Life is Full of Choices

5 YEARS!

Five years ago, on March 7th, we were sealed for time and all eternity in the Orlando, FL temple. I remember feeling excited and nervous. Tears were just below the surface until the ceremony and then I couldn't hold back anymore. It was our big day and all the emotions that follow a big decision came at me all at once. Chris became my best friend when we were dating, which is one of the reasons I chose to marry him. I felt peace as soon as I looked at him. When all the emotions rattled me, I knew I could look at him and feel better. It was the same peace I felt so many other times when we were dating. Not only did I think he was hilarious, good looking, and charming, but the way he made me feel loved was my favorite. And still is. Our time dating was short and our engagement was even shorter but it was all the time we needed to make the decision to get married. Best decision I've ever made.   

Five Years doesn't sound like a lot of time but a lot has happened in five years. When we were engaged we decided to wait a year before having kids. Chris was a few months from graduating and we didn't know where or if he would have a job after graduation. He interned at an engineering firm in AZ his final 2 years of school but the economy wasn't great at that time and we weren't sure if they would keep him. Well, a month after we got married we changed our minds about waiting to have kids and I was pregnant right away. We were inspired to make that decision and have been blessed ever since. Chris was hired on and transferred to CA for work. He's from CA, so it was great to move closer to some of his family and friends. Soon after that, LiIa was born and we became parents for the first time. I know Heavenly Father loves me because not only did He lead me to Chris, but He sent me Lila. We were giddy as new parents. Also, exhausted, overwhelmed, and unknowing but we felt happy and fulfilled with our precious baby. 

I can still visualize us, living in our tiny, old, one bedroom apartment as newly weds. We were happy to be on our own. I remember making dinner for us and having it ready when Chris got home from work. Now a days, Chris does most of the cooking. It's crazy how things change. Soon after Lila was born, we were transferred to NE. With the cost of living being so high in CA, we felt rich just by moving to NE, where the cost of living was a lot less. We upgraded to a spacious, new, 2 bedroom apartment and paid less rent. With more living space and money, why not have another kid? We knew we wanted more kids and we decided we would have them close together. Turns out Heavenly Father agreed with us and Calvin was born 15 months after Lila. Calvin being a boy was not the only difference between him and Lila. He came out screaming and he's still a force to be reckoned with. Good-time Calvin has never been boring. We were thrilled to have another baby but being a mother of 2, small children was not an easy adjustment for me. At the same time Chris was getting tired of his job and decided to get a new one. In SC. When Calvin was 6 weeks old. Yeah, we like to keep things interesting. I was beginning to wonder if every time we had a baby we would move shortly after just to keep me on my toes. Because having a baby isn't enough, right? Since moving to SC we've purchased our first home and have made so many memories. Including, having Emmett 17 months after Calvin and having Graham, 15 1/2 months after Emmett. Emmett has been a mix of Lila's sweetness and Calvin's fun energy. Graham is a cute, sweet baby. I finally have my house full of kids. Just like I've always wanted. I now realize that Bill Cosby was right. The kids think they are in charge and maybe they are. I can't tell sometimes. 

Our days with small children will come to an end someday and I know I will wonder how it all happened so fast. I lived through it all but sometimes I can't believe we have 4 children and I drive a mini-van full of car seats. It wasn't that long ago, that I was in a car by myself, listening to the loud radio while singing a long on my way to meet friends for dinner. Oh and it was probably past 6 o'clock. These days we're on lock down starting at 5pm. It's the life we chose and I love it. Anniversaries always make me reflect on the previous years. Chris and I tend to have the same discussion on our anniversary. We talk about the things I've mentioned above and how we never would have guessed this is what our life would be like. How could we have known? A lot of what we planned has happened but there's so much more that has happened that Heavenly Father blessed us with. Our life together has been better than I could have imagined. Sure, with good also comes, not so good. But I'll take it, all of it. I'll take Chris and his piles of clothes on the floor as long as I also get Chris with his hugs/kisses, sense of humor, amazing gift-giving, cooking/baking, love for me and his children and so much more. Not in that order. These past five years have brought us so much joy and we look forward to much more. 

