Monday, August 30, 2010

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

Lately I have come to the realization that I listen to the devil's lies more than I should. I have always been an insecure person. I struggled with an eating disorder as a teen and always compared myself to others. I would think, you're not good enough, you're ugly, you're fat, your too short, you don't sing good enough, you're not smart enough....the list goes on and on.
Lies. All lies.
I have listened to the devil far too much in my life. Granted, I'm not as bad as I used to be as far as insecurities go, but in this phase of my life, Worry seems to be what the devil tortures me with. What if Judah gets sick...what if I'm not a good mom...where's the money going to come from...what if my husband stops loving me...what if, what if, what if....
Lies. All lies.
I have been challenged lately to truly search for God's truth in the thoughts of my mind.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (Message)
"We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers, erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ."
God, let me use your truth to compare the thoughts of my mind to. Help me separate your truth from the enemy's trash.

Monday, August 23, 2010

So long baby, Hello big boy


Lots has happened with Judah, so I thought I'd catch you up!

The first biggest news to share is that we are pacifier free in our house!!! Whooo hooo! I am still in a bit of shock. I decided to just put him down one night without it and see what he would do. I thought for sure he would start crying and not be able to sleep without it and I would dutifully go in and soothe him with his coveted "Uh-oh" (as he affectionately refers to his pacifier). Well, much to my dismay, he went right down and slept the whole night through. SHOCKED!! So, the next day I sent him to school with an an Uh-oh in a baggie and told it was only to be used in an EMERGENCY. Well, there was no need they said and he did great. That night i put him down and began to think okay, I guess I have to stick with this. I started to feel sick to my stomach. You see the beloved Uh-oh was a comfort to Judah but was also a comfort to Momma too.

If Judah was inconsolable, Uh-oh to the rescue.

If Judah was too noisy in church, Uh-oh to the rescue.

If Judah didn't want to go on a road trip strapped in his (probably) uncomfortable car seat, Uh-oh to the rescue.

Daddy has a migraine, Uh-oh to the rescue.

You get the picture.

So, to ensure that I would not cave after a night of screaming or a car ride of crying and pulling my hair out, I decided to throw the pacifiers away. GONE. Out of my house. Now there was no going back. Scary thought. I have to say Judah has done pretty well. We have been pacifier free for going on 3 weeks. After the first week I started to get nervous as he wasn't sleeping well at night and thought we might have been regressing a little, but I think he's getting his 2 year molars. Poor baby. Hoping that pain ends soon.

Judah is now 19 1/2 months and is growing like a weed and learning faster than i ever imagined. He's saying sentences now and is trying awfully hard to communicate but most of the time it comes out as gibberish. He knows (almost) all of his body parts, colors, counting, animals and their corresponding noises. He loves "Melmo" and "Mouse" (aka Mickey Mouse).

Funny story:
So Judah loves Mickey Mouse. He even has Mickey on the front of his diapers and he is well aware of it. So he goes around pointing to his...well, you know, and says "Mouse!" and looks up for acceptance that he is correct. Well there is a mouse on his diapers so technically he is. I guess it's better than calling "it" a tail as one of his 2 year old buddies refers to "it". Too funny.

Judah also started his first day of the Fall 2010-2011 school year. He will be attending the same school, Trinity Christian Academy and will be in the 1 year old room until his birthday in January when he will move to the 2 year old room. I can't believe how big he's getting. The pictures posted are of him on his first day of school.






Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Ode to Justin

So, my awesome husband and best friend, Justin Michael Johnson turned the big 3-0 recently. We were so blessed by friends and family and it was actually a birthday week filled with dinners and fun surprises. Thanks to all who made it so awesome! I wasn't able to get him anything for his actual birthday since my gift to him will be coming up in November...I'm taking him to NEW YORK!!! We will be going with another couple and I'm so excited. This is only my second time going and Justin is a virgin New Yorker. We plan on doing all things touristy and of course seeing a Broadway show...fingers crossed for West Side Story! At his big Birthday dinner, since there was no gift to present, I wrote this silly little poem. Just thought I would share. Enjoy!

Ode to Justin

On July 30, 2010 you turned the big 3-0
You’re three decades old; I can’t believe it’s so.
I’ve decided that three decades of Justin are worth a deeper look.
Let’s see all the good dirt I dug up.

From ages 1 to 10 I hear you were quite a mess
All boy and full of energy of which was impossible to repress.
Your mom, dad and brother were curious to see if you would ever mellow
At 30 it’s safe to say, you’re still a child at heart and still a handful of a fellow.

Ages 11 to 20 were trying as well.
You were wild, and in wrecks and as crazy as all…well…
I say you were crazy but a momma’s boy you were or shall I say, are
Involved in Church and lover of the arts, you were a shooting star.
You grew up, well at least in height
And I must say you turned into quite a handsome sight.
You’re so talented that you became semi-famous
And got to travel with a singing group called Truth and dealt with people who were quite ignoramus.

Ages 21 to present you started to see the light
You finally asked Julie out, she’s for sure your Mrs. Right
Lee University opened so many doors,
From traveling the world with Campus Choir to induction into Theta oh man were you sore.
From Video Yearbook, working at M&M Mars and attending formals galore
But most of all you got your degree, couldn’t ask for anything more.

You married Julie in July of 05
And moved to Orlando of all places, what a surprise.
An awesome Youth Pastor you became
You love these teens but most of all when you hang with them, silliness is still your claim to fame.

We began our lives together and bought a home
With a Mortgage and responsibility I guess you could say we became “growned”.
So we decided to build our family and a daddy you did become,
Judah Avery was such a great addition to our family sum!

You are so talented with an ability to do many things, of this let’s explore
As a videographer extrodinar, you edit videos and love it to the core.
Photographer professional you’ve recently become,
Starting a side business for some extra income.
Singing has always been a talent you hold
You think you’re just OKAY, we’ll I’m your #1 fan and hearing you sing will never get old!
There’s so many other talents, too many to name,
Just don’t forget the little people when you head off to fame.

Another year older, just a sign I’d say
Of the fact that the 20’s are long gone and it’s time to face a new day.
Days of more grey hair and another kid, I hope
Or maybe just more opportunities to give you a humorous age poke.

Years 30 plus are looking bright.
As long as we’re together, we’ll do it up right.
You are loved by many but please take note,
We are here for YOU, Birthday boy, and that’s all she wrote.