Avlynne Kay Johnson

Okay, so this post is about 2 years overdue. Documenting our life through Instagram has been much more my style. Sitting down at my desk to accomplish anything has NOT been my style although it is something I desperately need and long for. "Organizing my life" as my college roommates liked to call it. Needless to say I have a huge pile of stuff to get to on my desk and I am starting to feel overwhelmed. First trimester exhaustion is not helping. So today is my birthday and what did I ask KJ for...a day to have basically no other responsibilities than sitting at my desk/computer, catching up on laundry and laying on the couch to read whenever I got tired. Kind of nerdy but wonderful nonetheless! So, here is a poem my Dad wrote for Avlynne when she was born. I will save it in her babybook but wanted to make sure it was somewhere else safe and sound. Plus, I wanted to "show-off" my Dad's gift that he occasionally blesses his family with. He has become quite the thoughtful writer in his later years.

Avlynne Kay Johnson

(First read by Grandpa Doug with Avlynne in his arms on Sunday March 14, 2010, the second day of her homecoming from the hospital and on the occasion of Samuel's 7th birthday party.)

Now, we know your name

See your face, in the light of day

Saw your face, knew your name

God, before creation, deem your stay

A loving family

Graciously given, Johnson name

"From riches of His glory"

To help you thoroughly claim

Blessed to be a blessing

Chosen for purity and light

Called to praise your Savior

And live in Spirit's strength and might

Created by Him and for Him,

to journey with us for a time

Christ in you, hope of glory

The way to heaven, most sublime

For passing on our brokenness,

Bringing you into a world fall'n, we are sorry

We'll faithfully show you Jesus

And tell you salvation's story

Avlynne, you entered this world in pain,

You'll probably leave it in pain too

Between, it will wax, and it will wane

With it, the Christ of the Cross will know what to do.

Many times you'll need to say, "I forgive."

By God's grace your heart will be free to do

By that same grace which He freely gives

You will see His forgiveness anew

Over many, many distant years, one by one

You will sadly place us into the hands of our loving Creator God

Then one day, when God says your earthly mission is done

Again we'll joyfully gather to welcome your arrival from this earthly sod

Thank you for giving us such a treasure Dad! And thank you Lord for giving us these past two years with Avlynne Kay Johnson!

Addy May

Here's Addy May's

Addy May: Click to watch video

Avey

Fun App on my phone was able to create these fun videos of my girls :)

Avey: Click to watch video

Somebody turned 6 years old on December 21st ...

ADDY MAY!!

Here are a few pictures from her birthday party.  We rented out a bouncy place for her to bounce to her hearts content with her friends and family.

Highlights:

*Never beating a 6 year old boy named Danny through the bouncy maze... always beat me at the end. 

*Grown men competing to get the best time going through the bouncy obstacle course.  I split my pants and landed my self in 3rd place behind #1- Baltzell and #2- Erik Dordal... who landed on his during the 3rd obstacle (it was a bouncy course so don't worry he didn't sustain permanent injury.

*Addy May SMILING so much that warmed my heart... what a precious gift.

Addy and her kindergarten buddies... their smiles make me smile, a smile is contagious!

What a beautiful birthday girl :)

Daddy Baltzell and "Ty Ty" (Titus)

DANNY!  The kid who still haunts my dreams by beating me every single time we raced on the bouncy obstacle course.  I'll get you next year Danny!  HaHa

Kate- one of Addy's classmates

Charlotte- another one of Addy's classmates

Addy and all her kindergarden friends making silly faces... so fun!

Grandpa and Grandma Antak with their precious 6 year old Granddaughter. 

First cupcake as a 6 year old... ummm, ummm good :)

Baby sister Avlynne got in on the fun too with her buddy Ella Dordal... "weeeeeeeeee!"

So many memories, so many laughs and such an amazing daughter we have the privilege of loving.

Love you Addy May! 

Dad and Mom

Addy's Day of "Culture"

Addy's 2nd field trip was to see the Musical of Annie and the Bing Crosby Theater.  Later that afternoon she attended her first Yoga class (with the help of Avlynne of course). My friend from college, Janny, is an amazing children's yoga instructor!  Check her out at Yoga With Janny.

Our Growing Family...

No, I am not pregnant...

KJ and I have become the parents of a kindergartner this Fall.  Addy May has been living with us for about 2 months now and what a gift she is to our family! I have the privilege of joining with some fellow Moms to study God's Word on Tuesday mornings. We are going through one of Beth Moore's studies, "The Patriarchs." Being reminded of Abraham's life and journey has given me the courage to follow the Lord's lead on this whole wild, crazy journey we believe he has called us on. 

"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going" (Hebrews 11:8). 

KJ and I have no idea where this journey will lead us. We are scared, we are excited, we are overwhelmed, it feels totally crazy at times, it feels totally normal at times. We have no idea where we are going or how we are going to get there. What we do know is that the Lord has always been faithful!

  I'm am pretty sure the Lord knew exactly what part of scripture I needed to be studying this Fall, funny how that works...

Addy's homework assignment today had her write about what she likes to do with her family...this is what she said:

I like to play puzzles, playdough and do projects.
I like doing silly faces.
Play dress-up.
Play with my baby sister.

Welcome to the Johnson Family Addy May!

3 Years

Three years ago, I said goodbye to my big brother Steve. His dying hand kept my living hand warm as he took his last breath; this I will never forget. His life was filled with much joy and much sorrow. Avlynne never got to meet her Uncle, who would have been absolutely in love with her, however just the other day she started taking interest in this collage of pictures, made by my sister, hanging in our kitchen.

It's like she just knew her Mama needed to take a moment to pause and remember; and tell her about her Uncle Steve. I miss him deeply but we feel honored to get to keep loving on his girls in the ways in which he is no longer able.