tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8693753015940324582024-03-07T23:32:51.654-08:00At HomeWith the JohnsonsJustine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-32222477056869175502014-02-16T13:18:00.000-08:002014-02-16T13:18:20.339-08:00Pregnancy number 2 (well, 4th really)I just want to say that I'm so grateful for the chance to be having another child. It looked so unlikely at one point that we'd even have one, and even though I'm grateful to have Aurora & would be happy with just her, we really wanted her to have at least one sibling because we feel it's an important lesson in life. After all we both had plenty and learned a lot from our experiences with them, things which can't be learned or experienced any other way. I know it won't be easy, especially at first while I adjust to this new reality of having two children, far from it. In fact it actually scares me a little. Some things I feel more confident about because I've already done it once, and other things I'm more worried about because I've done it before and know how hard it was and this time I'll be doing it with a two year old as well. Part of me worries that he or she won't be anything like Aurora, which is silly because I know all children are different, but I know how to handle an Aurora because I've already got one and she's been pretty good up 'til now, so I know I can manage it. I also worry (as I know a lot of women do), that I won't love this one as much, I mean how can I possibly love any child as much as I love Aurora? I worry that I won't be good or patient enough to look after two children on my own most of the time. Although it had its good points, when I was looking after two children before for several hours at a time, even though one of them wasn't mine, I found it hard and didn't really enjoy it and looked forward to when she went home. I'm hoping I only felt this way because I didn't have the same love and connection to the other girl that I did with Aurora and so wasn't as patient as I would've been had she been mine. I often wonder what he or she will be like, whether it'll be a he or a she, what their hair will be like and whether it'll look like me or Tristram. When I think about our respective families, it seems crazy how different all the siblings are, in looks and personality. Especially between first and second borns, in both cases you wouldn't even know they were related they're so different. It just makes me wonder.<br />
<br />
So the pregnancy itself is going pretty well I think, nearly in the third trimester, already pretty large and feeling regular, good, strong movements from within. So far it's very similar to my experience with Aurora, which leads me to think it may be another girl; ridiculous heartburn, gone off the same foods, craving the same foods and generally feeling pretty much the same, although last time I was a bit fitter and healthier which helped. Tomorrow I have the joys of a glucose test, which will hopefully be all good as I'm hoping to have a nice, natural, water birth in Chorley instead of having to go to Preston, which I will do if there are any complications. Despite my concerns I am looking forward to this experience greatly and I know I have been well and truly blessed. I sure hope it continues.Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-8903569975230125142013-03-03T14:40:00.000-08:002013-03-03T14:40:20.580-08:00Nursery Time!Out of all the ways Aurora as progressed in the last few months one of the things I'm proudest of is the church side. She loves going to church. She gets really excited as we walk through the car park towards the chapel. She also folds her arms for prayers and recognises Jesus. She can say his name (kind of) and does whenever she sees a picture of him. We have a picture of him on the landing and whenever she goes to bed she waves goodnight to it.<br />
<br />
Last week was her first official week in nursery. Not only did she not cry when I left, she didn't care. She was too busy playing. As long as there's food, toys and other children to play with she's happy. It is a little sad when she doesn't seem to miss me, but I am relieved she is this way as that is how we've tried to raise her.Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-82988703601724313822013-03-03T14:19:00.000-08:002013-03-03T14:19:00.785-08:00Izzy Whizzy Let's Get Busy!2 months ago now I started looking after another baby, a 5 month old girl named Izzy. It is a challenge, not just adjusting to looking after 2, but looking after one that's not mine and who I don't love as much as Aurora. I was surprised how quickly and well Aurora adjusted to the change, quicker than I did. She still gets upset when she wants my attention and can't have it, but she is 18 months old. She loves playing with Izzy and 'helping' with things like bottles and changing. They are very cute together.Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-41697691040242838162013-03-03T14:01:00.000-08:002013-03-03T14:01:49.904-08:00Who's the best? Aurora!Aurora's favourite word is her own name. She loves it, especially now she has discovered princess Aurora and realised how much princess stuff she actually has. Because of this we like to ask her questions to which Aurora can be or is the answer. For example, what's you name? Who's the best? Who's beautiful? Who's a silly girl? When we ask these questions she doesn't just say her name, she announces it, usually raising one or both hands in the air. Sometimes she says daddy instead, but that can be funny too depending on the question.Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-60078884884696126602012-11-07T12:35:00.002-08:002012-11-09T11:43:33.417-08:00Child development: theory vs practiseWhen I was at school, one of my favourite classes was child development. I enjoyed learning about what it would be like to have a child, how it would grow and develop, but it was all theoretical, just words written in books. Although I got an A without too much difficulty, nothing prepares you for the reality and the feelings of love and pride you will have in your child, even when they do the smallest thing which to anyone else would be of no significance. Over the past few weeks I've been watching Aurora play a lot and just enjoying the experience, witnessing her learning and development firsdt hand, as it happens. She has progressed from picking up toys, shaking them and then dropping them to actually playing with them, doing things with a purpose, developing her imagination through playing her own little games which no one understands but her. One of her favourite things to do is play in the kitchen. She opens the cupboard with the plates and bowls and gets out all the plastic ones (not the breakable ones though, she has figured out the difference and knows they are off limits). At first it was just frustrating, having to pick it all up and put it away again several times a day so we don't trip over anything, but when I actually watched her play with them and what she did with them I realised she was learning. She was learning about stacking, the difference in size, shape and colour. When she tried to carry 3 bowl separately, she realised it was difficult, so she stopped and stacked them, making the task far easier. She has also started stacking the coloured rings on one of her toys, rather than just tipping it up side down and leaving it, thinking that was what it was for. She doesn't yet get them in the right order, but she is learning. Same with her little wooden puzzles and her plastic farm and animals. Another of her favourite things to do is pretend to be on the phone. She loves playing with the actual phone or our mobiles, but also he toy phone and often hands it to me so I can pretend I'm talking to someone. She often walks around the house the house holding some random object to her ear and talking. I so wish I understood what she was saying. One of the things I love most is when she walks up to me with a big smile and then hands me something she has found with such pride. Items can vary from a toilet brush, a soggy peice of tissue, an empty packet she has got out the bin, or an item of clothing she has removed from a radiator or washing basket. It's often inconvenient, but the look on her little face more than makes up for it. It times like thios when I'm so glad I'm a stay at home mum. I can't imagine leaving her every day and missing out on these moments, they are truly priceless.