Emma's Gotcha Day Video

Monday, December 13, 2010

Family Rules Canvas


Recently at a birthday party, I saw the cutest Family Rules Canvas. It was so neat, I decided to make one for our new house. So, here's mine:
You can find the step-by-step instructions here. Here's the short version:
1. Purchase a canvas, mine is 24x30 using 40% coupon from H@bby L@bby
2. Pick out scrapbook paper (this is the most fun part!) Be sure the paper isn't too dark, as my first rule is hard to read.
3. Look at the list of rules and decide which ones you want to use or make your own.
4. Cut the scrapbook paper into various strips (I used 1, 2, and 3 inch widths) Cut two and tape them together to make one long strip since scrapbook paper is 12x12
5. Write the rules or print them off on the computer and trace over them. I just eyed them and wrote them out.
6. Paint the edges of your canvas with an acrylic paint that will match the room you're putting it in. The strips will cover the middle so don't worry about painting all of it.
7. Use Modge Podge and "paste" the strips to the canvas spacing them however you like. (The paper will curl/bubble, just try to flatten the paper as much as possible but it adds character! ;o)
8. Allow to dry overnight or a few hours and apply a coat of Modge Podge over the top to "seal" the canvas and papers. You can apply several coats about 20 minutes apart or a single coat will suffice. (Use a brush or sponge to apply)
9. Enjoy!

5. Use paint pens to write the rules, you can also print them off on the computer.

Here's some pictures of the project in process:




Notice where I taped the strips together in the Never leave angry strip


Blacks were too dark even with the white paint pen. FYI using the white paint pen require tracing the rule several times...

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Long Time No Post...

Wow! It's been a while since I last posted! I've been posting on photos on Facebook and haven't kept the blog as up to date. I know that lots of people read the blog for information, inspiration or to just see pictures (yes Papa, I know you don't have Facebook!). So, what have the Johnson's been up to?

We celebrated Emma's first Gotcha Day September 29th at Chaney's. To say it was an exciting day is an understatement. There were so many emotions surrounding this extremely happy time for us. We were overjoyed with this blessing God has given us and at the very same time, saddened for the loss that occurred for this day to happen.

Emma is getting so big, talking ALL the time, getting into everything from climbing on the kitchen table to throwing toothbrushes in the toilet. She loves singing and dancing, Barney is her favorite show (I know, I know, but she has learned so much from that purple Dino), she can count to four, loves working puzzles, and puts a smile on our faces every single day.

I love being at home with her. She and I have such fun snuggling, playing, reading, and having lunch with friends. Our adoption agency has taken off and we are working with several families. We recently sent our first family's home study to Korea, so in the near future, Emma will have another Korean friend to play with.

Chase celebrated his 9th birthday this week. It's amazing how fast he's growing up not only mentally but physically. He's grown so much and continues to make us proud by being the sweet young man that he is.

I'm still learning how to plan and organize without the structure of a full time job. I thought staying at home would give me time to keep the house super clean, dinner fixed each night, and laundry caught up...Who was I kidding??? I am even further behind but house keeping never was my thing anyway!!! We are getting close to finalizing Emma's adoption, so stay tuned for pictures and a post!









Monday, August 2, 2010

Happy 18 Months Emma Yeirin!

Miss Emma is 18 months old today. We spent the day by shopping in Bowling Green, eating lunch with Daddy, and taking another trip to the ER tonight! Emma was in the office and I took her by the arm to walk into another room. She decided she didn't want to go and tried to throw herself on the floor (I know sweet Emma). When she did, my natural reaction was to hold on to her and pull her up, well apparently some kiddos have nursemaid elbow. That means the elbow dislocates easily. She cried for about 15 minutes and wasn't moving her arm. Needless to say, we went to the ER and they put it back in place and she was back to her old self immediately. I was amazed at how quickly she got relief. The x-ray showed that everything is back where it belongs and 4 hours later, we're back at home and Emma is asleep. Whew, what a way to spend your day! I am so in love with her. She continues to amaze and bless our family. It's so neat to watch her grow, learn new things, and interact with us. I am thankful for Emma's life and the decision her birthmother made to allow her to come into the this world and become our daughter. I pray that her birthmother finds peace and comfort in knowing that she choose a better life for Emma. I will forever be thankful to her and I hope she knows how much we appreciate her selflessness.


After the doctor put her elbow back in place. . . Coloring with her toes!


Waiting for the x-ray results...


Thursday, July 29, 2010

Helping Others Adopt...

It is with excitement, joy, anticipation, thankfulness, humility, and delight that I announce the beginning of a ministry. Ryan and I are opening a home study and post-placement agency in south central Kentucky. The mission of our agency is to help orphans by assisting families to grow through adoption. Our office will be located in Franklin but we will serve families throughout Kentucky. Our hope is to truly live by James 1:27 and help orphans by finding them forever families. We work with families who are pursuing international and domestic adoption. Our services include home studies, adoption education, and post placement visits. We have been blessed to experience adoption ourselves and hope to share in that joy by helping other families adopt. You can find out more about our agency and what we do by visiting our website: www.foreverfamilyadoption.com. You can also find us on Facebook at Forever Family Adoption. If you have questions or know of someone who is interested in adopting, please tell them about us and we will be happy to meet with them to discuss adoption. It is amazing to look back and see how God has guided us in this direction long before we knew what His plans were for us, from me getting my Masters in Social Work to adopting Emma and educating other families about adoption before we started our agency.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Here we are God, use us to help orphans find forever families.

We chose a tree with hearts as leaves for our logo because families are based on more than just biology. A family is created with love and adoption is an act of love that creates a forever family.


Tuesday, July 27, 2010

One Year Ago Today...

We got the call that would change our family forever...

And saw the face of the daughter we loved already


You can read about that amazing day here. I have replayed the "call" lots today and I can only look at Emma now and smile as I thank God for how He has blessed us. Wow what a difference a year makes! Thank you God for allowing us to be Emma's forever family. Emma, we love you with all our heart sweet girl!

Here's a few recent pictures:







Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Catching Up...

Ok, so I am a slacker!!! Thanks to my wonderful friend for reminding me that I haven't posted in...well, too long. So instead of trying to go back and catch up, here are some random pictures of what we've been up to...


Emma isn't going to school just yet...She likes Chase's backpack though


I've started trying to take her picture every week or so in this chair to see how much she is growing. Isn't that a sweet face!


One morning I Emma decided to play with Chase's gloves. She had one on her hand and was trying hard to put the other one on. I helped her out and she was ready to work. Our hard working girl!


I went into the kitchen one morning to put breakfast dishes away and I heard Emma yell "Momma, Momma!" This is what I found. She was so proud of herself.


Emma likes to play in our dirty clothes piles (yes piles) and she found Daddy's shirt and helped herself to put it on. She was walking down the hallway like a runway model.


Our church celebrated Easter week with a Maundy Thursday dinner. Emma enjoyed the soup and crackers. This is a picture of her at church.


I'm not sure if Emma celebrated Easter last year with her foster family, but we were excited to be able to have her home to celebrate this year. She loved her stuffed duck in her Easter baskets as well as the puffs.


Emma conquered the slide. She wasn't sure about it...


Bunny ears

Feeding myself for the first time. She ate an entire piece of pizza!

Growing...


At the ballpark, watching big brother play


Laughing at Chase

After she mastered the little chair, she decided to try to big one!!!


Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Last Post Placement Visit

Well, it's been way too long since I last blogged. We've been very busy around here! On March 19th, we had our last post placement visit, so we are waiting on paperwork to be sent in order to finalize Emma's adoption. Of course she's been our daughter since the moment we saw her referral picture. The court date is simply a technicality.

Here's a picture of Emma and our Social Worker. She has been wonderful to work with!!!




Sunday, March 7, 2010

Emma Dance

Well our little girl loves music! Tonight she showed her dancing skills. Chase and I were listening to songs on iTune$ and when Emma heard this song, she started dancing!!! Ryan got out the Flip video and we were able to get it on tape. Check out the video here.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Happy 13 Months Emma Yeirin!!!

It's been 5 months since Emma came home and in many ways it seems like she's always been here. On Tuesday, she turned 13 months old and is certainly acting more and more like a toddler. She is such a funny little girl! Emma is saying lots of words and doesn't forget anything! So for being 13 months, here's 13 words Emma can say:
1. Chase-which can have many different tones depending on what she is trying to get across
2. Bath-don't mention it unless you're going to give her one. She loves bathtime!
3. Momma-lately she's been saying it a lot!
4. Dadda-She loves her Dadda and gives him love when he comes home
5. More
6. Bite
7. Cat
8. Bye bye
9. That-usually followed by the pointing of her finger to what she wants
10. Night night
11. Baby
12. Juice
13. Ree-"read" she has really taken interest in books and loves to read them

Emma also says "shh" as she puts her finger over her mouth. It's humorous that in the middle of the night when she wakes up crying and we tell her shh so she doesn't wake up Chase, she stops crying, puts her hand over her mouth and says shh. It usually doesn't last long...

This is the look I get when she wants my attention. She wraps her little arms around my legs and looks up at me with this face and says, Momma...too sweet!

Looking at a book

This is a sweet dress from Poppy Dip. Wonderful friends, Tara and Tiff gave this to Emma for her birthday. Tara is in the early stages of adopting, so keep her in your prayers. You can check her out here. Thanks ladies for such a sweet gift!!!


Emma's Pap impersonation. . .


Doesn't she look sooo big sitting in that chair!!!

She smiles a lot, but usually puts it away when I get the camera out!

This girl sure is musical! She loves to dance and sing. I'm glad since I don't have any musical talent at all!!!

Watching American Idol and singing along!

Future star...

Monday, February 15, 2010

Happy Valentine's Day!



This is our first Valentine's Day as a family of 4. It's different to think that this is our first Valentine's Day with Emma but it's her second. On this day that celebrates love, I hope with all my heart Emma knows how much we love her. She is such a funny and precious girl. Her new thing is to take her lips and pooch them together. It's the cutest thing. I love how she calls for Chase when he leaves the room. Today he wasn't exactly being the best big brother and in her not so nice tone, she said Chase as if letting him know to knock it off! She loves "real" food and even points to what we have and says "that." When she does get what we have, she pats her belly and says "Mmm." Bagels are her new favorite snack. I think she loves being able to hold it by herself. What a sweet girl we are blessed with!

For Valentine's Day Ryan got Emma and I these shirts. I love them! What a neat conversation starter for adoption! Thank you sweetheart for the thoughtful gift, I Love You!!!




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