10 Beautiful Years

10 years. Wow. 10 years ago, I met my best friend. 10 years ago, we went to Mazatlan (old school Mazatlan, where Ruby Tuesdays now is) and to the Cinema 3 (where Coast Hills Church now is) to see "You've Got Mail". 10 years ago, I fell in love. It stuck. I was a senior in high school. He had just graduated the June before. Seems very young doesn't it? Its hard to believe that Trav & I have made it to the double digits in our relationship when we haven't even seen the age of 30 yet. We were some of the lucky ones. We met, he smiled, I sighed, my heart jumped, my tummy danced, I pretty much knew. At 18, I knew. He was mine. My life changed. For the better. It has been so full with him in it.

I love you Trav. So much. Thank you for being my very best friend. For supporting me, spoiling me, loving me, trusting me, helping me, for being the very BEST father to our daughters & just being there for me. Here's to the next 10 wonderful years. Love, Stace

Anyone out there?

HELLO Hello hello.. (imagine an echo..) Anyone out there still? Sorry all for the lack of posts. I just haven't been in a blogging mood. I mean, I know there are like at least 5 of you out there who actually care about what my family & I have been up too, and I just haven't provided! Seriously though, Thanks to who ever actually reads this thing. Hopefully I will get out of my anti-blogging funk soon and have a fresh outlook on life to blog about. I think its the weather. I am SO glad the stupid snow is gone. And yes, this is from me, Stacey, she who loves snow. It USED to make me happy. Now? It just makes me snarl. And I need to tell you about the title to a prior post. You know, the sore fingers one. The very same one where I RAVED about the now dreaded snow. Stupid stupid me. Anyways. Sore fingers were from a quilt I spent about 50 hours on for my Mom for Christmas (not kidding). Hopefully I will download the pics to my pc soon to show you. OH, another reason I HATE the snow. And a big reason for the lack of posts. No Internet or Cable for an entire week. Darn that snow. And Ice. Shudder.

Ho Ho Ho Harry Misses!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas. Love and Blessings to you all.. Stacey

A fun day with sore fingers

As we are all aware, we are in the middle of a fun winter storm. I love just about everything about it. The beautiful snow covering the ground, the time I get to spend with my big kids and hub outside, the pictures I get to take, even the local news stations who have dubbed the storm, Arctic Blast 2008. (And no, I am not even being sarcastic, gasp!) Since most of the people who read my blog are here in the fabulous NW, so I really don't think I need to go into more detail then that. You all know that the schools were all cancelled for the whole week, and that we have gotten about 10 or so inches of the wonderful fluffy white stuff this week. Anyways.. Here are just a few pictures that I have taken this week. And I have to tell you, I refrained from posting a rather explicit picture that I took last night. Of a certain male appendage carved out of snow over by Linfield College. Both Trav & I said at the same time "so that's what a $100,000 education buys you eh? Niiice." It was pretty weird that we had the same thought at the same time. But come on kids! Don't go making P#%@s sculptures for all to see. I mean, REALLY. Luckily our kids weren't in the car. Whew, dodged that bullet. I can hear it now.... "Mommy, what IS that?"

Thats all for now. Have a fabulous time in the snow!

(oh and about the title... I'll share soon.. Promise)

 

 

 

 

 

ALLELUIA!!! ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, A-LEY-LUH-YA!ll

(yes like the song..)

Which is what I felt this afternoon on my lunch break when I walked into the basement of Borsema's Sewing Center. I found a small portion of Heaven, right here in McMinnville! The fabric clearance section. All my fave fabrics + On Sale = Heaven. It was love at first sight. I will be back, oh yes, I will be back.

Note: There is one teensy tiny problem that I can see here. I work at OMI. Which is right ACROSS the street from my new piece of heaven. Buh-by paychecks, buh-by.

