(the infamous Johnston frog face. My Dad and Papa do it too!)
(the fake, open mouth smile, while looking somewhere totally unrelated to the photographer, smile)
Monday, January 05, 2009
Recognize this face?
I hear all the time how much Elizabeth and I look a like. Almost every time we are in Oklahoma City, my Grandma tells Elizabeth, "I've seen your face before!" So this time, while we were home for Christmas, I pulled out an old album that had pictures of me when I was about Elizabeth age. Here are some pictures of little Kierstyn. Each picture of me is followed by a picture of Elizabeth, making almost the same face!
(the infamous Johnston frog face. My Dad and Papa do it too!)
(the fake, open mouth smile, while looking somewhere totally unrelated to the photographer, smile)
(the infamous Johnston frog face. My Dad and Papa do it too!) (the fake, open mouth smile, while looking somewhere totally unrelated to the photographer, smile)
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Home from church
Since Benjamin is taking quite awhile to get over his bout with pneumonia, and Micah still has green stuff coming out of his ear, Curtis and I decided that I should stay home with the boy. We figured we want them to stay on the road to recovery, rather than get whatever bug is going around the church. You know how those bugs go! Being good Christians, we feel the need to share what we have with others... even germies!
So I'm home. The boys are (for the first time) quietly watching a movie and eating some lunch. Considering the fact that they kept each other up till after 9pm last night, and woke each other up at 6 am, I think it will be an early nap day.
I've learned a few things today.
1) Getting one child and one adult ready for church and out the door on time is waaaay easier than getting three children and two adults out the door.
2) Keeping track of two kiddos is easier than keeping track of and entertaining three kiddos.
3) Remove one child from the mix, and there's a lot less fighting.
4) I really miss my church family!
5) I really miss working with my family!
6) Life with two kiddos is easier, but much more boring than life with three kiddos.
So I'm home. The boys are (for the first time) quietly watching a movie and eating some lunch. Considering the fact that they kept each other up till after 9pm last night, and woke each other up at 6 am, I think it will be an early nap day.
I've learned a few things today.
1) Getting one child and one adult ready for church and out the door on time is waaaay easier than getting three children and two adults out the door.
2) Keeping track of two kiddos is easier than keeping track of and entertaining three kiddos.
3) Remove one child from the mix, and there's a lot less fighting.
4) I really miss my church family!
5) I really miss working with my family!
6) Life with two kiddos is easier, but much more boring than life with three kiddos.
Friday, January 02, 2009
The last day of '08
The last day of '08 was quite a day for the Krajca family. Our plans were for my Mom and I to some shopping, meet up with my Dad, Curtis and the kids for lunch, naps, packing, sparklers, movie watching and junk food.... greet ways to ring in a new year!
I was at Kohl's, hitting some after Christmas sales with my Mom. We were having a great time! I got a phone call from the ENT. Both boys had ear infections, and I was trying to make an appointment to bring them in once we got home (Micah's ear had been bleeding, Benjamin's ears had been gooey for almost 2 weeks). I had just gotten things squared away when I got a call from Curtis' dad. He was on his way to the hospital with a possible heart attack.
After lunch, and with the encouragement of my parents, Curtis headed to Wichita Falls to be with his dad. At this point, we didn't know much except for the fact that something wasn't right with his heart. To say that we were worried and scared is an understatement! Having already dealt with the loss of Curtis' mom, this all felt very familiar and scary. We were very thankful that the kids and I were at my parents.
I started packing, and making plans to go to Wichita Falls for as long as needed. In preparation to be gone from home longer than we planned, I called the ENT again to see if he would just go ahead and give both boys antibiotics. He said no, and that given their conditions, he would try to have them seen fairly quickly. Now remember, this is New Year's Eve! Thankfully, my Mom was able to find a clinic that she knew was good. She and I loaded the boys up, and headed to the acute care clinic.
Turns out that Micah did indeed have an ear infection (no joke!), and his asthma was giving him fits. Benjamin had a double ear infection, and his breathing wasn't great. His oxygen levels were also low. We were sent to x-ray, which confirmed that Benjamin has pneumonia. Thankfully, we caught it, and he's just on antibiotics and breathing treatments. If we had waited to get home, the pneumonia would have been bad enough to land him in the hospital.
