Email I received

I received this by email today and I loved it. I am guilty just like the next mom of trying to get things done around the house instead of blowing bubbles or rolling a ball with Mikayla. I just smiled when I read this because it is so sweet. Hope you enjoy it too.

> >*Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry,> >and pick you up and take you to the park to play.> >> >*Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and> >let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours toget her.> >> >*Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and> >keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and> >blow bubbles.> >> >*Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble> >when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck and I will buy> >you one if he comes by.> >> >*Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to> >be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made> >where you are concerned.> >> >*Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and Iwon't> >stand over you trying to fix them.> >> >*Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a> >Happy Meal so you can have both toys> >> >*Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story > >about> >how you were born and how much I love you.> >> >*Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not getangry.> >> >*Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the > >porch> >and count all the stars.> >> >*Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my> >favorite TV shows.> >> >*Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as youpray, > >I> >will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift evergiven.> >> >*I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their> >missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting theirchildren's> >graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in> >hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming> >inside that they can't handle it anymore.> >> >*And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, alittle> >longer It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him fornothing,> >except one more day.............

It is kinda hard to read... sorry!

Random pictures

I just thought she looked cute here so I wanted to share. I wish you could see the back of this outfit... there is a huge flower on her tooshie!!! I want to know where she got this tan - I want one too!!!

Mikayla and Daddy love to watch TV together... he actually lets her have to remote!!!(I need to find out her secret!!!!!!!)

On Monday - we had plans to go swimming with some friends but the rain decided to change our plans. The kids had a good time playing and EATING and EATING. These are our friends from the Gourley family playing with Mikayla.

We decided to do some finger painting the other day and Mikayla wanted to eat it!!! She did a good job painting the paper, her highchair, her legs, and her mouth.

I took these pictures today at lunch. She LOVES making a mess!!! She is so cute doing it though - I can't be mad!!! Don't know if you can see or not but in the first picture on your left side of her high chair tray... she did not want her peas so she picked them all out one by one. She is so picky right now - it sometimes drives me crazy. I have trouble finding stuff she likes and with only two teeth the options are limited!!! I hope this is just a phase!!

If you will look at the picture to your left- you will notice a beggar beside the high chair... hint- he is black and has four legs!!!

Pickin' strawberries

Yesterday we took Mikayla to pick strawberries for the first time (it was actually Mommy's first time also). She was a natural born strawberry picker. We did not have to show her what to do, Mike just showed her the strawberry and she pulled the thing off the vine. She picked a couple and put them in the basket... then she started eating... and eating... and eating!!! She would pick one, take a bite, throw that one down, and pick another one and repeat the process. She was so funny! I think she really had a good time. Most of the time when I plan things for us to do that I am really excited about doing - Mikayla does not care about it at all. This time I can say I was successful in planning a fun thing for us to do as a family that we ALL enjoyed. Yeah Mommy!!! Mikayla was a red mess by the time we left... I had to Shout her clothes and wash them when we got home. The lady at the strawberry patch(?) told us that there are only a few more days to be able to pick them so we are going back on Friday with Grandma and a couple of friends to pick more. I may have some more pictures then.

Weekend events (see below post for first part)

Yesterday, we went to the Nashville Zoo for Mikayla's first zoo trip. She really loved it. There were a lot of the animals that she really could not see because they were hiding or far away but for the most part she really loved it. She missed her afternoon nap but did really well - was ready to go by the time we left though. We are actually going again in two weeks with our mommy at home group.
I think she was looking at an iguana in this picture or maybe a fish (cannot remember).

I know that she was looking a turtle in this picture.

We were watching monkeys in this picture... I think this was her favorite... she just laughed at them jumping and swinging.

Mommy and Mikayla

Daddy and Mikayla in the petting area.

These were some baby goats... they were so cute. They were so funny - leaping and jumping.

Mikayla is watching the zookeeper feed the camels in this picture.

Here they are being fed. One is trying to steal a bottle of milk.

We rode the carousel.
And again - I think Mommy enjoyed it more than Mikayla did.

Here we are at the end... Mikayla is ready to GO!!!

Weekend events

We had a busy weekend. Saturday- Mikayla, Mommy, and Grandma Bonnie went to the Strawberry Festival here in Portland. It is amazing how many people can fit into a small area. I think the whole town of Portland were in the square for the festival. There were booths(mostly food), music, a parade, a concert that night, and fireworks. We only took part in the booths and parade. Mikayla had her first snowcone and saw here first parade. She, of course, liked the snowcone better (I did not take any pictures of that - can't believe I didn't). The parade was not a big deal for her... she liked the music of the high school band, but she really could have cared less. I am glad we went, but I don't know if I will go again. We will see next year. We still have to go pick some strawberries... there is a strawberry farm down the road so I think we might go this week. Strawberry shortcake, YUMMMMYYYY!!! The picture above is Mikayla enjoying a lollipop at the parade.

Pickles

Mikayla has developed love for a new food... pickles. She loves them - even the first time I gave her one she did not make a sour face. She will chew on it for a minute then she pulls it out to see if it looks any different. Funny girl!

A little behind

We have been a little busy so I have not had time to post so here are so random pictures.

The first ones are Mikayla and Daddy playing with playdoh.. she tries to eat it every chance she gets.


Our cousin Kristy was in from Japan so we hung out with Leshia's family in Lebanon last Saturday... these are pictures from then. First one is Mikayla with her cousin Ian and (great)Uncle Charlie.

This one is Mikayla watching Ian play his game. There were times that she actually tried to help him play.

The next few are from Family Day we had through the church at White House park last Sunday.

Mikayla's buddy Jackson

Andrea, Macey, Jackson, and Mikayla

Mike, Duke, Mikayla, Tammy, Tyler, and Andrea

Just hanging out.
Picture of the crowd... lots of people.

Mikayla posing with her puppy.

Mikayla is getting to be such a big girl. There is not much that we eat for dinner that she cannot eat. I don't give her meat besides chicken right now because she still only has one tooth(working on 2nd one). Here she is the other night enjoying spaghetti. She did very well picking up the noodles- surprising since the noodles are so small. She made quite a mess though. I look at these pictures and cannot believe she is getting so grown up. I am trying to figure out how in the world I am going to transition from the bottle to the sippy cup full time??? Pray for me on that one!!!! The picture right below, she is so proud of herself eating like a big girl.

This is her face of I am not sure if I want more of this or if I want to throw it down to Duke... she is learning to test her boundaries... fun times!hahahaha.

She decided she wanted some more.

Mikayla and Mommy today, Mother's Day, before church. I collect Willow Tree figurines so I got some of those for Mother's Day from Mikayla and Mike, along with two very sweet cards. Then, I got a homemade flower with candy from Mikayla after church. That was my first homemade thing from Mikayla, I will for sure keep that (along with everything else I am sure). Good Mother's Day.

Baby Kate

We are so excited about the arrival of our new friend Katelyn Hope Johnson(Kate). Some of you reading this blog know DJ and Andrea Johnson but some don't. We wanted to let everyone see pictures of Kate who could not get to the hospital yet. She was born this morning at 8:23am weighing in at 8lbs.15oz. and was 20 inches long(Mikayla is only 231/2 inches long at 1 year). Kate is a very pretty baby!!! We cannot wait to spend time with her. Mikayla watched her through the nursery window this morning - very curious.
Sucking her thumb already!!!

Happy family picture!!

Mommy Andrea and baby Kate

Looking through the nursery window first thing this morning(these pictures are a little out of order - the ones from here down should have been first)

Sweet face.


Look at the size of her feet... definitely gets that from her Daddy(size 13).