Johnson Family Dish

Ocotber 2005

October was an incredibly busy month here. Lots of good times! So, this edition of the dish is ‘better late than never’.

Our really big events were the birthdays of our two girls, Addi and Morgan, and Becky (who was in Illinios for her b-day). Thier birthday fell on a Saturday (also SWEETEST day, how fitting) this year so we had thier double birthday. Addi had a tea (apple juice) and cup cakes party with a few of her friends. It was absolutely adorable, and so much fun! After Addi’s party we picked up Morgan’s friend Marissa and took them to ‘the Glitter Box’ in Mesa for a makeover. The glitter box is much like Libby Lu, so fun for the girls and so girly that some of you might not be able to handle it. After the makeover we brought some pizza home and Grandma Johnson joined us for cake and icce cream. It was a whirlwind day, that is for sure!

Randon and I got to go see ‘Joseph Smith the Prophet’ by Rob Gardner, at Grady Gammage, which was fantastic! Our Stake also did a presentation of this, which we did not attend, but if your stake does one it is definately worth attending! It is the same program and music that we saw at Gammage only the chior and performers would be from your local stake, as opposed to the full orchestra and touring singers and narators.

The kids had a fall break which was really rejuvenating for all of us! The rigors of 4 kids in school can be dizzying sometimes. So we enjoyed a much needed break together. We did nothing special but the kids caught up on some play time. We had our parent teacher conferences the following week. All of our children are doing so well. Kelcie and Morgan are achieving very well. I am happy with thier study habits. Scott and Addi are still in the early stages of developing good study habits. Which makes me so thankful that Kelcie and Morgan are a bit more independent in this area. I am not sure how I would manage without those in place already. I hope to instill in my children a love of reading, learning and knowledge. I agree with many that it is absolutely the key to success in life, in virtually ever aspect! What a joy to watch them grow in knowledge.

I have to say after that paragraph that this is not necessarily easy for me. I may have made that sound a bit too ‘Polyanna-ish’, like it just comes so naturally or easily. It is sometimes difficult for me to help my children with thier studies sometimes (patience is what I lack) but, my desire is pure and I do my best with that. It is amazing what a parent can conquer when they love thier children and just keep trying, despite repeated failure.

Halloween was a really fun day. The kids only had 1/2 a day of school and so we used the other half to have a nice lunch together, carve pumpkins and get into our Halloween disguises. We took it easy this year, just did something simple and it felt so good! It was fun instead of stressful. We also had a Halloween block party the Sat. before Halloween we met and visited with some of our neighbors, we have quite a few new neighbors since last years party.

Randon had a hard last couple of weeks. He says that he must have grown 6 inches from all of the new and some difficult things that he had to face – head on! It did not help that we have all been sharing some icky flu thing that he got during his most intense week, and couldn’t call off work. He is a tough ol’ boy and pushed on through. We are hoping that today is the last day of his very challenging couple of weeks. He responsible for setting up a large meeting house, a college LDS institute building, for our stake to attend Stake Conference at tomarrow. A general authority is coming and so some key people are busy with him, the pressure is on for Randon. He has learned today that he is responsible for setting up the mic.’s, video camera’s, screens for the video projection, chairs for all, a mothers lounge, overflow rooms and even a place for lost and found items! Just a tincie bit of stress for the man. He is enlisting the help of those who specialize in this stuff.

As for me it has been a busy month with the children and a thousand meetings etc. for the Relief Society. I am not complaining, I wouldn’t do it if I did not enjoy it most of the time. It is so happy to see how people help eachother out! We happen to have a lot of needs right now in our ward and we have so many people who give of themselves, thier resources, thier time, among other things, for thier friends. I am thankful for this human desire to help and lift eachother in our need. I find this so incredibly amazing. Thank God for friends with willing hearts and hands.

Last night was our scrapbooking extravaganza, aka therapy, at our house this month. It was so fun, thanks to you faithful scrapbooking friends/family.

Loves to all! Happy Thanksgiving!