tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56783014021450883102024-03-12T17:05:14.623-06:00Four men and a LadyFour men and a LadyDarin and Rachel Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04875033532250750504noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-81445009759416172662013-09-16T13:45:00.002-06:002013-09-16T13:45:20.281-06:00Baby Andrew<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hi family and friends-</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
We welcomed baby Andrew (yes, we did finally decide on a name!) to our family last month, just 5 days after celebrating Griffin's first birthday. We've got our hands full for sure, which is why this announcement is coming five weeks late. But we are really having a blast with these little boys!! Darin summarized our feelings well in a text he sent me the other day when he simply said "I love our life." It's full of the good stuff.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Thanks to all of you who have been so supportive and helpful! Hope you are all well!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Love,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Darin, Rachel, Kayden, Griffin, and Andrew</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdRRLpvEuZKn1q12EL4ofUCpqulp0Q1RxoRxxjqrMnzzxoj32GzhtEjcgSjF5yVL0r3H3tA96TVqlaTZiN5wdbpVDORBvDaQqDgC1q0CHAF4Q4KSiJxvGGOvIEpNsbncNaDab76afsG01/s1600/Andrew+birth+announcement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdRRLpvEuZKn1q12EL4ofUCpqulp0Q1RxoRxxjqrMnzzxoj32GzhtEjcgSjF5yVL0r3H3tA96TVqlaTZiN5wdbpVDORBvDaQqDgC1q0CHAF4Q4KSiJxvGGOvIEpNsbncNaDab76afsG01/s640/Andrew+birth+announcement.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
Darin and Rachel Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04875033532250750504noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-88577551547720512992013-04-18T17:10:00.001-06:002013-04-18T17:10:13.543-06:00belly<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Some of my family out of state have been asking about belly pics, so I guess I'll post some. As a matter of fact, I thought I'd post some comparisons just for fun. I wasn't sure if how big I am this time around was all in my head. For the record, it's not in my head... it's in my belly:) (mah mah mah)</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
Pregnancy #1 at<b> 30 weeks</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zRJNGh1L-i_5SKtL8kGPUoZtAnXDq-qlQQM2EHNnu7bW0rGRL7sLw5dMgkY5J-r5kBcBWAF7pXRISGXtwYIvO_7Qq4gPZ2d1eb7ZdSwwmMl_HA0kgSry0xC_XXSOHGTx99O_UNK3y90/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-04-18+at+4.42.00+PM.png" /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
Pregnancy #2 at <b>25 weeks</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgA1LdsFos3krmLsJFYhoTUeY3drhWjDUsFSrlvafneZsAfSv-IDI6I-_gppAG8eIJpSQhy6laI7kxByCc48-TjzIXqQzWRif57HuhdC-WheNX4T3TI_qekG5eolc_09hsNcXl9QxaFk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-04-18+at+4.40.05+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgA1LdsFos3krmLsJFYhoTUeY3drhWjDUsFSrlvafneZsAfSv-IDI6I-_gppAG8eIJpSQhy6laI7kxByCc48-TjzIXqQzWRif57HuhdC-WheNX4T3TI_qekG5eolc_09hsNcXl9QxaFk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-04-18+at+4.40.05+PM.png" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: left;">
Pregnancy #3 at <b>22 weeks</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuk9k8nSm1DXhEv2GO3IEJGja8LbnK-f25mPvMZs4oVLDh4yZazHaKrOdFCXaMDbFnvstQl35bWFX8vzufKTCFisd6QXW2xmRbohNzk5ThkM5LDHJX2YusQOpr0QBp0BoQ8eA5EG-gA8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-04-18+at+4.40.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuk9k8nSm1DXhEv2GO3IEJGja8LbnK-f25mPvMZs4oVLDh4yZazHaKrOdFCXaMDbFnvstQl35bWFX8vzufKTCFisd6QXW2xmRbohNzk5ThkM5LDHJX2YusQOpr0QBp0BoQ8eA5EG-gA8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-04-18+at+4.40.13+PM.png" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
Yup. I'm about 2 months ahead of schedule in size! It's gonna be a long (or should I say big) 4 more months! At least the first 4 flew by;)</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
I am welcoming excessive amounts of compliments from now til about September (that includes that yucky post-baby weight period). haha!</div>
Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-80253564339986003232013-02-26T09:03:00.000-07:002013-02-26T09:03:07.162-07:00Baby boy #3
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is the story...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been intrigued as I have
noticed that my tummy has become quite round and begun to poke
out...again. At Christmas time, I was
feeling pretty good and knew my tummy had trimmed down a good amount since
having Griff so to be growing a belly when it seemed that nothing about my
exercise or eating have changed was so strange.
Some days I just chalked it up to the fact that I’d had another baby and
muscles get stretched out and I hadn’t been working very hard on my core
recently...so things must have just loosened up. Or maybe it had to do with not breastfeeding
anymore? (why my milk dried up is a mystery solved! haha)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, I just had
the thought this week that I really ought to go get a pregnancy test just to make
sure...since, it’s totally possible I could be pregnant. We took the test Friday night and you should have seen the shock on Darin's face when as he watched the "+" sign appear. I feel so so blessed that I have felt just fine! NO sacroiliac joint pain to speak of so far (which was quite painful from 4 weeks on with the last pregnancy) and that has
been a huge tender mercy for me that has given me the peace and strength I need
to believe that I can totally do this and it was part of the big plan.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We got in to the doctor ASAP Monday (yesterday) and had an ultrasound done. The tech looked at my belly and was guessing I was maybe 10-12 weeks along but when she got the first image she said, "woah, this baby is much older than we thought. You are 16 weeks pregnant! And it's a boy!" We laughed pretty hard and I was thrilled. Of course what woman wouldn't be thrilled to find out you've only got about 5 months to go?! But honestly the biggest relief for me was that I can have pregnancies that aren't excruciatingly painful! I had really begun to fear a third pregnancy, sure that there was no way I could take care of two little ones with that pain. I feel so peaceful and happy about it all and the more I think about it the more I think Heavenly Father had a plan that we couldn't foresee and it will be great for our family. I'm sure I'll have days I just cry and wonder how I'll do it, but that's what life's about right? I will have to lean on Him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The due date is August 18. This baby and Griffin will be about 12 months apart:)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3 boys under 3! here we come!</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-78577880158619544372012-11-28T07:25:00.001-07:002012-11-28T07:25:27.397-07:00Griffin's baby blessing<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our little Griffin Keith was blessed on November 24, 2012. Traditionally, babies are blessed at church at the beginning of sacrament meeting, but we were going to have to drive home from Utah all day Sunday so we did the blessing on a Saturday with just family present. (In the end, we ended up flying anyway...oh well.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thanks to my Uncle Brian for the great photos!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bNR4edSJtWBtLOcGDBAGjoVFefHjhSafhk6xto-Rl-Sy375avh8Edef_bu3W__z-cD4ZfhRrAX0Afnb2-ZMk6NJR121jRYMH17VrZ4gjPBGdv8ArnwT7vqvP-3YYT_8DiZxbGlrchAM/s1600/group+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bNR4edSJtWBtLOcGDBAGjoVFefHjhSafhk6xto-Rl-Sy375avh8Edef_bu3W__z-cD4ZfhRrAX0Afnb2-ZMk6NJR121jRYMH17VrZ4gjPBGdv8ArnwT7vqvP-3YYT_8DiZxbGlrchAM/s1600/group+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bNR4edSJtWBtLOcGDBAGjoVFefHjhSafhk6xto-Rl-Sy375avh8Edef_bu3W__z-cD4ZfhRrAX0Afnb2-ZMk6NJR121jRYMH17VrZ4gjPBGdv8ArnwT7vqvP-3YYT_8DiZxbGlrchAM/s640/group+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7WUyEd1POvksnMrG0eRE7sPL_C5aOeD4MDK6jdE2JDgV4wHwb_ZXh3S1EEAtzZzieJMnkR0je6FgdWJEk2g3As2ZJle11GRGkIxTzxvvpJfaX8nYIwbxmkiSTfY2cGYiHe8ZtA8Ic0k/s1600/Griff+blessing+family+sitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7WUyEd1POvksnMrG0eRE7sPL_C5aOeD4MDK6jdE2JDgV4wHwb_ZXh3S1EEAtzZzieJMnkR0je6FgdWJEk2g3As2ZJle11GRGkIxTzxvvpJfaX8nYIwbxmkiSTfY2cGYiHe8ZtA8Ic0k/s320/Griff+blessing+family+sitting.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbXzkG7iUXrKhcuxmAN3ttZ1DWMaXdPmsg3iygYg52zW5eCKLQUwOTamxsQ7PwIy8vmrdQiAaP7bjKFJ7oBD3ilgUcs2C9DPFxtCUcTxY8kJ8GC-ZJCvJomsdRYdKNH4h9kFCRJ8ZYQE/s1600/Griff+blessing+headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbXzkG7iUXrKhcuxmAN3ttZ1DWMaXdPmsg3iygYg52zW5eCKLQUwOTamxsQ7PwIy8vmrdQiAaP7bjKFJ7oBD3ilgUcs2C9DPFxtCUcTxY8kJ8GC-ZJCvJomsdRYdKNH4h9kFCRJ8ZYQE/s320/Griff+blessing+headshot.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBLUStOQKfoD8JNivvv06Jaap6L4rSV0LB91VIGOxxozyDHK0Fgs8wVKddscWJmhcEx3UfP4OacBphRgqzGuA-rBJMI6R_kxaO4gQ1jLfbQnCMkkPZtb6kGbN5-c6trDS87bjXCwyeHc/s1600/Griff+blessing+Johnston+sisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBLUStOQKfoD8JNivvv06Jaap6L4rSV0LB91VIGOxxozyDHK0Fgs8wVKddscWJmhcEx3UfP4OacBphRgqzGuA-rBJMI6R_kxaO4gQ1jLfbQnCMkkPZtb6kGbN5-c6trDS87bjXCwyeHc/s400/Griff+blessing+Johnston+sisters.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPFo6AxuixsSir17e4Uq4iGaCJ18OJharfYRQZeFPSw6dQFYZ3L6gQgLlm1NmWjxA18xAPT6c6CY-jYliazyYOYBZFpM2zaGHRi23hAyIrc8aRXSWMSJpk1RfLn2jDI6RzImbNct2hRc/s1600/Griff+blessing+Borup+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPFo6AxuixsSir17e4Uq4iGaCJ18OJharfYRQZeFPSw6dQFYZ3L6gQgLlm1NmWjxA18xAPT6c6CY-jYliazyYOYBZFpM2zaGHRi23hAyIrc8aRXSWMSJpk1RfLn2jDI6RzImbNct2hRc/s400/Griff+blessing+Borup+family.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNygni6PUO4k0cMiLwSU09rbVFHCM-S08Dbhzpy2L80H72ycuc4tPdFimcCzSgqIzBTKqtmQtK3vNFFZtJrPa4UUaakAq5OJ1ekY7ALzpZxBABu3kJGyu40BxAmbnb_TrCOQYdzBYwJ2w/s1600/Griff+blessing+Rhean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNygni6PUO4k0cMiLwSU09rbVFHCM-S08Dbhzpy2L80H72ycuc4tPdFimcCzSgqIzBTKqtmQtK3vNFFZtJrPa4UUaakAq5OJ1ekY7ALzpZxBABu3kJGyu40BxAmbnb_TrCOQYdzBYwJ2w/s400/Griff+blessing+Rhean.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Griffin Keith was named after both of his great grandfathers. Both my father's father and my mother's father have the first name of Keith. My grandmother pictured above holding Griffin was married to Keith Griffin (my mom's dad) who passed away long before I was born.