Swimmer

Chloe is a true water-baby. She has always loved swimming, soaking, splashing, and floating. The scary thing about her is that she is completely fearless when it comes to water.

My heart has come to a complete stop on more than one occasion when I have peeked in on her while bathing only to find her floating face down in the tub. Oh my goodness! You wonder where this gray hair comes from??!!

Papa got her this snorkel set last week. The weather was still cold and rainy (with no end in sight) and so she is breaking in her summer swim toys in the tub.

Pretty Pictures

These are photos of my 3 girls at a wedding a few months back.

It was a "black and white" wedding. Everyone, guests included, wore black and white! It was a really fun wedding, one of the best I've been to in years. The bride sang, the groom preached, Chloe was a flower girl and Lily and Sasha were candle lighters. What more could you want from a wedding?

Oh, I know! A great story to go along with the wedding: The bride and groom married over 2o years ago, separated about 7 years ago, and this year reunited after both came to love Jesus again.

Pass The Buck

Follow up: Mike has taken on the task of calling the IRS.

My Goal: Let him handle this and don't take it back on myself.

Lesson: ummmmm, still working on that one.

Still On Hold

AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I finally got a real person and I hung up on her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Note to self: DO NOT USE SPEAKERPHONE UNTIL YOU KNOW HOW!!!!!!!!!!!

IRS and The Nutcracker

I'm waiting. And waiting. And still waiting.

No, not for my rebate check. I'm on hold.

Still.

The IRS, in an effort to prevent identity fraud I suppose, says my ss# for Isaac is not valid.

Again.

We did this last year also.

In my hand I have his social security card with his (new) name and his original number. Apparently they changed his name via the social security administration but did not issue a new number.

Hence: IRS limbo.

Why do you suppose the IRS hold line music is The Nutcracker? In May? Is this an indication of how long I'll be on hold!!!???

I wonder. . . How many blogs can I post while on hold with the IRS?

Health Kick

We (meaning me) are trying to eat healthier. It's motivated by a few things:
1) Mike's been sick and I can't help but believe a healthier diet would help him resist all the gunk he is exposed to at the Mission. It's not necessarily the healthiest of places to work, given the crowd he works among.

2) I have some really great people in my life who are inspiring me to eat better. (only one of them ever reads my blog, so Thanks Mel!)

3) I'm trying to figure out how to feed a family of 7 more affordably and efficiently.

Here are some of the major problems we've encountered so far:
1) Eating healthy is not affordable. Good golly. Saturated fat and high corn syrup content are cheap. Whole grains are not. Someone explain to me why processed food, which takes more labor and machinery, costs more than whole grains. . .

2) The kids do not adjust well to change. Now really, it's not like they live on corn dogs and mac and cheese (well not very often anyways) but they are completely suspcious of anything new. Yogurt that is pink and in a plastic container: no problem! Yogurt that is homemade and comes in a glass jar: ugh!

3) Mike is not thrillllled about the idea. He agrees I can eat however I want and feed the kids whatever I want- but he's not convinced yet. He did love the whole wheat pitas Sasha and I made!

I'm offering one of the successful endeavors thus far: a breafast bar with NO sugar and whole grains. It's easy and actually tastes really great. I tried another one that Mel swears by, but am inept when it comes to making it work.

Apple Breakfast Bars
1 1/2 c. oats (quick or whole)
1/4 c. whole wheat flour
2/3 c. chopped dried fruit (I like apricots)
1/2 c. chopped nuts ( I like pecans)
1/2 t. salt
1/4 c. orange juice
1 1/2 c. shredded apples (peel and all)

Mix all, let sit for ten minutes. Press into an 8x8 pan, cook for 25 minutes on 375.
Loosen with spatural, cut into bars while warm, serve hot or wrap individually for on the go.

Trust me- even Mikey likes it. :)

These are good moments!

This is Sasha at her sweetest! She is reading the "truck book" to Gabriel- his all time favorite.

I didn't even ask her to do this! She just climbed in the chair with him and they spent some nice time reading and snuggling.

This is when I feel successful as a Mama- when my kiddos are loving each other.

Leaning cheerfulness is not as easy as it sounds- but I'm realizing I miss a lot of cheerful moments by not appreciating them for what they are.

