Santa Claus Visits

Oh Happy Day!! The Girls were just ecstatic!!

This Christmas was amazing. I must say the Johnson family is extremely blessed to have the family we do. We started the holidays at Aunt Connie and Uncle Tracy's house on the Saturday before Christmas.

Next, we gathered on the Eve at Nanna Nette's and Poppi's home. We were so excited and loving our time together!

Next, we were off the Sims Lane...where many of my greatest childhood Christmas memories took place and still do every year...

I will finish this post in a bit!!

Christmas time is here...

My little beauties all dressed up in their Christmas dresses...they melt my heart.

 We went to RCC today and I tell ya, Ms. Susan's message really opened my eyes. I didn't realize how many gifts the wise men brought Jesus..we picture three little boxes for gold, frankincense, and myrrh. That is not the case, the wise men gifts financed their future trip to Egypt. Also, the wise men were not at the birth Jesus, they came when he was a little child.
Also, got to increase my faith because I was given the many scriptures that prophecied Joseph's lineage, birth from a virgin, born in Bethlehem, and leaves Egypt...the sermon was amazing.

I know we're attending the right place. Mady came out of her class and said, "Mom, it's better to give than to receive." I said what makes you say this??? She answered assuredly, "When you give a gift, it will be blessed and you will get even more back." Wow! That is awesome! I only learned this in my early 20's! Too cool.

My Madyson Elyse...my first unconditional love!

Our stocking for the first grade hallway!!

Mady's last day at Dardanelle Primary School...Greenbrier: We're ready to see what the Lord has in store!!

Unexpected group hug with her besties!! We have loved Mrs. Fox!!

One last goodbye hug!

Here we have Ms. Mika Emily...my baby.

She is doing exaclty what Mommy asked...(unusual:)

My sweet Love

I love those sleepy eyes!!

Our very first gingerbread house!!

We went a little icing crazy!

Merry Christmas!

Halloween 2010

Oh, How They've Changed since I First got my Phone

.....Homework!

Mady takes homework VERY seriously! Hope this quality lasts forever.
(Mika has "homework" too)

My Madygirl,

Today you took your first real AR test of first grade and you made a 100%. This was no surprise to me, I told you before you got out of the car that you would. You studied and you studied last night. My guess is that you read the book 12 times and I asked you comprehension questions that you were totally prepared for. You went from knowing less than 1/2 the book to acing it. Some words you learned were: blossoms, saplings, orchard, province, and early. As I dropped you off this morning, my mind flashed to the  night before you were born. Your daddy and I were up all night watching Venom ER and talking about how much life would change once you made your arrival. Poppi called us to his room and we talked about your future and prayed. I was so excited I couldn't sleep. You held my heart with a tight grip from the moment I knew I was carrying you. I want you to know, I'm so proud of you. You work so hard and understand that trying hard is the biggest part of success. I love that you are eager to listen and learn and when you set out to do something, you do it to the best of your ability. I pray this never changes.

         Lord, I ask that you continue to provide Mady with that "want-to" attitude. Guide me in the direction that will help instill your wisdom in Madyson. She is such a blessing to have. Be with her in a constant longing to grow in your will. Thank you for her heart of gold  and the innocence of children. Father, be her foundation. Amen.

 Mika is making shaving cream shapes happily in this picture. She loves hands-on activity but will not sit still for long! We have to squeeze in new learning in bursts of 5 minutes! Then, it's playtime! 

Father,

I ask you give me the knowledge to best teach Mika. We spend so much time together, I sometimes think it is counter-productive. Help me give her the attention she deserves. I pray you guide Mika as she grows and guide me as I plant the seed of Your word in her. I ask that you place a hedge of protection around Mady and Mika and our family. Protect us and show us your will. In Jesus Name-Amen.

!!!The Pumpkin Patch!!!

So, the first thing we saw was a yellow brick road and some Wizard of Oz decor. Mika was thrilled and even big sis posed once!

