Dancing in the Minefields

Marriage is one of the greatest gifts that God blesses us with. When you get married, you learn how to live, communicate, and grow with that person. Then you begin to grow your little family and you can't thank God enough for the blessings He has so graciously given you.  But in the midst of all these wonderful life changes, you realize one thing, it's not always easy.  Marriage is work.  I recently heard this song by Andrew Peterson, who still has one of the greatest Christmas Albums ever in my book and it made me weep.  It's a beautiful song and it may be the most beautifully written song about marriage and the design of marriage I have ever heard. Below is the full video and song, but especially don't miss these lyrics...

"I do" are the two most famous last words
The beginning of the end
But to lose your life for another I've heard
Is a good place to begin
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/a/andrew_peterson/dancing_in_the_minefields.html ]
'Cause the only way to find your life
Is to lay your own life down
And I believe it's an easy price

For the life that we have found

That's all, just a blog about the beauty of marriage.  Mine is a work in progress and I pray yours is too. 

And it was called Yellow.

Have I ever told you how much I love the color Yellow? Well, I do. I actually love it a lot and I don't know about you, but I. AM. SO. READY. FOR. SPRING!!!! I mean, the snow has been great and all, but I am ready for flowers, green grass, sunshine, birds, planting, and all those other great things that make my hubby sneeze his head off too :) We have been having the most gorgeous weather lately and I am having Spring Fever like crazy!!!  Out with the cold and snow, in with the warmth and COLOR. That's right, I am bringing color back into my home.  Just like Justin brought sexy, I'm bringing color back.

Specifically, Yellow.

I'm working my way through "Total Money Makeover" or should I say, 

Dave Ramsey's kicking my butt the whole way through :)  Steven and I have set some crazy (in a good way) financial goals for ourselves and I have to be reminded daily, as Dave says it best,

"Live like no one else, so you can live like no one else"

Got the gorgeous fabric for the pillow in the front from a sweet friend.

Who else is SOOOO ready Spring?!?

One.

One: It sure has opened up a whole new world that includes Walking, Throwing, This is what I WANT, More personality and a little bit of an attitude :) It's amazing how our baby girl has changed in this first year and all of a sudden she's such a BIG girl!!! 

"But Mommy, I don't want to take any more pictures"
Thanks Holli for capturing this one :)

Some more of my sweet 1 year old....

My mom made this for my first birthday and I had my picture made in it. My mom was doing appliques before they were cool :)

Her Shirt Reads "I am Loved" 

And is that ever true. 

This sweet baby is blessed to be surrounded by A LOT of love!

Put a Bird on it.

I couldn't help but laugh out loud when I saw this video via another blog I follow.  I know that there are other bird lovers out there so hopefully you will get a little giggle out of this funny video too. I have no idea what this show is, but I do love a little Fred Armisen.

Never Grow Up. Happy Birthday, My Sweet Kate.

A Year.

It came and went in the blink of an eye.

And as I look back to the day that Sweet Baby Kate made her grand entrance into this world, I can't help but remember every emotion I experienced.  I remember it like it was seriously yesterday.  The labor process to bring that sweet child into this world was one that was long and complicated, but I would do it all over again.  If you're a mommy and as crazy as it sounds, you know exactly what I'm talking about!

Baby K was safe and sound in my little large belly so she had no intentions of leaving her little comfortable surroundings.  I'll spare you the details of the long process, so to make it short and sweet it looked a little something like this....

2 days past my due date + 0 cervical dilation + 26 hours of trying to induce labor + oh, she's actually breeched + an emergency c-section = my sweet K's birth story. 

So this is Love.

First Family Picture :)

Fast Forward.

