The Adventures of the Johnson Clan: Week 3: Goodbyes and Avery's Blessing

This week was a pure joy for me. I'd like to say I had a parenting breakthrough, and I guess that would be somewhat correct, but a lot of the joy came from watching my kids grow up a little bit and so I didn't necessarily become a better mom overnight, but they really seemed to do some maturing this week. They've adjusted to the new summer schedule. To Travis's crazy work schedule of only seeing him for about an hour a day this whole month. And I did grow as well. So it's impossible to look back on this week and not feel a sense of gratitude, accomplishment, and joy for us as a family as we took a step forward in our new life as a family of six, about to be done with residency forever!!

Travis

This week he has felt the bodily pains of an old man! He seems to be falling apart as he approaches the end of residency (like every large house hold items that are on their last leg here)! His chest still aches enough to be on pain meds and now his shoulder hurts from having to sleep on his side (due to the chest pain). I only record this because someday, Travis when you're well rested, feeling physically good, and off "shredding" and having a "gnarly" time on your bike, I want you to remember how far you've come! And what you went through (physically and emotionally) to get there!!

He worked 90hrs this passed week, so he's going out with a bang!

They had a farewell residency lunch at the hospital.

And he went to the birthday party of a colleague where there were more goodbyes.

Today he rushed out of the hospital, slipped his badge in his pocket, and walked into church, ready to bless Avery. He stalled the Bishop by talking longer when he found we hadn't arrived! He gave her a blessing and then went right back out, clipped on his badge, and drove back to work.

His parents just came to town for his graduation and his brother and his wife will be here Tuesday night; just in time for graduation!

Lacey

I truly enjoyed being a mom this week. During one of the nap times, Aaron asked me if I would play puppies with him instead of just clean, and because they'd been helping so much, I was actually to a point where I realized, "I can clean later, this moment I should spend WITH my children." So we played a fun game of puppies at a race track game, until Maddix came and asked up to join him on his new Beyblade set, at which point we wrapped up our game and played with him. We decided to make catch phrases for ourselves: mine was "Locked and Loaded." Maddix decided on "Rip the sword!" And at the last second, as we launched our blades, Aaron yells, "CANDY!" We bust into laugher because that's SOooOO Aaron. We had lots of those type of moments this week.

I also finished Hunger Games and Catching Fire

I had a crazy run in with an adolescent mouse in the yard while I was mowing that resulted in my sweet neighbor coming and running it through with a spade! She saved my day!!! And now we've discovered there's a nest in our yard somewhere....

And one day I was able to go to Maddix's baseball game by myself! Not with the other three begging for all my attention, and I LOVED getting to just focus on him!

And as promised, I hired our sweet babysitter one last time before she also moves this week; however, Travis is too busy to do anything, so I hired her so I could go over and help our dear friends move, and so I could say goodbye!! We miss them so so much! Then we went to a farewell get to gather for them and kept the kids ups WAY late because none of us actually wanted to have to say goodbye! But we snuck back over the next morning in our pj's for one final, and private goodbye!

And then today was my turn to teach in YW.

And I'm enjoying my nightly walks with Vaughn; tonight we even saw a bat swooping through the air.

Maddix

He made the comment, "I feel like I've been a really nice boy this week." And he really has been! His growth this week has been a privilege to witness. Things that come easily to others, he has to work extra hard at, but he put in the work. He taught Aaron a piano song. He learned how to change Addie's diaper. He babysat for me multiple times. During our Sunday naps he pulled out the new macaroni cups and read the instructions, by himself, and cooked a snack for them, stating, "the first cup didn't taste great, but I figured it out my the third!"

He always helps me get Addie in/out of wherever we're going.

At church today his teacher expressed his incredible understanding of the lesson

Tonight I asked the boys to help set the table and they went all out to give it a fancy set up, including a bowl of ice for the lemonade bottle to sit in! And then he decorated my spot with a fresh rose and heart covered name card!

Aaron

This kid followed his brother's example and made me a sweet surprise. He colored it and taped it up, and inside was a butterfly valentine, an orange crayon (his favorite color), a marker, and a baseball card; it was incredibly sweet, and also topped off with a BIG hug and kiss!

This week he took some spills from his bike because he is an extreme rider in the making.

At our friend's farewell he embraced Aspen in a giant and sad HUG!!

He received a cute new Eurpean puppy from Gma and Gpa's trip and he named it, "Tiny 2.0" because Tiny recently "wandered off on an adventure" during their latest camping trip:(

He is our little chef and enjoyed helping Grandpa make breakfast this morning.

He just LOVES his family.

Adeline

This girl.

Cute, sassy, sweet, funny, brilliant, michevious.... Adeline; she is the world's cutest and most lovable tornado!

With the Granparents here he MUST be with "Gwampa!!!" at all times. And she must have a purse to carry and fill with her: phone, drink, snacks, calculator, and coins (which are actually wheels to a puzzle bus), just like grandma.

Every time I turn around, she is into something new. But she is also incredbly smart and mimics everyone's behaviors. She goes to time out with a grumpy face anytime the boys are sent, for example.

Her new thing is stripping down in her crib... including her diaper. And then she pees her bed. So I thought I'd beat her system when I zipped her in backwards into her onesie pj's; however, then next morning he emerged naked, proving she is a magician!

She is an entertainer and LOVES to dance and sing for people.

She is expressive when she's trying to tell you something but you're just not understanding.

HAS to have her pink blanket most places she goes.

I can't say enough about her; everyone loves her so so much!

Oh and he is devastated to lose her best friend, "Mieweeee," aka, Millie.

Avery

As mentioned, Avery was blessed today and confirmed on church records as Avery Elizabeth Johnson. She was adorable in her borrowed dress (from cousin Allie) and her bow that came from my baptism dress. Her dress will come later and will do more pictures then. The important part is we BARELY made it "on a wing and a prayer;" quite literally! We were running SOoO behind (I underestimated how much time it would take to get 7 people ready with one bathroom) that I prayed for a clear path, drove 50mph to church, and actually ran up the path to church, and came rushing into sacrament meeting on the last verse of the opening song!!!!! We made it by blessed seconds. And there was Travis, sitting with a VERY amused grin on his face! HA HA; I can laugh now.

Bishop Hammond announced, "Well it looks like The Johnson baby made it here just in time for her big moment...." FAIL!

It was a short and sweet blessing at which she was given her name and told that she will be loving to those around her, as well as a light to them. That she'd have fortitude in her life. That she'd have the ability to Do What's Right. And that she can always count on the loving support of her family.

When we came home we took her to Susan's (who just had another back surgery and couldn't come) so she could see her as well.

The next time I post will be to record Travis's graduation and our arrival to Utah!!!

Stay tuned for big things to come!!