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-26720633366301356262012-10-28T21:39:00.001-06:002012-10-28T21:42:05.850-06:00Cowboys and…lobsters (and pirates)<p>Kayden has a little pair of hand-me-down cowboy boots that he LOVES to wear all the time. So, this year’s costume didn’t take much creativity or work—it was natural for him to dress as a cowboy! We attended a trunk-or-treat at the church and had a blast watching Kayden really get into the trick or treat thing. Everyone got a kick out of Griff’s costume…especially since we carried him around in a pot! I wasn’t sure how long he’d last, but he was so content to just sit in a pot the whole time. So cute. Oh and the pirate is Tyler Tobler, one of Kayden’s best buddies.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kjK4mfrnoIY/UI36X70A5hI/AAAAAAAABxM/h8ALVzNdljI/s1600-h/halloween2012%252520Collage%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="halloween2012 Collage" border="0" alt="halloween2012 Collage" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UtiFtp_GbxQ/UI36ZAXUDUI/AAAAAAAABxQ/_mWA9F3KtDs/halloween2012%252520Collage_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="597" height="601"></a></p> Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-38801160121101195572012-09-20T16:15:00.001-06:002012-09-21T16:41:10.433-06:00So, natural or medicated childbirth?<p>With Kayden, I got an epidural after several hours of active labor. If you’re interested in the whole story, it’s <a href="http://thejohnstonduo.blogspot.com/2010/05/kaydens-birth-story.html">here</a>. Since I have had the epidural AND have gone the non-medicated route, here are my thoughts on both (per my friend Anna’s request)…</p> <p>I have to say, the epidural is oh-so-wonderful! No one has any reason to fear childbirth anymore because of this miraculous procedure!!! I don’t fault anyone who chooses that route every single time.</p> <p align="center"><font size="4">This is your life on drugs.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_6QA-BnMscY/UFzs1X1AnuI/AAAAAAAABqU/HV62SafMYVk/s1600-h/DSC_0190%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0190" border="0" alt="DSC_0190" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eLlkfwd5BKc/UFzs2OrRTqI/AAAAAAAABqc/9b408P9DnBo/DSC_0190_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="417" height="288"></a></p> <p>Natural childbirth (with Pitocin—which <em>could</em> have made the contractions feel more intense than without) is the hardest physical and mental thing I’ve EVER EVER done. When I was in the thick of labor, I firmly told my husband probably 10 times “WHY AM I DOING THIS? THIS IS INSANE!!” Yet…I kept going. By the way, Darin was completely supportive of whatever I wanted to do. He was not at ALL pressuring me to go without an epidural. As a matter of fact, I’m pretty sure he’d prefer me to have one so we could just have a birthday party!!</p> <p align="center"><font size="4">This is your life off drugs.</font></p> <p align="center">(and yes, I was throwing up in that trash can)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E3O9uOQWEoo/UFzs3fnPNiI/AAAAAAAABqk/jNfdgagROQo/s1600-h/DSC_0064%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0064" border="0" alt="DSC_0064" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Pe_ikDt-xwI/UFzs30nXy7I/AAAAAAAABqs/z54BYnZAm30/DSC_0064_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="411" height="265"></a></p> <p>To the question “would you do it again?”…</p> <p><em>Then:</em> I was not hesitant to say, “whew. Glad that’s over! Epidural all the way with every future child!” It’s kinda like running a marathon<strong>*</strong> (I suppose. I never have run one, but I am pretty sure this is what it’d be like for me…). When it’s over you are SO glad you did it, but you NEVER want to do it again. Check that one off the bucket list and move on.</p> <p><em>Now (only 2 months later): </em>I am not so sure I won’t ever do it again. I think if my labor was progressing quickly I would just do it again. With Griffin, those 7 hours or so of intense pain felt like more than 24 hours. When I “came to” soon after his birth, I really couldn’t believe we hadn’t yet been at the hospital for 24 hours. It felt like FOREVER. If that forever got shorter, I could probably do it again.</p> <p><strong>*Side note</strong>: I said that birth is like running a marathon (or any race, for that matter), but in one way it is very VERY different. Birth is like running a race when you have NO idea how far you have to run. In a race, you can pace yourself and you know exactly how much farther you have to go. Labor is like running an unknown distance. Someone keeps moving the finish line on you. Just when you think you’re close, you are told you probably have at least another 20 miles to run. Probably. Hopefully not more. It’s a real mental game when your doctor comes in and says, “well, you’re still dilated to 4 cm” even though you <em>thought </em>you’d been covering some ground for the last 8 hours. </p> <p>Why would I do it again?? </p> <ul> <li>The HUGE sense of accomplishment. It feels incredible to do extremely hard things. To know that I could control my mind and body enough to get through something that tough even though I had a way out, is sickly satisfying to me. <li>The teamwork with my partner is so rewarding. I am sure I couldn’t do it without him. I love how well Darin and I work together in the birthing process. Both times it has been so extremely unifying and pretty spiritual. <li>Another reason I liked going sans epidural was that I could walk to the recovery room and not be in a wheelchair. This time, I certainly did not miss the numb legs and dependence of not being able to walk for some time after delivery. Now, I understand that that doesn’t always happen with an epidural because I’ve had friends who have walked just fine…so hopefully that would be my luck next time. <li>Also, they say that with natural birth, the babies are much more alert immediately and that was definitely true with Griffin compared to Kayden—but they could have just been different from each other anyway. <li>Finally, I have <em>felt</em> it. I know what it’s like to deliver a baby and feel the <strong>whole</strong> thing. Like the pioneers…only I was in a safe, clean and comfortable hospital. :) No, but really. I was visiting with a neighbor who is in her 90’s and had 11 siblings. Her mother bore TWELVE children without any drugs. Ouch. And I knew the pain she went through for each one. Empathy is way better than sympathy.</li></ul> <p align="center"> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YYDdMbvENcI/UFzs5ejIKhI/AAAAAAAABq0/18xR24MayAk/s1600-h/to%252520recovery%252520room%252520Griff%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="to recovery room Griff" border="0" alt="to recovery room Griff" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SNr2e5ST91c/UFzs585OwuI/AAAAAAAABq8/bT1Ki0vKAPc/to%252520recovery%252520room%252520Griff_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="533" height="365"></a></p> <p>NOTE: I only endorse saying YES to drugs for <em>childbirth</em>.</p> Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-4567443209671348242012-09-19T17:00:00.000-06:002012-09-21T17:01:26.970-06:00Griffin’s birth story—experiencing nonmedicated labor<p><font size="2">Most of this was recorded by Darin the day after Griff was born. His words are in black and my comments/additions are in <font color="#c0504d">red.</font><font color="#000000"> He did get <em>most</em> of it right—only a few minor corrections. ; )</font></font> <p><font size="3">Active labor</font> <p>Rachel sang John Denver during her contractions. We had his albums playing in the background and Rachel chimed in every time a contraction came. She found it accomplished the same thing as a breathing exercise <font color="#c0504d">only it was far more enjoyable and distracting. Yes, looking back, a little embarrassing, but hey…you gotta do what you gotta do! The embarrassing part was that if I started having an intense contraction and I didn’t know the song, I just sang whatever came to me (NOT pretty, I’m sure) and if the song was too slow, I’d sing the same song, but not staying with the music at all—I took my own tempo. I just was in my own world and did whatever helped me get through each contraction. I felt like I came back to Earth again between contractions. </font>It worked wonders for a few hours and was a great experience while it lasted. All of the attending nurses commented on the uniqueness of it all, and came in quietly because they felt like it was to special too interrupt. As the contractions <strike>increased in intensity</strike><font color="#c0504d"> became <em>super</em> intense</font> it became harder for her to focus and relax. Eventually singing wasn’t cutting it. <font color="#c0504d">When my singing became forced and tense, I realized it wasn’t helping my cause. I felt like it was slowing my labor because I was battling every contraction with my voice instead of letting the contraction work <em>for</em> me.</font> <p><font color="#c0504d"><strong>Side note</strong>:</font> <font color="#c0504d">Later this singing experience became so significant to me as I remembered that my grandfather Keith Griffin (who our son is named after and who died before I could meet him) loved John Denver and would often sing to his music in the car. Such a sweet coincidence that he and I have that in common and it played such a roll in little Griffin’s birth.</font> <p><font size="3">Transition stage</font> <p>Rachel reached a point about 3 hours away from pushing when she hit a wall. Singing was no longer helping, nor was counter pressure <font color="#c0504d">(which unfortunately didn’t work as well this time as it did during labor with Kayden)</font>. I told her to lock eyes with me and focus on relaxing. <font color="#c0504d">I am convinced this was pure inspiration Darin received. I couldn’t believe how much this helped me. </font>We fell into a groove where she would relax and sleep between contractions and then lock eyes with me during each contraction. At times I saw pure terror in her eyes. I did all I could to exude confidence and love through my eyes. <font color="#c0504d">He’s right—that’s exactly what I saw and felt from his eyes. </font>We went on like this for a few hours, saying very little. Sometimes when she was being examined for dilation or was otherwise caught off-guard by a contraction she would lose her focus and begin to panic. I got her to lock eyes with me and we worked together to calm down again. If she was relaxed and focused before a contraction started, she could breathe through it without a hiccup. She told me it was still unbelievably painful, but being relaxed kept her from panicking. During all of this we tried a variety of positions: hands and knees on the bed, reclined on the bed, standing and slow dancing, and bouncing on an exercise ball (majority of the time). On the birthing ball she had a stretch of about 40 minutes where she didn’t move or change her breathing. She was like a statue. Rachel had her hands on my thighs and we both leaned forward and I supported her head with my forehead. She fell asleep between each contraction. Dr. Honey Onstad and our nurse Elizabeth came in twice during this”in the zone” phase and were obviously very impressed. But no one