Wednesday, June 19, 2013

What's on our minds ;)

The World's Best Grammar Checker
I used Grammarly to grammar check this post, because making sure I spell right doesn't give my kids a chance to question me.. :)



The Johnson Tribe has been trying to get back on track with putting life in perspective because as you all know LIFE is fast pace always something needing to be done! We have been looking into different things to get the girls to be more excited about school. I feel we need more hands on less book work. As homeschoolers we can do this and learn very well!
                                                                     
One thing we have been looking into Konos Curriculum. I have found it is a hands on curriculum that is basically unit studies. Right up my kids ally. Konos has a facebook group Mr. Wade who is the husband of the one of the creators of Konos called KONOS Curriculum. This group has been so helpful in helping us find what we need. There are also groups on Yahoo for Konos. I have joined them and I am learning quit a bit. :)
                                                 

Well the kids got to see what Daddy drives. They were in Heaven. Daddy should them different things on his truck and explained how they work and why they had them. The girls were so excited to see how Daddy worked. I think Daddy was proud to oblige them! :)
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                  They wanted a picture with Daddy standing by big truck!
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Daddy explaining what the yellow Device is on his shirt it is a CO2 gas reporter. It lets him know when to vacate a job!
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Daddy was explaining how the valves work with hoses and pressure to suck up salt water in tank and push it out of tank!
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They were so excited about sitting in truck! Over all they were so excited to see what Daddy has been doing for the last year while they have been sleeping he works nights!! Every night the girls look at the ski and say Good Night Daddy look at all the stars!
We have gone camping a couple times. The kids love it we have so much fun but oh my its a lot of work for the adults. I remember it being so easy and not having to worry when I was the kid and Mom and Dad did it all! Oh golly gee I am the adult I guess I will rest when I am dead.. Hahaha We have met some very awesome people and proud to have made new friends!
 
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Yep not my Moms camp! Buts what defines me for me crazy and learning!
Here is a sunset from the last time we went camping it was our last night outside!!! photo null_zps52343dd2.jpg
Tobin turned 1 on May 1 can you believe neither can we! Were did time go?!
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              Smash cupcake!!!!    
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Lileigh turned 8 on May 5 oh man wasn't she just 1 what the heck happened.. A friend helped me put her cake together it was so fun! I tie dyed the cake it self when I made it she was shocked and so excited she loves piggys and bright colors! Now my Makenzee is saying I can not wait to see what you make me uh oh I need ideas ASAP!!
 photo null_zps944752c4.jpg  Here is a recent picture of my Tribe missing two but I still have my four with   me!!
                   Thank you for stopping by and Pondering with me,
 
                                 

 
"We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope." — Martin Luther King, Jr.
 
Moses replied, "When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD's. — Exodus 9:29


 

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Better late then NEVER :)


We are doing well. The Johnson Tribe has been very busy doing everything and not doing anything! We are learning to be a cloth diaper Family! Now let me tell you some days I wonder why I am doing this but then I remember it is helping our family save! So between Church, Schooling, chores, Laundry, cloth diapering and Scentsy we keep forgetting to take pictures. I need to get my stuff straight. :)

Tobin is 6 months holy cow where has time gone?? My baby has changed so much. He is doing more and everyday. But I am proud to announce he is staying a baby little longer. He isn't rolling, no teeth or scooting and he doesn't want food in his mouth he just wants everything else! But over ALL he is so happy and loves his Momma. :)
 
Tobin has always taken showers with Daddy. Well since is on a night schedule due to work makes it hard. Since Tobin is able to sit for little bit by his self we started using kitchen sink he does not like it. But he will get use to it he is a hands on child he expect to be held! But little things can be worked in! And he smells so good! :)


The girls went to Fall Festival at our church! They decided they didn't want to dress up so they choose Halloween shirts and put pig tails in their hair! They said last year when wearing their dress up clothes (Halloween costumes) it was hard to bounce in the bounce house and slide the bounce slide. They had fun and can not wait till next yr!
Makenzee showing her Love! She is such a God's Girl!
Lileigh is trying to find herself. She loves being able to show how cute she is! She is a Gods girl too!
Miss thing her self you see her attitude oh yes it reaches ASIA and back without a beat! She is such a joy and Says God is awesome.. :)



Well we have a friend that has recently moved out of this great state of Texas to Colorado. She is an awesome Women who impacted my girls so positively. She was the First Baptist Church of Hemphill's nursery worker. Tobin adored her. He would be fussy see her and be calm and happy! Well to go on to why I mentioned her she is an artist and now she is teaching art to students in Colorado. We are sad she didn't think to start this here my girls would have been first in line. ;)

So anyways she emails me weekly well not really me my girls get a awesome email weekly from Ms. Robin. Makes them so excited to know she still loves them and thinks of them. Well I have been slacking do to all the extras going on!

