Money Matters

A few weeks ago, G-Bear came to me with a surprising question:

"Mommy," she asked as I tucked her in bed for nap time, "where does money come from?  How could I get some money?"

I was very curious about what had prompted the question. "Well, G-Bear," I replied, "that is the reason that Daddy goes to work everyday and works very hard, so that our family will have money to buy food and pay for our house and buy things that we need."

G-Bear continued, "I just wish I had some money too, because all the other kids have money to put in the bucket at Sunday School and I don't have any.  Today my teacher asked me if I wanted to put some money in and I said I didn't have any in my pocket or in my bag or anywhere."

Oh, sweetie, my heart just about broke.  I am such a Sunday School novice parent, I wasn't even aware of the class's giving bucket for needy families, and it would never occurred to me to send money with G-Bear otherwise.

"Oh, sweetie," I said, "Of course you can bring some money to put in the bucket.  Daddy and I can give you some money to bring to Sunday School."  "Really?!" exclaimed a delighted G-Bear.  

So yesterday morning, as we were getting ready for church, a well-informed T asked G-Bear, "G-Bear, would you like to bring some money to put in the basket at Sunday School today?"  

Again, G-Bear was so excited by the idea.  "Really?! Today?!  Oh, boy!  I just need the circle money, not the long stretchy money."  Circle, not stretchy.  Got it.

So yesterday, G-Bear arrived with her Sunday School bag jingling like a jingle bell with the nickel and dime that T had given her.  As soon as she got to her class she ran over to her teacher, shaking her bag proudly, "It's CIRCLE money!" she whispered in delight.

Our daughter was a modern day version of the widows mite (Mark 12:41-44) yesterday.  Her only two coins in the world, and she couldn't have been more delighted to give them to God.  In this season of Advent, may T and I have hearts that are just as generous, without counting cost, thanking God for all we've been given.

Our Favorite Christmas Music

There is no music like Christmas music, at least for the Johnson Household.

Our collection has blossomed into a 600+ song monstrosity.  Last year it took me nearly a week of constant music listening to get through all of T's incredible Christmas playlist.

When we were dating, T marveled that my roommate and I only had one Christmas CD.

He has made me a Christmas music collection every year since.

Be still my heart.

Here are some of our favorite Christmas tunes this year, both new and old!

Straight No Chaser, Christmas Cheers Album 

(A cappella genius meets Christmas magic--love it!)

Straight No Chaser, Holiday Spirits Album

(Just can't get enough of these guys)

Bing Crosby, White Christmas

(A Christmas staple since I was a little girl)

Sarah McLachlan, Wintersong CD

(Mellow and fabulous, perfect for when the kids are in bed)

Blind Boys of Alabama, Go Tell It On The Mountain

(Especially the song, "Last Month of the Year."  Awesome)

Elf Soundtrack

(A great all-purpose Christmas mix.  G-Bear loves the Jingle Bells version on this one.)

Faith  Hill,  A Baby Changes Everything

(Not a traditional song.  But, this was released two Christmases ago when I was pregnant with E-Bear.  I still can't listen to the song without ending up in tears.  So beautiful, with a beautiful message.)

Bare Naked Ladies, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

(With Sarah McLachlan. This has been a repeat favorites for many years in a row.)

Michael Crawford, O Holy Night

(A bold claim, I know, but this is quite possibly the best version of the song ever sung.  Serious.)

Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Silent Night: The Greatest Hits of Christmas

(My parents played this cd on Christmas morning every year as I grew up.  I still won't open my stocking to anything else.)

Harry Connick Jr., When My Heart Finds Christmas

(Or any of his other fabulous Christmas albums)

Brian Setzer Orchestra, Boogie Woogie Christmas

(Featuring yet another G-Bear Jingle Bells favorite)

Mannheim Steamroller, Christmas

(Or any of their other great Christmas albums.  Would love to see these characters in a Christmas concert.)

Time to stop!  We could go on and on, but these are a good start. Hopefully we shared some new favorites for others to find and enjoy and have left ourselves a reminder of what we enjoyed most this year.   Merry Christmas listening!

Parting Gift from Peds

Pass the tissues, please...

I guess it would be too much to ask to leave my peds outpatient elective without a parting gift.  How about a nice head cold to enjoy for the weekend?  The joys of pediatrics are many, but I never manage to make it through a rotation without catching some bug.  This month I managed to catch two: the stomach flu and this new head cold.  My hands are raw from an amped-up hand washing routine, but despite that my immune system just couldn't resist this germ.  I guess it was just too good of a parting gift to pass up :)

Welcome, December!