Mika Emily could not stay still long enough for me to get this shot!

Today, I got a Sonlight homeschool catalog in the mail! I am seriously taking this into consideration at this point. Although Madyson adores her school time, I think  this could be an amazing investment for her future...Mika would benefit too. It's focus is world history and all other subjects are based on that for the day. I know I would LOVE it, but my fear is that she would miss out socially.



finish line



Momma and Mika on hayride!

Anyway, the Pumpkin Patch was fun but HOT. Chris would really like to move north because of this. We went on a hayride, went through a Bump N Jump maze, got "face-paintings" on our arms, and got snow cones. It was sweet to see the girls enjoy the time with their Daddy. Not to mention, Daddy took us to Fugi's last night because Mady got a blue ticket EVERY day this week. It was GREAT. Both girls actually tried the Japenese cuisene and came to find that they liked it...Not surprisingly, the chicken was their favorite.


Star and Spider painting



Mika@ finish

Momma and Mady on hayride



A prayer

Mady Vocab: Observe

Mady has been studying the scientific method at school. They recently looked into observations and re-creating exactly what you observed. I was folding laundry and she was working intently on something. She came to me and said, "Mom look at my observations." "Look what I observed, when you observe, you look at something and record exaclty what you see." I love this little girl. The above picture is her observation of Poppi's duck...it's not a very clear picture, but it is really great!




Mika Memory: As we drove by Burger King, Mika said, "Mom, if you don't get me some burger king, I'm gonna have to eat my boogers!"

She also threw an absolute panic episode when she spotted my thong panties. She ran to me in an absolute frenzy saying, "Here, let me fix them, let me fix them." With tears she worked tirelessly to figure out a way to make the panties spread out, she pulled them to each side and kept repeating, "I hate them...I hate them...Change them Momma...Change them."  I changed shorts and she made me show her that I had changed panties...when I hadn't, the panic attack continued for another few minutes. I'll remember this forever:)

Beautiful weekend for a birthday, Dad!

This is Mika and her daughters, Lilia and Hannah. Actually, Lilia is her neice. She pushes them down the slide and I catch them. Unless they don't want to be caught of course:) (Mika tells me what they want) This weekend has been beautiful. Sunny and cool....what I love!!!

The girls and I went to visit Mamaw Nita and all I can say is she is tired. Her body looks very tired, but Mika did get a laugh out of her...she put on her wigs and looked like Billy Ray Cyrus because her long hair hung down like a mullett. We all laughed! It was great to see Mamaw laugh.

We went to Thomas' third birthday at the Jump Place and the girls had a blast; until Mady saw Stephy walking with another little girl. Yes, I said walking. I noticed Mady had some tears and I asked why. She told me what she had just seen and so I took her through the little jungle. Out of nowhere she truned to me with crocodile tears and said, "Mom, I can't get it out of my head, it keeps playin over and over." (mind you, this is steph just walking with another girl) Mady continued, "the girl had pigtails and was kind of cute...it won't stop playing in my head"  Needless to say, Stephy ran to be with Mady and didn't leave her for the rest of the day.

Lord, Heal my Mamaw Nita

We are sitting at home on this lovely Saturday afternoon with the hogs beatin Bama 20 to14 in the third. The girls are playing like they're on a tour of Disney World... This is the first time I've had the chance to sit down and write about the news I heard from Momma Thursday evening.

My precious Mamaw Nita was taken to Danville Hospital last week due to some major dizziness and vomiting.  My dad asked me if I wanted to go with him to visit her, but I was cleaning their house and Mika and I weren't "ready" to go in public. I hate myself for excuses I make. But, they ran some tests and sent her home a couple of days later anyway. Why didn't I go visit her at home?

Dad was on call this week and was in her neighborhood and felt he needed to check on her. When he got there she could barely stand to get to the door and was vomiting...he knew something was not right and they called an ambulance...Thank God for placing the feeling on Dad's heart. They ran a brain scan and immediately sent her to Baptist.

