tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91079512643833348182024-03-06T02:37:12.243-06:00The Johnson TribeThe daily adventures of a stay-at-home mom of four busy little boys, ages 8 and under! This is the life of Sam (8), Luke (5), Caleb & Matthew (4).Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-15970066125253351262013-08-05T14:43:00.000-05:002013-08-06T11:58:03.955-05:00A Book Review: Whit's End Mealtime DevotionsThe good folks at Tyndale House Publishers sent me a free copy of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_9?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=whits%20end%20mealtime%20devotions&sprefix=whits+end%2Caps%2C435" target="_blank">Whit's End Mealtime Devotions</a> </i>to review. I was especially excited about this opportunity because we fan's of <a href="http://www.odysseyscoop.com/features/characters/JohnWhittaker.htm" target="_blank">Adventure's In Odyssey </a>and we have experimented in mealtime devotions for the last month or two...with mixed success. With four little boys at the table...this momma is always looking for ways to steer the conversation to things of God and away from the sounds your body can produce. {snicker}<br />
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Each devotion is one page long...short enough to keep my little movers and shakers interested. You'll find a mealtime prayer, an "appetizer" which includes questions to discuss, and then the "main course" where the verses are connected. Each "mealtime devotion" is ended with a review and then "vitamins and minerals" which serves as a summary. From start to finish, each devotion could take as little as 10 minutes...or longer if you encourage discussion.<u> </u><br />
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We enjoyed the book and I would recommend it to other families who are always looking for ways to keep their eyes on Jesus and avoid biological humor at the dinner table. {grin}<br />
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Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-18398476513858092682013-07-06T22:29:00.003-05:002013-07-06T22:29:57.417-05:00Cousin Camp 2013We love living in Kentucky. The only thing we don't love is that our family isn't here with us. I am blessed to be "Aunt Tina" to 5 nieces and 2 nephews...I love, love, love being an aunt. My boys love their cousins with a wild, crazy, over-the-top sort of love. Rightfully so. They are blessed with amazing cousins. My "older" nieces and nephew (college aged) are not shy about playing with my boys and giving them lots of attention - and my boys love it!<br />
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Each year, we invite the "younger" cousins to visit our home in Kentucky for a week of "Cousin Camp." It's the highlight of the year for my boys. It's a week full of playing, laughing, loving, eating (oh my, the amount of food that seven children can consume is astonishing!), and making lots and lots of memories.<br />
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This year, we visited a horse farm with our friend (who also happens to be our dog's vet), Michelle. She patiently taught the kids how to care for a horse and let them experience it for themselves. They all loved it! After caring for the horses, she led us to the orchard on the farm and let us ride her horse, Dallas. It was such an amazing experience to see the kids overcome their nervousness and try something new. What a blessing to spend the morning at the farm with Michelle. Matthew caught his first frog while we were there and was devastated when he couldn't bring it home.<br />
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We did our best to assure him that he could find another frog at home. As soon as we got home, he started searching our backyard for a new frog friend. He didn't find a frog - but, he did find a baby bird that had fallen from it's nest. We had to do a little "wildlife rescue" and return it to the nest {full disclosure: I got freaked out and asked the neighbor to help me}.<br />
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We made our annual trip to the drive-in movie theater near our house. My dad loved drive-in movies and it's nice to see that "love" passed down to his grandchildren. We stayed up WAY too late and had a great time!<br />
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We also enjoyed a trip to the local frozen yogurt shop - and got to choose from 108 toppings! The kiddos were in heaven! <br />
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There was also lots of time to just "be kids." They rode bikes, made crafts, played basketball, created their own "rock band" (complete with break dancers), Grace read bedtime stories to my littlest men, we slipped and slided in our backyard, enjoyed a "fireworks" show in our cul de sac, watched movies together, played hide and seek, and even created a few games of their own :"spies" and "monster in the closet." I didn't take pictures of half of the fun...I was too busy having fun to pick up the camera!<br />
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Cousin Camp 2013 was busy, loud, fun, wonderful, and full of precious memories. It's a lot of work to pull off a week like this...but, my heart is full and I can hardly wait until next year. (grin)<br />
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Here are a few of the highlights from this year's Cousin Camp:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40JY1c4KbZVm7iaGfhms7HIkYpwGeDiyrlKQ78qB1yG6UWQjUA1tqS8qPHvAdPXyvTBNWsXP-gF-oth4czMhhm9TPS7XACQeJFiseV0r5tILC4aqksPVX36mcxPRQCC9AjAhwPgdOMnfb/s1600/cousin+camp+2013+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40JY1c4KbZVm7iaGfhms7HIkYpwGeDiyrlKQ78qB1yG6UWQjUA1tqS8qPHvAdPXyvTBNWsXP-gF-oth4czMhhm9TPS7XACQeJFiseV0r5tILC4aqksPVX36mcxPRQCC9AjAhwPgdOMnfb/s320/cousin+camp+2013+017.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had to get up early to help with </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">barn chores, </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but Luke was happy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakTMN0zyCWwytxTzp8jOGx39Rc2awCnrtSxxX8mTpwaY6jDC-AA1xC3FPkSYA_cMfqcay-oJZv5dZDhMslhAUfV1AYmtFSIY8KIPCY26OlHufgg4holi_XFPYjVzEsofVtGA-zvl0sc0E/s1600/cousin+camp+2013+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakTMN0zyCWwytxTzp8jOGx39Rc2awCnrtSxxX8mTpwaY6jDC-AA1xC3FPkSYA_cMfqcay-oJZv5dZDhMslhAUfV1AYmtFSIY8KIPCY26OlHufgg4holi_XFPYjVzEsofVtGA-zvl0sc0E/s320/cousin+camp+2013+029.JPG" title="johnson tribe" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam at work.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zack making friends.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOzXROlptO1x6k3uo3ycqArm9-xIcPR5TIHIrYmt2bAngwn7swdCG_30DaIyhUqQsvulZs29KL8S3_eStQ7M59zq9EfgEgVc8nTiG1h8DOzLraOJ8IMXxqhqwuahVxG6Z91JzNx6igcFr/s1600/cousin+camp+2013+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOzXROlptO1x6k3uo3ycqArm9-xIcPR5TIHIrYmt2bAngwn7swdCG_30DaIyhUqQsvulZs29KL8S3_eStQ7M59zq9EfgEgVc8nTiG1h8DOzLraOJ8IMXxqhqwuahVxG6Z91JzNx6igcFr/s320/cousin+camp+2013+019.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb was thrilled to help lead the horse out of the stall.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NkLtovOlBAwXR3w-Wwm_LEoyrzoLSdZr8BQ3ivPZX6eOSYHNbd8pmRI4XadboXXmqt2x21fk-ZB8OjIxP1GFVhC_QBx8RAhyOMcBVW5A7qPfj9xseCQBoQ-9DUiO15h9mG-502UgsNwP/s1600/cousin+camp+2013+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NkLtovOlBAwXR3w-Wwm_LEoyrzoLSdZr8BQ3ivPZX6eOSYHNbd8pmRI4XadboXXmqt2x21fk-ZB8OjIxP1GFVhC_QBx8RAhyOMcBVW5A7qPfj9xseCQBoQ-9DUiO15h9mG-502UgsNwP/s320/cousin+camp+2013+047.JPG" width="178" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our friend, Michelle, teaching Matthew how to clean the horse's feet.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh783lwpc3alUEbmDAeL8AnGBWdeceKKb6p7XN9n9PzKvNVfAFTuw5yPBNpHWqenVIpImFJtAWeLLqBW9Ojc6u0MNSiAj9wdahyphenhyphenxIpAtEfOMVUV5CmLibEdNMBMJqx7CUQ_GhSM03fDf8E2/s1600/cousin+camp+2013+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh783lwpc3alUEbmDAeL8AnGBWdeceKKb6p7XN9n9PzKvNVfAFTuw5yPBNpHWqenVIpImFJtAWeLLqBW9Ojc6u0MNSiAj9wdahyphenhyphenxIpAtEfOMVUV5CmLibEdNMBMJqx7CUQ_GhSM03fDf8E2/s400/cousin+camp+2013+034.JPG" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lillee and Grace brushing the horse.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuFQsFW4RAe48FNZMTUIlg9RqvQSnw0ESJyEb2km1JNqtkQ2-7X4EXGpinUTw8b0n4tXDNsFrBiEe8EsBjoMDPXcYYxcRjmA4HEREbYupMQrBO4hlXFQox2slI83lfw0dxnyIzH-MriVQ/s1600/cousin+camp+2013+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuFQsFW4RAe48FNZMTUIlg9RqvQSnw0ESJyEb2km1JNqtkQ2-7X4EXGpinUTw8b0n4tXDNsFrBiEe8EsBjoMDPXcYYxcRjmA4HEREbYupMQrBO4hlXFQox2slI83lfw0dxnyIzH-MriVQ/s640/cousin+camp+2013+055.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The joy on Matthew's face is so precious!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibI_FkpW7DFup8iONRl8pjw-Iqlbo83kuXuowCitbTTcl4qutPRmjda45Soo2nsK8gFjMT41XUB5J_JgYKux4YL4f1FUABywPbLreCW1zG_rc0_DvyEzt0MktllNf5ib-7vWbNVf3XDGq/s1600/cousin+camp+2013+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibI_FkpW7DFup8iONRl8pjw-Iqlbo83kuXuowCitbTTcl4qutPRmjda45Soo2nsK8gFjMT41XUB5J_JgYKux4YL4f1FUABywPbLreCW1zG_rc0_DvyEzt0MktllNf5ib-7vWbNVf3XDGq/s400/cousin+camp+2013+062.JPG" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gracie looking lovely.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lillee was concentrating.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwe15P73-Tdgjoc8POvFpgJUpInJARrlCu0lWe5P2FGsoOnx1GUIoQovYPJhGLmVeWK3MH-YgY39kR3w3mnXp9Hm0qelyP-TOfHkjNn0elHBi_iBy0JryUCIOr8L_I7rr9Z2PIkBOb300I/s1600/cousin+camp+2013+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwe15P73-Tdgjoc8POvFpgJUpInJARrlCu0lWe5P2FGsoOnx1GUIoQovYPJhGLmVeWK3MH-YgY39kR3w3mnXp9Hm0qelyP-TOfHkjNn0elHBi_iBy0JryUCIOr8L_I7rr9Z2PIkBOb300I/s640/cousin+camp+2013+079.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking some apples from a tree in the orchard.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMxXKRFaMz_2zOqLMsagWMYFfytrm0Mk2I_SY3awEgFWG55IIyZk1Of_I1gAHYOSatmvRfR8NabJ5SzP4M_Ea-YK3XiROtekJFiDmTav4EG9iPx91PIR1yN0sLYQ_x9enst8pEbH1gHw5/s1600/cousin+camp+2013+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMxXKRFaMz_2zOqLMsagWMYFfytrm0Mk2I_SY3awEgFWG55IIyZk1Of_I1gAHYOSatmvRfR8NabJ5SzP4M_Ea-YK3XiROtekJFiDmTav4EG9iPx91PIR1yN0sLYQ_x9enst8pEbH1gHw5/s320/cousin+camp+2013+087.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb loved riding horses.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8J7gbcmucGrqJsS5WZK0HkGG7AZ98a5IqXur8gNrrGmMTM6Vqz9EXBgmnHTRcylK4wtAd4FXFAkS2ee9VJzSdl6zmZf1F5vT7z6dCmjyTPZ4DHZpjaQsWdOXoGXs15_UwoXozhoXy9Tl/s1600/cousin+camp+2013+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8J7gbcmucGrqJsS5WZK0HkGG7AZ98a5IqXur8gNrrGmMTM6Vqz9EXBgmnHTRcylK4wtAd4FXFAkS2ee9VJzSdl6zmZf1F5vT7z6dCmjyTPZ4DHZpjaQsWdOXoGXs15_UwoXozhoXy9Tl/s640/cousin+camp+2013+092.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle riding Dallas through the alfalfa field.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gSpVRBqto-6WjqTLCi_SnP4yP7kuW6opXYqUxiI1UHs_m2zSc7favMe9EuplShXkzYx8YIe4fdxrKaec1inPbQoEONS2spnk-GdSvyRnVqEVyDieaOuXWKALfnKlAoW9O38Ei0qZWo0k/s1600/COUSIN+CAMP+2013+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gSpVRBqto-6WjqTLCi_SnP4yP7kuW6opXYqUxiI1UHs_m2zSc7favMe9EuplShXkzYx8YIe4fdxrKaec1inPbQoEONS2spnk-GdSvyRnVqEVyDieaOuXWKALfnKlAoW9O38Ei0qZWo0k/s320/COUSIN+CAMP+2013+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zack giving Matthew a hand with roasting by candlelight.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DyTLCoJWObBqZkfQVS9b9l-YfG8N7Gj2MVTKMCz854CEp-bMrTEUUa6mP5x2Lj8Id1ojq0haQwqX-yO8WFO3m0jPD-_RoHsjaQn3E_3OsJ1d4fwggZzA6ECdEg8kpQRbxI4faIvuRgf9/s1600/COUSIN+CAMP+2013+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DyTLCoJWObBqZkfQVS9b9l-YfG8N7Gj2MVTKMCz854CEp-bMrTEUUa6mP5x2Lj8Id1ojq0haQwqX-yO8WFO3m0jPD-_RoHsjaQn3E_3OsJ1d4fwggZzA6ECdEg8kpQRbxI4faIvuRgf9/s400/COUSIN+CAMP+2013+008.JPG" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweet niece, Morgan, surprised us with a visit. We surprised her with a birthday cake!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFrtzSXxsvvH5rRbcEAGHUwg8HrWCFBVluWk_YyNiUSk_XflXSkj6yQaSbkZhi8k2UWEkfBgOZNP17JiRspKR68NUOO1NOC_TXG5jd0dE4jRp0iptBpHFj6YQkd96bRWo0VP9f4roVgZ1/s1600/COUSIN+CAMP+2013+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFrtzSXxsvvH5rRbcEAGHUwg8HrWCFBVluWk_YyNiUSk_XflXSkj6yQaSbkZhi8k2UWEkfBgOZNP17JiRspKR68NUOO1NOC_TXG5jd0dE4jRp0iptBpHFj6YQkd96bRWo0VP9f4roVgZ1/s320/COUSIN+CAMP+2013+025.