We are putting our best foot forward this December!

I am thankful because: December is off to an exciting start!  Baby Johnson made an impressive appearance by ultrasound this morning in front of T, me and two very excited older siblings.  So sorry, but we didn't find out Baby Johnson's gender.  Daddy T just can't bear to spoil a good surprise.   He promised to help me pack away gender inappropriate clothes next spring before our move if I agreed to pass up the chance to find out boy or girl today :)  We can report, however, that everything with Baby Johnson is looking good and healthy so far.  For that, we are infinitely grateful.  We couldn't ask for a better Christmas present.

I am thinking about: All the things that have already made our beginning Advent season special.  For us, the Christmas season seems to start appropriately with Thanksgiving.  Ours was truly special this year, with my cousins home from Seattle and a Thanksgiving weekend in small town northern Minnesota with Momo and Papa.  I promise pictures from that trip later this week.

Nothing better than a bowl of whipped cream for Thanksgiving dessert!

I have created: a fun plan for our Advent season.  A little bit of advanced planning is going a long way.  Thanks to T, we have our Christmas cards ordered and ready for pick-up.  Because of my last week of work finishing up this week, we don't really get started until this weekend, but I will be sure to share my ideas for the month before then.  

We am going: to Alabama next week to spend a week with T's family!  What a treat to get to AL before the year is out, because I feel like we have been away for a long time.  The kids can't wait to see their cousins and Nana.  The only people more excited than the kids are T and me.

I am reading: the daily Advent Calendar that we got in our church bulletin last weekend.  The calendar is taped to my kitchen wall--a perfect place for me to see it daily and consider it's daily verse and thought.   I am hoping that if I infuse the small, hidden moments of my days with Advent reminders (after all, this is where I live so much of my life), I will be more prepared to live out an Advent witness in the craze of more public moments, whether with my family or neighbors.  Lord, help me treasure the quiet moments with you this month.

I am hoping: that I don't explode from delicious popcorn this month!  Thanks to Nana, who fulfilled the Johnson traditional gift of a giant popcorn tin again this year in honor of Grandmother Johnson.  For the kids, it was love at first sight.  They already devoured two bowls for their bedtime treat tonight.  

The unveiling after bathtime. 

Thank you, Nana!

I am hearing: T's Annual Amazing Christmas Music Collection, on shuffle, playing in the background.  T has an incredible collection of Christmas music.  It is the most dominant genre in his monstrous music collection.  I think we are upwards of 600 songs.  But, every year we have our favorites, both old and new.  I will be sure to share ours sometime soon.

Around the house: the Thanksgiving decor is disappearing to make space for Christmas decorations this weekend.  I can't wait to get out the boxes.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  it is time for me to finish up my last clinical rotation of the year.  This week has already been a big one for us with our ultrasound, hosting a local speaker for dinner and T submitting a research paper he'll present this winter.  We are ready to wind down for a weekend together as a family.

May your December be a blessed one!

Grocery Bag

After a weekend of enjoying Thanksgiving and it's leftovers, it is time to return to the weekly meal plan. I have lots of favorites in store for us this week.  For us, it's the first week of Advent and my last week of work for the year, so there is lot's to celebrate!  

Day One

Curry Chicken Salad from Cooking Light Magazine

 with wheat crackers

Photo and recipe from MyRecipes.com

Even my southern-boy husband loves this curried version of chicken salad.  It's one of my favorites: full of fruit, and I add 1/2 cup minced celery to add extra crunch.  If you have left over turkey this week, try using it in place of chicken in this recipe.  You'll never know you are eating turkey!

Day Two

Nana's Shrimp Creole with brown rice

Another Johnson favorite, Nana's Shrimp Creole.

Time to share yet another Johnson Family favorite.  This recipe is from my mother-in-law, the quintessential southern hostess.  This recipe is hearty yet healthy, tangy with a hint of sweetness, and a true one pot wonder.  To entice the kids the eat the creole, I chop up the shrimp and mince the onion, green pepper and celery.  They usually ask for seconds.

Nana Johnson's Shrimp Creole

½ cup finely chopped onion

½ cup finely chopped celery

1 garlic clove

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 16oz can tomatoes (or 2 cups)

1 8oz can seasoned tomato sauce

1 ½ tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp chili powder

1 Tbsp Worchestershire sauce

1 tsp cornstarch

12 oz raw cleaned shrimp (chopped if desired)

½ cup finely chopped green pepper

Cook onion, celery and garlic in oil until tender but not brown.  Add tomatoes, sauce, and  seasonings.  Simmer uncovered for 35-45 minutes.  Mix cornstarch with 2 tsp water and stir into sauce.  Cook until mixture thickens, a few minutes more.  Add shrimp and green pepper.  Cover and simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes more.  Serve with rice.

