Goodbye Friend

When Tommy and I moved to Knoxville from Nashville for Tommy to finish up his degree, we bought a house in Fountain City. While there, I became friends with Mr Johnson. Mr. Johnson was a widow that lived directly across the street. When we first moved in, he was out getting his mail and I went over and introduced myself. At the time, what I believed would be a relationship existing on casual waves whenever we crossed paths turned into one of the most important friendships of my adulthood. With Tommy at work, Tyler and I would walk over and visit with him every day. Sometimes we would stay for 15 minutes, sometimes hours. Mr. Johnson would call the house if we ever missed stopping by. Tommy and I would help him with his yard work sometimes and other times we would just sit out on the patio and talk. One thing we loved to do was swap food. We would take turns baking for each other and he was always my tester when I tried out new recipes. Mr. Johnson loved to laugh and tell stories about the neighbors. Even though he was very lonely at times and Tommy and I helped him with yard work and dinners- he did so much more for me. He was a really incredible friend.

Mr. Johnson came to almost all of the kids birthday party's. Tyler loved him and even last week drew a picture for him. I talked to Mr. Johnson often since we moved and sent him updated pictures of the kids every three months. In his living room beside his chair was a framed picture of Tyler and on his refrigerator was Carson. In fact, he was one of the first people I had told when I thought I might be pregnant with Carson. My sister suggested Carson's name- and we really liked it. I remember telling Mr. Johnson the name and he told me that Carson was his middle name. William Carson Johnson. I decided that day-we had our name.

I received a letter from one of his daughters that Mr. Johnson had fallen after a mild heart attack last fall. I went to visit him twice in the nursing home and was able to sit and hold his hand and tell him that I loved him. He went home around Thanksgiving and I talked to him on the phone for almost an hour on our drive back from Oak Ridge. Earlier this week I wrote him a letter and sent recent pictures of the kids. I received a phone call from his daughter a few days ago. What I assumed was her calling to let me know that he received our mail was in fact a call to let me know that he had another fall and was experiencing extreme dementia. I asked her to read him my letter regardless and tell him that I loved him. I found out today that Mr. Johnson passed away, he was 91 years old. I know that hardly anyone reading this blog knew Mr. Johnson, so this posting was really for me. I wanted to look at some pictures and just spend a few minutes thinking about him and what he meant to my family. I will miss him very much and am so grateful for the time he was in my life.

Again!!!

This picture was taken right after Tommy got home- when we had 3 inches of snow. It has been snowing steadily and now have closer to 5 inches. Poor Carson has been couped up in the house for weeks now with RSV and chomping at the bit to get out. Since he is very much on the mend, Tommy let him lose to get some fresh air. My lap cat Tyler wanted to stay inside where it was warm and play on Tommy's phone. Thank goodness I went to the grocery store this morning!

Getting Ready For Valentine's Day...

Tyler's Valentines Day Party

This morning was Tyler's Valentine's Day class party hosted by yours truly and anther parent. I had taken pictures of the kids over the past week and framed them, so the party started with everyone decorating their own frame as a present for their parents.

The class then dined on cupcakes and punch, followed by....story time!

I had a art and craft planned that let the kids plant grass seed and be able to watch it grow at home. I needed a tie in to Valentine's Day so I made up a story of a little girl that tried to grow a garden. The only thing she forgot was to garden "with love". Naturally, I needed my ventriloquist puppets to help illustrate the story. After, the kids took turns creating their own "love garden" and shared what/who they loved.

We ended with a class picture and party favors!

Hope your Valentine's Day is as exciting as our party was!!!!

Super Roll Sunday...Almost

We thought tonight was the night. Tommy and I were starting to think Ella was never going to try to roll over- it was only when we realized she was never put down did it start to make sense. Tonight she has some significant floor time while we watched the big game. Camera was ready but Ella could not figure out how to get that left arm down to complete the roll. She got mad, cried, got more mad and then tried again. She is really close- so look for a post soon.

Why So Many Ella Pics?

Because apparently my new camera has worn out it's welcome with my other children. Tyler runs and Carson yells "No!". So if you are wanting to see some blog pics- you are going to have to look at her for a while. New prop: Boppie seat. She loves it...if you sit in the same room or load her up with fun things to look at.

Party Hats!!!

We all took turns wearing hats during my birthday celebration. Apparently, Tyler is too cool to wear the tiara, but at least the others are good sports.