Here's pics of us then

and now.

   

To celebrate we spent a night out laughing with Jerry Seinfeld. See, I told you he was an amazing gift-giver.

Happy Anniversary to us!

Emmett at 18 Months

The many faces of Emmett:

Emmett is such a character. He is constantly making us laugh and smile. Watching him play, sleep eat, walking around in his slippers, or sitting quietly while looking at books are just some of the highlights. His many different laughs are also great. He has a sweet, giddy laugh when he's being tickled or chased. He also has a deep, mischievous laugh when he does something he thinks is funny. Emmett is by far the best hugger and he still loves to cuddle. I love getting him from his crib because of how happy he is to see me. He says hi a million times when I walk in the room and holds me so tight when I pick him up. It's the best feeling when he wraps his soft, squishy arms around my neck and lays his head on my shoulder. His excitement about food is still going strong as well. When he really enjoys a particular food, he leans back with his eyes closed and makes a soft sound of delight as he chews. This kid is hilarious and lovable and squishy.

He now goes to nursery at church. He likes it but also is a little sad when we drop him off. He says more words now and is great at communicating with us. Both he and Chris light up when Chris comes home from work. Emmett is the first to meet Chris at the door and stays by his side until bedtime. They are best buds. 

Emmett had is 18 month check up and here's his stats:

height- 33.5 inches (85th percentile) 

weight- 26.4 lb (79th percentile)

We just love our Emmett:)

Guess Who's Wearing Big Boy Underwear?

 This boy!

Calvin is now an underwear wearing, pooping/peeing in the toilet machine! He handled potty training like a champ and is still going strong. He only wears a diaper at night time. Oh the woes and joy of parenthood. Potty training is one of those things I look forward to and yet dread at the same time. No more diapers sounds great but the process to get there sounds miserable to me. Luckily Chris took the lead on potty training this time around. I've been handling the maintenance part. Thank goodness for team work.

Way to go Calvin, buddy! We're proud of you!

2 Months of Graham

This boy has stolen my sleep, I mean my heart:) These past two months have been sleepless but totally worth it. He is my Graham and I love him. We all do. He has such a sweet disposition and is very expressive. His cry has this cute, high pitch sound that makes you feel sorry for him but also smile at the same time. Lila and Calvin love holding Graham. They are always saying how cute Graham is and how much they love Graham. What mom wouldn't love hearing her children say how much they adore each other? I never imagined such joy could exist. In those brief moments, my soul is at peace. It's hard for me to live in the moment sometimes. My mind is constantly thinking of all that needs to get done and with 4 little ones at my feet, very little of it ever does. But in those sweet and tender moments of love, I can embrace the here and now. I love my life even more with our little Graham in it.

He had is 2 month check-up and he is definitely smaller than his older brothers were.

Height- 22 1/4 inches (10th percentile)

Weight- 12 lb 5oz (42nd percentile)

Head- 39 1/2 cm (50th percentile)

Graham's Baby Blessing

The hustle and bustle of getting our family ready for church is exhausting. Then once we are there, sitting in Sacrament meeting for over an hour with now, 4 little ones, drains the little amount of energy we have left. It's all worth it, but especially on baby blessing days. Baby blessings are such a sweet moment for both baby and daddy but it's over and done with so quickly. I'm grateful for a thoughtful friend who wrote down Graham's blessing for me. I was a little preoccupied during the blessing when I noticed Emmett had peed through his diaper and pants while sitting on my lap. Even through that, I still heard the precious blessing Chris gave to Graham. It was also special to have my dad and brother, Scott here to participate in the blessing circle. Moments like these, I feel the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ even stronger. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know He lives and He is the Savior of the world. I know His priesthood has been restored to the earth. I'm so grateful for Chris and his worthiness to hold the priesthood authority and administer blessings. Graham may not remember this day but I will tell him all about it when he's older. 