A Privildge

I had the prividge of being the photographer at the Seeds Of Hope Christmas party on Saturday night, and I feel blessed to have been included in such a wonderful event. My inlaws have been on the See Ya Later board since the begining so I have had the honor of watching this foundation grow & thrive & help those kids & families in need. After I got back from the party I was showing Maddy some of the pictures of Santa & Mrs. Claus, and she was so surprised to see how much Mrs Claus looks like Gwamma Debbie! *wink* It was very cute. She kept saying, WOW, Mrs Santa has the same hair! (huh? I'm pretty sure Deb has brownish red hair, not silver) AND the same Makeup! WOW! It was very very cute. Because I don't want to make anyone upset, I am just going to post pictures of Santa (ahem, Gwampa Byron), Mrs Claus (Gwamma Debbie), & their Elves (Leslie Banke & Kate Buehler). Because, well, I know them.

 

 

 

 

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Gingerbread House Building

Welcome to the 1st annual Johnson family Gingerbread House extravaganza! I have never made a gingerbread house before... But it was a lot of fun and I think I did a decent job for being an amateur. We were joined by some great college kids, Pam Wilkins & Eric (cant remember his last name..) Here are the results!
This one was the one I made. I dubbed it, The Church. Creative eh?

This is Alex's creation! I loved watching her complete this project. She sat there for HOURS just working away. Not bad for a 4 year old. (thanks to Uncle Austin for the help with the building, she couldn't have done it with out you!)

Here is Gwamma Debbies. I was teasing her, telling her it looked like a gingerbread prison. But in the end we decided it was more like a barn. Like the one Jesus was born in. Much more Christmassy.

This one is Pam & Eric's. You could really tell that these two are both type A personalities.. It was cute to watch them build this together.

And Maddys... Gwampa Byron helped her. Ok, really Gwampa Byron made it. Maddy, she just put the Chocolate bar on the top. Then disappeared to watch Disney. Hmmm.

It was a fun activity to do as a family. Well, most of the family anyways. Trav & Peyton fell asleep on the couch.

Stay Tuned too! More Christmas Activities to come. We will have the Christmas programs, and I am hoping maybe a Zoo lights or some kind of light seeing event to post about. Ciao!

The one with the Christmas songs

STAY AWAKE! BE HAPPY! FOR YOU'LL NEVER KNOW THE HOUR WHEN THE LORD IS COMING. STAY AWAKE! BE HAPPY! FOR THE LORD IS COMING SOOOOOOON! HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH, FOR THE LORD IS COMING SOON!

Now, picture this. Our van. Me. My girls. Small talk...

Me: "So Maddy what songs are you learning for your Christmas program?"
Maddy: "Um, You mean the Winter Program? I think.. We wish you a Happy Holiday, Snowy Pants, Rudolph. And I think a couple more."
Me: "Snowy Pants?"
Maddy: "Yeah"
Me to my self under my breath.. unbelievable.
Me: "How about you Alex? Are you learning any songs for your Christmas program yet?"
Alex: "OH YEAH!" and instantly breaks into song... STAY AWAKE! BE HAPPY! FOR YOU'LL NEVER KNOW THE HOUR WHEN THE LORD IS COMING. STAY AWAKE! BE HAPPY! FOR THE LORD IS COMING SOOOOOOON! HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH, FOR THE LORD IS COMING SOON!

And that my friends is the difference between a public school and a private Catholic school. I mean come on, SNOWY PANTS? Seriously? Seriously.

What a difference a year makes (and a nicer camera too)

The fuzzy pictures are from us getting our tree almost exactly a year ago today. The clearer ones are from our great tree hunting expedition of 2008. At least that's what it felt like. Every year, we put on our clothes that are ok to muddy up and traipse into the "Dawk Fowest" (actually its Ramsbys Tree Farm) to cut down the family tree. And every year it ends up taking, oh, about 2 hours to find just the right one. This year was no exception. One of these years we will just drive up, and I will say, "THATS IT!" At least that's a dream of mine anyways. Fingers crossed its next Christmas. Oh who am I kidding. Its now a Johnson family tradition to argue over what tree is better. And now Maddy & Alex are in on it. So, I like the Turkish furs or Nobles. Maddy, can't stand them. Every one I pointed out, she was like, "NO MOMMY! There are way to many spaces in it!" I tried very patiently to explain to her that is what they are supposed to look like, but she just didn't care. We ended up with a Turkish Fur this year and I can't wait to put it up and decorate it! Post to follow I am sure!

