This Tuesday, Russ got off work around 8 that morning after his overnight call.  After sleeping a few hours, he decided he was up for another zoo trip with Millie Janalee and me.  So I dressed Millie Janalee in her best zoo attire and set her on the bed with Russ when she was ready to go!

We pulled up to the zoo and realized that the crowd was much different from our last leisure zoo day.  The cars were lined down the road waiting to get a parking pass.  The parking lots were full, and we were directed to a parking area further away.  First sign of trouble.  Millie Janalee had fallen asleep on the drive over, so we sat in the car until she woke up.  That's where we got a chance to see the zoo crowd making it's way toward the entrance.  Second sign of trouble.  When we approached the entrance, we saw it.  Signs.  Signs that say "Free for Tennessee Tuesday" with three police motorcycles parked out front.  Last sign of trouble.

Millie Janalee's face pretty much sums it up...

Let's just say Free for Tennessee Tuesday is not my kind of crowd.  Oh my!  If Millie Janalee had been old enough to walk around, I would have been having a nervous breakdown.  I definitely had to stay in "the zone" in order to keep my cool most of the time.

Once our little bit woke up good, we were able to ignore the crowd and all that came with it.  We had a fun little outing to the zoo.  Russ and I purchased a dual zoo membership so that myself and another adult can go to the zoo anytime without paying.  So even if we only stayed a few minutes, it would've been okay.

My favorite zoo animal would probably be the giraffes.  I am just amazed at their body shape and the way they live.  Millie Janalee was dressed for the giraffes this time.  And she seemed to really enjoy them too!

With Russ's crazy busy work schedule these days, we haven't been able to spend much time with him.  Millie Janalee always loves to spend time with her daddy.  When Russ walks in each day...or night...Millie Janalee smiles so big and can't wait for him to pick her up.  She and Russ had a wonderful day together.  All day.  It is so nice to have days like these when we can.

The weather was absolutely beautiful.  Even if the crowd wasn't so much.  The sun was shining, and the temperatures were definitely warm.  The vendors WERE open this time, so I was able to get my ice cream bar.  Millie Janalee was a big hit with many of the passers by.  It's so funny how different our outings are these days.  We used to walk through life without speaking much to anyone, lost in our own world.  Now, we are stopped and smiled at and engaged in conversation around Millie Janalee several times a day.  Ha!

The lady we met at the entrance referred to Millie Janalee as the Gerber baby.  I wonder why?

I'm sorry if I seem like a proud Mama.  It's only because I am.  I can't help it.  I waited so many years to mother a precious angel, and the Lord has done great things for us...way more than we could have ever imagined...and we are filled with JOY!

Until our next family fun day at the zoo...

Coke 10K

Each year, the entire Johnson crew runs Corinth's biggest event of the year.  (I'm not sure if it's actually the biggest, but it is BIG!)  This year, the Coke 10K had to limit the registration to 1500 runners, the most participants in all 32 years history.  Race day is always a great day in our small hometown, and Russ and I enjoy going.  Sometimes Russ runs, but I always spectate.  Ha!  This year, Russ was working, so Millie Janalee and I traveled alone. 

Shocker, I know.

Our group of runners before the race

Jenny and I planned to meet at the matriarch and patriarch Johnson home.  That is Russ's parents.  They live near downtown, so it is the perfect gathering spot for everyone to walk to the race.  Jimmy and Roan's family usually has a big group of friends joining them too.  It was a bit chaotic when Millie Janalee and I arrived at 7:30, and I loved it!

Seriously, Mama?  It's freezing out here.

It was also a freezing day in  May!  The temperature was in the 40's, and I dressed Millie Janalee in the biggest winter outfit I could find. (I did not shop 9-12 month sizes for winter.)  I wrapped her in two blankets and put her hood on.  She was completely unamused.  Can you tell?

