Way Back When-esday!

Because of illness and the holiday last week, here is a two-weeker for Way Back When-esday!

Date: November 2005 (Thanksgiving Day)


Date: November 29, 2006 (Baby Zoe and Brooklyn)


Date: November 29, 2007 (Loving on Mommy's old baby dolls)


Date: December 8, 2007 (Christmas tree shopping in the mountains...Brooklyn and Nanny)


Now, its your turn to play....visit Cheryl and see how it works!

Where, oh where, did November go?

I cannot even believe that it is December 2nd already. Brooklyn told me today that she cannot wait to hide eggs for Halloween tomorrow, and that about sums up how I feel these days. The holidays are racing by and before we know it, it will be Christmas. Thanksgiving week was pretty much a wash for me. I came down with some sort of upper-respiratory-we-cannot-give-you-antibiotics-virus that lasted a full 8 days, so despite not having to work, it was no fun mouth-breathing for a week. Luckily, I began to feel better on Thursday when 28 of my closest family members came over for Thanksgiving dinner. We loved hosting it in our new home, and utilized every possible space to make it accomodating for everyone (THANK YOU WEATHER!). Everyone pitched in and brought over yummy food, and it turned out great. I hate that I didn't take any pictures, but hey, if you were orchestrating a meal for 2 1/2 dozen peeps, you probably wouldn't be whipping out the camera either. :-) I was exhausted by the evening and was in bed by 8:45 and asleep by 9. Between early bedtime and not being able to breathe at night, I found myself wide awake at 4:45am. So, I did what any other person would do. I took a shower and headed out to Kohls for Black Friday. Craziness ensued, dropped about $200 at Target before daybreak, ate Chick Fil A for breakfast (with a LARGE sweet tea), and then headed to my mom's at 8am to meet her and my mother in law for more shopping. We had a great time Black Friday shopping together and got a lot done before Thanksgiving leftovers for lunch. My darling Chad allowed me a two hour nap that afternoon, and I started feeling myself by Saturday. Saturday morning, we headed up with all the grandparents to pick out and cut down our Christmas tree in the mountains. I'll try to post pics tomorrow. Brooklyn loved decorating the tree on Sunday, and it's been fun decorating the new house. Monday was back to work and back to feeling healthy (thank goodness since the band played at UNCG's Wesley Luther House Monday night). We have four shows with Grace Reigns Down this week, so I am so thankful that my voice has come back, and I am just now praying that Chad stays healthy! :-)

Way Back When-esday!

As Thanksgiving is right around the corner, I am just so thankful to look back on these pictures and remember my sweet Brooklyn. She is still as sweet as ever, just a bit more opinionated as a three and a half year old. :-) Welcome to Way Back When-esday!

Year: 2005

Age: 9 months

Favorite Activity: Picking up Puffs all by herself!

Year: 2006

Age: 21 months

Favorite Activity: Playing with her "big sister" Allie

Year: 2007

Age: 2 years, 9 months

Favorite Activity: Decorating Cookies (and still loves playing with her "big sister" Allie)

And this picture was just taken last weekend....as you can see, Brooklyn STILL loves playing with Allie! :-)

Happy Anniversary Shout!

As mentioned in the previous post below, we celebrated 5 years of "Shout" on Sunday. For those of you who want to hear more, here is my "Intro" from Sunday Night:

In November of 2003, a small group of people here at First Lutheran sought a means to share their faith. We started with no pastor, no microphones, no communion, and even, as shocking as it seems, no snacks. Shout has no paid participants- only people with gifts they seek to share. The musicians, the prayer leaders, and the communion leaders provide a worship experience that we all enjoy, but those that choose to share their message make Shout a very special and unique experience.

Each week, individuals gather the courage to come forward to share how people have touched their lives, and how they live out their faith. We have heard about people who traveled to the gulf coast and Costa Rica to aid those in need, teachers who lift students in prayer, friendships established in the dark halls of middle school, the impact of Teens Encounter Christ weekends, people who have overcome addiction or who have provided service at a summer camp for kids with health care needs.

Tonight is a time to celebrate the gifts shared by those who make Shout special every week and those that open their hearts to share their message of His Message.

