She's Licensed!!!

It's official! Lauren got her driver's license this morning! She was so excited. She's offered to get breakfast for everyone, gone to the store a couple of times. It is kind of nice having another driver!!!

Toddles!
Chelley

Ice Skating

Today, Lauren, Megan, Alyssa & Catarina went ice skating. This was Catarina's first time on skates. They all had a great time!! After skating, there was lunch and shopping, of course!!

Toodles,

Chelley

Pigs must be flying!!!!

After we finish family meals at mom's, Cheryl, Cara, Mom and I always do the dishes while the guys put the table and chairs away. Well, I don't know if anyone said anything to them, but Lauren and Alyssa came into the kitchen and STARTED WASHING DISHES!!!!! Mom grabbed her camera to prove it actually happened!!!

ETA: Mike did say something to them to get into the kitchen to help.


Toodles,
Chelley

Decking the Halls

I didn't get a chance to post this earlier, so I guess better late than never!! We don't have a themed tree, it pretty much a hodge-podge of ornaments. Basically, it tells the story of our life---ornaments that represent things the kids are involved in, that we have made or I have a few that belonged to my grandparents. I also have a nativity set that belonged to my grandparents. My grandfather made the barn. So, every year, Megan sets it up. She says that everyone is there to see the baby, so everyone is circled around Mary and the Baby Jesus. It is too cute!! Here are a few of our Christmas decorations.

My grandparent's Nativity

Ornaments that I remember seeing hanging on my grandparent's tree.

Our tree

Mr. Snowman candle holder.


Toodles,
Chelley

Merry Christmas

I almost didn't make it, but I did!!! On Saturday, I finished my last Christmas task---mailing my Christmas cards!! I've been so busy working on cards and pictures for other people, that I didn't get to mine in a timely fashion!

Christmas Eve came and we lounged around the house most of the day, Megan was checking NORAD for Santas location. We went to a candle-light service at church then out to dinner. After we got home, the kids got to open two gifts.....Christmas jammies and their gifts from each other. Mike and I open our gifts from each other, too. We sat in the dark with just the glow of the lights from our tree watching "A Christmas Story". We watch it every year, but we love watching it!

Megan woke up at 6:30 am, so everyone got up and got ready to see what Santa brought them. Santa did a good job, everyone was satisfied with what he brought them. We did some cooking for lunch and the kids played with their gadgets, gizmos & toys. We spent the afternoon at moms with my sisters and their families. It seems each year there is one more kiddo and it will be true again next year, too!! Cheryl is half way through her pregnancy---it's going to be a boy!!! Anyway, we had lots of good food and fun!!!

I hope that you and your family had a very blessed Christmas!

Toodles,

Chelley

Pay it Forward!!

Something very cool happened to us yesterday. Lauren got a Starbuck's gift card at the youth party on Wednesday night and I had a buy one/get one free, so she said she'd buy me a mocha on Thursday. We went through the drive-thru and ordered our drinks. When we got to the window, the guy told us our drinks had already been paid for.....by the car in front of us!!!! The car before her paid for hers, etc. So, Lauren, payed it forward and paid for the car behind us. I've always heard about his happening, but have never been a part of it. It really felt good to see my daughter, without any hesitation, offer to pay for a stranger and be excited about it!!

Toodles,
Chelley

Daddy's Home!!!!

Mike's home! He's been gone a week and believe it or not, we all missed him!! He was in Idaho visiting his parents. He took care of some things around their house. He also was picking up a little peek-a-poo puppy named Mattie. Her caregiver couldn't take care of her any more and Randal (Mike's bro) wanted this dog to give to his wife, Paula for Christmas. So, Mike has this little blue carrier with a prissy dog in it--carrying it on the airplane with him!! This dog is funny. When you take her outside to go potty, you take her out, let her leash out as far as it will go and while holding the leash, turn your back.....she won't do her business while you are watching!! Anyway, Mike got in at 11 pm last night and got up at 545 am to meet Randal in Alvarado. Paula wasn't supposed to come, but she did, so the had her get in the van and Lauren was cuddling the dog so she couldn't see it. After Randal got his camera ready, Lauren gave her the puppy and Randal told her it was hers. She cried. She was so happy!! She has wanted a little puppy for a while! Mattie will be the perfect dog for her.