After all that, we headed back to my parent's for dinner and breathing treatments, after which we made a very expensive trip to the pharmacy.
At this point, we knew that Curtis' dad was stable, and not at risk for a heart attack. The problem was that the top half of his heart was beating way too fast, putting him at risk for a stroke. But the doctors were able to stabilize him, and the problem can be taken care of with one little pill. We were so thankful!
Our New Year's Eve wasn't at all what we expected!! But just like the rest of 2008, we were surrounded by the love and support of so many friends and family! How blessed we are.
And as a little update: Curtis' dad went home yesterday, after just over 24 hours in the hospital. Curtis and I met up in OKC, and switched cars with my mom and headed home. Micah is doing great! Benjamin is doing okay. It's taking a little bit longer than "normal" for him to get back to his normal self. We are still doing breathing treatments every 4-6 hours, which is making his very hyper! But he is doing better, and that's what matters!
I was at Kohl's, hitting some after Christmas sales with my Mom. We were having a great time! I got a phone call from the ENT. Both boys had ear infections, and I was trying to make an appointment to bring them in once we got home (Micah's ear had been bleeding, Benjamin's ears had been gooey for almost 2 weeks). I had just gotten things squared away when I got a call from Curtis' dad. He was on his way to the hospital with a possible heart attack.
After lunch, and with the encouragement of my parents, Curtis headed to Wichita Falls to be with his dad. At this point, we didn't know much except for the fact that something wasn't right with his heart. To say that we were worried and scared is an understatement! Having already dealt with the loss of Curtis' mom, this all felt very familiar and scary. We were very thankful that the kids and I were at my parents.
I started packing, and making plans to go to Wichita Falls for as long as needed. In preparation to be gone from home longer than we planned, I called the ENT again to see if he would just go ahead and give both boys antibiotics. He said no, and that given their conditions, he would try to have them seen fairly quickly. Now remember, this is New Year's Eve! Thankfully, my Mom was able to find a clinic that she knew was good. She and I loaded the boys up, and headed to the acute care clinic.
Turns out that Micah did indeed have an ear infection (no joke!), and his asthma was giving him fits. Benjamin had a double ear infection, and his breathing wasn't great. His oxygen levels were also low. We were sent to x-ray, which confirmed that Benjamin has pneumonia. Thankfully, we caught it, and he's just on antibiotics and breathing treatments. If we had waited to get home, the pneumonia would have been bad enough to land him in the hospital.
After all that, we headed back to my parent's for dinner and breathing treatments, after which we made a very expensive trip to the pharmacy.
At this point, we knew that Curtis' dad was stable, and not at risk for a heart attack. The problem was that the top half of his heart was beating way too fast, putting him at risk for a stroke. But the doctors were able to stabilize him, and the problem can be taken care of with one little pill. We were so thankful!
Our New Year's Eve wasn't at all what we expected!! But just like the rest of 2008, we were surrounded by the love and support of so many friends and family! How blessed we are.
And as a little update: Curtis' dad went home yesterday, after just over 24 hours in the hospital. Curtis and I met up in OKC, and switched cars with my mom and headed home. Micah is doing great! Benjamin is doing okay. It's taking a little bit longer than "normal" for him to get back to his normal self. We are still doing breathing treatments every 4-6 hours, which is making his very hyper! But he is doing better, and that's what matters!
KC
Poor KC. We used to take her picture, let her sleep on the bed, we even threw her a birthday party once.
Those days are long gone!
Then add to that, the fact that shortly before we left for Christmas break, we found out that all the asthma and allergy problems that Micah has been having are all because of KC. He's not allergic to anything else. Just the dog.
Since we knew it wouldn't be wise for us to have Micah trapped in the car with the KC, we had a friend from church come to check on her. We got a kennel, a nice warm blanket, and told her that she was now an outside dog. Our hope was that since we wouldn't be home, she would make the transition to an outside dog fairly smoothly.
She showed us!
The day after Christmas, we get a call from our friend watching KC. KC had broken the fence, dug out, and was gone. We called all the right people, checked with neighbors, had our friend check the area. No KC.
Yesterday, we explained what had happened to the kids. They were upset, but seemed okay.
