"My Lamb, you are so very small, 

You have not learned to read at all. 

Yet never a printed book wtihstands 

The urgence of your dimpled hands. 

So, though this book is for yourself, 

Let mother keep it on the shelf 

Till you can read. O days that Pass, 

That day will come too soon, alas!"

~E. Nesbit,
Dedication of "Five Children and It."

T just found this adorable poem and I feel like it perfectly describes my experience with our two book-loving bears.  What a blessing that books are some of the most treasured toys in our house!  I think at last count we had gone through 4 copies of "The Hungry Caterpillar," 2 copies of "Goodnight, Moon," 2 copies of "Tails" (it had pull-tags, which definitely sealed its fate), and our copy of "Ten Wriggly Wiggly Caterpillars" is on its last legs.  We now frequent the library once a week, which is great for variety but keeps me on my toes making sure that each book gets returned in its borrowed condition.  This week we have read nothing but "Hop on Pop" and "I Wish That I had Duck Feet" (both by Dr. Seuss) for the past 10 days.  We may need to make another trip to the library before I start speaking entirely in rhyming phrases made of three and four letter words.

Happily Ever,
Queen B

Strength Beyond Circumstances

Do you search for security in your circumstances?  I do!  I was reminded of this in Sarah Young's book, Jesus Calling, this morning.  I feel like I am continually making mental checklists of things I need to do to get control of my life.  If only I could check everything off the list, I could relax and be at peace.  But wouldn't you know: the harder I try check things off that list, the more things are added, the more frustrated I become.

There is a better way to find security in this life.  "Fix your eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen."  (2 Corinthians 4:18).  There is security for the moment, and security for eternity, in the Lord's presence.  Crazy week? A million things to accomplish?  Even more reason to focus on the Lord, the Eternal Rock. He keeps the minds of those who trust in Him in perfect peace.  (Isaiah 26:3-4)


Happily Ever,
Queen B

We Love our Uncle L

Here is a memory we cherish today...

T & L at the 2010 BCS Championship (Roll Tide!)

We love you, Uncle L, and we thank God for you, especially today.

Happily Ever,

Queen B

MBA Oath

I want to share a new book with all you business-minded readers.  MBA Oath just hit the shelves and it getting great reviews.  It is a great, inspiring read for anyone involved in the American business world.  Plus, the Oath co-founder and book co-author is one of our dear friends, Max!  Congratulations, friend, on a job well done!  He is doing great things in business already.

You can  read more about the MBA Oath and purchase copies of the book here.

Happily Ever,
Queen B

Twins win!

My mom made my day tonight by inviting me to my first Twins game at the brand-new Target Field.  Amazing!  Just the two of us in awesome seats behind home plate under the night sky. We shared brats, a beer and a waffle cone and cheered our Twinnies on to a 9th-inning, nail-bitting, 4-to-3 victory against Detroit.  But as awesome as the game was, the best part was having a night out alone with my mom.

Would have included the pic with her, but she wouldn't allow it ;)

Love you, Grandmo!

Happily Ever,

Queen B

Park Outing

Today was a sunny, fun day of outings, beginning with a walk to meet my dear friend V, who just moved back to town from the Big Apple.   I love following V's blog, Breakfast and Bed, for food tips and restaurant reviews, even more so now that she will be back in my city.

We treated ourselves to lattes from Caribou (the kids were treated to Fruitloops as a stroller snack) and headed to a nearby park for some fun with E&G-Bear.  "Miss V" graciously pushed G-Bear on the swing for half an hour straight, while E-Bear toddled around in the sand, digging and exploring.

"Wook, Mommy," said G-Bear delighted, "Nana taught me how to wet go wiff my hands wike this and swing!" She spread her arms out wide like a bird, letting go of the chains of the swing.  Pure joy, I tell you.

Thanks, Miss V, for such a fun day.  

Happily Ever,

Queen B

Planting Hosta

My first day off of pediatrics started early.....I was a woman on a mission.

My mission: replace the weed patch in our yard with new hosta donated from Papa's lush garden.  I had the shovel.  I had the hosta.  It was 6:45am.  I was ready to go.

I must have been a sight in my front yard, in my pj pants, wielding a pitchfork, tilling the soil.  I got more than one surprised comment from a passing student, "My, you are motivated this morning!"

The weeds, though formidable, could not withstand my determination this morning and were swiftly tossed aside.  The monster hosta from Papa went in first, followed by four smaller hosta, transplanted from the back side of the house.

Success!  The hosta looked fresh, neat and perky in their new locale as I dusted off my hands and headed back in side to wake up my Bears.  Its not even 8am!

Not so fast!  I check on my prized plantings before dinner at 5pm, only to find them wilted and flat on the ground.  AHHHHHH!  How could I be related to my father, the ultimate green thumb?   My digits only seem capable of bringing the-black-plague-of-death to anything green they touch!

Desperate, I returned with another watering can full of water.  Hosta, hardy hosta, un-killable hosta, hosta that survived being dug up by construction workers at my parents house and emerged unscathed from summer hailstorms past: how could you wilt on me?!  Why won't you live?!

Maybe they will look better tomorrow?

Happily Ever,
Queen B

Happy Birthday, Papa!

Today we are celebrating our amazing Papa!

While he may have to put up with more than one joke about his age today, we are hoping he knows how much he is loved by all of us in Happily Ever Johnson Land.  As any sweet 3-year-old knows, nobody reads Sheep in a Jeep, or Sweet Dreams like Papa.  As any precious 18-month-old knows, nobody will sneak a cracker for you before dinner-time as successfully as Papa.  Whenever Papa is around, there is always someone who will wrestle, make funny faces, play in the garden, and make you feel like you are the most special person in the world.  My kids know it, because it is true.  And I am especially thankful that I have had 29 years with Papa, to play with him, learn from him, be inspired by him.  Papa, you are a son, husband and father that T and I continue to learn from--one we hope to be more like in many ways.

Happy Birthday, Papa!

Happily Ever,

Queen B

Questions, Questions

On our drive home from dropping Nana at the airport, which comment from the backseat should I answer first?

G-Bear:  "Mommy, I am thirsty."
"Can you woll down my window?"

E-Bear: "Moooooowr? Coogie?  Moooooowr?"

G-Bear: "Can I have more cookie too?"

E-Bear: "Dooowwwwwn!  Dowwwwwwn!?"

G-Bear: "Can you get my dinosaur?"
"Can you woll down my window?"
"Where are we going?"
"Cookie, Please?"

E-Bear: "Moooooowwr?"

G-Bear: "Where are we going?"
"Can you woll down my window NOW!?"

E-Bear: "Baa?  Baaaaaaaa?  Maaaaa!?"

It would help if I could understand all of the questions.  Is it wrong that I was wishing for a pair of earphones?

Happily Ever,
Queen B

Not to worry

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?" ~Luke 12: 25,26

Dear Queen B, 
You are a worrier.  You have too much on your mind.  From morning to night your mind is pulled in many directions of worry: what meals to prepare, what clothes each will wear, what activities will consume the day.....what costs too much, what's worth too little, where is the bathroom, who has the toys....when is the next test, who needs naptime and rest, were the bills paid on time...The world runs frantically after all these things.  But God knows what you need.  


Don't miss this present moment by longing for the future or wishing for a better time and place!  There is a Creator God who walks with you now, in the present!  He is with you, to guide your feet in the way of peace (Luke 1:79).  


Now that your mind is quiet you can direct it in the way it should go, the Way of the Lord:  

"Seek His Kingdom and all these things will be given to you as well.  Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom.  So sell your possessions and give to the poor.  Provide purses for yourself that will not wear out, a treasure in Heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  ~Luke 12:32-34

Happily Ever,
Queen B