Anyway, Mike left Sunday and got back last night. Megan and Lauren especially missed their daddy! Mike was ready to come home on Monday!! Our week started off rocky, but got better.


We have one more week of school til our Christmas vacation!!! Oh, we cannot wait!!! We will be out until the 7th. I'm not sure what we're going to do, but I do know that I'm not planning lots of things to do like I did during Thanksgiving break!


Everyone have a great week!!
Toodles,
Chelley

Believing

Megan still believes. So, I got a picture of her with "The Big Guy".

Toodles,

Chelley

Oh Happy Day!!!!!

I just got the phone call!!!! They arrested the punk who robbed us last month!!! He's probably already out on bond, but his criminal case is moving forward. We should be getting a call from the County DA's office soon. The trial will probably not happen for 6 months, but it will happen now!!!!!!

I'm so HAPPY!!! Happy Dancing going on here!!!

Toodles
Chelley

Lauren got her class ring today!!

Ok, here we go again!! I remember when Matt got his during his junior year and now he is graduated....that means that things are going to happen really fast from here on out!!! Lauren was so excited and this afternoon she is being fitted for her letterman jacket!! She's growing up, (sigh, wiping a tear from my eye!)

Toodles,

Chelley

Christmas pics & an outtake!

We had a family photo shoot for Christmas pictures. Below you will see a card for each of the kids and my kids are on one card. The first picture was really funny!! Matt put the antlers on and snuck in behind Alyssa (she had no clue he was there). I took the picture and then EVERYONE started laughing. Alyssa had no clue, because Matt had snuck out and ran away. When I showed her the picture, she went chasing after him. It turned out really great!!! Ok, I admit it, I put him up to it.

Enjoy!!

Toodles,

Chelley

Pictures as promised

Here are a few pictures from the banquet. Lauren with Kirsten & Taylor, they refer to themselves as Charlies Angels. They all look so pretty and clean up real nice!!

Toodles,

Chelley

WOW!!! What a week!!

I know I just had a week off, but I didn't get any rest....every moment was planned out and I was on the go!!! I'm tired!!! I think the rush has slowed down, but I still have lots of things to do!!! We had the volleyball banquet on Saturday night, and Lauren looked beautiful - Mike wasn't a fan of the dress--too short, too low cut and not enough material!!! One mom said next year just get her a habit!!! Megan's volleyball season is winding down and she will start a volleyball academy this week. Lauren has started club. She tried out and made the 18's team. We are excited because she has had Coach Ortiz before and Coach is an awesome teacher!!! She is planning on making Lauren a DS (defensive specialist). Matt's first semester should be ending in a couple of weeks---we'll see how he did, we have no clue!!!!

Just wanted to check and let you know we're still around. I'll post pictures from the banquet soon.

Toodles,
Chelley

What a GREAT weekend!!

Well, we're back from our trip to Fredericksburg, Tx. I survived my birthday. We ate LOTS of food!!! The Cowboys Won!! UT, not so lucky & kudos to Arkansas!!! Lauren had a photo assignment, so we went to Stonehenge and Easter Island to get some pictures!! Ok, so we didn't actually fly to England or the South Pacific. There is a man in Hunt, Texas that probably has too much money and time on his hands. He went to the actual statues and decided to build it in the Hill Country. We also went to an old Catholic Church to shoot the two bell towers. We also found a pretty little waterfall.

Friday night, Fredericksburg lit up their park. It was so pretty. We went down and froze our tooshies off!!

Saturday, we left Fredericksburg and headed to Georgetown to visit Uncle Tom, Aunt Shirley & Cousin Janice. We ate MORE good food and had a good visit with them. Because of the rain and construction, we FINALLY got home around 6 pm last night.

I guess it's back to the real world tomorrow. I'm off to a birthday lunch at mom & Smitty's.

Enjoy a couple of the pictures from this weekend.

Toodles,

Chelley

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Give thanks with a grateful heart, Give thanks unto the Holy One, Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son. And now let the weak say "I am strong", Let the poor say "I am rich", Because of what the Lord, has done for us. Give Thanks! Give Thanks! Give Thanks!

