IT SNOWED!!!!

I can hardly believe it's true, but I saw it with my own eyes. Snow. Actual. Real. Snow! Granted, it didn't stick nor did it last very long, it actually happened. Kayleigh ran outside and admired it for the brief moment that it came down, but she loved it while it was here. Notice the teeny tiny little flakes coming down around her.

Ethan's 3!

Who knew how greatly our lives would change three years ago? I couldn't have come close to imagining how precious this little boy would be. Only God knew how awesome His creation was.

And here he is now. Seriously. Precious. I cannot fully explain how much I love him. SO very thankful we were given this little guy! We love you, Ethan!

Luke 2:10-12

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

My baby boy...Joel, that is

Sweet. Precious. Treasure. Adorable. Angel. I could go on and on, he's just so wonderful. He is such a good baby, and we are so thankful for him. Here is Joel Thomas after his bath last night.

Christmas at our house

So, for an attempt at getting Christmas pictures of the kids that seemingly was not going well, we actually got some really sweet ones, especially of Ethan, which is usually our hardest one to get! We'll have to try again for the whole family. Joel was just too tired and cranky to cooperate. But I hope you enjoy these:

little lady

My precious little lady.

Joel's 5 months old!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Our little Santa is 5 months old! One of three best Christmas presents ever!

Joel's 4 months old!

Our little Joel Thomas is growing up!

15 lbs. 6 oz.
25 1/4" long

Accomplishments this month:
Laughing and "talking" all the time!
He's sleeping through the night!
He's starting to roll from back to tummy more, and has rolled tummy to back once.
Slept at Nana and PawPaw's for the first time this month (while we were all sick, yuck!)
Grabbing for objects in front of him!

A message typed from Kayleigh:

happy 4 month birthday Joel. we can't believe he is geting so big . this month has been tuff on Joel. daddy Kayleigh momma and Ethan got sick. meaning throgh up. so we did not want to get Joel sick. so he spent the night with Nana and Pawpaw. and wouldn't eat.we got sick November 8 .bad month for Joel.

Our Peeps

Our kiddos are growing up way too fast! Joel is pulling his head and shoulders off the ground like he's already doing crunches! It's pretty funny to watch, plus he takes it pretty seriously. Ethan has become the family comedian. He's seriously one of the funniest kids I know. Sometimes I think he is making us laugh so he doesn't get in trouble, and hello! It's totally working. It's hard to discipline with that face looking at you! And Kayleigh is our little ballet princess, as always. She is an angel in the upcoming "Nutcracker" and is so excited about it. She's all drama and just the sweetest little girl. Yes, I think she's proven you can be both dramatic and sweet at the same time!

I thought I would also put a few of the highlights from the kids day to day doings:

Joel:

He has rolled over a few times, but not with any real consistency, but he sure tries hard!

He laughs really big when you "throw him in the air."

He loves bath time. Really. Loves. Bath time. He just smiles and talks. So cute!

Ethan:

(how many times have we seen this face?!)

He pretty much always holds his pants up when he runs! Most of the time they are about to actually fall off. He's just so skinny! What a problem, huh?!

One of his most common new phrases is, "Of course I can!"

When we are listening to their Praise Baby DVD in the car, he says "haddahloolah" instead of hallelujah, pretty precious if you ask this momma!

He also sings "Hooley, Hooley, Hooley" with passion! Translated, "Holy, Holy, Holy!"

Kayleigh:

She is a ferocious writer. She is writing something alllllll of the time. Notes to people, pretend menus, pretend schoolwork. Anything. But always writing.

She is a total little momma. She loves taking care of her brothers. Sometimes she gets a little carried away, but her heart is in the right place.

She loves getting her picture taken. She poses, has her different smiles, etc. It's hilarious. We get such a kick out of watching her, she's a total natural. Hopefully this will not be a career choice, but she's beautiful and we adore her!

Joel's 3 months old!

Our little Joel Thomas is growing up!

