November 2025 THANKFUL

We had a fantastic and busy November.

Here are some of the many things we have to be thankful for:

The boys' friends to go to homecoming with.....

Blaine and his bestie, Jackson....

Witnessing the baptism of Abram Williams with our dear friends at Restoration Church....

Basketball season and watching the boys live their best lives playing basketball for the first time since elementary school.

They play for Cornerstone Christian.

We are thankful that Grandmother gets to come to some of the games!

We are thankful to be able to watch our boys have fun with their friends!

We are thankful for the 3 deer Scott and Blaine killed in November to provide meat for the family for an entire year!!

We are thankful for our boy and our "other" son (Levi Gardner) that know how to fix flat tires

after hitting curbs. :/

We are thankful for spare tires and life lessons.

I am thankful to have LOTS of moments with the boys since we homeschool!

We are thankful for sweet Madison and her love for us all.

I am thankful for co-teachers at co-op and celebrating Dayna on her birthday!

I am thankful for the end of long drives when heading to MS.

We are thankful for dinner at Mellow Mushroom with my sweet cousin Olivia on a 

Thursday night in T-town.

I am grateful we were able to show the boys good ole City Cafe in downtown Northport.

They were so surprised at all the frequent locals that were eating at breakfast and how they all 

seemed to know each other. 

We are grateful for a wonderful Capstone Woman (Kali) and a memorable ALABAM tour 

the Friday before Thanksgiving.

It was neat to get to chat with Kali after our tour and pray for her. 

We exchanged contact information because she will be working at a summer camp near us 

this coming summer.

And although we didn't get a picture, (I am regretting not thinking about it) Scott, Blaine and I 

met Amy, a new friend through Mrs. Karla Devin. I was so meaningful to meet her.

We are thankful to stay at Mammaw and Pappaw's condo with them for the weekend! 

Their condo is so close to campus and Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The boys were grateful and excited to get new Bama jerseys to wear to the ALABAMA football game!!

It was a first for all 3 boys!!

We are so grateful for the reminder that Denny Chimes gives us of the great legacy represented 

on Alabama's campus.

I was grateful for the seats in the shade Scott scoped out for us and guided us to after burning up in the direct sun for awhile. ha!

We were excited for a Bama win!!

And grateful to sing "Rammer Jammer"

I am grateful for time with my sweet nieces and nephew at my mom's house.

Scott and the boys were thankful for the hunting and cold weather!

Scott loved having Levi join him one afternoon for a hunt.

Even though no buck was shot by anyone in our immediate family, 

the boys had fun seeing them.

I was blessed by seeing Emma set up a game for our family.

She even wrote all of our names on our bowls at dinner.

We were grateful for the meal at my brother and sister in laws house (Peyton and Kati) 

and the time we were all able to spend together.

Our family loved our Thanksgiving Day lunch at Mammaw and Pappaw's house. 

It was wonderful being with my family.

I am grateful for my dad, cousins, my aunt and uncle and grents. 

I love this picture!

I am blessed to get to see my aunts, mom and grandmother. 

I am thankful for my momma. 

It was so special getting a picture with Mama Belle and all the

grandchildren and great-grandchildren present Thanksgiving afternoon.

We are so thankful for Harmon; he is thankful for "his boys".

I love their re-created picture from years before.

We are thankful for more cousins joining in the photo-op.

Mammaw Belle and her grandkids (that were able to make it).

These 3 are grateful for holidays where they get to play together.

We came home to an early Christmas gift from our sweet Madison.......

She organized by entire kitchen!!!!.....

She even made binders with all my recipes in them.

I could not leave the kitchen for several hours because I was so excited. 

We are thankful for the gift of Blaine.

We are grateful for the gift of music....

We are grateful to witness moments like these.....

where Blaine played the prelude for the 8:40 service at our church.

It was beautiful.

We have so much to be thankful for!!!

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers"

October was a busy and exciting month in the Jones household.

Scott, Kay, Jeff and I were honored to attend the Bright Hill Collective fundraising lunch where they honored Ronny. 

XC is always in full swing in October. Walt and Levi competed in Bellville (amongst other places).

Sweet Levi's knees have been bothering him because he has grown so fast.

Walt with his JV buddies before their race.

Levi with his middle school team before their race. 

I am teaching Biology at our co-op and at the Community Homeschool Center this year. (I also teach a 7/8th grade science at the CHC.) I invited the Brazos Classical Academy Biology students over for some treats and teaching over fall break.

Walt went to St. Joseph's homecoming game and dance with MacKenzie this year.

St. Joe's homecoming pictures before the dinner and dance.

MacKenzie looked beautiful, and we were excited how well Walt's tie matched her dress. (ha!)

3 brothers with their adopted brother (Levi's bestie) Jude. 

Walt, MacKenzie and Mrs. Karla

 

I love my book club girls. We always have so much fun together. 

We sure missed Rachel and Susan though.

Scott was asked to join our friends Maleigh and Robin in a triathlon a couple of weekends ago by biking.

Scott asked how serious this race was because he's been dealing with plantar fasciitis. 

Maleigh responded, "Oh, it's just for fun!"

But....these three (four if you count Robin's baby....she's 5 months pregnant) apparently are just so competitive that they're "just for fun" turned into FIRST PLACE for the relay teams!!

Beautiful sunrise waiting for the triathlon to start.

The Bridge ministry had their yearly fundraiser dinner and auction. 

Scott, the boys, Jude Williams and I went with Kay because The Bridge wanted to also honor Ronny's service and dedication to their ministry.

Walt entered the Brazos County Fair Lego competition again this year. 

Levi decided he'd submit a build to get his $5 ticket. 

They both won their grade division. 

Walt won his age division and Levi placed second.

WALT WON OVERALL GRAND CHAMPION (AGAIN!!)

We met the Williams at the BV Fair to see all the builds.

Last Saturday, Scott and some of his buddies completed a 'Run and Gun' competition in Leakey, Texas.

They camped and weathered a massive storm the night before.

They had a grand time!

Beautiful pictures!!

Part of the fun for Scott is seeing God's beautiful creation!

Last Saturday was also the State XC meet for the Aggieland Panthers!

Walt ran JV.

Here is his team just before the race!

Levi helping his buddy Duncan get his shoes off after his race. 

Levi wasn't able to compete because his knees have been hurting him so bad and we did not want to risk an injury that would put him out for track season or even longer. 

He had a good time supporting his teammates though. 

JV boys placed 5th!!!

Our 7th grade boys also placed 5th!!

After XC state meet, Levi spent some time at the Ely's watching football.

Scott and Blaine were most certainly in the hunting stand on youth opening day!

(Mary and me)

Monday, I went to the Surviving and Thriving Breast Cancer fundraising luncheon for Pink Alliance with a couple of friends. Pink Alliance helps raise money for women who may not otherwise be able to, to have access to the care they need for breast cancer.

(Me and Kyle)

Thursday night Blaine played in his first ever high school VARSITY basketball game!

He was living his best life. 

He had several assists and rebounds, along with scoring two points.

Last night, our family joined the Lees and the Lairs and "Uncle Ron" for our 3rd annual Reformation Celebration dinner. We ate German food and did a little bit of Reformation "trivia" and just enjoyed each other's company....

And with that I believe I can echo Anne Shirley's words......

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers"