Goose bumps!

As you can well imagine, seeing this gave this mommy goose bumps! Tom and I watched Lucy yesterday because her school was closed for the holidays but THE LITTLE ROCK PEDIATRIC CLINIC was not. Jenny needed us to bring her some paperwork so we had an acceptable excuse to visit her clinic. (I had often been tempted to sneak in uninvited just because I was so curious but I had refrained!)

I took this picture on my phone. I have quite a few pictures of Christmas festivities still on my camera and bunches that I plan to beg, borrow, or steal from others' cameras to share with you as soon as I get a chance. Tommy and I will be going to the Sugar Bowl (this LSU fan will have to find something red to wear, I guess) so I will be away from my computer for a few days soon. When I get back I plan to knit and write - both blog entries AND Christmas (New Year's) cards! Guess I will be changing the photo that greets you when you log into THE JOHNSON JOURNAL soon! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Almost made me cry!

Hannah and a friend, Ashley Pratt, were taking pictures of each other on Monday afternoon. I found this special photo in an album Ashley shared on Facebook.

The manger on Sunny Brook Lane

The manger on Sunny Brook Lane has been completed. It is a beautiful reminder that Jesus is the reason for the season. Thank you Tommy, Jimmy, and DanMan.

I cannot wait for the Nolans, Fussells, and Pauls to see this, the beginning of our family's Nativity scene. MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and to all a GOOD NIGHT!

Building a manger

Tommy and I agreed last night that we wanted to be sure the real reason for the season was represented in our outdoor display. We decided that this year we would have a manger and, hopefully, by the next Christmas season, we will have a more fully developed Nativity.

My cute boys, Tom, Jimmy, and DanMan, spent the afternoon building the manger. Just to let you know how important this project was to them - BOTH DanMan's Colts and Jimmy's Raiders were playing while construction was going on!

Just in case I don't blog again before next Saturday: MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!

(It is highly possible that I will not be writing again before Christmas Day. I will be cooking and wrapping instead. Both Stephen's parents and Eric's parents will be joining us for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! We hope that JP's mom will feel well enough to come with Julie, JP, and Maddy too.)

Decorating outside this year

Tommy and I have never been ones to decorate outdoors during the Christmas holidays. This year, though, we had a head start because of the fencing that was erected and the lights that were hung for Weavie and Wendy's wedding. Last week we walked around on our land and found this little cedar tree.

We made our wreaths from pieces of another cedar tree.

Both of us have decided that retirement is wonderful!

Maddy's class sings at the Union County Courthouse

Yesterday, December 10th, Maddy's class represented Hugh Good Elementary during a program of Christmas carols at the Union County Courthouse! Miss Madeline did a super good job! When she spoke her line, everyone could hear her!

When she rang her bell, she did so with authority!

When it was over, she posed by the gigantic Christmas tree!

Thanks for helping me get into the Christmas spirit, Maddy!

South Arkansas elves

On Monday, Tom and I went to El Dorado Connections to pick up all the hats (1335), quilts/blankets (24), and teaching dolls (55) that the wonderful crafters in South Arkansas had made for Arkansas Children's Hospital. The backseat was just as full as my trunk! Luckily Tom was able to go with me on Tuesday, when I delivered them. I couldn't see out of the rear view mirror!!!

Lucy enjoys THE game!

This is how Lucy spent the second half of the state championship game. You can imagine the noise all around her but she got all snuggled up and promptly went to sleep. She had spent the first half trying to spot Uncle Bo and DanMan with little success.

Just in case you were wondering...

... the Wildcats are the 2010 Arkansas 6A State Champions!!! They were victorious over the Texarkana Razorbacks by a score of 31 - 21 on Saturday night in Little Rock's War Memorial Stadium!!!!! There will be many more pictures to share and stories to tell; I have a very busy day ahead but just had to share the news and this picture of my baby holding the beautiful trophy immediately!!!