Five years later, we have more musicians, children, microphones and amplifiers, ample refreshments, and starting this evening, communion every week. In five years, we have baptized a baby, welcomed new members, celebrated the life of a woman named Ginny, and heard over 250 personal messages. You may have been here at the first Shout service five years ago, but tonight may be your first experience. Either way, may you be blessed in all that you hear and may you feel Christ’s presence among us. Welcome to Shout!

An Update and Way Back When-esday!

We've been doing great in the Johnson house....staying busy, as usual. Last week, I had a Girls Night with my dear friends, Heidi and McKenzie, and we went up to our old stomping ground, UNC, to see another dear friend, Brendan James. His name is in my "Music to Check Out" section on the left side of the page, and he did a great show with his band in our old Student Union. I just love Chapel Hill- there is just no other place like it. I had a great time there for 4 years, and despite missing Chad, it was some of the best years of my life. I'd like to say that I will be happy to let Brooklyn go anywhere she wants when she goes off to school, but I think I REALLY want her to go to UNC. :-) Then, Chad and I can have some of those Granville breakfasts again...right, babe? At least, we have MANY years for that decision.

And speaking of years....our Contemporary Christian service, Shout, celebrated our 5 year anniversary on Sunday. We had about 105 people attend, and it was just an awesome celebration service. For those of you who don't know, Chad and I helped start this evening worship service with about 10 other people in November of 2005. It's been a wonderful ministry to our church and the community, and we have formed such a great family with the attendees. It's been a wonderful 5 years, and we look forward to many more!

And finally, here are some pics for your Way Back Wednesday!

Brooklyn and her sweet "big sister" Allie (2006):


Brooklyn modeling a hat and gloves made lovingly by her Great Grandma (2007):

That's all I have time for today! I hope you are all doing well, staying warm, and gearing up for another joyous holiday season!

Way Back When-esday!

It's time again for another Way Back When-esday! Thanks, Cheryl, for hosting!

Year: 2005
Age: 8 1/2 months

*I was a slacker in November 2005....no pics from this week!

Year: 2006
Age: 20 1/2 months

Year: 2007
Age: 2 years, 8 1/2 months

A Be-Lated Halloween

Brooklyn had a great Halloween....she had fun dressing up all day at school (with trick or treating and a Halloween parade AND a Halloween party), and then we went to Oak Hollow Mall for our Grace Reigns Down show. Unfortunately, despite the fact that the mall TOLD ME they were doing trick or treating, they were not, so Zoe and Brooklyn just enjoyed wearing the costumes and watching the band (and riding the elevator from what I understand from the grandmas).

Here's our Sleeping Beauty:

Already has the Princess pose down pat!

Some friends from school:

And precious Zoe wearing Brooklyn's ladybug costume (to remember Brooklyn as the ladybug, scroll down to last week's Way Back When-sday).

Way Back When-esday!

I found Cheryl at Twinfatuation and saw a whole group of people who participate in Way Back When-esday. I LOVE looking back at these old pictures! What changes Brooklyn has made!

Year 1 (2005): A Carolina Cheerleader
Year 2 (2006): A Ladybug

Year 3 (2007): A Kitty Cat

And stay tuned for Year 4: Sleeping Beauty!

Visit(s) to the pumpkin patch

Brooklyn was such a lucky girl and got to make TWO trips to the pumpkin patch this year. The first trip was with her "little sister," Zoe where the weather was quite warm and not so "fall like."

It was a little cooler the second trip we made. This time, we went with Brooklyn's other "Shout sisters," Allie, Allie, and Callie.

GRD at the Crop Walk

Most of you know that our band, Grace Reigns Down, had the wonderful opportunity to play at the opening of Greensboro's Crop Walk. We were so blessed to have the chance to play for so many people (especially people who were out there walking for a great cause!). Here are some pics from the day.

Most of the band (I think I am blocked by Luke):

The crowd:

The girls:

Lead singer, Chad:

Brandon, Chad, and Luke:

what's going on with us

There's been a lot going on the last few weeks! Here are some of the highlights:

Jennifer and Jay Weaver said "I do!".....
It was a great weekend with all my girlfriends.....

Brooklyn's hair is growing long enough for a pony tail.....

Brooklyn went to a Japanese restaurant for the first time (and mastered those chopsticks).....

Emily and I were replaced as the background vocalists of Grace Reigns Down....

And I had my 10 year high school reunion....hopefully more pics to come later from that (I was the slacker and didn't pull out my camera that weekend!)

Way Back When-esday!

