Warm Christmas Greetings from our family to yours!  It has been several years now since we have updated you all on the busy-ness of the Jones clan.  So much has happened in 2006 and 2007, and we are eager to share the “glad tidings”!

Bread of Life Bake Shop

Since Hurricane Ivan in fall of 2004, the bakery’s wholesale business has grown. Due to several bakeries closing and new cafés, coffee shops and restaurants needing breads and baked goods, we were ready and willing to provide customized, from-scratch breads and rolls, and baked goods. Papa Jones is 69 this year and is still going strong as the Head Baker. He has several helpers now to help him keep up with the large volumes of bread going out. He loves playing solitaire and sodoku on his computer, searching the net for new recipes to try out and experiment, and reading all the books that we bring into the house. Tricia is the bakery manager; she keeps everything going on a daily basis, goes on supply shopping trips, and does deliveries. She painted new signs this year, and they are marvelous advertisement for us! She also webmasters the websites and does the business finances.

House Owners

During the summer of 2006, all four of the girls invested in purchasing real estate, pooling their monies on two house properties in the family neighborhood. Let’s just say, “It’s all in the family!”  Tricia and Cori purchased a fixer-upper on an acre across the street from Mom and Pop. Tricia has spent a year gutting the house and tearing out the 1950s structures and décor. Dad and Daniel have framed a better floor plan and have put in new plumbing and wiring. Things are moving slowly but surely.  Sarah and Mary Beth purchased a house two houses down the street on 2/3 of an acre. Mary Beth (32) was eager to unload her household belongings and furniture! She enjoys piddling in the yard, keeping her flowers and bulbs flourishing, painting, and decorating.  The property is lovely, and all the girls enjoyed the beautiful, palmed pool this summer. Sarah (25) moved into the house and enjoys having her own space with several housemates. She keeps up her sewing and alteration business and works part time at a children’s clothing boutique. 

Back to School

Three of the girls are taking college classes now!  Tricia and Sarah are pursuing business degrees, and Mary Beth is working on an education degree. The family room often resembles a dorm room, strewn with laptops, papers, projects, and textbooks. Both Tricia (31) and Sarah have been invited to be members of Phi Theta Kappa, and Mary Beth has thoroughly enjoyed several student observations in Rachel’s fifth grade classroom.  In their brief moments of rest and relaxation, all the girls have enjoyed the use of a friend’s condos on Perdido Key Beach all year.

Daniel & Rachel

Daniel and Rachel (both 27) built a house across town last year. Rachel has been studying and preparing to pass National Board Certification which she will finish in March next year. She has really enjoyed her sweet students at McArthur Elementary this school year and has been involved in several community outreach projects. Her sister Beth gave birth to a baby girl, Ella, so Rachel has once again become a doting aunt!  Her brother opened a local coffee shop, the Drowsy Poet, which we have frequented often this year, and Rachel loves to spend time with his four children.  Daniel is an EMT in Escambia County. He thrives on the high-adrenalin work, but is always in pain due to two herniated disks in his back. Pop’s long-time barber reported that during a recent pickup, Daniel’s treatment was the kindest, most attentive, and best EMT experience they have ever had.  Daniel also works in the emergency room at the Naval hospital at Corry Station. Their Great Dane Sheila is a big baby and loves visits from the family!

Cori & Brian

That’s right! J  Cori is engaged to be married! We are excited to welcome Brian White into the family, and are looking forward to a June 2008 wedding. Planning is in full swing for a private outdoor ceremony. Brian is a perfect match for Cori; they have many of the same interests in life and even look alike. J He is a local boy and lives right down the road (literally!).  He has been a pastor and businessman; he currently leads worship at his church and travels the Southeast with MacKenzie Corporation as director of internal audits.  One memorable tidbit- they have had devotions together over the phone every evening since they met early this summer, and they text and IM all day, every day.  Cori (36) has enjoyed a busy year teaching private violin lessons. Right now she is furiously planning a winter recital. She also decorates cakes at the bakery on the weekends, designs wedding cakes, and manages Peek a Bootigue, a local children’s consignment store.

CIAS

Mama Jones will be completing the second level of National Institute of Learning Development (NILD) training and works as a learning development therapist.  She amazes us all at 67, keeping up with her young students and seeing them develop and thrive in school. She also does interviews for CIAS and administers diagnostic and achievement tests.  She still keeps up with a lot of the business for the bakery and school, and spends many hours curled up in her armchair with a good book. Mom and Dad have been married 44 years this year!!!  Mary Beth tutors high school math and English students most of the week; at CIAS she is the high school guidance counselor, senior class sponsor, and records office clerk. Twenty-two high school students graduated from the Christian Institute of Arts & Sciences this spring, and most are enrolled in college with scholarships this fall.  Mary Beth ices cakes and engineers wedding cakes on the weekend at the bakery. Tricia tutors at CIAS on Wednesdays, and Sarah tutors two days per week. Sarah also organized the High School Prom/Formal and graduation reception.

Meg

We have another addition to the family in the form of a puppy (sorry, no grandbabies yet! L). In June of this year, Daniel gifted Mama a Welch Corgi/red heeler mix, but she definitely looks like a Corgi. Nutmeg, nicknamed Meg, is a bundle of licks and bounces and peepee. She is adorable and loves the entire family (and everyone else who will visit or pet her!). She has been a welcome addition to the family, and our “old man” English springer Hershey is so glad to once again have a play buddy. J 

For the New Year…

We want to wish everyone many blessings during this next year. The Lord has blessed us abundantly with the love and laughter of our family and friends. We echo Psalm 89:1 in saying, “I will sing of the lovingkindness of the LORD forever; to all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth.”

God bless us, every one!

Papa and Mama Jones

Cori & Brian

Mary Beth

Tricia

Daniel & Rachel

Sarah

Hershey, Meg & Sheila

See the year’s pictures at:

www.thejonesgals.com
 

Our other websites:

www.breadoflifebakeshop.com

www.christianinstitute.com

www.dixiefiddler.com