Momma took off Thursday and she, Dad, and Tracy went to L.R. Of course, no one suspects bad news...it's not natural...a month ago she was cancer-free. The doctor arrives to speak with the three of them and explains that a very agressive lymphoma has appeared in three masses on her brain.  He goes on to explain that surgery is not an option, radiation is not an option, chemo is our only hope and if it does help in three months she'll be in very bad shape.  Dad needed a moment and stepped out of the room as the doctor told Mamaw the situation. When Dad re-entered my precious Momma was bent on her knees holding Mamaw's hand and they had tears flowing...Momma was saying, "Nita, you are a strong spunky woman, you always have been, you're gonna get over this." Dad said he'd never forget that moment, seeing my momma helping his. I know that my Momma surpasses that of other mothers. There is no comparison and no one should ever try because their mommas just can't compare. Anyway, with the strong spirit she's always displayed, my darling Mamaw looked at them and said, "I beat this one, I will beat it again."

Mom called me and explained that she did not bring good news. At first when she told me...it didn't sink in. Then all of a sudden tears and memories came. The recollections of sick days at her house with AMAZING breakfasts, listening to her play the piano/keyboard, auctions with huge dill pickles and Papaw Benny and his bass. For some reason, my mind recalls going to a place near a lake listening to them sing El Vira for many people. I remebered all the times I told my friends she was rich simply because she had these bright colored glass vases and figures on display in her living room. Little did I know, she is rich...rich with treasures in heaven. Bringing me to the fact that several times in my life, I've sought spiritual guidance from Mamaw Nita. Ranging from childhood with Zac preaching on the foot of her bed, to why Sydney was born with Downs, to if Kylie Williams went to heaven ( my 6th grade year), to what I was called to be when I grew up...she said I would proclaim God's love and will to others (her words I believe were prophecy). Then as I became a Momma, I would just call to tell her the issues on my heart. Everything from breast-feeding-to stresses of teaching. She always has the right words that just place a peace on my heart. These conversations are not over!!!! Thank-You Mamaw for just listening.

My regrets: Why have I not gone to see her at least once a week? Everytime I run into her I think I should go visit more often. But excuse after excuse passes the days away and now I cry with regret. How dare I? God healed her and brought her home to us one time and still nothing on my part. How can this be?

Dear Lord, I know that your will is to heal my grandmother.  She loves you and would be ready to come home to you, but she also has a lot of life left. She trusts that you can and will heal her and I ask that you give her strength during the chemo and a peace on her heart. Wrap angels wings around her to keep the pain at a minimum. Heal the sickness growing in her, Lord. Forgive me for not doing your will...taking care of widows. Be with the doctors, give them your wisdom to do what is best for her. In Jesus Name I ask you to heal this cancer.
Amen

A Look at the Past: Mika

Just had to have access to this precious Christmas Eve moment.

My darling Mika Emily won our hearts yet again with the giggles over her Daddy that filled the room.

Time really is but a vapor. I wish I could just slow all this down and breathe it in a little longer.

Isn't it sweet...Daddy's just have a way with little girls:) (and vice versa)

1-9-10 My baby is losing teeth and it seems like she just got them

Note about Madyson (1/9/10)

Madyson has shown great/silent perseverance. She is not one to give up on the task at hand. For several months, she has come home from kindergarten telling of friends who have lost  teeth and how she now has a loose tooth too. Of course, I would examine her mouth and find everything soundly in place. Well, for about two weeks she has really been desperate to lose a tooth...it did'nt matter which one, just any at all. She would work on every tooth a little at a time. When Chris and I would catch her, we'd explain that she should let it loosen up on its own otherwise, it will hurt. Still yet, she worked with quiet diligence to unlock a tooth. Last night, I caught her in her room with a piece of toilet paper just wrigglin for all she was worth...not making a sound. Today at lunch she showed me her new creation: a tooth moved. Chris again explained that she should let it work itself out. I laid down on the bed not feeling well while Mika watched the Nativity Story. I thought, "I need to take a picture of that beautiful Madygirl's smile, filled with perfectly-lined baby teeth...I remembered loving those bare gums and missing them when the first baby tooth made its appearance on November 7th, 2004. Suddenly a burst of 5 year-old energy ran to my bed-side smiling a gap-toothed grin. Mady informed me, "I pulled it...I was in my room and just pulled it." There were no tears shed, no moaning, or pacing back and forth...just silence and perseverance and the job was done.

