Cousins

We grew up together, we caused trouble together and we loved it all. It was so fun to get all of us back together for a good time... How sweet it is to have such a FUN family filled with LOTS of cousins!

Sticks and Stones ...

... I know I said I would post more pictures from the family time this week... but something is really getting to me... go here for more... but below is a little peak into what it's all about...

We have all heard it "sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me"... well I am here to tell you that is a HUGE lie... but here is how I will re-write that "sticks and stones may break my bones, words will hurt me and the WORD will heal me"...

You see, I am no stranger to people saying things that aren't true. I am no stranger to believing what other people say about someone and realizing it wasn't true. I am no stranger to being wrong. I am no stranger to saying something when I should have just kept my mouth shut.

Happy Birthday Grandpa

We, and by we, I mean ALOT of people... all got together to celebrate my Grandpa's 80th birthday. It was a great time. We had a "Traditional Johnson Family Get Together" and this entire week, I will be sharing some of my favorite pictures from our time together... and of courses I will add in some of the stories of what really happened while we all got together....

There are a lot of us... and when we get together we have a great time. A "Tradition Johnson Family Get Together" normally includes a taco party, some margaritas, a camp fire, some smores, a little rain, and a LOT of laughter... oh and someone always gets caught on film doing something they shouldn't... a few years ago, my Uncle was attempting to take a family picture and he tripped over the camera and we caught a picture of our reaction as we watched him take a tumble... don't worry, when we got the pictures back, we were all caught on film laughing at him! And we still do to this day!

So... you will notice a small, beautifully framed picture just behind the cake. That is my Grandma, she passed away while I was in High School, and a few years ago my Grandpa remarried a wonderful woman I refer to as Grams. But, regardless of how much I love my Grams, there is not a "Traditional Johnson Family Get Together" that our sweet Grandma is not missed. After all if it weren't for the two of them, our "Traditional Johnson Family Get Together" parties would not be happening...

Grandpa is known to make fabulous faces for pictures. One year, while we were all camping, he unknowingly flashed some gang signs while getting his picture taken - it is something we still laugh about. So, this get together was no different.... we had to get some funny pictures of Grandpa...

... we caught Grandpa, being Grandpa and the pictures are priceless...

... there will be more pictures as the week goes on and as I reflect on the blessing of such a fun loving family!

Sweet Baby Taitlyn

What can I say, I love this kid, her daddy and her mommy - I have never seen anyone do what these two parents do so well...

HE DID IT!

Isaac is no longer wearing diapers... he is potty trained! We have moved onto big boy underwear in our house and I am one proud mama!

C is for Tunnel

My kid LOVES to paint... We found a wood train that Isaac could paint for $1.00 and we thought we had found the greatest thing ever, or at least he did...

... until we found some HUGE letters ...

... so we took home our treasures and painted... again...

... who knew a few capital "C" letters would make such great tunnels for the trains...

... my MorMor (who is a water color artist) would be so proud of her great grand son, the painter!

Listening... Alone time

I am in a place where I am spending lots of time alone with Jesus, even if that means I am with a crowd of people.

These precious and pure faces make the tasks and stresses that come with being an adult worth it. The silent moments with Jesus in the midst of their laughter seem more pure and innocent.

Jesus, you know my heart... you know it hurts and you know how to heal it. Bring healing. Bring laughter, bring peace and bring me to YOU!

Money Saving Monday: Go to the Library

Get your books from the library. I love books and read every day. While I buy some of the books I read, most come from the library. Simply put, it’s hard to beat free.

Get DVDs from the library. Many libraries now have movies on DVD that can be checked out. If your library offers this service, it sure beats paying Blockbuster or Netflix.

Read magazines at the library or online. Too many magazines can cost a fortune. And how many times have you bought a magazine based on the cover and been disappointed by the lack of substance. At the library you can read magazines for free. And many magazines now offer their content for free online.

Isaac and I have fallen in love with our local library and I am happy to report that their children's activities are FREE! He LOVES his Wednesday Music Class and we love going to just hang out. At our library they offer computers for the parents to use, right inside the children's room... It's free internet access, free printing and Isaac is entertained while I work on a few things. It is just perfect!

Hi

I asked my Sweet Jesus to show up... and He did... do you see what He had to say while I was in the mountains today with my family?

Money Saving Monday - on Wednesday!

So... here is my advice for this week...

Stay home, eat cereal for breakfast, eat peanut and jelly for lunch and make dinner... Turn the lights off and open the blinds...