13 lbs. 2 oz.
24" long

Accomplishments this month:
Laughing and "talking" all the time!
On his 3 Month Birthday, he slept from 8pm-8am! First all-nighter!
He rolled over for the first time at 3 Months, 2 Days.
He's sleeping in his own room.
Beginning to grab for objects in front of him!
Today he moved into a size 2 diaper!

story time

Since Joel was born, Jeffrey has really become the getting the big kids in bed master. I cannot tell you what a huge help he is. So thankful. I honestly couldn't do it without him. He gets Kayleigh her shower started, then bathes Ethan, dresses him in jammies, reads and usually puts them both to bed while I feed Joel and get him to bed. This has become our new normal. However, some nights there is a small break with routine. Last night, the break in routine took the shape of Kayleigh reading to Ethan instead of Jeffrey, in his chair. So precious! It is so neat that she is such a good reader that she can sit down with any of their books and read to him like this. Such a big girl. Pretty stinkin' proud of her! Thomas was the book of choice last night.

Joel's 2 months old!

Here are his 2 month stats:

weight: 11.6 pounds (50th percentile)
height: 23 " (50th percentile)
head: 15 1/2" (50th percentile)

So, as you can see he is about as average as it gets! Kayleigh was big for her age, Ethan's been tiny for his age, and now Joel is juuuuuust right. I'd say we have ourselves a Three Bears story, Goldilocks!

out and about and around the house

There has been a lot going on here as usual. A house full of kiddos, a precious hubby and a casa to maintain keeps a gal on her toes. Though I must say, today was so nice and relaxing. Nana came over and kept the boys this morning while Jeffrey and I were finalizing our will. Such a strange thing to do. Anyway, after that was over, I got to go shopping AND browse. Browse. That's right. I actually got to wade thru all of the racks, one article at a time, look at them, and decide if I liked them or not. I could decide what accessories might look nice with what I chose. I got to think about shoes I would wear with said outfit, AND then got to look at shoes! Boots, heels, flats. All of them. I didn't have anyone rushing me, or asking for a snack, or when we would be done, or crying, or spitting up, or...you understand. It was glorious. I was so thankful to get just a few hours alone. It was really good for the mental health, ya know? I haven't really had an hour alone in over 2 months. SO. THANKFUL! Nana, you are soooo appreciated, I hope you know that!

Here are a few pics of the goings-on over the last couple days. Love these guys! Aren't they cutie pies? Oh, I do believe so!

with change comes a new look...

So, I don't think it would be possible for someone to be more ready for fall. I mean really, how much hot weather does one person really need? I'm thinking only of falling red, orange and brown leaves, a crisp feeling in the breeze, that change in the way the light shines from the sun. Boots, sweaters and a scarf. Maybe even the smell of pumpkin pie. Mmmmm...these are all things that I love. Fall. What a wonderful time of year. Oh how I miss you fall. I eagerly await your precious arrival. In honor of this blessed season's arrival shortly, a new look for the blog. I can't wait to see what this fall will hold for our family. Joel will likely be rolling over, cooing and hopefully be outgrowing his need for reflux medication. Kayleigh will be rounding out her first semester in first grade (whoa!) and Ethan will no doubt have figured out how to climb on the roof! Stinker!

You know, when you think about it, fall is really all about change. Everything changes. The scenery changes, activities change etc.. The kids are always growing and changing into the adults they will someday become, I'm hopefully becoming more the wife and mommy my family needs and it is all happening so quickly we hardly see it happening. I pray I can stop and treasure these changes as they are happening. It's hard to want to treasure screaming babies or arguments, 3 a.m. feedings, dirty diapers and never getting it all together. But these are the things that, in this season, the Lord is guiding for a purpose. He is giving me these times for a very specific reason. I pray I have the wisdom to ask for His grace to guide me through the not-so-fun times and the thankful heart to appreciate His goodness in the good times.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

kayleigh's first day of 1st grade

Kayleigh has finished her first week of school and has had a great time! She loves her teacher, Mrs, Sample, and has already had her first spelling test, which she got a 104 on! So proud of that little lady! Here's a couple pics from Monday.

*disclaimer: please ignore our shameful, neglected flowerbeds. They've received little attention this summer. ;)

six weeks old

My tiny little love Joel is six weeks old and ten pounds. oh. my. word. How is this happening?! Make time stop!

It's been so busy around here lately. Joel has been put on reflux medicine just like Kayleigh had and has been switched to a sensitive soy formula. Since starting them, he has gradually been getting so much better. The days of fussing/shreaking all day seem to be somewhat behind us. Thank goodness. I thought I wouldn't survive when Kayleigh was going thru this same thing. Or that she wouldn't survive! I jest. Anyway, he is back to napping, cooing and the rash and massive projectile vomiting seem to be dissipating. Praise the Lord! Here's a snapshot Jeffrey took of him at six weeks!