 

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The 100th Post. WOW

Oh my 100 posts? Seriously? I couldn't have had that much to say. Scratch that. I couldn't have had that many INTERESTING things to say. Better. Apparently I have though, because here we are. I kinda feel like its 100 day at school. You remember right? When that magical day arrives, you are supposed to bring in 100 of something. I think that was kindergarten. (The real reason I "remember" it, is because Maddy did it last year... Ssshhh..) I would post 100 pictures. But heck, I feel like I have already done that. Or I could post 100 things I like about blogging. Nah. I don't think I could do it. So I am just going to commemorate my 100th post by telling you I am gonna be an Auntie again. This time to a BOY! My little sis is expecting her little Jackson Charles in May. Finally. We are getting a baby boy in the family. Its gonna be fun!

A Year Ago (and a day because I'm a slacker..)

Dear Peyton ~
A year ago, we welcomed you into our lives. It was a momentous occasion! You were born a week early, and very quickly. Arriving just 2 hours after hard labor set in and only 5 minutes of pushing at 12:02 pm on 12/2/2007. I still get a kick out of the preciseness of your birth time and date. It makes me wonder if that is how you will be as an adult? You, sweet Peyton, are a fun, funny, adorable, happy, lovely, sweet natured, strong willed (already), and an incredibly wonderful person. Everyone who meets you smiles and tells me how adorable you are. My dreams for you are, that you will be a happy and content person who loves the Lord and your family. I dream that you are a success at what ever you set your mind to do and that no one or anything will stop you from getting what you want. Be strong. Be Happy. Be yourself. Love. Dream. Make things happen. Control your destiny, don't let it control you. Laugh, oh please laugh! Cry. Study. Learn, always learn. Become everything you can. And do all this, knowing always, that your Mom and Dad love you and support you. You, my darling baby, are a light. Let it shine. I love you, Mommy

The Civil War Party

In my fam the civil war between the Oregon Ducks and the Oregon State Beavers is HUGE. Every year my in-laws throw big party for everyone to come eat and watch some college kiddies play football. Me, I could honestly care less. But I get suckered into it every year. My hub, he is a big Big BIG Ducks fan. Same with the bro's and Father in law. My mother in law. She is a different story. Its Beaves all the way wiht her. Me, I'm more, lets say, nuetral ground. Probably because, like I said before, I just don't care. But for the sake of staying on my MIL's good side, I generally cheer for the Beaves when they are playing against those dreadful Ducks. (kidding about the dreadful part..) This year, the beaves side of the house was pretty somber. Oh well, At least Peyton had a good time! (Trav & his brothers did too, because, well the Ducks kinda stomped on the Beaves at their house. Dang Beavers didn't you know the ROSE BOWL was in YOUR HANDS! SHEESH) Anyways.. Here are some pics of that very "exciting" afternoon/evening.

...how sweet it is

We had our darling baby Peytons 1st birthday party today. Her birthday is on Tuesday... more on her actual birthday to follow. I just really wanted to post the slideshow I made of our girls 1st year with us. It has been a great time. We love you Peyton!

Giving Thanks

Here it is. The Thanksgiving Thank You post. I know you all have been anxiously awaiting it. :-) No no! Don't say anything, just enjoy...

1. You Trav. For everything you do for me & our 3 growing girls. You are an amazing husband and father. You treat me so incredibly well. Better then I deserve probably. I love you so much, and you are there for me in everything that I do. Thank you.


2. Oh, my 3 wonderful daughters. I love you SO MUCH. You are so good and kind, and exactly everything we could have asked for in children to raise.

Thank you girls.

Maddy.. You are the sweetest big sister. We can just tell by the way you treat your little sisters that you truly love them. Even if you don't like Alex very much sometimes. You are so smart too. Even your teacher says so. Thank you for coming into our lives 1st.

Alex.. Oh Alex. Thank you for, at the age of 4, knowing who you are and what you want. And doing EVERYTHING in your power to get it. You my child are a free spirit. Don't ever ever change. Keep challenging me as a Mom. Make me be the best mother and person I can be. You are my strong one. Stay that way.

