I Love MY GIRLS....

Where's Bubba?

(this post follows the one below)

I have a nephew in the Army, Charles, that is in school in San Antonio while his family is in Pittsburgh, PA. We thought it might be fun to go see him. So early next morning we left David and Kurstins for San Antonio.

Before we get there we find out that Charles has driven to Austin with someone to help with a dog or something. What? we just left there. So no visit with him, just a minor kink in the plan, we still have Six Flags.

David & Fire!!!!!

Rob got home Friday the 19th, with his elk (we will post those pics later). YEA. We sure missed him.

However, the kids and I were ready to go for some fun family time. So we packed up Sat, left about 4 pm and started driving. 

Where you might ask? We weren't for sure either. 

We just knew we wanted to leave town and find a hotel and some good restaurants. Don't get me wrong 9 days of camping is not bad, just exhausting.

We found out that it was Davids family night at the Fire Academy so that is where we headed. 

Here are a few pics.

 I didn't want to post many and steal his fire thunder, so check out David and Kurstin's blog for the rest of the awesome pics and explanation of what was going on. 

(oh, yes, Kurstin it is time to retire the last blog entry)

We had a great time with the newest Bluemel family. We have such a fun time together. I love ya'll. 

Yes, there is more of our unplanned adventure to post. But out of computer time for now...... 

God's Fire Drill

Our family has decided that we would call this hurricane experience 

God's Fire Drill. 

We have gotten a chance to see if  we were prepared and to see if I was strong enough to do this on my own. 

And I am proud to announce, we were prepared and we did it with out Rob. 

As of this moment Rob is still not home, 

but will be here in a couple of hours. He has been gone since Tuesday of last week. He got to miss this whole horrific event and now a week later most of the mess in our area is cleaned up. 

We still have lines for gas and our grocery stores are running on generators but at least we are able to get some cold food and today we actually got to go out and eat at KFC. Not my choice, but it was good.

We got our electricity yesterday. We have eaten plenty of snack food and Ramon and did not even have to break into any of our real food storage.

Each night the kids and I had scripture study by candle light, which was really cool. During this time we have been making a list of things that we would do differently or need if this ever happens again, besides ice cream for Victoria and chocolate milk for Isabella.

Each of the kids decided that when they grow up and have a house they will defiantly have a house with a gas burning stove, gas water heater, and a land phone line. 

These 3 things have been such a blessing to our family and several neighbors.

After last nights reflection of the last week we have decided that besides Marshall being exhausted from being the only man in our house and the one everyone on our street asked for help and my major emotional breakdown on Monday (after cleaning 3 freezers and floors from blood and raw meat for most of the day) WE ARE OKAY and EXHAUSTED.

School is still out till at least Sept 25th. At least we will have time to rest before the kids get back to their hard work at school.

I do want to make sure that I make some shout outs to my very very special children for helping us make it through this and create some great family memories.

Marshall - you are AWESOME. I am so PROUD of the man that you are becoming and you are such a great example to your sisters on what kind of men they should choose to be a part of their families. Never be afraid to have feelings and to love unconditional.

Victoria - you make everything so fun and find the joy in everything. You help me remember what life is supposed to be like.

Isabella - you make me laugh because you are always on the go for an adventure.

I love each of you so much and I am so proud to be your mom.

Last but not least, Katherine Chapman, that I should owe more money than the bank holds. This week she has rescued me by taking the girls to entertain just so I could cry or sleep or clean. Who has snuck ice from her families supply when I was out for 2 days, who used her own money to buy Isabella a gallon of milk and chocolate for chocolate milk, and at 11pm brought me a soda and a cup of ice (the first I have had all week) when she heard I was having a hard time. Thank you. I love you like my own.

All the streets around us had trees over them so we could not drive off our street so we decided to go for a walk.

After the storm Victoria got to rescue a bird. He looked dead when she picked it up. But she knew about using a towel and rubbing its body (kinda like CPR for a bird). It must of just been dazed because it got on its feet and stayed in her hands for a while, then chirped, flew to her shoulder, chirped again and flew into the tree. She was so excited.

Nice mailboxes. No bills for a while. YEA......

Kites and Sails

So here is our first Ike update. This is what the Johnston's do during a hurricane...

the sky above our house, ugly but great wind

Yes this is my creative kids. Marshall on roller blades and his very own creative sail. And Victoria and Isabella made their own kites.

Don't they say if there is wind make kites and sails. Oh no, I think it is , if life gives you lemons make lemonade. I think we did that..

