Please continue to pray for the Johnson's

I posted back in March to please pray for this sweet family (you can click here if you haven't read it). Matt has undergone many tests and they were hoping to start his bone marrow transplant soon because they did find a match for him. Although the latest news they received after a biopsy was done Thursday, was not the news they were hoping for. They just found out that Matt now has erythroleukemia and they were told this type of leukemia is highly resistant to treatment. Matt left for the hospital this morning to start chemo today at 10am. Leaving his precious family was the hardest thing for him because he doesn't know if he'll ever be home with them again. My heart aches for them...I'm having trouble finding the words to type. So I ask you friends to just lift them up in prayer. They believe our God is great and can do great things. They believe He and He alone can provide a miracle for Matt and heal his body if it is His will. So please pray for them, pray for a miracle.

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
Romans 8:28

This morning we were reminded of this song after doing our family Bible reading....

Look What I Made Today

I saw this sign in a catalog a long time ago and I told myself - I can so make that. Well at last I did, and I love it! It was quick and easy because of the "worn in" look, or "rustic" look, if you please. It really didn't matter if the letters were straight or not, and so on, so it made for speedy work. And to all you men out there who may be reading this and think along the same lines as my husband - meaning you think in literal terms. No I am not charging if you go to the bathroom or take a bath, and yes I know I don't have an actual bath in there. This is purely a nostalgic sign, to bring joy to your eyes while you're in this cute little bathroom. :)

Friday's Favorites

a few of this week's favorites

Favorite things...

tulips and white pitchers

I love tulips. They are one of my favorite flowers. They are in full bloom right now, looking beautiful in all their glory. I wish they had it in them to bloom all summer because they make me so happy when I see them.

I also love white pitchers. I've recently started collecting them, they just have an old charm feel about them, which I love. Granted these aren't the original iron stone kind, but they still please me just the same. I can't wait for my hutch to be built (hint, hint honey), because they will look so great set on a black hutch so they just pop out at you :)!


Favorite photo...

Stella's hair

Stella came to me and said... "Look mom I did my hair all by myself!" with my response being... "get out of here!! Did you really??" ;) I think I counted at least 10 clips. Stella please stay 5 forever... please!

Favorite Stella quote...

"Mom I want to get my hair cut...long hair is such a bother!"

Dinner's done...It's a beautiful day...Let's go for a walk!

Here's a little pre-walk warm-up...

Stella's ready...

Jonah's ready...

Ava's uhhhh....ready or not??

...and they're off!! Sean even gets a little jogging in while trying to keep up with the kids...

...after walking the "loop" we drop the bikes off at home...

...then we head down to the pond...

...time for climbing on the boats, throwing a few rocks, and playing by the water...

...then we head to Grandpa and Grandma's house for some pie and ice cream :) (hey we walked remember??)...

...when Ava starts making these faces we know it's time to head on home...

(seriously, can you believe these faces??!!)

...Ava's crying it's time to "book - it" home...

(we're moving so fast we're a blur :)

This time of year is my favorite. The weather is starting to get nice, the days are long, we can go for walks...love it! Stella always asks if she can go swimming in the pond (brrrrr). Hopefully the day comes soon when I can finally say "yes you can!"

Stella's comment on our walk to grandma's...

"This is my most favorite season of all."

Me too Stella girl, me too!

Ava's 5 months old!....How can this be?

Ava turned 5 months yesterday. I don't want to get all nostalgic on you guys, but I really can't believe she's that big already. I guess knowing she is my last baby makes me think along these terms. Don't get me wrong, I am perfectly content with 3 children, and I can honestly say I don't have a desire for more (nor does 4 c-sections sound appealing what so ever), but that doesn't get rid of the fact that I think they grow up way too quick. All in all, I truly am so thankful to the Lord for the gift of children, and I hope to treasure each and every moment with them!

I don't really have any new "Ava facts" other than what I mentioned before - sleeping 12 hours at night, enjoying her rice cereal... She still rolls over from her tummy to her back and I still have yet to see it happen (she's so secretive about it! :). She's a little more...what's the word... intense?? than my other two were. I hate to say she gets it from me, but I'm pretty sure she does. I think it might be safe to say she'll be up and moving before you know it! I love this girl and I can't imagine life without her!

Who Would Have Guessed??

Stella Lost Her First Tooth

After a little bit of coaxing... all right... after a little bit of force, Stella had her first tooth pulled out. I'll be honest and say she wasn't thrilled with the idea, but nevertheless, Sean was able to pull it out. It was beyond wiggly. She could push it so it pointed straight at you with her tongue and the new tooth was there wishing for some space. We told Stella "today is the day!" Stella's exact words were "I don't really care for that idea, I think tomorrow will be much better." But we weren't taking "how about tomorrow??" for an answer anymore. So through the crying, Sean managed to wrestle his thumb in there and pull it out. Then there was the whole issue of seeing blood, which caused another round of tears and drama. Thankfully we managed to grab the tiny tooth before it was swallowed down - phew!!... I can't imagine her going through all of that and then not having a tooth to put under her pillow?! While we were in the bathroom Stella said to me "I can't believe dad pulled my tooth out (which was exactly what I was thinking)...it wasn't so bad...but it did hurt a little... and it scared me too." I told her for the next one she won't need to be scared because she'll already know what to expect. We'll see how that works out for us. Here's a few pictures of Stella's new smile.

Stella's words before I said goodnight...

"I can't believe the Tooth Fairy is coming!!"

(happy squeal)

"Mom I'm so excited I'm shivering"

Did you know...

...when Jonah runs "fast" he looks over his shoulders. I'm not sure if he's looking at his feet or the "dust" he's leaving behind??! :0



...Ava LOVES being on her tummy. Whether that be on the floor, in her bed or on your lap, the tummy is always the best.

...when Stella runs she makes the funniest face ever.

here's the face while on the scooter

...Jonah can get dressed all by himself. Although there are times when certain items of clothes are put on backwards.

whoopsies...at least he got his legs in the right holes

...Stella's favorite princess is Aurora, or you may know her as Sleeping Beauty. Why you ask? Because she has a crown of course.


...when Ava's tired there is no consoling her, she just wants her bed. You can try to rock her but she'll give you the look of "what are you doing?? Just put me to bed already!"



...Jonah's "friend" Treaty (the one who lives in CA) has been "eating" dinner at our house lately. Last night he even got his own plate and one chicken nugget which magically disappeared. Hmmmm.... wonder who ate it?? Maybe the boy whose favorite dinner is chicken nuggets (Jonah)??



...Stella loves tuna fish sandwiches and every time I make them Jonah says "I DON'T like that smell."


...Ava is now sleeping from 7:30pm to 7:30am. Bless your heart Ava, mama loves you for that!


...Stella has the sense of smell like that of a dog, and the memory like that of an elephant. So basically you can't get away with anything from that girl!


...Stella and Jonah both love having stories read to them. They are still really enjoying the Bible stories that we started a while ago. Jonah's answers have moved from - God made the world to, God made a guy to, God made a rainbow...


...Ava is really starting to chow down on her rice cereal. It's gone from ending up all over her face and shirt, to her mouth opening at the sight of the spoon.


I just thought you'd all like to know.

And the Winner Is........

The votes are in, the poll is closed,
short hair is the victor!

I am very excited. It is going to be great for the summer.
For those of you who voted for long hair, don't fear, it's
just hair and we all know that hair grows. And in my
case, hair grows like weeds, so you can bet it'll be long
again in no time. Pictures of the new "do"
to come later this month!