Happy Valentine's Day to all!!!!!

Look at these sweethearts, precious!

Friday Pictures

Can You Help?

If you have a few minutes please look at this blog.  Denise is a amazing woman we know through adoption.  Her son Jaxson was at the AFAA home in Liberia with Opie.  Opie remembers him very well, we all do.  His story is amazing.  Denise is amazing.  Truly one of the biggest hearts I know.  Please support in any way you can!  Let's get this little girl home!

http://millermiracles.blogspot.in/

Just rambling…….


This past Sunday we took Opie to the Mall of America. We make that trip once a year, and every year we go I remember why we only go once a year. It’s so big, so many people, so over whelming and for not being a mall shopping kind of family…….whew! But we went and we all loved it! We took our time and walked around, Opie got to explore Lego World and even walked out with a fun set. We went to Rain Forest Café which was so lovely! Opie has never been there and he was so sweet to watch. Sipping out of his Rain Forecast Café cup, staring at all the fish and loving when the thunder storms rolled in. The food was excellent and we just sat and took our time. We walked some more….the boys got new hats….and we left. It was priceless watching Opie and being the sweet kid that he is I know he appreciated every second we were there. Such a fun day. One goal knocked off my 2012 goal list! Hooray!!!

Bob and I have finished our bedroom which we are extremely happy about. That has always been the one room in the house I put the least effort into decorating….and cleaning. We had to get a new mattress and with that we picked out a new bedroom set. So of course because of that I had to paint.  It’s now our very zen room and we love it. The dogs love it too. I honestly think that they think that new bed is for them….they never get off it! With our bedroom and Opie’s being redone I am feeling spoiled!  I do have my eyes on our main and what I would love to do......but I'd like to stay married so will put that on hold for awhile ;)

Friday has been sick for a few months now and yesterday another appointment was made. Bob took him in and this time x-rays were needed. The doc was worried it was going to be heart disease but the good news is that it's just enlarged lymphoids which are from an infection.  So meds and a special diet and he should be good to go! Bob and I were a mess yesterday with worry so this was very good news! We think it’s all that damn rabbit poop he’s eating outside. They think it’s candyland out there, so gross! But he’s ok and we are happy….yay for Freaky!!

Nothing else is going on in our lives. Simpletons :)  We have super fun plans for this weekend, work is still busy for both of us, we are really loving the super duper nice weather here and I have a few more 2012 goals I am going to knock off the list this month.  Everyone is healthy and we are all happy! Onward and upward!!! Life is good!

It’s been awhile since I have posted. Actually posts are far and few lately….ok that will have to be added to my 2012 goals list…..blog more :)  So here’s what’s been going on in the Johnson world!
Taylor
T is still working two jobs. Sleeping when she's not working one of the two jobs. School is going great and the countdown is on for graduation. She’s been out and about with friends, driving here and there and keeping herself busy. She spends every cent she makes. We see little of her. Boo! T's passport came so she is officially Mexico bound. What a hassle that was to get that little blue book! Never a dull moment with T, she keeps us on our toes ;)  This is a picture of her hard at work when we went to visit her - darling little hostess!

Opie
Our little guy started basketball last week. I think he was more excited about his new shoes then actually playing. We love to watch him run around the court and his games will start soon. He’s been playing outside with his friends lately and enjoying this freakish MN weather. Playing football or riding skateboards in January with just a sweatshirt one. Rock on!  His room was redone, he now has a super cool NFL room which he loves. Just waiting for dad to make the wall décor and he’s all set. Doesn't Opie look adorable in his basketball get-up?!

The old one
Bob’s busy at work, I’m busy at work. We pay bills, cook and clean. We enjoyed another weekend of football and a crock pot of a super delicious (and very stinky) sour kraut dip. Mmmmm! I’m back running and this weather makes it so much more pleasant. My back is still a mess. Bob’s shoulder is still a mess and is now going to the same chiro as me. The joys of age. We went to see the snow cross event this past weekend and we all loved it, super fun!! We have all our camping trips planned out for this spring/summer/fall and Bob and I both even put in for all our vacation time.  I got a summons in the mail for jury duty and crossing my fingers when I call later this week they don't need me.  Ick.  But overall pretty relaxing 2012 so far, just the way we like it!  2012 is going to be a fantastic year!!!  I know it!!

Christmas 2011

This picture was taken 12/23...this is the gift every Christmas I am so truly thankful for.  My family.  My family being safe, healthy and home.  I adore this group of goons and am so very grateful for them every single day!  I have the most amazing husband, so warm and kind and always so giving.  Everyday this man tells me I am beautiful and loved.  He is my best friend.  He's my world.  I truly cherish him!  My kids...oh how they make me giggle and there is never a boring day.  They are so sweet and such great kids.  I am very proud of them.  I love their silliness, Opie as a cowboy or talking football with Taylor.  They are the greatest!  And my pups, for their unconditional love and non-judgment.  Pretty good looking bunch too! :-)

 Christmas Eve at our house with my side of the family.  It was a fun day!

