Is this the little girl I carried?

If you've seen the Broadway play, Fiddler on the Roof, you know that the scene of Tevye and Golde singing "Sunrise, Sunset" is one of the sweetest/most memorable scenes in the play.  At one of their daughter's wedding, they reflect on how it was just yesterday their daughter and her spouse were running around like children, playing, laughing, and unnoticeably growing older. (My mom always told me she was going to sing it at my wedding, sorry mom :) maybe Kendra's?!)

My little sister is not getting married yet, but she is a senior in high school and I'm like, "WHEN DID SHE TURN INTO THIS GORGEOUS YOUNG ADULT?" 

That's the thing with having a sibling so much younger than you, you remember every step of their life.  From when my parents announced a new baby was on the way, to the first night she came home from the hospital and I woke up in the middle of the night to find my mom rocking her.  I remember sitting with them in the dark living room adoring this new "blessing" hehe :)

(Sigh) 

And here she is about the graduate High School. Really?!?

And once again, the ridiculously talented Kristine Neeley has captured some of the most gorgeous photos for her Senior Pictures. 

sing along with me.... :)

"Is this the little girl I carried?" (On my hip of course)

"Is this the little girl at play?"

(my absolute FAVORITE!)

"I don't remember growing older"

"when did she?"

"When did she get to be a beauty?"

"When did she grow to be so tall?"

"Wasn't it yesterday,

she was small

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze

  

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears"

Check out her blog for more gorgeousness :)

Thank you Kristine for sharing your amazing gift with my family! 

Don't Blink

First and Foremost, we just returned from Vacation and it was Awesome! sure, I would have loved for my parents (who were in Hawaii celebrating their 30th annviersary) and my big bro (who unfortunately has to choose his time off very wisely due to trials and all that other fancy lawyer stuff) to have joined us, but it was still a great time away.  My little sis, "Aunt K" joined us for the week and she was such a nice addition.  Not only do we enjoy her company, but she allowed Steven and I to sneak away a bit and do some fun things together. We hopped on our bikes and rode around the Island and even rode down to the beach and just enjoyed some time together walking and talking.  It's the little things, right?!  I realized two things during our time together: First, How out of shape I really am. Second, In my attempt to add some "real cardio" back to my workout regimen, I realized running is NOT for nursing mommas.  If any other mommas out there have any secrets please fill me in, but until then I think I'll stick to yoga and speed walking :)

Aunt K provided a very eclectic library of music for our trip also.  She is about to start her senior year and she definitely keeps us entertained and on our toes!  You know we've been letting her control the radio when my hubby randomly busts out with "Shawty is an eenie minnie minee mo lover." Funny, huh?

Although we laughed a lot and and had some fun sing-alongs on our trip, there was one song that made me seriously cry.  I was riding in the back with Baby K and Steven looks in the rear view mirror and says "are you crying back there?" Honestly, I wasn't even paying attention to the song so I asked them to play it again.  When I was in H.S, I was a HUGE Kenny Chesney fan.  Like attended every concert when he came to Chatty, had keychains, posters, you name it- I know, dorko.  But honestly I don't really listen to him or much country music anymore so I wasn't familiar with the song. oh. my. word. talk about some serious bawling.  I don't know if it's a new song or if it's been out for a while, but it has become a new favorite.  It's one of those songs that makes you think about life, love, family, time, what's important, what's not so important, what I like to call a "reflective tune."  

I would post the lyrics but I think listening to the song (and watching the video waaahhh) is much better.  so take a few minutes and check it out.  

Be warned: You WILL Cry. 

If you are like me, you want to just freeze time where it is or maybe you even find yourself wanting to speed time up.  That's how I felt when Baby K (due to some awful baby blues) was first born and then Steven and I started talking about his mom (who left this earth in August) and how when "Forever Young" by good ole' Rod Stewart was released she would sing it to his brother (her first born who was about to graduate H.S) and cry.  I think the baby blues were then multiplied to like a million. I started uncontrollably sobbing about wishing time away with my newborn.  Sure, I was so incredibly tired from being in the hospital a week with no sleep and trying to adjust to motherhood with those crazy hormones added on top, but I realized real quick that Time, every second is precious. Let's just say I started treating every waking moment (even in the middle of the night) with a different attitude.  I think losing Steven's mom really made me realize not to take any moment in my life for granted- the good AND bad. 

