Favorite Foto Friday

It's nearly Favorite Foto Saturday...been a crazy week around here. The entire Commonwealth of Kentucky has been hit by winter weather this week. It began with freezing rain that lasted overnight and coated everything (including our window screens - leaving us unable to see out) with about an inch of ice. The following day, it rained all day...and froze as the temperature dropped in the evening. The following day, we got about 2 inches of snow in one hour. It has left downed trees, hazardous driving conditions, schools and businesses closed, and thousands (nearly 60,000) without electrity. Our dear friends and their two little girls were among the folks without power. They have been staying at our house for the past few days and we are all having a great time. My kids are in HEAVEN! I love having them around, too. It's been like a party! We've really enjoyed our time together...so sweet to have such dear friends to share life with - even when it's unexpected events create the opportunity to fellowship. So, I am a little late in posting my fav foto...and boy, do I have some good "new" fotos to post. One of Sam playing Wii bowling. What a riot!

This pic of my sweet Lukey-boy was taken last summer...he had just woken up from a nap. He shares a cowboy themed room with Sam and loved this "howdy" sign above his crib. Such a sweet boy...

To Caleb & Matthew

You celebrated your first birthday yesterday. It's so hard to believe that one year ago we met one another for the very first time. Although, I had some suspicions about your personalities from feeling you move and grow inside me. I love that you are fraternal twins (although lots of folks ask if you are identical - daddy and I don't think you look alike at all) - each with a distinctive look and personality. Two unique miracles...

Matthew Hunter. You made your entry into the world just two minutes before your brother...making you the third of the Johnson boys. You swallowed a gulp of fluid on your way out and had some difficulty breathing. Initially, the docs and nurses observed you in operating room where you were born...and then made the decision to give you some extra care in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). Daddy went with you to be sure that you were not alone and to keep a close watch on you. The neonatologist decided that your lungs were too "wet" for you to breathe on your own, so you got some help from C-Pap (Positive Air Pressure, I think). This device was placed over your nose and forced air into your lungs. It was a frightening thing to see someone so small looking so helpless. I was just down the hall and came to see you often. After nearly three days, you were breathing room air and the C-Pap was no longer necessary. I was finally able to nurse you, rather than pumping milk for you. We were finally getting to know one another...you were sweet, snuggly, and absolutely precious. I was able to stay an extra day in the hospital so we were all able to leave the hospital at the same time. You joined Caleb and I in our hospital room on the fourth day of our stay, and your big brothers were finally able to meet you. You had begun to develop jaundice, so you spent some time "sunbathing" under some lights to reduce your bilirubin level. When we finally went home together, Daddy and I were never more certain that we chose your name well...Matthew - gift of God. Hunter is your Grandma Judy's maiden name...a family full of good, honest, sincere, hard-working, loving people.


On your birthday, Daddy was trying to choose one word that described each of his boys...your word was "contented." Caleb crawled before you, walked before you, and you didn't mind at all. You were taking your time. You truly are a happy little guy, not demanding much - but, enjoying anything that comes your way. You clap your hands and grin whenever someone else is celebrating or being praised. You love to snuggle and always lean in for another kiss from Momma. You do have a temper, however...we only see it when someone takes something from you. You get angry immediately - shaking your arms up and down, wrinkling up your nose, and making a growling sound and then producing tears. Even your tantrums are cute, for now. {grin} I love being your Momma, and I pray that you grow in wisdom, stature, and love for God and His people.



Caleb Robert. You were twin B, riding high in the womb and stretched out across my tummy for months. You were fiesty, active, and always made it tough for the technician to find you during our monthly ultrasound. I was so grateful to have you to keep me company while Matthew was being cared for in the NICU. You kept my arms from being empty, although still incomplete. Sam and Luke delighted in you when they met you. Sam couldn't wait to take a picture of you to share with his preschool class and Luke was a little less enthusiastic. {grin} He mostly ignored you and played with the remote control on my hospital bed.