Here's pics from the day:

 We all love him dearly more and more each day. 

December 28th - Part 2 (aka Lila's Birthday)

I don't imagine celebrating your birthday at the hospital is what every 4 year old dreams of. Or sharing your birthday with your little brother for the rest of your life, for that matter. However, neither of those happened to me.

 They happened to this wonderful girl:)

We had her birthday all planned out. Lila asked for french toast and sausage for breakfast then cheeseburgers for lunch. Food is very important on birthdays in my book. Anyway, she also asked for an  Ariel cake for dessert. We had presents and party hats all ready to go. So I was torn when we left for the hospital, knowing we wouldn't be there in the morning when she woke up. When I woke my mom up to tell her we were leaving I asked her to make the birthday breakfast and take extra care of Lila. My mom is good at that. So Lila had her favorite breakfast and Chris brought her a special lunch with balloons. Then after nap time everyone came to the hospital to eat cake. What a day. Lila said she had a great birthday and that's all that matters.

There's so much to be said about Lila. She's beautiful, very thoughtful, loving, a lot of fun to be around, a great helper and incredibly smart. I can't believe my baby girl is 4. She has won our hearts a million times over. I'm so grateful and proud of the person she's become and I know she will only get better with age. That's just how she is. Always looking to learn more and do better. I admire her for that and for so many other things. I love how affectionate she is. She is constantly giving hugs and expressing her love to those she cherishes. She has always told me I'm beautiful and that touches my heart every time. I love her eagerness to learn. She loves teaching her brothers what she's learned too. I love her prayers. She takes notices of the details in life and gives thanks for each of them. Her innocence and sincerity compel me to be the same way. There are just so many wonderful things about her. She is my treasure.

Lila had her 4 year checkup and she is 39.75 inches tall and weighs 30 lb.

Here's pics from the birthday fun:

 Happy Birthday Lila!

December 28th - Part 1 (aka Graham's Birth Story)

You know when you expect for something to happen and then it doesn't, you start to think its never going to happen? Yeah, that's how I felt at the end of this pregnancy. This being my 4th pregnancy, I had something to compare it to. Calvin came 1 week early and Emmett came 2 weeks early. I had it in my head baby #4 was coming early. I got more and more anxious every day that went by and no sign of contractions. I went to bed every night wondering if this is going to be the night. Christmas went by and nothing. Then it happened. On Lila's birthday of all days. The night before I didn't feel anything. Chris and I were woken up by a screaming Calvin at 1:30am. At that time I felt a contraction. Then another and another. I told Chris and we watched the clock for 1 more. When I felt like I was in enough pain, I told Chris we were going to the hospital. We were in the car at 3am headed to the hospital. I was admitted after they checked me and I was dilated to 5cm. I told them right away I wanted an epidural, but of course I had to wait for blood work and paper work to be done. Chris and I had yet to agree on a name at that point. We talked about it a little while we waited but still hadn't settled on a name. At 5:30am I finally received the epidural. It seemed to work right away but then all of a sudden it didn't. I told the nurse I was still feeling pain on my lower left abdomen. They couldn't figure out why at first and then they checked me again and I was already in transition. Things happened too quickly for it to work completely. My legs were numb but my abdomen was not. I could feel the baby moving down and further down. Then he reached the point where I was numb and it was all good. I had to push 3 or 4 times and he was out. He was screaming very loudly and I felt immediate relief. Relief I was no longer pregnant. Relief he was healthy. Relief the labor and delivery was over and the pain subsided for a moment. Man, it was painful but thank goodness it all happened so fast. It wasn't until after baby was cleaned up and I was holding him that Chris asked me what I wanted to name him. I said, Graham, of course. Chris said, ok, Graham it is. Just like that he had a name.

Graham Hyrum Johnson, born on Saturday, December 28, 2013 at 6:45am. He weighed 7lb 4oz and was 20.5 inches long. He is so adorable and we all love him dearly.

Here's pics from the big day.

Welcome to the family, Graham:)