Ok, so this Thanksgiving, I will officially be FORTY!!! This will be my first holiday without dad. But, I will be surrounded by my family, missing him inside, wishing he were here. We will be with Randal & Paula and will be stopping by to see Uncle Tom, Aunt Shirley & Janice. Lauren and I will be going out on Friday on a photoshoot. She has a school project, so we're going to find the old German Lutheran churches in town. Megan's taking her bike and the guys will have their fising poles. So it will be a great time for all!

I hope everyone has a very blessed Thanksgiving!!


Toodles!
Chelley

The Best Program EVER!!

Megan was chosen to be part of the All-City Choir. We've been getting up early every Thursday to get her to choir practice by 7 am! She's had a couple of after school practices and then this weekend she had practice on Friday night and Saturday evening right before the concert. The theme was America. It was the most AMAZING performance I have ever heard. The Jr. High schools and high school choirs performed and they were ok, the elementary & intermediate schools BLEW them away!!! The kids who have been part of the choir all three years, received the medals. Megan told us that in two more years, she will be receiving her medal!! I hope so!

Toodles!

Chelley

The Tooth Fairy Cometh!

Megan pulled her own tooth on Saturday night. She sat at the mirror, wiggling it and wiggling it until it came out! The tooth fairy's going rate is a dollar! Here's Meg with her hole and $$

Toodles!
Chelley

A Star is Born!!!!

Tonight was the 4th grade program. It was about heroes. Megan had a speaking part and the ONLY solo part!!! She was Nellie Bly. You will notice her mouthing words when she comes up for her solo......she was so skeeered that she forgot her words!!! Her music teacher calmed her down and gave her the words. She did an AMAZING job!! Turn up your speakers so you can hear her.



Toodles,
Chelley

Volleyball games today!!!

Megan's team had a double header this morning. The won both of their games. They look better than last week. More serves were going over and more passing was happening. Megan was captain today. Mike was making fun of me because I took pictures of her at the coin toss. You can see in the picture how he was avoiding eye contact!! In the video, you can see Megan serving the last two points to win the game!









Toodles,
Chelley

My First Two Years of Life

I've only scanned in the first couple of years of my life, so that is all you'll get to see right now. Here's a nifty slide show.

Toodles,
Chelley

Happy Birthday Renee!!

Today is my cousin Renee's birthday. She is younger than me, but only by 1 year, 11 months & 2 weeks!! Happy Birthday Renee!!

Cheryl, Cara & my fondest memories are when our grandparents took us to Roaring River. Aunt Evelyn, Uncle Buddy, Renee, Coburn & Chris met us up there. It was a week of sleeping on cots in tents, swimming with snakes in an ICE cold river, water fights, riding floats and waking up at 6 am when the fishing siren went off. I don't remember, but I think we only took showers once or twice during the week. My poor girls would die if they could only take a shower once during the week!!

Over the years we would go to Silver Dollar City and Dog Patch USA. We would also drive to see the Passion Play. We had some of the best summers and will never forget the memories we made there.

Toodles!
Chelley

Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock

Today is the day!! The scum bag is supposed to be arrested today! We are all on pins and needles waiting to hear from the detective. Hopefully, it will be soon! Note to self: Must focus on work....cannot obsess over this!

On a better note: Next Tuesday, Megan will be performing at the 4th grade PTA program. She has a speaking part and a solo!!! She is playing the part of Nelly Blye. She tells me last night, I have to make a costume!!! Hello, what kind of costume do you make for Nelly Blye???? I guess I need to email the choir director today!

We only have 1 1/2 weeks of school until we are out for a WEEK at Thanksgiving!!!!! Have you noticed the Christmas comercials ALREADY on the TV???? Ugh, I just can't handle Christmas comercials right now.

Have a great day!

Toodles,
Chelley

He confessed!!!!!

WOW!! The detective called our house this morning (before 7!!) to ask if we could come down to look at the video from the 2nd pawn shop. Mike and Matt went to the police station and made a positive ID. Matt didn't know the 2nd guy in the video, it's not the guy he usually ran around with.

