Ice Skating

Yes...you read that correctly. Eli's preschool went ice skating yesterday. Whoever thought that 30 kids under the age of 5 on the ice, most for the first time, is a good idea is a little nutty. Well...this is Eli's teacher, so I guess nutty would be an appropriate name for her! Actually, that is Ms. Heidi, and she is the best teacher ever.

Eli had never gone before, so he was set up with two crates tied together. It was amazing to see him immediately get his "ice legs".

Kids are able to pick up on things so much quicker than adults. I knew I would be more helpful on the sidelines, so I didn't lace up my skates, but the arena was big and amazing. I will definitely be taking the kids there this summer.

Been a Long Time

Never in my life have things seemed to busy. I'm not sure if it's because of the season, or because the kids are growing up and have things to do. I don't think we've had two minutes to catch our breaths in the past couple of weeks. This is my excuse as to why I haven't written lately.

Even Lilly is being affected by our schedule. She had to go out and get her eyebrows done instead of having me do them, and look at the mess they made of her!

Seriously though, have you ever had a day when you had to be on the phone for hours, trying to get things done?

I usually procrastinate with phone calls, until the last second, and end up paying for it. Today, I am paying for it. I've already made 6 calls, and have at least 7 more to go. Of course, half of these calls have to be returned because no one opens until 9 a.m. anymore. Okay, I'm all done complaining. I'll have pictures of the kids coming soon. Have a great day everyone!

Marked #2

Here are some pictures of the full tattoo. He left the end open to add on as Sam and Tarrah have more children. Let me know what you think!

A Marked Man

So, he went and did it. I didn't think he'd have the guts, I didn't trust that he would think it was worth the pain, and maybe humiliation if he were to pass out...but he did. He thinks our family is worth it. He truly does love us.

Dad has a tattoo! That's not even why I'm proud of him. I think it's wonderful that he did this, more for us than for himself. He is choosing to wear his heart on his sleeve, literally.

I'm proud of him for showing our family the love of Christ, through the little things. I was born to a father who loves unconditionally, even if you have to look a little.

All the small things: hugs, laughs, favors....they add up to his love for us.

He may go to Vermont to help Sam out for a weekend, or he might pick me up a snack when Jim's working late...again. Maybe he buys Mom flowers, and it's not even their anniversary. Or he goes over and above what is needed for volunteering at the fire department. He might watch the kids, or just sit there with one of them at 5 in the morning when they can't sleep. I'm proud of this man for not smoking in eight months. For his servitude for others, even when they don't seem to deserve it. For giving and actually enjoying it more than receiving.

I am humbled that he trusts Sam and I to follow in his footsteps when it comes to commitment and marriage. He obviously trusts that we will forever be married to our other halves. Through thick and thin, we will choose to turn back to one another. He wouldn't have permanently printed them on his skin otherwise.

I was blessed with an example of Christ-like love today. My Father chose to scar his body for me, for my family. He knew it would hurt, but he did it anyways. He chose love over pain. Scars over blemish free skin. Does this sound like anyone you know? May He bless you. (I'll upload more pictures tomorrow .)

The Weekend

So, this weekend consisted of Sunday. Jim worked an 80 hour week, so Sunday was supposed to be our day of rest. Most of you know, when you finally have a day off, there are things to be done. So rest we did not.
Church was wonderful this weekend. The message was on Jesus walking on water, as told in Mark. His disciples had just seen him feed the 5,000 with a little bread and a few fish, yet they were terrified and confused when they saw him...thinking he was a ghost. Pastor Keith went on to talk of how, even seeing his disciples fearful, not trusting, he still decided to stick with them. He didn't try to find 12 more disciples who believed in everything he did. He took the fearful, disbelieving, and changed their minds through action. I believe he does this in our lives too. I pray he will in yours, as well as mine. Keith's sermons and blog can be found at www.keithmcnamar.typepad.com. If you get a chance, check it out.

Coming home we decided it was time to get the chicks out of the house, and put them in the shed. It was a tough decision, but it had to be made. Our clothes had begun to smell like a coop! We had cleaned out our shed a few months ago, in preparation. They are now in a small kiddie pool, and love the extra room they have. Unfortunately, we lost one last night, one of the yellow ones, so we are now down to 9.

The kids spent 10 or so minutes trying to figure out how to get sand out of a bag. It was highly amusing watching.

Lena took care of our plants. She loves watering anything...including her brothers. The kids went on to play, while I found Jim in the barn looking for more things to do.
I hope everyone had a wonderful, long weekend.

Eli

The most expressive of all three kids, hands down, is Eli. He is a comic, full of drama, just like his dad! There are expressions he makes which make me laugh for the rest of the day. Trying to get any expression besides serious on film is difficult. He decided to humor me today. We had a mini photo shoot, and it was...let's use interesting. But I have to share his expressions with you. I know I'm biased, but he's so darn cute, and looks like Poppa. Batting two for two so far.
This is his normal face.

Oh look, now he's smiling, but it looks a little painful, doesn't it?

Ummmm...I think this is his mad face :)

Name this emotion and I'll give you props!

Laughing at me because I almost fell out of my chair.

Lastly, the obligatory funny face.

I hope you enjoyed the many faces of Eli. As he gets older, and perfects these looks, I will be sure to post them. Enjoy this beautiful day!

