Merry Christmas from the Johnson Family!

We pray that you all (blog readers!) have a very Merry Christmas! As the year draws to a close, we are looking forward to all that the Lord has in store for our family in 2013. From open doors and new opportunities to the blessing of new life in our family, we anticipate all that God has planned for our family in the days and months ahead. We pray that 2013 will be a year of continuing to fix our eyes on Jesus. Thank you for loving us and praying for us along the journey. 

Yogurt Mountain Fun

We chose the coldest night we've had in a while to treat James to ice cream. No one seemed to mind. :) Be sure to admire James' camera skills below - he may or may not have a camera just for him under the Christmas tree in a few days. :) He is all about taking pictures these days and sometimes finds my camera and snaps tons when I'm not looking! He is quite the abstract artist. :)

Zoo Light Safari

We didn't travel for Christmas this year, so Stephen and I tried to make this weekend before Christmas a special one for James. We were excited to use some Christmas money to purchase a zoo membership. (I love memberships that pay for themselves after a few visits and that we can enjoy all year long! I am really big on giving "experiences.") We ended up making a day of it so that James could see the animals during the day, had a picnic for dinner (in our car because it was so cold), and we went back in when the zoo reopened to enjoy the lights for a little while. We snapped a few pictures but for the most part James was running excitedly the whole day/night from exhibit to exhibit so we didn't get many and none with any of the animals.

15 Week Pregnancy Questionnaire

How far along are you? 15 weeks and 2 days

Total Weight Gain? I think around 5-7 pounds (seems to fluctuate)

How big is the baby? somewhere between the size of an apple and an avocado 

Maternity Clothes? Not yet, but I actually really like maternity clothes so I won't mind at all when the time comes to pull them out. 

Sleep? Waking up some at night, but still sleeping pretty well on my stomach or side. I am occasionally napping during the day but I'm not as exhausted as I was during the first trimester. 

Best moment this week? My doctor's appointment to check on the baby and hearing that little heartbeat (the best sound!). I also had a surprise ultrasound, so I loved getting to see our baby's face at this stage. He/She looks so much like James to me. 

Movement? I think I am beginning to feel some movement, but I definitely don't think this baby is as active as James was at this point (maybe personality differences already?). In fact, at James 15 week ultrasound he was moving everywhere and this baby was still and sleeping. :) 

Food Cravings/Aversions? All my aversions are behind me now! I am feeling so good at this point. My cravings are really similar to my cravings with James. Even though I have always been a dessert person, I really could just take them or leave them right now. And I am craving "real food." Just like with James, I love brick cheese, crackers, salads with lots of meat and blue cheese dressing (it's pasteurized, I've checked!), bacon, fruit, and salty things. 

Morning Sickness? My "morning sickness" at night was the last thing to go, but around the 12 week mark the morning sickness was really behind me. I only occasionally feel bad when I am just really exhausted, but for the most part I am feeling great. 

Gender? Our doctor really surprised me yesterday when she offered to do an extra ultrasound to check on the gender early. I mentioned when we were talking that we had found out  the gender at 15 weeks with James, and she said "Well, do you want to go check now?" I was shocked, but, of course, said "Yes!" I did have the surprise ultrasound, but the umbilical cord was covering the necessary parts and this baby was sound asleep. So, unfortunately we didn't get to find out but I did get to see the sweetest pictures of his/her little face. We will go back for the planned anatomy scan in 3 weeks! We are all making our predictions around here though. James: he is still adamantly insisting this baby is his "girl-ta" and nothing else, Kassi: Definitely have been feeling it's a boy the last few weeks, and Stephen: changes his mind every day but today he says "boy." So, we will see in 3 weeks. But, honestly, we (well, besides James) really do not have a preference. I will be so excited either way. 

What I'm looking forward to: Our next ultrasound in January and finding out the gender of the baby and beginning to call the baby by name; finding a fun way to announce the gender of the baby to our friends/family. We have thought about waiting until everyone is in town for James' 3rd Birthday but we would have to wait 3 weeks for that, and I'm not sure if I will be able to wait that long. We will see... :)

Here is my 15 week "bump" picture. It's not too apparent yet but I can definitely see the change.  I think I took pictures every week with James from this point on, so I thought I'd go ahead and take the first one with this baby. I'm sure I won't be as diligent about doing it every week, but I want this baby to have some pictures inside Mama's tummy as well. :)

Our Ride on the Polar Express

We are lucky to have a railroad right in our neck of the woods which is so perfect with a train-loving little boy! Nana and Grandpa treated us to a ride on The Polar Express. It was so much fun! There was a story read aloud, singing of Christmas carols, chocolate milk and cookies, and when we got to the "North Pole" at the end of the ride Santa, Mrs. Claus, and his elves boarded the train to talk to everyone. Here are a few pictures from the night:

Outside our "new" house before heading to Polar Express. James
will forever be calling our house "our new house", I think. :)

Sitting on the steps of a train before boarding our train. 

