Right Now...

This post was started back in March, and I'm just now finishing it...

I recently looked back on one of my previous posts from a little over a year ago, and was glad to see some detailed information about what Emery was doing at that time. (Here's another one, too.) I keep thinking about how good I've been about getting pictures of Emery, but I haven't been as good at specifically recording the different things she was doing at different stages. So I want to use this blog to help with some of that. 

So, here are some of the things that Emery is doing (or saying) now...

1) I made up a little song with her name, and she has started singing it. But she says "Emery Elibazeth"

2) When she has an itch, she tells me that she has bugs. I'm sure that it started with a mosquito or something, but every time that she says it, I wonder if her teachers think that she's dirty.

3) 

Well, that was all I had written, and I'm glad that I had even that little bit, because I'd already forgotten about the bugs. And I don't know if I had a #3 in mind already, but if I did, I don't remember what it would have been. Another reminder for me to record these stories, and just what's going on, more often.

So for now, in June:

1) She currently likes watching "Caillou" and Disney movies. Her current favorite is Cinderella. I love that she calls her "Cindery-rella." So cute.

2) Of course, Frozen is a favorite, too. I think it is for most little girls, from what I've heard. This includes wanting a braid -"on my neck", singing "Let It Go" (with the hand motions), and watching YouTube videos of random girls singing "Let It Go." 

3) She catches a lot of what is going on around her and is really into people's names. When American Idol was on, her favorites were Alex and Jena. She remembered their names from week to week, and asked where they were. She knew the last names of a lot of her school friends.

4) She's learned that red means stop and green means go. Yesterday, I was pulling up behind a line of cars where the light had just turned green, so I had to stop. She said, "What are you doing? It's green." I tried explaining it to her, that you can't go right away, the light had just been red, but she was adamant that it was green. (Which leads to another topic...how extremely odd it is to see yourself in your child.)

5) Our typical morning routine right now is that when she wakes up, she sits on my lap for a few minutes, watching whichever show or movie she's requested, drinking her milk, before we get dressed. I know those times won't be possible for much longer, so I enjoy it while I can.

6) She has pretty strong opinions about what she wears right now. Some days I can get by with giving her 2 or 3 choices of shirts that she's not too crazy about, and some days it HAS to be what she wants. She currently is into dresses. You know, because she's a princess.

7) We attended 3 weddings within about a month back in the spring, and her teacher got married around the same time, so she was really into noticing when people were wearing fancy dresses. The other day she saw one of our wedding pictures and told Jason that that was when Mommy got married. Jason was like, "I was there, too," but she didn't buy it.

Emery First Year Weekly Photos

I'm excited that I've finished another scrapbooking project. (I actually finished it in September, but didn't get it printed until around Christmas, and I'm just getting around to sharing it here.) I have taken a picture of Emery at least once a week since she was born. We originally started trying to do a picture each day, but that only lasted until I went back to work when she was 7 weeks old. So, I switched to once a week (also known as Project 52). I decided to do a simple photo book of the first year weekly photos...no journaling, just chalkboard layout, the date, and how old she was. I'm getting "behind" now, since she's 2, but at least for now, I'll enjoy another project completed.

I printed this through Blurb, 8x10 size. (Note: make sure you check the printing specs before making a layout. I had to redo all of these, since Blurb's actual print size is not quite 8x10.) I made my own template, and used a chalkboard paper by Melissa Renfro. The fonts I used were: Bergamot Ornaments, FFF Tusj, Grutch Shaded, Hungover Outline, and Chalk-Hand-Lettering Shaded. This picture shows thumbnails of all of the pages. It's so fun to look back and see how small she was, and how much she changed in just that first year.

One Word (and Maybe More)

Last year I discovered a concept that's been around for a few years now, called "One Word." I've seen a couple of variations on it, but the main gist is that instead of New Year's resolutions, you choose one word to reflect the changes you'd like to make for the upcoming new year. I did come up with a word for 2013, fulfill...but I didn't really focus on it the whole year like you're "supposed" to. I don't think I ever really told anyone about it, either. Apparently, you're supposed to make it public, too.

For 2014, I thought I'd try again, though. According to the things I've read about this idea, you either choose the word, based on what you'd like to see changed, or you just "happen" upon it, and you know that's your word. So, I thought about it a bit as 2013 was ending, and I first thought of the word "focus." I figured I could work more on being focused since I have a tendency to be disorganized and distracted at times. But, as I continued to ponder, I realized a bigger need that I have...one that not only my husband has expressed for the last 7 years, but my father has, too for at least 30 years. So, it's a pretty big undertaking, I guess. But I have a big tendency to take things too seriously, so I decided that the word "light" was going to be my word for 2014.