I took out the camera ASAP because I just knew I'd forget this kind moment and be back to grumbling instead of resting in gratitude for a moment.

Thanks, God, for digital cameras!

Advertising Ideas

Here's an ad I'm going to run in the local paper, The Des Moines Times. Sounds fancy, eh? It has to be tiny so I can afford it, but I think this covers the bases. Any input? I'm relatively new to this desk-top publishing thing.

Don't know why the outline is geeking, but you get the idea.

This is what I am doing instead of grading the 250 papers I have remaining...Nothing like misappropriating a little bit of time!

Ch ch ch ch changes!

It seems with spring cleaning comes an opportunity to evaluate the clutter in my life as well.

Here is where I am cluttered:
1) Too many chores that others can help with.
2) Too many "to-do's" that don't really need done (after all, who really needs to make yogurt?)
3) Too many people I should have had over for dinner vs. time spent with folks I truly miss and cherish.
4) Too many outside responsibilities on my plate. That's really the big one, and the one that motivates this post.

So here's my news: I've resigned from being a teaching assistant at Mars Hill Graduate School. This is a bitter-sweet choice for me. Bitter, in that, I love being in the academic community and environment, and I love Mars Hill as an institution. Sweet, in that, I do not have the time to grade 2000 pages of graduate level assignments in my "free hours" any more. I've noticed in myself that my resentment over run-on sentences and comma splices has really escalated this term. When I begin to feel violent about incorrect APA formatting, you know I'm not in a good place. :)

So my next fall schedule looks like this: Counseling on Tuesday evenings, maybe add Wednesday evening, and counsel on Saturday mornings for a total of about 10 hours each week.

I've joined a homeschool co-op for the first time as well. This is a really big change for me. After 6 years of homeschooling, this will be the first time I've attended any kind of a support group or co-op. We'll attend on Thursdays from 9 to 3 and do Bible, Science, and History classes. The rest of the week is spent finishing up assignments around those classes, as well as doing our other subjects which will be: Spelling, Grammar, Vocabulary, Handwriting, Math, Latin (for real this time) and dance/piano/swimming, etc.

With Sasha in 6th grade, Lily in 4th, Chloe in 1st, Isaac in kindergarten, and Gabriel in preschool, I feel like I can definitely use the help and the extra time from quitting at Mars Hill.

So, as for other clutter that I am cutting out:
1) expectations that are too low for my children: they CAN be kind and cheerful.
2) expectations that are too high for my husband: he CAN just chill once in a while without me handing him a to-do list.
3) expectations that are too demanding of myself: I CAN do a less than perfect job and still feel adequate.
4) expectations that are too unvoiced for my friends: If I want you and need you in my life, I should really let you know that and not expect you to read my mind.

Happy Spring Cleaning!

Happy 70th Birthday, FIL!

FIL: Father-In-Law.

Richard Johnson is my father-in-law, my FIL. I'm his DIL (get it?)

He just celebrated his 70th Birthday in Yorba Linda, CA with a great group of friends and family present. I was unable to attend. . . but Mike made it and had a super visit with his family. (It snowed in Seattle every night he was gone. He slept on the beach. Not even fair.)

He made his Dad an amazing portrait in pencil of himself and his Dad about 20 years ago. Both Mike and his Dad were wearing their uniforms (Richard: Navy. Mike: Army). As Mike was working on the portrait, I was amazed at how realistic and exact the portrait of his father looked. When it came to his own face, however, I kept saying, "Something's just not right." I finally figured out what it was: Mike's face was WAY to young and it just didn't look right. I told him to add some more wrinkles around the eyes, and "voila!" There he was! 20 years makes more of a difference in the 19 year old than in the 50 year old. That, it seems, it both good news and bad news to those of us on this side of 50.

I really love Richard and I have been blessed to know him for about 17 years now. He's been a really consistent and present source of Fatherly love in my life. He's honored me with his respect and he's challenged me with his example. I once said about him, "Wow! You can teach an old dog new tricks!" (Sorry FIL!) But he is a man who continues to grow, mature, submit his heart and life to Jesus and change more and more into that which God has called him.

And puppy makes 8!

This is J0-Jo Sparky Johnson, latest addition to the family! We've said no for years and years and years, and finally, Lily wore us down. This is largely her fault, um, I mean, her puppy.

