Well long story short.  Blogger has made some changes, and has started charging for space.  Since I post so many pictures I have ran out of my free space.  My friend uses WorPress and seems pretty happy with it, so moving on, check out the new blog here:

http://thejohnstonsgettingthroughlife.wordpress.com/

advent calendar day #2: decorating

Well we got it all out.  The tree was decorated this morning by two very eager little girls, and one just as eager guy.  The Christmas stuffed animals were snuggled with, and are now asleep with Oly in bed...and being played with by Kate in the room.

We actually brought out the holiday dishes on my birthday, but a snowflake mug in front of the decorated tree seemed too festive to pass up.

Thankfully after seeing these pictures, I will have my new battery by Wednesday.  Such a terrible time of year to be without a camera.  Thank god for the iPhone right?

advent calendar day #1: santa, tree, and parade

Today was the first day of our advent calendar.  The fun things to do today were, go see Santa, get our Christmas tree, and join friends at the Lighted Christmas Parade.

First thing we had to do this morning was go pick up my car, then we headed to see Santa.  The girls were pretty excited and had no fear of him.  Pictures were quick and tear-free, just the way I like it.

Next we moved on to get our tree.  Keith grew up going to this tree farm, and we have continued going there every year since we moved up here in 2007.  Usually we trade off back and forth between Noble for me and Douglas Fir for Keith.  Then last year we found the Nordman, a perfect combo of them both.  BUT this year I begged and pleaded to have a narrow-er tree due to space and clutter.  Keith quickly found a tall lean Noble and we all agreed.

Again easy, peasy lemon squeezy.  Pretty sure Keith and I wanted to high five at this point, we were on a roll.

To finish off the day,we had plans to meet up with friends for pizza at Milts and then to watch the parade.  Our kids are troopers for sitting through a large portion of it in the rain. For the most part, these kids just go with the flow, they enjoy being together and definitely have a good time.  Good thing because us parents really like to get out together too!

finding the good, even if it takes a donut

I am sure some of you have seen the articles that others have been posting online about motherhood (they are older but have resurfaced).  Don't Carpe Diem, and this one does a great job at giving her view on both sides.

I have wanted to blog about both of these for a long time now.  As most of you know, I am a firm believer in telling it how it is. 

Both articles really hit home today.  This morning was quite a morning.  A little back story.  Last night after work and dinner we headed to the library, then to drop off my car (heater wont work, awesome) and finally to Fred Meyer.  We knew it was a later night than normal, and I knew I would pay for it in the morning.  The kids were not necessarily grumpy they were just off, moody, bi polar-ish if you will. 

This morning I had to drive the truck witch threw me off, we were running a few minutes late, I re-heated my coffee a bazillion times and held back tears as Kate screamed that I was a "bad mommy" for the umpteenth time.(that gets its own post on a later date)

After we dropped Oly off, Kate and I headed to Haggen.  Keith has been getting Kate donuts.  Thanks Keith. So as soon as she knew where we were going she asked for one.  Honesty moment: the morning was too rough for me to even argue with her or talk her out of it. So I said yes. Yep that parent, who avoided at fight/meltdown and said yes to a donut.

The shopping trip was great, we needed a few last minute supplies for our Friend Thanksgiving tonight.  Kate skipped around carrying her donut in its bag and smiled at every person who passed.  I thought heck why not make it a morning date and get myself a coffee, because I never did get my cup this morning. 

We enjoyed our treats and chatted a bit.  Kate danced to the music and I finished my coffee.  As we were heading out the door a little old lady approached us.  She mentioned how adorable Kate was, and that it looks like she enjoyed something chocolate, referring to the frosting all over her face.  I told her she just devoured a chocolate donut, we discussed Kate's age and a few other things.  As we parted at the parking lot she said "Don't you just love them?" I said yes, and referring to my morning, I replied with a smile, "especially when they are happy."

Next the old lady stopped in her tracks, looked at a me with a straight face and said, "They need to be loved ALL the time." I don't even remember my response.

Seriously lady. 

I get it, I know it is like child birth or c-section in my case, you forget the hard stuff and remember the great moments.  But she had no idea that I was up past midnight shampooing my carpet trying to get the mud, pee, coffee, and food stains out so when friends come for our Christmas party they are not disgusted by it.  She had no idea my "adorable" 3 year old loves to tell me I am a bad mommy on a daily basis, or that I had a pounding headache (probably from the carpet cleaner and lack of coffee!).

Yes I love being a mom.  Are there days when I wish they would just go away (as in leave me alone for 5 minutes), heck yes!  Being a parent is hard. 

I have two pet peeves with people and parenting.

1. Experienced parents please do not tell me how wonderful it is, without expressing in some way that it is also hard.

2. Please for the love of God, be honest. It is okay to have bad days. I cannot relate to people who are not honest about parenting.

I know you need to find the "good" in everything. So here goes, Kate and I have had a great day of play dough, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, stories, and now some alone time for us both.  The turkey is in the oven, the pie bites and bars are made, and I am looking forward to an enjoyable night with friends.

I give credit to the donut and coffee.

*oh and just an FYI I always tell the girls "you know I love you even when I am angry,sad, tired, grumpy, hungry...etc." They know I love them. And really that is my way of saying "you know I love you when you are being a stink pot." Oly and I say, "I love you anyways" from Oliva the pig.

print and advent

First off, please ignore these terrible pictures.  The battery went out on my better camera and I need to order another one.  So until then this is what I have to work with.

Last night I made our advent calendar, and also made a super easy little holiday print to hang with it. 

We do a variety of things for the advent calendar.  I usually include typical holiday things like cutting the tree down, decorating, putting lights up, etc.  Then we do fun parties, mom/dad/kid dates, and special time with family.  This year I added in a few more service type activities since the girls are very interested in giving back and also curious as to why some people are in need.  Why not use this as a learning experience too.

Usually we get our tree the weekend after Thanksgiving but it has been kind of nice just hanging out this weekend with family and friends.  We plan to go to our usual place next Saturday, until then I am sure I can find some more fun holiday crafts to entertain myself.

happy thanksgiving

What am I thankful for?  Everything and everyone I have. 
There ya go. 

Here is a dance video from the Johnston girls.  Enjoy.  Now get off the computer and spend some time with those you enjoying being with.  I sure am.

Yep that's right we are watching Barbie: Princess & Popstar.  Don't be jealous.

Happy Thanksgiving folks.

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