Christmas Prayer

Wow it's been a long time sense I blogged. I think this may just be a very Great story to get me back into blogging

If you Don't know Cameron is a child that needs sleep to be cooperative and happy. Well During the Holidays getting Cameron the sleep he needs is nearly IMPOSSIBLE!! Between Christmas Eve Service, Family Christmas Eve Party, Excitement causing Early Christmas Morning Wake up... You get the idea... We had a taste of Cameron's Grumpys Christmas Eve when He asked to open his coloring fish and Mike said Not now you'll have to wait until we get home. Cameron chucked the fish right at Mike's Head. j

Well Christmas afternoon after the cousins had left and the adrenaline had worn off, Cameron was playing one of his Games with his sister. After several fights over the game I told them they needed to clean it up. Cameron was not pleased and sure enough began throwing the pieces of the game at me. He was sent up to his room... He new he was in big trouble. I made him wait up there for a good 15 min before I went up to speak with him.

Well as I approached his room I overheard him quietly talking and this was what I heard... "Thank you God. I love you! Amen"

When I went in I asked Cameron what he was doing... He said, "I was praying and asking Jesus to come into my heart so he can help me make good choices. I'm sorry mommy I threw my toys at you."

WOW!!! Talk about a Christmas Prayer, a true reminder why Jesus Came as a baby, and why we Celebrate Christmas. My little boy is learning the true meaning of God's Grace through Jesus Christ. What could be more beautiful then that on Christmas Day!!

Vacation Venice Style...

O.k. So we arrive in Venice, FL to spend 9 days with Mike's Parents. Let's just say while there were several sunny days they were cold sunny days. We did have 3 opportunities to go to the pool. One afternoon while Mike took Cameron up to the Driving Range Sadie and I enjoyed sitting in the sun pool side. Sadie is 100% my little girl. She loved sitting by the pool drinking her lemon water and soaking in the Sun... While sporting her shades. I am going to enjoy every moment like that cause there will probably come a day when she wont be to thrilled to sun bathe with me. (Although I would never have anticipated 2 years of age she would enjoy sitting for 15 min.)


Sat. was cold so we went to a mall with an indoor play area and then ate some of the Best Orange and Vanilla swirl Ice Creams. Sunday we went to Church where I was free to completely experience the Joy of the Lord. Following church we Celebrated Sadie's 2nd Birthday at Auntie Bev and Uncle Fred's house. We enjoyed more pool time and then Geared up for the Super Bowl. Then In the Middle of the Night Sunday night Sadie Threw up 2 times. UGH!!! I spent all day Monday in bed with Sadie. (Some so she could rest but also Cause I didn't want anyone else to get sick.


Tuesday she was better so off the the playground we went. Still cold 50 degrees so Sadie actually slept in the car with Nana enjoying the warmth of the car. Cameron, Mike, and I enjoyed a little play time outside. When we got Back the four of us had some fun at the driving range. Sadie looked the part but had trouble hitting the ball considering she is a lefty and was using a righty club.

THIS BRINGS US TO WED. I woke up feeling not so Hot... And the Johnston's were full out sick in bed.(On a side note I joke that they will never let us return cause 3 out of the five times we have visited they have gotten very sick, Cameron's first FL trip they got food poisoning of some sort and hybernated for a day in there room, then Last year they got Mike's cold, and this year Sadie's flu.) Mike, the kids and I decided to go to this place called Bounce U to allow for them some peace and quiet and to do something fun on yet another cold day in Florida. Very fun indoor Bouncy house place. Kids had a blast. When we got home I was full out sick. I spent the rest of the evening in bed fighting the urge to throw up. (Mind you we did not see the Johnston's until Thursday Morning). Which was the day we were scheduled to leave for Orlando. Johnston's decided to fore go the trip to Disney. (Understandably So) And So we rented a Car and off we went to Orlando...

Vacation Blogs... Planning and Preparing

Well I thought I'd begin my Vacation Blog Series. And I feel as though it must be a series or you'll never fully understand the extent of "There's Always Something" even on vacation.

So let's begin with the Vacation Planning and Preperation.
It all started over Christmas Break. We began looking at the Calendar and trying to figure out when we could go on our annual vacation to Florida to visit Mike's parents. Mike had roll over time that had to be used by March, His Masters work was beginning in Feb 10th, Snow was never ending and warmer climate and a get away was much needed, not to mention ticket prices seemed to be really cheep at the End of January, and the sneaky part was Sadie wouldn't be two until Feb 6th so we didn't have to purchase a ticket going down for her. (I know talk about tight).

So January 27- Feb 1oth became our vacation time TWO WEEKS!! WAHOO!!! We convinced my mom to meet us in Orlando For the second half of the vacation to celebrate hers and Sadie's birthday in Disney World. We worked it out that we would all stay with my Aunt, Uncle, and there 3 kids they live two seconds for Disney... not to mention my uncle works for Disney so lots of perks there.

We cleaned up the Christmas mess... I began going through summer clothes. We are so fortunate to have family that gives us hand-me downs. And of course the weight loss challenge began so I could get into my summer clothes. Naturally Mike lost the weight overnight reaching his goal before we left. I lost enough to wear my summer clothes comfortably but I of course didn't reach my goal. (Totally unfair) I do all the mental work for Mike. I make the meals, and do the food shopping to ensure temptation is not there and he loses it all and I'm still stuck 15lbs overweight.