It's been a year since then.  And this sweet baby girl has brought so much joy into our lives it's almost impossible to remember life before.  Even before we met our sweet angel, we referred to her as Sweet Kate and has she ever lived up to that name.  She's changed so much in the past year and as much as I look for myself in her physical features, she still looks. just. like. her. daddy. I mean, yes, some days she does look a little bit like me, but if you compare our baby pictures, she's literally a spitting image of her daddy.  My hair was completely white by my first birthday so I've given up on holding out for blonde hair.  And oh, those cheeks.  No one could deny those Johnston cheeks :)  Her little personality is starting to show more and more everyday and she is continually making us smile.

When I recently heard Miss T. Swift's song "Never Grow Up" I cried, like I do with any song that mentions anything about babies growing up or time moving way too fast or anything closely related.  So when my sister warned me about this sweet little song on T. Swift's new CD, I knew I better grab the tissues.  It's a sweet song about the relationship between a mother and daughter.  If you're a female, you know it's a special bond.  But it takes on a whole new meaning when you actually have your own daughter.  I won't sing the whole song for you, but if you get the chance, take a listen.  It will probably make you cry because A. You never want your little one to grow up or B. You are asking yourself, "when did I grow up?!"

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up

Just stay this little

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up

It could stay this simple

I won't let nobody hurt you

Won't let no one break your heart

And even though you want to
Please try to never grow up

Don't you ever grow up
Just never grow up

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY MY SWEET KATE.
I LOVE YOU,
MOMMY 

These are a few of my favorite things.

Wow, almost 2 months since my last post.  Let's just say life's been a little busy.  Ok, CRAAAAZZZZYYYY busy.  Life has been a whirlwind lately and I am SO incredibly thankful to enjoy the rest and relaxation that the holidays bring.  And this Christmas, I am feeling like one incredibly blessed woman.  We're only 3 weeks away from sweet baby Kate's 1st birthday and I can't believe it.  I love that baby girl more than words could ever express and I wouldn't trade this season of life for anything.  The Lord continues to lead and guide our little family and I thank Him everyday for where He has placed our little family in this journey called life.  I am amazed at His faithfulness and as I look back over this past year, it has been ever so present in my life and the life of my sweet hubby's.

With the craziness of life, my didn't get done list for this Christmas season is about 2x's my want to-do list. And strangely, I'm okay with that.  No, I didn't get those seasonal pillows made for my couch and no, I didn't spend the time I would have liked to on decorating my home for Christmas and like I said, it's okay.  I didn't want to let the didn't get done list put a damper on my Christmas Spirit, and that's a good thing cause this momma could use a little less stress.  Massage for Christmas anyone? Yes, please :)

I thought I would blog a little about the things I'm really loving this season, some Christmas related, some not.  Some of the things may be a few of your favorites too....

 sweet Baby K's Ballerina tree!  I already had all of the ornaments, tutu for the skirt, and garland. 

 I only had to purchase the star on top!

I'm a hodge podge type of Christmas tree girl.  I love ornaments that have been around through the years and carry special memories. My mom is a Crazy Hallmark ornament lady and we all have series that she has started for us over the years and adds to every year.  The angel on the left is the Hallmark Mary's Angels Series. I have 23 of them. Yes, for 23 years I've added a sweet little angel to my collection every Christmas.  This year my mom waited too late and many of the ornaments in our various series (bt the 3 siblings we have a total of 7 series) sold out at many of the Hallmark stores, BUT my sweet little momma couldn't let her sweet little children not receive their sweet little Hallmark ornaments this year so between 6, yes, 6 Hallmark stores in the Chattanooga area she found them all. Glory.  The other two are just special ornaments that represent the early years of our little family. Our first Christmas (2006) and the year Molly Bojangles joined our family (2008).  I'm sure I'll be receiving a commemorative Baby's First Christmas and new series to add for sweet baby Kate :)

Totally not Christmas related, but finally feeling like I have time to relax and catch up on my reading a little bit.  I'm on the second series, Firstborn Series, of Karen Kingbury's Baxter Family books and I'm absolutely LOVING it. I'm on book 3 and I really hope to finish the next 2 books over Christmas break! If you're looking for some good reading, get started with her Redemption series and be prepared to read like crazy!!! You can't put them down. My mom and I are reading them and I keep telling her to slow down.  I can't read them fast enough for her so she has to check them out from the Library :)

If you didn't already know...