The first we The girls traveled to Africa and was able to search and look at many pictures of the way Africa art is done. They are very bold lines colors and some of it is very pretty. The girls made masks and so loved it!

Makenzee took her time to make bold colors but bright and made neat lines that really made the mask stand out. She took her time and I am very proud of her work!
Lileigh did a more soft approach but she nailed the bold lines as well as her BIG sister Makenzee. She said she wanted it to be a work of art well I do believe she nailed it!
Abbigale is a whole class of her own. As she was coloring and making her mask she was explaining to Makenzee and Lileigh that when you scribble it makes it better. Who knew scribbling was a master piece!


They also visited Egypt! They girls had so much fun they used water color paint to make their Pyramid pictures. They did AWESOME. But we need to work on how to make lines stagger little more so when we have a building it wont fall! haha

Makenzee is having fun being creative she really enjoyed looking at the pyramids. She really enjoyed getting the sand and sky perfect in her words!
Lileigh said her favorite was water color the pyramids in the back ground of picture. She said they turned out awesome!
Abbi focused on her Pyramid church she said they had to have church to worship! Who am I to argue we will go over the religion part again when she is older!
Then Ms. Robin had the girls visit Ireland! They got to see all the different ways of family crest can be. They enjoyed trying to figure out what things meant. They are so enjoying these fun weekly adventures!
Makenzee said she really liked the whole idea of a scarf. She said she felt our family was all these colors. See each color meant something that she said we were all like! She said there were so many that she didn't want to cover it up with pictures!
Lileigh said she liked they idea of putting a flag on hers. She said she loves America but felt she needed to make her own! She also loved putting stars around her crest. She also put Johnson on top but after she colored it realized she made her J backwards. But then she said well it gives it personality!
Abbi just loves to be able to do what her sisters do but in her own way! she said the scribbles are all of us being busy! Very interesting how she thinks :)

Now to move on!




Well as you can see this is our schooling HUTCH.. I am so embarrassed that my children refuse to put things away properly. Or is it I forget to check.. Geez I better get my act straight! ;)
That exactly what I did! OK I am a mean MOMMA and made them help me. :) So we worked as a team for two days oh my what a chore! I am so proud of all our hard work. Now to get it to stay this way!


So now on to CLOTH DIAPERING yes it is something new! I have been wanting to be a CD'ing Momma but what to us and how much to spend is the question! Well since starting out is so expensive I found a site because of my friend who bought some called Alva Baby diapers. I have to say these have been very nice but we are learning how to work out the kinks. Over all I am very happy with these diapers. But wish it was cheaper to buy her from MADE IN USA! I am a proud American but with today's economy its hard, saving a buck is good unfortunately!

G.G. with Youngest Great Grandchild

We ended up spending Thanksgiving and Christmas apart. Tobin and I where in California my Grandma June past away from being old and ill. We got to California November 19,2012. My Grandma made it Thanksgiving it was awesome when she realized I was really there. She so enjoyed Tobin. After Grandma realized almost everyone was with her she slept in to a very deep sleep. She past away November 27, 2012. I had to stay the whole Month of December because it was cheaper for ticket. But I am not complaining it was awesome spending time with my family since the last time I was back home it was 1999.

Tobin when he was really sick but he had a good moment here and there. Or this is just good picture you choose!
Medicine

Tobin took to being very ill. We didn't get to leave December 20,2012 to New Mexico where my girls were so I could stay with in California. Tickets are expensive now.  Well we ended up seeing one doctor who thought Tobin had viral RSV. Well she grounded Tobin from Flying, traveling period. She was afraid if he went  into distress no one would be able to help him. So we missed our December 20 flight. We Monday December 24, 2012 he seemed so much better. Praise God for Family because They gave me there DR. who said she felt he was miss diagnosed and in stead had adenoid viral infection. She said we need to get you to your other children. She ungrounded him from flying and traveling. WOOHOO!! We left December 25, 2012 to Belen New Mexico.
                                                  Kenzee with Pottery Wheel!
Lileigh got a Loom for Christmas

Abbi and her Tobi too

So now to move on I got to Belen New Mexico and was with my children. We Thomas my husband was supposed to meet us for Christmas before Tobin got Grounded. Well he gave up is Vacation time because we at the time wasn't sure when Tobin and I would be leaving California. Well after we found out my husband couldn't get time off until January 8, 2013. So he arrived in Belen New Mexico January 8, 2013 at 9pm CST. it is an 16-18 hour ride without stopping. So we had our family CHRISTMAS!! It was sweet BLISS.
Look Momma I can pull up!

Speaking of SWEET BLISS Tobin is crawling and pulling hi self up and walking around furniture, eating as well has two bottom teeth. He is 8.5 months old now. Crazy how fast life is!!
 