 Christmas morning.  One of my most favorite Christmas days yet.  The kids were so very thankful for each and every gift, big or small.  They were happy and giddy!  They had fun and we had fun giving to them.  A perfect day!

Opie's favorite Christmas gift was his cowboy belt and guns, a $10 WalMart purchase I told Bob not to get thinking Opie wouldn't like.  Wrong.  Obsessed.  He loves.  He wears this belt and guns and hat now every.single.day!!!  He is now asking for cowboy pants, a cowboy shirt and cowboy boots.  Oye!

Why it won't upload the pictures the correct way ya got me.  Anyways my pups, this picture is now my new favorite oh how sweet they look!

We hope each and everyone of you had a wonderful Christmas with many special memories!!!  Cheers!!

Christmas with Bob's Family

Here are some pictures from our Christmas celebration with Bob's family yesterday :)

I love this picture, the men snoozing after the feast we had ;)

Vacation

I have been on vacation this entire week....and even though today is Friday I still have 3 full days left of.....well whatever I want to do :)  My vacation checklist went/is something like this.....

Sleep in
Cuddle dogs
Clean
Laundry
Play a sick amount of Angry Birds
Read
Christmas shopping (which by the way is all done, ALL done woot woot)
Wrap Christmas presents
Had a date day with Bob and it was pure bliss!
Fitness
Clean my truck
Naps
Putz in yard (yes I can do that because MN refuses to accept winter)
Tidy up garage
Organize
Watch girly movies
Eat whatever I want
Wine

What a list huh?  Here's to 3 more days of happiness!  Cheers!!

Vroom Vroom

Opie went to his friends birthday party....and where else would a boy want his party then a monster truck show!?  Bob went with to help monitor the 3 boys and all the boys, even the big ones had a fun time ;)

Thought these pictures were too cute not to post!

The Johnson's 2011 Christmas Card

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

We hope that this holiday season is filled with love, joy and memories for everyone!! We wish you a very Merry Christmas and blissful New Year!

Cheers!

Bob (young & handsome), Carie (old & wrinkles), Taylor (17), Opie (9), Friday and Daytona

Weekend Snapshots~

The boys on Sunday acting like fools in purple thinking the Vikings were going to win!

The boys on Saturday, the color they should have wore Sunday ;)  Isn't it cute how they always have to match?

The kids, how darn cute are they?  T wanted a perm so this past weekend that is what she went and did, got herself an adorable perm.  It was one of her Christmas gifts from us and I think she looks so stinkin cute!

December is here!

And here we are, December 1st. The end of 2011. Almost the new year. It’s been a ride the last few months which is my excuse for the lack of posts. Oh where do I start and can I even remember what’s been going on?



The kids have been great. School is moving along, work is busy for Taylor and the kids are happy and healthy. So first…school. Both kids I think do great in school. T has always received awesome grades. Her senior year being no different. We are crossing our fingers we have a set plan for college. She wants to go to a community college and work towards her nursing degree. To me that is fantastic! A plan, a career and a school picked out. Even the application has been sent. Of course Bob and I had hopes of her going to a University, living that big college life on campus full of fun and friends and classes. But in the end it’s Taylor’s choice. Community college and living at home it is. I hope this all works out for her and we will guide her in anyway we can. Yes, even as she lives at home ;) I am starting to plan her graduation party which I still can not grasp. Yes I am way early but I have no idea how to plan this. Who do I invite, not invite, how much food, when, where, costs….and my head keeps spinning.  Either way it'll be a fun day, a proud day!


Opie has done fantastic in school every single year. He works hard and always has done a great job. This year seems a little differant.  We are pretty sure it's just a teaching style. Last year Opie would practice spelling in school, they would go over the words, write them down and 99% of his test were all correct. This year spelling is more for home, for the parents to work with their kids on. Eye roll.  I think it's fine for us to work with him on his words and pracice them but they also really need to study them in class.  To learn the words, how to learn the words and for this to be done by his teacher.  So spelling is harder this year. His teacher is also….well less fun. So class is a bit more boring this year.  The teaching style is more straight to the point, teaching the kids more responsibility and it’s not as fun of a classroom. I get school is to learn but Opie is also 9. Kids enjoy fun and learn from fun. I really miss the fun art work, colored pictures and stuff from the past few years. Now all he brings home is papers for us to correct for his class (yup)….and spelling words. In all the other areas Opie seems to be doing great. We are proud! He's a very bright kid.  He has some really good friends at school and is always such a happy, positive kid.  He's looking forward to basketball season and I think, THINK we might let him try to snowboard this year :)