was more impressed than I was. <font color="#c0504d">My mom was in the room at this point and said it was really scary to see me in such extreme pain and then suddenly see me stop moving. She did an awesome job staying away though. She totally gave us the space we needed and kept to herself through most of this experience. Very smart Mom! </font> <p>At about 1:30 she started to feel a lot more pressure at her cervix and could barely remain focused and rationale during her contractions. At one point she was considering an epidural. We locked eyes again and we relaxed. We had to do this a few more times. Jenny and I teamed up at this point to encourage and convince her that she still had the strength to finish labor and push. I was totally convinced she could do it. In addition to helping her relax I started to pray that the baby would come now! It was time! And so it happened. All three of us were praying for the same thing I’m sure. <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-poozhLnKSvk/UFzxoqnZFeI/AAAAAAAABrw/BUULK6fumEA/s1600-h/labor%252520colage%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="labor colage" border="0" alt="labor colage" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ui2Aklp0Vp8/UFzxpYx3TbI/AAAAAAAABr4/XxSKuHAIW34/labor%252520colage_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="497" height="259"></a> <p><font size="3">Pushing</font> <p>The urge to push put Rachel over the top. She didn’t relax again, but one final eye-lock brought her back and I think calmed her enough to not be afraid. That is what happened over and over. She would get scared and then panic. The pain didn’t change much, according to her, but the relaxation helped her to move onward. Back to the pushing….. She pushed for about ten minutes and then suddenly the baby was out. It happened so fast!!!!! Her first push brought the crown of the baby out. She wasn’t coordinating her pushes with her contractions; instead she just maintained a constant push. It was incredible. Honey hardly had to help the baby out, until she saw that the cord was wrapped around Griffin’s neck. She didn’t tell us that in the moment, but just cut the cord and immediately put Griffin on Rachel’s chest. He was covered with blood and other lovelies, and wasn’t responding much. No crying or anything. The nurse quickly took him over to the table and wiped him off to “stimulate him”. My heart was caught in my throat. For a split second worst case scenarios started to flash across my eyes. <font color="#c0504d">I remember asking everyone, “why isn’t he crying? shouldn’t he be crying??” I was confused by the fact that everyone seemed to be so calm—even my mom, who I was sure would demonstrate some visible concern if she was thought there was something wrong. I just watched her, with camera in hand, quietly and calmly make her way over to the nurse who had the baby . It looked like she was just going to take some photos. Still… no one was answering or even acknowledging my questions. Looking back, I am so grateful that everyone was careful to not panic me. I already felt a bit delirious from labor and I’m sure I would have reacted completely irrationally if I knew there was something to be concerned about. </font>Fortunately that lasted only a few seconds before he started to cry <font color="#c0504d">and they returned the baby to me. He had no residual effects of the cord trauma and we were blessed to have a healthy baby boy!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7Uk1J7cYDHk/UFzxqNDvGVI/AAAAAAAABsA/8p_I3a9W3rk/s1600-h/DSC_0072%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0072" border="0" alt="DSC_0072" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YdTvbK0T6ak/UFzxrFDamII/AAAAAAAABsI/WWPoD6viTmY/DSC_0072_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="594" height="408"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LeckDSujE_g/UFzxr4yhAgI/AAAAAAAABsQ/HHQcte2Uvyc/s1600-h/just%252520after%252520birth%252520collage%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="just after birth collage" border="0" alt="just after birth collage" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XcJU3bCcFDM/UFzxsbxFpZI/AAAAAAAABsY/ZdBSl8Uu6sc/just%252520after%252520birth%252520collage_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="600" height="212"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zG2ua01p7vk/UFzxtepjMwI/AAAAAAAABsg/RO7Qr-ErdvQ/s1600-h/Kayden%252520meets%252520Griff%252520Collage%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Kayden meets Griff Collage" border="0" alt="Kayden meets Griff Collage" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-epsbo6P5Q60/UFzxtwoUi3I/AAAAAAAABso/df3bIr8I9jg/Kayden%252520meets%252520Griff%252520Collage_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="600" height="317"></a></p> Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-29321110006334163482012-09-16T21:47:00.000-06:002012-09-18T14:01:31.846-06:00Finish school or begin a family? or both??<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I wanted to record this story in our family blog (which will eventually be turned into our family book). Maybe it will even be helpful if any of you are wondering when to begin your own families or how you can know when the time is right. If you are seeking answers on this topic, read <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/children?lang=eng" target="_blank">this talk.</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Here's our story...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Darin and I had been married for a couple years and really wanted to begin our family. But I really felt like it was God's will that I get my masters degree (that in and of itself was a major decision with lots of prayer involved!). I didn't know how in the world I could do both. I also had to work full time for a year after grad school before I'd be fully certified as a speech-language pathologist. Once Darin and I really felt like we needed to have a child soon, we had a new idea come to our minds that we'd never before thought of: if we got pregnant during my second year of grad school we'd have the baby right after graduation and Darin could put off dental school just one year so that he could be home with Kayden while I worked and got certified. We were blessed to get pregnant right when we'd hoped to and everything fell into place. I even had a great pregnancy so it was no problem to finish grad school--a blessing I missed this second pregnancy! haha- I had a lot more back pain with this one, but I honestly kinda expected that my next pregnancies wouldn't be as easy--I believed I was being blessed and helped through school. A hidden bonus was there was so much that we both learned by having the experience of switching roles (Darin at home full-time and me working)... I believe that's another reason why God inspire us with that plan. We are so grateful we did it the way we did and we've had this precious time with Kayden!!</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Thank goodness Someone sees the bigger picture and can help us know what would be best for us!</span></span>Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-49514768126469157892012-09-10T07:59:00.001-06:002012-09-10T07:59:54.242-06:00Underwear party<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-l_cDBPiuC10/UE3vpM19gTI/AAAAAAAABoU/ex217MUgWRA/s1600-h/Kayden%252520underwear%252520Collage%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Kayden underwear Collage" border="0" alt="Kayden underwear Collage" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UcZn6MBNuBk/UE3vp_KAtnI/AAAAAAAABoc/F3zBWTvbqxA/Kayden%252520underwear%252520Collage_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="509"></a></p> <p>For the last month, we’ve been having a big underwear party. Yes, indeed I was stupid enough to dive into potty training while taking care of a newborn. But we’re getting through it and Kayden has been a champ for the most part. Yesterday we asked him to go get some clean underwear to put on—we didn’t specify that he only needed to get one pair. He came out with a whole pile proudly saying, “I got underwears!” When he started to put them on his head, we just made a big party out of it.</p> <p>We started exposing Kayden to the little potty when he was 18 months old. The pediatrician recommended it since he was already communicating so well. He thought it was fun and exciting at first. We had a brilliant idea for a potty training method: let’s just put him in underwear and that should do it. Surely he won’t like the feeling of being dirty and having an accident, so he’ll learn to do it in the potty. Well, it worked at first…and then stopped working. And then it got ugly, so we took a break for a few months. After Griffin joined our family, I found myself absolutely disgusted when changing Kayden’s HUGE diapers and smelling his definitly-not-baby-poop-anymore. It was so gross in comparison to the little newborn diaper changes that I committed then and there that we were DONE with size 4 diapers. Going back to the wearing underwear technique failed again. So, I tried letting him go naked. That kid definitely responded to not having anything to “catch it.” He’s NEVER had an accident when he was wearing nothing. So, gradually, we’ve been able to have him wear underwear and he still remembers when he needs to go. He’s been pretty awesome. Oh, and my favorite part? He calls the excrement “poop” and “<em>peep</em>.” So logical and totally hillarious! His nursery leader brought him in to me in the relief society room yesterday and (of course during a silent moment in the lesson) he loudly exclaimed “I have peep!” meaning “I need to pee.” It got a good chuckle from the women in the room.</p> Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-49845656658582206062012-09-04T13:41:00.000-06:002012-09-04T13:41:56.566-06:00Joy in the Journey <div>
<i>Way back in October 2008, I took special note of president Monson's talk titled "Joy in the Journey". Even then I knew it would be one I needed to reread frequently once I was raising kids. I have it bookmarked on my phone now and pull it up occasionally. You can read the full talk <a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/finding-joy-in-the-journey?lang=eng&query=joy+journey+(name%3a%22Thomas+S.+Monson%22)" target="_blank">here </a>. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>This part always always makes me cry.... </i><br />
<br />
"If you have children who are grown and gone, in all likelihood you have occasionally felt pangs of loss and the recognition that you didn’t appreciate that time of life as much as you should have. Of course, there is no going back, but only forward. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future.<br />
<br />
If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly.<br />
<br />
Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us." <br />
<br />