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lillee trying to stay dry (in spite of her umbrella) while watching the fireworks.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqFCezPw5jtIojFU0Nst_d9LnFdcp_zcwaPy4tor_C75zdLS3fBEizK4KSiMy_3gRrbXwThbBrkLM02ntoJC8oe3PrWZmERVd5_AUT2uMrnjJfCEsZNLQmDHKBtl8RYp3A6aAknkUFl2D/s1600/COUSIN+CAMP+2013+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqFCezPw5jtIojFU0Nst_d9LnFdcp_zcwaPy4tor_C75zdLS3fBEizK4KSiMy_3gRrbXwThbBrkLM02ntoJC8oe3PrWZmERVd5_AUT2uMrnjJfCEsZNLQmDHKBtl8RYp3A6aAknkUFl2D/s320/COUSIN+CAMP+2013+030.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother, his wife, and my niece watching the show.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdicQeLrJ34bkj4-GtPP-ikcU0MTUq-rk_nNwuHJxor8Jw8RcddTlR19h7A0wCXm1ZgKBdvBPg5w0Q5dBVQw7yoMKHyehA_FHS42sR3b4zPYX3f6dqMGYIToX-A3PIpnSf1eH71bYRqxmY/s1600/COUSIN+CAMP+2013+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdicQeLrJ34bkj4-GtPP-ikcU0MTUq-rk_nNwuHJxor8Jw8RcddTlR19h7A0wCXm1ZgKBdvBPg5w0Q5dBVQw7yoMKHyehA_FHS42sR3b4zPYX3f6dqMGYIToX-A3PIpnSf1eH71bYRqxmY/s400/COUSIN+CAMP+2013+036.JPG" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb working to find enough rain to relieve his thirst.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmRH8emcLRn01YPnu18ind4RrIHIx9TRBaXECeIuwe1nLEvtYxj9KDZybx2b1-gZwzbw-BYjytAWEXdFMeR2hsXBvbA4y8whwk3a_kL1GQ1VsdlnRnmJ9tOMDjYjlvTp_TCkIPO6iICmV/s1600/COUSIN+CAMP+2013+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmRH8emcLRn01YPnu18ind4RrIHIx9TRBaXECeIuwe1nLEvtYxj9KDZybx2b1-gZwzbw-BYjytAWEXdFMeR2hsXBvbA4y8whwk3a_kL1GQ1VsdlnRnmJ9tOMDjYjlvTp_TCkIPO6iICmV/s320/COUSIN+CAMP+2013+049.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthew enjoying his first sparkler. I am frightened by the joy that fire and explosives brought to his life!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_GAQ_uJfHPEIoUy2mQHcCYN4GyorqNY1-vliDNzt5veho5XS-wNJgCCrqKRlYqfIkVVTT2n2fp6u5Xmwr9WnsIphuavxGMlD35cPm7JlScFMGp3QkgH6v_QbzIkcLxB52FBTwzs6FP5K/s1600/COUSIN+CAMP+2013+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_GAQ_uJfHPEIoUy2mQHcCYN4GyorqNY1-vliDNzt5veho5XS-wNJgCCrqKRlYqfIkVVTT2n2fp6u5Xmwr9WnsIphuavxGMlD35cPm7JlScFMGp3QkgH6v_QbzIkcLxB52FBTwzs6FP5K/s320/COUSIN+CAMP+2013+064.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother and my nephew, Zack.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlBqEvGzshpWR8VltbTHuQddlgFmJbMJ8XtqYuOrWLhgh6gGIgSzQMVor2q_s9aaRSNo3n3ff5If0HQAMYBedLx4alSnDPTdzQF5ktjn-6GyWF-Ktx27ky-jItoSZKcrGM2EvAJlxR4c8/s1600/COUSIN+CAMP+2013+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlBqEvGzshpWR8VltbTHuQddlgFmJbMJ8XtqYuOrWLhgh6gGIgSzQMVor2q_s9aaRSNo3n3ff5If0HQAMYBedLx4alSnDPTdzQF5ktjn-6GyWF-Ktx27ky-jItoSZKcrGM2EvAJlxR4c8/s640/COUSIN+CAMP+2013+061.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb loves his Uncle Jeff so much! He asked me to take this picture of the two of them.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtml3LSAUYmuTtakPqoNj7WTLvUpKsRvWuuUz1r2XruqfX5BHQ7s-jWBdm70NUk2TfHYWCQk2xGuzx41te7-X3DSqMgqpSSfjZD9ITj4fp9T3hYEdonk8B7VF2vqUoxkhLSYDGttDyFCzb/s1600/COUSIN+CAMP+2013+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtml3LSAUYmuTtakPqoNj7WTLvUpKsRvWuuUz1r2XruqfX5BHQ7s-jWBdm70NUk2TfHYWCQk2xGuzx41te7-X3DSqMgqpSSfjZD9ITj4fp9T3hYEdonk8B7VF2vqUoxkhLSYDGttDyFCzb/s400/COUSIN+CAMP+2013+075.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the fireworks "show" Brad started a jump rope party in the cul de sac. :)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0o5q22Pb8QoMXattriR-cfFyrtabR-wu8CsuHmLrMklhD6F6W-AxwtkOSmubU8ohblVUFVvrCNDIkwVFPncrdFI2WZPz74SToybRSTd8QkyhR9H86uiw4CR3_J49v5xaFDRZK8yUzlZG/s1600/COUSIN+CAMP+2013+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0o5q22Pb8QoMXattriR-cfFyrtabR-wu8CsuHmLrMklhD6F6W-AxwtkOSmubU8ohblVUFVvrCNDIkwVFPncrdFI2WZPz74SToybRSTd8QkyhR9H86uiw4CR3_J49v5xaFDRZK8yUzlZG/s320/COUSIN+CAMP+2013+082.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were all sad when "the cousins" and their parent's left....but, so thankful for the beautiful double rainbow this evening.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-57688079017284395712013-06-17T12:47:00.000-05:002013-06-17T12:47:18.003-05:00It's a Dangerous Cycle & Catching Up (part 1)I find myself caught in this crazy cycle regarding this blog. It just seems that all of my "pistons" are not firing at the same time. For example, I get ready to blog about some sort of happening in our lives and then: I don't have photos uploaded, I seem to run out of time/creativity,or most commonly, after a day of settling disputes and keep the children occupied - I am left unable to write in complete sentences. Then, after a long silence on the ole family blog...I am overwhelmed by the thought of catching up. So, I just continue to neglect the blog. <br />
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Lately, as I look at my sweet little men it's so evident that they are growing and changing at such an alarming rate...it makes my heart race if I dwell on it. These days are crazy, loud, chaotic, busy, overwhelming, dirty, messy, and completely wonderful. {sigh} The days go by so quickly, consumed with activity and cleaning up from said activities...that I forget to savor them. These are some of the sweetest days of my life and I need to have a record of them. My children and I will need to read about these days and remember how God provided, protected, and loved us.<br />
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So, with that being said...it's time to "fire up" the blog again! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDOsvBWCefksekj3AdcKQW1sT1bcD0CG9ie6ZuLC9LWSIr1hXkuVXSk_qpDGVT0YSKoALwxv2RRXaSP9b9hMm0uArRG3SoVhGsLG4ZRAdX-y1DYFhCd9YU_lt65cENuGCqFZOwDZaRbj6/s1600/luke's+b-day+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDOsvBWCefksekj3AdcKQW1sT1bcD0CG9ie6ZuLC9LWSIr1hXkuVXSk_qpDGVT0YSKoALwxv2RRXaSP9b9hMm0uArRG3SoVhGsLG4ZRAdX-y1DYFhCd9YU_lt65cENuGCqFZOwDZaRbj6/s320/luke's+b-day+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor Luke was sick on his birthday (second year in a row) and had to cancel his party. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyfyXUMDKUohNWZ4EKYF5Udw2ORg4gbsVY37qPaZH5mORRnGU2TJEnKld5fpX74ICKhVcoZEQqtHwwZh_TKPQ8tH-a81HgB8XX15f8agrFStorh8XvJzKdAg064Eq0mLG8wZCfKtsBZ4c/s1600/luke's+b-day+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyfyXUMDKUohNWZ4EKYF5Udw2ORg4gbsVY37qPaZH5mORRnGU2TJEnKld5fpX74ICKhVcoZEQqtHwwZh_TKPQ8tH-a81HgB8XX15f8agrFStorh8XvJzKdAg064Eq0mLG8wZCfKtsBZ4c/s320/luke's+b-day+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening gifts seemed to make him feel better, for a while.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TplrkSCbVPtMHEvnWM7jLXXVnXeWs-qzI30oDVO1wfe5NSGT0IBJ1EF9Bn2c__pYJkgiqqHpVFBWRf7bxaN3KkCHfzNF9VRABQdx1GYJ_3EycVQCpi4IZqTAtMU2GZrFW9RWy7UdE7fe/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TplrkSCbVPtMHEvnWM7jLXXVnXeWs-qzI30oDVO1wfe5NSGT0IBJ1EF9Bn2c__pYJkgiqqHpVFBWRf7bxaN3KkCHfzNF9VRABQdx1GYJ_3EycVQCpi4IZqTAtMU2GZrFW9RWy7UdE7fe/s320/010.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few weeks later, we celebrated his birthday with our dear friends, The Bellew's.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIjilm33u2ceNyE4RLNG-q4rAl29OEDB1HfXw4U46YxKiGbumeTCRm8qXyGdPBrMIn2zRgJIRZFHx3keKaYgnM3rHULObRqECFG3xczNkH5QM_ufY5AIcJq2g8r9qbdh1oQADnEWN0Oy3/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIjilm33u2ceNyE4RLNG-q4rAl29OEDB1HfXw4U46YxKiGbumeTCRm8qXyGdPBrMIn2zRgJIRZFHx3keKaYgnM3rHULObRqECFG3xczNkH5QM_ufY5AIcJq2g8r9qbdh1oQADnEWN0Oy3/s320/015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With our 4 kiddos and the 5 Bellew kiddos - it was a party!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5jQ6Q_6jzZ3r2PWZk4n9E0OxSCL1vpJItXwORnavwDcKXT-hWQKM2MDK3CkE-2jWY5FV3DHH8GS17ro9RUlVEkgYNUmLCiV11jKxyY12wKQzj58mijHfHrwxD3xw3bkP1_9cPwcrvFa7/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5jQ6Q_6jzZ3r2PWZk4n9E0OxSCL1vpJItXwORnavwDcKXT-hWQKM2MDK3CkE-2jWY5FV3DHH8GS17ro9RUlVEkgYNUmLCiV11jKxyY12wKQzj58mijHfHrwxD3xw3bkP1_9cPwcrvFa7/s320/013.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjMQbapdYWvF7SD5cgWxhDp1CvkEj4MpPIl-UZ-uh57IvRKGH-SNpmE0RkoXQr20Wum4wu1p3I-KuzuLg-ynB0yyN6I4ZuDZ1FFsu-NNmSUXt76MJs65atk8j-qwp2Kq8tNNEUTrKq638/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjMQbapdYWvF7SD5cgWxhDp1CvkEj4MpPIl-UZ-uh57IvRKGH-SNpmE0RkoXQr20Wum4wu1p3I-KuzuLg-ynB0yyN6I4ZuDZ1FFsu-NNmSUXt76MJs65atk8j-qwp2Kq8tNNEUTrKq638/s320/018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">enjoying some cake!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRaqnVrmbVOSnjEecNtslrx4lxbpIxjKjUt4CkHlBhWnjYN8-GViIUwdGL3GSA5SzgMLlK7DxD4lm2yhOXS39jIBs0JGhJL3Rhgn4Z9mBnIz8jqWUnLrdXo5i_y7KBeIr2vDAXLnEfGXb/s1600/luke's+b-day+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRaqnVrmbVOSnjEecNtslrx4lxbpIxjKjUt4CkHlBhWnjYN8-GViIUwdGL3GSA5SzgMLlK7DxD4lm2yhOXS39jIBs0JGhJL3Rhgn4Z9mBnIz8jqWUnLrdXo5i_y7KBeIr2vDAXLnEfGXb/s320/luke's+b-day+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam and I were able to attend a NCAA game in Lexington, The Butler Bulldogs over Bucknell!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over Spring Break, we took a tour of the Ale-8 factory in Winchester, KY. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our lovely friend, Miss Katie, joined us!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Johnson clan with their first bottle of soda.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthew lost his first tooth! At age five, he is the youngest Johnson to have ever lost a tooth!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb still has all of his teeth, but apparently lost his mind! {little comedian}</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-89898942026682452332013-03-17T20:52:00.000-05:002013-03-17T20:52:25.982-05:00Birthday Boys!I've been living in denial. As if my baby boys wouldn't actually be another year older now if I didn't blog about it and document it with pictures. {snicker} Those cute little boys who rocked our world and doubled the number of children in our family entered the world five years ago on January 25th.<br />
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It's been a big year for them. Learning and growing so much and working hard to keep up with their bigger brothers. It's been a joy to watch their personalities change and their interests develop. <br />
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Caleb really enjoys drawing, writing, coloring, building Lego creations, wrestling, giggling, being read to, snuggling, and dreaming about skateboarding when he "gets taller." <br />
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Matthew is a lover of people. He loves to engage people around him (friends and strangers, alike!) in conversation. He is incredibly "physical" and loves any activity that requires him to be in motion! His first love is basketball. We have an indoor goal and foam ball that transforms our living room into a gym...and Matthew plays daily. He loves to be outdoors and "adventure" is among his favorite words. <br />
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Sweet Matthew loves to write his name!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our dear friend, Mr. Dave, was so patient in helping Caleb with his new Lego set.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cupcakes!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys were blessed with some very generous gifts from their friends and family.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb opening his gifts.<br />
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They requested just a few friends to join them for the birthday fun. What a blessing to see Caleb and Matthew enjoy being loved and celebrated! Sweet little fellas were sure to thank everyone for their gifts...and delighted in having some new things to play with.<br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Happy 5th Birthday to my sweet little boys! We love you, Caleb and Matthew!</span></em><br />
Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-22558941056730656572013-02-13T10:44:00.000-06:002013-02-13T10:45:30.144-06:00A Book Review: Miracle For Jen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The story of an seemingly perfect family of four living life, loving Jesus...until an evening drive home from a school choir concert changed everything. The Barrick Family was hit by a drunk driver and the results were devastating. The entire family sustained injuries...and nearly claimed the life of their daughter, Jen. <br />