The detective told me that over the weekend the thief called and left a message that his grandparents told him they were looking for him and he really didn't know why---ha ha!! So, after Matt id'd him, the detective called to have the thief come to the station. They questioned him for a while, he kept denying and denying it, and FINALLY confessed!!! After his confession, the detective brought out the dvd of him selling our things!!! So, now he will be arrested in a couple of days (it's the process!!), which will be the thief's 19th birthday!!! Ha-ha-ha. He wouldn't give up the 2nd kid. He only knew his street name and what he drove. He said that this kid has the rest of our stuff. The detective told him that he was going to take the wrap for the WHOLE crime, unless he gives up the other kid. The detective is confident that they will get it out if him soon!!!! So on Wednesday, he will be picked up and arrested with a Felony.

Toodles,
Chelley

A New Volleyball Season!!!

Megan had her first volleyball game this morning. It is so-o-o much slower after watching months of varsity volleyball!! It was fun!! When they would finally get to volley the ball over and finally someone would return it was a rare treat!! The parents would cheer!!! Everyone plays--they start with six and after you serve you rotate out and the next person on the bench comes in. Megan is the only girl on her team who can serve overhanded! It was so funny when she served the oooohs and aaaaahs that the parents made when she did it! I was bustin' my buttons!!! Megan is the team's cheerleader. When it is her turn on the bench, she is constantly cheering!!

Here are some pictures of Megan and the Sting in action.

Down and Ready

Serving overhanded

ACE!!!

You can see more pictures of Megan and the Sting at http://cjphotography.dotphoto.com/

Toodles,
Chelley

Updates of ALL sorts!!

The Robbery

Well, yesterday while I was cleaning and getting madder and madder because of what this horses hiney did to our house, I remembered what the cop told me, "Yes, we check the pawn shops, but you are welcome to do that, if you want." So, I googled and found a map of local pawn shops. I started with the ones close to the house then followed a route to Mt. View College (the person I suspected, gets a ride from Matt to school everyday!). So, sure enough, a Wii was pawned yesterday!!! I get a little more information and call my detective in charge of the case. Well, he calls the pawn shop owner and they talk, then I call the pawn shop back. I tell the owner I have a name of who I think did this, and he asked me for the name!!! I can't believe he was so cooperative and was willing to help. Sure enough it WAS the kid who rides to school with Matt!!! So, I instantly call the detective and he runs his name through all of the local pawn shops and found Lauren's Nikon and TWO dvd players at another pawn shop. About 30 minutes go by and the detective calls and asks if I was missing jewelery and I was......my wedding bands, a ruby/diamond ring, a nugget ring, and my promise ring, plus mine and Matt's class rings. Everything except the class rings were at the pawn shop with the Wii!!!!! So, Mike and I met the officers at the pawn shops, we filled out all sorts of paper work and the pawn shop owners (who, by the way, went to school with me at Lancaster!!!) GAVE us the Wii & rings back. They had given the thief only $150 for my 4 rings and the Wii!!! They were willing to take it as a loss. So, we went to the other pawn shop and found the camera and dvd players. The owners asked that we pay the $30 to them that they had give the thief, so we did. We are still missing a few things, but the cops know who he is, they know he had an accomplice and Matt ID'd him last night after he got home. Unfortunately, the cops went to the theifs house and his grandparents were uncooperative and would not give any information about him. So, at this time, we do not know what has happened.

VOLLEYBALL
Well, Lauren's season ended last night. The girls looked good and fought hard, but Flower Mound Marcus prevailed. All I know is that my head hurt and my ears were ringing when we left the gym!!! So, you will see in another post, volleyball is not over at the Johnson household.................

Toodles for now,
Chelley

Seriously!!!

Someone robbed our house yesterday!!! We know it happened between 6:50 am when we left the house for the day and 9:30 am when our neighbor drove by the house and saw the front door open. She really didn't think it weird because we do open the house on nice days and Matt's truck was parked out back. She didn't know Matt is out of town.

The tore the house up!! My bedroom got hit the hardest. They tore everything out of my drawers and desk. My DVD player was unplugged, but I found it under the covers on my bed. My jewelery box was thrown all over the room. I'm not sure what is missing or not. They got Matt's PS2 and the Wi he got for graduation, Lauren's 35mm camera, iPod and backpack. They also got a little DVD player that was a freebie. We are blessed because no one was home!!! They left my computer & cameras, CASH!!!, our tvs, phones, etc. The keys to Matt's truck were on his bed, they could have taken his truck!