Well in closing We are back in Texas! I look forward to share again! Happy New Year from The Johnson Tribe!

Thank you for stopping and Pondering,
May God bless you in this NEW YEAR! :)  

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

It's Africa time!

 
 
The girls have been looking up and reading about Africa! They found a wonderful website we used a lot!  Here it is Africa for Kids! They have so much information please check it out and add it to your AFRICAN adventures They also have a quiz to help with making sure they are learning what they read and particapate in!!
 
 
 


Saturday, September 29, 2012

We have a Giveaway or 2 going on!











We finally got to see Jon Jon he is doing so well! I am so proud how he is turning in to a young man. Jon Jon will becoming home November 19. Two days after his 17th birthday. While we were visiting it was rainy and cool. We were not able to do much do to weather. And well we have been sick in The Johnson Tribe household since then. Being SICK is not fun specially when I end up sick! Well we are finally getting on track. Spraying the COOTIES be gone with essential oil spray around house. Well School Week 7 will start Monday Oct. 1, 2012. In my family I am not allowed to be sick, grumpy or even hungry some days! But that's my career my family! Even though we do not use cribs this sums up my whole family. "GOTTA LOVE THEM"



I started selling Scentsy to help with giving even more to family or for me to be selfish and get my nails done or hair cut or just maybe extra stuff for family clothes, school books etc. Not taking from the household money. Well really to support my Scentsy habit! Wick less candles are the bomb no BURNS or FIRES yay!! :-) We named our business Simply Smelly Good thought is so fitting because Scentsy products are Smelly Good!! ;-) Please check out our personal Website Simply Smelly Good and feel free to order if you need help please ask!


A friend of mine is doing a wonderful thing she is donating to fight the cure. October is BREAST CANCER awareness month. So I am also doing my own Promotion for October awareness month! So For every bar of Happy Birthday and or Cupcake Warmer Bought. I will donate a $1.00 to Susan G. Komen Foundation. All you need to do is go to my personal website Simply Smelly Good and place an order or contact me I can help!
****To my awesome friend Momma Pam Holloway and to others who are trying to keep fighting as well who have lost their fight!***


So since I am just starting I want to build up and be able to give this awesome product to my faithful customers. So we decided to give a Mandarin Moon Scentsy Bar October scent of month giveaway through Rafflecopter. But if we can get faithful customers who keep coming back we will give things all the way up to large warmers. So for the next 2 weeks starting on October 1-12 we will have this give away follow the Rafflecopter and see if you win! Once we know who the winner is I will need to get mailing address from you. oh and we will want to know what you think about Mandarin Moon scent of the Month for October. A good place to do this is in our Face Book group as well as here. Please let your friends and family know so they can have a chance to win! :-)

 
Scentsy has also started Wednesday September 26, 2012 B1G1 free of their Scentsy Buddies and 2 scent paks for each Buddy. This is a huge awesome deal. These make awesome Stocking stuffers. The kids absolutely will love them. My girls have one picked out and made sure to let me know what scent they like! So go check them out at Simply Smelly Good  at our website. Now Scentsy only ordered a curtain amount of buddies for this promotion so once there gone there gone!!
Participating Buddies include:
Lenny the Lamb
Penny the Pig
Roarbert the Lion
Ribbert the Frog
Ollie the Elephant
Mollie the Monkey
Patch the Dog
Scratch the Cat
Barnabus the Bear
Wellington the Duck
*Offer does not apply to Pooki the Polar Bear or Baby Buddies.
The Promotion includes 2 Scent Paks-
1 for each Buddy:
Scent Pak #1: choose any scent pak fragrance in the scentsy fragrance fall/winter catalog.
Scent Pak #2: Scentsy is going to choose the second scent pak for you so they can manage inventory and not create a backorder situtation with the scent paks.

 
 






                                               Thank you for stopping and Pondering,
                                             















"We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope." — Martin Luther King, Jr.
 
Moses replied, "When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD's. — Exodus 9:29



 

Monday, September 3, 2012

Happy Labor Day and some History

The History of Labor Day
Check out our Labor Day 2012 page, complete with videos, photo, resources, and more.
Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
Founder of Labor Day
More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.
Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."
But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.
The First Labor Day
The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.
In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.
Labor Day Legislation
Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From them developed the movement to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.
A Nationwide Holiday
The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.
The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.
The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.
By: U.S. Department of Labor
 
Here is a the History Channel website with some videos enjoy!
 
                                                 Thank you for Pondering with me,
                                   

"Some people work to give their kids a car so they can get away. I'd rather work to give my kids a home that they'd like to stick around so their friends have a place to hang out with their new cars." — Rich Melheim
 
Proverbs 15:17A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.