Hurricane Ike

Hello family and friends. Just thought I would do a little blogging about our newest adventure. Yes, it is Hurricane Ike. And Yes, Rob is out of town for 10 more days......

Luckily I have an awesome son, Marshall, that is very protective and mature and has taken it as his personal responsibility to protect his family and secure our home.

Yesterday was the beginning of it all for us. First it was getting gas. It took me 48 minutes to get gas at 9am yesterday. Below are a few pictures. Not a very good shot, because the lines were several miles long and if I didn't stay aggressive keeping my spot in line people would cut you off, honk or yell at you. So I didn't get much time to take pictures. Boy people become rude when they panic.

Most grocery stores had no water or food by lunch. Luckily we have followed the council of the prophet and we have a lot of storage of food and water. So we are totally OK with that, I did not have to wait in any lines at the grocery store. YEA.......

We have decided to stay here for now. But this morning after looking outside at my neighbors house right across the street (picture below) I am a little nervous. They still had boards from hurricane Rita. They boarded up and left. The whole back of my house is huge glass windows and no where in town had boards. The most damage we are suspecting to sustain is flying debris from winds and  tornado's. We will be safe because we have this great pantry that goes under our stairs that we have always called our Harry  Potter Room. If we need we will, as the news says, "Hunker Down" in our Harry Potter Room.

I do have a lot of friends and some family that are in the Mandatory Evacuation area and have not been able to get out. Please pray for them.

We love you all. I will blog as I can to let you know how we are and let you have your own personal experience with Hurricane Ike.  

R & R NOT.....

So it is back to school for the Johnston's. I was a little excited to get some R & R . 

BOY WAS I WRONG..........

Take a look at my crazy busy life. 

5:30 am take Marshall to swim practice

8 am Victoria to school

9:25 am Isabella to school

AHHHHH

Errands, groceries, cleaning

2:25 pm pick-up Isabella

2:45 pm pick-up Marshall

feed Marshall 2nd lunch of the day

3:30 pm drop Marshall off at 2nd swim practice

3:55 pm pick-up Victoria from school

5:30 pm pick-up Marshall

6:00 - 6:45 pm Marshall seminary

7:00 pm Dinner/Homework

Then Monday's: 5:30 pm Victoria horseback riding

Wednesday's: Isabella 2:45 - 4:45 pm ballet, Marshall & Victoria 7 pm church

Friday's: Victoria 4:30- 5:30 pm acting, Isabella 6 -6:45 pm jazz.

Okay, I am not complaining. I just always thought the older your kids got the easier it would be. And I realized that the instruction part is easier but the time investment is a lot more.

I am just glad that I get to enjoy watching each of my children succeed at what they love.

First Day of School

Marshall 9th grade Atascocita High School

OK, so I found out both Marshall and Victoria are at that age that it is not cool to let mom take first day of school pictures. So here is the only ones I could get. Them in the car.

Victoria 6th grade Timberwood Middle School

 (check out her back pack that Adam made out of Duct Tape. yep it is awesome....)

Isabella had no problem posing for her first day at pre-school.

Isabella got Mrs. Kelly again this year and then Mrs. Cheryl is our neighbor. (Katherine's mom)

We think she got the best teachers in the school.

Tonight my heart is full, with so many emotions, joy, sorrow, guilt and gratitude . I just don't understand how all these conflicting emotions can fill your heart so strongly at the same time..  

This last week we have learned about the trials of several families that attend our church. 

Sweet Kelsey, who's son was stillborn. Peyton Ricker, 6 years old, diagnosed with Pontine Glioma, a very aggressive tumor in the middle of his brain stem, inoperable.  And 2 year old Sarah Giles, diagnosed with Anaplastic Astrocytoma, a malignant brain tumor in the thalamus. Both sets of  parents were told there is no cure, to enjoy their children and their remaining 6 months. 

 Each of these families are amazing and faithful.  Many prayers have been said on their behalf. But yet they are suffering. My heart aches for them and my love and admiration grows for them as I watch their quite strength. 

I am grateful that each family has the knowledge that we have a loving Heavenly Father that has a plan for their sweet perfect children.

I am also grateful for my sweet children, that at times make me absolutely crazy. I am grateful that tonight I got to sit by each of my children's bed as they slept. I am grateful that our Heavenly Father entrusts us with these sweet spirits, even if it is for only a time. 

I love you Marshall, Victoria, and Isabella