Sweeping Through Life

Well.... lets start off with that my husband hates taking pictures, but I love them. I have had some photos done for my daughter but none of our family since she was 2 and I thought it was time. I wanted something that we could use for our Christmas card as well as chronicle that my little one is now 5. I really do not like the Olan Mills look of pics and really enjoy photos that reflect more of us a individuals and as a family. To prepare for the shoot I found two chalkboard signs at Target in the Dollar Spot and used a chalk pen and wrote our name on one and Merry Christmas on the other to use a props. I also found these cute t-shirts that we wore as well.   Of course, my daughter and I had the same shoes one. I think they turned out great and I can not wait to start creating our Christmas card. Thanks Jesssica Bouman Photography for the get pics. Here are just a few..... After the photo session, we went  our to dinner enjoyed some good food and ...

This past summer we did not take a large vacation, but a few long weekends. The last long weekend we had was to finish out our summer before the school year began. We took a short road trip to see the Newport Aquarium and the Cincinnati Children's Museum .  The ride was nice, as nice it could be with a 5 year old in the back seat asking if we were there yet.  The hubby and I had hoped that she would be distracted with her tablet or take  a nap on the way down so that we could chit-chat, but I guess she was to excited to do either of those. Our first stop was the Newport Aquarium. Heck I was even excited there. It is not like that I have not been there before, I basically wanted to see the new stingray exhibit. The Newport area not only has an awesome aquarium but there is a mall with little odds and ends and it is even right off the river for an excellent view. Gabby could hardly contain herself upon arrival. We used every bit of the 2 1/2 hours that we spent there and...

Family time around my house is an organized event, but not always. I try to have some planned event, which are not always elaborate but fun. The most important part is that we spend time together.  I also look for things that do not cost a lot of money so that we can do things more often. Here are some of the things that we do together. Please fee free to share more ideas, I am always look for more. Family movie night. Just had one with Star Wars. Game Night Preparing a meal together. Baking together. Doing an outside activity. Going to the zoo.  Going for a walk. Watching a tv show together. Going to the spring football game at OSU. Visiting the aquarium. Going to a local fair. Going to the library. Going to Superhero Day at the local mall Attending Duckling Day at the local library. Miss G always comes up with ideas which usually involves Chuck E Cheese or Build A Bear, those are special occasion trips.  What do you do with your little one? What sugge...

May you have a blessed Christmas with your family and friends from the Johnsons

As my godchild, niece or my other child or one of the other names that her mother and I have for her for her,   Allyson started her rush week at Bowling Green University, I began to feel the excitement for her and exploration of the process that she was going to undertake. It made me reminisce about my process and how I feel about my sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Here are my 10 reasons that I am a sorority girl... Sisterhood -- I have built lifelong friendship with several of the members of my sorority. Many of these ladies were in my wedding and even one is my daughters godmother. These friendships I know will sustain the end of time and I know that these ladies will be there when I need them. Community Service --I have the opportunity to serve my community through my sorority on a larger scale and make a larger impact. With this network of great women and as this years community service chair, it has pushed me to look for different programming as well as more soph...

      We had our annual 4th of July cookout this past weekend. I must say it was fun as usual. Friends and family came and we ate, we laughed, played and talked some more. I really enjoy entertaining and spending time with our family and friends, the little Miss surely does too. In our neighborhood we have lots of neighbors who set of fireworks. They usually start several days prior to the 4th so we decided that we join in the fun. Our little display was not anything like the neighbors, but it was satisfying for our crowd and definitely wetted our whistle for what we could get for next year. I really love our annual cookout. It seems to get better each year.  We always add something different and new, but always have the crowd favorites. I have already looked ahead for next year to start planning.  Independence Day is truly a day or independence for our country so that we can reflect and celebrate with those that we love and care ...

I would like to wish my husband a very Happy Father's Day. Miss G and I are very grateful for all that you do for us and love you very much.

