Sweet Ride

Last night, Brian got to take me for a ride in Alabama Power's all electric Tesla Roadster.

It was a sweet ride and doesn't require any gas. It was absolutely incredible! 

Thanks to our friends Brad and Katie who hooked us up with the opportunity!

Have a blessed night!

Birmingham Celebration Date!

Brian and I debated between spending the weekend in Atlanta or just staying here to celebrate his birthday and my being done with school. He was out of town this past week, so we decided an out of the ordinary Saturday in Birmingham would be fun. We were SO right!

We slept a little late on Saturday morning, then went to Waffle House for breakfast. It was *SO* good and was actually a perfect meal for my diet. Because of the celebration part of the day, I did get a cherry coke- not the bobo cherry cokes from the grocery, but an honest to goodness coke with cherry syrup. It was delicious, but super sweet. My body doesn't really know what to think about these things anymore.

After breakfast, we made our first stop of the day at Pepper Place. This is a huge Alabama based farmer's market that has all sorts of fruits, veggies, fresh flowers, fresh cheeses and eggs, and homemade jellies. They also sell different homemade crafts, which I have to admit, were my favorite.

It is called Pepper Place because it is located in and around the old Dr. Pepper factory. The fun buildings and signs made great decor and ambiance.

There was a woman taking part in the Harry Potter read-a-thon. She was sitting there reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It took a lot of self control to not sit at the table and listen to her.

Brian and I loved walking around the area, but were shocked at how much great stuff there was right there in the middle of Birmingham. It might have been the first time to stop by, but it certainly wasn't the last!

After Pepper Place, we drove down a little and stopped by Sloss Furnace. I was a little sketched out at first, but it was a really cool (and free!) place to explore.

Next, we went to Vulcan, but we didn't go up. I am deathly afraid of heights and it seems to have grown since I got pregnant. Behind the statue, there is a gorgeous view of Birmingham, so Brian and I enjoyed that for a few minutes before we headed to lunch!

For lunch, we ate at the Urban Cookhouse. It is a scrumptious deli with lots of Alabama grown products. I had a turkey sandwich and fruit and Brian had a braised pork sandwich on homemade yeast rolls with mac and cheese. It was so very good. It was also good to be able to have a seat and get off our feet for a little while!

After lunch, we walked around Homewood and looked in the shops. I got an amazing deal on some bags and bought a ball for Emily Ann, but found lots of treasures that I would have loved to have purchased. Brian was a fabulous sport and shopped without complaining. Such a doll!

When we finished shopping, we headed to an overlook that looked over the hospital where Emily Ann will be born. We had a time of prayer for our sweet baby and the doctors and nurses that would be delivering her. Though the entire day was a blast, this was by far the best part of the day. The overlook was gorgeous and the time with Brian was so so precious. I was so blessed by the leader my husband is and adored that opportunity.

We finished the day with splitting a midnight magic chocolate chip cupcake at the new Gigi's Cupcakes in Hoover and a $5 pizza from Little Caesar's (and yes, in that order :) ). 

It was such a fabulous day and we didn't even have to drive more than 15 minutes! 

I hope everyone else had a fun and relaxing weekend!

Celebrate!

As of this morning at 11:30, I officially completed my course work for my Master's in Educational Media. 

Grades won't be posted until the 25thish but I am a free bird!

Brian and I plan to spend the weekend- or at least tonight and tomorrow- celebrating!

Woo hoo!

Have a fantabulous Friday evening my friends!

Gifted 2011

Last year, I had the opportunity to take help plan our women's ministry's first Gifted event. The idea behind the event was that the Lord has gifted each of us with talents and abilities that we are to use to glorify Him. The event went fabulously! 

Look here and here to read more about last year's event.

(This was last year's flier- more info on this year's time and dates to come!)

It went so fabulously, in fact, that we are having it again this year! We had homemade baked goods, craft/ DIY tutorials for Christmas decorations and gifts, two fabulous speakers, and a handmade crafts sale. The set up will be a bit different this year, but the idea is pretty much the same.  

In addition to the planning portion, I will also have a table during the sale. Like last year, I will sell earring and ponytail holders, but I also hope to include flower pins and hair clips, and paper goods like banners and signs- I am waiting until my LAST final on Friday, then I plan to get to work! Last week, scrapbook paper was on sale at Hobby Lobby AND Michael's, so I stocked up! Check out all of this awesome paper!

If you are from the Birmingham area (or even if you're not :) ), we would love for you to join us at the event. It will be the evening of Thursday, November 3rd. Shoot me a comment or email if you are interested!

Have a blessed Wednesday my friends!

Happy Birthday Brian!

Today my sweet husband turns 26 years old.

I am thankful to have been able to spend almost 8 of those years with him. 

Happy Birthday BK!

I love you!

Closet Before and After

Brian and I are blessed with an amazing walk-in closet. It was a major buying point when we purchased our house- anywhere where there was room for both of our clothes sounded good to us. 

But sometimes this blessing is also a curse.

A few weeks ago, we got to that point. It was infuriating to walk in the closet. So Brian and I got to work and spent an entire day working on organizing the closet. I am sort of a matching crate and bucket girl when it comes to organizing and containers, so the inconsistencies in the closet sort of bother me a bit, but overall, the change is amazing. See, Brian can actually GET to his clothes.

Once we had company over and we actually left the bedroom AND the closet door open. Very rare.

This past weekend we cleaned out the garage so that BOTH of our cars fit and once I stop avoiding my last week of grad work (yay!), I plan to organize the office/ guest room/craft room.

This nesting thing definitely has its benefits :)

Have a great Monday my friends!

The last goodbye.

Friday night, as part of our anniversary date, Brian took me to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2. For anyone who has been following this blog for any amount of time, you know how I feel about Harry. Sigh. 

Overall, the movie was okay. I adore the books so I tend to be pretty picky about how the movie plays out in terms of the book's plot. I get irritated when they change or leave out certain parts of the story because the books were good. They were truly fabulous writing and did not need Hollywood (or in this case, England) to change them to make them better. This one was good for a movie, but as a representative of the book, it flew through some of the major parts of the book and left out some of the emotional elements that make me want to reread the series again and again.

So, at 6:40 on Friday night, Harry Potter was concluded for me. I won't lie- there were a few tears. It isn't about the movies or a surprise ending, because that's the fun of books that become movies- you already know what's going to happen. But it dawned on me after the movie that this series, along with my children's media class at Auburn, is part of the reason I chose to major in educational media for my masters. These books that I have invested in again and again and again helped me build relationships with my students. They helped me realize again how good children's literature can be. They showed me how important it is for children to find books that they can make connections to and therefore continue to enjoy reading as they progress through school and into adulthood. These books inspired me to reread fabulous books like The Mixed Up Filed of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and do author studies on people like Roald Dahl or Dr. Seuss. They changed my thoughts on children's literature and helped me find a true passion in children's books and reading. I am thankful that Rebecca introduced these books to me my junior year at Auburn because it really isn't about the movies, nor is it really about this particular book series, but about how great books can draw a person in and build READERS. 

Happy Sunday everyone!

The Bitter Berry Boutique

Recently, I have been in a hairbow obsession. I look at every outfit I buy for Emily Ann and try to decide which color bow or headband would go BEST with the outfit. Weird? Possibly. Fun? Absolutely! I have seen a lot of the crocheted headbands to attach bows to, but really wanted the elastic headbands that don't leave a mark.

As I have mentioned in the past, And Baby Makes Three is one of my absolute favorite blogs. Kathryn is amazing and is so in love with the Lord, her husband, and her daughter. She is a fabulous photographer and sewer (as in person who sews, not a place where gross stuff goes... what is the correct word for that?). I have been following her and her sister's Facebook shop, The Bitterberry Boutique, for awhile, but haven't been able to figure out how to buy from her since I am not on Facebook or in Texas. They make the cutest bows, headbands, and clothes ever! A week or so ago, I went to her shop and found she had started an Etsy shop- *SCORE!*

I ordered a plethora of newborn/ infant headbands plus two super cute burp cloths. I am holding off on ordering clothes until I see how big she is, but I am so excited to see the hairbands on Emily Ann! Check out my goodies! The items are so well made and are precious!

Check out Kathryn's Etsy shop, Bitterberry Boutique, to see more of her wonderful creations! I promise you won't be disappointed!

Happy Weekend friends!

My love.

4 years ago today, I married the man of my dreams.

He is a man after God's own heart.

He is learning to be more like Him each day and encourages me through that.

He constantly makes me laugh.

He is going to be an amazing father. 

He enjoys what I enjoy.... well.... most of the time.

He is such a servant.

He is my best friend.

He loves his country.

He is a fabulous travel buddy.

And he loves me like Christ loves the Church.

I am so thankful for our four years of marriage together.

I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him. He is the very best there is and I am so very blessed to call him my husband.

Happy 4 years BK. I love you!

Baby Shower Fun

Last night I enjoyed a wonderful baby shower with some sweet sweet ladies from our church. These women are such an encouragement to me. I am blessed to have their guidance, wisdom, and support as we are preparing for our little girl!

Here was the gift table. The hostesses had placed pictures of Brian and I when we were babies... there were a few of me that I had never seen before!

The drink table

The food table. The top right hand corner of the table had the cutest buggy with white roses in it.. it was such a beautiful accent!

Mom, Mom J, and I before the shower

... I have decided I won't do my hair like that again :)

The sweet hostesses and I. 

The gift table after everything was opened!

Emily Ann is just about ready to go! This shower definitely shortened our needs list- I just need to put everything away :) Also, the nursery is almost ready, so be looking for a Nursery Reveal Post soon!

Happy Hump Day everyone!

Baby J- Week 32

How far along? 32 weeks, 3 days

Baby Bump? Yup!

Maternity clothes? Yes for pants, but still in regular shirts.

Total weight gain: 4 pounds. So weird.

Cravings: I am not really craving anything, but I really don't want cheese. Or nuts.

Symptoms: Swollen fingers and occasional foot swelling, random gross stuff

Sleep: Sleep is still pretty good. I get up once a night to go to the restroom and the sleep after isn't as good, but that's life.

Movement: She is more active then she was, but not consistently. I get stressed on the days she is not moving a lot, but all I can do is trust the Lord!

Gender: We are having a little girl! Emily Ann! 

Belly Button in or out? In, but getting flatter every day.

What I miss: Sweets and not worrying about what I eat.

Best moment this week: 

Honestly, I have had a lot of best moments over the past two weeks. 

Last week, my doctor requested an ultrasound because of how little weight I had gained. I freaked out at first, because I really didn't expect to have another one and I was afraid there was a problem. Once my doctor comforted me down from that, I got really excited! She is not head down yet, actually laying sideways across my stomach like a hammock, but as of a week and a half ago, she weighed 4.2 lbs (yeah, pretty big girl), is absolutely precious, and is still very much a girl (always good to be reassured!) It just made me even more excited to meet her in 8 or so weeks!

Thursday night, I got together with some of my favorite Birmingham people for a girl's night at Ross Bridge. We hung out at the pool, watched Life as We Know It (so good!), ate junk food, and just spent time together. It was fabulous and was a much needed get together to prepare for Emily Ann!

Yesterday was our Planned Childbirth class. It really did not settle any of my fears about childbirth. In fact, it increased them greatly. But along with increased fears came increased excitement about our sweet girl. I can't wait to hold her and kiss her and invest in her life.
In the past week, I have heard "It is almost football season" at least 15 times. My husband has started watching Auburn videos on You Tube and on the Auburn website, which means it really is getting close. I am super pumped about that, because aside from the fact that it is wayyyy hot this summer and fall sounds heavenly, or the fact that football season is my favorite time of the year, all I have considered for the past 8 months is that football season means Emily Ann's due date! Technically I still have a little while, but "it is almost football season"! Woo hoo!  :)

Have a blessed week my friends!

Celebrate!

I got an email yesterday to let me know that I passed my comps and the praxis to certify me as a library media specialist!

2 1/2 weeks of graduate school left!

4th of July Baking

Due to my new change in eating habits, there has not been a lot of baking happening in the Johnson household recently. And honestly that has been okay, since my husband doesn't *love* cakey things and my waistline could certainly stand to do without... I tend to enjoy what he doesn't eat- eek!

But with the 4th of July and this glorious time to celebrate our country's freedom, I have had the opportunity to bake!

Pinterest has quickly become my new obsession. Using this wonderful tool, I have finished the art in the nursery, planned food for our church's Christmas event, and come up with a lot of fun household projects! (Actually, I might be the only person who thinks they are fun.. Brian, who does the physical labor, might not agree :) )

I have also found some delicious recipes for a baking extravaganza!

Last night, we had so much fun at a swim party with our Sunday School class. Since it was later in the evening, we just brought desserts and enjoyed a little bit of cooler air. I found this recipe and was dying to try it out. Who doesn't love smores!? 

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Here is the recipe from Lovin' From the Oven

They flew off the plate! My husband, the same one who doesn't really like baked goods, enjoyed at least 3, and that was a much smaller number than many of the guys at the party. I am talking a seriously tasty treat.

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My next project is Red Velvet Brownies with White Chocolate Buttercream from Smells Like Home. Since I haven't actually baked these yet, I will warn you that the ingredients are kind of expensive and I am fully expecting a hot mess from the food coloring, but I believe in my heart that it will be well worth the money and messiness! My mom used to make Red Velvet Cake every year for Valentine's Day and often my birthday. I *love* it and can't wait to whip up this variation!

Finally, I needed a non-chocolate treat for the non-chocolate fans, so I went to an old faithful. When I was a senior at Auburn, the band did a fundraiser and created cookbooks with favorite recipes of different band members.  Since then, I have gone to that cookbook a million times for some of my favorite recipes! One of those recipes is Cake Mix Cookies. *YUM!* They are SUPER easy and take no time at all! The best part is that you can use different cake mixes to create different flavors.

Cake Mix Cookies

Ingredients

 1 box of cake mix (I used Strawberry this time, but Funfetti is delish too)

2 eggs

1/2 c. vegetable oil

Mix ingredients and spoon into greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350* for 10 to 12 minutes. When cookies have cooled, top with icing (either homemade or store bought!)

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Praise the Lord for our freedom and our great country!