New Hair

Well, Coartney worked her hair magic again and the result is that I am a little less blond, a little shorter (hair wise=) and I feel like a diva mama again. How cute is this hair cut?

Back Home Again...

Well, it has been quite an extraordinary few weeks. When my Dad called to tell me that he was diagnosed with liver cancer, this pass May...he started the conversation by saying..."I have bad news." I don't think I really understood the impact that those 4 words would have had on him and on my family. I asked him " what does that mean?" and he had said, "its not good"...you don't ever want to think that it is not good, especially when it is concerning your parent or a family member, but although the disease is not good, the man was and is...Because of the tenderness of my Father in Heaven, working through the angels that are my friends, I was able to be with my father as he passed on through to the next part of his life. All my siblings and my sweet mother were at his side as he took his last breathe. We were able to laugh and cry together as we remembered our father. I saw changes in the hearts of my brothers that could have only happened because of this experience. I was able to learn more about the type of man that my father was in the acts he did for others. We were able to have the "redneck funeral" that he would have always wanted. But as we stood over the grave where we said goodbye to his body, the thoughts that we could and will see him again spoke peace to our hearts because we know the truth. That was one of the things that my dad always said to me..."Know the truth and the truth shall make you free." I may not have understood exactly what he meant by that until I watched some suffering more because of our loss, because they understood not the truth.
Another truth that I know is that I would not have been able to experience all these things without the love, prayers, support, and service given to me by all of my wonderful friends. The Savior said..." Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." I have truly felt that love from each of you, my friends. Thank you doesn't seem able to cover how I have felt because of each of you...but Thank You. My dad was a true example to me of the kind of friend that I would want to be. He was able to make and keep friends for a lifetime. He had friends from his childhood that came to visit him when he was sick, that were uplifted by Dad's strength, although they were there to strengthen him, and it is my prayer that I can be that kind of friend to each of you, because that is what you have been to me.
Here is the program from My Dad's service that I think is neat and you can laugh at the funny, big hair pictures if you like...

My Brother, Brent and his wife, Laura

Yesterday, we had a bit of a shock when a letter that was addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Brent Johnson was delivered to my parents house, and thinking it was a typo, my Mom opened it and saw that it was actually a copy of a marriage certificate for Brent and Laura. They had eloped on August 19th and are now happily married. Laura, I knew when she was a child, because I had dated her older brother when I was a teenager, well when I was back in PA, I met up with Laura, Brent had met her and they ended up really liking each other, so much so that they just went and got married and now he can take care of her when he has to leave for Iraq in October. I am quite happy for them, although it was a bit of a shock, I love them both.

What to do when there is no TV?

So, I sold our one and only TV this week, and it has been kind of an adjustment, but actually really good. The kids have only said they were bored once, and they seemed to be doing just fine to life without a TV. It is quite amazing actually, when that option is taken away, what kids will do, and even myself, I find more constructive things to do, rather than just vegging...anyway this morning the kids found a new way to entertain themselves with a mattress slide down the stairs, so I had to get a picture of it and maybe some Mom's wouldn't let their kids slide down the stairs on their mattress but I figured they weren't fighting and they are learning to work together and using their imagination...

Little Kids

I have been spending my days lately with my daughter Emily( 2 and almost a half) and my nephew, Dylan, who is 1 and a half...well these ages seem to clash, because they argue and whine and fight and beat each other up all day long...the toys are all MINE, and they are not giving them up without a fight, and I find myself extremely irritable. Does anyone have any great suggestions for me, that does require a big rock...=)joking.

Finding Wisdom

So I have to say a few things about my sister-in-law Jaimee, who I absolutely adore. She is my brother Jared's wife. They have 2 beautiful kids. When I was back to visit in PA, I was able to spend more time with them. Anyway, Jaimee is completely beautiful, not only outside, but inside as well. She is 1 of 3 children and the only girl stuck right in the middle. Through hard times as a child and choices she made as a teenager and an adult, she has learned so much and is a constant example to me. She says things that she has learned and I am in awe at what she knows, just through her experience and her willingness to become a better person. Let me just tell you some things about her, This is one thing she wrote in an email to me the other day..."I think we should worry more about raising confident, educated, happy children, then wearing the latest fashions." (And she doesn't look dowdy or out of style, she looks fabulous) She is the best Mom I have seen, because of the quality time she puts into her children's lives each day, from the mundane to the fabulous (at least the fabulous from a kids perspective, like the zoo or the kid museum or reading a book together, or playing with playdoh.) She creates a loving, supportive, clean, happy environment that produces happy, well-adjusted children...and a happy husband, because of things she has taught him and helps him to become...just from her willingness to make changes in herself, because she wants a better life for her family.
She is ever concerned about her families health and buys all the natural foods and makes sure her family is as healthy as they can be. She also used to drink coffee and just decided one day that she didn't want to be addicted to anything anymore, so she stopped. Yeah, she said it was hard, but she just made it happen because she felt better about herself and her health. Now for those of us who have the same faith as me know that we have a guideline that we live by called the "Word of Wisdom". In that guideline it states that the use of wine, strong drinks, tobacco, and hot drinks are not good for our bodies; That the herbs, fruits, and grain, and meat sparingly are for the use of man...if we follow these guidelines it states...
"...all who remember to keep and do these sayings... shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint..."

So anyway, I don't think she realizes what blessing will come to her, because of her willingness to become better. I know I take the knowledge I have been given for granted. There is so much more I can say about her, but I have to run take care of kiddos. She is truly an inspiration to me and I love her...

I want your Memories of You and ME

Hello, to all my readers, friends, family and stalkers...I seriously love to laugh so post a comment about you and I, funny sad, good, bad, or ugly for all to read...
1. Leave a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses.
If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you...HAPPY REMEMBERING!