Taking in the sights of the North Pole. 

The Whole Gang! I love this picture! 

Chocolate CHOCOLATE chip cookies (with chocolate milk too!) 

He hugged this elf for a long time after she told James that
she was working on a train in Santa's workshop for him! 

This looks like he is happy about Santa but actually Santa and Mrs. Clause
snuck back up behind us for this picture. James is smiling and licking his lips for
the cookies and milk that were coming our way further down the aisle.
(He doesn't know Santa is in the picture - hopefully we aren't awful parents for this!)

Christmas/Advent Activities :)

Blogger is suddently letting me upload pictures again. I don't know how long it's going to last, but I'm going to try and post away for as long as I can until it forces me to make  a new blog.

Every day I have included a different Christmas activity in James' advent calendar boxes. I didn't take a picture of all 25 activities but here are a few of the fun things we've done with him so far this Christmas season. 

Polar Express Movie Night and Popcorn!

Made a Gingerbread House (out of wood) at Lowe's!

Rudolph Donut (James did not want to be in the picture!)

pipe cleaner candy cane craft! 

Rolled a ball covered in red paint over a white candy cane outline! 

James' First Hot Chocolate ever (complete with whipped cream!)
The Verdict: He said he likes cold chocolate better. :)

Lots of Singing! Here is James singing "I want a hippopotamus
for Christmas!" on his "stage" :)

New Blog Coming Soon...

I have been trying to figure out how to add more pictures to this blog but apparently the only way to do that is to pay a monthly fee which I want to avoid, so hopefully soon I will have a new blog up and running will plenty of space for posting more pictures. I have tried to work on it several times but between watching another two year old this week, James having some kind of stomach bug and cold, and Stephen and I sick as well it just has not happened. But keep watching for that new link to be posted soon... I have lots of Christmas-y pictures that I want to post of James working on Christmas Crafts, playing in the fake snow at the McWane Center (the best we can do in warm Alabama!), and our very fun ride on the Polar Express with Nana and Grandpa.

I read a post at Mom Heart Online that I loved this morning about perfectionism vs. pleasure during Christmas. For someone that has perfectionism sort of ingrained in me, it has been a hard (but good!) lesson to unlearn or, better, yet, for the Lord to help me overcome. It is a work in progress so I always love a good reminder of just enjoying the moment (even in the messes) with our children. Praying I would lay down perfectionism this Christmas and just enjoy the people in my presence. Here is an excerpt that I really loved:

As moms, we can't have both perfection and pleasure! If we’re going to see their eyes light up and their hearts filled with joyous, childhood memories; then something has to give, because nothing robs happiness at Christmas faster than a mom whose goal is perfection.

The richest moments are carved out in the pleasure, not in the perfection.

It isn’t possible to have "perfect" anything with children -- and even if we could attain it, we'd have to achieve it by stealing joy from the ones we ultimately are trying to bless.

When it comes to Christmas, we need to remind ourselves that perfection is not important. In fact, it does not even contain a hint of how Christmas began.

Travel back with me, to the night the King of Heaven and Earth came to dwell among us...

Mary, giving birth in a stable - where is there any perfection in that, dear moms, who've experienced the intensity of childbirth?

Joseph, not able to provide a humble hotel room - where is there any perfection in that, for the men who love to provide for their wives?

Brand-new, infant Jesus, wrapped in old rags for meager efforts of warmth - where is there any perfection in that, to have your little one shivering in the cold?

God's plan was never perfection and nothing has changed in the last two-thousand years; child-like pleasure in the blessings of the moment is still the heart of God for our families

You can read the whole post here.