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The book follows the journey of this family as they struggle to heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Mrs. Barrick shares of the difficulties of the recovery and forgiveness with great honesty. It was inspiring to read of how the body of Christ came together to support this family during their months of recovery. Their family and friends kept vigil at Jen's bedside when her parent's were unable to be with her. This family was surrounded in prayer, provided with meals, encouraged, and care for. An amazing testimony of how God uses His people to share His great love. <br />
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Although Jen's life is forever changed as a result of a traumatic brain injury...her relationship with Jesus only grows deeper. God has written a miraculous story of healing in her life - and she is eager to share it. <br />
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This book was a quick-read and very inspiring. I would recommend this book to my friends.<br />
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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-19784447360107985052013-01-10T14:44:00.000-06:002013-01-10T14:44:41.267-06:00Hello 2013!So, the last blog post was a bit heavy and emotional...because sometimes life is like that. It's also light and funny at times...God is present in both. I am grateful. <br />
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New Year's Eve holds no special place in the life of our family. Our kiddos are relatively young...and lack of sleep makes them grouchy and mean. Who needs more of that in their lives? Not this momma! {snicker} I got enough of my own! My dear hubby is also an early to bed, early to rise sort of guy...so, it's really asking too much for him to stay up past midnight just to kiss me and let out a "whoot!" for the new year. So, I am usually the only one up to watch the ball drop and usher in the coming year. Honestly, we are really fun people - the fun just usually happens before midnight!<br />
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We are not big "resolution" sorts of people, either. But, this year was a bit different. As we sat down to dinner on January 1, 2013...I asked the boys to think of a goal they had for the coming year. I explained that a goal was something you wanted to accomplish, to get better at something, a new habit you wanted to gain, etc... You know, just to get their "wheels" spinning and inspire some good ideas. <br />
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So, our responsible first-born responded with something about not wanting to fail third grade (he is an excellent student - and not in danger of failing) and wanting to help poor people. Love his heart.<br />
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Then, we moved around the table to our youngest child (4), who said something I can't remember and then something I hope I never forget, "I am going to try to not pick my nose when we go to special places." Ha! I love the honesty...and what exactly would qualify as a "special" place? <br />
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Next up, our second born kiddo...with a big heart. He shared about how he wanted to share things that he had with people who didn't have very much. He also wanted to give his food to hungry people. Love this.<br />
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Around the table again, to our third born...who shared that if he "gets lots of money" he will share it with the poor. I love his generous heart and pray that he isn't planning to play the lotto. {snicker}<br />
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So, I began to notice a theme developing...God is growing our boy's hearts for the "least of these." So, I guess we had all better get moving in that direction in more intentional ways (that our boys can see). I've been praying for opportunities that are age-appropriate for our kiddos. <br />
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We've also begun a new habit for the new year. We're reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Calling-365-Devotions-Kids/dp/1400316340/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357849192&sr=1-1&keywords=jesus+calling+for+kids" target="_blank">this little gem</a> (for the life of me, blogger will not allow me to open a photo of the cover here) each day after dinner. I have been reading the adult version of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Calling-Enjoying-Peace-Presence/dp/1591451884#_">"Jesus Calling"</a>" for a few years now...and I love it. It blesses me and reminds me of Jesus' great love for me. <br />
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So, we are reading it together daily as a family each night. As is much of our life, sometimes it's a blessed time together and other times, it's a total train wreck. {snicker} We're learning to embrace it all!<br />
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<br />Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-61467934841309894462013-01-03T01:27:00.000-06:002013-01-03T01:27:42.384-06:00overcome.It's nearly two o'clock in the morning. My boys are sleeping soundly, I can hear Brad breathing softly in the bed next to me...I should be sleeping. My body is exhausted, but my mind won't follow it's lead. So, I crawl out of my warm bed and stumble into the living room. I find my Bible and search for comfort. It's one of those nights when sleep won't come, but grief does. <br />
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I miss my parents terribly. My heart aches for what should have been. It simply wasn't supposed to be this way. Who would ever imagine that within 15 months both of your parent's would die? It simply wasn't in my plans...or theirs, for that matter. Still, I find myself here...in this place of grieving, in spite of my well-laid plans.<br />
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Grief is such a strange road to walk. At times, I am completely at peace. I am confident that my Mom and Dad are with Jesus. There is simply no greater comfort. I know because of His saving work on the cross, I can be with them again someday in Heaven. While there is tremendous peace, it doesn't erase the pain of loss. It's a source of comfort - but, not a cure. <br />
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Some days, it's as if a tsunami of grief and sadness threaten to overcome me. Usually, these feelings creep into my mind late at night...when the duties of my day are finished. My hands are idle, but my mind is not. At times, I struggle to discern if this is simply the way of grief or if it's a spiritual battle. Is the enemy whispering worry into my heart and mind? I am being tempted to replay the past instead of looking to the future?<br />
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At times, I feel simply overcome with grief. The loss is tremendous. The pain goes deep. I enjoyed a great relationship, a friendship, with my Mom and Dad. They loved me, my husband, and my little boys so well. I miss their support and encouragement. I miss the way my mom would celebrate with me when one of my kiddos accomplished something. I miss my dad saying, "Well, hello girls!" when he walked into our house to find my boys waiting for him to arrive. I miss my mom helping me clean the kitchen and folding laundry when she visited...she wanted to bless me. <br />
My mind is flooded with images of my parents tonight. I can see vividly my sweet mom's face as I prayed with her just before her surgery. While she would miraculously survive the complicated procedure to save her life...I would never <em>really see her again.</em> Days later, we learned that she had no brain function. She was already gone. Shocking - she had been healthy just days before. I'm overcome with sadness.<br />
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I remember walking into my dad's hospital room just eleven months later to find him attached to all sorts of wires and tubes. He had suffered a massive heart attack. The cardiologist explained that he had literally suffered from a "broken heart." The physical heart is enlarged as a result of some major emotional trauma. Typically, the heart returns to normal size within a couple of months. Not so with my dad. He suffered physically for months, but managed to make some unforgettable memories with his family along the way. We all showered him with love and he showered us, too. In my mind, I can see him sitting in a wheelchair in the cardiologist's office, waiting for his pacemaker to be turned off. He had made peace and he was ready to go home to Heaven. The tsunami of grief threatens to overwhelm me again. <br />
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After wading through the sadness, hot tears on my cheeks, and a heaviness in my heart...I realize that I am <strong><em>not overcome</em>. </strong>Grief and sadness may threaten to rob me of my joy, but it's impossible. I will not be overcome because of Jesus. His death and resurrection have <strong><em>overcome </em></strong>death and despair. Jesus has taken my sadness, grief, and sin as His own...and overcome death forever. Even the most powerful feeling cannot change that. Thanks be to God.<br />
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<br /><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have <b>overcome</b> the world.” </em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>John 16: 32-33</em></span></div>
Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-22776078323181555342012-12-26T21:35:00.001-06:002012-12-26T21:37:52.809-06:00Happy Birthday, Jesus!The advent/Christmas season is such a rich time for our family. We have deep-seated traditions that add meaning and act as an "anchor" of sorts for our family. My boys know that we will drive around in our pajamas looking out the foggy windows of our minivan to see every light display in nearby neighborhoods. They count on making and icing Christmas sugar cookies...being sure to add as many sprinkles as possible. My boys know that we will gather with our extended family for food and fun. They know that we will watch Linus remind us of the "real meaning of Christmas" at least once each year...and they also know that I will wipe my moist eyes when sweet Linus has finished. {grin} Sam, Luke, Caleb, and Matthew will probably always expect to receive new pajamas each Christmas Eve (matching, of course). My boys know that we will bake/decorate a birthday cake for Jesus and sing to him on Christmas day (although, I hope they don't remember that the only candle I had in the house this year was in the shape of a "9"). I hope that someday (if the Lord should tarry and they are blessed with family's of their own) my boys snuggle under warm blankets and read special books about the amazing gift God gave the world in His sweet baby boy, Jesus.<br />
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As much as I love these traditions, they make my parent's absence even more noticeable. It's sort of a bittersweet time. This time last year, my dad had just recently gone home to heaven and it was our second Christmas without my mom. It's hard. My own childhood was rich with family traditions...my mom was crazy about Christmas! My heart is filled with the joy of Christmas and my heart aches to celebrate with my parents. Things are good...but, very different. Sometimes, my heart longs for what used to be. <br />
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More than any temporal feeling of happiness or sadness, my heart is filled with <em>joy.</em> The kind of joy that comes from a friendship with Jesus. What an amazing thing to know that God wanted so desperately to know us...really<em> know</em> us and for us to truly know the depth of His love for us - that He sent a baby. As a mother, this part of God's plan is not lost on me. A helpless, adorable, needy, sweet baby was sent to save the world. Amazing. <br />
