Scrapbooking

After several days of being cooped up, Liberty decided we should work on our scrapbooks. We ventured out on Thursday morning to buy special supplies. The roads were great, but the parking lots were a slushy mess. Luckily we were just stopping by Dollar Tree and McDonalds. We made it home safely and started on scrapbooks. I started a new book for Liberty that I am going to record all her "firsts" in (1st bball game, 1st fish, 1st camping trip, etc...). Liberty started a book with multiple themes :).

Getting started.

I do not fancy myself a scraper by any means. I am absolutely terrible at it and it takes me forever. We worked all day and all I managed to do was decorate the cover of the book and make the first page. By the end of the day Liberty has already completed 8 pages!

The cover of my new scrap project.

Liberty's first page.

I really enjoy working on these projects even though I'm not that creative. I dream of having the craft closet full of organized shelves of paper, stickers, embellishments of all sorts, and tools and gadgets that I can create anything with! Unfortunately, I am very limited in supplies and have to make due with what I have. One of the reasons I don't scrapbook very often is because it is such a mess! Within the first 5 minutes we had stuff spread from one end of the table to the other.

Nonetheless, we are making the most of our snow days and spending wonderful time together. I have such a special, creative little girl. Without her prompting, I never would have dragged all this stuff out. She is so much fun!

Winter Wonderland

Liberty is totally excited about all the ice. She was looking for her snow pants at 8:30 this morning. She has been sick for the past 2 months with a cough we just can't get rid of, so I was hesitant to let her out. However, about 3:00 I told her we could go check the mail and she could play for a minute. She made the most of the 5 minutes we were out there by making a snow angel and eating some of the ice. The ice is so deep out here that it looks like snow. Its really beautiful, but I am thankful we haven't gotten much bad weather this year. Poor Scott had to go to work today while we stayed warm and safe at home and enjoyed a cozy snow day.

Liberty's snow angel

Just being cute

Eating the ice off her gloves.

I can now feel the baby moving more often. I've felt flutters since about 13 weeks, but not very often. I can tell she is growing, growing, growing. I can't believe she will be here in less than 6 months. Scott and I are so ready! We see our specialist again on the 16th and we will find out for sure what we are having. Liberty is still holding out for a boy, which I think is funny. Hmm...maybe our little family isn't complete yet (we won't mention that to my husband :))

Tough questions, simple answers

A friend of mine showed me this book today and I absolutely loved it! Its about a little girl whose best friend gets cancer and her parents have to explain to her why people get sick. Like Scott and I, many of you have already walked this road with your own children. Its an agonizing experience and I always wonder if I'm saying the right thing and if Liberty is actually grasping what I am trying to teach her. I always wonder if she understands how much Jesus loves her and how much he loves Lilly even though this terrible thing has happened. There are about a million books out there on this subject, but I have never seen one quite like this. It takes a really tough question like "Why is my sister, dad, mom, brother, grandma, or friend sick?" and gives this beautiful and complete explanation of sin, sacrafice, and the power of Jesus' redeeming love that even a four year old can understand. Even better, it breaks it down so YOU can understand.

Unfortunately we live is a fallen world and really bad things happen. BUT, that isn't the end of the story. Jesus came so that one day we will be reunited with our Creator in a sinless and perfect world. While we wait for the moment Jesus returns, there are still many opportunities to find joy and take pleasure in God's creation.

My Girls

Where do I even begin. Scott and I have been so incredibly blessed to be the parents of two amazing little girls.

Liberty is truly our joy. She is my best friend and a constant companion. I love her dearly and cherish watching her grow every day.

