The Great Sky Dive

For Dad's birthday this year, he decided to do what any newly retired Pops would do. Take a risk, feel the thrill and jump out of an airplane! He said the rush brought back all kinds of memories of taking the field before a big game, and of course he yelled "WIN" like a true Churchill Charger when he landed. Dad is the man, there's no better way to put it. I'm pretty thankful he landed safely, too, because I don't know what I'd do without my regular pep talks and the obnoxious yelling and singing in my ear if he hadn't. :) Love you man and happy 53rd birthday!!

Celebrations in CS

There were more reasons to celebrate than ever last weekend, thanks to Cale's big 3-0, Dad's birthday and Mother's Day, so naturally, we ventured to one of our favorite places in the world to do just that. We arrived in College Station late Friday night, but were excited to kick off the day with a visit to Hullabaloo Diner (famous for its appearance on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives), followed by a fun day of shopping and Aggie baseball. This marked Hayes Man's first "official" baseball game, and the first of many to come. He was so excited as we walked from Reed Arena to Olsen Field, and the smile on his face made me so proud to be a boy mommy (as if I wasn't already). He truly looked up at me while holding his teeny tiny maroon glove and ball with the most excited smile, as if he had waited for this moment for his whole first year of life. As a baseball lover, you can only imagine how this filled his mommy's heart, and made his Pops super proud! I can't wait for many more years of watching our little man share his love of baseball with his Pops. It is truly a priceless memory that I'll remember always.

Though we spent most of Mother's Day in the car, we wrapped up the day with a visit to MiMi and Pappaw's house where Hayes promptly greeted his cow buddies and took a little ride on the tractor. I am so thankful for this little boy that made me a mommy. He gets more and more busy by the day and would rather be outside than anywhere else, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I also have to give a shout out to my own mama, who continues to inspire me as I navigate the world of motherhood. I have truly been blessed with the best examples in my grandmothers, mother and mother-in-law and am so thankful God placed them in my life.

Now let us reminisce on all of the excitement of one fun weekend!

 On Thursday night, we went to dinner to celebrate Uncle Cale's big 3-0. He always finds a way to do it in the utmost style. :)

 "Okay, I told you happy birthday, Uncle Cale. Now where's my cake?"

 Olsen magic!

 Our attempt at a "Mother's Day" photo shoot. Little man was much more interested in the neighbor's yard than Mommy at this moment, but I stole some sugars anyway. 

Evening tractor ride with Pappaw!

Back to the Beach

The first weekend in May, GG and Pops made the trip down south and we ventured to the Island for our first beach trip of the year. Hayes was just as in love (if not more) with the beach as he was last summer, which was so much fun to watch. He crawled through the water with no fear and just laughed and laughed as the water washed over him. I am so thankful for a child that is fearless, even if at times he does leave me struggling to catch my breath as I assess the damage of his latest adventure! Boys are supposed to be wild, right? Haha. Cody and I decided that the purchase of a $1 pail and shovel from CVS pre-beach visit was the gift of the century for our little monkey, who can't get enough of it even back on shore at home.

It was a great, relaxing weekend which was just what the doctor ordered after the craziness of the past few months. Speaking of that, I have officially secured a teaching job for next school year with Harlingen CISD, so I am anxiously awaiting my assignment of grade level and school and am so excited that all of the hard work has paid off! What I do know is that it will likely be a middle school position, but subject and grade level are still to be determined. I know God has the perfect plan for my position, and I am trusting in His perfect timing for when that will be unveiled! It is nice to know that there will be many, many days spent at the beach in our future... and summer vacay! Yeah!!

The Big 2-8 & An Egg-citing Easter

On April 1st, Cody turned the big 2-8. It truly seems like five minutes ago I was dressing Hayes up in a 0-3 month onesie painted with "Happy Birthday Daddy" and I can't believe it's already been a year! Hayes was excited to help Daddy celebrate and was a great assistant when it came to tearing up the gift wrap on his presents. I am so thankful to be celebrating Cody's birthday for the ninth time, and look forward to many, many more. He is truly the best husband and daddy we could ever ask for, and we couldn't be more thankful that God gave him to us.

We celebrated his birthday all week with dinner out at Texas Roadhouse with MiMi and Uncle Cale, followed by his favorite home-cooked dinner on the actual day, and then that weekend we headed to SA for a visit to Cody's new favorite place, Top Golf. I can safely say that he's mildly obsessed with the ability to experience the thrill of golf with a cold drink in hand in a city setting... now if only he could figure out how to bring that down south so we could go more often!

I unfortunately was sick as a dog for most of the weekend with what ended up being diagnosed as bronchitis and an ear infection, but that didn't stop me from joining in all the festivities. Considering Cody's birthday weekend happened to be Easter, I wasn't missing the chance to celebrate one of my favorite times of year! After Top Golf we did the obligatory La Cantera shopping trip, and Sunday we went to church, ate a yummy lunch and hunted eggs again. Hayes loved it as much as the first time around! Easter remains my favorite time of year second only to Christmas. So much joy comes with the comfort of renewed life that comes through the resurrection, and it is a constant reminder of the miracles that we have been lucky enough to experience through the years of our marriage.

 Hayes was excited to open his Easter basket from MiMi and Pappaw!

 Helping Daddy open his gift 

 Daddy and his mini-me, in living color and canvas form!

 Sippin' his White Russian like "the dude" at Top Golf

 Snuggles with my boy at Top Golf

Let the Easter festivities begin (again!)

 Sassy Aunt KiKi

 My sister cracks me up. Only she would try to negotiate with her one year old nephew and convince him that he should hand over all of his dollar eggs because eggs filled with coins are "more fun for him". 

Pre-church photo op. Churchill Baptist invited all members to bring flowers to place on the cross before the service. It was absolutely beautiful and the perfect symbol of the joy and celebration of the resurrection. He lives!

Celebrating a Life and Legacy

On what would have been Grandma's 90th birthday, we had a celebration of her life to honor the legacy that she and Grandpa have created in the Johnson family. The outpouring of love was incredible, and we could not be more proud to be a part of her family. As someone who joined the family by marriage, I must say that I have never been so moved, touched and blessed by the memoir of someone's life as I was by Grandma's celebration service. Through the message that Lynn delivered, we were all reminded of the importance of living a life dedicated to others, and most of all, the Lord. Grandma will be greatly missed at each family celebration, but she will always be with us through the delicious recipes from her cookbook, Fiddlesticks, the endless squeals of excitement from her great grandchildren during the holidays, and the love that holds the Johnson clan together.

 

We spent Grandma's birthday weekend just the way she would have wanted-- with lots of family and a celebration of life. After the service on Friday the family came back to Lynn and Tami's for dinner, and on Saturday we shared in a huge Easter egg hunt with all of Grandma's children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

 Who wouldn't want to be a part of this family? 

 

 All of Grandma and Grandpa J's great grandkids!

 Hayes Man's first Easter egg hunt

 Before the "real" hunt, the kids hunted for puzzle eggs and worked on teams to put them all together. Hayes was captivated by the older kids working on the puzzle!

 

 

 

 Four generations of handsome!

 

 

 

 

 Pappaw told the story of the Resurrection with Easter eggs. He had everyone's attention and it was so fun watching the kids listen and interact.

Church on Sunday morning with the whole clan. Love these people!