So, in my travels through "blog land" I saw something really neat on several sites. They do "Way Back Wednesdays" where you post pictures from previous years that were taken in the same week. This was fun, since I have now realized that we take Brooklyn to the pumpkin patch the same week every year (we are headed there again this Thursday), and it was really neat to see her change from year to year.

October 21, 2005 (bald and beautiful): October 18, 2006 (the beginnings of some peach fuzz):
October 20, 2007 (Houston, we have hair!):
So, for all my blog friends out there, give it a try! I can't wait to see YOUR Way Back Wednesdays!

a new addition

We have a new addition to the family....a beautiful 150 pound elliptical trainer. "Ellie," as she will affectionally be known, has been accepted wonderfully into the Johnson family, and we hope to have many great 20-30 minute/ 3-4 times a week memories with her. After her birth in the office, we decided to move her to the playroom where she can watch cable TV, cool off under the ceiling fan, and keep watch over Brooklyn and her toys. Brooklyn is undecided about this new member of the family, but she knows that Ellie's job is to make mommy skinny, so she has asked everyday if mommy is skinny yet. :-) I don't think Brooklyn likes all the initial attention Ellie has received, but we hope that she will learn to love her as much as Chad and I have in the short time we have known her. So, Ellie, welcome to the Johnson family!

House pictures part 1

So, you have all been very patient. I finally got a chance to take pictures of some of the rooms in our new house. Brooklyn was asleep in her room when I got home to take pictures late last night, and our room was a disaster, but here are some shots of the rest of the house.

The bonus "playroom" upstairs above the garage:
The living room:

The "formal" (and I use that term loosely) dining room:
The breakfast area:
The kitchen:
Brooklyn's bathroom:
Not pictured: The office, our bedroom, our bathroom, Brooklyn's bedroom, 1/2 bath downstairs, garage, outside, etc. Maybe next month!

Trip to Lutheridge

This past weekend, our entire family (grandparents, godparents, friends, etc), all attended our church's 30th annual family retreat in Arden (Asheville), NC. This was Chad's 30th year (yes, he has NEVER missed a weekend), my 20th, and Brooklyn's 4th. It was a great weekend with BEAUTIFUL weather, wonderful food, and fabulous fellowship. I had so much fun, I forgot to take out the camera pretty often, but here are some highlights.

Brooklyn, Zoe, and Allie in the rocking chairs.
Saturday Night Live "Lutheridge Rectangles"
Princess Allie with her daddy's crown
Walking up the hill- Zoe and Brooklyn

Brooklyn- Age 3 1/2 plus some days

Brooklyn has been a fun girl since the day she was born, but now that she is a "little girl." We are just having the best time with her. Here's a post dedicated just to her:

Favorites:

Food- Pizza

Song- How Great is our God

TV Show- Jon and Kate Plus 8

Movie- Care Bears, Big Wish Movie

Friends- All her Shout sisters, and Kate, Sierra, and Anna Grace

Sayings- "Mommy, you are such a sweetie." "Oh my goodness." "Zoe, come here."

Animal- Fish

Restaurants- Chili's and "Old McDonalds"

Story- The "Our vacation to the mountains" story I tell at bedtime

Halloween costume- Dora (for the moment)

Candy- Smarties

Drink- Milk or water

Outfit- Any skirt (unfortunately, this cold weather is cramping her style)

Playground equipment- Swings

Games- Puzzles

Color- Pink

Shoes- Crocs or dress sandals

Way to annoy mommy and daddy- Ignoring us and acting like we are not even speaking English to her

Bath time activity- Washing the tub with a bar of "hotel soap"

Breakfast food- Granola Bar

Special treat- A red Icee from Target

Just another manic Monday...and Tuesday...and Wednesday...and Thursday

I have no excuse for not blogging last week, but this week has been crazy. I have worked every night (M,Tu,W, and Th), and I finally see an end in sight. Three days I have eaten lunch at my desk in an attempt to just get out of work on time to get to my evening work meeting. The plus side? I have made no effort to get to work on time in the morning (since I have flex hours), so Brooklyn and I have slept in every morning and had a chance to spend some time together before school and work. Thankfully, tomorrow night is a "night with Nanny." So, my mom, Brooklyn, and I are just going to hang out, eat dinner, and shop for Halloween costumes.

So, in an effort to catch up, I am gonna try to do some "power blogging."