Daddy really wanted to honor your Grandpa Bud by naming you after him. His given name is Calvin (although no one calls him that -except folks who don't know him)...we thought that Caleb was a nice modern version of that name. I struggled a bit because it means "bald." Your Grandpa Bud is bald...and you certainly had less hair than Matthew (yours was much lighter in color at birth), so maybe it's meant to be. {grin} Robert is a name with lots of history on both sides of your family. Your Daddy's Dad was a Robert and Daddy's brother is a Robert, too. Your Grandpa Bob died just before Daddy and I were married, but leaves a legacy that lives on in your Daddy and your Uncle Rob. Papa Bob was a man who loved fiercely, lived large, and delighted in his grandchildren. Oh, he would have been so proud that you shared his name. Your Uncle Rob is a hard-working, honest, smart, loyal man who loves his family...including you and your brothers. My great-grandfather was a Robert, as well. Great men with a great name. Daddy and I pray that you will grow to be a great man, too. A man doing great things for God.


You are still the more active, more assertive, more self-assured twin. You got the first tooth, crawled first, and walked first. You are quick to call {okay, cry} for help when you are hurt, scared, unsure of a situation, or feeling needy. Daddy's word for you is "uncertain." You need more reassurance...and we're happy to give it to you. When you are happy, you are so very happy! Your eyes light up, you squeal with delight, and your smile consumes your sweet face. You are a joy...a precious gift from God. Caleb, our greatest desire is that you would choose to love God with your entire life. That every bit of who you are would have God's fingerprint on it.


Happy birthday, my sweet boys.

Birthday Boys!

Caleb digging in to his birthday cake...never had this much sugar before - and he really liked it!

Luke had a great time at the party. He sang "Happy Birthday" with great enthusiasm and then helped to blow out Matthew's candle. Luke can wink each eye independently, I finally caught it in this picture.

Sweet little Matthew wearing his birthday hat - he grinned from ear to ear as we sang to him.

Caleb wasn't quite as fond of the hat - but, left it on long enough to catch this picture.

I managed to make these two cakes for the boys...and they ate them with gusto!


I'll try to post some party details and a funny video in the morning...for now I am so tired. It's been a long weekend of celebrating!

Favorite Foto Friday

Caleb (left) and Matthew (right) at three months old. These cute bibs were a gift from my sister-in-law. TOO CUTE! So hard to believe that they are celebrating their first birthday on Sunday!

What a Whirlwind

I just realized that I haven't posted since last Friday...the days in between have been full. Here is a quick re-cap.
Ma-Ma, Brad's grandmother suffered a stroke and was briefly hospitalized. She is currently working hard to recover at a rehab facility. The boys have been praying for her each night. When I shared the news with Sam, his first response was, "So, Pa-Pa (Brad's grandfather) is at home all by himself? I bet he is scared and he misses her." Her birthday is tomorrow - Happy Birthday, MaMa. We love you!

I have waded through an enormous amount of laundry. Thankfully, it's all done except one load currently drying. It's a never ending job - and I am so thankful that I have a washer and dryer at home. I can't begin to imagine what a chore it would be to carry everything to the laundromat.

We've been making preparations for the weekend festivities. It's going to be action packed, for sure. Caleb and Matthew celebrate their first birthday on Sunday, the 25th. We'll have a small party on Saturday afternoon. My parents and Brad's mom are travelling from Indiana to be with us. We are all looking forward to being together. Sunday morning, the babies (can you call them "babies" if they are one?)will be dedicated in our church's worship service. We had a yummy lunch today with our pastor and his wife to plan things. We're so grateful to be living life with folks at our church - and even more thankful that our boys have some many faithful followers to help them as they grow in faith. The littlest men will be having photos taken on Sunday afternoon. I am looking forward to that - should be like nailing gelatin to the wall. :) They are both very mobile now!

As I am typing, the noises of giggles and squeals from the bathroom are growing louder and louder. Brad is entertaining Sam and Luke with some tub paints and bath foam. I believe he is making "Ice Cream Sundaes" for them. What a good daddy!