Sweet baby Peyton. You my darling baby, are our light. You make all of us smile. Your laugh is infectious. Your squeals of delight lift all of our hearts. I pray daily, that you will remain a total and complete joy for everyone who knows you.


3. For our HOME. Even though we are just about bursting out of it, its ours.


4. For my parents. You guys are great people who deserve so much. Thank you for being great parents and grandparents. We couldn't raise our girls with out you.
5. For my other Mom & Dad, Travs parents. Same goes. Thank you.
6. For my niece Olivia. You are such a great baby. I am so lucky!
7. For my niece or nephew (we don't know which yet, but we will on Peytons birthday!) who has not arrived yet. We can not wait to meet you! You are so loved already.
8. My sisters. You probably should have gone before your babies.. But tough luck. :-) You guys are great. I love you!
9. For all 4 of my bro in laws. Dang guys. I never had ONE brother, now I have to deal with FOUR! Thanks to the ones who married my sisters. For making them happy. And to my other brothas. You guys are some cool dudes. :-)
10. For the Bruceter (actually its Bruce..But if you knew me, you would know that I change just about every ones names) my new "nephew". He's a Boxer puppy. And he just makes me happy.
11.For our Small group. It is so great to have a consistent group of friends. And those we can count on to pray with us and for us when we have been down. (we are also thankful for those who have left our small group, we miss you guys!)
12. For my job. And for my hubs job. In this economy. We are ever so grateful to have "secure" employment.
13. For Dianes Daycare.. So we can go to work and have our "secure" jobs. You, Diane, Corrie, & Michelle mean so much to our girls. Thanks you for teaching them and helping them become who they are. We love you!
14. For my 2 big girls' teachers. Whose passion it is to TEACH and mold young minds. I have the utmost respect for you and what you do. Seriously. I could NEVER do it. Ever.
15. For Coffee, and my hub who makes it for me every morning. Even though he hates the stuff. How cool is that?!
16. For the fact that gas prices are now under $2.00 a gallon. I mean, I know its supposed to be not a very good sign & all.. but heck, we are saving a bundle of money right now.
17. For everything my mind couldn't wrap around this morning. I am thankful.

There you have it folks. Thank you for reading my blog. I am not sure of how many of you there are.. I wish I did. I would be VERY thankful if you were to comment. :-) Love and blessings to you all.... Stace

Sorry in advance..I am reminiscing.

I was going through my pictures tonight, and I just HAD to blog this one. Um, hello! My daughter is pretty much feeling Winnie the Pooh up. Ooops.

 

She might look innocent..

 

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I have some seriously pretty girls!

 

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Don't look so awake Trav, gosh. People might think you are having a good time. We wouldn't want that. Oh no.

 

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Give Thanks to the...Penguins?

"Hey Momma, did you know, that the penguins came over on on the Mayflower and thats why we eat Turkey?" Maddy J age 6 1/2

Huh. Guess you do learn something new everyday.

The Belly Laugh

Obviously you can't hear it, but I think I captured it pretty darn well. She was just laughing like crazy at her big sissy Alex this afternoon!

 

Look at ME!

Here I am. Testing out my skills.

 

Gosh Momma, I was so tired. Eating breakfast is exhausting!

 

So big with my big girl teeth and bright blue eyes!

 

Encouragement please!

I had a bad day. Scratch that. Alex & I had a bad day. Wait. Scratch that too. Alex had a bad day at school, which stressed me out, which caused me to have a bad day. Better. So, we had 2 weeks of good behavior. 2 whole weeks. Today it stopped. She had to go to the principals office. This time she kicked the teachers drawers. (When she first told me what happened I thought she said she kicked the TEACHER. I didn't hear the drawers part. I actually started to cry. Whew. I was actually glad when I caught the drawers part. Is that bad?)

Fast forward. Tonight. We skip small group. Which almost never happens. We skip it to have the "come to Jesus" talk, kiddiefied. We felt like if we didn't talk to her tonight and give her her consequence tonight that it would be less effective. Not sure if this is true...