So off we go! Our flight leaves at 9:55 and is scheduled to arrive at 1:30. The kids did GREAT on the plane. Sadie took a little cat nap and when we arrived we got all our bags and met Nana at baggage. Oh it was sooo exciting to be in warm sunny Florida (boy was that a tease). Well we stopped for lunch and then had another 1hour drive to nana and pop-pop's house. UGH was that the ride from you know where. I had hoped that Cam would nap in the car. (Of course he didn't he was way to excited) However HE DESPERATELY NEEDED TO NAP because he was sooooo cranky. I wont get into to many details, but he had to have toy taken away from him in the car and when I took it away he threw his Crock(shoe) at me... What a great start to our vacation!!! Making sure my children behave at Nana and Pop-pop's is always a little stressful clearly we got off to a good start!!

Never underestimate their understanding

I'll start with the story...

Today is snowing yet again!! Mike has been working crazy hours up at 4am returns at 7am has to go back in an hour. So I decide while Mike is home I'll make the kids Pancakes and Eggs... And Mike and I omelets. Now don't think this is any great breakfast cause the pancakes were the frozen kind and Mike got a cheese omelet. Well I serve the kids the pancakes and Fruit cups then go prepare the scrambles Eggs. Well Mike tells Cameron to say "thank you" and of course Grumpy Cameron responds with a "No I don't want to". Naturally Mike tells Cameron to go sit in Time out for the obvious reasons disobeying, being disrespectful, etc. The second Cameron goes to Time out Sadie immediately says, "tank you mommy, tank you". Cameron continues to be fresh in time out so now he is sent to his bed and he starts to cry. (our children know that if you are crying in time out you cannot get out). So Cameron is left to cry for a bit up on his bed and when he stops Mike goes to speak to him. Poor little Sadie is sitting alone in the dining room eating her pancakes. I go into the Dining room to put Cameron's eggs on his plate and Sadie says, "Camwon done cryin... He no say Thank You"
I was shocked. She knew exactly why Cameron had been sent to time out.

Then after church walking to the Gym Cameron was Holding hands with his cousin Ella. Well he kept holding her back by picking up the snow. So I told him to stop holding her hand. Well he let go for a minute and then ran right back to hold her hand. Well again Sadie Observed the happenings and Says, "uh oh, hoddin hands." (I know totally ratting him out, but shocking she understood what I had said)

So what have I learned about my baby girl today... First off she is aware of dynamics in the situation, she is able to observe, learn, and apply what others do to her own choices (have no fear she doesn't always follow in the right direction) and she clearly understands what Mike and I say when we say it.

However The Biggest thing I take away from today's encounter is....















My baby is NOT a baby any more. :-(

Holiday Letter '08

This is the Holiday Letter I wrote... Some got it in the mail... Some will get in there church mail boxes and for all you internet friends I post this here for you. Know that we love you all.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you

is faithful and he will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5: 23-24

Dear Family and Friends,

Another year has flown by. This year brought big change as well as many milestone celebrations for our family and loved ones.

February was the start of those milestone celebrations. On February 6^th our baby Sadie turned 1 and My mother turned 50 (I’m sure she’ll love that I shared that with all of you) For my mother we were able to pull off the surprise of a lifetime. At her birthday dinner she was greeted by her 5 sisters (yes 5), her father, and the 4 of us. It was a very special time for my family.

March we took a much needed vacation to visit Nana and Pop-pop in Florida. We enjoyed a road trip to Orlando and had a wonderful day at Disney World. Cameron’s first ride he looked at me and said, “Oh thank you mommy, thank you” And even still Cameron will tell you all about the light parade.

April and May brought the biggest change of the year. We sadly left the 2 bedroom apartment that we had called home for 5 years, but happily moved into a 3 bedroom house owned by the
college. Mike worked very hard with his crew to make some much needed repairs in the kitchen and bathroom and they finished the already existing hardwood floors. The BEST part of this house is the porch off Cameron’s room. It serves as our PLAY ROOM. It holds all there toys. I LOVE IT!!!

After moving we traveled to Kansas City, MO to celebrate the wedding of my life long best friend Jenny Nielson. Cameron and Sadie were the cutest ring bearer and flower girl ever. (I know I’m bias) I was overjoyed to see them gladly walk down the isle smile on occasion and there were no tears. FEW!!! Jenny was a beautiful bride and It was so wonderful to spend this time with her and see how happy she was.

Summer came and I directed Vacation Bible School where we had record breaking numbers for our church, 150 kids on the 1^st day of registration. We enjoyed visiting Nana and Pop-pop in Maine. Cameron got his first fishing poll and spent hours with Mike fishing. (Little did he know there was no hook, it was the safest way to teach him how to cast) Summer was also spent pool side (Thanks Auntie Anne and Uncle Dave) and of course we couldn’t go the summer with out going to the beach (Life as a stay at home mom pays off in the summer)

August through November we cheered on Mike as he coached the ENC Women’s volleyball team. We said our good-byes and celebrated the careers of his 4 Seniors, who were freshman his 1^st year as head coach. During this time we also began actively participating in our church’s new contemporary service. The fall was a busy season.

After looking back at this year all I can say is, “WOW no wonder I’m so tired.”(Just kidding).Through-out celebrations and the hardships of change we have witnessed God’s faithfulness. He has provided us with strength when we were weary, peace when worry set in, security when things were unstable, and comfort when we wondered if we would make it through. God is always with us. This year brought many different seasons of life I look forward to seeing what God has in store for the seasons ahead.

May you find the Peace of Christ this Holiday Season.

Love, Mike, Megan, Cameron, & Sadie