He's 1/8 Border Collie, 7/8 Austrialian Shepherd, and he's cute as can be. He's just 8 weeks old, and is really such a baby.

We're trying to do this right: train him, crate him, take him to classes, etc. I've always said dogs are more work than most kids! I keep telling myself this is the joy of homeschooling: we can incorporate the care and training of puppies into our curriculum. This is important learning!

Catching Up

Hi friends!

Well, we have been busy around here!

We moved into the new house in February and spent the first 3 weeks getting the previous owners stuff out! 2 industrial dumpters (20X10X10) filled with stuff they left behind. What a mess.

Since then we have been cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. And then finally, starting to paint a little, add some character, and make plans for what comes next.

When this house is finished (if? When!) we will have over 3,000 square feet of home on almost 1 acre. Pretty amazing. What a blessing. What you can't see is the big gully off the back with a creek at the bottom. The kids are haivng a ball with the mud and Mama is trying to keep her cool about the amount of laundry and wet shoes it generates.

I've added a picture of the exterior to give you a feel for what this place is like. The interior have 1,500 square feet of an unfinished addition: 2x4's and plywood is all there is. So! Bring your hammers come help us finish out the place. The good news is there is plenty of space for you to come visit, even if it means sleeping in an unfinished addition:)

We're so grateful to be in this home. I love the community of Des Moines and I am really so pleased to live here, work here (I leased a new office in Des Moines), and have friends here.

So, we're back to "normal" and I hope to catch up with all of you soon. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement through this process.

Dena

Christmas Moments

Lucy Cat




The kids got to open a Christmas Eve present after going to Candlelight services at John Knox Presbyterian Church. Chloe's birthmom, Jennifer, sent presents to all 5 kids, and so we chose to open her gifts tonight.

Let me just say, I only wish I could choose presents as well as she does! All 3 girls were in raptures over their "glass dollies" and the boys are still playing with the Lightning McQueen Cars.

We are a blessed family. To be able to worship together, to be able to celebrate this holiday as a family, and to be able to celebrate the special and precious women who have made our family a reality; these are gifts for which I can never say enough thank you's.

Jennifer Joy, we love you and forever count you a special part of our family and our lives. Thank you for a special evening and a special girl.

okay folks, check this out! Merry Christmas!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1210449060

Snow Day and Shepherds

Someone emailed me and hoped that I was enjoying watching the beautiful snow falling from a cozy, quite spot. I had to laugh a little: Quite? Nope. Cozy? Nope. Watching snow fall? Nope.

More like this: dig through the snow clothes box burried at the bottom of the coat closet, frantically search for matching gloves, hope beyond hope there are boots that fit this year, and get all the kids geared up before the snow actually stops and melts!

But it was worth it! They boys especially loved the snow and played and played. They came back in cold, wet, and hollering for hot cocoa. The girls created sledding paths and had a snowball fight with the neighbors.

For the 5 minutes they were all outside together I had a quiet moment watching snow fall. It was indeed lovely.

As for the sheperds: At Awana the kids are invited to come dressed up as Bible characters around Halloween. We cut up tables cloths and sheets to come up with costumes this year. At the time I was a little annoyed. . . come on, just let them wear their Halloween costumes for pete's sake. . . but now I'm glad to have this photo to add to my Christmas pictures.

My angel, shepherds, (and elephant: okay, animals are in the Bible so it worked!) do indeed help me remember what this time of year is about. More than snow, more than shopping: God's incarnational act in being born in flesh amongst lowly shepherds, smelly animals, and the glory of angelic hosts. That sounds a lot like my life: lowly moments at times, smelly situations, and occasional glimpses of truly holy meetings.

Chloe's Birthday Costume Party

Chloe turned 6 the week of Halloween and so we threw a Costume Party for the kids! There were several princesses, a fireman, a couple of cowboys, a skunk and a Harry Potter classmate. The kids had a great time wearing their costumes!

Hard to believe this kiddo is 6 already. She is a busy girl, learning at an amazingly fast pace, and keeping us all hopping. Besides learning to read and write this year, she is also a Spark in AWANA and taking ballet lessons. She wants to do Irish Dancing, and I'm about ready to agree to put her in to give her an opportunity to hop around for an hour somewhere other than in my living room!