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ulzuCZooGlI/UJ1cEC8zG6I/AAAAAAAAAtw/56wC5aLiHxs/s1600/2012-11-08+11.03.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ulzuCZooGlI/UJ1cEC8zG6I/AAAAAAAAAtw/56wC5aLiHxs/s320/2012-11-08+11.03.39.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-anoLqKtbJgQ/UJ1cXHYYhnI/AAAAAAAAAt4/DHK2M1eEyAs/s1600/2012-11-09+10.22.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-anoLqKtbJgQ/UJ1cXHYYhnI/AAAAAAAAAt4/DHK2M1eEyAs/s320/2012-11-09+10.22.47.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFnSboVLOb8/UJ1ceydyblI/AAAAAAAAAuA/_Zcl1CmHztQ/s1600/2012-11-08+11.30.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFnSboVLOb8/UJ1ceydyblI/AAAAAAAAAuA/_Zcl1CmHztQ/s320/2012-11-08+11.30.45.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ss7p-zdbgig/UJ1cpuKu2yI/AAAAAAAAAuI/ev-w4JQFX-Q/s1600/2012-11-08+11.32.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ss7p-zdbgig/UJ1cpuKu2yI/AAAAAAAAAuI/ev-w4JQFX-Q/s320/2012-11-08+11.32.47.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NMawy83FA_M/UJ1cvf6EP2I/AAAAAAAAAuQ/xz5hZFI2cvk/s1600/2012-11-08+11.42.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NMawy83FA_M/UJ1cvf6EP2I/AAAAAAAAAuQ/xz5hZFI2cvk/s320/2012-11-08+11.42.37.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-71736020228869260362012-11-07T12:13:00.000-08:002012-11-07T12:13:09.075-08:00Autumn fun!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NpENrCPVVco/UJq-2MKktzI/AAAAAAAAAs0/GJsbLNgCpf4/s1600/69375_10151113514216297_2032183456_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NpENrCPVVco/UJq-2MKktzI/AAAAAAAAAs0/GJsbLNgCpf4/s320/69375_10151113514216297_2032183456_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jPVDU61yBfY/UJq_BoQFIPI/AAAAAAAAAs8/Xz_i2Maozvw/s1600/404204_10151113515111297_1894888720_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jPVDU61yBfY/UJq_BoQFIPI/AAAAAAAAAs8/Xz_i2Maozvw/s320/404204_10151113515111297_1894888720_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zu3lA0EsIxk/UJq_GZkhf6I/AAAAAAAAAtE/9BODlZ-En_Y/s1600/416892_10151113516356297_1488772861_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zu3lA0EsIxk/UJq_GZkhf6I/AAAAAAAAAtE/9BODlZ-En_Y/s320/416892_10151113516356297_1488772861_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Q63vNiaAKw/UJq_NAvKnlI/AAAAAAAAAtM/vdMf_IR7i-0/s1600/550301_10151113520191297_1168096724_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Q63vNiaAKw/UJq_NAvKnlI/AAAAAAAAAtM/vdMf_IR7i-0/s320/550301_10151113520191297_1168096724_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-szf-S0t_5CU/UJq_U6B33mI/AAAAAAAAAtU/-E_F65VI4lM/s1600/550402_10151113517311297_2029614016_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-szf-S0t_5CU/UJq_U6B33mI/AAAAAAAAAtU/-E_F65VI4lM/s320/550402_10151113517311297_2029614016_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d9jNIDakRTo/UJq_bfQbm-I/AAAAAAAAAtc/yXj981IgZb0/s1600/579377_10151113520516297_1475340560_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d9jNIDakRTo/UJq_bfQbm-I/AAAAAAAAAtc/yXj981IgZb0/s320/579377_10151113520516297_1475340560_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last week I looked out the window and noticed all the wonderful colours and blanket of leaves that only autumn brings. I decided to take Aurora out the front to play on the grass and test out the new wellies. She didn't get into it right away, but after I threw the frisbee a few times and she brought it back she started having fun. Someone walked past as we were playing in the trees with a fluffy little dog. She had a great time stroking and playing with the dog, but it was short lived, luckily the nieghbours cat came along. I almost feel sorry for that cat, as she would not leave it alone. She was only trying to stroke it, but she was chasing it all over for about half an hour. It kept hiding in the bushes, then coming out when he thought it was safe, but there was Aurora, waiting!</div>
<br />Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-79122476164485444232012-09-16T15:14:00.001-07:002012-09-16T15:14:26.098-07:00Fun at Grandma'sDuring her 2 month visit back to England from Dubai, we went to visit Aurora's grandma in Darlington and had lots of fun!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ted4hTRnXY4/UFZOOSrfF-I/AAAAAAAAAqs/0g96wJb-GMQ/s1600/IMAG0435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ted4hTRnXY4/UFZOOSrfF-I/AAAAAAAAAqs/0g96wJb-GMQ/s320/IMAG0435.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gcl9NXD9T6k/UFZOVo1EkqI/AAAAAAAAAq0/qenuAK4ID00/s1600/IMAG0437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gcl9NXD9T6k/UFZOVo1EkqI/AAAAAAAAAq0/qenuAK4ID00/s320/IMAG0437.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w9ougBBpTlk/UFZOj6Ud7-I/AAAAAAAAAq8/QKoGBf8A7aI/s1600/aurora278+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w9ougBBpTlk/UFZOj6Ud7-I/AAAAAAAAAq8/QKoGBf8A7aI/s320/aurora278+007.JPG" width="241" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-poSnnEXfCHI/UFZOxHdFNtI/AAAAAAAAArE/nqofjj6InTE/s1600/aurora278+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-poSnnEXfCHI/UFZOxHdFNtI/AAAAAAAAArE/nqofjj6InTE/s320/aurora278+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RSWOv420p24/UFZO46VfDbI/AAAAAAAAArM/W0qM0S6h754/s1600/aurora278+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RSWOv420p24/UFZO46VfDbI/AAAAAAAAArM/W0qM0S6h754/s320/aurora278+021.JPG" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuT_w3xCgNo/UFZPAvCrK8I/AAAAAAAAArU/2zrtwtU2bvU/s1600/aurora278+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuT_w3xCgNo/UFZPAvCrK8I/AAAAAAAAArU/2zrtwtU2bvU/s320/aurora278+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mvGWggtKLhQ/UFZPFrHxuHI/AAAAAAAAArc/sS2bX9KoC-8/s1600/aurora278+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mvGWggtKLhQ/UFZPFrHxuHI/AAAAAAAAArc/sS2bX9KoC-8/s320/aurora278+025.JPG" width="275" /></a></div>
Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-50508522861849716292012-09-16T13:53:00.001-07:002012-09-19T03:42:21.009-07:00Summer of Fun!<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<br />
This summer we had our first proper holiday as a family with Aurora. We didn't go abroad or do anything fancy, we just went to stay with family, Giles and Beth and the kids, but we had great weather, a great olympics and great fun.<br />
