oops

For some reason the new post I did on our Family Statement automatically went down a couple posts, so scroll down and take a look at it...

Almost A Decade

Today is our 9th anniversary. Although, I'm visiting family in Idaho without him, I can't stop thinking about what this day meant 9 years ago. So in honor of our short, yet very important years so far, I want to express the 9 things I love about McKay and our marriage.

*I always feel excepted and unconditionally loved (hopefully he can say the same)
*He is annoyingly and wonderfully perfectionistic
*I love his cleverness and quick wit
*We have our own language that started with one of his mission stories, then grew to an inside joke, and is now a way of speaking everyday for us. Only with each other of course. We don't need strange looks from others!
*He fully recognizes that I am tougher in every aspect of life....A rough lesson to learn for any guy!
*I fully recognize that he is much more knowledgeable about most subjects in life...a REALLY tough lesson for me!
*Both of us have become more of who we are meant to be, together. And I look forward to becoming our full potential, together.
*I love the way his eyes light up when any of his girls walk in the room...especially me!
*He is truly the one I look forward to talking with most at the end of the day. And he still gives me butterflies...

Planet Preschool

Five other moms and I ventured to teach our very own children in preschool this last school year. I know, it's quite the stretch, right? We had a great time and it was definitely worth it! This is a couple of the pictures I took on the first day of school.

Emmie, Devon, Seth, Jackson, & Tyler (Allie not pictured) There was a lot of this...

A lot of effort and creativity was given by all the teachers/moms. Here they were riding a train and exploring at Miss Christie's home. Push-ups...Not sure why they felt the need to be in such close proximity! Jackson's version of sit-ups. The rest followed suit of course.

Along with A,B,C,D & 1,2,3, shapes, etc. We also wanted to teach our sweet kids about some important values to have. For example, Love, respect, honesty, loyalty, and self-reliance. One day, Miss Sabra had on her lesson plans the letter D, and self reliance, so being her creative self, she combined the two. She sewed little dusting rags and had them dust her house...brilliant!

Their first lessons on "creative writing"

We went on some pretty good field trips too. I couldn't get Emmie to be in very many pictures on the zoo field trip, but she was willing to pose with Jack.... And the bronze Rhino

We were lucky to go when they had some new babies. Like this sweet giraffe.

And this sweet baby elephant. Apparently we caught her during lunch! All The kids figured going to a field trip to the boring local grocery store was all worth the awesome balloons and candy bags they got at the end. Not to mention the ice cream cones from the deli and the cookies from the bakery! The Fire house was possibly the favorite of all adventures. Emmie was M.I.A. for this picture. The kids learning about covering their faces if there is smoke...

and the famous "Stop, Drop, and Roll" Who wouldn't want to sit in that seat? For pretend I mean! Not for real, scary emergency stuff.

Trying on the gear, the really heavy gear. She decided to hold the helmet, it was "just too heavy for my small head."

These guys were wonderful and a hit with the kids, of course!

A couple weeks ago we had a little barbecue to celebrate the year-end of Planet Preschool, and of course to have a graduation for our smart little tykes! Miss Sandi made these hats out of construction paper, and I think she did a fabulous job! Cute Emmers!

Oops! Spoke too soon.

FYI- We named our preschool "planet preschool" because it was a name one of the kiddos came up with. So, without any better names, that's what we went with. It actually turned out pretty cute with little aliens and planets on most everything we did! It was a great time and maybe, just maybe, we'll do it again with our younger rug rats. But teaching our own children is asking a lot, so no promises here! :)

Family Statement

Way back when McKay and I were first married, we heard counsel given by one of the general authorities that it would be a good idea for every family to have a family statement, family saying, goal, etc. So it was a topic that came up every once in a while. Well, when Jandi, Marcee, and I went to Time Out For Women back in February, there was another talk given about family traditions and having a family statement. Some great ideas were given by both ladies talking that really got me inspired! I came home and told McKay some ideas and through a couple different family home evenings with our girls, we finally came up with something that expresses a lot about our family now and what our hopes are for our future.

We are lucky enough to have a wonderful guy in our ward that does big signs and such, so we suckered him in to putting our statement on canvas for us and stretching it. Then we had it framed and

*Voila!
*Just in Case you can't read it....
"As the Johnson Family, we will, fill our home with laughter and happiness, Work hard to build faith and unity, Serve one another and our Heavenly Father, and Show respect to ourselves and others at all times." We wanted to be sure the letters L O V E stuck out with the red letters because after all that's the most important factor in having a successful family relationship. That was a tip I got from T.O.F.W.! It wasn't my idea, but I HAD to use it!

There may be a time when I feel like this isn't all our family has in our focus, but for now, it's perfect!

Goal Accomplished & Recital

Hear ye! Hear ye! I have an announcement. It seems that there will be no more students at Morgan's school under the terrible influence of "Mrs." That's right! We recently heard that she has been let go, non-renewed contract, fired, position no longer available. . .whatever you prefer! She's outta here!

And through all that heartache comes a bright light of satisfaction. For me and for Morgan! In February, all the first grade teachers issued a challenge for the first grade students to read 100 books by May 17th-ish (I can't remember the real date)! Well, by May 1st, Morgan still only had 35-40 books read. It wasn't looking good! Then I got a brilliant idea. McKay and I agreed that if she made that goal, we would buy her a new scooter to replace the one stolen back in January. She loved that idea. There were many days inside reading instead of playing with friends. . .for both of us! Apparently, McKay or I had to be in listening distance for the books to count! All year she struggled with those horrible feelings of not being good enough. And she thought this challenge was just too much for her. Since February, nothing I rewarded or took away seemed to motivate her to read a book. I begged & pleaded and nada! She didn't care. FINALLY, we were able to light a fire under with the promise of a new scooter. Well, of course I wouldn't post it if she didn't make it!

TA-DA!

We are sooooo pleased that she made the goal with a whopping 103 books read!

Way to go Morgan!

Now, on to the costumes, bright lights, make-up, and heart-string pulling music. Morgan's dance recital was last Thursday. It was great. The music for their "butterfly" performance was so sweet. It was about children growing up and the relationship between them and their parents. I was a little teary-eyed.

I really wish I got a better picture of this. She held this pose for what seemed a long time, but not long enough for me to get another picture! Dang it!

Maybe she should've paid better attention in class. . .

I didn't get pictures of her second performance (shake your tail-feather) because Rhyan was on my lap making it almost impossible to get the camera still enough and McKay was video taping. But, after the recital was over, we did get this sweet picture of her adoring her new trophy for a job well done in dance this year. Of course I doctored the picture a little to make it look extra sweet! I seriously loved their second routine. There was a part when they turned around with their backs to the audience and they used their hands to ruffle their feathers and I personally think Morgan was the best! Morgan receives most of my criticism usually, poor kid. But I admit that I have been really proud of her recently. She has over come a lot her first grade year, and she and I are better for it!