Life in full circle

More of this big guy starting to smile and interact. He is becoming very charming and showing us he has preferences and opinions. Thankfully he has lots of holders. We do a hybrid of mom and bottles. We are thankful for both.

Harold came home and takes Jake as much as he can. He loves babies and this baby loves him. 

This was how Harold demanded to be held when he was a baby. He would not sleep unless he was on my chest. We survived. I would have never have imagined Harold would grow into such an interesting large man back in those long days of working to grow him. Life is full and rewarding seeing so many prayers for health and strength and independence answered full measure. 

We had one day of snow. We took pictures to share with Mark. It's 90 degrees and more where he is at. 

The final project Livy, Millie, and Afton had was to make a food from the country represented in a book they read. Livy took lemon curd and biscuits. Afton took brownies, Millie sent ecclairs. 

They made a menu and then shared treats with classmates. It was a yummy experience. 

We attended the ward party. It was great. The Johnson ladies always do such a nice job. They did a video presentation with messages from the missionaries serving from our ward. I loved seeing Mark. John was not available for taping. Reed showing a way to move tables and not hit anyone. 

My redhead guys at home. Seriously different guys but very similar mold. Harold is holding the younger two. But oh be still my heart for my handsome sons. Lots of fire and ice in those bodies. 
 
As I'm sitting working on books and listening to new years focused podcasts people considering goals and success. This break has been one of looking back and looking forward. Starting over with Jake having adult Harold, Anna, and Aliza on various journeys really has made me ponder the parenting experience and effort. We keep refining our practices, life changes, ability increases and decreases, we keep showing up. We also celebrated our 25 years together. I'm so thankful for that one decision. As Anna is also considering her own marriage Greg and I have discussed again and again our own. We are thankful for her progress forward and for the great man she has found. Life continues to grow and change. We pray to keep up and do what's right and to know what is right. We are blessed. 

Anticipation in December

I got this picture of John one day a kind member had obviously taken them to lunch. I love when people share pictures with me. John is doing so well and sounds so happy this month. That is reassuring to my heart that missed him a lot as we gathered as a family many times in December. He had his last mission Christmas. We are looking forward to seeing him in July. 

Millie and Addie had a Christmas piano recital. 

Livy enjoys a few minutes a day with Jake. She continues to love to dress up and play with our babies. It makes me wonder how her own children will be arrayed. She is so creative. 

Jake is growing we spend a lot of time together. 

Sometimes he lets his dad hold him too. They look very similar. Same head shape same color of hair. 

Alia's teacher worked so hard to make a creative last week of school. This was elf day. I love their pointy ears. 

Then they had gingerbread day. 
    

And finishing the week with a visit from Santa Claus. 

December is a month of anticipation and excitement. We survived and enjoyed so many moments. Life is good and we are very blessed. 
-

 

Jake one month old

First of December this guy was growing and starting to grow a double chin. We were on the lookout for first smiles too. I was still in resting mode. But also working on Christmas ideas. It takes a while to think of gifts and the way I want Christmas to look and feel. 

Looking back I see how he has changed in the month. It's a wrestle in my mind to sit and hold him, but now as we take some time apart I also miss his closeness. It's weird to start taking some independent time after being inseparable for 10 + months. Being a mom is such an entwined experience. To grow another body, to have stewardship over that process which is somewhat dependent on the mother's body composition, eating and exercise choices and even moods. The connection is real as I see him react to me now. And then the utter dependency of infancy is humbling. To be so completely entrusted by God with a precious person ... I'm thankful for added measures of patience and love to grow close to him and desire to care for him. 

We also enjoyed two thanksgiving feasts. Because my hands were mostly full of baby I didn't take as many pictures but I got these. Friday we feasted with Saunders at the church it was so nice to have space to spread out. 

Addie decided to order a dress for her princess experience. She looked lovely all put together. 

She also put up the tree and enlisted the younger crew to help decorate it. I do love the glow of the Christmas tree there is something warming and welcoming about those lights. 

So we finished out the first month with Jake with Thanks and thoughts of Christmas. Its a great time of year. God is so good to our family. 


 

Ring Queen & Baptism

We officially have some plans for 2026. Anna sent us this picture only no explanations were needed. She and her chosen are officially engaged. We are super happy for both of them.                                                                                                                                                                             

Addie performed her royal duties as a member of the christmas parade in ontario. Aliza graciously accompanied her to the morning brekfast. 

