was a great time spent with family. Mom played some fun games with eggs filled with money. It didn't even matter that I ended up with only $1.25. Ha ha. The joy and laughter from it was totally worth it.


I rejoice in Christ's resurrection. I rejoice that my sis and her husband-to-be have somewhere to live. I rejoice that my family can be silly together. And, I rejoice that we like taking pictures...

Waking up

And having breakfast with mom. I rejoice in the chance to do that today :)

Unexpected Plans

Today was a good day of plans that I didn't really have very far in advance. I started the morning with breakfast with a good friend who I have seen in awhile. Good food and great conversation. Then, I headed out to Riverside with my mom and sis-in-law to visit my baby sister. We brought lunch for her and most of her roomies, hung out with them for a bit, and then had some nice girl chat time over tea lattes in downtown Riverside. Love spending time with those 3 amazing women of God. After we got back, Jess and I headed to the store and did a bit of shopping and then made this succulent dinner for the fam (Jones, not Gallina)...

It tasted so amazing, but most of all, the time spent with those I love made it a special ending to an awesome day. I rejoice in having a family I can't imagine living without and in the ways God continues to work in our lives.