<i>Sweet sweet reminders that help me get back on track and remind me of the bigger picture (the eternal perspective) and again find joy in my journey. </i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptBH9zQL7uHpP_h10hnESs5g5fcX0AAkFhiRzE7QDJfFEAd2QggHAs0ET_NdG-0P78tuMFhEenR8qM63sBBZ6oN_AdUaOGIehHJcx3_KFMFBBiEJLEi7cE69AqqZoA3ocJfr0-iWZO_c/s1600/Kayden+cooking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptBH9zQL7uHpP_h10hnESs5g5fcX0AAkFhiRzE7QDJfFEAd2QggHAs0ET_NdG-0P78tuMFhEenR8qM63sBBZ6oN_AdUaOGIehHJcx3_KFMFBBiEJLEi7cE69AqqZoA3ocJfr0-iWZO_c/s320/Kayden+cooking.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-79700343546191378512012-08-31T11:47:00.001-06:002012-08-31T21:24:04.090-06:00Welcoming “little brother”<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FZw45A9aN_E/UEF9ZwPDG3I/AAAAAAAABgs/4Sji1X-iB1I/s1600-h/Kayden%252520and%252520Griffin%252520birth%252520announcement%2525204x6%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Kayden and Griffin birth announcement 4x6" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Nw7ls33AvX0/UEF9arytP-I/AAAAAAAABg0/qp1BvSDCfaE/Kayden%252520and%252520Griffin%252520birth%252520announcement%2525204x6_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kayden and Griffin birth announcement 4x6" width="494" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;">Our sweet <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Griffin</span> </span></span><span style="font-family: book antiqua;">has been <em>very</em> well accepted!</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: book antiqua; font-size: large;">Daddy time</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BZN3wFCg2Qk/UED4Hq2R93I/AAAAAAAABY8/pbzKD7CqmTw/s1600-h/Darin%252520holding%252520Griffin%252520against%252520wall%252520BW%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><img alt="Darin holding Griffin against wall BW" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gcM7aT-jQiA/UED4IIji3uI/AAAAAAAABZE/VqUOiH0JBoU/Darin%252520holding%252520Griffin%252520against%252520wall%252520BW_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Darin holding Griffin against wall BW" width="164" /></span></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AnC3igBoE_I/UED4Isht3aI/AAAAAAAABZM/L5hGWiDBpB0/s1600-h/011%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><img alt="011" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mG-CBRcot6A/UED4JObYo6I/AAAAAAAABZU/s8fcIaMVPF0/011_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="011" width="161" /></span></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CokNgQiPBSc/UED4Jp3Pa6I/AAAAAAAABZc/XCdpYEk-tlk/s1600-h/003%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><img alt="003" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XZvHLwxct-0/UED4Ks6B_hI/AAAAAAAABZk/7r0ls879bmk/003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="003" width="164" /></span></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tToMUfkIl0w/UED4LaLDoCI/AAAAAAAABZs/T7YZtCHbxaM/s1600-h/023%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><img alt="023" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8E4DvXRgfXw/UED4L255EZI/AAAAAAAABZ0/KE4XgKfVae8/023_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="023" width="489" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ORnwaTksqJM/UED4MmQfIzI/AAAAAAAABZ8/6ce1o-avGi8/s1600-h/012%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><img alt="012" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MKF0bmVcUFQ/UED4M21OkkI/AAAAAAAABaE/DzSd9RPTmFo/012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="012" width="244" /></span></a><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-knLChmFtlGo/UED4NmuBBdI/AAAAAAAABaM/Plxj805_Qys/s1600-h/014%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="014" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aq4yHLTZO68/UED4OiRUx_I/AAAAAAAABaU/nRTjiln-AqQ/014_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="014" width="244" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: book antiqua; font-size: large;">Mommy time</span></div>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4JXpluZZ1Do/UED4QMVxC0I/AAAAAAAABac/i9s5zPcdLQU/s1600-h/047%252520edit%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><img alt="047 edit" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--W2SPOAnmFw/UED4Qlm3P0I/AAAAAAAABak/tgVle5x0eX4/047%252520edit_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="047 edit" width="244" /></span></a><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7hocUTOY7n0/UED4RX026tI/AAAAAAAABas/ANd_DcZQKYE/s1600-h/241%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="241" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HyAg5NjZk1k/UED4SIQz_OI/AAAAAAAABa0/Sb4qtwnxnSA/241_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="241" width="244" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jePTniLUzao/UED4SxlTHNI/AAAAAAAABa8/RjAqUawBEWg/s1600-h/063%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><img alt="063" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-suAc-tNajiY/UED4Tdcgb2I/AAAAAAAABbE/_Q1ZDrPPHLU/063_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="063" width="164" /></span></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WyPDfDTr0vE/UED4T5EeUmI/AAAAAAAABbM/XyLI3M3HmHU/s1600-h/179%252520edit%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><img alt="179 edit" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iAdAG-AXLow/UED4UN8-lOI/AAAAAAAABbU/SqQl-DKQobM/179%252520edit_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="179 edit" width="163" /></span></a><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4T1gfB5abJc/UED4UmgT_aI/AAAAAAAABbc/3k2A4EqPOO4/s1600-h/027%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="027" border="0" height="243" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Behbg5109W0/UED4VN4o6RI/AAAAAAAABbk/M-0qisJO_JM/027_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="027" width="157" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: book antiqua; font-size: large;">Mr. Sweet Cheeks</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZQXdhIqyw8E/UED4VzqaM6I/AAAAAAAABbs/4feVyxKPU7Y/s1600-h/205%252520edit%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><img alt="205 edit" border="0" height="369" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NVIdw4ZZrhU/UED4WZkYd8I/AAAAAAAABb0/NUqiUoUo1QM/205%252520edit_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="205 edit" width="483" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dAaXGerVNDA/UED4WwWrJTI/AAAAAAAABb8/GvrgaxE7tS4/s1600-h/076%252520ath%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><img alt="076 ath" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Emc_IoXKfZY/UED4XVWAJSI/AAAAAAAABcE/o8PWlwS27pE/076%252520ath_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="076 ath" width="244" /></span></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9BGM7YN3zZ0/UED4X-y-MpI/AAAAAAAABcM/qxy8NxyBVw4/s1600-h/048%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><img alt="048" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6OMZOE7PZgE/UED4YRpRaeI/AAAAAAAABcU/N2l8GEc7c24/048_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="048" width="244" /></span></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Bv2K6PNqWDU/UED4YwqDQJI/AAAAAAAABcc/yDib9Y7Th90/s1600-h/091%252520edit%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><img alt="091 edit" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WGm-oQGOcR8/UED4ZQK1fRI/AAAAAAAABck/EcdgqyVpyBg/091%252520edit_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="091 edit" width="244" /></span></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OssngwUH6xg/UED4Z9c2GEI/AAAAAAAABcs/eKwaRSsHbaI/s1600-h/094%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><img alt="094" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eL8Ot1Dwj0M/UED4aTXiFGI/AAAAAAAABc0/_pNE1kE6KO4/094_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="094" width="244" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K3DnDQHuNdQ/UED4bH_Y_yI/AAAAAAAABc8/n6J626DEoac/s1600-h/168%252520dag%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><img alt="168 dag" border="0" height="340" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IN1jD_PMERc/UED4bjLfbhI/AAAAAAAABdE/r_oNJsNSrMU/168%252520dag_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="168 dag" width="492" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: book antiqua; font-size: large;">Brotherly love right here…</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nF8ubAt2Wig/UED4cQcvmKI/AAAAAAAABdM/lhHMwfSIc5I/s1600-h/103%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><img alt="103" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DByDs2abF94/UED4c0n14MI/AAAAAAAABdU/b9kr_ZseO40/103_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="103" width="244" /></span></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kVr3BhwkCsU/UED4dvsEmXI/AAAAAAAABdc/m9WKUJP12nY/s1600-h/104%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><img alt="104" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4QMnP8G7Fok/UED4eNW7OyI/AAAAAAAABdk/sRQKnLqUQ7I/104_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="104" width="244" /></span></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vQ83MnM7pes/UED4ewP2SSI/AAAAAAAABds/lqh5VO9pM3U/s1600-h/215%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><img alt="215" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NAEgQzI6UsA/UED4fbZuPjI/AAAAAAAABd0/8Olf3LCqbDk/215_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="215" width="244" /></span></a><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xz5jbKSV8Ok/UED4gusZS7I/AAAAAAAABd8/ERB3vCVyfPs/s1600-h/216%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="216" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b3uILMev6E0/UED4g4qsZcI/AAAAAAAABeE/YjGGgAMWJrU/216_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="216" width="244" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;">Kayden has been so gentle and loving with Griffin. He asks throughout the day to “see the baby” which means he has to have full view of his face and be close enough to touch the baby’s forehead. Only <em>occasionally</em> does he have to be reminded to “move slowly when you’re around the baby” in order to avoid those </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;">accidental collisions!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hlqLHYu1JT0/UED4h6-To_I/AAAAAAAABeM/S6qfWQ_kIt8/s1600-h/232%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><img alt="232" border="0" height="382" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oZ4O5C7KhfA/UED4iRF3sJI/AAAAAAAABeU/Jj8IzYzg9m0/232_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="232" width="494" /></span></a><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lw65OYKk9_E/UED4kSsqmyI/AAAAAAAABec/46Z0S6r9kbQ/s1600-h/088%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="088" border="0" height="384" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-A4wY5U11V-Y/UED4l3xu0eI/AAAAAAAABek/zr7umXAygtQ/088_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="088" width="488" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;">Kayden’s pretty excited about being a <span style="font-size: medium;">big brother</span>! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;">He’s going to be such a good example for little Griffin!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_iidQHySkRI/UED4mtT3XCI/AAAAAAAABes/tNCRjTaHpww/s1600-h/218%252520edit%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="218 edit" border="0" height="668" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5kfvboSglpA/UED4nHTXwlI/AAAAAAAABe0/xEJZZzcumpY/218%252520edit_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="218 edit" width="481" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"></span> Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-73952963796296282992012-08-31T09:24:00.002-06:002012-08-31T09:24:16.254-06:00oh.So, I'm realizing that part of the reason I may be feeling like a supermom is because I'm still living off of frozen dinners that a couple of people have brought over and frozen food my mom got while she was here. Not sure how I'm going to manage making real meals...ha!Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-39995059750601707572012-08-28T18:22:00.001-06:002012-08-28T18:29:35.840-06:00Supermom<p>I thought I was a real full-time mom with Kayden….now I realize that was only a part-time job. I don’t mean to belittle any mothers who currently have just one child. I know there are mothers who are definitely working full-time because their one child is a much bigger handful than Kayden has been, but this has been an awakening for me to have two kiddos. </p> <p>My life is suddenly insanely busy. I’ve never before found it difficult to find time to answer a quick text message. So often, something is currently demanding all my attention—and I mean DEMANDING! And yes, there have been times (especially mornings after frequent feedings throughout the night) when I have shed tears and felt overwhelmed. However, I have to say that I’ve experienced some weird energy most of the time. Now with two kids, whenever I make it to storytime at the library or make dinner or run any errands or go to the park or work on any projects or read stories to Kayden, I feel a REAL sense of accomplishment. Like I’ve gone above and beyond and I’m a totally “with-it” mom.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8yh2JxB_eeU/UD1iZYCaAxI/AAAAAAAABW0/NcszXX8JpJg/s1600-h/DSCN1910%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN1910" border="0" alt="DSCN1910" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mdhEGFjazeg/UD1iZ8saZ9I/AAAAAAAABW8/mOPv_PEfpSg/DSCN1910_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="294" height="236"></a></p> <p>I feel like a <font size="5"><em>supermom</em></font>.</p> <p>This lifestyle of constantly having to do something for my babies is really…fulfilling? I feel like I’m doing what I was meant to do (at this time of my life). Right now, I am everything to these little ones. I feel very needed. I feel very responsible. I would imagine it’s similar to being promoted in any career…more responsibility and business, but you feel more needed and important! I feel like I just became the CEO. </p> <p><font size="5">Go ahead</font>. Laugh. I’m sure down the road when I look back after having more kids, I’ll laugh at this post too. <em>But for now, I am a supermom.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rLqrCaAJ0Cw/UD1ibHKpV8I/AAAAAAAABXE/usGx1XxJSiw/s1600-h/DSCN1875%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN1875" border="0" alt="DSCN1875" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LbAY99qqw2k/UD1iblL1ZiI/AAAAAAAABXM/DqggiWElQKQ/DSCN1875_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="488" height="380"></a></p> Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-32729690533588868072012-08-17T17:14:00.001-06:002012-08-17T17:14:48.239-06:00Pool time with the purobs<p align="left"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: en-us; mso-fareast-language: en-us; mso-bidi-language: ar-sa"><font color="#000000" size="3">At 1 week of age, Griffin joined us at the community pool! Grandma Jenny, Grandpa Marlon, Aunt Megan and Uncle Ryan came to visit and we had a blast. Baby and Mom stayed on the sidelines, but it was still fun to all be at the pool together.</font></span></p><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: en-us; mso-fareast-language: en-us; mso-bidi-language: ar-sa"></span> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R4iRCbF4ECI/UC7QSdq-_zI/AAAAAAAABVA/EChSgPy73mw/s1600-h/2012-08-13%25252011.42.13%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-13 11.42.13" border="0" alt="2012-08-13 11.42.13" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WNTbKTNvMJk/UC7QTAwB8fI/AAAAAAAABVI/C1saWDy90TA/2012-08-13%25252011.42.13_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="455" height="247"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8lohkIXYs6g/UC7QT60NnQI/AAAAAAAABVQ/nUtcMcCAL9M/s1600-h/2012-08-13%25252011.40.47%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-13 11.40.47" border="0" alt="2012-08-13 11.40.47" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pnRyYD3vy8k/UC7QUXbJgcI/AAAAAAAABVY/-Rdd5AGliWw/2012-08-13%25252011.40.47_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="442"></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Book Antiqua">Grandpa Marlon was being really silly and had us all laughing pretty hard (see video below).</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iOU00pZRdy4/UC7QVf7N4DI/AAAAAAAABVg/fOqoH-eWiqo/s1600-h/2012-08-13%25252011.17.31%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-13 11.17.31" border="0" alt="2012-08-13 11.17.31" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H0qFR8Fdtko/UC7QV7TzXKI/AAAAAAAABVo/7ggdBYm5WN0/2012-08-13%25252011.17.31_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="319"></a> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:8ae594c8-6eb1-477c-8c35-8542f8f6cbf2" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="d97be981-5462-455a-b7e7-cf045a0a60aa" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2Q8r9ARMjw" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e-lzyUtTv0Y/UC7QWRfoIqI/AAAAAAAABVw/1T_Xz_T0Ev8/videoa87f964abdbe%25255B34%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('d97be981-5462-455a-b7e7-cf045a0a60aa'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/S2Q8r9ARMjw?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/S2Q8r9ARMjw?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div><div style="width:448px;clear:both;font-size:.8em">Bucket head cannonball by Grandpa Marlon</div></div> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w3wt1GarMdY/UC7QXezV4fI/AAAAAAAABV4/XHdHFMhq430/s1600-h/2012-08-13%25252011.24.50%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-13 11.24.50" border="0" alt="2012-08-13 11.24.50" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vVP42bkL-NE/UC7QXy2AqFI/AAAAAAAABWA/Nogqq0LOyJQ/2012-08-13%25252011.24.50_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="464" height="305"></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Book Antiqua">Kayden in his awesome floaties! Love those things.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hMYF-FAxYgA/UC7QZPLVUlI/AAAAAAAABWI/3RgkTmO--eg/s1600-h/2012-08-13%25252011.29.43%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-08-13 11.29.43" border="0" alt="2012-08-13 11.29.43" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k2QpPPDQRxw/UC7QZt-2dEI/AAAAAAAABWQ/9PV9tipMfhg/2012-08-13%25252011.29.43_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="471" height="273"></a></p> Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-29958145187901599082012-07-20T13:37:00.004-06:002012-08-31T09:25:41.768-06:00Optimism<span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">There never was a greater time in the history of the world to live upon the earth than this. How grateful every one of us ought to feel for being alive in this wonderful time with all the marvelous blessings we have. … And on top of all that is the Restoration of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with all of the keys and authority, with all the gifts and blessings, with all the organization and doctrine of all previous dispensations all brought into one. And you and I are partakers of that marvelous restoration (from Church News, Aug. 14, 1999, 7).</span><br />
<div class="" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/new-era/2001/07/words-of-the-prophet-the-spirit-of-optimism.p4">
<span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/new-era/2001/07/words-of-the-prophet-the-spirit-of-optimism.p4">
<span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I see so many good people everywhere—and there’s so much of good in them. And the world is good. Wonderful things are happening in this world. This is the greatest age in the history of the earth. …</span></span></div>
<div class="" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/new-era/2001/07/words-of-the-prophet-the-spirit-of-optimism.p4">
<span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/new-era/2001/07/words-of-the-prophet-the-spirit-of-optimism.p4">
<span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">We have every reason to be optimistic in this world. Tragedy is around, yes. Problems everywhere, yes. … You can’t, you don’t, build out of pessimism or cynicism. You look with optimism, work with faith, and things happen (from Ensign, June 1995, 4).</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="" style="background-color: #f9f6ed; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/new-era/2001/07/words-of-the-prophet-the-spirit-of-optimism.p4">
<br /></div>
Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-71367027532619645812012-05-13T21:39:00.001-06:002012-05-13T21:39:37.666-06:00Dear Mom<p>I couldn’t let this mother’s day pass without telling you what I love. </p> <p>I love that I can always call you and find <em>something</em> to talk about. You’re the only person I ever call when I have nothing to say…I just feel like talking about <em>something</em> with you. </p> <p>I also love that we often call each other at the exact same time—kinda weird, but I love it. </p> <p>I love that even though I live far away, we are close. </p> <p>I love that when we really get laughing, I can’t tell the difference between my laugh and yours.</p> <p>I love our walks/workouts.</p> <p>I love it when I complain about something you can relate to and you can just say, “I know. It stinks”… and somehow I feel so much better. </p> <p>I love that we use the exact same makeup/hairstyling tools.</p> <p>And I love <em>love LOVE</em> how much you love Kayden. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oP0DvNdo92o/T7B-dvg-HGI/AAAAAAAABQM/X5SLc3_kZ9k/s1600-h/DSC_0331%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0331" border="0" alt="DSC_0331" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K9iEjZaJZPE/T7B-eNBA3dI/AAAAAAAABQU/MMjxcbl_-Z4/DSC_0331_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>We love you!</p> <p>P.S. Mom, we need take more pictures together…just us. I don’t have ANY!</p> Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-63792486850165039802012-05-13T07:26:00.002-06:002012-05-13T21:22:13.795-06:00Kayden's medley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwKfnpf0wgtNKOBkxen3z4DpeHjOmYrEZKPVWtNYdCE6tFzYzD-IcSm8nruLWPjza21ZVvEyZHOC1IdzwnjvA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Kayden prepares his Denver's Got Talent routine.Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, followed by Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree.Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-32822130705600989152012-05-09T16:05:00.001-06:002012-08-31T09:40:35.677-06:0027 weeks…and countingWe’re getting excited for baby boy #2! Funny how different I have been with this pregnancy. With the first, I diligently documented my bump nearly every week. This time? I didn’t get around to taking side-shot pictures it til 26 weeks. Oops. Maybe it had to do with the fact that I was feeling very big, very soon. Who wants to document that really closely?! Anyway, for the baby bump lovers out there, here’s my <em>attempt</em> at an overview of the progression…<br>11 weeks<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uU79HCUUxsI/T6rqH4jjVpI/AAAAAAAABNE/1Kow3KPmr8c/s1600-h/DSCN0238%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0238" border="0" alt="DSCN0238" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ju7W8HLy8Hk/T6rqIR_lWLI/AAAAAAAABNM/JraLmCcXZ3w/DSCN0238_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br>12 weeks<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6-Y9I1Oo6Xs/T6rqJOxEJOI/AAAAAAAABNU/qoueykkllhA/s1600-h/DSCN0486%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0486" border="0" alt="DSCN0486" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1TAJjmyI-e8/T6rqJVQtLnI/AAAAAAAABNc/3qoHW1m7nhA/DSCN0486_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="173" height="244"></a><br>14 weeks<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G7z49GSWSDk/T6rqKYvkhbI/AAAAAAAABNk/X1tNBKw_9rc/s1600-h/DSCN0511%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0511" border="0" alt="DSCN0511" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0V1DwdQ-_Xc/T6rqK8mDw9I/AAAAAAAABNs/16_lzUKJbgY/DSCN0511_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><br>19 weeks<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RuplS-ORsV0/T6rqLzEIOGI/AAAAAAAABN0/vKo_yHvDN_c/s1600-h/DSCN0624%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0624" border="0" alt="DSCN0624" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HWYrWSLWnds/T6rqMXG7e6I/AAAAAAAABN8/ubPSj_rkm3M/DSCN0624_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><br>21 weeks<br><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0707" border="0" alt="DSCN0707" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r9vfhR_rGMk/T6rqM4WQmSI/AAAAAAAABOE/BN3rgG9cyrU/DSCN0707_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"><br>25 weeks<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Xl1lLlUENsg/T6rqN7x2CuI/AAAAAAAABOM/zshh_FepVAo/s1600-h/DSCN0855%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0855" border="0" alt="DSCN0855" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c4qwry24k4k/T6rqOLbbqLI/AAAAAAAABOU/Nfyydy6SdOI/DSCN0855_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="181"></a><br>26 weeks<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nFkMCOYlGFc/T6rqO8s5DBI/AAAAAAAABOc/Nt7wL1ChHeg/s1600-h/DSCN0871%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0871" border="0" alt="DSCN0871" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xfposXMrjr8/T6rqPfD50NI/AAAAAAAABOk/yz13hqoP-p8/DSCN0871_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br>27 weeks<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wnTCz1xBcnY/T6rqQDVtjaI/AAAAAAAABOs/j-oKylr0n8Q/s1600-h/DSCN1022%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN1022" border="0" alt="DSCN1022" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yffXZZAQ6DY/T6rqQWDzPFI/AAAAAAAABO0/1a5K9Y8FV64/DSCN1022_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pB9fJfZGALE/T6rqRCqAseI/AAAAAAAABO8/82140CEZ-Rs/s1600-h/DSCN1031%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN1031" border="0" alt="DSCN1031" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-766qUk0Py6E/T6rqRS3nsWI/AAAAAAAABPE/ULstfFNC9PI/DSCN1031_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><br>28 weeks tomorrow, so more to come…<br>oh, does anyone have ideas for a new blog title? I think we’re gonna need to switch things up =) <p>UPDATE:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-szEoF8etNJg/UEDa5O1dfwI/AAAAAAAABXw/nFbqVVSzMnI/s1600-h/DSCN1584%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN1584" border="0" alt="DSCN1584" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hpnCZ6lvTz4/UEDa6vNf25I/AAAAAAAABX4/bllzQIlJzyo/DSCN1584_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a></p> <p>37 weeks after a family outing to the OB office! </p> <p>This picture was taken at the dental school where we dropped Daddy off after the appointment.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gn2RRmnlNKk/UEDa727YRKI/AAAAAAAABYA/_pV6Ac5zINI/s1600-h/DSCN1620%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN1620" border="0" alt="DSCN1620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RKgC906SlQI/UEDa8eyLIYI/AAAAAAAABYI/0lSAP7pTkLQ/DSCN1620_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244"></a></p> <p>38 weeks…hoping to pop!</p> Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-38503017096209989972012-05-09T14:08:00.001-06:002012-05-09T14:08:36.245-06:00the Train Museum<p>To celebrate Kayden’s 2nd birthday, we went to the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, CO. Check out all the train stuff in the gift shop. Talk about little boy heaven!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-x2UOj7Usim8/T6rOOG8azzI/AAAAAAAABGs/ynjEkDGQutI/s1600-h/DSCN0909%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0909" border="0" alt="DSCN0909" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-B1c3FJPEs7w/T6rOOmnLP3I/AAAAAAAABG0/uxrNNx8DoS0/DSCN0909_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="576" height="433"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>So much to look at! We got lots of side shots of Kayden:)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7sUkb1qq8AA/T6rOPtECZMI/AAAAAAAABG8/dBP5WOi0Lc4/s1600-h/DSCN0920%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0920" border="0" alt="DSCN0920" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--GqyVYVngYM/T6rOQPxYPyI/AAAAAAAABHE/tnJ2576jxSI/DSCN0920_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CLVAZkPz7ow/T6rORGxQprI/AAAAAAAABHM/mz8vJXiuNz0/s1600-h/DSCN0935%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0935" border="0" alt="DSCN0935" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D5nyVOF6sTU/T6rORrq7ZbI/AAAAAAAABHU/F9P6CrYMUBU/DSCN0935_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZtUjHxC3HBA/T6rOSc02rEI/AAAAAAAABHc/cT19NsbxUfQ/s1600-h/DSCN0959%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0959" border="0" alt="DSCN0959" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TBsnAc6bLEE/T6rOSqQ9brI/AAAAAAAABHk/xc7CLjbhfyg/DSCN0959_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--uDwKK44_Ng/T6rOTlE8iSI/AAAAAAAABHs/PZRRR8sOtOc/s1600-h/DSCN0931%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0931" border="0" alt="DSCN0931" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nccFoyEaiaU/T6rOTx-ZJOI/AAAAAAAABH0/EfqHBJN1YPA/DSCN0931_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>He loved pulling and climbing on everything. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RCGKO0FaIXo/T6rOU21usqI/AAAAAAAABH8/AnwIeTNsR34/s1600-h/DSCN0991%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0991" border="0" alt="DSCN0991" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Sp_IESKnNXY/T6rOVhrrJcI/AAAAAAAABIE/-oF-2DozLbw/DSCN0991_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X5_fzy1RDfk/T6rOWUPCsqI/AAAAAAAABIM/GhR5yWGVrbQ/s1600-h/DSCN0925%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0925" border="0" alt="DSCN0925" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-osVlG8T362A/T6rOW4j2VkI/AAAAAAAABIU/7KE3oc_rrzA/DSCN0925_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PyCgi8VURXI/T6rOXucxtlI/AAAAAAAABIc/Kv1p7bLN2Fg/s1600-h/DSCN0941%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0941" border="0" alt="DSCN0941" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dwIee7tiuQ4/T6rOYLcAa-I/AAAAAAAABIk/y7gaK-20tLU/DSCN0941_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o-GqgKgZd30/T6rOZI9skfI/AAAAAAAABIs/yzrya9QxNwU/s1600-h/DSCN0939%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0939" border="0" alt="DSCN0939" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vC1uAKWP_3o/T6rOZh8L28I/AAAAAAAABIw/TrBshM1nrlg/DSCN0939_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tgdFOWbhjkU/T6rOa-a_A3I/AAAAAAAABI8/WUK4xWLVqAw/s1600-h/DSCN0928%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0928" border="0" alt="DSCN0928" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zSpg1Uz_fmg/T6rObTogRdI/AAAAAAAABJE/YmpmZzDJT4c/DSCN0928_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>He got filthy dirty! I didn’t think about that when I put him in light colored clothes that morning. oh well, so worth the fun!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--RamrUUvgyw/T6rOcNiet9I/AAAAAAAABJM/fd0csTqhSEE/s1600-h/DSCN0994%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0994" border="0" alt="DSCN0994" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Az6-QpKr3vQ/T6rOcr-gCnI/AAAAAAAABJU/JxjJHNVfy3k/DSCN0994_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BmIH0Pc5Zx0/T6rOdXCGc-I/AAAAAAAABJc/UtuZnItdiSQ/s1600-h/DSCN0996%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0996" border="0" alt="DSCN0996" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7eK8zjcy3HI/T6rOeLvLjSI/AAAAAAAABJk/4IxHzVrH--c/DSCN0996_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6bmFhSVOy8M/T6rOfKqrmbI/AAAAAAAABJs/9D3pTvE3BVg/s1600-h/DSCN0929%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0929" border="0" alt="DSCN0929" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m6GTCJrBPZw/T6rOfgr7XAI/AAAAAAAABJ0/DW0DIAJ5dcc/DSCN0929_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="476" height="358"></a></p> <p>We got to ride in the front of what they call the Galloping Goose train. We were right behind the conductor—best seats in the house!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MJJq8ROIjWE/T6rOgX89sCI/AAAAAAAABJ8/NCjEXK_hOtA/s1600-h/DSCN0948%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0948" border="0" alt="DSCN0948" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kn_4qvRAjpc/T6rOgnengII/AAAAAAAABKE/SgRPC68augk/DSCN0948_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E13xFz-f1-s/T6rOhcNU4PI/AAAAAAAABKM/yUoUbYNbaTA/s1600-h/DSCN0951%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0951" border="0" alt="DSCN0951" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_k5sGIsaXSU/T6rOhn1l6vI/AAAAAAAABKU/Kk4MfgP0fi0/DSCN0951_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>There’s a fenced in space where you can watch several model trains going on various tracks. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PI06U2HikmY/T6rOjOHv4WI/AAAAAAAABKc/yi1D9jPAyPQ/s1600-h/DSCN0961%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0961" border="0" alt="DSCN0961" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6OwzO9jtujg/T6rOjnJtAvI/AAAAAAAABKk/LV8wPGsykns/DSCN0961_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P2ests8wuh0/T6rOk-Ivj_I/AAAAAAAABKs/UM2uyMDjCio/s1600-h/DSCN0962%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0962" border="0" alt="DSCN0962" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SkUfWdrKbBc/T6rOlNQN6kI/AAAAAAAABK0/QZiOG9pvEAE/DSCN0962_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8EhnN_s_4SY/T6rOmJq8frI/AAAAAAAABK8/Tbo4Cyv2lv4/s1600-h/DSCN0965%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0965" border="0" alt="DSCN0965" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4lzikRCWAI8/T6rOmkDeuCI/AAAAAAAABLA/gTWPDoG1N3Q/DSCN0965_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lR-kr5yoqCQ/T6rOn85ArII/AAAAAAAABLM/tNyIsgO0ItM/s1600-h/DSCN0977%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0977" border="0" alt="DSCN0977" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a0c1i2pK91I/T6rOoMVHmkI/AAAAAAAABLU/4V0S0iL47Ts/DSCN0977_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-an2La8J64pc/T6rOpH6ftfI/AAAAAAAABLc/VnBmra7tCEA/s1600-h/DSCN0981%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0981" border="0" alt="DSCN0981" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u9-kZ3d-I28/T6rOprevMgI/AAAAAAAABLk/5zpsqZvPUOA/DSCN0981_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>Check out this snow blower! Well, that’s what Darin says it is, so I took his word for it. Crazy huge.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IAKj8x4NhF4/T6rOqsv4OyI/AAAAAAAABLs/EMu9MruIiaw/s1600-h/DSCN0985%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0985" border="0" alt="DSCN0985" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-obNw-JDEd3I/T6rOrMndsvI/AAAAAAAABL0/fe4ErPiLavQ/DSCN0985_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="327"></a></p> <p>I love the scale in this picture. Itty bitty boy entranced by these MASSIVE train cars!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-B9RF7WBq678/T6rOsLGx9eI/AAAAAAAABL8/VnBClx8ZUC8/s1600-h/DSCN0988%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0988" border="0" alt="DSCN0988" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LJpfbhJpBdQ/T6rOshbWhrI/AAAAAAAABME/jlNly-mVCh4/DSCN0988_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="682" height="512"></a></p> <p>It was a bonus that we happened to find a tractor in the side yard with the rest of the maintenance vehicles and equipment. Kayden didn’t care that the tractor was not intended to be part of the museum! He calls it a “front loadirt” (for front loader =).</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xe8Q9InJ-e0/T6rOt8L63lI/AAAAAAAABMM/6d7iIPtjKfg/s1600-h/DSCN0992%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0992" border="0" alt="DSCN0992" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jVs06sUFxcM/T6rOuE8femI/AAAAAAAABMU/Z1vIjV4u4Vo/DSCN0992_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>It’s too bad he’s going through a stage where he runs from the camera and it’s so hard to get a great smile. He was SO happy this day but it was hard to capture it!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XFjTEWO-WLQ/T6rOvVXErWI/AAAAAAAABMc/rw3x_k2RRlw/s1600-h/DSCN0912%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0912" border="0" alt="DSCN0912" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6RgFkldT7Q4/T6rOvv9DhOI/AAAAAAAABMk/HjyP6eHzDF0/DSCN0912_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="188"></a></p> <p>He hadn’t had enough when we left the museum. He played with his new toy trains all the way home. and the next day. and the next day. He still can’t get enough of trains!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DUB-PiW3NLY/T6rOwfR0aGI/AAAAAAAABMs/_KVCGkzbz60/s1600-h/DSCN0998%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0998" border="0" alt="DSCN0998" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hnalOcMYTz0/T6rOwwuQcLI/AAAAAAAABM0/iJMl_fFq-7c/DSCN0998_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-3109372763405219462012-05-09T12:00:00.000-06:002012-05-09T14:20:32.078-06:00Seriously? It's been 5 months?!<br />
ok, I knew I hadn’t blogged for a while, but I did NOT realize it had been since JANUARY!<br />
<br />
There are main 3 things that keep me from blogging:<br />
<br />
1. Distraction-every time I go to our blog to add a new post, I look through all of our friends’ blogs first…and boy does my blogging time just slip between my fingers.<br />
<br />
2. I’ve posted so infrequently that by the time I sit down to do it, there are TONS of things to blog about and SO many pictures to sort through. This leads to a sort of binge-blogging behavior where I cover a ton of ground with each post. Then next time I need to blog, I put it off because last time it took SO LONG.<br />
<br />
3. Somewhere deep inside, I hesitate to blog because I don’t have a long-term plan for family journaling. I still write in my journal-yes, old school style with pen and paper- as well as add to Kayden’s digital scrapbook, type in the word document I have as my own digital journal, and then there’s Facebook. This is what we call <em>indecision.</em> I need to find a method that works for us and stick with it. Any advice or ideas from any other moms out there who are trying to keep journals/scrapbooks/life books in this digital age??<br />
<br />
As Darin knows well, <strong>distraction</strong> and <strong>indecision</strong> are two of my biggest handicaps. I do believe I will be able to overcome them with time and effort, but it’s sure long road to recovery! For now…I’ll keep trying.Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-27181305453530742932012-01-30T09:23:00.001-07:002012-01-30T09:23:22.686-07:001…2…3<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:967d38ac-a059-4f3a-ab49-8064c62bcc35" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="ab3de3d6-fcb7-4024-92e6-971d32e4f753" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yDpp8Eb6Os" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TPVG4DPpRAc/TybD-UmwEXI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/EYgcruzhzEc/video2704bf9df270%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('ab3de3d6-fcb7-4024-92e6-971d32e4f753'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/4yDpp8Eb6Os?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/4yDpp8Eb6Os?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div><div style="width:448px;clear:both;font-size:.8em">Darin taught him a new trick!</div></div> <p>So cute. Just wanted to share.</p> Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-12664580037127520762012-01-10T07:00:00.001-07:002012-01-11T20:30:52.299-07:00THE refinishing project<p align="center">BEFORE:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UmYyCjzCL4A/TwxEFvDKebI/AAAAAAAAA0s/P9CPnRZCVeA/s1600-h/IMG_3831.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3831" border="0" alt="IMG_3831" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jtI3hYDerpc/TwxEGHGt0xI/AAAAAAAAA00/yGsGKQzjhSg/IMG_3831_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="276"></a></p> <p align="center">Buffet table. Loved the design, but had water damage on top and something had to be done with the gold hardware.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6c1mTu5FACE/TwxEGp-kW7I/AAAAAAAAA08/0kaWoi_fjKI/s1600-h/IMG_3834.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3834" border="0" alt="IMG_3834" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MBt2Y-PnXgI/TwxEHASeENI/AAAAAAAAA1E/mHqbenTWYcQ/IMG_3834_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="322" height="325"></a></p> <p align="center">Dining chair (set of 4)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-11LVYee0d4U/TwxEHyR_Z3I/AAAAAAAAA1M/K3eEG1H1iNY/s1600-h/IMAG0028.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0028" border="0" alt="IMAG0028" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AGTXCzYBJfA/TwxEIVcKYeI/AAAAAAAAA1U/oGLIGGGHF2w/IMAG0028_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="232"></a></p> <p align="center">Dining table. Actually in pretty good shape. I fell in love with it because it has these two main panels (in picture) and a drop down leave on each side (not pictured because they’d already been removed) AND 3 more leaves that can be added in the middle. This range in length made it the perfect table for apartment living!</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wVhi_aRz4OU/TwxEJBWK97I/AAAAAAAAA1c/wcysQ70QXAw/s1600-h/IMG_38683.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3868" border="0" alt="IMG_3868" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZNIgIeVZlWc/TwxEJfJKrEI/AAAAAAAAA1k/rcx7kTcvm20/IMG_3868_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LeIpjns_7eA/TwxEKVIqaWI/AAAAAAAAA1s/DiVn0Zzv4yc/s1600-h/IMG_38697.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3869" border="0" alt="IMG_3869" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ysfwwEzEr3M/TwxEKuUWGvI/AAAAAAAAA10/Ynqr4vr1Gng/IMG_3869_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">I laugh now. But I cried then. SO much sanding. I actually sanded the entire table with 60 grit BY HAND—yup like holding a flimsy piece of sandpaper in my hand—before finally borrowing a hand sander. I used that to go over it again with a finer grit and do the chairs and buffet table from the beginning. This made the job a lot easier, but STILL there was so much sanding that I’m replacing this friend’s sander. I wore right through it. I know now. I will know what I’m getting myself into next time.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K_sHwa0i_PQ/TwxELfRY3FI/AAAAAAAAA18/FmUrrT79GSY/s1600-h/IMAG0030.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0030" border="0" alt="IMAG0030" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NB-MmhUTre0/TwxEL31rCtI/AAAAAAAAA2E/_FlGjaSRpvc/IMAG0030_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="248"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uN2OxxukDzM/TwxEMRK9MnI/AAAAAAAAA2M/EwONaN8w02M/s1600-h/IMAG0032.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0032" border="0" alt="IMAG0032" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f0DWpCKr4lc/TwxEMq8f5NI/AAAAAAAAA2U/NqBJ0RNqAHY/IMAG0032_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="251"></a></p> <p align="center">While Darin and Kayden took a quick weekend trip to Utah, I spent most of my waking hours priming and painting. OOPS! Didn’t see on the can that the primer was blue/gray. Just means more coats of paint to cover it. yippee.