Summer Break

Clara Beth is nearing nine months so it's time for an update! We had two weeks together and Mommy is really sad today. Getting back to the grind was not easy, but we managed. She is back at Ms. Jodi's and I am sipping on coffee to try and wake up. The beginning of our vacation started out pretty rough! I ended up in the ER on July 4th with severe stomach pain. After some poking, proding, a sonogram and a long two hour test we are still not sure what caused the pain. It's very likely it was my gallbladder but I have to repeat the long test in two weeks just to help clarify. Fortunately the pain is gone so we got to have a little fun while I was off work. Here are just a few highlights...

We had lunch with precious friends Joel and Susan Williams

Mommy's favorite fish face!

We are working on crawling!

CB got her first taste of a fast car! Although we only sat in the driver's seat!

Swimming with Foster and Ms. Stephanie!

Playing with Pecca and Campbell!

This is CB's first trip to the Mesquite Rodeo! She has been twice now!

Father's Day

We had a wonderful Father's Day! My dad was out of town on vacation so that was sad, but it was great to see Randy and CB together. We had a fun-filled day of shopping and lunch on Saturday. Then Sunday we went to church with the Lewallyns and then headed to Fort Worth to spend some time with Uncle Greg and Aunt Erica. Erica's family was so gracious to have us out to their beautiful home! We played Wii, watched golf, enjoyed the sun and visited!

CB goes to the Zoo!

CB made her first visit to the Fort Worth Zoo in June. We had a great time, even though she slept through a lot of the animal sightings. She enjoyed riding the train and seeing this billy goat. Our friends, the Robys and Stringers joined us. Henley and Liam had a blast running around...we could hardly keep up with them!

Liam is so over taking pictures!

Mommy and CB on the Zoo Train!

All the girls eating lunch!

Henley is ready to go! Whoo Hoo!

Henley loves to "help" CB with her paci!

Mommy and CB at the Zoo

Rockin and Rollin!

This is a captured moment that I will always treasure. Randy decides to play the guitar at the most random, inconvenient times...so this was last Friday before we went to play with the Capshaws. I was scurrying about the house trying to get ready and I walked passed them and saw this. CB was captivated by her Daddy and it was just the most precious thing I have ever seen! I am trying to instill a love for music in her through singing and playing classical tunes. We love 101.1 WRR (the Classical Station) and we listen every morning on the way to Ms. Jodi's house.

CB has tapped into her inner Diva. She LOVES her sunglasses and really likes to hang in the stroller. I enjoy going on walks, but it's hard to take BoBo and CB! We usually have to rope Daddy into coming with us so he can help manage Bo on the leash. My favorite picture is the one with her leg propped up on the edge of the stroller...I looked down and she was chillin! Hilarious!

CB met her new friends Jordyn and Jentry on Memorial Day! We are thankful that they are healthy and beautiful! They were born a little early and spent a week in the NICU, however they came home and have joined their three siblings, mom and dad! I am sure there will be lots of fun ahead at the Johnston house.

We are proud to say that we turned a corner at the Lewallyn home! CB is sleeping in her crib all night and I am sleeping in our bed in our room. This started about two weeks ago and it's been going well. I still wake up several times and check on her through the night, but that is to be expected. Now, if we could just get her to eat rice cereal! Ha!!

Loved It!

My first Mother's Day was exceptional! We went to church and then to one of my favorite places...North Park! We had lunch at La Duni and then shopped for a few necessities. Randy and CB gave me the most beautiful ring and everytime I wear it I will think of how special my first Mother's Day was! The weather was beautiful and CB was in a good mood. I couldn't have asked for anything more.

Especially Thankful

I have been contemplating Mother's Day for a few days now. I am so grateful to finally be a mother and to have been given the most precious gift imaginable. For several years I dreaded this special day because it was always a hard reminder that I didn't have a child. Don't get me wrong, I loved celebrating my mother and mother-in-law, but there was always a very deep sadness within me. I skipped church many times just to avoid the Mother's Day hoopla and tried to put it out of my mind. I have friends who are still in that same boat. I know they are dreading this day and my heart hurts for them. It is supposed to be a joyous day, but when you want more than anything to have a child, it's anything but joyous. I don't ever want to forget that feeling because it reminds me to never take my child for granted and because it is important to remember those who are in that place. I am beyond thankful for CB's life, her health, her pretty hair, her smile, her fat rolls, her blue eyes, her laugh and for the constant happiness that I feel everyday when I hold her. She will never understand the depth of my love and that's ok. I'll just kiss her face, squeeze her little body and thank the Lord for the millionth time for her - and I will be especially thankful on this first Mother's Day.

Cutie Pies!

CB got to meet Jae Min this week! It was great to see the interaction between them, just like they were old friends! Jae Min is a little scooter! He is already crawling and moving around quickly. It will be fun to watch them grow up together and we are looking forward to future play dates and lots of exciting times. Jae Min is so lucky...there are just no words to describe it!