Favorite Foto Friday

I remember the day this photo was taken vividly. I was 36 weeks pregnant with the twins and physically exhausted. Sam and Luke had been busy playing with this laundry basket all morning long...putting toys in and out of it, pretending it was a train and pulling one another around in it, laying down on the floor with the basket on top of them - pretending it was their "turtle shell", and on and on and on... After all of that serious play, they were ready for a little television time. I was so tickled to see that the basket then became a bench for the brothers (although, I did ask them to move back a little from the tele...). :)

The Little Men are Mobile

Caleb and Matthew are nearing their first birthday. It seems nearly impossible that this time last year I was miserably uncomfortable, near tears each night as I crawled into bed, and looking forward to meeting these two little babies that would join our family. Oh man, I am getting weepy - that is another post for another time. ;)

Caleb and Matthew have been mobile for months now...crawling, then crawling quickly, then puling up, the cruising along our furniture, and now.....WALKING!! Well, Matthew is sort of walking - between pieces of furniture - but, without holding onto anything for more that a couple of steps. Surely he gets full credit for that! Caleb, on the other hand, is walking EVERYWHERE! He can be found walking down the long hallway to get to his bedroom, walking to the kitchen to gather some crumbs that have collected in the foot rest of his high chair from lunch, walking to the bath tub when he hears the water running...the little guy is everywhere! This is an exciting milestone...and actually it comes a little later for than it did for Sam(10 months) and Luke(9 months). It changes everything...nothing is off limits to them now! God, help me! :)

Imagination Station with Sam

I had just gotten the 3 littlest ones down for a nap, Sam and I were trying to decide how we would spend our time together after we did the dishes. In the middle of our brainstorming session, Sam made this announcement, "Did you know I work as a policeman?" Thinking on my feet, I said, "No, tell me about it." This was all the encouragement he needed - the kid has an imagination in overdrive! He went on and on telling me about how "criminals and bandits are trying to take the food away from God's people and little children. We cannot stand for that, Mom. I have to go downstairs to get my cape and my boots. I need boots because it's raining." Then he went off to save the world...wearing his superman cape and his rain boots. What a joy!

Favorite Foto Friday

This is sweet baby Sam when he was 21 months old. We were vacationing in Florida and I caught him lounging by the pool. His sweet little tummy just melts my heart. I only wish my tummy had the same effect! :)

Who Are You?

My mom says I was a curious child...and apparently adulthood hasn't squelched this characteristic. I watch my little "feedjit" reader on the side of my blog. I see that folks from Lexington, KY, Belleville, IL, Muncie, IN, etc... are checking up on the Johnson Tribe. They are just locations...but, I know that there are actual people behind those locations. It's fun to think that someone, heck, anyone might be interested in what is going on in our world - that my time spent writing and uploading pics isn't in vain. (grin) But, my curiousity gets the best of me - I want to know who you are. I am so grateful for the internet and think it can be a great tool for good...but, I get frustrated by the anonymous nature of cyber communication. God created us for community - no one is anonymous in God's family. Would you mind posting a comment - say it loud and proud "WE FOLLOW THE JOHNSON TRIBE!"

Catch Up - Not to be Confused with Ketchup

The little men in their Christmas Pajamas. This was the best photo out of 6 - getting them all to look at the camera is like nailing gelatin to the wall!

Caleb wrestling Matthew to the ground...lot's of this happening now that they are very mobile!

The Fab Four after "Treats on Main" here in Wilmore. The main downtown street is closed off and businesses hand out candy and have games set up for the kiddos. Big Fun! Notice Mr. Incredible, the two M&M's, and Luke as himself. He chose to not wear his Buzz Lightyear costume - opting for the more non-traditional costume of a "2 year old boy." (grin)

Okay, I have shared before that while I take a lot of pictures - I am terrible about loading them onto my computer. That is why I am just now loading pics from the fall! We have this "mega sized" card in our camera, so it can hold several hundred pics. It isn't terribly difficult to do it - simply plug it into the USB port and turn on the camera. I have been thinking about why i don't do it more often, it really would be fun to show updated pics of the handsome young men living in this house (and that handsome big man who lives here, too). I think I procrastinate because it forces me to look at my very untidy "digital photo album' on my computer. It's a disaster - photos from every year and season all jumbled together. Oh sure, I have created little folders...I got lots and lots of them...the pics just don't always end up in them. Sometimes the pics end up in multiple places - and then I am unsure as to whether it's the only copy of it or if it exists in another folder somewhere. UGH. I need to start over...too bad I have over 6 years worth of pictures to wade through.