THE JOHNSON FAMILY

Believe

I have never believed God more... parenting will do that. Open my eyes. Expand my heart. Sting my soul. I have never loved so purely in my life...children will do that.

Words to describe what Hunter and Charlie mean to me would sound fluffy, dramatic, obnoxious.

God's words to me fall afresh on open ears. I grasp better His vast love for me because I can't lasso mine for my own children. I believe that He "rejoices over me with singing" even though I am far from deserving. I believe that God knows "the number of hairs on my head" because He actually cares. I believe that "many are the thoughts" God has about me. I believe that God isn't after my performance but a relationship with me. I believe He often longs for me to just look at Him. I believe that all my tears are accounted for by Him. I believe.

A few pics from our picnic with the boys...and Drake was a little in the way...

Bedtime Prayer

"Jesus come to my mommy. come to my daddy. come to baby charlie. come to drake."

-Hunter

8 Months Today!

The word Chris used to describe Charlie at his baby dedication was delight. What a great word for my Charlie. He has been just that to us!

I guess Charlie wanted to get things going before his big 8 MONTHs came because last week he officially started to crawl, eat table food, and had his 5th tooth come in!

Prayer

I stopped at a red light, hands in lap and head bowed before my steering wheel... only to check my email on my phone...

Hunter asked "you praying mommy?"

A sweet reminder of where my heart and thoughts should be--on "things above."

Charlie's Baby Dedication

We dedicated Charlie to being raised among believers and to teach him God's ways. Chris and I feel fortunate to teach our little boys to love the Lord. Chris' family came to Cincinnati to see the dedication. What a special time for our family!

"The Sky"

So, I took dinner to a friend who had a baby. I left the boys in the car with the windows down. I came back to Hunter laughing really hard. I looked through the window assuming someone was talking to him. No one was there. I walked around the car and peered in at Charlie...he was smiling at Hunter around his car seat. When I got in the car, I asked Hunter who he was talking to and he said "baby Charlie."

I said "Was something funny?"

He replied "the sky."

Yesterday, Hunter sat on Charlie's head. I told him to keep his body to himself. A few minutes later I heard Hunter laughing. Knowingly, I go back to see what was not-so-funny: Hunter trying to push Charlie over with a spatula (but he wasn't "touching" him). Charlie was even laughing.

I am thankful they have each other. Humor and laughter between my 2-year-old and 7-month-old that I obviously don't get. I love it.

Valentine Gifts

Kaki & JimJim mailed Hunter and Charlie a box of goodies. Hunter got a lion book that he "scares" us with when he reads it to us and Gummy Bears from JimJim (thanks a lot!:). Charlie got the cutest little alligator toy that is now his favorite because he can't drop it!

Mimi & Grande sent a book that they read to Hunter and Charlie. Hunter opens it to the same page over and over...

My Valentine

Hunter colored hearts at school this morning. In the car he said "here you go, these are for you!" I asked Hunter "What does a heart mean?" He said "I love mommy."

THAT'S RIGHT! Love my little Valentine!

Hunter Taking Care of Charlie

Hunter has been very sweet with Charlie being sick this past week Since being home from the hospital, Charlie has cut his first tooth and now has an ear infection. He still smiles and is somewhat playful for not feeling so great.

Charlie's First Tooth!

Charlie's first tooth came through today! He is growing so fast and getting so big. He is 4 months old and weighs almost 16 pounds. I love you sweet Charlie!

Sick Charlie

Suctioning Charlie's nose. He was terrified. So was I.

Charlie was very sick this past week. I took him to the pediatrician on Tuesday and they sent me to the ER because Charlie wasn't breathing very well. We went home that night. He was sick all Wednesday. Thursday morning I took him to the pediatrician again and they sent me back to the ER. The nurse who looked at him said "he's a walk back" and the next thing I know there are 3 nurses looking at him. I just thought he was getting great care...they took us to the Critical Unit. Charlie was having to work too hard just to breathe and he was dehydrated from not eating.

Chris was actually in the operating room that morning and I hadn't even been able to tell him I too was at the hospital. A nurse paged him and he came down to meet us.

Charlie tested positive for RSV which turned into Bronciolitis. We stayed the night at the hospital to monitor his breathing. Chris went home to be with Hunter and I was a wreck of a mom at the hospital with my Charlie. The IV made a huge difference with Charlie and his breathing became easier for him. We were able to leave the next morning.

Charlie is still sick and coughing, but I am thankful to be home with him.

During the night at the hospital Charlie didn't sleep very well and was up a lot in the night. He threw up ALL over me two times and cried often...I kept thinking to myself--how is it that this tiny boy can cause so much grief to me and yet there isn't anything but my PURE DELIGHT in him?

So often I wonder how can God love someone like me when everyday my sin causes His heart such grief...

LOVE.

Oh Charlie, thank you for showing me God's love yet again.

Eli & Hunter

Buddies forever. Hunter and Eli hanging out at Danny and Diana's house in Dallas. The boys loved Danny's bear footstool. Cute boys!

Mom's Hairband

Hunter wears my hairband. Charlie admires.

Singing

Hunter loves music and singing. Tonight at bedtime he asked me to sing "Mimi's song." I went through about 5 songs before I got to the right one. Yesterday "Mimi's song" was This Little Light of Mine. Today, it was Jesus Loves Me. :) Very sweet. Hunter loves to sing with his Mimi!

Visiting MK

Every Christmas I go visit my friend from High School, Mary Kathryn Hyland. This year she got to meet Charlie for the first time and see Hunter again. The best news is that she just got engaged to be married in June!

Cutie

Charlie played with this toy literally for an hour. He kept grabbing it with his hand and making the lights blink. Pretty cute. His first favorite toy!

Christmas in Dallas

Mimi & Grande with the boys

Boone & Avri give Hunter & Charlie a Christmas book.

Noah's Advent Ark...Mimi & Hunter check out the animals

Powdered Sugar Donuts

Avri, Hunter and Mimi

Visiting the Haynes

The Girls

The Kids

Christmas in OKC

Santa Clause comes to town!

Hunter kissing Santa Clause

About to open presents in OKC

Charlie & JimJim

Charlie & Kaki

Best Aunts Ever!

Great Grandparents, Baba & Bruce, meet Charlie

Happy with Great Grandmama

Smiling for Great Grandad

Charlie's Great Grandparents, Grandad & Grandmama

Hanging Out with Friends

Dads & Kids

Emily talking to Hunter

First Snow

Today was the first big snow of the year. All day large white snowflakes fell. Chris and Hunter went sledding in our front yard. Hunter had a blast, but I think Drake had the most fun! He kept running in front of the sled and in circles around Hunter playing in the snow.

Snowman Pajamas

Charlie, Charlie

Charlie's little personality is starting to show more and more. I don't necessarily think he is going to be quiet like I thought...he sure loves to coo and gargle. He is a big smiler. He definitely has already started responding to Hunter looking in his direction and even smiling at him. Charlie REALLY likes Chris staring at him with such intent. Maybe it is his beard that is so intriguing, maybe it is his voice?

Charlie likes to snuggle and be held. He really is a sweet, sweet baby. Staring at my Christmas tree and holding him has been my delight at the end of the day.

My Charlie, Charlie. I love you!