This is most mornings in our house. Sometimes one or the other don't wake up quite as early, but usually I've got at least one doing devotions with me :)
I had to print some updated pictures out to put up at work when I got back.
My sweet co-workers welcomed me back in style :)
I just kinda wish I could do all the things every day and not miss out on any of them. Like...only work when the kids are sleeping but then still get to sleep myself. I do really like my job :)
First day at daycare got me like...
When this is how you start your second day of work...it's a wonder I still fit into my pants after a few weeks back haha
I got to have lunch with my big kid at school, and he was super excited to see me :)
Kendrick was in his element here :)
Waiting for your turn in the combine on a freezing cold day is the pits!
Cashel isn't nearly as big a fan of the farming stuff, but he still likes to ride with Grandpa :)
This kid could have gone by himself for his first ride. Cashel and Kendrick were both way too terrified,
but Ryan was all, "Let's get this show on the road, people." He and Kendrick will likely, if anyone, be the farmers of the family.
Daddy had a bit of an accident with a wagon of corn this year. Thankfully, nothing beyond the wagon was damaged, and a little (or, okay, a LOT of) extra time vacuuming up some corn.
Bahaha - this picture cracks me up! Someone was VERY upset that Grandpa was done combining for the night by the time they got to the field from the elevator. Fortunately, he still got to ride with Grandpa back to the farm in the combine, but oh.my.word was he angry.
The farming crew 2017 :) (Note: Kendrick was instantly giddy when he learned about the combine ride being still on haha)
The sunsets around here are just phenomenal!
She's seriously just so pretty it pains me sometimes! How in the world could I be upset for even a minute about how this year has gone when God blessed us with her?
And this one. Oh my word has this one brought immense joy to our lives!
Mark and I finally got out to celebrate my birthday with a little dessert at Ground Round. This was my choice. YUM!!!
So this month has NOT been the easiest in the world. Heading back to work, continuing to see VERY little progress with Mark's mental state, and the insanity that is raising 4 kids, but...this picture excites me.
You guys...I have been given the privilege of fighting for my marriage, and I am EXCITED! No, things are not awesome right now. It's hard. It sometimes feels insurmountable, but you know what? GOD IS SO GOOD!
And I cannot WAIT to see the rest of our story, when God delivers us. We may be at what feels like the deepest of deeps right now, but in my experience with deep deeps, it makes the highs way even higher than we could ever imagine. It's gonna get good, and when it does, it's gonna feel 1000000 times higher than I've known before, which is awesome. For now, I just get to fight, and I'm so excited about that!
Seriously one of the best books I've probably ever read. My counselor loaned it to me, and it was EXCELLENT.
This picture gives me all the warm fuzzies, you guys. One thing I've asked for prayer in from my prayer warriors is for little glimpses of who Mark used to be, to give me hope to keep on going. This was one of those little glimpses. Mark really struggles with emotions right now - he doesn't have any. So, after a particularly rough day, in which I called my friend Lana crying and not being sure I could do it anymore, I got this. I came home, was snuggling Kinsley in the recliner, and Mark randomly walked into the room, crawled down on the floor next to her and started smiling and talking to her and kissed her on her cheek and it was just so sweet. It was exactly what I had been asking for prayer for. God hears us.
And then...later that night...oh, my heart about burst! This used to be a pretty regular occurrence in our house before Ryan was born, but it has been almost 2 years since he has given the boys rides.
I love it when they reach giraffe hat status lol
I'm gonna miss this in a few more weeks when there is the "s" word all over the place!
Kendrick was staying overnight with Grandpa and Grandma, so Cashel asked if he could have bedtime (complete with family movie on my phone instead of downstairs on the TV) with us in our bed, and we obliged...with chocolate chip cookies even :) He deemed it the best night ever!
He then fell asleep in my arms for the first time in probably 3 years. It was so sweet, I went to snap a picture, and then was stunned to see my reflection in the camera. Except it was him. I guess he looks more like his Mama than I ever realized!
This big girl wanted to join us at the table :)
I know this will change soon with the 4th leap and all, but for now, if you feed this baby, she is a happy lady!
Waiting at the ER. We had a little scare in which Mark had a lot of symptoms that made me worry he might be having a heart attack. Turns out, he just likely overdid it at the gym and caught a tummy bug at the same time, and well...a pulled muscle in his chest and nausea, upset stomach and vomiting from that ended up just wasting an evening at the ER. Thankfully it was AWANA night for the big kids, and our sweet friend Lana managed the big kids there and then afterwards for a little while. We're thankful he came back completely clear, although with the instructions to come back if he had...well...basically the exact same symptoms he just had been brought in with lol It may have been a waste of our time, but I don't regret bringing him in.
When big brother Cashel was at Grandpa and Grandma's for his own solo weekend, Kendrick and Mama had a DQ (thanks, Steff!) and Runnings date while the babies napped.