Late last night, once we had gotten home, I checked the answering machine. Someone had found KC, and called the vet (which we had also done, leaving our cell number) to get our info. The nice lady said that she would keep KC until we could come get her. This was about a day after KC ran off. The next message, which was about four days after that, we had a call from the animal shelter saying they had KC. We're not sure it the people who originally found KC called them, or if KC got away from them too. Regardless, we were happy and very surprised!! I had talked to the animal shelter, twice (one of the times was after they had her!) and they said they didn't have her.
This morning, we headed out to the animal shelter to pick up poor KC. The kids were so happy! Curtis went in, and came out about 10 minutes later saying that we had to pay $62.50 for impoundment and "boarding". I was not happy! With Micah's allergies, I was thinking that maybe this would be a good time to just get rid of the dog. Now we have her back AND we have to pay to get her!! I told Curtis to decide what he wanted to do. He went back in, and came out with KC. He talked them down $15 (which was the "boarding" cost) since there was some mix up when we called. So just under $50, and we got out dog back. I told Curtis that he was spending his Christmas money! :-)
KC is currently at the doggie spa (aka, Pet's Mart) getting cleaned up. I'm glad that she's safe, and that I won't be hearing, "Mommy, when are we getting another dog?"
Those days are long gone!
Then add to that, the fact that shortly before we left for Christmas break, we found out that all the asthma and allergy problems that Micah has been having are all because of KC. He's not allergic to anything else. Just the dog.
Since we knew it wouldn't be wise for us to have Micah trapped in the car with the KC, we had a friend from church come to check on her. We got a kennel, a nice warm blanket, and told her that she was now an outside dog. Our hope was that since we wouldn't be home, she would make the transition to an outside dog fairly smoothly.
She showed us!
The day after Christmas, we get a call from our friend watching KC. KC had broken the fence, dug out, and was gone. We called all the right people, checked with neighbors, had our friend check the area. No KC.
Yesterday, we explained what had happened to the kids. They were upset, but seemed okay.
Late last night, once we had gotten home, I checked the answering machine. Someone had found KC, and called the vet (which we had also done, leaving our cell number) to get our info. The nice lady said that she would keep KC until we could come get her. This was about a day after KC ran off. The next message, which was about four days after that, we had a call from the animal shelter saying they had KC. We're not sure it the people who originally found KC called them, or if KC got away from them too. Regardless, we were happy and very surprised!! I had talked to the animal shelter, twice (one of the times was after they had her!) and they said they didn't have her.
This morning, we headed out to the animal shelter to pick up poor KC. The kids were so happy! Curtis went in, and came out about 10 minutes later saying that we had to pay $62.50 for impoundment and "boarding". I was not happy! With Micah's allergies, I was thinking that maybe this would be a good time to just get rid of the dog. Now we have her back AND we have to pay to get her!! I told Curtis to decide what he wanted to do. He went back in, and came out with KC. He talked them down $15 (which was the "boarding" cost) since there was some mix up when we called. So just under $50, and we got out dog back. I told Curtis that he was spending his Christmas money! :-)
KC is currently at the doggie spa (aka, Pet's Mart) getting cleaned up. I'm glad that she's safe, and that I won't be hearing, "Mommy, when are we getting another dog?"
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Happy Anniversary, to us!
Curtis and I celebrated our 8 year wedding anniversary. Happy anniversary, sweetie! I love you!
Monday, December 29, 2008
A Million Things to Blog
We are still in Kansas, enjoying the end of our holiday break. We have been so very busy, spending time with family, doing Christmasy things, dealing with sick kiddos... it's been wonderful! I'm so thankful for how hospitable my parents are!!
Below I will be posting several of our Christmas festivities. So, scroll down and see all the fun we've been having!
We will be heading home on the 1st. I'm ready to get home, get unpacked and settled in, prepare for the busy semester that awaits us. At the same time, I like my little bubble in Kansas!
Here's what we've been up to......
Below I will be posting several of our Christmas festivities. So, scroll down and see all the fun we've been having!
We will be heading home on the 1st. I'm ready to get home, get unpacked and settled in, prepare for the busy semester that awaits us. At the same time, I like my little bubble in Kansas!
Here's what we've been up to......
Snow!!