<br />
The first day we went to the Warner Brothers Studio Tour in Watford to see the Harry Potter sets as Tristram's late birthday present. We had a great time looking at the sets and the props from the films, being in the great hall and Privet Drive, having a go on Hagrid's motorbike, the Weasleys' Ford Anglia and the Knight bus. It was a lot of fun but it was a long day for poor Aurora who got very tired. We went into the shop on the way out and brought sugar quills for Jack and the girls and Honeydukes chocolate for ourselves. On the way back we stopped at Shirley's house. She was there with Riley, but sadly Dustin couldn't make it because he missed his bus. Lori was away that weekend too, but it was really good to see Carrie and Rob with their boys, including Tommy who was just a few weeks old and seemed so small and light compared to Aurora, but she had fun playing with her second cousins and the toys. In the evening, as we did every evening (and many mornings and afternoons) while we were there, we watched the olympics with Giles and Beth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L-igANoF0OM/UFmhDLchKpI/AAAAAAAAArw/4x9B5NIkVUI/s1600/2012-08-04+12.38.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L-igANoF0OM/UFmhDLchKpI/AAAAAAAAArw/4x9B5NIkVUI/s320/2012-08-04+12.38.40.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The second day we went to church in Basingstoke and saw the Toomeys. It was a shame we only saw Robert, Denise, Lee and Erin as all the others were away, but it was still nice to see them and spend time with them. We went back to their house afterwards as well which was nice as it meant we got to really talk to them. We also saw their great niece and nephew who came over as well, which Aurora enjoyed becuase there was a boy to play with and copy.<br />
<br />
Monday we went to visit Michaela and the girls and see her new house. It was very noisy and hectic with so many children, but it was a really nice day and Aurora enjoyed spending time with her cousins. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1Za9HscOSY/UFY4qh_ePPI/AAAAAAAAAp0/dc7qRH01LJk/s1600/IMAG0389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1Za9HscOSY/UFY4qh_ePPI/AAAAAAAAAp0/dc7qRH01LJk/s320/IMAG0389.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Tuesday was Ebony's birthday, so we had a little celebration at breakfast and spent the rest of the morning just at home. In the afternoon Ebony wanted to go shopping to spend her money, so we had a nice girly shopping trip and ate lots of sweets.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ol5GXZGC11A/UFmheIkncuI/AAAAAAAAAr4/OgqleEi0Rtc/s1600/2012-08-07+15.22.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ol5GXZGC11A/UFmheIkncuI/AAAAAAAAAr4/OgqleEi0Rtc/s320/2012-08-07+15.22.34.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Wednesday was mostly spent at home, the kids playing outside and on the trampoline. Aurora loved playing outside with them, especially Jack's tractor, which Jack wasn't very happy about because he was very attatched to it and didn't want to share. We also went geo-caching. It was a new experience, we'd never done it before but it was a lot of fun and good exercise. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1wHpTsMcvHA/UFY6GfJ1VWI/AAAAAAAAAp8/DcM8NZ2qwRg/s1600/IMAG0396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1wHpTsMcvHA/UFY6GfJ1VWI/AAAAAAAAAp8/DcM8NZ2qwRg/s320/IMAG0396.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G42rGfBD1F4/UFY6o52II1I/AAAAAAAAAqE/ZolYlJXcN4k/s1600/420134_10151005796586297_1956545312_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G42rGfBD1F4/UFY6o52II1I/AAAAAAAAAqE/ZolYlJXcN4k/s320/420134_10151005796586297_1956545312_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
On Thursday we went to visit an old abbey near to where they live. It was great weather so we had a picnic, then we all climbed a huge tree and played hide and seek in the grounds. After everyone was tired of the game we went to the river and some of them went for a paddle, not us! It was very tiring but very fun. It was so good to be outside in good weather with good company. We also met some friendly cows along the way which Ellie affectionatley named Daisy and Noisy. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mDJVlrsCIE4/UFY6_Ea2xcI/AAAAAAAAAqM/4P2eQwmIAAs/s1600/292306_10151005797791297_1844423998_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mDJVlrsCIE4/UFY6_Ea2xcI/AAAAAAAAAqM/4P2eQwmIAAs/s320/292306_10151005797791297_1844423998_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lJILjwouK1Y/UFY7J6m4T0I/AAAAAAAAAqU/NgWM-VzSCkA/s1600/530963_10151005797211297_23678190_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lJILjwouK1Y/UFY7J6m4T0I/AAAAAAAAAqU/NgWM-VzSCkA/s320/530963_10151005797211297_23678190_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
On Friday we went to the play park. It was good but very crowded and a little too hot. There wasn't much Aurora could do because when the sun was out, a lot of the equipment was too hot for her to touch for long and the swings were very busy. It was nice to sit in the shade tho and have an adventure in the trees. That evening after a nice BBQ, we came home. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CiHvWst0MTc/UFY7hx6-rkI/AAAAAAAAAqc/0fJDzFpjlVs/s1600/IMAG0414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CiHvWst0MTc/UFY7hx6-rkI/AAAAAAAAAqc/0fJDzFpjlVs/s320/IMAG0414.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-72400121446135642092012-09-16T12:42:00.001-07:002012-09-19T03:47:30.911-07:00Aurora is 1!<br />
We recently celebrated Aurora's first birthday (3 times). Yes she is 1 year old already, how time when you're having fun, and it has been a lot of fun so far, with a lot more to come I'm sure. The night before, we had a special family home evening with Seth and Hannah, where we sang to Aurora and ate muffins. The weekend after her birthday we visited grandma in Darlington, who had a special Princess Aurora cake, so we lit a candle and sang to Aurora. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VgIbI6y-1pI/UFmh5RhRsrI/AAAAAAAAAsA/U66Z6Mxg-eM/s1600/561599_10151033718066297_206006695_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VgIbI6y-1pI/UFmh5RhRsrI/AAAAAAAAAsA/U66Z6Mxg-eM/s320/561599_10151033718066297_206006695_n.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The acual day was a lot of fun. We watched Aurora open her presents as a family, then after breakfast we went to a baby group where we played with flubber and sang songs, including happy birthday. On the way home we stopped at McDonalds and Aurora had her 1st happy meal with chicken nuggets which she loved, especially the Fruit Shoot. We then stopped at Asda and Aurora played on the moving car which she also loved. After sleeping off all the morning's fun she spent the afternoon playing with her new toys until daddy came home and we had a nice family meal and the special pink, sparkly cake I made her. It was a really great day!