"Lucky me, lucky me" 

That is what Emma and Kolbe were singing yesterday, while holding their brownie-to-go, as we were leaving my parents house. It's the little things that make kids so happy and really that's how it is for all of us.

Dan had to work all weekend at a retreat and he also had to go back into the office this morning. Bummer. So today, while he was gone, I went into cleaning mode and because of Joshua's nap schedule never made it to the grocery store...which definitely needed to happen. After the babe woke up from his nap, I only had 40 minutes before it as time to get Emma, and that was just not enough time considering the list I had made...a super downer because that meant I would have to go to the store with all three in tow this afternoon- which is doable, but definitely a lot...more interesting....

As I was rounding up the boys to get their big sis, Dan called to say he was on his way home and could pick up lunch. Perfect.

He also brought home a new door handle, which we wanted to get to put on our freshly painted door. Even more perfect. And then after lunch he proceeded to go ahead and put on the new handle! So exciting. 

And now guess what? He volunteered to go to the grocery store for me. With Emma and Kolbe. SO after working all weekend, serving so many people, he is exhausted and then comes home to a family who missed him and now desires his attention...which he gladly gives. 

Best husband ever? I think so. 

But shhhh, don't tell anyone...

Lucky me, lucky me!

Shout Hooray!

I know I will definitely be shouting hooray once Dan's schedule slows down. I think it will slow down. I hope so... I know he hopes so too. This year has been hard adjusting to three kids and his new job. But we are making it through, slowly but surely.

Today we were blessed with a beautiful sunny day, which was such a gift to help the day pass quickly while Dan is away. We had lunch and shopped with Sheena and the twins and then played outside until dinner. Emma and Kolbe even got a new pet.

His name is Flix.

Flix is a worm.

He is apparently very cute. They protected him from the bird that was flying over them. It was really quite sweet...and then they buried him back in the ground and put a stone on top of where they buried him with the hopes of finding him again tomorrow... whoops.

During bath time I had the brilliant idea of turning on Pandora and we jammed out to the disney station. So. much. fun. We were all singing and dancing and we couldn't wait to see what would come on next.
The party continued to the kitchen where we made cookies and whistled while we worked.  So of course I had to try and post some of the fun....

I know I catch myself complaining sometimes, and a lot of the time it is very hard, but all in all I really just love being a mom!

Habemus Papam! Pope Francis! What a wonderful gift for our Church and our world! I was watching the news footage with my boys waiting four our new pope to walk out and Kolbe was fascinated by the Swiss Guards and the band. He said, "Are those pirates??" And he thought that St. Peter's was the most beautiful castle ever...

Emma was dressed in a tutu and showing off her ballet twirls, Kolbe walked over and grabbed her hand saying,
"I a prince and we are getting married."

Kolbe Francis...Future priest...future heartbreaker (a mom can dream pray, right?)

While patiently waiting for his waffle to be done:
Kolbe: MOMMY ITS DONE,  ITS BURPING!!!!

While dozing on the couch:
Emma: Mommy!! You can't sleep while we are still awake!!
Lauren: I am just resting my eyes...
Emma: Oh, well I am resting my tongue.

this girl loves her daddy

Emma said to Dan when he was giving her a hug after work:  "You are yummy."


While driving out of our driveway, Kolbe cries out that I didn't buckle him.
Lauren: Kolbe, I am losing my mind! Where did it go?
Kolbe (with a very serious look): Where keys are??

Emma: Everybody thinks I am bad...I am bad at school...bad at home...like when I broke an ornament
            at Christmas...can I have a brownie?

After helping me pour noodles in the pot,
Kolbe: Mommy, you are a good maker.
Lauren: Thank you, so are are you!
Kolbe: No, I am not...I am not cool...

A conversation I overheard while they were playing on the slide:
Emma: Kolbe, did you Know that long time ago God made the earth and there were no animals.
Kolbe: No animals?
Emma: Yes. And then after he made animals, he made a man. And do you know what a man is?
Kolbe: MAN!
Emma: He is a kind of person. And they didn't have a lot of choices for clothes back then. And then God made mommy and daddy and then he made us!

Exactly.

Last week we found out that Joshua had ankylogossia, or was tongue-tied. We had noticed that he wasn't eating solid foods well, he would gag and lose interest quickly. We also saw that he had a white sore or scab under his tongue from rubbing against his cute little teeth.  This morning he had an outpatient surgery to correct it. And let me tell you, he was a champ!

I nursed him at 2 am and then had to hold him off until after the surgery. Here is bright-eyed at 5 am. I was trying to keep him happy, despite the fact I was denying him his breakfast. '

Good morning Mommy! Now feed me!

Dan and I left the house at 6:15 to get him checked in by 6:30.

Getting his prayers in..

Where is Joshua?

Oh hi there!

Still waiting...