Fast Forward almost 6 months. I find myself saying time PLEASE slow down! Because honestly I feel like I was 6 years old and I took a nap and now I'm 25 and don't even make me think about the better half of 50 years part- if you haven't listened to the song yet- DO IT NOW :) 

Seriously, I don't want to blink and miss out on important time or take all these precious moments for granted. Time with my mom and dad who just celebrated 30 years of marriage, my granddaddy who is 87 years young, my sister who will be graduating H.S soon, my big brother who is living far away so time with him really is rare and precious these days. All these people are so incredibly precious to me and time with them should be so valued.

And of course my two most important loves.  4 years of marriage already- really?!?! And a baby girl who's almost 6 months old?  I do look forward to the expansion of our family, but I want to just live in the present like there really is no tomorrow for now.  

How will you treat today differently? 

Party Design on a Dime

Our Best Friends, The Duncans, recently celebrated their 10th anniversary.   Because Jeff is a youth minister, he and Abbey rarely get the opportunity to celebrate due to youth camps, mission trips, and other summer youth events. This year their anniversary actually fell during youth camp.  So Jeff spent it with a bunch of teenagers and Abbey at Lake Winnie with her cousin and their sons- Romantic Huh? 

I wanted  them to really celebrate this important anniversary so I began asking Jeff a few months ago what they were going to do.  With him being gone so much during the summer and away from their kids, he really didn't want to go away on another trip.  So we came up with the idea of doing a Surprise Wedding Vow Renewal for Abbey.  I LOVE Planning Events so I as soon as we set the date, the party planning began.  

My mom is the party queen.  She goes ALL out for any event she is doing.  I like to think that I got just a little bit of her creativity and craftiness.  Details are important to her and I love that.  I pretty much went to my parent's house and "shopped" for almost everything I needed for this event.  This makes sticking to budget a lot easier!

We held the vow renewal in their beautiful (and free) backyard! And Abbey was totally surprised! NO idea! They had checked into the Inn they were staying at in Chattanooga, eaten dinner, then Jeff told her he left the card (one that was written for them to read on their 10th anniversary) at home and he really wanted to go back to Cleveland and get it. AND SHE FELL FOR IT!!!!

SURPRISE! I left her bouquet in a vase in front of the garage. 

Jeff told her to carry the vase- Gotta love Men :)

I used my own large petunia planters to outline the center aisle. 

The arbor I borrowed from my parents

Gorgeous Lilies and Hosta Leaves and Blooms made up my middle arrangement and to the right beautiful pink Hydrangeas and Hosta Leaves and Blooms (All from my parents garden!)

The Rocking chairs on the deck are from their front porch and the pillows I brought from our guest bedroom.  

My Favorite piece of Decor! I found this gorgeous piece at TJMaxx for a great price! I think it's going to be the inspiration for my living room when I redecorate it- One Day :)

Gotta love the Picture Garland. Always a nice, inexpensive touch!

I LOVE my wicker furniture! 

Especially when I can use it outside of my own home

I found a beautiful (inexpensive) shower curtain at TJMaxx and made this table runner out of it! I had the beautiful monogram done at Paisley.  I did not make the cake- one thing I handed off and so glad I did- Less Stress!

All the table linens I borrowed from my mom as well as most of the vases. I LOVE the table cloths. I wonder if she would notice if I kept them and made curtains out of them :)

Lantern and Bucket are both from my home- Flowers from my parent's garden

Party Favors for the guests! Ordered the cards and made the Flower Tags and Sign.  Found the Picket Fence at Hobby Lobby- It was used to display windmills, but was empty so I asked if I could purchase it and they gave it to me for FREE! Slapped on a fresh coat of white paint and Voila! The Sun has seeds in them so you plant the sun and wildflowers bloom! :)

Gotta Have Friends! Thankful for these sweet friends! We love them like family!

Cheeeese

This is what I got when I held my phone out and said "Cheeeese." And this makes this photo lovin' momma real happy. I think my girl likes the camera as much as her mommy hehehe :) While daddy is rollin' his eyes as I beg him for "just a couple more pics" I think Sweet K is gonna be smilin' away (hopefully).  I'll let you know after our next "photo shoot". God has truly blessed us with such a happy baby girl! From waking up to her sweet little voice and the smile I get when I walk in her room to the need to cuddle with mommy for naptime- she sleeps 9-10 hours at night in her crib, so letting her nap in mommy and daddy's bed is fine with me. Maybe one day she'll nap in her crib, but until then it's snuggling with mommy in the big bed (I normally sneak away once she's sound asleep :) How I LOVE this baby girl!

