My Girl!!

Need I Say More!! Refer to Mollie's guest post below ♥

Simplify

Lately I am overwhelmed, overwhelmed leads to discouraged. When I say "I am discouraged" I think, without courage! Whah... am I without courage? No...!!! Never, that is not me. Time to make a change.

Today is a day for change, what is really important to me?
"That we may do a lot may not be so important. That we focus the energy of our minds, our hearts, and our souls on those things of eternal significance - that is ESSENTIAL." -Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
Thou art careful and troubled about many things. But one thing (only one thing) is (truly) needful. Luke 10:40-41

What Do I Do in Jauary?

It is January 2009 and over 80 degree weather here in Sunny Mesa AZ. We, Isaac and I, garden, and NOOOO I don't dress like him {all of the neighbors are very thankful for that.} Yesterday I sat there for over 40 minutes just watching him dig in the dirt. Gardening is good for my soul.

My Hot Brother

So my little Sister and I had dinner together a couple of weeks ago... YUM!! AND FUN!! We talked a whole bunch about Christmas and how awesome it was to have everyone home together. And we talked about this guy, Darren, our brother. We decided that we have the Hottest Brother ever. Cuz, let's face it, girls, especially sisters, talk about stuff like that. He's also really sweet and fun to be around. He makes us laugh like crazy and is always good for some stories about growing up together. We also think he married us a super sweet sister who is possibly Hotter than he is, but shh.. don't tell him that. Cynthia, thanks for taking care of our Brother there in PA, we miss you guys. Thanks for coming out here to spend your Christmas with us, it was awesome.

Some-Days

Some days are for sleeping in because you stayed up too late reading a good book. Sitting up in bed reading it some more. Thinking at noon, I'll miss Glenn Beck if I keep reading and I really should feed the dog and do something about eating or anything else.
So you eat, do little bit extra, chop down the out of control bush buy your front door to get some exercise, start for the back door, (cuz you really were going to work outside all day on your yard) see the book beckoning...
Then it's all over, you sit down on the couch and you finish all the rest of the 754 pages. Thank you Stephenie Meyer, I have finally finished all 4 of the Vampire Saga. What Fun!! Maybe I can finally work in my yard again.

Mollie's guest post! ♥ Understanding

Mom said I should guest post for her so I decided why not. I want to start off by saying I have some pretty "dang good" parents. I a appreciate how they can understand teenagers (most of the time). They wouldn't kill me if I made a bad choice. They are willing to let me wear the kinds of clothes I want (as long as they are modest) and do whatever to my hair. My parents dont try to live my life they let me do that. They are willing to accept that my best friend is a boy. They forgive me when I don't get my chores done or schoolwork done because i was to bussy with a friend in need or dance. I love my parents and I know they love me (and thats kind of important). I wouldn't trade them for anyone else!♥

Forgetting 24

I am a dead person!! Today is Sunday, obviously, and I forgot to DVR the first 2 hours of 24. Jack is Back you know. How on earth did I forget? Why did I not have this preset on my DVR? Will Kim forgive me? Did she record it at her house? Man, I blew it, I told her just wait till Monday night we'll watch all 4 hours no commercials on our new big screen tv. I looked it up on Fox.com and new episodes are not available till Wednesday. So, if she didn't watch it or record it I am DEAD! Not to mention all of the Teenagers I have let down here in my own house. Why didn't anyone remind me? I can't believe I didn't think of it once in the whole 2 hours it was on.

The End of a Good Day

To recognize the Lord's hand in my day is a great blessing. I could go on and on about the goodness of this day, but a few notes of remembrance will suffice. For starters to have the energy to begin my day with smiles and love for all who live within these walls is a true blessing. To have the desire to clean the kitchen, do so and be able to enjoy the fruits of my labor all day, JOY! A visit from Isaac and a few precious hours soaking in his love and exuberance while sometimes exhausting, filled me with energy and joy. Visiting with an old friend and letting her know I care, and being remembered by another friend myself with such a thoughtful gift that she brought were highlights of today. After school was filled with good teenager conversations and willing helpers. Dinner was delicious, early and appreciated!!

Jared was in a great mood after work, maybe he enjoyed dinner waiting for him on the stove, all the same he was silly, fun, and as usual took over taxi duties after he came home... He even found time to sword fight with me which was great fun, even though Mollie proclaimed us "dorks". All in all a lovely day.

Sick Day

Today I am filling in for a few hours for this Mom. She is feeling very sicko and would like some rest, which is nearly impossible with the I-man around. Naomi you are a such a sweet and Angelic addition to our family. I love having another daughter and I know Miss Mollie LOVES having a sister. Thanks for being a part of our family.

Feel Better!! We're all here for you. Love, MOM

Breakfast at Granma's House

Why?

Because there are days, when you don't

feel so good and you know all you want

is to be held on the couch and snuggled.

Then Granma gives you a dum dum sucker

for breakfast {don't tell mom} and the rest

is history.

Christmas Tree 2008

I hope that eventually my children {Mollie} will forgive me for the year of 2008 which will go down in the history of our family as the year without a "real tree". I freely admit that we here at the Johnson home are a family of Christmas Tree snobs. We always have a real [dead] Christmas Tree, till now... I have experienced years before in our 22 Christmases together when we have had kittens. I know the havoc they can reek on a Christmas Tree!! Well this year there were 7 kittens in the house. I know, don't even start with me about how I need my head examined. Within a few hours of the lovely artificial tree, Which I happen to Love thank you very much, being up, yes all of the 7 were in it and having a ball. We didn't even bother decorating it for a few days. Then I got out the trusty spray bottle and the tree became less appealing.

I am sorry Miss Mollie, I hope you can forgive me.

This Boy

This handsome young Man is Stephan. He is my First Born. He is my Delight. He is sometimes my greatest challenge. I have always said with the challenge comes an equal amount of Joy. I Love You Son. Stephan is 19 and has turned in all of his Papers in the process to become a Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We will wait now with great excitement and anticipation to find out where he will be serving his Mission and when he will leave. I know what I will be spending my time doing as we prepare and get all of things ready to leave for 2 years. Wow!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

A festive and joyous Holiday Season is drawing to a close. We are taking advantage of every last precious moment of togetherness here at the Johnson home. Lest anyone least of all my children who read this think I live in LaLa land and think every moment is precious well, insert loud laughter here.

We have had my brother Darren and Cynthia his wife, and Girls Cyara and Stefani here from PA and that was a great joy!! Jared has been off work most of the time the kids have been out of school Can we all say DAD IS ONE BIG PARTY!!! Carlin and Naomi and Isaac have been around quite a bit which has been sweet. I have had just the right amount of napping with Isaac♥☺!!

I have lots I want to write about but for now Happy and Blessed New Year is enough.