Bowlin with his mom and grandmother

We saw several friends who also donned their winter sweatshirts and coats and looked through sleepy eyes on this May day.  Jenny was in charge of Jimmy's camera.  He appointed her his official race photographer.  She was so nervous, so I told her I would help her.

Because let's face it.  I'm pretty used to taking pictures.  Ha!

Before the race, the race officials recognized and honored the local Boston runners.  These runners raced with blue and yellow ribbons, so they were easily spotted throughout the race course.  This has been such a special time of support from our hometown to Jimmy and Roan (and the other Boston runners).

Our Boston runners

Once the Boston runners were recognized, the crowd prayed together and listened as a local student sang "The Star Spangled Banner"...the race was ready to begin!  The wheelchair racers started first.  They always amaze me!  Using their arms to push those racing chairs 6.2 miles up and down hills.  Wow.

After giving the wheelchairs a good start, the shot fired for the remaining 1500 racers to begin!  Jenny and I stood against the side of a truck to capture the best pictures we could.  We had no idea where our group was, so we just kept clicking until we saw the last of the runners...actually walkers.  We knew our crew would be running full speed ahead.  The racers were literally brushing by us and against our cameras.  I'm thinking standing in the middle of 1500 runners would constitute a dangerous stampede, for sure!  After examining the pictures, I actually captured a couple of our runners.  The trick is actually finding them in the crowd...

I spy with my little eye...CLAY...wearing a red shirt with blonde hair!

Now, let's play a game of "Where's Jimmy?"  He's wearing a white and red cap.

It's also fun to see the various groups running together, and some even running for a cause.  I did catch a picture of this group of Navy chanting together as they ran in a formation.

Once our runners had passed, we walked over to the downtown coffee shop to enjoy a warm place to sit, hot chocolate, and a cheese danish.  After about 40 minutes, we knew the first of our group would finish soon.  So Jenny and I made our way to the finish line with cameras in hand.

Thankfully, we went at that time!  Because we almost missed the first Johnson to cross the finish line!  Clay finished 6.2 miles in 41 minutes!  We weren't expecting him to be the first one since Jenny and I hadn't seen them race in a while.  It was a happy surprise, and both of us only got shots of him from the back.  Maybe he will forgive us.  It wasn't long until the rest of the Johnsons came running toward the finish...

Clay

Jimmy and Julie...completely in sync

Olivia in the aqua

Roan

I guess I didn't catch Leah finishing, but Jenny did.  After close inspection, we realized that we caught all the family members.  Maybe not from the front.  But we got documentation of their run.  Ha!  And a few others.  Or...380 pictures worth.  What can I say?  We are the best race photographers around.  Did you run?  Let us know.  We probably have a picture of you!  Haha!

These firemen ran 6.2 miles in full gear!  Wow.

About an hour and a half after the start of the race, these silly girls came skipping toward the finish line.  Lynn ran back through the race route after she finished, and she found them skipping, jumping off curbs, and planning how they would finish the race.  Obviously, holding hands was the plan.  I love it!

Avery, Grace, and Mackenzie

Once we reunited with our runners and congratulated them for their fantastic finishes, these race photographers took a loop around downtown browsing the Green Market.  The Green Market is a set up of several tents with people selling their homemade items.  Anything from foods, jewelry, home decor, outside decor, children's clothing, and pottery.  I picked up a few hairbows for Millie Janalee before we strolled back to the Johnson home.

Jenny and me

Everyone was gathered for lunch when we entered the house, so we grabbed some fried chicken and fruit and enjoyed the company of friends and family.  I literally just sat Millie Janalee in the middle of the floor...and this is what happened...

As always, the Coke 10K was a great time of friends, family, and downtown fun!

Olivia's Graduation

I mentioned that our May is very busy.  It is busy with fun and exciting things!  Last weekend, Millie Janalee and I headed north to celebrate our niece Olivia's graduation.  Roan homeschools all five of her children, and she started homeschooling when Olivia was in first grade I think.  (It may have been kindergarten.  I'm not 100% on that.)  So, 12 years of homeschooling later...their family has the first graduate. 