Mady,
You can accomplish anything you ever dream of with the perseverance you displayed as a five-year-old. I love you and may you always be my strong-willed baby-girl.
                                                                                                  Love, Momma

Toots

Funny Mika Memory:
Tonight, when Mika was getting out of the bath-tub she tooted. I said, "I think I just heard a toot!" She said, "Yeah, I hate them." I said, "You hate toots?" She replied, "Yes. They talk to me and I hate them!"

Mady's 1st Day of Pottery Class

Mady's was the youngest participant today in her pottery class. This leaf will be a candy-bowl after she paints it and it goes into the kiln! She had a blast and  added  a rose to the top of it. Can't wait to see the finished product. Mika and I played at the park while we waited on sissy, but our curiousity got the best of us and we had the venture back over to see the pottery process:)

Poor Baby

Well, last night my Mady-girl spent lots of time hovering over the trash-can and looking into my eyes and saying, "Sorry Mommy." I just said, Baby...it's okay, you're sick...don't say sorry." My heart broke as I watched her suffer and I just wanted to take it (sickness)and put it in me. As I type, I hear her playing Barbies with her Daddy and sister, giggles fill the house. My smile is back cause my baby is better but oh my, my heart hurt for her.

Today, Mady, Mika, and I stayed home and it felt soooo good to not have to call in to anyone and explain that I needed a sub.  My husband is a blessing and I honestly thank God that he is mine. Mady had her artist's shoes on and spent the morning creating a waterfall on a mountain-side, a pine tree alone on a dark starry night, and a beach with a life-guard stand. Mika accompanied her in her room and watched the Wizard of Oz while I ridded the house of that "germy" feeling after a tummy-bug.

Funny Mika Memory: As Madyson vomited, Mika ran over to get in on the action. Mady threw up on Mika's leg and I'll never forget Mika starting to gag and heave as she hopped around on one foot in a panic. Obviously, Mika is gonna have a weak stomach!

Dear God, Thank You for Jesus and for His sacrifice. Thank-You for giving me these precious little girls and allowing me to take care of them and be the one who is there to hold those beautiful pony-tails when they are sick. Thank You for the promise of health and the healing you give us. I pray for protection around this family and please lead me and Chris where You can be served. Thank you for my husband and the blessing of his job, open the doors that you see fit. Watch over those who are hurting and forgive me, I sin and forget that I'm suppose to be in love with Jesus not just going through the motions.
In Jesus Name-Amen

Practice Post!

Just a quick go at posting... This weekend has been a blast. We have had a lot of precious moments: game-night with coke-floats, a skating party, then Alpha and Omega at the movies! So happy to be with the girls and Chris, thank you God for the blessing of my family.


Mady's funny thought:
I asked her what she wanted to pray about...she said the bullies at her school. I asked, "like who?" She said, "Well, one day "Bobby" ran and jumped on this little new girl." I said, "Oh my, I wonder why he would  do that?" She responded with sincerity and certainty, "Somehow...he thought she was a trampoline."

That was her only explanation...nothing else made sense to her. I laughed all the way home. This was on our daily journey to Greenbrier from Mom's and Dad's. 

As the school week begins, I'd like to thank God for Jesus and His sacrifice and ask that He'll place a hedge of protection around my family. Mady is having a tummy-ache and in Jesus Name I ask for healing on the situation. Thank you God for giving us the desires of our hearts. Mostly, thank You for Your Grace.
In Jesus Name-Amen