• Her favorite food is pizza, PB&J sandwiches, and salad. If there was no other food on earth she would be completely satisfied with these 3 staples.
• Her favorite games are cards (crazy eights, memory match, go fish) and candy land. She is a really sore loser.
• She loves to play "school." Little does she know, she is actually learning because I make her do real assignments like practicing writing her letters, phonics, and math. She is SO smart.
• She is the most affectionate child I have ever met. You aren't allowed to hug or kiss anyone else in the room unless she is included.
• She adores her Dad.
• She loves making new friends. Like her Daddy, she truly feels that everyone must know her and she must know everyone else. My social butterflies (I'm the complete opposite).
• She absolutely hate bugs. Last summer Scott bought her a fly swatter so she could smack the bugs on the patio, so she wouldn't be afraid to go outside.
• She loves to color and draw.
• She loves music. It doesn't matter what kind it is. She will sing and dance whether she has an audience or not.
• She's not afraid to try new things.
• She is a very well rounded little girl. So far she has enjoyed tap dancing, gymnastics, karate, and basketball.
• She hates to sleep in her own room. We are working on it, but most of the time she ends up in bed with us.
• She loves to go on walks, but hates the walking part. She usually rides her 4 wheeler or her bicycle.
• She LOVES Jesus and can't wait to get to Heaven. She tells me all the time that the earth is not our real home, that our real home is in Heaven! She is wise beyond her years.

I could go on and on about her. She is so easy going and truly a spectacular kid. I love being her mom.

Lilly was priceless and beyond compare. I miss her dearly and cherish every moment I got to spend with her.

• Her favorite things to do was take a bath. When nothing else would calm her down and bath always worked.
• She had the worst circulation. Her feet and hands were always so cold--just like her mommy.
• Her eyes were blue. I cherished seeing them because I didn't get to very much.
• She had the most perfect lips you have ever seen. You just had kiss them every time you looked at her sweet face.
• Her entire body was covered in this really fine hair like a newborn. It was probably due to all the medication she was on.
• She was on 12 different medications.
• She recognized the sounds of our voices (me, Liberty, and Scott)
• She loved her bean bag.
• She loved her swing until she got too heavy.
• She hated loud noises and bright lights.
• She spent 1/3 of her life in the hospital.
• She loved soft music.
• Her tiny little body was covered in scars from being poked countless times and 4 different surgeries.
• She weighed 26 pounds.
• She loved to be outside (as long as it wasn't too hot or cold because she couldn't regulate her body temp).
• She hated the swimming pool. I think the water was too cold.
• Her skin was as soft as the day she was born.
• She was so brave and fought so hard.

Lilly taught me so many things, I can't even list them here. She was so amazing and I loved fighting alongside her. I miss her so much and I can't wait to see that sweet face again.

This is just a glimpse of my beautiful girls. What a better person I am because of them. They are truly the best.

Micah's 100

This is a very special post from a dear friend of mine. Please read all of it and look what God is doing in the life of a special little boy.
***
There is a special project going on for the 1st graders at Micah’s school. On the 100th day of school they have the “hundred day” parade and the first graders get to march around the school showing off their “100 piece” project. Each first grader’s assignment is to find, make, gather, put together, etc 100 of the same items. It can be candy, pictures, pencils, drawings, anything. You are supposed to work on it as a family and make a poster board or put it in a wagon or a bucket or something to show your 100 items. Micah and I talked about it and he thought it was silly to buy 100 pencils or pieces of candy and he wanted to do something that would make a difference. (we always talk about making a difference). He said that he wishes that SOMEHOW he could help 100 people. I told him that was a lot of people and I think he should narrow it down to 1 person. So, he reminded me of the “man in the van”. There is a homeless man who lives in downtown Waco in an old van. We used to bring him dinner a lot and Micah always talks about him and prays for him. I often use him as an example to remind Micah of how blessed we are. Once I remember Micah asked if we could go by and get some dinner. He ordered a kids meal and after he got it, he took the toy out and said that he actually wasn’t hungry but that he wanted to give his food to the “man in the van”. We actually don’t know his name. Matt just always called him “sir”. So, we brought “sir” Micah’s kids meal. He was so appreciative and Micah was all smiles the rest of the day.So here is Micah’s idea. And yes…this is HIS idea. He says he wants to ask 100 people to mail him $1.00. He wants 100 envelopes and will display them on his poster board. I asked him what he wanted to do with the $100 and he told me that he wanted to buy two things for the man in the van. A coat, and a Bible. Micah’s idea. Not mine.Micah also asked me to put the request on caring bridge and blog spot because he didn’t think he would have the time to call 100 people to ask for a letter.If you have time, and $1.00 (or more if you want) and money for a stamp, would you please help my son with his "100 days" of school project. His project is to get 100 people to send him $1.00 so he can buy a coat and a Bible for a man with no home. He will then staple the 100 envelopes (or more) on the poster and take a picture of what he did with the money...and of course...share it with everyone.