I. LOVE. THIS. DOG.

Molly Bojangles is the sweetest little lady you will ever meet.  Her and Kate together are quite the pair and I love watching them.  Kate has started just wrapping those sweet little arms around Molly Bo and she'll just lay there with her head on her and it makes my heart melt.  And Molly Bo could not be any more gentle with K.  Can't wait to watch them grow up together. (Please notice the red finger nail polish. The groomer's daughter decided she need a little pampering for the holidays. LOVE it!)

Who doesn't love a little Holiday decor in their bathroom? I trimmed those Evergreen branches above the mirror from a tree at my parent's.  Our bathroom is one of my favorite rooms.  Steven and I did all the tile work ourselves, ripped out the massive double vanity and installed the individual sinks, replaced the lightning, and I recently finished our little personalized curtains.  We are definitely DIYers and we are way proud of our bathroom!

Please look at that smile!!! Santa AND baby Kate are cheezing it up and I LOVE it! 

And last but not least, who's excited about a Sweet Little Girl's First Brrrrthday Party?!?

MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

That's right, we're celebrating Penguin Style and I can't hardly stand it. The wheels are continuously turning in my brain and I'm in serious party planning mode.  I'm starting to get some things I've already ordered in the mail and I'm like a kid on Christmas morning every time a package comes!  Here's a sneak peek at the bow (you know it's a very important part of an outfit) that I got in the mail today that Sweet Kate will be sporting on the big day.

oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention my absolute FAVORITES :)  My sweet, sweet Hubby who's love for me is so evident it makes me wonder how I got to be so lucky, my beautiful Baby Girl that looks so much like her daddy it's ridiculous (in a good way), and our precious pooch that turned me into the crazy dog lover that I am today.  One blessed lady for sure.

 May we all enjoy sweet time with family and friends and most importantly, remember why we celebrate this special time of year. Thank you Lord for sending your precious baby boy.  May we never forget how much you love us and may our lives be a reflection of that love.

From My family to Yours,

Merry Merry Christmas!

Whooooo's the cutest baby girl?!

I spotted the most adorable Halloween costume a couple of months ago when Pottery Barn came out with their costume line for this season.  I knew I had to have it. I knew sweet baby Kate would be the cutest Hoot Owl for her first Halloween. 

But....I didn't order it as early as I should have and they sold out. Bummer. So I hopped over to ebay where I hoped someone had bought one and changed their mind. Wrong. Yes, people had them for sale, but they were jacked up to over double the original price. That's right, over $100 bucks for a stinkin' Halloween costume. Uh, don't think so!

Sooooo, the crazy mom that I am, that was determined to dress my child as a hoot owl did what only one can do and made it.  I love to sew, but making sweet baby Kate's costume was never really on my to-do list due to the LiviKate's Collection orders that have required my time and sewing machine lately.  But, I'm pretty sure sweet K trumps anything else I have going on, so the creation of a hoot owl began.  I used a pic of the PB one as my inspiration and a combination of a bumble bee costume pattern for the body and one of sweet K's bonnets as my pattern for the head piece.    Honestly, I didn't know how it was going to turn out when I dove into this project, especially since I didn't really have an owl pattern. But after a couple of late, late nights and having my own model to "fit" every so often, I am SO incredibly proud of how it turned out. Take a look.....

our sweet lil' hoot owl.  at the mall to see some friends in their costumes too.

look at that "mom, i'm really hot, can't even turn my neck"face :)

With the Duncans- Woody and Jesse from Toy Story. 
Poor Eli was sick :(
Abbey made all their costumes too!

there's my sweet smiley girl.  

LOVE. THIS. SWEET. BABY.

so glad Honey and Poppy came over and spent the evening with us!

And Aunt K

And we can't leave out sister ;)

Happy Halloween!!!

Love,

The Johnstons :)