Blog Slacker

So it is official! I am a blog slacker. I can't think of anything neat-o to write about anymore, so I haven't been posting. What a lame excuse, right? I have a funny story to tell about my niece and Maddie. My niece Kassi is a hoot and she loves to play with Maddie. Kassi and Maddie were playing at my moms house the other day, and they were playing dress up. They were getting along famously. Well, Maddie had on a rather revealing dress that was a little bit low. She also does have just a WEE bit of cleavage. Well Kassi thought that Maddie looked so beautiful and told her that she was so pretty and looked so good and that she was just like Princess Belle. Then she looked over at her and said "Belle doesn't show her boobs". You have to remember that Kassi is only 2. She is so funny. I couldn't stop laughing when Kristen told me about it. Since it was such a funny thing that happened in my life I thought that I would share it. Kids say the darndest things...

Maddie's 7th Birthday Party

I am pretty sure that I have never seen a happier face on any other child as I did on my little Maddie on her 7th birthday. She was the most genuinely happy kid that I have ever seen. She was as thrilled about her cake as she was for the Kung Fu Panda. Also for the paper on the outside. My mom gave her a box of microwave popcorn and she shouted hooray!! Her cousin Dexter said to his mom, "I sure hope that no one gives me popcorn for my birthday." It was so funny. Amazing to me is that she truly is thrilled for all that she gets. She was actually the happiest just to have the whole family (and then some) over. She loves attention. My brother told me after the party was over that it was the best birthday party he had ever been too. He wished that all kids were that excited about every single gift and thing that they receive as Maddie had been. It really made us all think about how she doesn't take anything for granted and is truly happy. She makes us all want to be happier and appreciate the little things more. I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as we did. She has a sparkle to her that the pictures may or may not have captured, but she is a huge joy to all of her family. We love her so much and are so happy to have her in our family.

Opening Kung Fu Panda

Blowing out the candles with a little help from Seth

Her own mp3 player from Grandma and Grandpa Johnson

Home made pillow from Belle.

Earlier that day opening them with just the immediate family.

Her very own white Christmas tree.

Oh my Gosh!

Hooray!!

I did it!

I wanted the cake to say happy birthday "Maddie Princess" since thats what she calls herself, but the cake lady decided that I had written it wrong and she put "Princess Maddie". Oh well.

My three loves sitting on Santa's lap at the UDSF Christmas party! It was so much fun.

Our New House

We found a house only a mile away from the last one and so the kids are able to stay in the same schools. The sad part was that we had to move into a new ward, but at least we are in the same area. We can still see them all. Moving is the pits! I hated every minute of it, but at least now we are done with all the drama and crap that was going on with the last place. It is a great new neighborhood with lots of kids to play with. I am so glad to have a place and that it is all done. Come and see me anytime!!!

The "HOUSE" scoop

For anyone that was wondering why I need to find a new place to live, or even if you aren't, this is the scoop. When Joe and I moved into our house 7 months ago, we were renting and had an agreement to buy the house in a year. We put up a very expensive fence and made the house super cute (if I do say so myself) and all sorts of other things. Well, a few months ago we found out that our renter dude hasn't been paying our money to the bank AT ALL. In fact I don't think that he had paid for a long time before we moved in either. The reason I say that is because on Tuesday January 6th (next week) my house is going to auction. This is after we had a few offers to buy the house and the bank denied them all. I don't know how much the bank is planning to get at auction or maybe they just want to keep it.
I am so, so sad. I had the idea when we moved here that we would be staying for a long time so I am not pleased. I don't want to move again. I don't have a choice, but I still can say that I don't want to. I don't want to have to change wards again and to have to find a different school for Makenna. I would love to stay in the area. I am trying my hardest to find one to rent in the area, but it may not happen. I can handle another ward etc...but I would prefer not to. That is the deal for anyone that wants to know. If you know of a place and would like to share it with me, please do. I need all the help I can get. Love you all.

Maddie Sue

Today is Maddie's 7th birthday. I can't believe how fast time has flown by. I can remember the day she was born just like it was yesterday. I am so glad that she is a part of our family. I love that little stinker so much.

My mother in law took Maddie and I to lunch today for her birthday and Maddie kept giving me kisses because she was so happy to be out with us. She is so happy! I can truly say that she is a joy. She can be a pain in the back side, but so can any kid.

I was so nervous when she was born and I didn't know what to expect of her. She has come so far and is so smart. Her teachers love her and so does everyone she meets. She is so infectious and you can't help but love her. I am truly blessed to have her as my own. I thank my Heavenly Father every night for her and the joy that she brings to my life. I just wanted to tell my Maddie how much I love her and hope she has a happy birthday today!

p.s. Thanks for taking this fabulous picture, Kristen!!

Esme

Just took a female character Twilight quiz and thought that I would share it with all of you. Nothing of any importance, really.


Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Adoration of the Christ Child

A good friend of mine, and a fellow mom of a child with Down Syndrome, showed me this picture today. It came with a story that talks about one of the Angels that has Down Syndrome, but the artist never makes mention of the fact that some of them are different. This painting was made way before the man "discovered" Down Syndrome or named it that. The best part of the painting is that she is doing just the exact same things as the others. They are just a capable of participating in Jesus' birth as other people.

I wanted to share this picture with all of you say how grateful I am for my Maddie. I am so glad that she is apart of our home. Sometimes I don't even think of her as being any different as other children. She does the same things that my other 2 kids do, and is every bit as loud and vocal about it. She is truly a joy to have in our home. I am also so thankful for Makenna and Seth. I love them all. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and wonderful holiday this week.