After we had snow in Texas, we were all anxious to get some really good snow while we were in Kansas. Our first day here, we were met with bitter cold. When we went to church on the Sunday before Christmas, it was five degrees with a windchill in the negative teens! But much to the dismay of my children and brother-in-law, no snow!
This Saturday, we got a light dusting. That was all we needed!
Matt and Megan pose for a rare snow picture.
Megan, at five months pregnant, sledding down the hill.
Benjamin LOVED sledding!
As did Micah!
And Curtis is never one to miss out on the action!
My beautiful, pink, snow bunny!
Pictures with the kids
Every year, I try to get a picture of Curtis and I with each of the kids. Here are our pictures with the kids for this year.
Christmas morning
The girls in our matching PJ's. Thanks Mom!
The boys in their matching PJ's. Thanks Dad! (The shirts say, "You'll poke you're eye out!")
Benjamin got a baby from his Aunt Shannon. He loves his baby!
Elizabeth with Grandma and Grand-Daddy
Reading a new book with Aunt Shannon.
The cute kids with their stockings (made by Grandma!)
Elizabeth with some fun stocking stuffers.
Micah was very excited about his new DVD!Gingerbread House
Aunt Shannon had a fun project for the kids to work on.... their first ever gingerbread house!
OKC
Our first stop was Oklahoma City, where we spent the night with my grandparents. My family met us at my grandparents, and we celebrate Christmas with them, and several aunts, uncles and cousins. 
Elizabeth and Great-Grandma making a special Christmas cake. Micah got in on the action too.
Uncle Matt and Aunt Megan with Benjamin.After spending time with my mom's side of the family, we went to spend some time with my dad's side of the family. On the way, Micah fell asleep, and stayed asleep while all the rest of us opened presents, played and ate.
Benjamin and Papa Johnston.
Great-Grandma Johnston and Elizabeth.
There was a sweet little five week old puppy that the kids got to play with. Notice Benjamin's red face and hands? The temperature dropped dramatically, but that didn't stop the kids from playing outside!
After all the fun in OKC, we headed north to Wichita!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Merry Christmas!!!
" In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace."John 1:4-5, 14, 16
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Our new niece
On Friday, Curtis' brother, Chris, our sister-in-law, Terra, and their children Justin and Charleigh welcomed the newest member of their family. We were able to stop and see Shelby, our newest family member, just a few hours after she was born.
Isn't she beautiful?!?
Micah loving on Shelby.
Proud, Uncle Curtis!
Elizabeth loving on Shelby too.
Our beautiful niece, Charleigh! She seemed to be taking to big sisterhood quite well!
Me, Benjamin, Carter and Amanda. Benjamin and Carter almost share a birthday! Cater was born the day after Benjamin.
Micah loving on Shelby.
Proud, Uncle Curtis!
Elizabeth loving on Shelby too.
Our beautiful niece, Charleigh! She seemed to be taking to big sisterhood quite well!
Me, Benjamin, Carter and Amanda. Benjamin and Carter almost share a birthday! Cater was born the day after Benjamin.In non-baby related news, we are in Kansas! We've had a chilly start to our Christmas break. This morning when we went to church, the temperature was 5 degrees!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The Subject of Santa
This is the year Curtis and I have been expecting, and almost dreading. The year when we, for the first time as parents, have had to address the topic of Santa.
Earlier this season, Elizabeth saw a Christmas movie. In it, there was a man who owned a toy store, and would dress up like Santa and take toys to children. The star of the movie, a bear who's smile was on upside down, thought that the old man really was Santa, especially when "Santa" knew just what the bear wanted, a real home for Christmas.
At the end of the movie, Elizabeth exclaimed, "Wow Mommy! Santa is like God! He can see everything we do and knows what we want!" Yikes!!
Last week, Micah was sitting by the nativity, and asked me, "How'd he do it?" "How did who do what?" I replied back. "How'd God get to be a baby?" Wow!
I brings me so much joy to see my children think, question and learn more about their Creator and the birth of his Son. I love telling them the Christmas story over, and over. We delight in imagining how the shepherds might have felt, what angels really look like, if baby Jesus was bald, and then talking about WHY Jesus came.