Letter to Santa

This year I have been including a slip of paper which lists a special Christmas activity for that day in James' advent calendar. Some days are more exciting than others, but he enjoys opening the next door each morning to find a piece of candy and some type of activity that he will take part in. I thought that we could just keep it simple for today's activity and write a letter to send to Santa. Santa is definitely not the focus of Christmas around here, but Stephen and I both grew up "doing Santa" and we have continued that tradition so far. I let James dictate what he wanted included in the letter, and boy did he ever have a lot to say! If you have followed our blog for a while, you will remember that our son is just not a fan of Santa. We have a picture of him bawling on Santa's lap his first Christmas, and last year the only way we could get a picture was when Santa was off duty and James sat in his chair without Santa Claus! And after our letter writing experience today, I am pretty convinced that a visit to see Santa will not be included in our list of Christmas festivities for this year either. His letter really made me laugh and I wanted to share and record it here on the blog. It's funny to see just what's going on in their little heads in regards to various topics when given an avenue to express themselves - sometimes I don't listen enough and I'm thankful for when I do and I understand him better! Apparently Santa Claus has really offended our little man!! (Hopefully he doesn't sound like a meanie - I just could not stop laughing as he was coming up with this stuff and telling me what he really thought about Santa!)

Dear Santa,

This year Mama and Daddy said I don't have to sit on Santa's lap because it's "fuzzy from your red pants." Also, because I got really scared when you said "Ho Ho Ho" to me at a "estaurant" (We went to eat at Izzo's with Stephen's family last Christmas) and Grandpa told you to drive across the street (Grandpa did tell Santa two of his grandchildren were scared, but not to drive across the street! ha!). Maybe if you are nice to me, I will come see you with the new baby from Mama's tummy next year. I have been a good  boy this year but sometimes grumpy. I would like another helicopter, please (as he whirled his Harold the Helicopter in the air). You can come down our chimney and bring us presents. And please blow Mama's exercise thing to Africa, because I want to (My mom let me borrow a step box to get some exercise during this pregnancy and apparently James is not a fan of me doing it!)!

I would love a green bouncy ball, a scooter and a tricycle, Jake and the "Everland" Pirates boat, Little Einstein's Train Choo-Choo, Instruments, and Toby - I want two Toby's (as he drove the other across his track!)

Love, James

Limited...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here! We have had our decorations up for a few weeks now, and over the weekend we also decorated with a few lights on the outside of our house for the very first time! This year James is at such a great age and it has just been so fun to begin the countdown to Christmas with him and do advent activities with him each day. Christmas becomes even more special when you experience it through the eyes of a child! Here are a few pictures of our decor, but I'll spare you pictures of every little nook and cranny that has a candle, christmas candy jar, or a seasonal potholder! (Actually I won't post any pictures for now because I'm getting the message that I'm out of space a-gain - not sure what I'm going to do about that! But stay tuned...)

I just wanted to blog that in the midst of all the fun and wonder of Christmas, it's also easy in our American culture to feel burdened this time of year. I have been feeling especially burdened and limited the last few days. I have been recognizing my financial limitations, my time limitations to try to squeeze in everything that I would like, and my human limitations to fix things or change circumstances in my own strength (of course, this has always been the case but a lesson I constantly have to learn) - just to name a few! It's funny the way that all the preparation for celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace often becomes a time that is anything but peaceful in our hearts when we allow it. Or when we lose sight of what the decorating, baking, or gift-giving is really all about.

I have read two wonderful perspectives on Christmas recently on other blogs that I frequent often, and I was so encouraged as I was reminded, once again, that the focus of Christmas isn't about me or my efforts but completely on HIM. I just wanted to share a few excerpts and pray that they will encourage you as well if you too find yourself feeling a little less than peaceful this time of year.

From Femina:
And while each of us has celebrated Christmas through the years in a number of different situations, it is the very difference that is so powerful. Some of us are celebrating this Christmas while grieving. Some of us are celebrating in the face of loss, in the face of fear, in the face of sorrow. Some of us are celebrating this Christmas with new believers in our families, with repaired relationships. Some of us are celebrating this Christmas alone, looking forward to a time when there are people who want us, need us, and depend on us. Some of us are celebrating this Christmas tired, worn out from the hardest year we’ve ever had. Some of us are celebrating Christmas in awe at the number of blessings that have been poured out on us this year.

But this is the beauty of Christmas. Christmas did not just come to the world once, in Bethlehem. When Jesus came into this world, into that manger, He came for all time. He came came for us this year. When we are celebrating Christmas, we are acknowledging that here, now, we have a Savior. We are celebrating the presence of our Savior in the situation we are currently in. We are celebrating that our Savior did not just come to people once. He came to us all, now.

So I look fondly at that mess of a Christmas last year, and while I would like to throw away all the ornaments and start over, I rejoice. Last year, we had a Savior. This year, we have a Savior. Forever, we have a Savior.