Yum!

Day Three

Shepherd's Pie from Southern Living Magazine

with green beans and homemade bread

Photo and recipe from MyRecipes.com

I am excited to try this recipe this week for several reasons.  First, what better way to use left-over mashed potatoes then shepherd's pie?  Second, this version is packed with veggies.  I will probably add some chopped celery to the beef base.  Delish!

Day Four 

Butternut Squash and Mushroom Lasagna from Bon Appetit Magazine

with romaine salad 

Photo and recipe at Epicurious.com

This recipe was gifted to me in honor of our first Thanksgiving after getting married.  

It is one of my go-to meals when we are entertaining friends, but it is easy enough to make ahead for a family weeknight meal.  Perfect paired with a salad and warm bread.

Day Five
Boeuf Bourguignon Soup from Martha Stewart Living Magazine
with cornbread
This recipe is in the December 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living.  It gets rave reviews.  I will post a link as soon as the recipe is posted online.  It takes 3 hours to simmer on the stove, so I am saving this recipe for Friday when I have a half-day for my last day of work!

Blessings on your kitchen this week!

Thanksgiving Day 2010

G-Bear was raring to go this morning at 7:16am:

"Is it Thanksgiving yet, Mommy?"

Yes, sweetie, it is Thanksgiving.

"Today?! Right now?!"

I am happy to report that it is indeed Thanksgiving, right now.  We also finished our Thanksgiving Turkey Feathers, and a fully-plumbed turkey is now taped to the window next to our breakfast table.  Here are the thanksgivings that decorate our turkey feathers, as shared this week by E-Bear and G-Bear:

Monday:  

G-Bear: I am thankful for....Pears and apples!

E-Bear: I am thankful for....Kisses!

Tuesday:

G-Bear: I am thankful for....Trees and Mommy and Daddy!

E-Bear: I am thankful for....Cheese!

G-Bear: ...and G-Bear and E-Bear!

Wednesday:

G-Bear: I am thankful for....balloons and gummies and fingers, knees and toes!

E-Bear: I am thankful for....cups and milk and poopy and lollypops!

Happy Thanksgiving from Happily Ever Johnson Land!

Hard Days: The Choice

What do you do when someone you love falls on a string of bad days?

We can relate.  This seems to happen often in medical training.

What do you do when your husband hasn't slept more than 5 hours for the past 4 nights?

When he hasn't seen the kids in three days?

When co-workers ask in jest if his wife is jealous of them?

When he gets off work at 10:00pm, his car battery is dead in the 20 degree cold, and the car alarm won't stop alarming after AAA comes to jump the car?

When his alarm goes of at 4:05am the next morning and he still isn't home at midnight that night?

What happens?

Are you resentful when the dinner you made is cold on the stove?

Do you grow weary of parenting as the night grows long?

Do you resent the work, the schedule, the people who keep your loved one away?

Do you let questions creep in and doubt that you're loved?

Do you pity 'why me' and forget how you're blessed?

Or

Do you welcome your loved one and warm up a meal,

and make a safe haven for brief comfort and rest?

Do you speak to your children, when questions of absence arise, 

of daddy's great virtue,

 the great needs of others 

and how working late provides for both family and neighbors?

Do you remember how hard your loved one is working, 

and respect that Good Purpose can be found in the labor?

Do you banish all doubt and resolve to love deeply, 

past the depth of emotion, convenience, exhaustion?

Do you remember the suffering of others, far greater,

are you humbled by Sacrifice for your own failures?

Lord, help me, I will make the better choice.

Tonight, tomorrow,  

for him,  

for me,

  for us,
for them,

  for our witness.

Happily Ever,

Queen B

Last day in a cast

Today, little E-Bear's cast comes off.  It is hard to believe that it has been a month since he broke his leg.  Whiles we have done far better than I imagined we would, I will sincerely empathize with parents in the future whose child needs a cast.  It is fitting that as we enter into Thanksgiving week, I give thanks for the healing that tomorrow's cast removal represents.  I have learned so much, here are some of my favorite lessons:

~Bathing: How do you bathe a 22-month old with a full leg cast?  This one stumped me for a while.  My trick was to fill the tub with 2 inches of water and lay E-Bear in it on his back, resting his leg on my arm straight in the air and using my other arm to scrub him down.  This works only if 2 conditions are met: 1) your unhappy toddler howls, but does not splash, in distain of the sponge bath, and 2) all necessary bathing supplies are within reach once you plop him in the tub; remember, only ONE free hand!

