Team Johnson

This weekend Ryan and I got the opportunity to go to Badger Creek and participate in a "Married Couples Retreat." It was through the BYU-I, I am grateful for the opportunity. It was A LOT of fun and an excellent learning opportunity. It was an overnight gig so EmmaLee stayed at her grandparents.

Friday:

Basically a group of about 10 couples all went down to Badger Creek together. Once we got there we were assigned our separate cabins. We all ate dinner and got to know each other. There were a lot of different personalities and fun couples. 

We were given the opportunity to talk with a motivational speaker and we learned a lot about different problem solving skills we can utilize as a married couple and talked about worries or concerns... It's a relief to find out that not everyone's marriage is perfect. Sometimes it seems like we are the only one's that are flawed. From the outside everyone seems to have the perfect marriage, they are perfect people, and the perfect life. Ryan and I have a great marriage-- better than it's ever been, actually -- but it is far from perfect. And it's nice to know that others have their struggles, too. Despite what it may seem. 

We also talked about in-laws (dun, dun, DUNNN) and dealing with the insecurities or differences you may have with them and ways to deal with it...which is something we BOTH needed to hear. I mean, don't get me wrong. I love my in-laws, especially my brothers in law. Ryan loves my family as well. But our families are so extremely different (if not completely opposite)  from each other  so it's been hard for us to get acclimated to each others family completely. It was so good to hear that I'm not the only one who doesn't feel like 100% part of the family when visiting the in-laws. Phew! ;)

That night I barely slept a wink. I have the WORST case of baby separation anxiety ever. I woke up every half hour or so thinking about how Emma is and if she's doing okay. (Turns out she had a blast with her aunts and grandma, slept GREAT and probably didn't even notice I was gone!)

Saturday:

So I woke up exhausted and turns out it was quite a physically taxing day. 

We did a lot of physical activities that required major team work. We did a ropes course; we had to climb up super high as a team, it was called the "Dangling Duo." You really relied on your spouse to make it to the top together. It was terrifying but Ryan kept me going and safe.

We did a lot of other courses that required good communication and trust between spouses and basically Ryan and I found out we make a GREAT team. We completed everything in record time and beat quite a few records. Basically, we're awesome. :) We went on a hike and had alone couple time. We sat in some long grass when we got to the top and looked at the beautiful scenery together. 

The whole thing really taught us both a lot, we met a lot of fun people, but most importantly it united us as a team and brought us closer. I love my team mate. :)

Nostalgia

"Sometimes you will never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory"


I miss the squeaky screen door opening around 4 o'clock pm hearing the big rubber boots thud across the wood floor and my dads cheerful voice ringing through the house. The smell of dust and potatoes would always emanate off of his dirty work clothes.

I miss my grandpa tucking me in the nights I got to sleep over at his house and telling me stories about the time he was a " 'ittle girl... I mean boy!" 

I miss the long nights spent on the trampoline with my siblings. The feeling of being tiny under the vast glittering sky. The smell of summer filling our noses. Crickets softly chirping and an occasional breeze rattling the poplar tree leaves creating a soft summer lullaby.

I miss racing through the neighborhood barefoot with laughter and excitement surrounding me. My knees and palms always being scraped up. Filling my lungs with fresh air all day everyday . Returning home at sunset utterly exhausted and starving.

I miss the simplicity of childhood. My tiny brother Andy ( who was once a lot smaller than me, believe it or not) always on my tail. Doing what I did. Saying what I said. Singing what I sang. A constant friend, no matter what I did. Always wanting to be just like me.

So many memories I never want to forget. <3

EmmaLee is 1

EmmaLee, age 1

Nicknames: Emma, Tweety (as in Tweety Bird), Babe, Em

20 lbs, 29 inches. 43 percentile for both height and weight. 

How old are you? One

What is your favorite color? Not sure, but she has a lot of pink :)

What is your favorite animals? Doggies and our cat Tia.

What is your favorite book? Mr. Brown can Moo, Can You?

What is your favorite TV show? Curious George and Arthur

What is your favorite movie? She doesn't sit still long enough to watch movies

What is your favorite song? She dances to almost anything, especially twangy country music

What is your favorite food? Toast with a little peanut butter and banana

What is your favorite drink? Apple juice

What is your favorite breakfast food? Nutrigrain bar

What is your favorite snack? Mandrain oranges

What is your favorite outfit? Birthday suit :)

What is your favorite game? Taking things out of drawers and then putting it all back

What is your favorite toy? A pinwheel that she likes us to blow on.

Who is your best friend? Mommy and Daddy

What is your favorite thing to do? Climb on things and take things out of drawers

What is your favorite thing to do outside? Watch Mom blow bubbles and climb up and down the front concrete steps

What is your favorite holiday? Hm, I don't think she knows about holidays yet!

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? She likes her teddy bear Eddison

Where is  your favorite place to go? Anywhere outside

What is your favorite restauraunt? She likes the grilled chicken nuggets at Chick-fil-A

Where do you want to go on vacation? She doesn't know about vacations yet :)

What do you want to be when you grow up?

What did you do on your birthday? Opened presents, got messy with a cake smash, had a long bubble bath

May

It's May already!
This month we've hit some big marks!
Mark #1: My sweet little EmmaLee turns one! I can hardly believe it. Part of me wants to go to my room and sob into my pillow because my baby is growing up. But I try to stuff  that part of me into a vault and lock it down. I don't want to be one of those sad moms always crying whenever my children progress and grow. It's a good thing she is turning one and growing well, it's been such a blessed year with her in our lives. She has enriched our lives so much. Oh, how I love my little sweetie!
I'll take you on a "quick" walk down the last years memory lane.

FIRST WEEK OF LIFE

Welcome to the world, EmmaLee!

Headed home, so small in her car seat.

She had the skinniest, longest legs

 First bath (very traumatizing for both me and Emma)

 Just a day old

First day out, my first Mothers day as a mama! 8 days old

12 days old

MONTH 1

 Getting chunky :)

MONTH 2

MONTH 3

MONTH 4

MONTH 5

MONTH 6

First "successful" ponytail. Still so bald.

1`1

MONTH 7

MONTH 8

 Tried walking, fell. Got scared of walking. Didn't try again for months.

MONTH 9

 First time wearing shoes and tolerating it

MONTH 10

Hair was finally long enough to do cute ponytails :)

MONTH 11

1 YEAR

Mark #2: WE'VE BEEN MARRIED FOR 3 YEARS. I'm so lucky that I married the sweetest, most loving and handsome man in the world. I love that man! Life is good.