We Love Atlanta

I love weddings!
Especially when it's family.
Ryan's step brother Chris got married last weekend
to one of the cutest, sweetest girls I've ever met.
We were lucky enough to attend, thanks to Ryan's awesome step father, Michael.
I haven't really had the chance to get know Ryan's step brothers and sister,
since they live in Atlanta, GA, so this was a really good opportunity
to spend some time with them.
They are the salt of the earth.
Very nice and thoughtful.
It was a blast.

(Michael giving his fathers toast at the rehearsal dinner)

(Ryan's mom and step dad, Michael and Denise)


(Chris walking down the aisle with his mother and father)


(Frances walking down the aisle with her mother and father. Her father is from Chile and quite dashing)



(I just love that they got married outside. The garden was beautiful!)

(Chris and Frances's first dance.)





(They decorated beautifully)

(Me and my baby)

Day 30: Who Am I?

This answer is simple...

I am Kristy Lynn Jones
I am a daughter of God.
I am the wife of Ryan Jones
and the daughter of Mike and Deborah.
I am the sister of Shawna, Scott, Kelly, Andrew, Scott, Jennifer and Jason.
I am an aunt (LOVE being an aunt).
I am a friend.
I'm trying to be a good servant of my Savior.

I'm one who is trying to live a righteous and fulfilling life
and one who is trying to help others.

This is what defines me.

Whew! The 30 day blogging challenge is over!
That was fun.
If anybody else would like to do it, here is the list:

Day 1 - A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

Day 2 - The meaning behind your Blog name

Day 3 - A picture of you and your friends

Day 4 - A habit that you wish you didn’t have

Day 5- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to

Day 6 - Favorite super hero and why

Day 7 - A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

Day 8 - Short term goals for this month and why

Day 9 - Something you’re proud of in the past few days

Day 10- Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad

Day 11 - Another picture of you and your friends

Day 12- How you found out about Blogs and why you made one

Day 13 - A letter to someone who has hurt you recently

Day 14- A picture of you and your family

Day 15 - Put your ipod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play

Day 16 - Another picture of yourself

Day 17 - Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why

Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have

Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them

Day 20 - Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future

Day 21 - A picture of something that makes you happy

Day 22 - What makes you different from everyone else

Day 23 - Something you crave for a lot

Day 24- A letter to your parents

Day 25 - What I would find in your bag

Day 26- What you think about your friends

Day 27 - Why are you doing this 30 day challenge

Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?

Day 29 - In this past month, what have you learned

Day 30- Who are you?

Day 29: What Have I Learned This Past Month...

I have learned that blogging everyday is quite an undertaking.
I don't think I could blog professionally.

I've learned that I CAN change.
I don't have to resign myself to being a procrastinator or
unmotivated or any of those other things that I am right now.
I can progress and I should progress.

I've learned how to be a better friend.

I've learned that I can like my job, although most days
that doesn't seem possible.

I've discovered that Atlanta is awesome (more on that later).

I've learned that I have a stronger testimony than
I realized.

It's been a good month.

Day 28: A Picture of Me a Year Ago and A Picture of Me Now. How Have I Changed?...

I took a 3 day hiatus on the the 30 day blogging challenge.

I was at a wedding and I forgot to pre-post. Oops!
Oh well, I never said 30 consecutive days, now did I?

(Me and My Baby, Fall 2009)


(Me being Weird, Fallish 2010)

...My hair is longer.
I've lost, like, 3 lbs since last year...

Physically, I haven't changed much.
Emotionally, Spiritually, Mentally
I have progressed.
I hope I will continue to do so
in the years to come.

Day 27: Why am I doing this 30 Day blog challenge?

...because when I was reading my friend Suzie's blog, she was doing this
and I thought,"Hey, that sounds like it would be fun!"

...because I liked the questions and the topics
that were listed.

...because I like blogging.

...because I've been able to talk about things I like and do
and talk about my family and friends.

...because it has been fun.

Day 26: What Do I Think of My Friends...

I have the most amazing people in my life.
People I can depend on, laugh with, and when I'm with them
I'm me.

My friends are the best.
Seriously, I've been blessed with many great friends.
I love them.
All of them.

When I moved here to Cleveland, I thought I would only have
maybe two or three.
But I've been blessed beyond what I could have hoped for.

I'm grateful that my friends put up with my flakiness
and my habit of not answering my phone all the time.
I don't do those things on purpose and they know that.

That's what I think of them :)

Day 25: What you find in my bag...

Ok, let's see...
Gum, of course.
My yellow wallet (which isn't as full as I would like).
My phone, my keys, an emery board, eye drops, nasal spray, antibiotic hand gel,
chap stick, lip gloss, a little mirror, check book, little notebook,
some other stuff that girls use, nail clippers, candy...

I just got a new bag, and I'm happy to say that this all fits inside of it.
There you have it.

Day 24: A Letter to My Parents...

Hello my Mother and Father,
I love writing you letters because it gives me a chance to
tell you things I don't normally say everyday.
For example, Did you know that it's because of you
that I know and love my Heavenly Father?
Did you know that from you, I learned how to love altogether?
Did you know that because of your example
I want to serve everyone I come in contact with?
When I was a kid, I was never in doubt
that home was where I could go and find
refuge from the world;
where I could find a place where I was always wanted
and loved more than I realized.
I still feel that way.
I've even made my own home to be that way.
We've had trials and tests
and more good times.
It's because of you that our family will be together forever.
That makes me happier than I can even attempt to say.
I'm so glad that you were so involved in my life growing up
and that you still are.
You are my best friends.
Not everyone can say that about their parents.
Thank you for teaching me, by example mostly,
how to live a righteous and fulfilling life.
Thank you for showing me how to serve others the way Christ would serve them.
Thank you for teaching me to love and appreciate nature (yay Julie of the Jungle!!)
I was told that you love me just as much as Heavenly Father loves me.
I can't comprehend that kind of love.
But I can see it in the way you have lived your lives for each other and for us.
I don't think you realize how much you do and have done
just by your example.
I miss you so much I can't stand it!
I love you.
I'm so grateful for you.
Thank you seems so insignificant,
but those are the only words I can find to express my feelings.
You are wonderful parents and I hope when I become a parent,
my children can say the same about me.

Love Forever,
Wally

"Out of the dreariness, full of weariness, into the cheeriness.
I am Home"

Day 23: Something I crave a lot...

Enough Said.

Day 22: What Makes Me Different Than Anyone Else...

I'm not really sure how to answer this one.
Everyone is different and unique and the same.
I know that sounds like a contradiction but it's true.
While people have different personalities, we can be the same.
The things that make me different from someone else, might be the same
things another person does or has.

Anywho, I guess I'm different because I use the term "anywho".
Seriously, how many other people do you know who say that?

I rub my pinkies when I'm nervous or anxious.
I pull at the skin on my neck when I'm stressed or pensive.

I'm really short. I'm almost always shorter than anyone in any room that I'm in.
I'm extremely indecisive.

I HATE shopping!
However I love to grocery shop.

I'm on a bowling league.
I like UFC.
I like taking butter, mixing it with brown sugar and eating it.
I would rather watch a football game than a chick flick
or almost anything.

I'm very sensitive about others.
Overly sensitive.
I'm always worried about hurting another persons feelings
or if they're ok or if they need something.
Seriously, it can be a bit of a burden at times.

I'm a good listener.
I'm loyal.
I try really hard to be better than I was the day before (not always successful).
I'm nice.

I guess this is just a run down of who I am.
You can decide for yourself if I'm different or not :)