The Adventures of the Johnson Clan: "Give Mother Nature some Space!"

So I think as a prank toward all the complaining I've done over the weather, Mother Nature did take away some of the snow... and instead we had 50mph winds with intense hail, flash flooding on some streets, and some heavy thunder/lightening storms for a day and a half.... THEN

it went back to snowing.

And now we have 4 more storms in the forecast and not days getting warmer that the low 40's. I'm really not even complaining' I'm just stunned. Maybe even a little impressed.

My Uncle gave me some wise advice the other day:

"I think Mother Nature is going through something right now. My husband training has taught me to just step back, because I know I have zero control. Good luck with it."

~Wise words~

Travis:

I think it is safe to say that he has had a nice week. This month his hours are much lighter and most mornings he even has energy to get out of bed and see the boys before Maddix leaves for school. He is home in the evenings and got to make his famous Dad's Pizza the other night and we love that he has time to cook again (I've missed it).

He's been in charge of putting the kids to bed almost every night and we definitely have different tactics (i.e. I try to dim the lights, start doing calming activities, and take lots of time to let them bath, have book, song, and unwind in bed... Travis likes to play loud rock music and have jamming parties and wrestling matches with the kids until 10 mins to bedtime, rush them through a shower like a drill sergeant, and then just stay up late to get a good amount of reading in:) The boys sure love it when dad puts them to bed (I will note though that Aaron always begs for me to be the final one to tuck him and doesn't want anyone else :D.

Travis took the boys on a date to buy car parts and gummies; they then spent the afternoon installing an amp and subwoofer in his truck to improve his base

He actually got to go to basketball last week.

He was around enough to fix all the dead lightbulbs (it's the little things that make me seriously appreciate when he is actually at home)

He gave a wonderful F.H.E lesson on practicing/studying and compared learning to build an engine to the studying/practicing that goes into the Gospel; it was a real hit.

He's beyond thrilled be finishing up his last day on the O.B. floor (have I mentioned his detest for O.B.??); unfortunately, he's truly going out with a bang in that it's a full 24hr shift to end it. Boo

Hang in there Trav! You've got this!

(There is a VERY sweet pay-off moment coming up soon)

Lacey:

Elder Brian K. Taylor said it pretty well in this past conference,

"To those mothers feeling overwhelmed and underwater while struggling to raise a sin resistant generation... remember, Jesus said, 'Fear not, for I am with thee'."

I don't know how to describe it, I have a busier schedule than I've ran in years, and I have the HARDEST capstone class I have ever taken in school that is more time intensive and difficult than I could have imagined it would be. I'm doing mommy & me soccer with Aaron, coaching Maddix's soccer team, and I was literally just saying how I feel like I'm already underwater and it's just began to rain.

"Fear not, for I am with thee." I love that.

And you know, I truly am happy and so content in life right now. It's funny, but I only feel like I'm underwater when it comes to school, yet every other aspect in my life feels like it's at the rare moment when it's perfectly balanced. I feel blessed.

I wake up every morning excited to see my kids. I'm finding joy in making sure their after-school folders are open and ready to go, with a snack and fresh drink on the table before they walk in the door. I think it's fun to open the piano book up to a new page so Maddix can just sit down and have something new to practice.

I finally am content enough to just love being a mom; it's only taken me 7 years!

I am at that rare moment where I just don't want anything to change! Everyone is at such a pleasant stage, we're healthy, our schedule is jam packed with sporting events, lessons, activities, and so our home time has become coveted. I'm no longer dying to pack my schedule with artificial activities to get us out of the house; we're now at that stage naturally.

I. Love. It.

Aside from this all my spare time has been spent doing homework pretty much all day and going to the NLXF gym before everyone gets up in the mornings.

Maddix:

He has been so nice, both at home and at school. He truly seems more at ease, like he finally feels safe and loved at home; I love him.

He took it upon himself to get Addie out of her crib one time and change her bum.

He basically babysat all Saturday while I sat on the computer doing my latest project. During that time he and Aaron ate an entire bag of Pita chips... new bag. And the also got Adeline to belly laugh (her first)!

He actually let me dress him up for 50's Day at school; he rocked it.

He really liked working on the truck w/ Trav.

He wants to make his "special" for us for dinner, which consists of an open faced tortilla, covered in melting cheese... he he he.

His Friday Night Movie Choice: Pirates of the Caribbean 1

I bought the boys mini flashlights and at night he thinks he's being sneaky to turn it on under his covers and read his scriptures... but I wonder who snuck them into his pocketed pillow to begin with... ;)

Aaron:

Is completely stoked that it's finally his turn to be on a sports team! And he. is. awesome! Totally enthused, focused, teachable, and naturally amazing at soccer. Taking him to practice is probably one of my most favorite sporting experiences.

He got to attend a Kindergarten Kickoff where they tour the classrooms. He is so excited for all day Kindergarten (me, not so much).

He has decided to reject Winter. Almost every day, despite the weather he's been determined to ride his bike. And by darn, that's what he does!

He was the perfect Walmart Buddy the other day, and because Addie slept the whole trip, we took our time, found him some soccer shoes, and went down every toy isle before checking out.

He loved soccer pictures and ice-cream after as our date.

We'll be out of town next week so we moved his Friday Movie night to Saturday and he Chose Frozen, w/ Hot Choc. His choice was appropriate since it was blizzarding outside.

Oh and he may have had to draw a picture at school on bus safety because he thought it would be a good idea to crawl under the bus seats, like a spy... ( I secretly find it hilarious).

Loved playing at his friend, Jackson's house twice this week (thank you Arianna for having him over so he didn't just watch t.v. while i worked on my project!)

Adeline:

This girl.

She is a supported sitter, and can stand if you hold her hands.

She is a fantastic sleeper and pretty routine (she gets up around 6:50am, naps from 9am-11:30am, naps from 1:15-3:30 or 4:00, and goes back to bed by 8:00), but refuses to do that third nap like babies typically do, and has also had a few nights in a row of waking up at 5am and talking to herself for about 30 mins before going back to sleep.

She has started rolling over!!! But not once has she done it so I can see :(

She had her first belly laugh, thanks to the boys (She found Aaron's hopping on one leg and singing to be pretty funny, as well as Maddix's toot while she was on his lap).

She eats all types of baby food now.

She is stably drinking when she wakes up, after her first nap, after her second nap, and a large bottle (8oz) just before bed.

Still LOVES bath time.

Tolerates tummy time now

Is sharing her voice a little more

And when we read her book before each nap, she likes it if I look at her after every page and then breaks out in a smile, like there's nothing else she'd rather be learning at that moment.

Oh, and she almost never stays under her covers anymore. Most the time I find her twisted the opposite direction, at the opposite end of the crib from where I left her.

She is a t.v./screen baby.

She can't go anywhere without a dozen people telling me how cute she is.. and I don't mind

We bought her some new clothes with our gap rewards and I can't wait for it to warm up so she can wear it all.