So look around you this year. Remind yourself that your Savior came to you here, and He came to you now. Grab all the stuff you can, and throw a party. And if you don’t have any money this year, grab the old newspapers and make some decorations. And if you have money this year, act like it. This is Good News, people, not old news. This year, like all the years before us, and all the years ahead, we have a Savior. And that is the best reason to party that I ever heard of.

From Mom Heart Online:
The Christ Child in the manger, He takes on the garment of fragile flesh to release us from being beasts of burden. I think of this often, when I feel Christmas as a weight, burden that I'm sagging under for weeks. Whenever Christmas begins to burden, it's a sign that I've taken on something of the world and not of Christ.

Christmas comes to us like the Cross -- asking nothing of us but embrace. So I lay down the expectations and the efforts, the perfectionism and performance, and I simply wait for His coming.His blood does all the work. He shed it to release us from burden-- so we embrace a peacefulAdvent...

I am limited this Christmas, but He is able - Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

He is able this Christmas and every other day. Just resting in that truth brings comfort and peace to my weary heart.

Stephen's Birthday Celebration (in pictures)

Thankful for the opportunity to celebrate another year with YOU!

Happy Birthday Stephen!

Stephen,
So much to say...too much to say! I can't believe we've already celebrated six birthdays together. I can't believe all the places that we have already traveled in this journey called marriage together, and I look forward to the good plans that God has ahead of us in the rest of our 186 years together. I am still thankful for the love that caught us by complete surprise that summer of ministering together in Philadelphia, and it is still our friendship that I am most thankful for after all these years. There is no truer friend than you. I'm happy that God chose us to do life together, to parent together, and to learn to be more like Jesus together. I would always choose you if given the chance to choose again. I love you! Happy 28th Birthday! You are the most loved husband and Daddy, and we praise God for your 28 years of life!

I had this little song in my head today when I was thinking about your birthday. I know you will appreciate the Steven Curtis Chapman more than anyone I know:

One day you've got me laughing

One day you've got me crying

One day you've got me thinking

I'm going out of my mind

But one thing is true

The one thing that never changes

Is that you've always got me ...

On a Monday, on a Tuesday, on a Wednesday

All the way around 'til Sunday

You've always got me on the good days

And the bad days and the mad days

The happy and the sad days

You've got me every day of my life

(Almost) 12 Week Pregnancy Questionnaire

With James I was able to journal and blog my thoughts on anticipating his arrival throughout the pregnancy, but I know that this time I just probably will not have time to write so extensively. I thought that I would join the other blogging moms that have filled out pregnancy questionnaires periodically in an attempt to at least keep some record of the changes that will come throughout this pregnancy. My plan is to later record these in a journal (when I purchase one!) for this baby, like I did for James, at a later date.

How far along are you? Almost 12 weeks

Total Weight Gain? At the doctor last week, they said I had only gained 1 or 2 pounds but after Thanksgiving I am feeling like that could have doubled...or tripled! I don't even want to know. :)

How big is the baby? Somewhere between the size of a fig and a lime. I love these food comparisons because James loves to know how big the baby is each week!

Maternity Clothes? Although some of my regular clothes are fitting differently, I'm not there yet. 

Sleep? Waking up a little more than usual at night, but sleeping pretty well on my stomach still.

Best moment this week? Hearing the baby's heartbeat again and James telling me "your baby sounds like a choo-choo train." Also, announcing the pregnancy to extended family at Thanksgiving. 

Movement? The doctor says it is probably still too early but I really think I have felt movement the last few days when I'm laying down. So, I am not sure...

Food Cravings/Aversions? I had horrible food aversions (to meat, vegetables, tea, really almost everything) until about week 9 of this pregnancy and could eat very few things (toast, baked potatoes, pretzels, etc). Almost everything made me cringe or was too sweet. Even the thought of cold water made me sick! I am still eating pretty bland foods (nothing spicy or fried), but I am doing so much better. I don't really have a lot of cravings yet, but I have to eat a lot more often and enough protein or I get sick. (This has all been totally different than my pregnancy with James.)

Morning Sickness? I had all day sickness (and especially night sickness) until about week 10. I still have some bad days mixed in that I think come after a day of doing too much and just being exhausted, but I am definitely getting so much better.