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-StocMaCsp8Y/UFmiB5kNRRI/AAAAAAAAAsI/RETACCej5f8/s1600/402971_10151023850296297_656821457_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-StocMaCsp8Y/UFmiB5kNRRI/AAAAAAAAAsI/RETACCej5f8/s320/402971_10151023850296297_656821457_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mb_uOfzFdk0/UFmiMMbk4LI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/rAiAKtwzhxg/s1600/228512_10151023851626297_1181523754_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mb_uOfzFdk0/UFmiMMbk4LI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/rAiAKtwzhxg/s320/228512_10151023851626297_1181523754_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iRPnALy4gsc/UFmitDRXMNI/AAAAAAAAAsY/T33opFoBDH8/s1600/2012-08-21+18.07.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iRPnALy4gsc/UFmitDRXMNI/AAAAAAAAAsY/T33opFoBDH8/s320/2012-08-21+18.07.51.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-84965139085263259212012-04-21T05:26:00.006-07:002012-04-21T05:26:59.946-07:00Our Little Princess So Far<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s2myJvgiato/T5KlBRWZmRI/AAAAAAAAALo/ef3WJ2NRpow/s1600/DSCN1544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s2myJvgiato/T5KlBRWZmRI/AAAAAAAAALo/ef3WJ2NRpow/s320/DSCN1544.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T46D3Z-BlG8/T5KlNrpwtiI/AAAAAAAAALw/vssEfY5ESxo/s1600/DSCN1582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T46D3Z-BlG8/T5KlNrpwtiI/AAAAAAAAALw/vssEfY5ESxo/s320/DSCN1582.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mOPuJ2KrKTE/T5KlbeO_8TI/AAAAAAAAAL4/DVM3wLSFGHg/s1600/aurora+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mOPuJ2KrKTE/T5KlbeO_8TI/AAAAAAAAAL4/DVM3wLSFGHg/s320/aurora+040.JPG" width="273" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wfIw2BvTU-4/T5KkQVKQtWI/AAAAAAAAALI/XMNqjrvsETM/s1600/aurora+march+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wfIw2BvTU-4/T5KkQVKQtWI/AAAAAAAAALI/XMNqjrvsETM/s320/aurora+march+009.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D_SXqkcagJ4/T5KkggfDL8I/AAAAAAAAALQ/pgXTZz95iAU/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D_SXqkcagJ4/T5KkggfDL8I/AAAAAAAAALQ/pgXTZz95iAU/s320/017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c39CfaAhDPI/T5KknMz_LCI/AAAAAAAAALY/p_-PpPazVRc/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c39CfaAhDPI/T5KknMz_LCI/AAAAAAAAALY/p_-PpPazVRc/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8-mrxO5ZcCw/T5Klv6OI9-I/AAAAAAAAAMA/7AVhSrp4VHI/s1600/DSCN1537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8-mrxO5ZcCw/T5Klv6OI9-I/AAAAAAAAAMA/7AVhSrp4VHI/s320/DSCN1537.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BwEXLVo-1is/T5Kl1yCB_4I/AAAAAAAAAMI/CMWfd4kbp54/s1600/DSCN1543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BwEXLVo-1is/T5Kl1yCB_4I/AAAAAAAAAMI/CMWfd4kbp54/s320/DSCN1543.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPZ8FJjHsXI/T5Kl5T0f2xI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/usOLAgo05P0/s1600/IMG_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPZ8FJjHsXI/T5Kl5T0f2xI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/usOLAgo05P0/s320/IMG_0157.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-43945982375658128692012-04-20T12:54:00.002-07:002012-04-20T13:46:35.794-07:008 Months Old!My baby is 8 months old tomorrow and what a great 8 months it has been. She has progressed a lot. She has 3 teeth, 2 on the bottom in the middle, which she got just before 5 months, and 1 on top on the left, which she got just last week, but she has been very good about teething up 'til now. She hardly ever cries, but recently has had a cold so hasn't been quite as happy as usual, especially when she's tired. But despite the discomfort with the coughing and finding it difficult to breathe at night, she doesn't cry about it and wake us up, she just lies there. Same when she wakes up early in the morning, if it's before 8am we leave her and she just talks to herself and toys or goes back to sleep. I love it, I love going in to get her in the mornings and seeing how happy and excited she is to see me, the way she smiles and waves her arms and legs around. <br /><br />She's doing so many cute things now; she talks (kind of), she says dada, mama and Aurora. Sometimes she looks right at Tristram and it really sounds like she says 'hi dada', although I don't know if it's intentional, I hope so. Yesterday I said to her, "Do you love mummy?" and it sounded like she said "and dada." She has also started talking to the TV and her toys, sometimes I watch her when she doesn't realise I'm there and it seems like she's playing some sort of game with them and I find it so cute! She squeals a lot, usually with excitement, but has also developed another rather unique sound that can only be described as a growl. She used to only do it to show her disapproval, but because of the reaction she has had she now seems to do it for entertainment. Twice in the last week she has had an entire room full of people laughing with her comedy timing, making the noise as soon as the room goes quiet so she gets everyone's attention. It's not the most pleasant sound, it's quite irritating in fact, but she does make me laugh. She also has a number of interesting facial expressions. Many times she has had me laughing for a good few minutes, just by the way she looks at me. She doesn't properly laugh very often, but when she does I can't help but laugh too, I think she thinks I'm a crazy person. She can't crawl yet, she's very close but just hasn't quite figured it out yet and just gets frustratedwhen she tries. She's very good at standing though, she only needs very little support and can stand for several minutes. She's a little bit too ambitious though, she's determined to climb, which requires my assistance, but doesn't want to be held so doesn't get very far. Poor baby. She's such a good baby and I love her so much!Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-51295735251253399022012-01-29T12:49:00.000-08:002012-01-29T14:10:57.949-08:00So it's been a long time since I last updated and I've been pretty busy, but will try and do better this year. So I have a lovely daughter named Aurora who is now five months old and doing great. On last weighing she was 16lb and seems big for her age. We are currently in week 2 of the weaning process and it's a messy business! She is loving eating food though and gets very excited, which is part of the problem. She is very good, she'll eat pretty much anything, she may pull faces but if you persevere she'll finish it. She likes brocoli which is good, but looks like some kind of monter when she does as she gets covered in green goo! I take her swimmung every week which she also loves, she really likes her baths at home and loves to splash around, so the swimming pool is just like a step up from that. She tries to swim, sometimes I wonder what would happen if I just let go, but I couldn't do that. We have been doing a baby massage class together the past few weeks which is enjoyable and relaxing, but she gets upset when the other babis there cry. She is a very happy baby and is very sociable and good with people, even people she doesn't know and will smile at anyone who gives her attention and people always tell me how good she is. She is a very good sleeper and really suits her name, as she sleeps 8-8 every night and more than 2 hours during the day. I love the stage she is at now and part of me just wants her to stay that way forever, but I am looking forward to her getting bigger and being able to do more things. She's my little angel.Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-79055019094855069152010-09-07T07:38:00.000-07:002010-09-07T09:19:10.070-07:00August, what a month!Where do I even start? So finding out I was pegnant was a big shock, but a great and miraculous shock. I thought everything was finally falling into place and just perfect, and that I was going to get the best thing in the world, the thing I've wanted most out of life since I was about 12. I thought wrong. I really enjoyed telling people the good news and seeing the looks of joy on their faces, even if it was a bit risky doing so early on. Some people it was necessary to tell, like instructors at the gym so that they could make sure I didn't do anything that might be harmful to the baby, but I enjoyed that too as I know them all pretty well, particularly my trainer Matt. He's been working with me since the beginning and knows what my goals were and why and how much it meant to me, and really helped me to achieve them. When I told him the news he was really happy for me. The other instructors who I had talked to, including one who's just had a baby herself, said to baiscally just carry on doing the same things, but just tone it down gradually and be careful, but not Matt. Knowing me better than the others, he knew how important this baby was to me and wanted to help me to feel comfortable and not do anything risky. So, he made me a special programme, which was a lot lighter and easier than what I was used to, but made sure I and the baby would be 'safe'. It was like he was being really protective of the baby, and as he went through the exercises with me we talked about babies and our plans, which I thought was really nice and a little surprising. He looks like quite an intimidating person; big, muscley, tatooed and shaven headed, but he has a real soft side and was one of my favourite people to talk to about the whole thing.<br /><br />I got to have an early scan at 6 weeks because I was seen as high risk and they wanted to make sure it wasn't an eptopic pregnancy. I was nervous in case it didn't go well, but also excited to see the baby, even if it didn't yet look like a baby, just a blob and I just wanted to know everything was okay, and it was. They couldn't see very much with it still being so early, but they saw something and it was in the right place, which I was very relieved about, and they made me an appointment for another scan 10 days later, so they would be able to see more. Unfortunately, just 2 days later I started bleeding, which completely freaked me out, until I found out it was normal, as long as it was only light. Another 2 days after that however it got worse, and I freaked out again. That's when my amazing sister in law and friends stepped in. I tried to see a doctor, but with no success. They said because I was due for a scan in 6 days anyway I would just have to wait until then. It was like torture, having to wait nearly a week just to find out whether my baby was okay or even still alive! For the first 24 hours I was so scared and was dwelling on the negatives. I felt stupid for having gotten so excited and told so many people, when there's a very good reason why people usually wait longer to tell their family and friends. If things went wrong I would then have to go and tell everyone what had happened, which would be hard enough without seeing their disappointment. This didn't last long however. The morning after the problems started, 2 lovely sisters turned up on my doorstep. they talked to me, assured me that it wasn't necessarily as bad as I thought, and just to make sure I should rest. They made me lie down and not move while they made me lunch, sorted out my kitchen and arranged for meals to be brought to me every day for the next week. it even turned out to be a good that that so many people knew, as it meant they were able to help out, and even people who hadn't known were told so that they could help too. I think the whole ward knew in the end, but it was good because it meant they were all praying for us, and we really felt their love. We really felt like part of a ward family, they were all so nice. It was a really long and frustrating week, it's hard to do nothing when you're used to being so active. I also had to miss one of my best friend's weddings, a baby blessing (and of course the gym) which I was pretty gutted about, I so wanted to be there and had looked forward to it for ages. I was also lucky enough to have my mum come and stay for the weekend and help out. When I finally had my scan my fears were confirmed, we had lost our baby. I felt sad, but not upset and surpisingly really calm. Even in the days leading up to the scan, despite fearing the worst, I was okay about it and the night before Tristram and I had a really good discussion about it, the possible outcomes, what they mean for us and how we felt about it all. I think that really helped in dealing with it. I also thought back to the blessing that he had given me a few days earlier, which is I'm sure why I was able to react so positively, despite it being such a devastating thing.<br /><br />When I first found out I was pregnant I was so excited because I wanted it so much, and when I thought about the idea that it may not work out, I couldn’t even comprehend it, I got upset just thinking about it because it seemed so unbearable. I thought if I had a miscarriage it would just be the worst thing ever and I really didn’t know how I would ever cope or get through it. After waiting so long and having my dream so close, only to then be taken away, to hear that I had lost a child would be the worst news anyone could give me, especially as the timing and everything had seemed so perfect. The reality however was very different. We had so many people fasting and praying for us that everything would work out, and even though it may not have worked out the way we had all hoped, it did help. I Feel that during this time I have been really blessed, strengthened unbelievably to be able to cope with a situation I never thought I would be able to handle, and cope well. I don’t just feel okay, I feel positive and optimistic, because I know it was still a miracle and that it will happen again. I know that I will see my child again one day and that they are sealed to us and my testimony of the plan of salvation has really grown strong. It was hard to tell people the bad news, but not as bad as I thought. I went to the gym the following day and Matt was really nice to me, and it also happened to be his last day there, which I found more upsetting. It was harder to say goodbye than to tell him about losing the baby. I’m really going to miss him.<br /><br />A few days after this experience I had an interview with Key Stage. They accepted me as a supply teaching assistant, so I now get to be paid for doing what I love, working with children. I haven’t had any work yet but am very much looking forward to it.Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-81635639129060379582010-08-01T11:49:00.000-07:002010-08-01T12:56:05.455-07:00Miracles!So if ever anyone didn't believe in miracles, they just need to look at the last few months of my life. I felt so good and so strongly about things that last month I even bore my testimony in testimony meeting, and that's saying something for me! Even if it was at the prompting of the missionaries. We had had Elder Gorts and Elder Diatel over for dinner and while they were in our home they gave a small presentation and gave us a challenge, to pray for a missionary experience. They also asked us to invite someone to something at church. At this point I was like probably the majority of members, feeling self concious and already making excuses in my head as to why it wouldn't work, like most of my friends are already members and I don't really socialise with non-members, but they were really good guys and we both felt quite a connection to them. We did as they asked and a person came to my mind, a guy from the gym who I'd seen and spoken to a few times and who seemed like a nice guy, and he had just added me as a friend on Facebook and when I read his profile had a good feeling about him. I knew he liked football so I invited him to come and play with us on a Thursday night, and with the pitch being on the temple site it led to a very positive gospel conversation. He asked if he could bring his friend Rob as well, which we said was fine so he did. Everyone enjoyed the game and they were so impressed with the temple site we took them on a tour afterwards. We kind of paired off, I talked to David and Tristram talked to Rob and the questions came thick and fast. We answered them as well as we could and bore testimony about different principles of the gospel, and spent about an hour in total doing so, it was pretty amazing. Towards the end of the night the questions had progressed to practicalities, such as 'what does someone have to do to become a member of the church?' which was rather exciting. After we dropped them off Tristram and I just looked at each other in disbelief at how well that had gone and the miracle that had taken place. My prayer had been answered, and in a way that I never thought possible. I had faith, but this experience increased it to a new level. Not only did I have two potential investigators, who are already pretty clean living guys and wouldn't have to change their lifestyles too much, but I made two great new friends as well. We called the missionaries as soon as we got home and shared with them what had happened and they too were pretty amazed. David has since been taught the first discussion and attended church a few times, but his knowledge is amazing, he reads the Book of Mormon and Bible and prays daily. Every few days it seems he tells me about some new experience he has had, some 'coincidence' or miracle that has taken place in his own life, and now recognises them as God's hand. He basically knows already that the church is true, but just wants time. Rob is a little further behind but is excited about family history and meeting with the missionaries and has said lots of positive things. He knows that becoming a member of the church would be a positive change in his life. I have spent a lot of time with them in the last few weeks and we have become quite close. They really are great guys and would make great members of the church. <br /><br />On top of that there are two other litle miracles in the form of babies who have made a big impression. My sister in law Alisha is amazing! At just 19 weeks her waters broke and the doctors gave her no chance of giving birth to a healthy baby that could actually survive, but she didn't give up on little Cienna. She got us all fasting and praying and had the faith that it would work and it has! She has astounded doctors and 12 weeks later Cienna is still hanging in there growing stronger and healthier every day, and if she doesn't come in the next 3 weeks they're going to induce her! Quite a change from thinking she was going to be born way to early to even consider saving her.<br /><br />The other once is own little personal story which has only just begun. After 5 and 1/2 years of marriage and trying to have a baby we finally got accepted to do IVF, finally a chance to have the thing I've wanted most ever since I was about 12! When I was told I would need an operation to give me the best possible chance of success I was a litle disappointed and scared even, as it seemed like yet another setback and delay in having a family, but I knew it was the for the best so I agreed to go ahead with it. Last Friday was D-day, and I went to the hospital for what would hopefully be the last hurdle in the strive for IVF. Everything seemed to be going wrong that day and after waiting 8 hours for surgery something amazing happened. They told me that they had carried out some tests and I wouldn't be having the operation after all because I was already pregnant! They had carried out the test twice and it was positive both times, and a positive blood test confirmed it a third time. It's still early days, but I'm trying to have the necessary faith, while also not getting carried away or get too excited. Ihad doubted that it would ever happen for me, especially naturally, but after the bishop gave me a blessing last year saying it would, I just had to believe. The timing is amazing! I have recently qualified as a level 2 teaching assistant and finished 2 part-time jobs in preparation for starting supply work in September, having opted for that over something permanent. Also there's the physical side. the last year and a bit have been a struggle but I've lost over 3 stone and am now the fittest I have ever been. Just a few months ago I could barely run and hated doing so, no I run 5km a day on the treadmill and just last week I came second in the 400m, won the 800m and 5000m and was part of the winning 4x100m and 4x4oom relay teams. these are feats and I could onlt have dreamed of a year ago. I was so bad at PE at school, not that I didn't try though, but I wish my PE teachers could see me now. <br /><br />These are just a few examples of what can happen if you have a bit of faith.Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-50662118456633754172009-10-22T09:31:00.000-07:002009-10-22T09:33:42.078-07:00<div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395463196772816994" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JVYCq8f55hA/SuCJMOpWWGI/AAAAAAAAACg/3NH9poavYYA/s320/DSC00147.JPG" /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JVYCq8f55hA/SuCJL63vgiI/AAAAAAAAACY/FLDbuMqgj-w/s1600-h/DSC00146.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395463191464477218" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JVYCq8f55hA/SuCJL63vgiI/AAAAAAAAACY/FLDbuMqgj-w/s320/DSC00146.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-59697965066392965572009-10-22T09:22:00.000-07:002009-10-22T09:30:35.645-07:00The laws of straightness MUST be obeyed!So in college on Monday night we were talking about Maths and were each given a small box of mini Smarties. We were asked to estimated how many were in the box and what the most common colour would be. I estimated 42 and yellow, however even though everyone else's boxes had 42, mine had 43 (an odd number, argh!) and the most common colour was in fact green. As we were counting, the teacher walked around the room to see how we had each organised our smarties, and told me specifically to leave mine how they were, because she later used mine as an example of a good way of showing how popular each colour was. As you can see from the picture, not only are they all in neat rows, but they're in rainbow order, which made the brown ones difficult to place but hey. The girl sat beside me also had fun with her smarties as you can see in the other picture.Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-90104265107810127092009-04-26T12:06:00.000-07:002009-04-26T12:40:54.659-07:00Update on life!So life has been pretty interesting recently, pretty much since the creation of the Chorley 3rd Ward in fact. It really is such a great ward with a great feeling of unity and togetherness, which is only helped by the amazing bishopric we have. They're all very young and dynamic, and fun! Each one of them has helped me in some way in the short time they have been called, whether just by listening or giving me counsel which has helped me. As a result I've been on a bit of a spiritual high recently, having spiritual experiences and answers to prayers. For example, after a challenge by the missionaries a few weeks ago, a new family moved in next door within a matter of days. Coincidence? I don't think so, and though unlike me, I went around and introduced myself and gave them chocolate (a Paul Scott initiative for the ward). They're really nice people and we look forward to getting to know them better and hopefully working with them. I'm loving my new calling in nursery and feel like I'm making progress with the children. There have been challenges along the way too, having to go through yet more tests at the hospital (often painful) and being made to wait several months for answers, but in July we should finally be able to start the whole IVF process. I have also recently started my NVQ level 2: Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools. It's a year long course but with only 12 lessons, the rest is all practical stuff in school. So, I've been spending a lot more time in school in the past few weeks, basically being a teaching assistant but on a voluntry basis, and I love that too! It feels really good to be working with children, like I'm meant to do it and it's something I can really enjoy and be good at, and I'm constantly learning how to do new things. Another thing I have been doing recently is trying to improve myself physically. Playing football every week and doing Body Combat at the gym once a week means I'm getting fitter and healthier, and (thanks to Paul McKenna) am now eating healthier too, let's hope it pays off!Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-59148644869511885472009-02-05T04:41:00.000-08:002009-02-05T05:07:21.347-08:00Families are foreverA few weeks ago Tristram and I were asked to do a musical item in sacrament meeting the following week. We would be singing families can be together forever along with his mum and sister Paula. We worked out how we were going to do it and who would sing which bit. It was nerve wracking but exciting. Then two days later I received two emails that defined the whole rest of my week, if not longer. They were both family related and both were negative. The first one was from my mum, telling me that my dad had had a heart attack. Even though it wasn't serious and he was okay the words 'heart attack' in relation to a member of my family, or anyone who I loved really scared and upset me. The other email was from a sister in law in response to an email I had sent her, trying to mend the relationship of two family members, but she informed me that the reltionship was at an all time low point and explained why, and that some rather offensive words had been said by one of the people involved. This upset me and Tristram because I hate contention, especially when it involves family and people who I love and just want everyone to get along, and I want to have a good relationship with everyone. Tristram spent the evening making phone calls to various family members to talk about the situation, meanwhile I felt bad about having been part of it. I was just trying to be nice afterall. <br /><br />The following Sunday we went to Darlington to visit my parents, particularly my dad. It was good to see them and spend time with them, and hearing my dad back to his old self and making light of the whole situation, and informing us it wasn't as bad as it seemed and he was actually in great health. This unfortunately meant we were unable to do our musical item in Chorley as we weren't there, but in sacrament meeting in Darlington we sang families can be together forever, which I thought was quite fitting.<br /><br />Then the Sunday after that we were back in Chorley, and with my dad back to normal and the other family situation still unresolved the closing hymn in sacrament meeting was families can be together forever. This was too much of a coincidence and by now I knew that someone was trying to tell me something. I think that something was the importance of family. I still worry about my dad and other family members and anything bad happening to them, and while there has been progress in the other situation since, it's still not fully resolved, but I know my family will be together forever, and that's the most important thing.Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-89588179109334695972008-11-07T04:04:00.001-08:002008-11-09T08:43:56.124-08:00Half term diary<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JVYCq8f55hA/SRQ3srJ8H8I/AAAAAAAAACA/XnkCZ3c3iPM/s1600-h/half+term+054.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265895104941137858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JVYCq8f55hA/SRQ3srJ8H8I/AAAAAAAAACA/XnkCZ3c3iPM/s320/half+term+054.jpg" border="0" /></a> Me and Jack<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JVYCq8f55hA/SRQ3sTqdpAI/AAAAAAAAAB4/aQaMmBWACnA/s1600-h/half+term+033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265895098635101186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JVYCq8f55hA/SRQ3sTqdpAI/AAAAAAAAAB4/aQaMmBWACnA/s320/half+term+033.jpg" border="0" /></a>Tristram with his nephew and namesake<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JVYCq8f55hA/SRQ0NniZpgI/AAAAAAAAABw/PKuAczpmNUk/s1600-h/half+term+055.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265891272859166210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JVYCq8f55hA/SRQ0NniZpgI/AAAAAAAAABw/PKuAczpmNUk/s320/half+term+055.jpg" border="0" /></a> Jack Rockwell Johnson on the day of his blessing</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="justify">For a while now something i have wanted to do is travel around the country and just visit everyone i know, so over half term that's what we decided to do. We went in a clockwise direction, so started off by visiting the north east. Darlington was our first stop. It was so good to be in the north east for the big derby match, which we won of course, and the fact that i got to watch it almost live was a real bonus. It was really good to spend time with my parents, walk around town and visit my old ward. There are a couple of people who i would've liked to see that i didn't get to, although not through lack of trying. Next we moved on to Billingham and Middlesbrough, where Tristram got to spend time with two of his closest friends from growing up, his dad and his entire step family, who are all really nice. We spent our evenings there playing pool and going to the Billingham ward Trunk n Treat, which is always fun. On Wednesday we made our way south. It was a frustrating day, as one wrong decision on the journey led to a more than three hour delay and a detour through Chesterfield, but at least we got to see the famous spire. After eight hours of travelling we finally