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Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-44684079431708543672012-11-29T09:09:00.001-06:002012-11-29T09:09:57.396-06:00Trick or Treat 2012Living in a small town has its perks. One of them is Trick or Treating on Main Street. The local fire department uses their trucks to block off Main Street for a couple of hours and businesses, churches, and even individuals pass out candy to little treat-seekers. It's really quite a social event in our little town. {grin} For the most part, there are no creepy costumes...and you're always sure to see a grown-up man in his Winnie the Pooh costume. My kiddos look forward to seeing him each year. <br />
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I know that many folks have differing opinions about Halloween and participating in it's festivities. Honestly, I am not sure what we would do (or not do) if we didn't live in Wilmore. Our "trick-or-treating" is a fun and friendly experience for families. My boys love to dress up - the excitement is over the top! They love to see their friends and neighbors all dressed up, too. We go downtown and gather candy, play a few carnival games, and then go home. I am so thankful that our sweet little town avoids the gorry, creepy, evil side of this holiday. We're able to claim it for fun family memories instead. And there were certainly lot's of memorable moments to enjoy!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My four little "treats" posing in front of the Wilmore Fire Truck.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mario (Caleb) & Luigi (Matthew) <br />
I still giggle each time I look at this pic. {little sweeties - big 'staches}<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam was one cool "ninja"<br />
Can't believe how big he is.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luigi & Mario found a Transformer!<br />
Luke loves robotic things that move and twist...s<br />
o, he was super excited about this costume.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb's "big eyes" face. Cracks us up everytime!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Johnson boy's with their jack-o-lanterns.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While we were gathering treats on Main Street we found another Mario and Luigi!<br />
This is one of Brad's students and his son. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All aglow!</td></tr>
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<br />Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-4594290492311873482012-11-27T13:03:00.001-06:002012-11-27T16:49:15.309-06:00Fall Break - Day 3<br />
Our last day in Indiana found us at The Indianapolis Children's Museum. Our dear friends, Tom and Jan, were brave enough to join us for the fun. And, did we ever have fun! From the time we arrived until we reluctantly left (nearly 6 hours later), we had a great time. Every one of our six senses was heightened at one point or another - the boys were in heaven!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNWr2sqY6cPGFYdD1Bdmy8bUaDi_xQZjFYM1ct8t_z0sqftSvzeCIIf7AiipKtmzNvT5rF_GCsa2zZoyo-RAFPaAC2cQvNINKvYiJuEouGGx1zCKv-QDwUp8rSZJQT_9Rl3K1tJwPJVK1/s1600/229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNWr2sqY6cPGFYdD1Bdmy8bUaDi_xQZjFYM1ct8t_z0sqftSvzeCIIf7AiipKtmzNvT5rF_GCsa2zZoyo-RAFPaAC2cQvNINKvYiJuEouGGx1zCKv-QDwUp8rSZJQT_9Rl3K1tJwPJVK1/s320/229.JPG" width="320" /></a>I managed to capture this sweet image (save Sam and Luke's crazy faces) just before we left. The boys were incredibly sad to leave Mr. Tom and Ms. Jan...and so was I!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14LbqLitPBqDSHWa-kCiKNMSiTl_ElsE5bad0wBgwaZ51khH7jaS24z8NsJfJ9POKUzHTyYB7mHCPubZ1QK8UASpJqhvvzT_gc1jBewvDdmQGIS3pjWHhuq7eHchuc6Zi08nTL6CNzsx3/s1600/217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14LbqLitPBqDSHWa-kCiKNMSiTl_ElsE5bad0wBgwaZ51khH7jaS24z8NsJfJ9POKUzHTyYB7mHCPubZ1QK8UASpJqhvvzT_gc1jBewvDdmQGIS3pjWHhuq7eHchuc6Zi08nTL6CNzsx3/s320/217.JPG" width="320" /></a> The museum had an amazing exhibit on Egypt. We entered the experience via an airplane ride (the seats actually shook as you heard the rumble of the plane on the runway) and experienced life in Egypt. The boys loved it: the marketplace, the clothing stores, the restaurant, etc... This photo is of Matthew "cooking up a little yummy goodness" in the restaurant. We happily ate his pretend food and drank his "delicious" coffee.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTWCqnPA0_2w6TWUXWUKMbcsQJ15bj4pRKpkjDTaObug-TuZusHXm_fs2EDlghE4JsBkatQsvg3P7xu7uQNs-jG-IBdwUOFWxsFSrlCIDutz4zBYyNv1Kkmrly6fBbW1Ho66v46Q0j9iK/s1600/134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTWCqnPA0_2w6TWUXWUKMbcsQJ15bj4pRKpkjDTaObug-TuZusHXm_fs2EDlghE4JsBkatQsvg3P7xu7uQNs-jG-IBdwUOFWxsFSrlCIDutz4zBYyNv1Kkmrly6fBbW1Ho66v46Q0j9iK/s320/134.JPG" width="179" /></a>We were greeted by an actual model of a Transformer that was used in the making of one of the movies. My sources (my children) tell me that this guys name is "Bumblebee." The boys thought it was amazing. They each took a turn being photographed behind the cardboard image... Caleb's hat and facial expression are priceless. {giggle}</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYX7goTvCieW9jgIXi9M9ZIKdUgnoNpUbpWE6RusN9oW8M9m2I2WVSnJ6uOC-drPE2wz2ZG4aC4ElkwoyXIxR-koA5J9PhTVDwo5iwSYVGQTO2OeGI23tTqnPsdhaXWA3Xc0fy222A_yC/s1600/132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYX7goTvCieW9jgIXi9M9ZIKdUgnoNpUbpWE6RusN9oW8M9m2I2WVSnJ6uOC-drPE2wz2ZG4aC4ElkwoyXIxR-koA5J9PhTVDwo5iwSYVGQTO2OeGI23tTqnPsdhaXWA3Xc0fy222A_yC/s320/132.JPG" width="179" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02O-DTWUPjqdgt1sSCrvt2f1tL2yI7VkoJGWfWZZHUxliT-JBJ2jdAgQcPK7C8tUIAiWFXqbeW4jHiItVbl7Gb9Sjn-Opu4JPdJuvF1fPFUyMYDI7to192WwQhg1tqtxbIaH_i-7cQWK8/s1600/178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02O-DTWUPjqdgt1sSCrvt2f1tL2yI7VkoJGWfWZZHUxliT-JBJ2jdAgQcPK7C8tUIAiWFXqbeW4jHiItVbl7Gb9Sjn-Opu4JPdJuvF1fPFUyMYDI7to192WwQhg1tqtxbIaH_i-7cQWK8/s320/178.JPG" width="179" /></a>My little men got very excited when we learned the museum was hosting a "Hot Wheels" exhibit while we were visiting. Heaven for four little boys! There were so many things to do: create your own car, look at life-size models of Hot Wheels, tons of cars to race down tracks at every turn, and even a care to sit in. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke was hard at work designing a car.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFMp_ef97AqsvKQWnKYdjyszlaJxOWlPfq0QFKKCemoT8ZN2O-W34_oRd9Gw7W0l1CEXrk0DP6mqvdOVe_5zw91KYjAv8_8uoguMYdA2BJujw1BtBH3JQfpaFUCg8e6y64D_cLBTJPUDz/s1600/186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFMp_ef97AqsvKQWnKYdjyszlaJxOWlPfq0QFKKCemoT8ZN2O-W34_oRd9Gw7W0l1CEXrk0DP6mqvdOVe_5zw91KYjAv8_8uoguMYdA2BJujw1BtBH3JQfpaFUCg8e6y64D_cLBTJPUDz/s320/186.JPG" width="179" /></a> Twin racers. They would have stayed there all day long. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam enjoyed pretending to deliver the evening news.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthew and Mr. Tom stopping for a tickle. {love this}</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb in the exhibit about healthy living...exercise and nutrition.</td></tr>
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Tom and Jan, thanks so much for making time for us and making some magical memories with my boys. We love you so much!</td></tr>
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<br />Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-22198159488220483652012-11-05T22:44:00.001-06:002012-11-05T22:46:59.407-06:00Fall Break - Day 2The second day of our little getaway began leisurely as we didn't have any plans until lunch time and one of my dear sons wakes up at 6 o'clock <em>every single morning. </em>So, we had breakfast and watched some television (a real treat because Nee Nee has cable!) without a care in the world.<br />
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My dear mother-in-law offered to watch the boys while I went to have coffee with two very dear friends. I have known these young ladies since they were in sixth grade...and now they are both married and each recently had sweet baby girls. Brittany and Lora were each part of our youth ministry program for years and I also had the honor of being their small group leader all throughout high school...and now, I am so thankful to be their friend. What a blessing to be "doing life" with them for such a long time. I love that God sets us into "faith families" to make this journey with. So, we sipped coffee and chatted about motherhood, family, and faith. They even let me hold their sweet little ones. Swoon....I was in love! They are young women of great faith and they are also incredible mothers. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lora and baby Audrey</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brittany and sweet Cora</td></tr>
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So, I left the ladies and hurried back for our lunch date with "Pa Pa." My husband's grandfather is 93 years old and such a blessing to our family. He loves a good joke (he's such a good sport, he even laughs at my kiddo's jokes), loves his family, and we love him right back. He really is a joy and my boys love him dearly. Brad's mom, his two aunts, and Pa Pa were brave enough to have lunch with us. We had a great time catching up with one another and managed to have only one spill during our meal. {not mentioning any one's name....but, it rhymes with LUKE}. :) </div>
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After lunch, we headed to the local orchard for a visit to the pumpkin patch. I love this little orchard in Indiana...family owned, not too big, not too commercial, and incredibly sweet. We shopped in the little store, choosing some popcorn to bring home for Brad and some delicious apple cider slushies. It seemed to take forever for each boy to find a pumpkin...but, we managed. {snicker} After all of that, we headed back to Nee Nee's house for dinner, baths, and bedtime. Having so much fun is exhausting.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nee Nee and Caleb riding to the patch</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb found a winner!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's impossible to get a good pic of this crew! Little clowns!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam searching for the "perfect" one...</td></tr>
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Luke was determined to find the smallest, "cutest" pumpkin.</div>
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Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-16417510502727756802012-11-01T20:46:00.000-05:002012-11-01T20:46:06.898-05:00Fall Break Fun - 1st Day<span style="font-family: inherit;">The boys and I decided to make the most of Fall Break and travel to Indiana for a few days. Brad was elbow-deep in books - teaching himself Aramaic in just 6 weeks for a major test as part of his PhD process. So, it was a perfect time for us to skip town and have some fun...and leave Brad to study without interruption or the guilt of not being home with us. </span><br />
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So, <strike>we</strike> I packed our bags and we took off in our mighty mini-van. We had borrowed several books on CD from our local library and <span style="font-family: inherit;">loaded</span> up on snacks and drinks...we were set! The boys were well behaved and the travel was easy. We did spend about 45 minutes at a stand-still due to a semi-trailer accident. The boys and I talked about the book we were listening to and prayed for the people involved in the accident...and the wait didn't seem so long.<br />
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We arrived in time for some visiting, some dinner, and some sleeping. The next day, we headed to the Indianapolis Zoo. Our dear friend, Miss Lori, volunteered to come along with us. We nearly had the place to ourselves and enjoyed a great day! I was pregnant with the twins the last time we visited a zoo, so we were long overdue for some face time with the animals. The dolphin show was a highlight and the penguins were a huge hit, too. We can't wait to go back again. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdmfmmnudtl8wMdmzFR5gaaydEll3DpeK2zdYAgpfZTJqiR364yAjnXlFl9xgGggRLVk0ywpbfa7Gc4IbxyMbJnxoABQvr-2J-zgLx5bP4pYQPVLuPR6Xw1-mbgQdCS9n9mLiEa00jT8a/s1600/066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdmfmmnudtl8wMdmzFR5gaaydEll3DpeK2zdYAgpfZTJqiR364yAjnXlFl9xgGggRLVk0ywpbfa7Gc4IbxyMbJnxoABQvr-2J-zgLx5bP4pYQPVLuPR6Xw1-mbgQdCS9n9mLiEa00jT8a/s320/066.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys loved this penguin's "bad hair day."</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite animals at the zoo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke and Matthew up close and personal with the tiger.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Lori, Luke, Caleb & Matthew waiting for the dolphin show to begin.</td></tr>
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Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-75158001759997749562012-09-24T23:22:00.000-05:002012-09-24T23:22:02.529-05:00Sam @ 9The boy who made me a momma for the first time and enlarged the size of my heart celebrated his ninth birthday on September 18th. Seems so strange to think that I am a mom to a nine year old boy.<br />
It seems to have gone quickly...but, in reality we have shared nine years packed full of amazing memories. I am grateful for each one. What a gift to be momma to this sweet boy.<br />
Sam is growing and changing at an alarming rate and I don't want to forget who he was at nine.<br />
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<ul>
<li>You are becoming an even more avid reader...much to your nerdy parent's delight.(snicker)</li>
<li>Your heart for hurting people continues to challenge Daddy and me.</li>
<li>The summer of 2012 was one of tremendous growth for you...not only physically, but more importantly - spiritually. You are learning that God is trustworthy and He <em>will </em>not leave you. You have learned to rely on Him and His strength when you are uncertain or anxious.</li>
<li>You learned to let go of the fear of looking "foolish" and learned to love swimming.</li>
<li>You eat your body weight in yogurt each week...well, not exactly - but, close. Your favorite is vanilla.</li>
<li>You fell in love with your littlest brothers all over again...realizing that they really look up to you.</li>
<li>You mourned the loss of your second grade class (you found a wonderful friend in your teacher, Mrs. S) and after several weeks, began to believe that third grade would be okay.</li>
<li>Your passion for all things Lego continues. Your dad nearly loses his religion each time he steps on them with bare feet. You always blame it on your little brothers. (grin)</li>
<li>Each year, you have met the beginning of the school year with great anxiety about all of the unknowns. This year was different. Your maturing faith in Jesus reassured you that you were safe and you were not alone. You met your third grade year with amazing confidence - not even a tear (okay, your eyes got a little misty. i am still claiming it as a victory!). Daddy and I loved seeing your faith in action in this powerful way.</li>
<li>You love chocolate.</li>
<li>Your sense of humor is maturing (although you still get a kick out of "bathroom humor") and it's fun to have these "lively" conversations with you.</li>
<li>You make my heart melt when you invite me to lay next to you on your bed as you drift off to sleep. I know these sweet invitations into your heart and thoughts at the end of the day won't come forever. </li>
<li>You hate wearing pants that button.</li>
<li>Daddy and I are enjoying watching you "stretch your leadership wings" - it seems like you just might be a natural leader. We're praying that God is glorified in all that you do.</li>
<li>You requested your first "grown-up looking" Bible. It was important to you that it not look childish or have cartoon drawings.</li>
<li>You think Papa John's pizza is the most amazing food on the planet.</li>
<li>You attended basketball camp at the local university. This was a big deal, your first attempt at organized sports. You played alongside boys and girls who had lots of experience. It wasn't always easy...but, you stuck it out! Daddy and I were so proud of you.</li>
<li>We listened to a dramatic reading of the entire Chronicles of Narnia series on CD as we traveled this summer. You and I watched the movie, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe just before school began. We both wept at the great love Aslan displayed. It led to great conversations about Jesus sacrifice for us. A powerful memory, for sure.</li>
<li>You have expressed an interest in drama lessons or participating in a play. We're exploring this creative outlet for you. It's fun to see you discover who you are and the talents God has given you.</li>
<li>You are handsome, sweet, caring, kind, funny, sassy, silly, and you are my boy. (grin)</li>
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I love you, Samuel Thomas Johnson. Happy Birthday, my sweet nine-year-old boy.</div>
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<br />Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-23836556987217073492012-06-08T00:31:00.004-05:002012-06-08T00:36:35.109-05:00Comfort.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found myself wide awake while the rest of my family slept and the house was eerily silent. My mind and heart were simply too full, too busy, too restless. Sleep simply would not come. So, I got out of bed and made my way to the living room. I wrapped up in a soft blanket and began to think and pray. I was once again struggling to find my way through the fog of grief. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A friend from my elementary school days recently lost her father unexpectedly in a car accident in our hometown. Immediately, my heart was heavy and I began to pray for her and her family...to "carry that burden" as found in Galatians. The loss of a loved one is too heavy a burden to carry alone. So, I find myself in that familiar place again...heartbroken for a friend and grieving my parents deaths once again. I miss them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, as I sat on the couch praying and thinking...I heard the sound of pudgy little feet coming down the hall. My little boy, Matthew, was awake. He needed to go potty and was afraid to go into the dark bathroom without a "growned up" person. So, we made the trip together and then shuffled back to his bed. He asked me to snuggle with him until he fell asleep. I simply couldn't resist that sweet invitation. As we lay together in the dark, God used my little boy to minister to me. Matthew said, "Mom, did you know that God was with me when I was borned a long time ago? He was there in the beginning and He was like the wind. Did you know that, Mom?" I reassured Matthew that God had always been with him and that He always would be. Matthew grinned. Then he said, "Mom, Poppy whispered in my ear that He loved me and I was special." I told him that his Poppy (my dad) loved him so very much and Matthew was very special to Poppy and to Jesus, too. Matthew smiled a crooked little knowing grin and said, "Mom, I already knowed that." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I replied, "I am so glad that you did already know that, Matthew. Thanks for reminding me."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I needed to remember that God loves me, He is with me, this grief and sadness are not more than I can bear with his help, and how blessed I was to have such amazing parents. I don't travel this road alone...God is near.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> <em> </em></span></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><span style="font-size: large;">If your heart is broken, you'll find <smallcaps>God</smallcaps> right there; <br /> if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath. </span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 34:18</span></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></span>Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-62526121198885206782012-05-18T13:14:00.000-05:002012-05-18T13:15:27.477-05:00Favorite Foto Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVN84wmOwsJNOPChfSGT6mpW8yP2dIFFCOB310ATZ4eQYwWsqql63gVeiQ1bUQVaGblojwf9-Wc-VRhGMISvvn9jv6igfbeObMIu7z-Axk8M5M6rlMFUN51M8mu6LvKW1E23mPKrP_gw77/s1600/096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVN84wmOwsJNOPChfSGT6mpW8yP2dIFFCOB310ATZ4eQYwWsqql63gVeiQ1bUQVaGblojwf9-Wc-VRhGMISvvn9jv6igfbeObMIu7z-Axk8M5M6rlMFUN51M8mu6LvKW1E23mPKrP_gw77/s640/096.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
This picture sort of embodies who Caleb and Matthew have become lately...helpers. Brad was tightening up some nuts/bolts on our little table in the kitchen and the dynamic duo had to help! Matthew ran to get his hat - not sure why - but, it seemed to help him in his work. {grin} I love these little fellas and I'm so grateful for their helpful hearts.Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-87415553792681965602012-05-16T22:23:00.000-05:002012-05-16T22:23:16.653-05:00Transition.Everyone always says that life is crazy, busy, hectic, and moving too quickly. I guess it makes us feel important or valuable to fill out time with activity and then accomplish it all by the day's end. We like to be intentional about our family calendar. Things work best for us when we are together - a lot. Brad and I work best when we are sharing the same "space" on a regular basis...we get "frazzled" when we are apart from one another for too long. This is not to say that our "togetherness" is always sweet or pleasant. {snicker} Our family just works best when we are not running around from event to event...we are homebodies. Maybe your mind is full of images of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agoraphobia">agoraphobics</a> or a family of<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recluse"> recluses</a>. Honestly, we're not that far gone. We go to church, we have friends, the boys have occassional playdates with friends, we have lots and lots of people over to our house for dinner or to hang out, we go to the library story hour, and we go to the park. However, our calendar is pretty simple. It reflects what we value most: relationships with people.<br />
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Just the other day, it occurred to me that leaving our home used to be incredibly difficult. When the twins were very young it was much easier to just stay home - too much effort required to load everyone into the van. I can vividly remember the stress of gathering coats, hats, shoes, etc... for all four boys and then <strike>wrestling</strike> helping them into said items. Then, I would strap the twins into their infant carriers and take the big boys (ages 4 and 2) downstairs (to our basement garage) to the van and strapping them into their carseats. I would come back upstairs to grab the babies and deliver them to the van one at a time. Somewhere in the midst of all of this activity, someone would fuss or cry or scream or wail or...you get the idea. It was hard. I can vividly remember the effort involved in grocery shopping with all of the boys in tow. It was quite a spectacle: Sam walking beside the shopping cart, Luke in the front (seat) of the cart, one infant carrier in the basket of the cart, one infant strapped to my chest in a sling, and pulling another cart behind me to carry my groceries. People looked at me as if I had three heads instead of four young children. {grin} It was time-consuming and labor-intensive...but, so worth the effort. My boys learned to work together, be tolerant, and to entertain themselves. I learned that I am more capable than I had imagined. God had given me every gift I would need to mother these little men...and His Holy Spirit to empower me to do it!<br />
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So, I am recognizing that the Johnson Tribe is in a time of transition. We're much more mobile and it requires considerably less effort to move the Tribe from place to place. For the most part, the boys are capable of behaving themselves and are very confident that I am not afraid to discipline them when we are in public. It's mostly a pleasant experience to go places with them....I look forward to it. {sigh} There was a day I couldn't have ever imagined thinking that.<br />
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So, this summer Sam will attend a basketball camp at the local University. He is super excited about it and we're eager to cheer him on as he learns about the game. Luke, Caleb, and Matthew will be enjoying some swimming lessons and to say they are excited doesn't begin to describe how they feel about it! Matthew squeals everytime we mention it! They are growing up and ready to spread their wings a bit more...I hope their parents can keep up. I am praying fervently for God's wisdom in keeping a proper balance with this new "busyness" in our lives...to keep loving Him and loving His people at the center of our family life. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So tough to take a picture of four squirrely little boys! Sam (5), Luke (3), and Caleb & Matthew (11months)<br />
