January 31

It is 67 degrees outside today and Aussie and I are enjoying some scooter time! I LOVE his "pizza food pyramid" tshirt. It's perfect for this kid!

Today Hannah had gymnastics. She looks soooooo adorable in her little outfit!

January 30

Played tennis today for the first time in awhile. I am so grateful that I have tennis in my life. I owe my love of this sport to my momma.

January 29

Back home in Charlotte after a great weekend away. The boys had a blast while we were gone. They played putt putt, got ice cream, went to the race track, watched airplanes take off and land at the airport and went to Hawthornes for some yummy pizza! I would say everyone's weekend was a great success!

January 28

We are at the American girl doll store with our very best friends in the world. Who could ask for anything more?? New doll, new doll clothes, got the dolls' ears pierced, had ice cream, went to dinner with our dolls, went swimming in the hotel pool until 10:00 pm! All in all it was a fabulous girls weekend!

January 27

On our way to the American Girl doll store in Atlanta! We are with Jill, Reagan and Morgan and looking forward to a much needed (and long overdue) girl's weekend!!

January 26

This caught my eye as I was walking by it. Its not like I have never looked at these toys - or picked them up a thousand times a day. Not sure what it was about this particular moment - but it occurred to me that this is just a SMALL fraction of the toys in our entire house! Oh my!

January 25

Tonight Hannah yelled from the top of the steps "Mooooom?? I yelled back upstairs "Yeeeesss, Hannah... what is it?" And in the most sweet, innocent little voice, my baby girl said "I love you, mommy." And I replied "Oh! That is so sweet baby. I love you too!" She simply said "Yeah, I just haven't told you that today. I love you."

January 24

It is a day of 'Austin-isms'

I sat my diet dr pepper can in front of him this morning and he said - "Look Hay nah - I have a beard!" She said "No, Austin, it's BEER."

In the van on the way to school, Hannah put on hand sanitizer and Austin said "Hey - I smell hannatizer!"

"My chaps are lipped!" AKA: "My lips are chapped!"

It was another beautiful day today in the middle of January, so he and I went on a long walk. He rode his new scooter that Santa brought him the entire way!

January 23

Took Hannah back to the doctor today after 7 straight days of a fever. Her bloodwork came back fine and the the doctor determined it is still a virus hanging around. We have been couped up in the house since Thursday (four days!) and we are all ready to get back to some normalcy!!!

January 22

Hannah slept with me last night because of her fever. An at 3:00 am Austin came into my room crying that his hand hurt. He wouldn't stop squeezing it and just couldn't get comfortable in my bed with us. He was tossing and turning and whimpering. I told him to squeeze my hand instead. Within 30 seconds he feel asleep, holding my hand. It feels so great to be able to make it all better - just by holding mommy's hand.

When I got up the next morning, I asked him why he slept in my bed last night. He ignored the question, got a big grin on his face and said "Do you remember you holding my hand?" Guess it made quite an impression on him too.

We played UNO as a family tonight and Go Fish. The kids light up when we take time out just for them.
Mike had an awesome time at the Barrett Jackson Auction in Scottsdale. I gave him the trip for Christmas.

January 21

Hannah still had a fever today, so we were couped up all day again in the house. The kids did great. We were watching a movie and all of a sudden they both climbed down off "their" couch (aka Mike's couch) and got on mine with me (a loveseat!) We all snuggled under the covers and giggled. I looked at both of them and cherished the moment with my babies.

January 20

Once again Hannah had to stay home today. The doctor said it is likely a virus - but her ongoing fever has me nervous. It spiked to 104.6 tonight.... But the Motrin is working. My poor baby girl.

January 19

My poor Hannah was home again today with a fever. I dropped AJ off at school then we went to the library. She picked out several new chapter books. I LOVE how much she likes to read. I hope it is something we can share together forever.

January 18

I LOVE how both my kids will just walk up to me out of the blue and hug me tight. I truly feel like the luckiest girl on the planet sometimes. They are so precious to me.

January 17

Hannah stayed home from school today with a slight fever. She is a trooper though - rarely complains at all when she is sick.

January 16

The kids were off from school today so we took them to paint pottery with Mimi and then to have milkshakes.

January 15

Mom and I went to see a movie (Joyful Noise) then had lunch at Macados. Next, we she got a facial and I had a massage. It was a lovely girls day out! I cherish spending time with my Momma!

January 14

Mike and I had a lovely breakfast out just the two of us and then looked at land again today while mom watched the kids. Next, Hannah had soccer and then Mike and I went for a run and then to our neighbors house (Jeff and Stacy) for a wonderful dinner. Busy, fun-filled day!

January 13

Mimi came to visit today and is staying for 5 days. Grandma and Grandpa stopped by for the night on their way to Florida for their camping trip. Kids were in heaven with all the grandparents here (just missing Papa!)

January 12

Took AJ to Occupational Therapy today with "Ms. Wezwee." He's been doing great and even trying a few new things every now and then. He loves Ms Leslie and has a great time every week. I love when I tell him where we are going and he gets excited. It is a lot for him and makes the whole process so much easier to know that I am not making him go each and every week.

January 11

Hannah walked in the door from school and Austin jumped up, ran to her and screamed "Hay na!" and gave her a huge hug that almost knocked her down. Hannah grinned from ear to ear. They genuinely love each other.

January 10

"I could snuggle with you all cozy like this all day!"

-Austin Harris Johnson

January 9

AJ said "I didn't realize" when he walked right by something I asked him to get for me. Very big words for such a little person!

January 8

Out of the blue today Austin looks at me and says "Mommy? I sure do love you."

January 7

Mike and I met with another builder today and looked again at the lot in Davidson. Next, we went to Hannah's soccer game. She played her positions so well! She knows where to be on that field. Next we went to get frozen yogurt ( it was 67 degrees today!) and then we went to look at model homes for layout ideas. Had Jill and Owen over for dinner and played Mario against each other. It has been a great Saturday and a great family day!

January 6

Austin out of the blue today told Jill he loved her and she said "Buddy, you just made my day!"

Then at dinner he dipped his finger in my homemade spaghetti sauce and said he liked it! I told him "You just made my day by trying that!" He responded with a finger up in the air, "Hey! I made both your day AND Jill's day today!!"

January 5

Watched Wheel of Fortune with Hannah tonight and she guessed a puzzle at exactly the same time I did! Man this girl is good with words!!

January 4

Took AJ to the pet store and we were looking at the cats. I was talking to the cat and he stopped and looked up at me and said with exasperation "Mom! He cant talk back to you! He is a cat! Cats don't talk!"

January 3

Made a bunch of freezer crockpot meals in the morning and took Hannah to gymnastics in the afternoon (played the radio the whole way!)

**side note** we have since eaten all the crockpot meals from the freezer since I first made them. That is definitely the way to go! And I have frozen a bunch of soup too - lunch is always handy!

January 1

Played junior scrabble with HGJ and painted the rocket with both kids today. I love days when I can let go and just play with them.

HGJ asked Austin if he knew how to okay "Just Dance" on the Wii and he said matter of factly “Yes.” She didn't believe him and she said "Oh yeah - then how do you play?"
He shouted "You just dance!" Love those kids.

January 2

Today, we went to our first home building meeting. Lots to learn and lots to do before we can even begin the process...

Later in the day, Mike installed my new radio in the van AND a two new DVD sreens for the kids! It is like a brand new van!!