Then, I thought about the word "enjoy." I thought about how I need to enjoy life more, and along with that, to be more content. But then I felt like that may seem too flippant, so I went back to "light."

I started off by looking up the definitions in order to figure exactly where I wanted to go with this, because I know that words with multiple meanings can provide a fuller experience. I'm going to share a few of these definitions that I've liked in order to state what I'd like to see. 

1) not very profound or serious; amusing or entertaining

Well, that's pretty much in line with what I'd like to do...not take things so seriously, lighten up. Obviously, in important things, I will still be serious, but the things that don't matter as much, I'd like to be lighter. 

2) free from trouble, sorrow, or worry; carefree

That's even better, and that's in line with my faith. Yeah, I'm going to have troubles, but they don't have to weigh me down, because I believe that God is in control. I'm supposed to cast my cares on God. In Matthew, Jesus tells the tired and burdened to come to Him, for his yoke is easy and His burden is light.

3) a gleam or sparkle, as in the eyes

and 4) to cause to brighten, especially with joy, animation, or the like

I put those together, because that's a related (but also desired) component of what change I'd like to make. (See why you want a word with multiple meanings?) A bit about me...I'm not a very outgoing person, but I am nice (at least, I consider myself that way) if you reach out to me. I like to have friends, but I'm not always the best at reaching out, which in a sense, I guess, makes me unfriendly. But I want to be friendly. And part of the way to do that, is just with a smile. And to light up my face more. 

5) spiritual illumination or awareness; enlightenment

I definitely could use some of this in 2014. I'd just like to see some changes in certain circumstances in my family's life, but I want to know that it's what God has for us. I think about a book by Stormie Omartian, that I read a few years ago, called "Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On." I'm only going to be given a little direction at a time, so that I keep following God. 

But, that's it...my word for 2014. (Although, I do think "enjoy" also gets at some things that I think I need to remember...such as being content and just enjoying the people and things I've been given, so maybe I'll go against the "rules" and do Two Words.)

Big Girl Bed

Her first look at her converted bed.

She was happy with it!

So we made the switch to the toddler bed at the beginning of November, a little bit earlier than I thought I was ready for. When we bought Emery's crib, we got one that would be able to convert to a toddler bed in order to save some money. The reason we went ahead and made the switch was because of a lack of room. We moved the glider into another room so that there would be more room for her toys in her room. So that meant I no longer had a place to sit with her and read to her (other than on the floor, which I did for a couple of weeks). When she first saw the converted bed, she was excited to be able to run and get in on her own. The first night went well, and she went to bed without any issues. The next night, though, she came out once or twice before she went to sleep. I thought that I had solved that issue by closing her door until we went to bed, but as of last week, she has figured out how to open her door. At that point I realized that I was just trying to be in control, and she's growing more everyday, which means that I'm becoming less in control of her. Still, she's done pretty well since then, and has been going down more easily and with very few incidents.

I was surprised by one of the best things that has resulted from this new freedom for her. When she gets up in the morning, she comes into our bedroom and is content to lie in bed with us for a little bit. This is usually only on the weekends or non-work days, since we get up so early on work days. Previously, as soon as I got her out of her crib, she was ready to get up, so this has been a nice change. I was really struck by how much I enjoy her doing this on Thanksgiving morning as I lay with her between Jason and me, just thinking about what a blessing my little family is to me. And I actually look forward to seeing her little face looking at me when she's ready to climb into bed with us. As long as it isn't too early.

40 Thanks

Today (at least when I started writing this post on March 23, 2013) is my 40th birthday. It sounds so weird. Since January, I'd been dreading it a little, but now that it's here, I'm kind of excited. I still feel pretty young, or at least not as old as I used to think 40 was :) I guess everyone goes through that. I also posted a quick review of my 30s on facebook last night. During my 30s, my confidence increased, I graduated from grad school and began my career as a school psychologist, I met and married my husband, and I became a mommy. The 30s were really wonderful to me. Or I should say, God was wonderful to me during my 30s. I look forward to what He has in store for me during my 40s.

