Not Only on Christmas Day

Lord, this is my prayer not only on Christmas Day
But until I see you face to face, may I live my life this way:

Just like the baby Jesus I ever hope to be
Resting in Your loving arms, trusting in your sovereignty.

And like the growing Christ child in wisdom daily learning
May I ever seek to know you with my mind and spirit yearning.

Like the Son so faithful, let me follow in your light
Meek and bold, humble and strong...not afraid to face the night.

Nor cowardly to suffer and stand for truth alone
Knowing that your kingdom awaits my going home.

Not afraid to sacrifice, though great may be the cost
Mindful how you rescued me from broken hearted loss.

Like my risen Savior...the babe, the child, the Son
May my life forever speak of who you are and all you've done.

So while this world rejoices and celebrates Your birth.
I treasure You, the greatest gift, unequaled in Your worth.

I long to hear the same words that welcomed home Your som
"Come, good and faithful servant", your master says "Well done!"

And may heaven welcome others who will join with me in praise
Because I lived for Jesus Christ not only Christmas Day!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Thanksgiving in the South

As many of you know my Dad has built a new barn. He always said that he wanted a barn with a basketball court so his grandkids could grow up playing ball. His wish has finally come true. It is a GREAT barn! I call it the Johnson Family Life Center! This barn is so great we had part of our Thanksgiving out there. After lunch the boys played basketball while the girls sipped cider and hot chocolate. In my opinion...that is southern living at its finest!!!! Move over Waltons....here come the Johnsons. It was a great day! Dad finished it off with a hayride the kids absolutely LOVED! It was a Thanksgiving we will all remember.

I'm proud of you Dad!

Last week my Dad was awarded the Marshall County Heart of Hospice Award. When the presentation was made they compared him to Johnny Appleseed going about spreading a little bit of good everywhere he goes. If you know my Dad you know how true that statement is. He works so hard and has the biggest heart of anyone I know. He was shocked when the award was given to him but I can't think of anyone more deserving. I am very proud of the man he is and the example he is to me and my family. I love you Daddy!

Tiger Tailgatin'

Mother and Daddy took their motor home to Auburn and left it for the season. The girls were so excited when I told them we were going to the Auburn vs. Tennessee game. They have a ball going to the plains and tailgating. You can tell from the pics they hada great time! It was a relaxing weekend that we all needed...even if this isn't Auburn's best year! My blood is just orange and blue....there isn't much I can do about that! War Eagle anyway!

Children's Church Awards

A few weeks ago the kids sang in the morning worship service and Children's Church awards were presented. The kids work so hard to learn a new bible verse each week and they give out trophies each year. It is sometimes difficult for us and the kids to learn them but it is very rewarding. The bible says "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.". They may not understand now why they are learning all this scripture but they will one day. God's word is the one thing they can ALWAYS count on! Drew, Ella Kate, and Cale all got trophies. Drew was 3 years, Ella Kate was 2 years, and this was Cale's first year. Allie Grace is in children's church now too so next year she will get rewarded for her first year of verse memorization. I was very proud of all of them!

Granddaddy's Apple Orchard

A couple of weeks ago we made the annual pictures of the grandkids in the apple orchard. We had a small window of opportunity but I believe we got alot of great shots. The apple orchard has been beautiful this year. Granddaddy has had sooooo many apples in the trees. The kids absolutely love to climb in the trees and pick the apples. We tell them to get apples off the ground but they don't listen. It is much more fun to climb the tree to get the apple. After all, it is our human nature to do what we are told not to do.....especially when it comes to apples.

Tutus and Tights

Today was Reagan and Caroline's first day of ballet at the Downtown Dance Conservatory. Reagan has watched her sister dance for 3 years and dreamed of the day she could go in that studio for her class. Caroline dances ALL the time and is all about the ballet attire. Neither one of them wanted to go to school today because they were afraid they would miss dance. They had a great day and absolutely LOVED Mrs. Linze. We think she is wonderful! Today they learned point and flex. I can't wait to see what all they learn this year! It will be interesting to see how much the two of them can learn in class together.

School Daze

Reagan and Ella Kate have both gone back to school. Ella Kate is in first grade and Reagan is in 3 year old Preschool. They both love their new teachers. On the first day of school they were all smiles heading off to school with their new backpacks. Reagan was so proud to have a backpack like her sister. I have learned that life is much easier if you just buy everything alike. I know the excitement will wear off but for now they are both loving going to school.....even if I do have to drag them out of the bed by their feet every morning.

What's Up Doc?

Last Sunday I had do a family portrait of my brother and his family. They needed it for an ad for Family Medicine of Sardis. Amanda wanted to do the portrait in my Mom and Dad's apple orchard. They have apples everywhere this year. The limbs are almost breaking on some of the trees! The setting turned out great and I know I am partial but my brother does have a beautiful family!

The Tooth Fairy

The tooth fairy FINALLY got to come to our house. Ella Kate lost her first tooth Monday night. It has been barely hanging on forever but she absolutely would not let her Daddy pull it. The funny thing is she was sitting at the church softball game Monday night eating her nachos when she jumped up and said, "Momma....my tooth!" The next thing I know I have a hand full of chewed up nachos in my hand (YAK!) and she is digging through it looking for the tooth. It never was found so we have to assume her tooth was swallowed with the nachos. She wrote a note to the tooth fairy in her VERY BEST handwriting saying that she was sorry about swallowing the tooth. The tooth fairy must have forgiven her because there was money under her pillow. She was soooooooo relieved. We will try to hang on the next tooth that falls out! Check out that grin! She was so proud!

Tennis, Tennis, and More Tennis

Ella Kate went to Lifepoint Tennis Camp in Albertville this week. Her cousin Drew and Sadie, one of her best friends, went too. She had never even picked up a racket but she has had a blast learning how to play. Drew has been taking all summer so he is practically a pro! Every night they come off the court with huge smiles. Mr. Greg and Mr. Eric have been fantastic teachers. They are very positive and so much fun. Ella doesn't want the week to end. Thanks Aunt Amanda for encouraging Ella Kate to go this week!

This could be the beginning of something GREAT!!!!!!

Family, Food, Fun, and Photos

Yesterday I got the opportunity to take some family portraits of the James family. Amy and I have been talking about doing this for what seems like forever. We finally worked out an afternoon when everybody could be there and other than it being a little hot it was perfect. They had asked to do the portraits at Camp Sumatanga because they spent alot of time there when they were younger. I had never been there before but it is absolutely beautiful.
I think we got some great shots and we had a wonderful time. After we finished snapping pics we let the kids play on the playground and Amy's mom brought some scrumptious watermelon. The kids loved it and I have to admit.....I did to. They are a very sweet family and we had a great afternoon together. Thanks everybody for giving me the opportunity to do portraits of your family! I had a blast!



Mmmmmm! Yummy
watermelon!