They broke out the dining room window and went out the front door. I"m supposed to be cleaning up, but I just don't know where to start!!! I guess this has to be part of my giving thanks this month!! What they took were things!! Yes, they took my children's things, but they were just things. I have my husband, son & daughters and we are healthy and safe. We are feeling violated, but we are safe! I'm having a hard time leaving the house, but am working through that!!

Well, I have to go pick stuff up! I guess this is the Spring cleaning I didn't get to do last spring!!

Toodles,
Chelley

Let the countdown begin!!!

I know I'm doing this a day early, but don't know if I'll get a chance tomorrow. If you have read the blurb in the "About Me" section, you will see that I'm turning 40 this year!!! And on Thanksgiving, no less!!! WOW, that is what I really want to give thanks for---getting older. Just joking! I'm very thankful to have had 40 years on this earth. I'm thankful for my family members, those who have gone on (Dad, both of my grandmothers & grandfathers and Aunt Evelyn) and those who are still here--Mike, Matt, Lauren, Megan, Mom, Cheryl, Cara, Smitty, Carl, Pansy, ALL of my Brother-in-laws & Sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews, GREAT-nieces & GREAT-nephew, my aunt and uncles, cousins and many, many friends!!!

I remember as a kid, 30 was SO-O-O old, and now here I am, knocking on 40's door. I do have a few more creeks and aches. I'm now a semi-blonde thanks to the white hair that has decided to invade my head!!! So, this month, I'm going to celebrate my 40 years. I'm going to try to post different memorable pictures with stories, of course, from my life.

Only 21 shopping days til my birthday!!!

Toodles,
Chelley

Halloween Preview

Megan's school allowed the kids to dress as their favorite storybook character for Halloween. Megan went as the Little Kitten who lost her Mittens!! Today they spent the day reading books and having special guests come in to read to them. I got to read a book to Megan's class. Tonight we're going trick-or-treating for a little while, then off to the church for fun and games!!! She will be dressed as a black cat---a little different from today. She has actually put her costume on, but we haven't done her makeup, yet. I'll post pictures later. Below is the picture of Megan before school.

Here is Megan dressed ready to go trick-or-treating. Lauren is trying to get in on the action!! I took Megan through the neighborhood then to the church for the Harvestfest. There were lots of people and Megan had a blast. When we got home Lauren took Megan trick-or-treating again. I think there were alterior motives for doing it, but I'll chalk it up to being a good sister.

Toodles for now,

Chelley

H-E-L-L-L-L-L-L-O-O-O-O-O WIN COLUMN!!!

The girls beat Trinity tonight 3-1!!!!!! They fought for three hard games!! Unfortunately, Lauren didn't get in the game tonight. She did warm up and was going in to serve, but didn't get to :( . The girls will play Flower Mound Marcus on Friday. The coaches will negotiate the details tomorrow. I'll let you know when and where as soon as we know!!!

The girls are PUMPED!!!!! Hopefully, they will carry this through Friday!!

Toodles,
Chelley

PLAYOFFS, BABY!!!!

The girls play their first playoff game tomorrow night (Tuesday). They will be playing Euless Trinity at Arlington Sam Houston. We got cool looking t-shirts and the principal is going to let the girls wear their playoff shirts tomorrow at school(over a collared shirt, of course)!! Lauren decided she wanted blue streaks in her hair for playoffs. Don't worry, it is a rinse and will wash out soon, unlike the blonde!!! Hopefully, we will have GREAT news tomorrow night!!!



Toodles,
Chelley

Pumpkin Carving

Mike and Megan had their annual pumpkin carving today. Megan made a funny-faced pumpkin and a scary pumpkin. You can see them carving them and the after in the dark. Thankfully, Megan has grown out of the phase of carving pumpkins naked!!!

Toodles,

Chelley

Tink

With the weather getting cold, Tink has decided he wants to come in the house. He has been staying away because of Itchi. Tink hisses at Itchi when she gets near him. Tonight he let out this low growl, it was kind of creepy. Itchi was following Tink and he turned around and bopped her. Here are some picture of Tink with Lauren.

Toodles,

Chelley