Eight

Yeah, that's right. You heard me correctly. Eight. My little, cute, funny girl is eight. I don't think I can take it.

I remember when she was wrinkly...she looked like Pepere (Milt Johnson), and I thought...is this what she is destined to be? Thankfully, the black hair fell off, the murky eyes cleared, and my little girl began looking like...a little girl.

She is the only little girl I would ever want. Not because it's scary to have a girl, though it is! But because she is the epitome of everything I am not. She is a girl through and through, and I love that about her. She also has a brave, wild streak. One that gives her the courage to hold snakes, and play with ants and worms. All this in a dress.

So, today, out of all days, I thank God that He gave me a daughter. I pray I can please Him by encouraging her to be all she can be. By giving her wisdom, confidence, and, above all, a faith that knows no bounds.

May He bless you all on this wondrous day, and remind you of all the reasons you love your children.

Meaghin

As most of you know, I go through life with a little help. I have God, my family, and a few good friends to keep me in check. The checkiest chick of all is Meaghin, who decided to join the blogging world as well. You can see her at http://meaghininreallife.blogspot.com/. She is full of humor and wit, as well as two really cute babies.

May God bless you all tonight.

Chicks, Man

They're cute, they're fuzzy, and I can't get enough of them. We just purchased ten chicks from our local feed store. Five are Rhode Island Reds, and five are White Leghorns. Remind anyone of something? Disney ring a bell? Foghorn Leghorn! He is one of my favorite characters from the old Disney movies. Hopefully, all of ours are chicks, in both senses. Any roosters hit the chopping block, and I wouldn't want to do that. (Or have Jim do that!)

So, ten fluffy cheeping bundles of fuzz. In our house. Irresistible.

How To and the Zoo

Hey everyone. Hope you are enjoying your week. It is peculiarly quiet without the Johnson's here. Tarrah had pointed out something to me, so I went ahead and fixed it. Prior to this, if you wanted to comment, and didn't have an account, you could not. Now, when you click on the comments button, it will take you to a screen that gives you choices of how you would like to comment. The easiest way to do this is to click on "Anonymous" and post a comment. Please sign your name so we know who is out there writing.

Now, onto the zoo. The kids were able to take the day off from school on Monday to go to the zoo, and they are still talking about how much fun it was. Tell me though, would you follow directions from this kid?

I'm not sure if map reading is in the cards for Eli. Dad was so excited! They had a real life excavator in one of their new enclosures. He didn't want to leave when he saw that exhibit.

Jim found a cow with a massive under bite, which has caused a few bouts of the giggles while going through these pictures with the kids.Poor girl. It must be hard to get a date looking like that.

Here are a couple of all the kids.

Tarrah has shown me how to use Picasa, so get ready for a bombardment of pictures!

In-Laws

This weekend has flown by! Sam and Tarrah came down Thursday night, and we haven't stopped yet. Friday Jim and I got to go out to see our worship team perform at a church in Coventry. It was pretty cool, and uneventful...until the ride home. Rhode Island is known as the smallest state, but we covered the whole thing in a 45 minute drive through the back woods, trying to find our way home. Shortly before 11 pm we made it.

Saturday was Javen's second soccer game of the spring. Jim is coaching his team, so it's twice the fun for our family to go and see them play.

It was a dreary day, made worse by the cold and wind at the field. Tarrah took some amazing shots.

We were planning on going to the zoo Saturday, but due to the cold, we went to the mall instead. Lena and Abriella decided to have their ears pierced. It went well, and they decided on matching earrings.

After a little pain, the moms decided it was time for a little treat. We went to a local ice cream shop, and the kids got all sugared up.

It was a wonderfully full weekend. There will be another post soon about a trip to the zoo. May He bless you all and I pray your day is full of love and grace.

Can You Spot the Difference?

As you all know, Javen has an underdeveloped pituitary gland, which inhibits his body from growing. Thanks to God and scientists, there is a hormone which mimics what the pituitary puts out, and Javen has been able to grow during the last 6 months or so. When I was looking for a picture for comparison, I found this one. The difference is so great...I can't believe the change. My poor, sweet child.

He has gone through so much peer ridicule and negativity, it is only by the grace of God that he is the sweet, kind child he is today. He is still sometimes insecure in certain situations. He is sometimes uncomfortable wearing a bathing suit, or anything that he has to pull off over his head, for fear of flashing his belly. But he is slowly learning, he is God's child. He is good the way he is. He is loved. He is cherished. He is wonderfully made.

This experience has been amazing for all of us. One of my strengths is "connectedness", and that is seeing how all things, though seemingly individual, are connected in some way. Javen is a great example of that. His name, first of all, and the derivation from the Bible. When nurses, doctors, or others ask him about his name, he explains where it comes from and the lineage behind it (the first born grandson of Noah, through Japheth). That usually leads to a conversation about how he is well mannered, to him praising God for his goodness, even through this storm.

This is a season of joy, and I would like you all to share in it with us. Javen is growing into a confident young boy, and we are thrilled with his progress. Please continue praying that his pituitary gland will grow to a normal size and take over so that he will not have to be on hormones throughout his growing years.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May he cause His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May he lift us His countenance upon you and give you peace. (derived from Numbers 6:24-26)