Consequence. No Girls Night Out for Alex. (quick note on that: Girls night out is a slumber party for the big girls who go to Diane's daycare. This is a BIG deal. Huge. In the 6 1/2 years I have been taking my kids to Diane's this has never happened. My girls have been awaiting this for a very loooong time.) Alex is very sad. Mommy is very very sad. I personally didn't want to take it away from her, but Trav did and I felt like we need to stand together on this and his argument in favor was much stronger then mine against. Dang.

Tomorrow? We'll see.

Aahhh, Shopping

I was able to go shopping yesterday. Alone. With NO kids. Yes, my friends, zero kids. It was bliss. I was blessed with a Nordstroms gift card for my birthday the other week, and it was burnin a hole in my pocket! So, when my hub was at a Blazers game with his bro's, I pawned my girls off with my in-laws and headed off to Nordstroms Half-Yearly sale. LOVE IT. I was able to get quite a lot. And I have found a new favorite brand of pants. Not Denim. That's another story. But work pants. Say hello to Billy Blues. The best part about these, is that for the most part they fit like my fave pair of jeans. You know.. Seven For All Man Kind in Dojo. Duh. AND, my Billy Blues were on sale. I love sales. I also got a great new shirt, a sweater, a sweatshirt, a cami, and some great new makeup (with a free gift bag for spending $25 or more.) I also hit up J.Crew. Which is another GREAT store. Where I got more stuff off the sale rack for 50% more off already reduced prices. (Ok, so don't give me a hard time about sales. I mean, hello, I am raising 3 girls here!) I also got Peyton her Christmas dress. It's adorable! Oh, can I tell you a little secret? I kinda missed having some one there with me. I mean, it gets tiring lugging around all your shopping bags with out help! Maybe next time I will take the stroller.. :-)

Minty fresh...Hair?

Once upon a time, long long ago,(yesterday am), in a far away land (Sheridan) there lived a Royal family. In this Royal family there was a King, a Queen, and 3 pretty little princesses. Now, the King and the Queen, they share the royal throne room, (bathroom to all you non royal folk). In that room the King & Queen do all sorts of things. (Get your heads out of those gutters people.) They brush their teeth & hair for example. So on that long long ago morning, (yesterday am) the King was brushing is royal teeth with his royal toothbrush and toothpaste. The Queen came along after he was finished to brush and dry and curl her wonderfully beautiful hair among other things. After she brushed and dried said wonderfully beautiful hair, her 3 pretty little princesses were in dire need of some help, so the queen being a good and kind mother went to separate them before one princess got knocked out by the other princess. After that, she went back into the Royal Throne room to finish up with her personal preparations for the day. This is when she noticed that, gasp, something sticky was in her wonderfully beautiful hair. Not sure what it was, and no longer having time to deal with it, she pulled her hair back, and went out the door to ride in the Royal Grand Caravan to work with her family.

On the way, the Queen was making polite conversation with King who was driving, about how there was something sticky in her wonderfully beautiful hair and that she couldn't figure out what it was or when it happened. The King, looking fairly sheepish at this point asks the queen, "Did her highness use her hairbrush this morning?" To which the Queen replies, (with gritted teeth might I add) "OF COURSE SHE USED HER HAIR BRUSH THIS MORNING, why wouldn't she?" (in a much nicer voice)"Well" the King said, "Um, I might have, well, dropped some toothpaste on, gosh, the hairbrush while I was brushing my teeth this morning, and uh, I guess I must have forgotten to take the time to wash it off." "Oh my!" said the Queen. "You my dear husband, King Travis, are in for it now."

The Moral of the story (don't all fairy tales have story morals?) Look at your hair brush before you use it, or you too will have Minty fresh.. Hair.

My little peace maker

This is a drawing Maddy colored for me just today. Now..If only she could get along with her sister.

Peyton is 11 months old!

My sweet girl.. It seems like yesterday you came into this world, and here we are, a month before the big 1st birthday. You are such a darling baby. You have a strong spirit, and yet a gentle soul. We are so blessed to have you in our lives. We love you Peyton!