 While we were talking to all of the doctors and nurses, he fell asleep. It was awesome, they took him back to surgery asleep and gave him the anesthesia breathing mask, still asleep. This made it much easier for him, but was still a tad bit hard for us. Even though it was a five minute procedure it was still a hard "letting go" moment.



I think Joshua thinks he just took a nap in my arms and woke up looking at me. He woke up happy, he ate, and then he started to talk and he made the cutest little faces. He could feel his tongue moving around more and he liked it!

All better! Happy baby! Happy mommy and daddy! So thankful for all of the prayers and for the wonderful doctors and nurses that took care of our little guy. 

I recently started to follow Grace at Camp Patton and yesterday she had a post listing "5 things" about her life, which I discovered was part of a blog post chain of sorts.  I thought it sounded like fun and then this morning I saw that Ana had written her 5 things and tagged me! Needless to say, I was excited to participate.

Drumroll please...

1. I was a "doughnut girl" growing up. My grandpa, dad, uncles, and a few cousins all worked for Krispy Kreme (some still do). I loved that my dad would come home from a long day of work smelling like doughnuts and coffee. It was a known fact that every birthday my mom would bring a doughnut cake to school. The two most common questions we got were, "Do you ever get tired of eating doughnuts?" and "How come your family is so thin?" Despite popular belief, we did not have a running conveyer belt in our home constantly supplying us with heavenly glazed doughnuts...how fun would that have been?!

2. I love to paint. I am no professional by any means, but if you hand this girl a blank canvas, a brush, and some peace and quiet,  I am one happy camper.

3. My high school had an excellent theater program. The musicals were incredible (considering it was a high school production).  I cannot sing for the life of me, in fact when I would audition I would tell them up front that I just want to be in the chorus and then I would sing "Happy Birthday." Impressive, I know. I just loved being in the dance numbers and being a part of the fun.

4.  My mom and grandmom instilled in me a love for Little Women, Hello Dolly, Thoroughly Modern Mille, and Anne of Green Gables.  Did anyone else watch the Avonlea series on the Disney Channel? Two of my dreams growing up were to one day visit Prince Edward Island and to marry Gilbert Blythe. I have yet to go to Prince Edward Island, but I think I did very well with the second dream- and he never had to pull my hair to get my attention:

photo from here

5.  My family used to have random dance parties after dinner (in case you were curious, we have already started to continue the tradition in this Johnson Party).  I have many memories of my dad chasing us around the house doing the Rock Lobster.   My siblings and I would run and scream and giggle, trying to hide from him. I don't think that scarred me for life. I seem pretty normal, right?!  Speaking of being scarred for life, I just went and watched the music video of this song for the first time and now I might have nightmares...And everybody had matching towels...

Sheena, Jess, and Jenn: TAG, You're it!

This morning I went to write a blog post (because I want to make sure you stay up to date with our little life) and I saw two of my buds, Jess and Ana, had linked up with Hallie at Moxie wife. I thought, how fun, I should too! So here we go.

1. Spring

(photo taken by my sis)

I love living in Alabama! The end.

2. Emma's red boots

I love her style. I love her.

3.  Chicken Fajitas

This has always been one of my favorite meals. ever. Last night Dan had to work late (and by late I mean 7) and so I fed the kids earlier, got them bathed and ready for bed, so when Dan got home we had a little chicken fajita date while the kids watched one episode of Team Umizoomi before bed.  The conversation was great and the fajitas were delish.

4. HGTV Magazine

I recently ordered a year's subscription for this mag. My first issue came in the mail a week ago and I think I have looked through it a dozen times. It was so fun to get a little "gift to me" in the mailbox!  I love the ideas, now if I could just get motivated to apply the tips in my own home...

5. Family Time

This weekend we went to Mass at a small parish in Mt. Vernon, AL.  Dan was asked to give a talk on "family life" after Mass was over. The sweet priest asked us to sit in the very front row. It was obvious that everyone knew each other and that we were visitors. So sat in the front we did, and after the final blessing Dan was asked to give his talk. Emma and Kolbe thought it was so cool that Daddy was now up there talking about them, so they proceeded to run from the pew and run circles around him.  I had no idea what to do because I was also holding Joshua and as much as I wanted to grab them and drag them out of the church, my husband was up there talking about the joys and blessings of children...I finally, with the help of my angry eyes,  got them to sit next to Dan where they then began licking each other's arms. Model family. And deep down, proud of it! ;)


Now, click on over to check out more favorites!

For the first time I am joining Jen at Conversion Diary for

I now present 7 quick takes of Joshua:

I am a big boy...just chillin'

I like my view up here, maybe I will help Mommy and clean some...

Mommy!!! Emma looked at me! 

Help me...!

Oh...what is this...sure, I will have some...

A little sour, maybe??

King of our world. And he knows it.

Happy Friday!!