Happy New Year.

I am excited to see what 2010 will bring.

I am so happy of the blessings that we received during 2009.

I know that it might not be a good idea to put goals on here since some of you might hold me to them.

But I have always been a big fan of accountability so here goes.

1. I want to prioritize my kids and family first. I need to focus on what makes us happy and function as a family.

2. I want to spend time each day strengthening my spirit.

3. I want to be more thoughtful in my gratitude for others who are such blessings in my life.

4. I want to learn how to appreciate myself and my role in the family.

5. I want to have a better relationship with God.

That is good. I am sure there are 20 more, but I have to focus and narrow it down. These are the things that are really important to me. I hope you all have a great New Year! I love and appreciate you all.

This is for you mom:

This dress that Lily is wearing is a dress that I wore as a baby.

She looked darling in it. I just hope that I was that cute!

If you are wondering where I have been...

I have been making this:



These cute houses I found a tutorial for on my favorite blog of course: http://kari-youcanmakeit.blogspot.com/

I got this crazy notion in my head to make these for my nieces here since we are trying to be thrify in our gift giving this year. I made two...they took a little more time than I anticipated (ok, maybe WAY more time), but it was fun.

We exchanged gifts tonight. Once niece had pure joy for hers and the younger niece said "I don't like it". (in her defense, she was beyond miserable tired and she is 4 so I will cut her some slack.)

It was worth it.

For your Viewing Pleasure

This should make you smile today:

Untitled from Matt Johnson on Vimeo.

I will remember:

Today marks the 5th anneversary of Courtney's birth.

I still remember her. I remember what a great Spirit she is. I know she is watching over our little family. I wanted to share this beautiful poem that was written for Courtney:

A Special Call

I was waiting, oh so patiently
In the Spirit world above
for the special day to come
to meet the parents I so love

Moments before my turn to go
Heavenly Father said
"My little child, a special call,
I have for you instead."

He told me I could choose
the sacrifice so great,
but the work He had for me
really couldn't wait.

It didn't take me long to choose.
I knew what I must do.
And so my dear sweet mom and dad,
My sacrifice was you.

My little body came to earth.
Never to feel you touch.
But my Spirit lingers near
Loving you so much.

The work keeps me so busy.
The time goes quickly by.
I know it won't be long until
Mom and Dad, you're at my side.

My parents don't you worry
I'll be just fine 'til then.
Our savior will sustain us
Until we meet again.

-Michelle Sims

Thanks so much Michelle for those beautiful words, they were truly inspired. I know that this is where Courtney is. She is doing a greater call than we can ever imagine. I am glad that I could be that sacrifice if it means that the work of our Lord will progress.

She changed many lives that day. Mine included. I hope that you all can know and feel the happiness that the Savior has given to us, by giving us eternal families. I give you today my testimony that this work will go forth. We are just a small part of a huge plan. I know that Courtney is happy and doing great and because of that I rejoice. We will be together soon as a family!

I love you all for your support, strength and encouragement.

On the mind of a 3 year old:

Sims was coloring Santa on a coloring page. I took the opportunity to discuss Santa with Sims with the upcoming holiday. Here is how our conversation went.

Mom we don't have one of these.

What?

This thing that Santa comes down (chimney)

Yes we do (finally in this house we do have a fireplace! Which I have carefully hung the stockings by). It is right here.

Well it won't work.

Why?

Because there is glass on it.

Oh.

Well your in luck we are going to Grandma's for Christmas and she has a real fireplace. Never fear, Santa will bring you your presents!!

Way to go Gas fireplaces. Thanks for keeping the magic in Christmas.

Coming to you from the Johnson home:

One night and one night only!

Lily Johnson:

Lily from Matt Johnson on Vimeo.

Things I love about Lily:

*Her constant need to "have a snack" where she goes to the pantry and grabs a box of cereal to munch on. She is very self sufficient and cute.

*Her laid back attitude, most of the day she spends chillin. Which includes her finding toys to play with and then laying down to play with them, because really, she is a Johnson and they don't do anything standing up!

*Her constant chatter. And every once in a while her songs. I hear her singing some of the random little songs that I make up about everything and it makes my heart swell.

I love this thing called motherhood.

Gingerbread fun!

Making gingerbread houses was a family tradition I grew up with. I always remember my mom making the gingerbread, and hand cutting each piece with her knife from their home made pattern. Then my dad would get set up with plates, gingerbread, and the "glue" (frosting). He would carefully put each one together every year. Some years we just decorated the houses as a family and other years we would have friend too. As I was going through the same routine myself this last weekend, I just sat there and smiled at all the fond memories that I have from my parents hard work in putting this together. So now I give that gift to my children and family. I am so grateful to be able to carry on this tradition and I felt so close to my parents as I worked on this FHE. Here are the results:

13 Homemade gingerbread houses and one long table.

This pattern is from my mom and dad. Isn't it cute?

13 wonderful people. We had Brad and Karen and kids and our wonderful neighbors, the Hatches, over for the fun. The kids LOVED it! They could hardly wait for the Hatches to arrive. The excitement in the are was energizing!

Even the boys sat down and had some fun. Even though I sorta made them. Now I know how my mom felt with my brothers...

The finished Projects:

Hannah

Hunter

Matt and Brad (notice that Brad's house doesn't have anything on it but icing. I think he ate all his candy?)

Shane (notice the love addition of the foam cup that we had our icing in...Lovely.)

Karen and Kristin with Austin

Spencer

Dillion (masterfully pulled apart his whole house and stacked everything up in some sort of tower?)

My house. Beautiful.

Katelyn

Mom's Little Helper

Yesterday I got the itch in me to bake some yummy holiday treats. I literally spent the whole day in the kitchen and didn't shower till...um...4pm. BUT, I got a ton done. I made gingerbread to make 13 gingerbread houses for FHE tomorrow night, I made sugar cookies, I made ginger snaps and lastly I made some yummy buck eye balls (peanut butter yummies). As I was working away in the kitchen, Matt was busily working on the new entertainment center. He successfully put crown molding on the top and molding on all the front to make it look more finished. We were in working heaven, caught up in some wonderful Christmas music (found on pandora.com...if you don't know about pandora.com go there now and thank me later).

So what were our little helpers doing while we were so busily working? Well, Sims was at the neighbors house playing...have I mentioned how much I love our neighbors? Well we love them so much. Such a blessing. And Lily was, well Lily was doing this:


Such a sweet girl. She was happily playing and talking to herself. Her favorite thing is to pull all the towels out of the drawer and now she likes to sit in them. It's not my favorite thing, but hey, if it keeps her happy I am all for it. I love this time of year. I feel so much holiday happiness and I love the spirit that you find every where you go. I hope you all are finding the same happiness and joy in your lives.

Today I Will:

*Finish Painting the Bathroom
*Order Christmas Cards
*Start working on a new Christmas card list since my old one was lost...send me addresses!
*Make cookies with Sims
*Cuddle my sweet babies
*Make dinner
*Finish my home made present for my brother for Christmas. I think he will love it!
*Go to the post office

We will see how much I actually will get done.