So Much to be Thankful For

There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed.  If it is unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude.  ~Robert Brault

This year has been one of many changes, my poor kiddos are so familiar with change that I kind of feel guilty! Ben has been going to school which sent me back to work full time. We moved, yet again (this makes 11 times for us) and the kids started a new school( 4th school for Noah and he is only in the 3rd grade..yikes!). This move has been a little tough on all of us, however, we know that the next move we make will be it for a very long time!! As November rolled around and the thrill of the holiday season set in, I had to do a complete attitude adjustment and really focus on the many, many things that I have been blessed with.

I am so grateful for my 3 beautiful, healthy babies. They love me unconditionally and look passed my flaws! I thank the Lord each day for entrusting me with their little spirits!

A husband who is working so hard to better our situation. His friendship and love mean the most to me in this world.

7 crazy siblings, 13 in-laws, 5 parents who love and accept me for who I am. I would be lost without each and everyone of them.

A healthy mind, body, and spirit.

A roof over our heads, food to eat, clothes to wear.

The Gospel, the knowledge of the Atonement is a comfort each and every day. I am so grateful to be a member of the Church and to have it play such a huge roll in our lives.

I am so very blessed and my heart is full. I have written down this list so I do not let the little things creep in and make me forget what is truly important in this life!

Thank you Kathy for hosting an incredible dinner for all of us! I love all the Johnson's with all of my heart and am so grateful that they are my family!

A Little Behind!

I was doing so well with my posts until crazy hit or lazy hit...one of the two! We had such a fun Halloween. We have moved up close to cousins and the kids could not wait to go trick or treating to some of the fun "scary" decorated houses in the neighborhood. We had so much candy!

Jenn and Kathy put together a cousins Halloween party for the Johnson crew. They had lunch, fun games and crafts and just loved being together running like little crazies!

Such a fun busy month, but I am not going to lie, I am always glad when October is over!

Pumpkin Patch

Erin and I decided we would take the kiddos to the J'n'L Gardens Pumpkin Patch one Saturday when Ben and Darrin were at work. This was my first pumpkin patch and I loved it! Who knew that a little hayride and picking your own pumpkin could be so much fun! The kids were very particular on which pumpkin was the best. Noah could not decide. I did tell them all they had to carry what they chose, so Elliott got one just the right size. Cam on the other hand, thought he was a lot stronger than he really was. Needless to say, he dropped his choice probably 5 times and picked up smaller pumpkins on the way back to the tractor. I love fall!!

Goodness, Time Flies!

My Elliott is now 4! I look at her beautiful face and am so proud of the girl she is becoming. It makes me a bit sad that she is getting so grown up, and lately, I have noticed such a difference in her personality. She seems so big!! We love her to pieces and had such a fun day celebrating our "Princess".

Elliott wanted to go to the Classic Fun Center to roller skate. We had a good time with Harley, Paxton and Oakleigh.

A few fun things about Ellie at age 4:

• Loves to Sing, and makes up songs about anything and everything
• Loves to Dance
• Could play Dress-up All Day Long
• Loves Barbies (got a huge Barbie house for her birthday!)
• Loves Preschool and would go everyday if she could
• Is so girlie, but can hold her own when it comes to her brothers
• Is very protected by her 2 big brothers
• Does not want mom to snuggle or kiss on her at this time!! unless mom shows how sad that makes her!
• Favorite Food - Chinese Noodles
• Favorite Color - Purple

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL!!

Just for fun...

Amy and Phil live up in Logan right now and Erin and I decided we would take a little road trip and visit! While we were there...we decided to take some fun fall pictures. I think they turned out pretty good. The kids were champs and the weather was perfect!! Love my family.

And Just Like That....

.....School is in!

Noah - 3rd Grade....Mrs. Jones

Cameron - Kindergarten....Mrs. Sinatra

Elliott - Preschool...Mrs. Stacy

 

My kids are so big. (And beautiful, if I do say so myself!) I love them so much and am very proud of who they are.

August is over, school has started and the days are getting shorter...summer is officially coming to an end. This summer has been a whirlwind, I feel like I missed everything and my kids did nothing! However, when I put it in a list, it isn't as bad as it seems in my head! Lets just say, as mom, I feel like it was a fail for me! I am hoping they had a good time with the few things we were able to do.

Our short list included:

• A very difficult and sad move
• Fireworks
• Family BBQ's
• Drive in Movies
• Friend time
• 1 Cabin trip
• Swimming as much as we could
• Many Lagoon Days
• 1 day at the Roy Aquatic Center with cousins
• Visits with our Arizona Cousins!
• Ice Skating 
• And 1 trip to Kangaroo Zoo

We excited for a new year of school, with new friends and new teachers!

Road Trip

Amy and Phil moved up to Logan a bit ago and the kids and I decided to take a little road trip to see their new digs!! I love Logan. I love the drive, I love the town. Everything. We took the kids the the "Logan Zoo"...if you can actually call it a zoo, and played at the park. The kids had so much fun and it was an absolutely beautiful day! I am so grateful to have such awesome brothers and sisters! I am excited to take many more road trips up the canyon to visit!!

Easter Weekend

I love the weekend of Easter. This year, the weather was beautiful and spring was in full motion! This is the first year since Noah was about 3 that we have participated in an egg hunt other than family. The kids had a ball. We met up with some friends and let the kiddos do their thing!

Easter Sunday was a great day. I love it when the primary sings and this was the first time that all 3 of my beautiful babies were up there singing. (the boys sang, Elliott jumped around with another little boy) I am so grateful for my Savior, for the blessings that come from his sacrifice. I know that my family can be eternal because of his Crucifixion and his resurrection. Words cannot express my love for my Brother, Jesus Christ. I am so thankful that I was raised in this Gospel and for such great examples within my entire family. What a great day!

Chris and Liv blessed little Sadie...she looked so adorable in her 1st white dress. Dinner with my whole family, I couldn't have asked for a better day.

Poor little guy.

On a snowy Saturday a week and a half ago, I thought it would be fun to take the kids to Kangaroo Zoo. They so love going and being able to run and jump without being told NO!! We picked up Cameron's friend and headed over for an afternoon of fun! We had been there for about an hour when Cam came over to me and told me that his arm hurt and he thought that he broke it. After a quick inspection I sent him on his way. About 10 minutes later, another mom that was there walked my sobbing boy over to me and said that I should probably get him to the ER asap. I looked down at his arm, after I got passed wanting to throw up and pass out all at the same time, the panic set in. I didn't know if I should comfort my poor boy or run around and find my other kids. There were so many wonderful parents there that help me get control and into my car. I had many offers to watch my other kids while I went to people asking if I wanted them to drive me up to the hospital. It is in times like these that you realize there is still so many good people out there.

We finally got to the hospital after what felt like an eternity. My cute friend Abbey came up and grabbed her boy and my other two kiddos so I could focus on my poor broken armed baby! Noah was having such a hard time, he was so worried about his brother. I hated having to send him off but tried my best to ease his worries. He is such a tender heart. The staff at Lakeview were wonderful. The nurse that helped Cameron had him smiling and laughing in no time. Cameron was so brave. He only cried when they had to move his arm for x-rays. He kept telling me that he hated his broken arm.

 

 

 

After 3 hours in the ER, we were sent home with a soft cast and a very tired little guy! He is doing great now. He is growing very tired of having a cast. I worry because it has only been a week and a half...we have a ways to go! Bath time is a challenge and so is keeping him from jumping, running, rough housing...you know, boy stuff! I just pray we make it through the next 6 weeks without another break!!

 

 

My Tiny Little Dancer

Elliott has started taking dance. She absolutely loves it and is the cutest little stink in her tutu and leotard!! She asks everyday if she gets to go to dance class and is dressed to go everyday even though it is only once a week! Love this chicken!!



Best Friends

When I was little I had a very best friend, our mom's were friends, so of course we were destined! Our moms would talk about how cute we were kicking our little legs on the blanket together while they would visit. No pictures to show, just memories!! I miss that friend. Noah is lucky to have a friend just like that. Heather and I found out we were pregnant just days apart. We were so excited when we found out we were both having boys that would only be 3 weeks apart! Since these two were born, they have been the best of friends. They would fight like brothers but couldn't stand to be away from each other for a minute! We now live about 45 minutes away and they don't see each other very often, however, they have the kind of friendship already that it does not matter how much time goes by, they pick up right where they left off. They are lucky! I hope these two stay close. I cannot believe they are 8. So grown up, so handsome! Heather...we did something right!



What a Wonderful Day!

I cannot believe that my baby is 8! We have talked about this day for such a long time and now it has come and gone. He was excited, he was anxious, he was nervous and he was ready! I love this kid and the spirit he has. I was able to stand on the stairs of the font as he was baptized, and I am so glad I did. It felt a little more personal for me! I am grateful for Ben and for his ability to bless and baptize him. He is a wonderful example to all of us! We are so very blessed to be a part of this church and for the blessings it holds. Thank you everyone who was able to be there to support Noah on his day.

Christmas Baby...

Christmas day, Chris and Olivia had their beautiful baby girl, Mercedes Marie Smith. I couldn't think of a better present! We all love her to pieces. Of course she is beautiful, I mean, look at both her parents! Love you guys. Congratulations.

Oh December, How We Will Miss you

December always seems to fly by. Every year it seems to go a little faster than the last. This year, we did not bake any cookies or banana bread. I did not make any Christmas candy. My kids did not get to sit on Santa's lap to excitedly tell him what they wanted. There was no snow for the majority of the month, I did not get pictures of my kids in their Sunday best and I did very little shopping for my family. Not a normal December. We did, however, make it down to see the lights at Temple Square, picked out the perfect Christmas tree and decorated it together, read the Christmas story, watched a lot of fun Christmas movies, and spent time with both sides of the family. Even though the majority of the month didn't have the "Christmas feel", we had a wonderful time. We talked a lot about why we actually celebrate the season. My kids picked an Angel from the Angel tree and picked out the one gift that this wonderful child would receive. They appreciated things more, they understood the holiday on a different level than usual. I love my family so much that sometimes I feel as though my heart is going to explode. I am lucky. I am blessed.