Taylor still has been working two jobs and has been working a lot of hours. She really does like both jobs and want to be a server when she turns 18. Tips of course!! She came home the other day all giggly cause she got her very own apron thingy that the servers wear. I thought that was pretty cute! 
 The dogs are as cute as ever :)  Almost every day we find this singing/moving snowman gma gave Opie in Daytona’s kennel. It’s not a chew toy or even look like something a dog would want but being as odd as she is she wants it. And Friday…..he keeps eating the roof of a 1950’s wooden manger set of Opie’s too (Daytona chewed baby Jesus last year). So now this snowman and manger are in Opie’s closet. For no one to see. And when that door is left open…of course the snowman is found in the kennel and Friday is chewing away. Bunch of goons!


Bob and I have been good. Like I said it’s been an odd few months but things are starting to slowly get back to the norm. About a month ago I hurt my back…dumb Sean T yelling at me to do my workout faster on that mean Insanity video….well now it’s chiro appointments. So I’ve been down and out for about a month. Sore. Pain. Crabby. I feel I haven’t done my share around the house and let things slip. But this is the good part....my chiro! So I go to the appointment for the very first time and meet him. First thing he says to me is, “Did you just get your nails done!?”. Um….yea the chip/broken nail look is totally stunning isn't it?  ;)  Ok….no biggie. He likes my nails.  So he’s going over my injury and what happened and asking some general questions. He says so you are about 27-28 years old right? He says this as he is looking at my sheet with my age on it.  Ok are ya nice or hitting on me? I giggle….think it’s funny and odd. THEN…oh yes THEN he says and you are about 124 pounds? NOW I am really thinking you have got to be kidding me! This guy…is he serious!? So we get to it….cracking and moving and adjusting and he keeps talking and saying odd ball things.  I ask for exercises I can do at home, should I ice or heat and he says see ya later this week and we’ll talk. Which is tonight. I can not wait. Might do my nails now just for this guy!

Life, Life is good even with odd docs and boring teachers :-)

Ohhhhh Myyyyyyyy

This morning I ordered Taylor's cap and gown.  GRADUATION cap and gown.  7 months from now she will be graduating.  Maybe I should have planned this all better and gone to Mexico AFTER the graduation, graduation party, 18th birthday oh my!

Here's to being old.....and broke!

Monday

 Saturday was girls night and as always it was a blast!!   It was Tina's birthday yesterday so here is a day late shout out to my very best friend....Happy Birthday Tina!!!  You are so amazing, caring, fun, sweet, loving, beautiful, supportive and everything in between.  You mean the world to me and I love you and adore you!

This picture was taken a few days before Dora left us.  Thought it was cute and forgot I took it.  My sweeties!

And another late picture, T on Halloween.  I should have just said here is a picture of T before school this morning and wait for the calls from the grandparents with worried tones in their voices ha!  She was punk.....she was cute :)

We had a pretty fantastic weekend!!  Saturday it was so lovely outside so I headed out for a run and then we spent the day outside.  Bob got the Christmas lights up, I did some yard work, we did this and that in the garage and just enjoyed being outside with the sun and warm temps.  That night Tina and Holly came over and we had a blast!  And thank you Tina, we have now copied you and made Sundays at our house Sunday Fundays :-O  Opie got unlimited amount of TV and played while Bob and I sat on the couch and watched a sick amount of sports on TV.  Sick meaning about 10 hours of it!  I didn't get out of my pjs and we snacked all day on a yummy dip.  It was lovely!!!!!  I actually hurt today I am sore from being so lazy yesterday.  Nice!  T worked this weekend and spent time at her dad's so we didn't see much of her.  Her car wouldn't/won't start.  She said it's probably the battery.  Then later told me later her car is shot.  Teens!!  Really?  So since our dishwasher died and a light bulb burnt out house is shot, we must move?  Oye!  So we'll see this week how she deals with her car issues.  Fingers are crossed!! 

Happy Monday!

Positives

The last few weeks months have been a tad nuts but I woke up this morning with the attitude that it's a new day.  I told myself only happy thoughts today so I thought I'd blog them :-)

Opie and T are doing great in school
Bob is going to help T apply to a college next week - hooray!!
I just got all the graduation order forms for T's graduation, that is coming up quick!
We are all healthy
I am hosting girl's night Saturday...WAHOO all my ladies!!  
Bob bought me a fabulous blanket yesterday, just because he loves me :)
Last night Bob and Opie wrapped the bushes for the winter and to see them two do that was priceless
Everyday is a day closer to Mexico!
Bob and T had an alone day together yesterday doing this and that, that made my happy
I took a week of vacation in January, just for me
I am excited to decorate for the holidays
Thanksgiving is coming up, we get to totally lard out that day

So there are my happy thoughts.....happy Thursday!!!