Stay tuned for a post about the gingerbread house this year! Spoiler: I didn't do one iota of it this year, and it was WONDERFUL!
This kid is growing up a light speed lately, and I am just so not ready for that!
Kendrick has been an absolute bearcat when it comes to sleep lately. He claims to be scared of EVERYTHING! It drives me completely bonkers! We have conceded by allowing him to sleep on the crib mattress on the floor in our room. He decided he should make the environment more festive.
If these guys pair up, it's usually like this: Kendrick/Ryan and...
...Cashel/Kinsley
He changes diapers...AND peels potatoes. LOTS of potatoes.
Seriously...most succulent, flavorful turkey I've ever made. It was SO GOOD!
Another of those, "Hey, honey - can you come take a picture of me tearing this turkey apart in the kitchen?" moments.
my favorite vessel for green bean casserole :) (It's in the shape of a turkey. It was a white elephant gift at the Ropte family Christmas a handful of years ago, and I think I scored a STEAL!)
If you couldn't tell, this kid has a bit of a personality...and he likes to be the center of attention :)
Even on a walk in the middle of nowhere...the fingers and the hair lol
Some days they cooperate, but Thanksgiving day was NOT that day.
Oh, and did I also mention that this kid LOVES Barney. He calls him "Baaaaaaaaaa-nay" (Baa like a sheep), and when he says it, it almost sounds German lol
We had the paparazzi out taking Sofie's "senior picture" poses :)
Love these ladies!
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
This one was napping the whole time we were decorating, so he woke up feeling pretty confused lol
Thanks to Aunt Jess, we have discovered Chicken Chow Fun, and the boys are OBSESSED! I'm kinda in love with it too, and am stoked that the boys will eat it so well.
My favorite traditions of the year include the Christmas Decorating and Chinese night.
In our city, Santa arrives via fire truck ;)
I love these four crazy monkeys so much!!
Not scared, but definitely not really all that interested.
To say we love our Jess is such an understatement! She is such a joy and such a sweet spirit. Our whole family just adores her, and we're not quite so sure where we'd be without her!
I say this every time we have a Johnson gathering, but this was the BEST meal I think I've ever had. The flavors were just out of this world!
Oh man are we ever in trouble with this one! lol We are just loving her little personality these days. She makes you feel like the most special person in the room when you look at her and her face lights up like this :)
Cashel was just eating along, and then a LADYBUG crawled on his arm. I got the focus off, but you can see the little bump on his arm there lol
Our Johnson Thanksgiving Crew :) We are so thankful for these people - this family!
I had to print some updated pictures out to put up at work when I got back.
My sweet co-workers welcomed me back in style :)
I just kinda wish I could do all the things every day and not miss out on any of them. Like...only work when the kids are sleeping but then still get to sleep myself. I do really like my job :)
First day at daycare got me like...
When this is how you start your second day of work...it's a wonder I still fit into my pants after a few weeks back haha
I got to have lunch with my big kid at school, and he was super excited to see me :)
Kendrick was in his element here :)
Waiting for your turn in the combine on a freezing cold day is the pits!
Cashel isn't nearly as big a fan of the farming stuff, but he still likes to ride with Grandpa :)
This kid could have gone by himself for his first ride. Cashel and Kendrick were both way too terrified,
but Ryan was all, "Let's get this show on the road, people." He and Kendrick will likely, if anyone, be the farmers of the family.
Daddy had a bit of an accident with a wagon of corn this year. Thankfully, nothing beyond the wagon was damaged, and a little (or, okay, a LOT of) extra time vacuuming up some corn.
Bahaha - this picture cracks me up! Someone was VERY upset that Grandpa was done combining for the night by the time they got to the field from the elevator. Fortunately, he still got to ride with Grandpa back to the farm in the combine, but oh.my.word was he angry.
The farming crew 2017 :) (Note: Kendrick was instantly giddy when he learned about the combine ride being still on haha)
The sunsets around here are just phenomenal!
She's seriously just so pretty it pains me sometimes! How in the world could I be upset for even a minute about how this year has gone when God blessed us with her?
And this one. Oh my word has this one brought immense joy to our lives!
Mark and I finally got out to celebrate my birthday with a little dessert at Ground Round. This was my choice. YUM!!!
So this month has NOT been the easiest in the world. Heading back to work, continuing to see VERY little progress with Mark's mental state, and the insanity that is raising 4 kids, but...this picture excites me.
You guys...I have been given the privilege of fighting for my marriage, and I am EXCITED! No, things are not awesome right now. It's hard. It sometimes feels insurmountable, but you know what? GOD IS SO GOOD!
And I cannot WAIT to see the rest of our story, when God delivers us. We may be at what feels like the deepest of deeps right now, but in my experience with deep deeps, it makes the highs way even higher than we could ever imagine. It's gonna get good, and when it does, it's gonna feel 1000000 times higher than I've known before, which is awesome. For now, I just get to fight, and I'm so excited about that!