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Pzg5xNGtBKQ/TwxENRtSDkI/AAAAAAAAA2g/dPmSCsTQHLA/s1600-h/IMAG0045.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0045" border="0" alt="IMAG0045" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--woDW6D1K0g/TwxEONWOgRI/AAAAAAAAA2o/MvMENDyqJdM/IMAG0045_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="234"></a></p> <p align="center">After the paint.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SzdKXQl_kWs/TwxEOpF5LBI/AAAAAAAAA2w/fPxYWDHMJIo/s1600-h/IMAG00654.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0065" border="0" alt="IMAG0065" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ov7nzMJQU6I/TwxEPCnpj_I/AAAAAAAAA24/uvp35UgxHts/IMAG0065_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="301" height="509"></a></p> <p align="center">You can see in this picture, the table doesn’t look so white anymore. I roughly sanded the edges and rubbed dark walnut colored stain and rubbed it off. It was just enough to give it the more aged look I wanted (although you can see it much better on the buffet table). Oh- and yes, our apartment was a wreck for a while there. Poor Kayden was barricaded out of the dining/kitchen areas.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CQM5LE-6N4Y/TwxEP6Jb8JI/AAAAAAAAA3A/32YnfkdkD2k/s1600-h/DSC_03115.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0311" border="0" alt="DSC_0311" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QeYeA49sgtI/TwxEQVbp9EI/AAAAAAAAA3I/s32YRlNd0AI/DSC_0311_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="417" height="315"></a></p> <p align="center">Then the clear coats (3 on top to make it more water resistant—2 on the rest). Thank goodness reupholstering the chairs was easy! And got the fabric for a steal!</p> <p align="center">So the dining set was exciting, but I have to admit that I LOVE LOVE LOVE the buffet table. It has so much more character. I did the same as for the table, but I also spray painted the hardware to look like a pewter metal—super cool new spray paints they have.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dtE2w-07vHM/TwxERs3hNPI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/vOxmsTCSmJg/s1600-h/IMG_41333.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4133" border="0" alt="IMG_4133" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4Kokx4DLptw/TwxER89fSoI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/g2GewEwOlXI/IMG_4133_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SaJVq-lfQcM/TwxESf8nDgI/AAAAAAAAA3g/nVspvXJWQiU/s1600-h/DSC_0313%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0313" border="0" alt="DSC_0313" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DRgPcwx6XH0/TwxESgDU9HI/AAAAAAAAA3o/O0bTJeXWq7Y/DSC_0313_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="175"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hkog83HLU8c/TwxETPPUECI/AAAAAAAAA3w/iT6NVpaFlTE/s1600-h/DSC_0309.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0309" border="0" alt="DSC_0309" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w_6wIoNLME4/TwxETt8CFEI/AAAAAAAAA34/IveMR72W_P0/DSC_0309_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="419" height="296"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3coRxn4NIVo/TwxET1nE4gI/AAAAAAAAA4A/NE2ceKpWZ-M/s1600-h/IMAG0170.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0170" border="0" alt="IMAG0170" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yFtc94eQf44/TwxEUZnj8BI/AAAAAAAAA4I/hQuDwJ6oV4E/IMAG0170_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="443"></a></p> <p align="center">So…this is what you see when you come in the front door. Oh! and this is where I should introduce our new piano! well, new to us. We love her.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F8rFlXsseso/TwxEVKskVHI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/Fdlv2nDjfkE/s1600-h/DSC_0319.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0319" border="0" alt="DSC_0319" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZnC8K55jkV4/TwxEVi5pe5I/AAAAAAAAA4Y/dlP2CEEgwqw/DSC_0319_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="510" height="352"></a></p> <p align="center">YEAH!! This is the first time Darin and I have had a real dining table since we’ve been married! (Notice Kayden is ready for the prayer—so cute!)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9PVsilObFxE/TwxEWPNMAzI/AAAAAAAAA4g/wZQkAVXGqWE/s1600-h/IMAG0193.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0193" border="0" alt="IMAG0193" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t9rY2j23jF8/TwxEWXOtDMI/AAAAAAAAA4o/K0mDi72Iu3w/IMAG0193_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="196" height="331"></a></p> <p align="center">I got it done in time to host 13 people for Thanksgiving dinner! </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XWtllwCG_9s/TwxEXR9fWTI/AAAAAAAAA4w/xhOQ_CufWyQ/s1600-h/IMG_41361%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4136" border="0" alt="IMG_4136" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B-j_VQeJBz8/TwxEX1h_6AI/AAAAAAAAA44/wD8bc1b7Yu0/IMG_41361_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="247"></a></p> <p align="center">Pretty good excuse for not blogging for a while, right? </p> Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-27211617913024492612011-10-30T16:21:00.001-06:002011-10-30T16:21:26.883-06:00superboy<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uX_fkcvLMrk/Tq3N5LXlWjI/AAAAAAAAAyY/UlPL-Hzs-FA/s1600-h/DSCN0039a%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0039a" border="0" alt="DSCN0039a" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jQAlFatH5co/Tq3N5uVeSQI/AAAAAAAAAyg/fN6d0RCUP5o/DSCN0039a_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="214" height="575"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">I don’t think he had ANY idea that he was even</font><font size="4"> in a costume </font><font size="4">at the Halloween party.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">But he <em>loved</em> the extra attention!</font></p> Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-7922618668026797002011-10-30T16:02:00.001-06:002011-10-30T16:02:49.311-06:00Keen Kayden<p>ok, so a while ago I told you about my LOVE for (perhaps obsession with/addiction to)<img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="data:image/jpg;base64,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"></p> <p>turns out</p> <p>my son inherited a similar gene.</p> <p align="center">only, it’s for…</p> <p align="center"><img alt="KEEN Shoes" src="http://www.keenfootwear.com/us/en/images/keen_logo.png"></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NLOXIO6-jEM/Tq3JfhJjShI/AAAAAAAAAxo/NNKUaxXlo7Q/s1600-h/IMG_4066%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_4066" alt="IMG_4066" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wjiQem4J-nQ/Tq3JgIqqobI/AAAAAAAAAxw/AiE2KHl-vhI/IMG_4066_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180"></a></p> <p>Story is, we got them at REI on clearance. I thought: </p> <p align="center">“Awesome! super durable shoes perfect for <em>next</em> summer!”</p> <p align="center">(they are about an inch past his toes in length)</p> <p>I hadn’t even taken them out of the box yet, but the next morning Kayden found them in the hallway. He brought them to me, sat down, and put his foot up in the air with a big hopeful smile on his face. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VjygHDzNXa8/Tq3Jg561t4I/AAAAAAAAAx4/Vxw-f0OlFe8/s1600-h/IMG_4069%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_4069" alt="IMG_4069" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Vrt1J5iOVyE/Tq3JhApgLKI/AAAAAAAAAyA/82EiTFrATOw/IMG_4069_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180"></a></p> <p>He was wearing these footed pj’s so I just put them on right over the footies. He ran away tickled with his new shoes. He has begged to wear them every day since then. Luckily, he can walk fine in them despite the fact that they’re too big. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MM6_vHz3YUo/Tq3Jh-xg6cI/AAAAAAAAAyI/GtT7cn6V4RA/s1600-h/IMG_4063%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_4063" alt="IMG_4063" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--P4CDEMC0mo/Tq3JiPuCTqI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/lZTGFW2JkSw/IMG_4063_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240"></a></p> <p>One day had a babysitter who didn’t know about this preference for his Keen sandals and when she tried to put on his other pair of shoes, he turned to her, put up his hand and said “no, no, no.” She watched as he deliberately went over to his shoes and dug out the Keens. So funny!</p> <p>I can relate.</p> Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5678301402145088310.post-984594932386343802011-10-30T15:33:00.001-06:002011-10-30T15:35:06.361-06:00cottage cheese<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hBduKXvRZmo/Tq3Cj5F2MBI/AAAAAAAAAwo/fGieqV7SyGQ/s1600-h/IMG_4088%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4088" border="0" alt="IMG_4088" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o2QgPGaQTmI/Tq3Ckde0F1I/AAAAAAAAAww/n55msaFO2tU/IMG_4088_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="165"></a></p> <p>What? Cottage cheese under the bathroom sink? </p> <p>Can you see the almost invisible surprise?</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P-MUeE16VDU/Tq3Ck-oSW7I/AAAAAAAAAw4/CLXFtX8H2gk/s1600-h/IMG_4086%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4086" border="0" alt="IMG_4086" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a5C-BNjsvmQ/Tq3ClKnRBhI/AAAAAAAAAxA/sgqzZjGRaIs/IMG_4086_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="270"></a></p> <p align="center">THE CULPRIT:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qiUI8bPp1w4/Tq3CmLPBrAI/AAAAAAAAAxI/RaigCXghe0k/s1600-h/IMG_3922%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3922" border="0" alt="IMG_3922" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YZh-gapH8es/Tq3CmSHAXJI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/qf19WRknJGU/IMG_3922_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="309" height="239"></a>We find little surprises all the time. cute reminders of the little guy. </p> <p align="center">We’ve made it a habit to check the garbage can before we empty it…there are usually a couple of things we don’t really want thrown away.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ay5O62zXUfg/Tq3Cndn-c7I/AAAAAAAAAxY/a2EY1ME4l4A/s1600-h/IMG_4095%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4095" border="0" alt="IMG_4095" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Vu4cMpAKUuo/Tq3Cnvyxg0I/AAAAAAAAAxg/LjFJQhos5ZU/IMG_4095_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>The only time it’s hard to think it’s cute is when we’re rushing to get out the door and I can’t find ANY of his shoes. I eventually find them here and there…</p> Rachel (Borup) Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13455620199543537995noreply@blogger.com0