Make It and Love It

It's Christmas Morning at the Johnston Home!

At least for me.  You know when you get that one toy on Christmas morning and you spend the whole day playing with it and your excitement makes you act silly and well, like a child?  I have to admit I feel like I am experiencing this childlike behavior all over again. Tuesday night I got a new (to me) Sewing/Embroidery machine.  I've been wanting an embroidery machine for quite some time now, but the cost of one just did not fit within our budget.  To make a long story short, I have a great-aunt who has an insane amount of sewing equipment to make quilts, bedding, piping, etc...you name it, she can do it.  She's been sewing some pillows for my sister, so while my mom was over there one day she told her I had been doing a lot of sewing and was wanting an embroidery machine.  I guess my aunt decided to part with the machine she hasn't used in quite some time, because now it's sitting on my kitchen table!

I love to sew, create, and design things and with this new machine I can monogram, applique, and embroider.  I am SO excited!!! I probably won't use it as a sewing machine since I already have a sewing machine and am use to it, but I immediately had to make something! One of my best friends from High School is having a little girl in August.  She lives in Winchester, but her shower is in Chattanooga this weekend.  I have been going crazy making sweet baby Elise lots of goodies.  Here is my first official product made with my new machine- I think I'm gonna have to make Kate one too :)

Since my child slobbers (and eats her bibs) like crazy nowadays this is the perfect size for her!

My good friend Abbey Duncan and I decided since we were both making handmade  gifts and outfits for people who either wanted the items for their own children or to give as gifts, we should just work together and offer a line of handmade outfits, baby gifts, and accessories- our own little Etsy shop. LiviKate's Collection is a new line of handmade items for the cute kids in your life :)  Of course we are a little bias to girls, but we are working on some super cute John Johns and other clothing items for little boys- they need to be well dressed too :)  

Click here to view our line

I've really been into crafting these days too.  For Mother's Day, I decided I just didn't want to buy mom something for the sake of buying her something.  Since it's her first Mother's Day as being a "Honey", I wanted it to be special! So Kate and I made her some flowers that will never die :) I've got some super fun ideas for Father's Day too :)

AND Last but not Least- Steven and I celebrated our four year Anniversary on May 20th.  We were going to eat at Red Lobster (we had a gift card) but we didn't drop Kate off with my mom in time.  So we settled for another favorite- Ankar's, YUMMY!!! We were on a strict time schedule because we got to see Riverdance for the last time- It's "retiring" so it's on a Farewell Tour.  We had incredible seats- it helps to know the man who brings all these wonderful shows to Chattanooga (My Dad) :) It was the perfect way to celebrate! 

Look at how young we look!  I had just graduated H.S :) :) :)

And Fast Forward 7 years Later :) Dropping K Off to celebrate 4 years of marriage!

Also, Check out www.Makeit-Loveit.com for some super cute and fun ideas!!! It's becoming one of my favorite Websites!

My Big Sister's a Pug

Warning: you may call me a crazy dog lady at the end of this post

We love Molly Bojangles and I can't wait for Kate to grow up loving her too.  She has already started noticing and watching her.  She even reaches out to touch her when she's close to her. I know they are going to be the best of friends!  I was so excited when I found the cutest onesie for K when I was pregnant.  I got a good laugh out of the crowd when I wrapped it up, signed it "From Molly Bojangles" and put it among the gifts at one of my baby showers :) The real laugh came when everyone who thought my sister was the one responsible for the gift learned I was behind it.  I can't believe Kate's already wearing it! 

Molly Bojangles and "her gift" for Kate :) Nov.2009

Big Sister wasn't cooperating at first so I just snapped some of Kate

I had to jump in and try to make this photo shoot successful

Then I tried to just put Kate where Molly Bo was

I think Kate is saying "just cooperate so mommy will quite taking pictures"

Then Molly Bo scoots away....And that's a wrap :)

Ballerina Girl

Kate was AWESOME at the dance recital this past weekend!!! She sat on my mom's lap and watched the program like such a well behaved little lady! :) She even got to wear her little tutu I bought for her almost immediately after I found out we were having a little girl! I love her so much and had such a wonderful first Mother's Day! God has truly blessed me beyond what I could have ever imagined! Here's some recent pics of my little Ballerina Girl.....

Such a Happy Baby Girl!!!

My Sweet Baby

K's recital outfit :)

Now- Summer Break and everyday home with my girl -Wahoo!