It's been a rough week... let's just say... we are potty training and had a ROUGH Monday and a busy Tuesday!

Happy Savings!

People.com - an addiction of mine

According to PEOPLE.COM:

Joran van der Sloot has reportedly told Peruvian officials he wants to come clean about the location of the body of Alabama honor student Natalee Holloway, who went missing five years ago in Aruba.

The reason? He's afraid for his life inside the Peruvian prison where he's locked-up after being charged in the murder of business student Stephany Flores, 21.

"I don't want to be imprisoned in Peru," he told police, according to a local newspaper. "I am afraid I will be killed."

Van der Sloot, 22, is currently being held in isolation in the high-security Miguel Castro Castro prison in the San Juan de Lurigancho district of Lima while he awaits trial – and officials say he has requested security measures to guarantee his safety there, fearing other prisoners will take justice into their own hands.

"Convicts inside have committed serious crimes," criminal attorney Luis Lamas Puccio, who is not connected to the case, tells PEOPLE in Peru. "There is too much promiscuity, overcrowding and poor health conditions. I know Joran is isolated . . . This way he'll be safe not only from rape but also from being killed."

I may be a little insensitive to the needs of this criminal but I think murder is a SERIOUS CRIME! And since the convicts within the Miguel Castro prison have "committed serious crimes" I think Van der Sloot might fit in just fine within this prison. I don't think he is any "safer" in an American prison ...

For some reason, the guy just sets off a nerve for me, I think he should be locked up and never let out.

I am...

... a child of the Utmost High

... forgiven

... frustrated

... clothed in grace and mercy

... worn out

... needing a few hours with just my Sweet Jesus and some cleaning supplies

... addicted to caffeine

... needing a Mnt. Dew but will settle for a Pepsi

... a different person when someone messes with my child

... a wife

... protective of my husband, his character and our marriage

... ready to kick ass and take names

... a woman who swears from time to time

... organizing my house

... missing my little Nhyja

... convicted

... a fighter

... wanting to fight, rather than walk away

... not so sure I want to follow HIS plan, because my plan seems like more fun and would involve a fight

... not going anywhere

... passionate about my Sweet Jesus, passionate to a fault at times

... confident HE will win

... spending more time on my knees and in His Word than ever before

... talking and talking and talking to HIM

... listening and listening and listening for HIM

... going to remember His promises

... I am going to wait

Tired, but WORTH IT!

Last night, the girls from Girls Only Ministry went out and found Jesus at a concert.

Check out the other music videos where we found Him over the last week... it's been fun to try to find Him in everything that surrounds us...

Check it out here!

Big BOY

Isaac spent the night in his BIG BOY UNDERWEAR and there were no accidents in the bed! He just decided yesterday that he didn't want to wear his diapers... Praises Be!!!

We will see how today goes, we are going to do some running around and we are going to do it in his Thomas underwear... with a few extra items on hand, just in case...

Money Saving Monday

I didn't know this until yesterday, but if you use re-usable grocery bags while shopping at Target you can save $.05 (5 cents) for each bag you use, if you bring in 10 bags while you do your grocery shopping it is $.50 (50 cents)... And the best part - the re-usable bags don't have to be from Target to get the discount!

Saving money means every penny counts, so these bags will come in handy!

Happy Savings!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy CAROL!

June 4th is not just any other day. It is a very special day in my family, it is the day my little sister came into the world and changed everything, for the better. You see, my older sister and I are 14 months apart and my little sister and I are 4 years apart. But the three of us are as thick as thieves. We have had our fights and we have had our moments of joy, but we are sisters, and more than that, we are friends.

Carol - your birthday comes every year and it reminds me of how blessed I am to have you in my life. As I have watched you grow up I have learned so much about the power and grace of Jesus Christ. You have loved me regardless of what I have done and you have been there for me when people where walking away. I am so proud of you as you continue the adventue the Lord has placed in front of you!

I am cheering you on and covering you in prayer! I cannot wait to help you decorate your new home and I could not be more proud of you!

Jesus - bless my baby sister, watch over you, protect her and shower her with peace. I praise you for all you have done in her life and I could not be more proud of her. Give her wisdom as she prepares for the next years school year, give her patience as she prepares to own her own home and bless her beyond measure. Keep her close. She is very important to me. I love you! Amen

Wordless Wednesday

A sneak peek ... the book is coming, it is really coming....