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The Johnson Brothers - Christmas 2011 (incorrect date stamp)<br />
Caleb (3), Sam (8), Luke (5), and Matthew (3)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-84981885538608178652012-02-20T11:02:00.001-06:002012-02-20T11:02:55.620-06:00George.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4A2QbAkNlzgDny_EnhWiMdTa-Y2x5qjpmQVRHiaeykF-0QKI_xov0M161IFJZ778ZI6VI8NOE3DKBuD26Gs9e7iozCjfxMgGVAu0JhfnoLiCBHno_wE0vD7uEl0ADDKYBY4-9WPUOM-0/s1600/449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4A2QbAkNlzgDny_EnhWiMdTa-Y2x5qjpmQVRHiaeykF-0QKI_xov0M161IFJZ778ZI6VI8NOE3DKBuD26Gs9e7iozCjfxMgGVAu0JhfnoLiCBHno_wE0vD7uEl0ADDKYBY4-9WPUOM-0/s400/449.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George taking a snooze.</td></tr>
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Not long after Rocky joined the Johnson Tribe, we gained another furry family member. When my dad's health began to decline rapidly, he wasn't able to care for his dog any longer. My parent's dog, George, is quite possibly the world's perfect dog...well, minus his dog breath and frequent flatulence{snicker}. He is small, the perfect size for curling up in your lap. He has an incredibly sweet personality, never aggressive in any way. His fur is soft and curly, perfect for petting. George has the most adorable little pudgy tail and it seems to always be wagging...he is a happy guy! All of my dad's grandchildren love, love, love George. He was a constant companion to my dad in his retirement. After my mom's death, George's company was even more appreciated. George gave my dad someone to care for, talk to, complain about, and "hang out" with. When my dad would arrive at my house for a visit, my kids would run to his truck to shouting, "George! Poppy!" My dad joked that they loved George more than they loved him. <br />
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As my dad's health began to decline more rapidly, we had many conversations about the past...remembering the wonderful times our family had shared. I also heard many stories for the first time - sort of shocking, my dad was a storyteller and I thought I had heard them all. We laughed and cried...and remembered. We also had a few conversations about the future. He told me what we should do with some of his belongings after his death...material posessions didn't have much value to my dad. We talked about how he was ready to go to Heaven and how he longed to be with my mom again. We also talked about George. He was concerned about what would happen to him and how he didn't want to burden anyone with George's care. I quickly told him that George was a joy and not a burden...and that most likely we would end up in a custody battle over him! My dad thought that having George at my house might be a comfort to my boys after he was gone. He was so right.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keeping Caleb company during his breathing treatment.</td></tr>
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So, we've gone from zero dogs to two dogs in just a few months. Brad is taking it all in stride...because he loves his family, he will tolerate the dogs {smile}. George and Rocky have become pals. They get along incredibly well and have similar termperments. Rocky and George are rarely apart...snuggling on the dog bed, resting in the chair, playing outside, sharing a dog crate...they are canine companions. <br />
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George has become one of the family. We love him. I can't imagine not having him here. Welcome to the Johnson Tribe, George! <br />
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Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-91646756622026492882012-02-14T22:56:00.000-06:002012-02-14T22:56:06.044-06:00Rocky.In the extended silent period of the ol' Johnson blog...much has happened. I'll begin with last summer. Wowza! The blog really was dormant for a long time. Anyhoo...back to the task at hand. Catch-up.<br />
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For years, Brad and I have had conversations about getting a dog. I am a huge dog lover. My family always had a dog and I longed for my boys to have that same experience. There is something special about a dog...unconditional love, entertainment, snuggling buddy, and the list goes on and on. Brad, however, isn't as fond of dogs as I am. Don't get me wrong, he<em> likes</em> dogs...just not in the house. Really? Why have a dog if they aren't around to love and snuggle with? I can't imagine having an outside dog. You can see the source of conflict for us. {snicker} I got really creative with my persuasive remarks..."The boys will learn responsibility" or "We will be safer when you are gone if there is a dog to bark at an unwelcome guest" or "Your wife will be so happy to have a dog. Happy wife - Happy life!" or even "You are getting a PhD, surely we can have a dog." Finally, he gave in. He loves me so. {grin}<br />
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In the spring of last year, I began to research dogs. We needed a low-allergen, non-shedding dog (one of our boys has a very mild dog allergy...our allergist gave us her blessing for such a dog). We also needed a dog who was large enough to not be trampled by our herd of children, and small enough to not knock the children over. To further add to the complexities of finding a dog...we knew that we didn't have time for training a puppy. My dad was very ill and I was traveling to care for him each weekend. It was getting tricky...what sort of dog would be right for our family? I began to pray that God would provide just what we needed and I was confident that He would. I was even bold enough to pray about where our dog would come from and what sort of training it would have. <br />
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Several years ago, I had seen a documentary about a "mutual rehabilitation" program in a prison. The inmates were assigned a dog that had been rescued from a shelter. The dog would remain with the inmate 24/7. The dogs received amazing training (some were even trained to be assistance dogs for folks with disabilities) and the inmates learned a skill (dog training - some even became certified) and more importantly, they learned to be loved and to love. I thought it was an amazing program - a creative way to "reshape" someones heart to love again. Maybe those inmates would be open to God's love once their hearts had been softened? <br />
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I searched the Petfinder.com website often and continued to pray daily. I made a few calls about some dogs...nothing seemed to "fit" or "feel right." Until, I found a dog named "Rocky." He was a schnoodle (schnauzer/poodle mix) with a unique looking gray/black/silver curly coat, he was medium sized, and he was about two years old. Things got even more exciting when I learned that he had been posted to the website by "Second Chances Canine Program" - you guessed it, a mutual rehabilitation program at a prison about an hour from our home. <br />
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I called to ask about Rocky and the lady I spoke to seemed to think he would be a perfect fit for our family. We made an appointment for Brad and I to go meet him. Later that week, we drove up the tree-lined drive of the prison campus (formerly a small private Christian college), we stopped at a small building where an employee searched our car. It's worth noting that Brad and I warned her that we weren't responsible for any goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, or sippy cups she encountered. You never know what is lurking in the back of a mini-van. {snort} She found nothing of interest and then pointed us in the direction of a large brick building with a cross on the side. It sounds silly, but the image of that cross was somehow comforting to me...an affirmation that God was doing something. <br />
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We entered the building and made our way through the metal detectors and showed someone our ID. Once we were cleared, we went straight ahead into a small gymnasium...and the inmate, the program director, and our dog were waiting for us. They greeted us warmly and told us a little about Rocky. We asked questions about Rocky's training. The inmate answered with great confidence...it was like an encounter with the "dog whisperer" - he was loaded with knowledge about dog obedience. Brad and I told him how impressed we were...and he beamed. The program director grinned with pride and told us that the inmate had just received some special dog training certification and would be awarded a framed copy the next day. The change in this man's life was obvious by looking at the "intake"photo on his prison ID. His shoulders slouched, his posture was "down", he looked hard, angry, and unhappy. The man standing in front of us was grinning, standing tall, making eye contact, answering questions, telling us about his future. He was full of hope. We shared a little bit about our family and our faith and then wished him well and encouraged him to make his freedom "lasting" when he was released the following spring. <br />
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Brad and I chatted about our experience the entire ride home. We both agreed that it was the most "Christ-like" experience we've ever had in a secular environment. Amazing. <br />
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Oh yeah, we also adopted an amazing dog. He is perfect for our family in every way. The boys and I adore him...and because Brad loves us, he is tolerating Rocky. {grin}<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthew and Luke loving on Rocky</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocky and Matthew...not long after Rocky got a haircut. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocky snoozing on his bed. We love his soft, curly coat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-82665578422197554002012-02-01T08:34:00.001-06:002012-02-01T08:36:53.027-06:00Hello.I have been thinking about the ol' family blog lately...and realizing that it's been largely silent for months now. I guess that grief has been a quiet and personal journey for me. Maybe I am also aware of that fact that no one reads my blog now that my mom is in Heaven! {grin - although, I think my friends Sarah and Jodi read from time to time} Then I remembered that this blog is <em>for me</em>, to record the seasons of my family life, to have a permanent memory available when my own fails me. So, I am back at it. I am going to do my best to blog weekly, even if it's about the ridiculous or mundane, I will blog. I just need to get back in the habit...so, I will begin slowly and stretch those "bloggy" muscles at least once a week.<br />
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While the blog has been silent, our house has certainly not! Most days, it's a loud and lovely flurry of activity around here. Our boys are growing...in stature and in faith. They consume more food than I ever thought humanly possible for someone their size. Brad is plugging along in his PhD program - set to finish his classroom portion this May. Oh happy day! {grin} Then, he will move on to the comprehensive exams...sounds like torture to me. He spends his days with Dr. Witherington and I spend my days with Dr. Suess...and then we spend out evenings together. Ahh...it's a good life. I am super proud of Brad's hard work as a student and equally proud of his work as an instructor. He works diligently to teach and serve his students. It's a ministry for sure, and Brad has been faithful in it.<br />
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I will be making a mad dash to Indiana tomorrow to spend the day going through some of my parent's things. I am praying that it will be comforting to be surrounded by memories of them. However, I am also fully expecting it to be an incredibly emotional day, as well. I miss them both. It's overwhelming at times. It's really strange, in fact. I am an adult (a middle-aged adult even! ACK!) and haven't depended on my parents to provide for me physically or financially in many years...but, their deaths have left me feeling "orphaned" in some way. It sounds odd, I know. Their deaths have changed the landcape of my extended family and the way we <em>do life</em> together. We are figuring it out as we go along...and God continues to prove Himself faithful. What a gift. <br />
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So, I will do my best to remember that this blog is for <em>me and my family...</em>to record our memories and God's goodness as we journey along. However, if you happen to read - leave a comment so that I know I am not alone. <br />
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<br />Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-46749762447291167162011-11-18T17:02:00.000-06:002011-11-18T17:02:41.287-06:00More.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDWJOGW8e5wzdQU2c5Hi4iSowBASTsaTbFk2I_4EpGLaOtLlwCygGxg2JEl3gcQgUq07CxybTlLe3o3LoXaiO3FXfcGwFY-b0WIczRVhhyphenhyphencjIvCPqDCyn6g7AciFKDyAXXBqmvfL46KYb/s1600/Judy%2527s+Retirement+%252882%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDWJOGW8e5wzdQU2c5Hi4iSowBASTsaTbFk2I_4EpGLaOtLlwCygGxg2JEl3gcQgUq07CxybTlLe3o3LoXaiO3FXfcGwFY-b0WIczRVhhyphenhyphencjIvCPqDCyn6g7AciFKDyAXXBqmvfL46KYb/s320/Judy%2527s+Retirement+%252882%2529.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Calvin Lee “Bud” Sherrow, 70, of Hagerstown went home to Heaven on November 16, 2011. </span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> He was born January 7, 1941 in Richmond, Indiana to Joseph Sherrow and Betty (Sherrow) Parrett. </span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Bud earned his GED and went on to serve in the United States Army. He served overseas and had fond memories of his time spent in Germany and Korea. Following his service to his country, he returned to Richmond. He worked at Kemper Cabinet Company for nearly 38 years, retiring in 2003.</span></span></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Bud married Judy Hunter Sherrow on October 7, 1967 and welcomed three children into their family. Bud was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a loyal brother, uncle, and friend. Bud was happiest spending time with his family, making memories with his grandchildren, reading, and gardening.</span></span></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Bud is survived by his children: Jeff (Laura) Sherrow of Hagerstown, Tony Sherrow of Richmond, and Christina (Brad) Johnson of Wilmore, KY; his nine grandchildren: Ashley Sherrow, Morgan Kincaid, Zackery, Grace, and Lillee Sherrow, Sam, Luke, Caleb and Matthew Johnson. Also surviving are his siblings: Harriet Clark of Franklin, IN, Charlie Parrett (Carol) of Richmond, and Carl Parrett (Sandy) of Richmond. He also leaves an aunt, several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his stepfather, Ed Parrett; his sisters, Joan Clapp, Carol Simpson, and Brenda Riddle; and his grandsons Dylan Sherrow and Austin Sherrow. </span></span></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A celebration of Bud’s life will be held at First United Methodist Church at 318 National Road West in Richmond on Saturday, November 19<sup>th</sup> at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gleaners Food Bank at 3737 Waldemere Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46241 or www.gleaners.org.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is my dad's obituary that will appear in our hometown newspaper. The words are all accurate and true...but very inadequate. He was much more than the information contained in those paragraphs. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I have been thinking about how by "worldly" standards, my dad lived a pretty unremarkable life. Aside from his military travels, he lived and died in the county where he was born. He got married to a nice girl, raised three kids, worked at the same job for 38 years...nothing really "exceptional" about his life - in fact, he would seem to be a very ordinary guy. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">However, what most folks don't know is that my dad really was extraordinary. He and my mom were the most generous people I have ever known. While they were never wealthy - they always gave as if they were. Honestly, I can remember my folks giving/loaning money to people my entire life. My mom was always volunteering my dad to do things - like delivering Christmas gifts/dinner to someone who had none, helping to fix someone's leaky sink who couldn't afford to pay a plumber, restoring an old bicycle to give to a little neighbor girl who didn't have one, driving my grandmother to play bingo with her friends (grin), fixing someone's car or furnace, and he even helped to paint my mother-in-law's home. My dad's heart was broken when our childhood friend's young son died of SIDS...the only child and apple of his parent's eyes. They wanted to donate all of his things. They gathered up his crib, his toys, his clothes...and my dad went to pick them up and deliver them to the donation site. He told me about how sad he was for the young parents and how difficult it was to see all of the things that this little guy should have used for a long time to come. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">My dad was <i>much more </i>than a blue collar guy from Indiana...he was a care-giver, he was an encourager, he was a story-teller, he was decent, he was loyal, he was a good man, he was the most patient person I have ever known, he was a very attentive grandfather - he really knew his grandchildren, he was amazing. He was <i>more </i>than just an "ordinary man" - he was my dad.</span></div>Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-87175839772908619672011-11-15T00:24:00.000-06:002011-11-15T00:24:50.008-06:00Silent.My blog has been silent for the past few months. Not because I lack things to write about, rather there is <i>too much</i> going on in my heart, my mind, my life...words don't come easily. However, sleep wouldn't come easily tonight...and words seem to.<br />
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My dad had a heart attack in June. I got the phone call that no one wants to receive from my oldest brother in the early hours of the morning. I packed a bag and made the drive to Indiana. Ten months after my mom's sudden death, I found myself in another hospital room. Listening to the sounds of monitors, watching the blinking of lights on machines that were delivering medications, and did my best to <i>take in </i>what was really happening. <br />
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Later that afternoon, I met with my dad's cardiologist. He shared the ultrasound images of my dad's heart. It was not good news. I listened as he gently explained that the damage was severe, that blockages had gone undetected, and then he stopped. He collected his thoughts and then went on to tell me that my dad's case was very different than any he had seen before. My dad's heart was severely enlarged - not a normal symptom related to the heart blockages. The doctor asked if my dad had experienced any traumatic emotional event in the past few months. I felt my throat tighten and my eyes began to burn...I could feel the tears coming. I explained that my mom had died earlier that year. He told me that my dad was probably suffering from Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy or "broken heart syndrome" in addition to the other cardiac issues. He smiled and said, "Your dad must have really loved your mom." He mapped out what the next few days would look like...tests to be run, meds to be administered, and questions to be answered. It was all just the beginning of a long journey.<br />
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After a week long hospital stay, my dad was released. The docs told us that he was gravely ill and would most likely not survive a month. The next few months would bring a decreased appetite and dramatic weight-loss, the placement of a permanent pacemaker/defibrillator, changes in his diet, and incredible fatigue. The lack of energy seemed to bother him most. We determined to take advantage of the time we had with him. He shared time between his home in Indiana and our house here in Kentucky. Making lots of memories with his grand kids, having really rich conversations about the past and the future, and just loving one another. What a tremendous gift God had given us.<br />
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Nearly five months later, we find ourselves at another crossroads. The hospice nurse tells us that he will most likely meet Jesus in just a matter of days now. I find myself so thankful that his suffering will end and the joy will begin...but, my heart is also filled with sadness. I will miss him. <br />
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Although I am overwhelmed, I know that God is with me. He loves me. He is able to bear my burden. He will carry me.<br />
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"</span><i><span style="font-size: large;">The Lord your God goes with you; </span></i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">He will never leave you nor forsake you."</span> </i> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Deuteronomy 31:6</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </div>Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-77564343553088598122011-09-13T15:09:00.000-05:002011-09-13T15:09:16.375-05:00Sweet Gift from HeavenToday is my birthday. I am not really certain exactly why I have been missing my mom more than usual today...I mean, other than the obvious fact that she gave birth to me. {grin} I guess few people get as excited about your birthday to the degree that your mom does. I have just been missing her...wishing I could talk with her or work on some "project" around the house together or just sit and delight in my little boys as they play. My day has been full of blessings. Sweet hugs and birthday wishes from my little boys, tender kisses from my biggest boy, and cards from dear friends arriving in the mail. I just miss my mom.<br />
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After picking Luke up from school {he is in a half-day kindergarten program}, we needed to make a quick trip to get some dog food for Rocky. On our way home from the store, Matthew and I had the following conversation:<br />
Matthew: Mommy, I am sad.<br />
Me: Why are you sad, buddy?<br />
Matthew: Because I miss my Gran. {whimpering}<br />
Me: Oh, sweet boy, I miss her,too. <br />
Matthew: I want to hug her. Do you want to hug her, Mom? {wiping tears from his sweet cheeks}<br />
Me: I sure do, Matthew. If Gran were here with us, she would want to hug us, too. Maybe we will feel better if we hug each other. Do you want me to hug you when we get home?<br />
Matthew: Yes! Is Gran in Heaven, Mom?<br />
Me: Yes, she is Matthew. She is having a wonderful time there. No one ever gets sad, or sick, or scared. It's such a great place, no one ever cries. <br />
Matthew: Is she with God and Jesus?<br />
Me: Yes, she is. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be with God and Jesus?<br />
Matthew: Oh, yes! I want to be with God and Jesus in Heaven. What is Gran doing in Heaven?<br />
Me: Oh, she is singing songs about how wonderful God is...she is singing with her friends, with all kinds of other people who love God.<br />
Matthew: {very excitedly} I want to sing songs with God and Jesus! I want to do that after I am old and I die and go to Heaven. That would be great! I will sing with Gran, too!<br />
Me: That sounds wonderful, Matthew. What a special gift to be with God and everyone else you love in Heaven one day. I want to be there with you, too.<br />
Matthew: Yes, Mom! And Daddy, and Sam, and Luke, and Cal. We will <i>all</i> be singing in Heaven. <br />
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</a></div>So, that is how my Mom managed to give me a gift on my birthday...reminders of the sweet promise of Heaven spoken from my sweet three-year-old's heart. Thank you, Mom. I love you, too. {grin}<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfyrkP-LpBZU7UdDFS4xmMlUXJpOiy8hCF1g1yViclmQsvQjuOzhpHf5lwuuHe1UnMxLjmAjIwBE27LQ7PZiezjVz1lw81cGjo4NSCs4eyaR4viShLq8OaLI03qXy7kIHJDV4mzHYYnjL/s1600/100_2564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfyrkP-LpBZU7UdDFS4xmMlUXJpOiy8hCF1g1yViclmQsvQjuOzhpHf5lwuuHe1UnMxLjmAjIwBE27LQ7PZiezjVz1lw81cGjo4NSCs4eyaR4viShLq8OaLI03qXy7kIHJDV4mzHYYnjL/s320/100_2564.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This photo was taken on Caleb and Matthew's second birthday...January 25, 2010 (incorrect date on photo)Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-21279153955829052052011-06-24T12:35:00.001-05:002011-06-24T12:36:39.302-05:00Quiet Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFPsR-QolOZ6GcbyDcmY2SDdTK2eTDe2l9uTrF3ZwoExQO4lTflGh41swELT4AtIr4rbIRP71RHsRPBHzV02AN9zhrdur3k4iczmGXPcwMPZO2MAKBMBtRkoxDKYH11uqI0WjwIVQAvPZ/s1600/2010+061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>The title of the blog post makes me giggle a bit. It's not often quiet at my house. It seems that my boys are gifted in physical movement and volume...in other words, they are always on the move and always making noise of some sort. The little cuties can't help themselves. They are practicing being brave, bold, adventurous, and fierce protectors...defeating "bad guys" and "big bad wolves" at every turn.<br />
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So, in the midst of the madness at the Johnson home...this momma's heart seeks a little bit of "quiet" each day. I <i>need</i> some quiet....an opportunity to think....or complete a task without interruption...or just to "be"...and if I am being completely honest, I'd just like to go to the bathroom alone. {snicker} The days are long and sometimes difficult. I often run out of patience before my little men run out of energy or questions to be aanswered. My work is often undone before I am fully able to enjoy it...you know, like when the freshly mopped floor is immediately marked with little muddy footprints. Thankfully, I am wise enough to know that these are some of the sweetest days of my life. Full of blessings like: chubby little hands that want to hold mine, sweet little voices to tell me that they love me, mischievous little grins and twinkly eyes, and hugs that melt my heart and cause me to fall in love with them all over again. <br />
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The kind of quiet I need is not just "alone" time. As a matter of fact, I need to be with Jesus so desperately. Time with Him restores my soul, rejuvenates my heart, stirs up His love within me again, and helps me to find some perspective. My time with Jesus gives "shape" to my life. It brings peace in the midst of the madness.<br />
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I have been in the habit of having this "appointment" with Jesus for years, now. I don't want to age myself, but...for over 20 years now I have sought out this time with Jesus. Over the years, this "appointment" has taken many different forms. There have been times of tremendous learning - when God was showing me things in scripture that profoundly affected me and shaped my heart. There have also been "desert" times...when my heart was hurt or my mind was too full to focus.<br />
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When our first son was born, I was learning to mother and balance a full plate of responsibilities. With the addition of each child, it became more of a struggle to keep all of the balls I was juggling in the air! During this season of my life I was far too "legalistic" about my quiet time with Jesus. It was as if my time with Him was just another "thing" on my to-do-list for the day. If the day was nearly gone and I hadn't "gotten it in" - I would flip my Bible open and read anything...and try to find some sort of applicable nugget of truth...then close in prayer. Ahh...the satisfaction of another "thing" accomplished. I had to learn the hard way that it was my pride at work - I wanted to be a "good christian" and having a daily quiet time was part of what <i>good christian people do. </i>gulp. I couldn't have been more wrong. I was so focused on accomplishing the goal that I didn't allow room for being authentic, for allowing the Holy Spirit to move, or for trusting God's love and not trying to "earn" His approval (or the admiration of others, for that matter). It was a pride issue...one I had to die to. <br />
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With the addition of each little blessing into our family...my rigidity in quiet time became more apparent. I was scrambling to keep it all together...and it was all seeming to fall apart. {grin} So how does a mom of four young children find time to be quiet? I love the days when I manage to muster the energy to get my keister (is that really a word) out of bed before my little ones arise to spend some time talking to God and digging into the Word. However, my children are <i>very early risers </i>so this doesn't happen as often as I'd like. Most of the time, my quiet time happens late at night...after everyone is in bed and my house is silent. Usually, I have a few books I am reading...I always spend time praying (I have kept a prayer journal for years - it helps me to see and remember God's faithfulness)...and I always read scripture (if I am not doing a more formal Bible study book). <b>Every day, </b>I am praying (often just to make it through the day). When our first son was born, a dear friend shared this sweet promise...and it has been such a comforting word to my weary-momma heart. <br />
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<br />
<b><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"He tends his flock like a shepherd: <br />
He gathers the lambs in his arms <br />
and carries them close to his heart; <br />
he gently leads <u>those that have young."</u></i></b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Isaiah 40:11</span><br />
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What a sweet thought that God knows and understands the challenges that face "those that have young" and He is so kind to be "gentle" with them. He knows I need to be led gently! Little stolen moments with the Lord throughout the day are my "fuel" and provide some sanity and levity to my days. We usually have a "Praise Dance Party" after lunch. It's simply a matter of crankin' some praise music the kiddos like and dancing around the kitchen. I am amazed at how restorative it is for all of us. It's hard to be cranky or unkind when you are singing God's praises. {grin} Above all, many years of having a quiet time with God have taught me much...I am loved much, I have grown much, I have been given much and I can trust Him fully. What an amazing thought that the creator of the universe longs to be with me...and I desperately need to be with Him, too. Having quiet time with Him makes me a better wife, a better momma, and a woman growing in grace and wisdom. <br />
Thanks,<a href="http://granolamom4god.com/"> Jodi,</a> for inviting me to join the conversation about quiet times. You can find some more perspectives <a href="http://www.granolamom4god.com/2011/05/what-does-your-closet-look-like.html">here</a>. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A four boy pile-up in the hallway makes for one of my favorite pictures. {grin}</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-7728014425313446942011-05-02T09:58:00.001-05:002011-05-02T10:12:54.480-05:00Life.If the boys didn't sleep...I don't think I would blog at all! The days seem to be so full and I have more duties than energy to complete them. This is the story of every mom's life, right? {grin}<br />
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The day seems to go by in a whirlwind of activity. Then, when the boys are all in bed and the house is quiet...I collapse into a heap on the couch. If I am fortunate, my hubby sits next to me and we watch something mindless on TV and chat about the events of our day. <br />
<br />
Brad has been working in the evening...trying to keep up with the many classes he is teaching this semester and ministering to his students. The house is a mess. The toys strewn about the house are evidence of a hard day's work by our little boys. The messy kitchen is evidence of a meal prepared with love and shared around the table by our tribe. There is a pile of books near the rocking chair in our living room...further evidence of how this momma spent her afternoon. Sam has a new chapter book from the library resting on the table near the couch...evidence of the independent reader he has become. The evidence is everywhere....they are signs of life in this place. This is what makes this house our <i>home.</i> <br />
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</div> The pace of life is hectic...but, so incredibly rich. We're blessed. Brad has a job that he has been called to and he enjoys his work. He is blessed to work with some amazing colleagues and students who challenge and inspire him. We're parents to four healthy, happy, rambunctious little boys who are growing in stature and in faith. The laundry is never done, the kitchen is always littered with dirty dishes and crumbs on the floor, and there are toys scattered around the house...but, I honestly love it. Life is not without it's challenges...but, I wouldn't have it any other way (most of the time).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dynamic Duo (Caleb on left, Matthew on right) enjoying a book together.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam working on a masterpiece. The date is incorrect.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">..the little boy is wonderful.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlr8qjxGEF65kWiqc8xqZ4rc3MK1ECRD9Mj5NnokBn4JxsRIFETVN-E3JVVnS093Mwm54N12vPUcNVNh8Lu3HU_prOQvcXz7wAqZ_63mDBaFVDoE7sRnORnsz5NqK1egR-BzyPDtv02MNE/s1600/2011+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlr8qjxGEF65kWiqc8xqZ4rc3MK1ECRD9Mj5NnokBn4JxsRIFETVN-E3JVVnS093Mwm54N12vPUcNVNh8Lu3HU_prOQvcXz7wAqZ_63mDBaFVDoE7sRnORnsz5NqK1egR-BzyPDtv02MNE/s320/2011+040.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke celebrated his 5th birthday on March 9th. I can hardly believe how quickly the time has passed.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</a></div> Christina Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12901536102248434062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107951264383334818.post-53435051560227980692011-03-17T11:29:00.000-05:002011-03-17T11:29:10.459-05:00St. PatrickThe beautiful prayer of St Patrick, popularly known as "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick%27s_Breastplate" title="Saint Patrick's Breastplate">St Patrick's Breast-Plate</a>", is supposed to have been composed by him in preparation for this victory over Paganism. The following is a literal translation from the old Irish text:<br />
<blockquote class="templatequote" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <div> <i>I bind to myself today The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity: I believe the Trinity in the Unity The Creator of the Universe.</i></div></blockquote><blockquote class="templatequote" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div> <i>I bind to myself today The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism, The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial, The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension, The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day</i></div></blockquote><blockquote class="templatequote" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div><i>I bind to myself today The virtue of the love of seraphim, In the obedience of angels, In the hope of resurrection unto reward, In prayers of Patriarchs, In predictions of Prophets, In preaching of Apostles, In faith of Confessors, In purity of holy Virgins, In deeds of righteous men.</i></div></blockquote><blockquote class="templatequote" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div><i>I bind to myself today The power of Heaven, The light of the sun, The brightness of the moon, The splendour of fire, The flashing of lightning, The swiftness of wind, The depth of sea, The stability of earth, The compactness of rocks.</i></div></blockquote><blockquote class="templatequote"><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <i>I bind to myself today God's Power to guide me, God's Might to uphold me, God's Wisdom to teach me, God's Eye to watch over me, God's Ear to hear me, God's Word to give me speech, God's Hand to guide me, God's Way to lie before me, God's Shield to shelter me, God's Host to secure me, Against the snares of demons, Against the seductions of vices.</i><br />
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