I recently read a blog about giving back on your birthday. The woman I read about had written letters to 40 people who had influenced them. In honor of my 40th birthday today, I had a few ideas of some similar things to do. But I knew I wouldn't really have that much time to write letters. I also had thought about writing 40 different blog posts, one for each person. That wasn't going to happen, either. So I've settled on one blog post about 40 people. Some living, some now gone. Some family, some friends, some teachers. But all added something to who I have become as a (now) 40-year-old wife, mother, friend, and school psychologist. (I think I'm doing it good to get it done within a week month of my birthday.) Here are the people, listed in sort of a categorical order...

1) Jason Johnson. My husband, my friend, the father of my child. We are going on 7 years of marriage, and I can honestly say that you have made me aware of being a more considerate person, more aware of how I come across to people, and more aware of not being controlled by my emotions. I may resist that when it's going on, but I do need it, and I love you for it. Thanks for taking care of us!

2) Emery Johnson. Of course, no event other than marriage changes someone's life like becoming a mother. You made me a mother, and it has been better than I ever thought it could be. I love watching you learn new things all the time, and grow up (even though I don't want you to grow too fast). There's a line from one of the songs on the Baby Signing Time DVD that I totally agree with..."I'm glad that my baby is you."

3 and 4) Rick & Jana Redding. As my parents, of course, you have had probably the most influence on my life, particularly my early years. I'm so glad for the way that we were raised. You had us in church from an early age, and in Christian school, which led to my own faith. Thanks for the example of marriage and commitment, demonstrated by your 40 years of marriage. And thanks for being great grandparents to Emery.

5 and 6) Larry & Barbara Johnson. Of course, I've only known you for a relatively short time in my life, but your influence has been almost as much as my own parents, just by being the parents of Jason. Thank you for raising him in a Christian home, and being an example of marriage and commitment to him, demonstrated by almost 38 years of marriage. Thank you, too, for being great grandparents to Emery, and for treating me like a daughter.

7 and 8) Fred & Roberta Redding. You also have been an example of marriage and commitment, with almost 64 years of marriage. You also have been a great example of hard work and saving money. You've been generous to help me out when I was in grad school, which was so very much appreciated.

9) Amy Martin. You helped shape my personality by making me an older sister, rather than an only child. Of course, we had the normal sibling rivalry when we were younger. But now, we are good friends, even though we're unfortunately separated by many hundreds of miles. There are countless memories of playing our different games--real ones and made up ones, inside jokes, and so forth.

10) Kyle Redding. You also helped shape my personality by being my much younger little brother. We also had some sibling rivalry when we were younger, but now get along a lot better. We are probably more alike than we realize, in many aspects.

11) Ron Upton. As my music minister at Idlewild for the 20-something years I was there, you had a profound influence. From leading choir tours when I was in high school and college, to the Christmas presentations, to praise team, to all of the "catch-up" talks we've had. And of course, you married Jason and me. You are always so gracious with people and quick to forgive.

12) Mike Kahn. As my singles minister for most of my 20s, I learned a lot from you. I appreciated the Bible memory system and the discipleship programs that you taught about.

13) Henry Beiber. As Idlewild's Biblical counseling minister for several years, you were very instrumental in the confidence growth that I went through when I was 30. That's also around the time that I took the Search for Significance class that truly changed the way I saw myself. That class also was under your ministry.

My teachers: Whether in high school, junior high, or elementary, if you are on this list, you truly influenced my life in your work as an educator, as well as your personal investment in me.

14) Linda DeVore. My 10th grade English teacher, you challenged me to actually work for an A. You also were a mentor to me while in high school and college.

13) Paula Brown. My math teacher from 6th through 11th grades. Also, my youth minister's wife in 7th and 8th grades.

14) Selma Grantham. My Spanish teacher from 10th through 12th grades (and I think Doctrine one year)

15) Anna Weatherford. My 3rd grade teacher. Always pushed me to succeed.

16) Denise Gleyzel. My 4th grade teacher.

17) Mona Keister. My music teacher from 2nd through 7th grades, which included chorus from 4th through 7th grades.

18) Ethel Herman. My original piano teacher from age 4 through about 12. She taught me the basics.

19) Susan Nations. My final piano teacher, from my junior year of high school through my freshman year of college. You got me at a point where I was really motivated to learn to play well, and you honed those skills. But so much more, as a mentor to us in high school and college, and even as single and married ladies. I love that you hosted my bridal luncheon.