 Photo taken by Sarah Gee Photography 

Having a place to go - is a home.   Having someone to love - is a family.   Having both - is a blessing.    ~Donna Hedges (quote)

Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts.   ~Author Unknown (quote)

Miss G. actually turned 6 months a few weeks ago, I am little behind. Here is her update.... Size of Miss G.:  Miss G. was 17 1/2 pounds and 26 inches long at her last doctors visit. She getting so big. Clothes: She is squeezing into some 3 months, but is mainly wearing 3-6 to 6-9 month clothes. She is still wearing size 2 diapers, but I know she will be in size 3 in a few weeks.We had to purchase night diapers since she was waking up wet in the morning. They have really helped keep her dry. Movement: She is a little wiggle worm. She loves to play with her feet. She likes to dance and spin in her exersaucer. She really does not like to lay down unless she is going to sleep. She loves to sit up. She likes to grab for everything especially jewelry and paper. Baby stuff: The cradle cap and baby acne is still hanging around, but getting better. Miss G. loves music. We have discovered the Baby Rendition collection. This collection has taken songs from Kanye ...

I am loving watching the Olympics. I am loving reading Forever Soul Ties by Vanessa Davis Griggs. book I am loving using my Cockpot on a weekly basis.  I am loving that my little has such loving godparents. I am loving the Cherry Berry Chiller at McDonalds. I am loving the 10 for 10 at Kroger.  I am loving the possibilities of each new day.

Having a place to go - is a home.  Having someone to love - is a family.  Having both - is a blessing.    ~Donna Hedges (quote)

In my church babies are dedicated to the Lord and not baptized. They are baptized when they are ready to dedicate their lives to the Lord. Miss G. will be dedicated at the end of the month. Ever since I received the date from my Pastor I  have been planning the dinner afterward. It is just going to be family and a few close friends at the dinner. I have decided to go with a purple and green theme party. credits: pom poms , straws , popcorn and cake I have already ordered the straws. My sister-in-law is going to make the cake for the event. I found a recipe to make the popcorn on this site and it seems really easy to make as well as yummy. The pom poms are from Martha Stewart, but I think that I can make these cheaply without purchasing them.  I plan on also making some G cookie cut outs, as favors. I am still planning the menu, but I think I have the decor under control. I am looking forward to my little ones special day. Even though she may not remember it, it will...

Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!   ~Albert Einstein (quote)

On Friday , I got off work and went and visited my little cousin Jisiah. He is so cute and I enjoyed my visited with him. After my visit I went home and quickly packed and hit the road to my sorority meeting. It was the first time that I stayed out in a hotel by myself out of town, and I must say that I do not liked it. Luckily if anything happened my husbands family was near by. . Saturday , I woke up earlier to get to my area meeting for my sorority were I was going to be presenting on our AIDS/HIV initiative. It was nice to see all of my sorority sisters for near and far and I really obtained some important information. After the meeting I went and visited with my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law before I got back on the road home. I got home in good time and was able to spend some time with the hubby before falling asleep on the couch. Sunday , started out as usual with attending church. After church, I went and did some grocery shopping. Once home I prepared Sunday dinner and al...

Today is my cousin Nikki's b-day. Here I am with her new son Jisaiah in his adorable little suit at church last week. I am really attached to his cuteness, his little feet and his cute little smile.  Hope you have a great b-day Nikki.

Love, marriage and then a baby carriage. I am preggers. I am 15 weeks pregnant. I know that it is not fall along, but I wanted to share our blessing on my blog. We are very excited about the little one, that we are currently calling Baby J. I have not had much sickness. I have had periods of nausea, but it is not consistent. I have noticed that my body is changing, as it should. I just guess that I was not expecting my body to change that quick.  As my friend, Bev says, " Your growing a life. What do you expect?" She is right. Really, I do not know what to expect. It will be quite a little journey as another part of me sweeping through  life.

Congratulations to my cousin Nikki and her husband Jermaine on the arrival of their first child, Jisaiah. I can not say his name correctly, so I have already made up two nicknames, either J or JW (for his first and middle name). I am not sure which one that I am going to use, but it will be just a name for him and I.  When I went to the hospital to visit and held him in my arms, he would only opened his eyes for me. It might be because I talked to him the whole time. He must of liked the sound of my voice. He has freckles like the rest of my mom's side of the family and really big hands. He is a real cutie.  Jisaiah an hour old.