Sweet girl!

Bugs, as I often call her is getting BIG! I am really in awe that she is 8 1/2 months already. She LOVES Gerber puffs so much that if she even sees the container she freaks out. She's a mover. She scoots on her bum and also pushes backwards while on her belly. The more mobile she gets the more parenting 3 is getting more challenging. In the last week, we have found her chewing on plastic wrapper pieces twice. Not sure how she found them. She has a MAJOR attachment to me, the MAMA! I put her down...she cries. I walk out of the room...she cries. Fun stuff....2 that are attached...great to be loved! ;)

Dusting off the camera! ;)

I meant to post this "hair" pic the other day. Just wanted to show everyone that little miss does have hair. It's growing too! I was actually able to put a hair clip in it the other day. Mind you there were only like 10 strands of hair in it but it stayed in.
This was taken last night of Miss Chloe. She looks completely normal and happy here. I assure you she was for her brief time in the tub. Sunday night she came down with a fever and had it ALL day yesterday. I finally did the Tylenol and Motrin switch off after the Tylenol didn't help her. This afternoon she was finally fever free and willing to eat again. She didn't throw up today either, but the diarrhea is still around. Dear yucky germs, Please leave my daughter alone. You are no longer welcome. I want my happy, hungry girl back. Thank you!
And the rest are from this afternoon. The boys took advantage of the beautiful day and played outside. They are making the most of spring break so far. The rest of the week is going to be even better. ;)
Those eyes. Need. I. Say. More.
Enjoying a popsicle. He was rather warm, but would not take off that sweatshirt.
I {heart} this picture. I guess it just totally screams Parker to me! The bike, mud, the torn seat, the fleece pants, no training wheels....growing up....too. fast!
Cole rides like a pro. This is our neighbor's 4-wheeler and the boys LOVE it. It's not a
gas one...just battery. However, I think BIG toys are going to be in our future. Whew, glad our 3rd was a girl!

A few snaps from the past week! Saturday we had our family picture taken at the local volunteer fire station because we gave some money to their organization. In return we get a free 10x13 family photo. Well I couldn't decide what to wear so I decided to give my sister the camera and see how it all looked together. My outfit here didn't cut it. Instead, I wore a green shirt like Chloe. Who would've thought the eldest child not smiling or looking at the camera and the 2 little ones following directions!

Enjoying the late afternoon outside yesterday after our walk. DO NOT play in the MUD! So this is their version of NOT playing in the mud.

He was in this section of grass for a millisecond. Then he was on the other side of the rocks in the MUD. Stuck in the mud. It's not even summer yet and I'm already sick of the MUD/dirt/clay whatever you want to call it. I think I've swept the garage out everyday this week. Bleh.
Cole adding the water to our tray so we could plant our seeds. This year we are
going to attempt a garden....if we can figure out a place for it. I wonder if the owner of the empty mud filled lot next door would mind if we just used it. I mean it would keep the earth in place instead of flowing through our yard when it rains. Oh and it would be a little smaller patch of open mud/dirt to track in our house. We'll see. I'm excited about the garden though and getting the boys out there.

Parker is still loving school. Excited for spring break next week though. He's reading like a champ, but likes to keep his talent hidden within. Daddy seems to be the only one able to pry him open for a story or two.

Cole is Cole. This boy is something. I love him and he knows it. The other day we went into the Dollar Tree. He kept asking for this and that...candy and toys basically. Anyway, I'd say no or fine, yes! Well before you know it we are checking out and the stinker has managed to snag about 5 things. I only remembered 2. I shook it off with a laugh. Oh well right! Then when he sees I am getting irritated with something he'll tell me, "Mom your shirt is really pretty! I like it!" He knows how to get a smile that is for sure...most of the time. He's also started the stupid talk...grrrr! Then there is the never ending tantrums. On a good day we ignore them, they end, we move on. On a bad day, they go on FOREVER and EVER and NO ONE is happy!

Chloe is 7.5 months 17lbs and 26.5 in. long. She has finally cut her 2 bottom teeth. Thank goodness! We are going to know EVERY tooth this girl gets before she even gets it. Up a lot at night for about a week prior to them cutting through. Fun. Times. For. Mom. :) Starting to babble this sweet ba ba ba ba which can turn into screaming and raising of her fists (only when food is involved though.) Oh yes folks...she IS a Johnson on BOTH sides! ;)

Been awhile!

So it's been awhile for pics...I apologize. Trying to get better but LIFE has been getting in the way.

DITTO!!!

I saw this on another blog and thought I'd share. I know many of my dear friends get this just as much as I do...lately it seems like everywhere I go. -AJ



Dear strangers… I do not know you.
I have 3 children. Yes, they are all mine. No, the older 2 are not twins...yep, I do have all 3 with me at the grocery store.

My key to the grocery store is a 2 seater cart and wearing my littlest one in Ergo Carrier.

Regardless, I often have 3 children with me.

And yes, I do have my hands full.
But you saying that doesn’t help much, now does it?
Unless you’re interested in taking one (preferably the middle one, please)
Not to mention, that when that statement is said,
I am usually not in the best “mommy” mood.

I have heard that I should respond with
“why yes, my hands are full…but so is my heart”
Isn’t that sweet.
But honestly, like I mentioned above, my heart usually isn’t feeling very full in that moment. I usually am feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Or perhaps you have caught me on a great day
where I am really enjoying my children…
then you have to go and point out how I have my hands full.

Thanks for ruining the nice moment…
because right after you say how full my hands are,
my kids are sure to do something to earn that remark.
Like…pull each other’s hair, knock over a shelf of fruit snacks, scream to eat a free sample, tell me they have to poo poo, scream again because I won’t buy the chocolate-marshmallow cereal.

So instead of telling me how full my hands are, here is a list of suggestions to say instead of “my, don’t you have your hands full”


1—What a beautiful family you have!

2—What a fun field trip with mommy!

3—Can I help you with anything?

4—What good children you are being!

5— You’ll get through these early years!
(don’t add “and I wouldn’t go back to that for a million dollars”)

6—I remember those days well!
(don’t add “and I thought I was going to die”)

7—You’re doing a great job

8—You are a great mom

-Do hold the door open for a mom with many kids
-Do offer to take my cart back to the store as you are walking in

-Do not stare if my children are having a tantrum
And please do not intervene… it often makes it worse, and we are often in a hurry trying to get back in time for lunch or nap…
hence the tantrum.


So, Dear strangers that I meet in public…
please do not tell me again how much I have my hands full.

Our princess and her prince?!

Our dear friends, the McGuire's, came to visit this past weekend. While they were
here I took pics of their kiddos and had to get some of these 2 together. They are
about 5 weeks apart in age and quite a bit different in weight...lol! Love those leg
warmers! They spent most of the time sitting up chewing on toys, eating, and sleeping.
Amazingly enough they were pretty much on the same sleep schedule! Oh how we
all miss them and wish they lived closer. We had fun playing in the snow and just
hanging out at the house.

Happy 7 years!

Then
Now

I wouldn't have wrote our story any other way! I'm so blessed that God led me to this wonderful man. He makes me whole and knows just what I need even when I don't. He is so caring, loving, and just plain thoughtful. He still gives me that giddy feeling like he did while falling in love 9 years ago. I long for him to be next to me when he's working. I love that he kisses me before he leaves for work every morning. I love that we say "I love you" as we hang up the phone no matter what the conversation was about...big or small. I could go on and on with how wonderful he is. If you know him you probably know this to be true as well. He's so unselfish it's crazy!

Baby, I love you to the moon and back and can't wait to spend MANY more FABULOUS years together with you!