Life is good!

 For the first time in my life, at least for a moment, life is good, really good. I feel like it has been a long swim and we have reached a place were our feet can touch the ground. For the first time I feel like I don't have to worry about my head going under the water. Don't get me wrong life is still  a lot of work, but I am not worried. The water is still and I can clearly see ahead of me, and I am not afraid. Goals are set, tasks are at hand, the call has been sent out, the future is still uncertain, but I am not afraid. I love it here in Austin. I am so grateful to have my parents here with me. My children are learning and growing. Matt is working, learning and growing (at least intellectually, hopefully not physically, he does not need to be any taller :)  )  My time is full but not so full that I can't enjoy the moment and focus on the present. I am so grateful for friends both old and new. It is nice to know every once in a while you are on the right path.  Trials and tribulations aside, Life is good! Akuna Matata :)
(side bar: one of my small trials at the moment is my camera is broken so until I figure out a way to get another one I don't have any pictures to share, which I know, makes blogs less interesting, but what can you do? Sorry for the inconvienence)

Family Pictures for 2012

With all of my children turning a year older around the same time of the year, it always makes me get the itch to get pictures taken, to capture how beautiful they are. So here are a few of the Johnson Family pictures for 2012. Kaleb is 5 (OK, almost in a couple more weeks) Ethan is 3 and Alexia is 1. These are some of my favorites... Which one is yours?

 (These are the raw pictures so that is why you can see the edge of the background.)

  


 These are the smiles and beautiful faces that I get to enjoy everyday, I feel so eternally blessed to have them in my life! Even on the hard days, because being a mother is alot of work, I thank my Heavenly Father for putting these sweet spirits in my life. Words can not express the gratitude in my heart for the blessing of being sealed to these wonderful people.

Alexia Almost One Pictures!

My baby girl is growing up! And makes me smile more everyday (ok almost :)  ) Alexia has taken two steps on her own and can stand independently for about 30 sec, so she will start walking any day! Her first word was "dog" and now she says "mom" "dad" 'all done" "uh-oh" and her favorite right now is "ooooo". She also has begun to repeat some of the things that we say. She has tried almost all the common foods, and eats most of them. She is a momma's girl and does not like it when I leave her except with Daddy and Yaya. She loves to snuggle especially when she wakes up. Her favorite thing to do is help me in the kitchen by pulling out some pans. She also loves to push with her hands anything around the house, chairs, toys, books etc.She loves when her brothers make her laugh by popping out from behind something. She knows how to make the kissing sound and will do it back anytime you give her a kiss. She loves making faces to anyone behind us in church and is on the go curious about the world around her anytime we set her down. She is fearless in that she likes to climb and do whatever her brothers are doing. I am forever grateful to have such a sweet, cheerful, and courageous little girl in my family! I love you Alexia!

Today is...

I am feeling a little sentimental today. Today my baby girl turns nine months old. Today Matt and I have been married for 8.5 years. It was nine years ago today, that Matt proposed to me on a hill over looking Las Vegas under the star lit sky. It was today nine years ago that I agreed to marry my best friend. These nine years have been filled with ups and downs, many great times and a few hard times, but we have always stood side by side ready to take on what ever life gives us. Together we bought and lost our first home. Together we both finished collage. And together we invited three sweet children into our family. Together we moved over 1,200 miles from the place that we called home for almost 20 years. Together we have made friends. Together we stand, forever! And I can't wait for Forever! I wonder what the next 10 years will bring :)

Similarities

Here is a pic of me when I was 8 months, I see some similarities between me and Alexia.

Here are all three of my children around the age of 8 months, It is amazing that you can defiantly tell who is who and I don't think they look that much alike

Quick Update

Here are some pics. of the kids, They are growing so fast. Alexia is 8 months and 22 lbs. Ethan continues to talk more and more and Kaleb is almost ready for kindergarten but wont start for another year. We are having so much fun in Austin, but the heat has set in but not much different then Las Vegas just more humid. Hopefully I will find more time soon to update you more. Hope all is well in your life.

Alexia is 4 months old and Austin Adventures

This is Mount Bonnell, the highest point in Austin. It is a whopping 775 feet above sea level. It has great views of the city and it gives my kids a place to get their wiggles out.
This is the Austin skyline. It is still weird for me that there are no mountains that surround the city, I still get turned around very easily because of this. It is a beautiful city. I love how green it is even in the middle of winter. I am excited to see it in the spring!
This is the "Trail" to the top. It is a 0.3 mile hike from the parking lot. It is definitely a tourist attraction, but you do get a little bit of the work out :)
There are trails that wander away from the main trail, My boys love pretending they are going on a bear hunt through the forest.
This is what Alexia and I did while the super bowl was on, after dinner (since it did not start until 5:30 our time... weird) It was her first time getting her nails painted, I had to use a toothpick because her toes are so small. It was so fun to get some one on one bonding time with her :)
She has such beautiful blue eyes! They are lighter then Kaleb's. Ethan got Matt's hazel eyes. I think she is so beautiful!
Especially this giggle. She is really starting to laugh and I can't get enough, she is such a happy easy going baby. This little smile just melts my heart, I am afraid I am already wrapped around her little finger.
I finally got a pic of her holding up her head. She has even started Rolling onto her back. I can't believe my baby girl is growing up so fast. She also has started scooting around on her back using her feet. I often find her underneath or against furniture and toys.
This is all of us at Mount Bonnell. I love that there are so many things for us to do as a family!

Sorry if you can't see the video, This is a video of her rolling over.