~Diaper changing: the lay-on-your-side-so-I-can-clean-your-bottom-without-getting-your-cast-dirty method of diaper changing is very effective.  I may look into patenting this new move.

~Resilience:  Family members are often more resilient than we give credit for.  E-Bear became quite content with playing in one spot with our toy bucket.  G-Bear became quite content with shuttling E-Bear toys that were out of reach.  I developed significant upper body tone from carrying E-Bear and his 5 lb cast everywhere we went.  And no, once weekly sponge baths do not mean that you smell by the end of the week :)

~The Walking Cast:  Really, it should be called a Running Cast.  Because when your child starts running in the cast, you know it is time for it to come off :)

The kids and I had the first appointment this morning with the cast room.  E-Bear was showing everyone his cast this weekend and then would announce: "Cast cut off.  Cast cut off."  I think he was ready.

Thanks to all our friends and family who helped us in large ways and small ways to weather the past four weeks!  Let's hope this first Johnson Family cast is the last one :)

Thanksgiving Week

We are ready for Thanksgiving Week around here!  We are planning several things to help share and prepare for the Thanksgiving celebration:

1.  Thanksgiving Feathers

The friendly turkey below is taped to the window next to our dinner table.  He looks very naked, as you can see.  His feathers are cut out in a pile on the book shelf.  Each day, the kids and I will talk about something they are thankful for.  Then we'll write down our thanksgivings on a feather and the kids will get to tape the feathers to the turkey to get him ready for Thanksgiving.  I am hoping for a full-plumbed bird this year :)  I also can't wait to hear what the kids come up with for their thanksgivings.

2.  Thanksgiving books

My kids love the library, and we are headed that way on Tuesday to check out some Thanksgiving books for the week.  They will love bringing the books to the family parties to have new stories to read with family members.

3.  Thanksgiving Toys

Last year, my aunt gave us the Fischer Price Little People Thanksgiving Celebration set, and my kids loved it.  I put it away just before Christmas time last year, in hopes of getting it out each year to help celebrate Thanksgiving.  The best part about seasonal toys is that the kids feel like they have gotten a brand new present.  Let thanksgiving playtime begin!

4. Recipes

I won't be cooking for Thanksgiving this year, thanks to amazing family members who love to host the festivities.  But I have found no shortage of amazing, Thanksgiving-worthy recipes in my meal planning moments over the past few weeks.  Here are a few of my new favorites, which we have either already enjoyed or are looking forward to enjoying in the next few weeks:

Green Bean Casserole by The Pioneer Woman

Bob Andy Pie by Three Many Cooks

Easy Dreamy Apple Pie by The Pioneer Woman

Cornbread, wild mushroom and pecan stuffing by Everyday Food Magazine

Apple Stuffing by Everyday Food Magazine

Soul Sweet Taters (Sweet Potatoes) by The Pioneer Woman

Creamed Corn by Southern Living Magazine

Bon appetit!  

May your Thanksgiving table be filled with good food, many blessings and the love of many family and friends.  Have a great week!

Overheard in the house this week 8...

"Gooooooooo, Bama!"  ~E-Bear, a shaker in each hand, cheering the loudest of all of us for his dad's favorite team.  Enough to make a grown 'Tide fan cry.

Me: "G-Bear, next week is Thanksgiving.  We will get to eat lots of food as a family and tell Jesus what we are thankful for.  Do you have anything that you are thankful for?"
G-Bear:  "Um, I am fankful for taking the bus with mom to the Minnesota State Fair and going on the train and riding the horsies at the mall."
Me (realizing that G-Bear was describing our State Fair trips and Mall of America carousel rides):  "Gosh, G-Bear, what great things to be thankful for!  It would be fun to do some of those things again sometimes, uh?"
G-Bear: "Yeah, but we need daddy to come so that we can wave to his from the horsies.  Otherwise there is no one to wave to."

"Mommy, cooooome heeeeeeere!  I need you."  ~E-Bear, an oft-heard request these days.

"Mommy, do you know my true love?  It's my heart in my chest.  And sometimes it is sooooo tired!"
~G-Bear.  And, by the way, who is asking my daughter about her true love?!

"I ruuuuuuunnnnnnning!"  ~E-Bear, racing around the kitchen island, chasing his sister,  cast thumping on the floor with each step.  I think he is ready for his cast to come off :)