Now, speaking of making time stop, Kayleigh starts 1st grade tomorrow! Whaaaat???? I know! She's so grown up! Have I mentioned lately how much I love this kid and how awesome she is? Well, in case I haven't, she totally is! I am so stinkin' proud of her and thankful for her sweet little self! I'll post some of her first day tomorrow!

keeping busy

So, I have discovered that the key to a chaos free home is keeping the kids busy. Kayleigh and Ethan have just got to stay busy! They have never fought with each other before Joel came on the scene, but now go at it like cats and dogs and are constantly in trouble. I guess it's true that even negative attention is still attention. We're figuring this whole thing out, but it's taking a while and a few good whoopin's. That rod of discipline is getting a workout! Sheesh! Anyway, here are a couple pictures of the 'staying busy' I was talking about. They're such stinkers, but precious little stinkers!

In the playroom under their sheet-tent.

Playing cowboy and rhinestone cowgirl. :)

Joel's 1 month old!

Sons are a heritage from the Lord!

What a difference a year makes...

*I wrote this post almost 6 months ago and never got around to finishing it. I thought since today was Joel's 1 month birthday, it would be appropriate to remember how the Lord took something so painful as the loss of an unborn child, and made it such a joy, as we now get to hold this precious little baby boy. Today was a pretty rough day with Joel, but even on those days, who would trade it?! I will post some pictures of his 1st month tomorrow, but for now, I want to be thankful and mindful of God's many blessings.*

Almost a year ago, Jeffrey and I lost our fourth child in a miscarriage at 10 weeks. To say our hearts were broken would be a gross understatement. But, just as in the case with our first miscarriage, the Lord remained faithful to heal our hearts and went above and beyond that to bless us with another little angel. After the first miscarriage we were blessed with little Ethan. God created such a unique and precious little guy in Ethan, so I can only imagine what our newest little boy will be like!

As I was getting dressed this morning, Kayleigh reminded me, "Momma, you wore that when Gigi took your picture when you were pregnant with the last baby!" She was totally right. How do these little people remember such little details like that? Anyway, here is a look back and a look toward the future! Oh, and I am now 24 weeks in the new picture. Times'a flyin'! July will be here before we know it!

cookies with kayleigh

Today Kayleigh and I made some Drop Sugar Cookies. They are soooo yummy! I got the recipe from our friend Meagan. I strongly suggest you make a batch! You won't be disappointed! Here's the recipe if you're interested. They're some of the easiest cookies I've ever made and take no time at all. These days, that's a really great thing! I'm slowly but surely finding things that both Kayleigh and Ethan love to do and we can do together to keep them occupied. I never had to do this before Joel got here, but this is our new normal, I suppose. They used to just play together for hours without fighting. It's kinda fun though in a way. It's forcing me to get creative! I'll post tomorrow what else we did today. Let's just say if the LARGE mess in the playroom is an indication of how much fun they were having, then mission accomplished!

Drop Sugar Cookies

2 eggs

3/4 c sugar

2/3 c oil

1 tsp lemon zest

2 tsp vanilla

2 c flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

Mix eggs, sugar, oil, lemon, and vanilla. Stir in remaining ingredients.

Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto lightly greased cookie sheet. Slightly flatten with greased glass bottom dipped in sugar. (I spray a little cooking spray on the bottom of a glass and then dip in sugar. You may need to reapply cooking spray after 5-6 cookies.)

Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

First we mixed the dough...

Then we baked them...

And then we ate them! The best part!

See? Yummy!

posted by kayleigh grace johnston

I love this picture. I love Joel too, of course. Often Ethan wants to hold Joel too. Today is Sunday the 1 st of august I came home from Ruidoso. 15 & a half days till Nana comes home !

Joel is 2 weeks old in this first picture.

jeffrey's new hobby!

I am so excited that Jeffrey has taken up photography in the last month! It has been so fun getting fun pictures of the kids, playing with the camera and tinkering with Photoshop. In such a short time he's learned so much. I am so proud of him! Here's a couple more he's taken.

Big yawn!