Gender? We will find out in January, but we truly will be so thrilled either way. James is adamant that this baby is a girl and he started calling the baby "Cece" shortly after we told him about the new baby. We were actually already considering a "C" name for a little girl so if the baby is a girl we will probably try to find a "C" middle name as well and let her nickname be Cece. While James is leaning towards girl, Stephen and I don't really have a prediction. Because this has been such a different pregnancy, I will think "girl" one day and then something will remind me of the pregnancy with James the next day and I think "boy." So, I don't know... :)

What I'm looking forward to: Our next ultrasound in January and finding out the gender of the baby and beginning to call the baby by name; just all the joy that comes with anticipating/preparing for a baby which is even more special as we experience the joy and the excitement through the eyes of James this time. He has just been so sweet. He asks to kiss the baby in my belly and one night he set baby spoons on an extra napkin at the dinner table and prayed "Dear God, Please let Mama's tummy get big so the baby can come out." He says that "the new baby is going to be my best friend." I pray that they would be very best friends and that God would bless their relationship and keep them close throughout their lives.

Thankful For...

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

I had planned to write a whole post about all that God has taught me about thankfulness this past year as we entered this season where we focus especially on thanksgiving, but in all of the busyness I ran out of time. I just wanted to share quickly that while our circumstances may not be ideal or things may not be easy or comfortable still for us in many ways, we have learned first hand what it means to be thankful in it ALL and for the many things that God has done in our life. In particular, we have seen God's provision through the hands of His people. We have been blessed in countless ways this past year (even in the midst of trials) and my heart is overflowing with gratitude. Maybe I will have a chance to write more on this when we are back in town, but we are headed out in a matter of minutes to visit family for Thanksgiving. 

But I did want to share one thing that we are so very thankful for this Thanksgiving...

(The iron-on shirt that we made to announce baby #2 to our families that held up just long enough to get the job done. We learned that you can't find Big Brother shirts anywhere with all the holiday stuff out in stores!)

We are expecting baby # 2 in June!! I am 11 weeks pregnant and will post more about this pregnancy later, but I am overwhelmed with thankfulness that God would allow me to mother another precious child. James is beyond ecstatic to be a big brother and already loves "his baby in Mama's tummy!" 

We Voted!

I took James with me to vote this morning, and I think he had a lot of fun getting to "participate" in the process and he even got his own "I Voted" sticker for being such a good helper! We have been talking about the election coming up just a little bit with him -- although we weren't sure how much he would understand. We told him about his grandfathers and great-grandfathers that had served our country in different branches of service. We talked about the importance of voting for the leader of our country, but how God is the one that is ultimately in control. We talked to him about the sanctity of life (in words he could hopefully understand). We told him that he would get to make his own decision in 16 years and even drive his own car to go vote - he liked that part a lot!

The last few days he has been telling us that we are going to vote for "the man with the happy heart" on Tuesday. I love to hear things from his perspective! I'm glad he is already learning the responsibility and privilege of living in a country where we are able to vote -- and regardless of the outcome today, we can rest in knowing that God is sovereign and in control and the ultimate authority and ruler over all. I'm glad that James is already understanding the value and importance of the heart as well. Here are a few pictures of our voting for "the man with the happy heart" day!

Fall Family Pictures

We recently had our neighbor take some pictures of our family at our favorite park. It had been over a year since we had any pictures taken of our entire family (although there is no shortage of the pictures that I constantly take!), but I just wanted to capture a few of our family at this stage (and before I have a three year old in February!). Life changes so quickly and James has grown so much since our last little photo shoot (see the picture at the top of the blog!). I wanted to go ahead and share a few of the pictures on the blog but I'm saving my "favorite favorite" pictures until after Christmas when we'll give out pictures to our families. :)

I am really happy with how they turned out. James is in a stage where he has his own ideas about how things should be done and was quick to let "Mis Chel" (Michelle) know where he wanted to stand and sit! A smile was also hard to come by because the pictures for him were a chance to be a tiger licking his lips in the jungle! Yes, this is true! You cannot make this stuff up! Michelle has two boys of her own, so she understands - but she was a trooper. :) And we still managed to get some good pictures of our little tiger to frame and share with family...soon!

(I also plan to update the blog with some of these pictures, but right now blogger is telling me the blog is full. I can add pictures to new posts, but not at the top of the blog or the sidebar, etc. Do any of you more knowledgeable blogger friends know what I can do to fix that problem? Will I have to start a new blog or is there a trick I don't know about?)

 ("I'm licking my lips like a tiger in the jungle." - here is the proof!)

Fall Festival Fun

We attended a Fall Festival on Friday night with Stephen's parents at the church where they are members, and Stephen and I took James to another Fall Festival not far from our house on Saturday. James had a fun weekend playing games, bouncing in bouncy castles, and eating too much candy! I took tons of pictures Friday night with the help of Stephen's parents, but didn't take any on Saturday. Here are quite a few pictures of our fall festival fun this year: