Window To Our World

Thursday, October 02, 2008

We're definitely going to miss playing in the water, attending outdoor concerts, blowing bubbles outside, hitting the splash parks, sunbathing, picnicking at the park, running through the sprinklers, going to the Sky Sox Baseball games,just to name a few things we enjoyed this summer. It's been a wonderful 2008 Summer spent with family and friends.

Even though Colorado is known for so much to do in the summertime, the Fall season is just beautiful! We look forward to the changing of colors, the smell of pumpkin bread, the crisp air, dressing up for Halloween, and then filling our tummies with delicious food on Thanksgiving.

Today Cassidy and I already enjoyed some time playing in the leaves that have fallen from the trees. We are now excited for Fall!

Sunday, September 07, 2008

My 1st Haircut!

Of course I didn't know what to expect on how Cassidy was going to like getting her hair cut. But she passed with flying colors, and enjoyed the fun place we went to get it done (Kiddie Kutters). The whole salon was like a toy store. It was cute! I really liked the Mickey Mouse mirrors. The price was even reasonable $9, I thought. Who knows maybe I'll start getting my hair cut there too. :)

Labor Day

Unfortunately, our little lady was sick during Labor Day weekend. But by Monday, she was up for some fun at the Balloon Classic, here in Colorado Springs. We enjoy going every year and it's exciting to be surrounded by many balloons with all different colors and styles.

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Funny Politics

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Saturday, August 30, 2008

Getting in Trouble

Okay so does anyone else find themselves in trouble with the blogging world???

Let me explain, since I've become a blogger, I have burnt my daughter's oatmeal 3 times. All because I thought I would just check something quick on the computer. But before I know it I get distracted and start checking blogs. Your blogs are so addictive!! I enjoy looking at them! I enjoy laughing, crying, or just smiling at what I read about or see. So thanks for sharing your lives and for helping me feed my daughter some yummy oatmeal.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Our New Hospital

Penrose St. Francis Hospital

Dr. Cassidy Johnson

Derek practicing to be a "Surgeon" playing Operation

Sitting in the Helicopter that saves lives

We had the chance as a family to attend the open house for our new hospital. We enjoyed the tour and the free handouts. :) We also learned a lot.

I thought it was so cute that they had scrubs for the children to dress up in. Who knows maybe Cassidy will follow her Uncle Kevin's footsteps to be a doctor. Or a nurse like her Aunt Brianna. She definitely looks cute in scrubs, she was very excited they had pink ones. It was also neat to sit in one of the rescue helicopters. I couldn't believe how small it was inside, the stretcher practically took up the whole helicopter.

In the Birth Center, we were happy to see that they spoil moms who are having babies. The rooms are enormous and beautiful with a beautiful view of the mountains. Every mom gets her own room. That's definitely a great thing! Near the nursery they also gave the children a chance to change a babies diaper. It was cute to watch.

At the end of the tour we were able to try the food from the cafeteria. It was very good, and healthy. :)

It's a beautiful hospital and we're so grateful we only live 5 miles away. But of course we hope we don't have to use it any time soon. We only wish we could have our family members work at this hospital. That would be awesome!

Cassidy changing a diaper. She wasn't sure about the anatomy of a baby boy and realized she wanted a girl doll. It was too funny.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Our Shining Star

NOW PRESENTING...CASSIDY with a great pair of singing pipes. As some of you know, she's always been blessed with a good set of lungs. Now she's using them to her advantage, and not just to scream, like she did during her baby blessing. :)

"Book of Mormon Stories"

"ABC's"

"Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"
I guess I didn't say "YEAH!" at the end of Twinkle Twinkle, like I did for the other songs, so Cassidy had to say it for me. :)

But no stopping this little singer...she continues to sing new songs each day. The other night Cassidy actually challenged her mother to make up a new song. We were sitting on our deck one night looking up at the moon and stars. I asked Cassidy what song she wanted to sing and she says "A moon song!" A moon song, I don't know any moon songs. Do you? Anyways...I couldn't let her down, so I improvised and this is what I came up with:

"The moon is round, The moon is bright, The moon is up in the sky tonight."

Then Cassidy asks for a cloud song. So this was next out of my brillant mind:

"The clouds are fluffy, And white and puffy, in the sky tonight."

As we're having fun giggling with the funny word puffy, we looked up and saw a shooting star. It was so cool and exciting! As I was explaining to Cass what a shooting star was, of course, you know what her next request was.

"Mom I want a shooting star song!" I couldn't resist:

"A shooting star is super fast, We make a wish on this night."

Okay so I tried, hey it was for my little girl. And all that mattered was that it made her SO happy. And now each night before bed, she makes a request for our special song. Being a Mommy is so much fun!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

I did it!

I chopped my hair! Of course I was very excited about it because I was able to donate my hair to "Locks of Love", an organization that makes wigs for children with cancer. My little sister Jess and some friends did it before and I thought that was so neat.

I look forward to the time when Cassidy and I can both do it together when she gets older.

Fun at Memorial Park

Our public library had a summer reading program for the children and at the end of the program there was a party. The party was organized with lots to do at Memorial Park. We went with our friends Camille, Aly, and Brooklyn.

They had everything from fun inflatables, a craft table to make headbands, reptiles to see and touch, face painting, magic shows, musical instruments to play with, a police car, helicopter, ambulance, and tractors to check out, a bean bag toss, bugs and spiders to look at (like tarantulas), a chance to see "Sox the Fox"(our minor baseball team's mascot), and more. Even though we didn't get to do everything the girls had a great time and of course us moms did too.

After our fun time at the library party we decided we would let the girls cool off and get wet at Uncle Wilbur's foutain and enjoy sipping our 7-Eleven slurpies. It was a great end to the day. Definitely ready for naps after all that fun!

Cassidy loved playing with the drums. Of course there's also proof that sometimes she's a great sharer. ;)

Monday, August 04, 2008

Started out as Neighbors, Then became Family

Our first home together here in Colorado Springs was at The Neighborhood Apartments. We lived on the second floor and just below us, lived a sweet lady named Florence. Florence was 89 years old when we met her. Instantly, we became friends and over the years became family. We were so blessed to be neighbors with someone like her. Florence is a special lady with lots of wisdom and strength. She is definitely a special person in our lives.

A year later, after living in the apartment, Derek and I bought our first home and no longer had the privilege of having Florence living just a flight of stairs away from us. But over the years, we kept in touch with Florence and would continue our visits. We would always enjoy the sweet moments we shared. We would do errands together, invite Florence to watch General Conference at our house (that's when Florence would smile and say she had Pres. Hinckley beat by one year in age), eat lunch at different restaurants, celebrate birthdays, enjoy church functions like talent shows (Florence would think all the missionaries were just cute as can be), and just be there for one another. The best part was these last two years, Florence and Cassidy were able to get to know each other. It's been so sweet how Florence calls her one of her own grand babies. And just this last week Cassidy and I went for a visit to see Florence. She is now 98 years old and living in a nursing home. It just broke my heart seeing her so tired and so fragile. But we wouldn't miss it for the world. Together we were able to cherish some sweet moments.

Right away Florence would smile and wave to Cassidy. A couple of times, she would reach her hand out to Cassie and of course Cassie would hold her hand in return. It was so precious! Then Florence would close her eyes and fall asleep. Her health has continually gotten worse and to the point of not recognizing people. I'm not sure if she recognized us but it didn't matter. It meant a thousand words to see Florence open her eyes several times during our visit and just smile at Cassidy.

I was so touched watching Cassidy be so gentle and loving with Florence. She would ask Florence if she wanted some water to drink and then would ask me to help her fill up her cup. Cassidy also grabbed a magazine and placed it on Florence's lap and started reading it to her. It made me feel so happy to witness those sweet moments.

After some time we soon realized Cassidy wasn't just a fan of Florence's but also made other new friends living at the nursing home. She was in popular demand and brought many smiles to the other residents and to the nursing staff. My daughter couldn't have made me feel more prouder for what she did that day!

At 98 years old, I know Florence could slip away any day now, and I know when that time comes we will truly miss our dear friend. But we will be forever grateful for the times we did have. I will cherish our memories and good times forever. I know Florence will be in good hands when the time comes to return back home with our Heavenly Father and with her sweetheart whom she's been so patiently waiting to reunite with. Florence, thank you for all of your love, friendship, and for teaching me so much about life. We love you!