With all the questions that are being asked, Curtis and I have chosen to not do the whole Santa thing with our kids. There are so many distractions, so many questions, that we don't see any reason to add Santa to the mix. Our kids are also really young, and the line between reality and fantasy is easily blurred. Elizabeth asked me , "Can we go to the beach to see mermaids?" If I chose to tell Elizabeth that there were no mermaids, than why would I tell her that a man in a red suit comes into her house?
I've found that the "faith of a child" is something that can easily be taken advantage of. We choose to fill their heads, and place their faith and belief, in reality, rather than fiction. We want them to know forwards and backwards, inside and outside, the story of salvation, rather than the story of Santa.
Do we think that a family who chooses to "do Santa" are going to permanently screw up their children? Of course not! It's their decision to do what they want with their kids, just like it's our decision to do (or in this case, not do) what we want with Santa.
I know several families who are doing the whole Santa thing, and doing a fantastic job of balancing it, and not making Christmas all about Santa. And I know that's something we could do too..... place the focus on Christ, yet have the fun of Santa. In the future, that's really what I would like to do. Growing up, we always left Peanut M&M's and Diet Mt. Dew out for Santa, knowing full well that Santa, was really my Dad. It was fun! "Santa" would leave us notes, Rudolph would take bites from the carrot. Fun! But I don't feel comfortable doing that with my kids, at least not yet. I need them to know, without a shadow of a doubt the TRUE Christmas story. They we can play the whole Santa thing.
One less distraction can't be a bad thing.
And while we're on the topic, does anyone else get super annoyed when they see this:
Earlier this season, Elizabeth saw a Christmas movie. In it, there was a man who owned a toy store, and would dress up like Santa and take toys to children. The star of the movie, a bear who's smile was on upside down, thought that the old man really was Santa, especially when "Santa" knew just what the bear wanted, a real home for Christmas.
At the end of the movie, Elizabeth exclaimed, "Wow Mommy! Santa is like God! He can see everything we do and knows what we want!" Yikes!!
Last week, Micah was sitting by the nativity, and asked me, "How'd he do it?" "How did who do what?" I replied back. "How'd God get to be a baby?" Wow!
I brings me so much joy to see my children think, question and learn more about their Creator and the birth of his Son. I love telling them the Christmas story over, and over. We delight in imagining how the shepherds might have felt, what angels really look like, if baby Jesus was bald, and then talking about WHY Jesus came.
With all the questions that are being asked, Curtis and I have chosen to not do the whole Santa thing with our kids. There are so many distractions, so many questions, that we don't see any reason to add Santa to the mix. Our kids are also really young, and the line between reality and fantasy is easily blurred. Elizabeth asked me , "Can we go to the beach to see mermaids?" If I chose to tell Elizabeth that there were no mermaids, than why would I tell her that a man in a red suit comes into her house?
I've found that the "faith of a child" is something that can easily be taken advantage of. We choose to fill their heads, and place their faith and belief, in reality, rather than fiction. We want them to know forwards and backwards, inside and outside, the story of salvation, rather than the story of Santa.
Do we think that a family who chooses to "do Santa" are going to permanently screw up their children? Of course not! It's their decision to do what they want with their kids, just like it's our decision to do (or in this case, not do) what we want with Santa.
I know several families who are doing the whole Santa thing, and doing a fantastic job of balancing it, and not making Christmas all about Santa. And I know that's something we could do too..... place the focus on Christ, yet have the fun of Santa. In the future, that's really what I would like to do. Growing up, we always left Peanut M&M's and Diet Mt. Dew out for Santa, knowing full well that Santa, was really my Dad. It was fun! "Santa" would leave us notes, Rudolph would take bites from the carrot. Fun! But I don't feel comfortable doing that with my kids, at least not yet. I need them to know, without a shadow of a doubt the TRUE Christmas story. They we can play the whole Santa thing.
One less distraction can't be a bad thing.
And while we're on the topic, does anyone else get super annoyed when they see this:
One, try explaining to a four year old that baby Jesus didn't really have a "shinny gold circle" on his head. Two, I don't like how the line between fantasy and reality is being blurred. I want my children to know what's real, to believe in what's real, even if it's not tangible. This whole Santa and baby Jesus thing messes that up too much for me!
So there are my thoughts! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the Santa Subject as well.
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