arrived at Giles and Beth's house, where we got to see our new nephew Jack for the first time, he was so lovely too. Over the next three days we went on walks, played on the trampoline a lot, played with our nieces, watched films, got ready for Halloween and the blessing and generally just had a good, relaxing time. Friday night was the Farnborough ward Halloween party, which was a lot of fun. The most interesting activity was the eating game which involved the team having to eat a packet of crackers and a tub of icecream between them, and for those who wanted to earn bonus points there were also raw eggs and spoonfuls of maggots to be eaten. There was also a quiz, sweet making and various other activities, and there were very good costumes too. On Saturday afternoon the rest of the family started to arrive, so we decided to give them some space and went to the Toomeys house for the night, which was fun. We talked a lot, had a good meal and I got to see them whole family at various points throughout the night, some of them for the first time in three years, but watching match of the day with the boys was quite an experience. A good one though. On Sunday we got to witness the blessing of Jack which was really nice, and great to see Tritram involved. Afterwards we went back to the house for some food and a birthday party for one of our other neices Carmella who was celebrating her 4th birthday on the same day. It's so sweet seeing all the little cousins together, they're all so cute and love each other so much, it' great. Over all it was a really good week and I'm so glad I got to see and spend time with so many different friends and family, especially those we don't get to see very often, and it was the cheapest kind of holiday to have!</div><br /></div>Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-39107785041539364382008-06-29T12:44:00.001-07:002008-06-29T12:46:11.649-07:00Our Wedding<div><embed src="http://widget-b3.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=2882303761519104947&site=widget-b3.slide.com" style="width:400px;height:320px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:400px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=2882303761519104947&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-b3.slide.com/p1/2882303761519104947/bb_t024_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=2882303761519104947&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-b3.slide.com/p2/2882303761519104947/bb_t024_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=2882303761519104947&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-b3.slide.com/p4/2882303761519104947/bb_t024_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div>Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-869375301594032458.post-72914794154933873932008-06-26T03:35:00.000-07:002008-10-21T04:36:26.542-07:00About usWelcome to our first blog. I suppose we should start at the beginning. We are the Johnsons. I am Justine Johnson and I am married to Tristram Jack Johnson. I used to be a Whitfield until we got married on the 27th November 2004 in the Preston temple, and what a great day it was. We don't yet have any children, but that is something we are trying to alter, we can't wait to be parents and have a family of our own.<br /><br />I am 23 years old and currently work as a cleaner in a Primary school here in Chorley, from 3.30-6.30pm Monday to Friday. It's quite a good job and I enjoy it, and get plenty of time off. I also go in twice a week and help out in years 1, 2 and 3 and really enjoying listening to the children read. Apart from my husband, my main love is football. I am an avid Sunderland fan, and while I can't attend as many matches as I would like living so far away from the Stadium of Light, I try to attend the local away matches against Bolton, Blackburn and Wigan. I have supported them for 12 years, thanks to my former teacher, the late Mr. Bailey, and now my support for them is kind of a tribute to him, so I make sure I do it whole heartedly, as he did. My favourite all time player is Super Kevin Phillips, a true legend, as is Niall Quinn, both of whom I have met on more than one occassion and are just as nice in person. My favourite current player is Kenwynne Jones, which is strange because they're all strikers and I myself am a defender. I try to play twice a week with my friends, which is one of my few hobbies, but my favourite.<br /><br />Another big part of my life is church. We are both active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As well as attending church every week we also attend other meeting for our callings. My current calling is as Faith in God leader, which I love. I am in charge of the spiritual wellbeing of the 8-11 year olds. I put on ativites for them twice a month which are both fun, and will help them to acheive goals in certain categories, such as service, talent development and living and understanding the gospel.<br /><br />I am Tristram Johnson. I have a BA Degree in Military History and a Post Graduate in Teaching. I am now a Primary School teacher and work at St. James Primary School in Haydock. I am a Middlesbrough Football Club supporter and have been since I was born there in June 1981. I have recently taken a much greater interest and enjoy our ‘up and down’ seasons. I love lots of things. I roleplay with Dugeons and Dragons, Rune Quest, Vampire and Star Wars. I like several sports inculding football, cricket and volleyball specifically. I love reading and expecially science fiction and fantasy. Books I own include the entire Dragon Lance series, the Belgeriad and Mallorean by David Eddings, Several Forgotten Realms, Star Wars and David Gemmel Books, both The Raven Trilogies and more. My current favourites are the Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan, which I own in its entirity. I play several computer games, on X-box my current favourites include Dugeons and Dragons Heroes and Star Wars Battle Front 2. On the PC I enjoy Diablo 2 and am undefeated champion of an old game called Star Wars Supreamacy. I love films and several series. I watch 24, Alias, Babylon 5, Friends, Buffy, Fawlty Towers, Black Adder, Andromeda and Xena. Some favourite films are the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the Star Wars series. Pay Cheque, The Bourne movies, Marvel movies (all of them) and Batman Begins and Equilibrium.<br /><br />At church I am ward mission leader in Chorley 1st ward and enjoying it. I served a mission for the church for 2 years from September 2000 in Switzerland and Eastern France. It was a fantastic time of my life in which I learnt a lot. One last hobby and love of mine is writing. I have written several short stories including Defenitions of Honour, Coven and Travelling to Tar’mon Gai’don. I am currently writing the longer short story Sealed Memory which is based in the world of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time. I have also written a trilogy entitled The Stars of Destiny. The books are called Chosen of Destiny, Controllers of Destiny and Champions of Desinty. There are two novels planned for after the trilogy called Magemind and The Avenger.<br />I have a tendency to be very chatty and I think this profile shows just how talkative I am :-)Justine Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12864820244974854417noreply@blogger.com0