20) Janice (Brock) Edmiston. You were my Sunday School teacher in 10th and 11th grades, and I learned SO MUCH from you and your example. I will always think of you when I hear Habakkuk 3:19, or the book Hinds Feet on High Places.

My Friends (Early Years): So many memories of church and school activities that we did together. We all went through those awkward years together, but learned so much about how to be friends and relate to people.

21) Kathleen (Gant) Fahle. Really, you were my first friend since we're cousins. So many memories from our school years!

22) KayAnn (Blitch) Hooge. So many memories from 5th through 9th grades, and then again our freshman year at UT!

23) Jennifer (McNichols) Sack. So many memories from 1st through 12th grades!

24) Valerie (Keeth) Cuddeback. Really good memories from high school!

25) Tracie (Bragg) Burke. Again, good memories from high school.

My Friends (Older Years): Friends through when we were in college, being single together, and then as we've gotten married. Through you all, I truly learned how to be friends. There have been ups and downs, but through it all, we have maintained friendships, even when we haven't seen each other in a while.

26) Rachel (Comellas) Arocha. Love '98, the summer of Claire and Rachel (or Rachel and Claire, as you refer to it). And love our Barnes & Noble girls nights!

27) Debra Alderman. My roommate! LOVED the time we lived together. Learned so much from you and cherish the friendship!

28) Karen (Ammirati) Basham. So many years, from teaching at Walden Lake together, to working out at Bally's, and praise team together. Miss you!

29) Julie (Smith) Grant. Loved the time of Julaire, as well as other memories as we got closer to getting married.

30) Wendy (Castleberry) Teague. One Voice, praise team, and lots of other memories.

31) Ann Romagnolo. Loved when I got to be Gershwin's foster mom, and all the hanging out we used to do. And of course, technically, you were how Jason and I met!

32) Kindra (Murphy) Shah. I enjoyed our talks and learning with you.

And the rest...

33) Karen Grimaldi. College Home Fellowship times are some of my best memories from those years. Really admired your heart for us.

34) Linda Raffaele Mendez. You were my favorite grad school professor, I think because I sensed some similarities in our personality. And of course, you were my thesis chair and pushed me to (finally) finish my thesis. Even right after you had your second baby.

35) June Gregory. My intern supervisor. I learned a lot about practicing school psychology by working with you.

36) Willeva VanDenBogaert. My first guidance counselor as a school psychologist. Such good memories of my time at Bryan Elementary!

37) Lori Carmack. Really appreciated working with you for so many years and getting a good perspective of school social workers. Glad we got to be pregnant together for a little bit, but wish our daughters could have been playmates and that you still worked here.

38) Samantha (Smith) Conti. I'll always remember our weekly prayer meets at USF. Those times with our college group are some of my best memories.

39) Ken Whitten. After sitting under your preaching for 20 years, you definitely were influential in my life.

40) Scott Reynolds. Miss singing with you, friend! Thanks for always being encouraging about it.

Of course, many people have made a big impact in my life. These are just 40 of them. I truly appreciate the history that we've had and the memories that we've made. Thanks for giving to me just by being you!

Monthly Photos

Here are some of the monthly photos I've taken since Emery has turned 1. I decided to change it up a bit this year (as opposed to the same chair for her monthly photos in the first year) and take different shots both inside and outside. My sister-in-law made this awesome tutu so I could take these pictures. I got the stickers from stickybellies.com. Very cute.

All About Emery #2

I was right, I knew that I would remember more things that I had wanted to share about what Emery has been doing lately. To continue from my last post...

5) She has been wanting to hold the broom on her own. In fact, she cried when I tried to take it so I could finish sweeping the kitchen. So I let her have at it, at least until she started swinging the broom around and I was afraid she was going to knock something over.

6) She also has been enjoying going outside a lot. She likes to swing, but she's usually done after just a few minutes. She'll say and sign, "All done!" so then we go on to something else out there. We like to look for the neighborhood cats that roam our yards, or we listen for one of the dogs to bark. And sometimes we blow bubbles.

7) When we're outside, Emery usually likes to go into our detached garage, where we have our washer and dryer. She likes to pull out the clothes and put them into the laundry basket. After the first time that she did this, she grabbed on to the basket like she was helping me carry it in. It was so cute, and she's all proud of herself. Love it.

I just hope that all of this helping will still be around in a few years when she can really do chores! But if she's anything like me, probably not.