Seriously one of the best books I've probably ever read. My counselor loaned it to me, and it was EXCELLENT.
This picture gives me all the warm fuzzies, you guys. One thing I've asked for prayer in from my prayer warriors is for little glimpses of who Mark used to be, to give me hope to keep on going. This was one of those little glimpses. Mark really struggles with emotions right now - he doesn't have any. So, after a particularly rough day, in which I called my friend Lana crying and not being sure I could do it anymore, I got this. I came home, was snuggling Kinsley in the recliner, and Mark randomly walked into the room, crawled down on the floor next to her and started smiling and talking to her and kissed her on her cheek and it was just so sweet. It was exactly what I had been asking for prayer for. God hears us.
And then...later that night...oh, my heart about burst! This used to be a pretty regular occurrence in our house before Ryan was born, but it has been almost 2 years since he has given the boys rides.
I love it when they reach giraffe hat status lol
I'm gonna miss this in a few more weeks when there is the "s" word all over the place!
Kendrick was staying overnight with Grandpa and Grandma, so Cashel asked if he could have bedtime (complete with family movie on my phone instead of downstairs on the TV) with us in our bed, and we obliged...with chocolate chip cookies even :) He deemed it the best night ever!
He then fell asleep in my arms for the first time in probably 3 years. It was so sweet, I went to snap a picture, and then was stunned to see my reflection in the camera. Except it was him. I guess he looks more like his Mama than I ever realized!
This big girl wanted to join us at the table :)
I know this will change soon with the 4th leap and all, but for now, if you feed this baby, she is a happy lady!
Waiting at the ER. We had a little scare in which Mark had a lot of symptoms that made me worry he might be having a heart attack. Turns out, he just likely overdid it at the gym and caught a tummy bug at the same time, and well...a pulled muscle in his chest and nausea, upset stomach and vomiting from that ended up just wasting an evening at the ER. Thankfully it was AWANA night for the big kids, and our sweet friend Lana managed the big kids there and then afterwards for a little while. We're thankful he came back completely clear, although with the instructions to come back if he had...well...basically the exact same symptoms he just had been brought in with lol It may have been a waste of our time, but I don't regret bringing him in.
When big brother Cashel was at Grandpa and Grandma's for his own solo weekend, Kendrick and Mama had a DQ (thanks, Steff!) and Runnings date while the babies napped.
Stay tuned for a post about the gingerbread house this year! Spoiler: I didn't do one iota of it this year, and it was WONDERFUL!
This kid is growing up a light speed lately, and I am just so not ready for that!
Kendrick has been an absolute bearcat when it comes to sleep lately. He claims to be scared of EVERYTHING! It drives me completely bonkers! We have conceded by allowing him to sleep on the crib mattress on the floor in our room. He decided he should make the environment more festive.
If these guys pair up, it's usually like this: Kendrick/Ryan and...
...Cashel/Kinsley
He changes diapers...AND peels potatoes. LOTS of potatoes.
Seriously...most succulent, flavorful turkey I've ever made. It was SO GOOD!
Another of those, "Hey, honey - can you come take a picture of me tearing this turkey apart in the kitchen?" moments.
my favorite vessel for green bean casserole :) (It's in the shape of a turkey. It was a white elephant gift at the Ropte family Christmas a handful of years ago, and I think I scored a STEAL!)
If you couldn't tell, this kid has a bit of a personality...and he likes to be the center of attention :)
Even on a walk in the middle of nowhere...the fingers and the hair lol
Some days they cooperate, but Thanksgiving day was NOT that day.
Oh, and did I also mention that this kid LOVES Barney. He calls him "Baaaaaaaaaa-nay" (Baa like a sheep), and when he says it, it almost sounds German lol
We had the paparazzi out taking Sofie's "senior picture" poses :)
Love these ladies!
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
This one was napping the whole time we were decorating, so he woke up feeling pretty confused lol
Thanks to Aunt Jess, we have discovered Chicken Chow Fun, and the boys are OBSESSED! I'm kinda in love with it too, and am stoked that the boys will eat it so well.
My favorite traditions of the year include the Christmas Decorating and Chinese night.
In our city, Santa arrives via fire truck ;)
I love these four crazy monkeys so much!!
Not scared, but definitely not really all that interested.
To say we love our Jess is such an understatement! She is such a joy and such a sweet spirit. Our whole family just adores her, and we're not quite so sure where we'd be without her!
I say this every time we have a Johnson gathering, but this was the BEST meal I think I've ever had. The flavors were just out of this world!
Oh man are we ever in trouble with this one! lol We are just loving her little personality these days. She makes you feel like the most special person in the room when you look at her and her face lights up like this :)
Cashel was just eating along, and then a LADYBUG crawled on his arm. I got the focus off, but you can see the little bump on his arm there lol
Our Johnson Thanksgiving Crew :) We are so thankful for these people - this family!