Micah Johnson
10500 Hiawatha
Waco, TX. 76712

He asked me this morning to tell everyone I knew so that they would tell everyone THEY knew and it would get "big". He said that maybe we could actually end up helping 100 people. We will see what happens. Please hurry. The 100 day of school parade is on January 30th.
Please forward this to everyone you know.

Still looks like a girl!

We went to see Dr. Stanley today. His office evaluates and treats women who have high-risk pregnancies. He was very nice and was so understanding of our situation and was very interested in doing whatever he could to determine any abnoralites that might show up early. Today everything looked great. Before our next appointment, he wants to go over Lilly's genetic records to see if they can give him a better idea of what to be looking for. Scott and I really don't expect much to come of this, but we figure it doesn't hurt to do some diagnostic testing, especially since its non-invasive. As you can see, our little baby is shaping up to be a real cutie pie! Is that little hand the cutest thing you have ever seen?! It's like she's waving at us.

We are so excited about this baby. I can't wait to see her face and kiss those little lips. I want to tell her how much we have been praying for her and all the wonderful things God has shown us to prepare our hearts for her. She is going to be so wonderful.

Liberty is slowly adjusting to having another baby sister. If you ask, she will still tell you that she wants a baby brother, but she's getting a sister. I guess we still won't know 100% until next month. Maybe she will still get her wish.

I am very excited to report that my morning/night sickness is MUCH better. Looks like I might actually catch a break with this pregnancy. I'm still extremely tired, but that is getting a little better as well. I hope in the next few weeks I will be running at full steam again.

We are trying to get back into our routine now that the holidays are over. It's very difficult. I really really enjoyed our Christmas vacation and definitely wish it could last another week or two. I think for the first time in a long time, we just finally got to relax and really take the holidays in. Usually it just passes so quickly and I feel like its over before it even began. Nonetheless, I am excited about the new year, especially since we will welcome a new addition!

Happy New Year!

I must admit I am beginning this year with a little less gusto than normal. I'm usually so full of hope and ready for all the possibilities a new year brings. This year I just want so badly to see an end to so much suffering. We have had our share, of course, but I continue to watch so many of my friends struggle and fight battles with no victory. I am ready for the peace and pure joy that is coming with our Savior!

I don't feel all doom and gloom, however. We have grown so much over the past year as individuals and as a family. We are being transformed as Christ becomes more and more real to us and guides us through our purpose here on earth. I really am looking forward to what this year will hold for us and for the people we love.

I am so thankful for our little family. Liberty is growing so fast. She is so smart and full of life. This year Scott and I have watched her really blossom into a confident little girl who loves to try new and different things--even if its a little scary at first. She constantly pushes us to be better parents and challenges us with her intuitive questions. Scott continues to be our fierce leader, responding to change and new challenges with a seemingly endless source of optimism and energy. I, of course, am the glue that holds everything together (Ha! Not even close!) I don't respond nearly so well to change. I am, however, learning how to put my gifts to good use and hopefully making a small difference in the lives of the people I come in contact with.

I hope all of you can look back at 2008 and see how blessed you are and how much better for all the things the year brought--good and bad. I hope 2009 will be even better!