We went and watched the parade. 

Ladies of the court.  Queen Lily from Fruitland, Tanna from Ontario, and Addie from Vale

The girls watching I was in the car with Jake. I do love the marching bands how I wish our school offered more music. 

The next day Anna's fiance Joey Martin was baptized by my brother Kevin. This was a well attended very spiritual day. We are thankful for Joey's desire to learn and his effort to prepare for this event and many more in the future. He is golden in so many ways. 

The elders that taught him. Not pictured are the many others whos enjoyed sharing testimonies and discussions with Joey as he learned about the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

What we do most days. Hold and nurse Jake and read some stories to the adamant Andrea. 

While Mark is gone we broke all our rules and affirmations and plowed some ground. Actually this was at the request of the seed scientist who is going to grow seed on this plot next year. The ground required ripping as well. But the under soil turned up nice and melow. 

It's actually really good to see these size of clods as the soil is developing some structure and organic tilth. We've been working to build this ground the three years we have farmed it. 

 Greg and Reed took turns with the plow. It felt almost sinful to break the soil but it is a prime seed pollination spot due to the diverse habitat around it keeping pests at bay due to an abundant predator population. So much has changed in the past 2 months. Radical doesn't quite cover it. We have a new baby, a new son-inlaw, and Mark and John gone. We have loved having Aliza home we have missed her presence so much. She steadies and cheers all in her path. She demands work and responsibility from the children, and she is careful. Each kiddo has such a distinct personality and its so nice to have them back in our mix. We are thankful for the new family unit developing with Anna and Joey and pray for all the happiness and Joy that can be found in family life. 

We are blessed. 

Snaps from this week

A few other things happen around here besides adoring baby Jake. 

Mark sent us the first baptism pictures he had. They commit several to baptism each week but getting to church is hard for a multitude of reasons so maybe half actually happen. Nonetheless each person is important to God and this was a special day!

Back to adoring Jake, check out the cheeks he's been growing. So cute. Aliza spent an evening sharing her mission with a family. What a nice recap of the adventures and blessings she experienced for 18 months. 

John had zone conference and we found these pictures on line of his team building a temple. 

Bruce takes a bit of time to read a story to his brothers. 

Mom is tired perpetually even though I've done considerably less this time after a baby my body is taking longer to recover and so I still rest a lot. I took this picture to show how squishy snuggly Jake is. He is just such a sweet guy to spend so much time with. 

He also cracked a few smiles this week. I have been waiting for this. Aliza got the first ones. We have since seen a few more he especially likes to smile at something away from whos holding him. 

Coloring contests are new at school this year. Millie won again and Alia joined her as a winner. 

Addie had her end of XC awards. This was a hard one. She really enjoyed working with these ladies and learning from them. Each ending of the senior year brings tears to my eyes. One step closer to the end of this chapter of being at home learning. She will do in her next steps and I think excercise will be a big part of her life moving forward. 

Livy is usually gone working but she gets a few minutes with Jake every couple days or so. She still likes to play with the babies Jake isn't quite sure of each style of holder. But I have no doubt he will come to know Livy as fun in the future. 

I am so behind on things needing to be done but life rolls on whether we are under the ball or on the ball. Trying to see the good and be patient. I know we are blessed. 
 

End of football

Reed played his final JV football game in October. They were undefeated. Reed was a super player on both sides of the ball. He has a lot of work ahead of him in the next two years and is looking forward to more football. 

Some pictures from his last game. Number 65 ready to rumble.

He loves to sack the quarterback and did so often. 

Mark got to Africa and these valiant mission leaders met him. His MTC companion was from the Philippines. Mark was a district leader in the MTC. 

I did a lot more of this. 

And Jake grew and grew. His eyes changed from heaven eyes to earth eyes. The transition was hard for him the day it happened he was grouchy and just had to be held the whole day. Thankfully I could. 

Growing a newborn day to day nothing seems to change the hours only pass as day changes to dark and dark to day. It is long. Trying to take enough into my body to make enough to grow his body. Not being able to move and go freely after a few years not doing this has been surprisingly difficult. I'm thankful for one more shot at a baby of my own. I'm thankful he is strong and healthy and calm. I'm thankful the other kids are indepdendent enough to manage. We have been very blessed. And in no time this small as a football son will be playing the game and making his own memories. Life goes very fast. We are blessed to have the journey.