We're blessed by this amazing mixture of energy and snuggliness. She is a unique combination of extreme movement and extreme warm hugs. I like that about her. Especially the warm hugs part.

Happy Thanksgiving

Here's a short Johnson Family Quiz:

1) How many kids do we have? Answer: Duh. 5johnsonkids.
2) How long have Mike and Dena been married? Answer: 16 1/2 years.
3) What is Dena's favorite holiday? Answer: Thanksgiving!
4) What does she have to be thankful for? Answer: All of you, my old and new friends. :)

Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!

Lily is 9!

This beautiful little girl turn 9 this week. I can hardly believe it, but I have the grey hair and extra wrinkles to prove that she's been around for the past nine years. Not to say she caused those! Lily is an easy going kid who is really a lot of fun to be with. She is mello, which I am not. She is patient, which I am not. She is slower than molasses. . . which I am not. We make a good pair. :)

Lily has developped some amazing new interests this year. She quit ballet, after 5 years of dancing because she finally decided it just wasn't for her. So she is "dabbling" this year in an attempt to figure out which direction she wants to pursue for arts and recreation. She has taken up fencing, which she really loves. It involves enough "dance" moves that she's really got an edge on the other kids. She also has started horseback riding this year! In her mind, our life looks like this from here on out: buy a farm, get horses, spend every single spare moment caring for and riding horses. And eating, occasionally. If the horses have already been fed.

It is so much fun to see her grow in her personality and interests in ways that are so foreign to me and so clearly unique to her. Watching my children find themselves is a part of parenting I never knew I would enjoy so much. They motivate me to take risks and explore new experiences in my own life.

Fall:a.k.a. Season of the Disappearing Mama

This is a crazy time of the year for our family. Kids go back to school so we get back in the hang of getting up early, getting ready and out the door to catch he school bus on time, followed by 6 or 7 blissful hours of silence in the house while all 5 of my school age children are getting a fine education in the public institution.

Wait a minute! I homeschool!

That explains why the kids don't give me 6 to 7 hours of peace each day. . . it also explains why this season is a little overwhelming at times. Back to class time, back to dance lessons, back to Awana, I'm back in class two evenings a week, and Mike is working one evening each week to make up for a half day while he's taking classes towards his MDiv.

Did I mention this is a crazy time of year for our family?

I don't know how the rest of you do it, but we are trying to figure this out: How do you connect with your spouse, how do your kids connect with their father, how do you get enough of each other with the 8 to 5 schedule?

We've always had unusual schedules because of ministry jobs. Mike has always put in 40 hours or more, but many of those have been in our home, with our family, or in settings where we are all together anyway.

So now he does what the rest of the world does and we're really struggling to feel connected. He misses the kids and feels like he is failing them by seeing so little of them. He misses me and gets lonely and I just get plain grumpy when I don't get to be with him. I have to admit to being spoiled by his flexible schedule up to now and I'm going a little bit bonkers by the days without his occasional relief. Without a pinch hitter I'm not nearly as gracious and gentle with my children as I otherwise would be. . . (ok, so gracious and gentle may not be the adjectives that leap to your minds when you think of me, but work with me here).

So really, how do you do it?

Hiking Mt. Rainier

Mike and Chad do an annual hiking trip to Mt. Rainier. This year the two of them set out on a hike they'd never done before. 36 miles in 3 days. Sounds awful to me.



They, however, insist that they enjoy it.



These are some of the photos Mike took this year- I left out the ones that are PG-13. What is it with guys in the wilderness! (uh-oh, that doesn't quiet sound right, but you know what I mean!)



I love the fact that these two guys enjoy each other so much and make this yearly trek together. It's amazing to me that my husband and brother-in-law are best friends, and that my brother-in-law is one of the greatest people on the planet. I am a lucky girl to love the guy my sister married.



I sometimes get dissatisfied with my life, grumpy about where I live, selfish about being on a budget, self-obsessed with my wants and downright greedy about just wanting more.



Then I remember my great fortune of living 5 blocks from my sweet sister and Chad, their lovely 5 kids, and all the chances our kids get to grow up together, just being kids. Not many folks get that kind of goodness in life.