And a first grader.  That makes me a little tired thinking about it, but Roan is up for the challenge.  And does so joyfully!

Homeschool graduations are always special.  I attended our oldest nephew's homeschool graduation a few years ago.  Since each child is homeschooled by their parents, the parents present their diplomas, and the children present their moms with a rose.  That's a lot of emotion for me.  After graduation, we were all invited to a reception honoring the graduates.  Each graduate had their own board filled with pictures and several of their favorite things.  It was fun to browse these boards.

Pop, Millie Janalee, and Granmomma

I mentioned that Millie Janalee came with me.  I was a bit nervous about her sitting through the entire ceremony.  But, she did beautifully!  Never made a peep.  Seriously.  Not a peep.  Aunt Jenny held her during the ceremony, and her Nemo stuffed animal kept her busy.  Towards the end, we began feeding her puffs simply because I knew she must've been starving!  I had not had a chance to feed her supper yet.  And the ceremony ended at 8:00.  I know.  I'm a terrible mother.  But, she didn't seem to be suffering.

Millie Janalee and Season

Afterwards, at the reception, Aunt Jenny and I fed her the baby food I packed and she was good to go!  She had many people waiting to meet her and play with her.  We also had a nice chat with a blog reader who recognized us.  I always love when that happens.  It's always nice to know who's following our story.

Aunt Roan and Millie Janalee

Lynn, Millie Janalee, and Julie

Once Millie Janalee was fed, Jenny and I grabbed our own plate of food from the various tables.  Each graduate had their own cake to celebrate the night.  The room was packed full of friends and family members.  There was also a concert by a group of children violinists. 

(There may have been other instruments, but there was no way I could get over there to see.)

(Either way it was enjoyable.)

Jenny, me, and Olivia

Before we left, we gave Olivia her graduation gifts.  She has always been such fun to watch open gifts.  Her excitement is over the top and genuine.  Russ and I gave her a Ronaldo Faith bracelet reminding her that no matter how far away from home she may go, she is never alone.  Millie Janalee also did some shopping and found a cute canvas for Olivia's room with a verse reminding her of the same thing.

It was a rainy, cold evening.  Jenny was so gracious to drop us off under the drive-thru and park our car.  She also ran through the rain to get our car and pick us up.  We enjoyed our ride together, and I know Millie Janalee enjoyed her time with her cousin Grace!

Grace and Millie Janalee

It's hard to believe this spunky, excited, and active little 5 year old I met when Russ and I were dating is graduating high school.  She has turned into such a genuine, compassionate, and beautiful young lady.  We are so proud! 

Congratulations, Olivia!

We're LIVE!

It's here!  Mississippi Women Bloggers is up and running, and I couldn't be more excited!  This is going to be a great opportunity to gather and encourage women.  It is also a great chance for us to learn from each other and share our stories.  Click on over to our site, and join for FREE!

Thank you for all your support as I join The Park Wife on her mission to gather, grow, and connect women from state to state.  Her vision has grown to include Arkansas, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Alabama, and NOW Mississippi!  I'm looking forward to meeting new women bloggers and sharing stories around our state!  Join the fun.

Holding on for Dear Life

Well, I might as well confess and warn you that my blogging is a bit sporadic these days because of the craziness of our May schedule.  With a niece and a nephew graduating, Millie Janalee's upcoming dedication, Mother's Day, and a few other fun events...Millie Janalee and I pack, unpack, and repack nearly every weekend.  Russ hasn't been able to join us much due to work.  Bless him!

Today, though, I'm back!

Last week, Russ and I took Millie Janalee for a family outing.  To Target.  Things are pretty exciting these days!  Ha!  Really, we went for a couple necessities...and I've been wanting to get Millie Janalee a fun standing toy since her latest fetish involves holding on to anything and standing.  No, she can't stand or pull up on her own.  No, she's not walking.  She just whines to be stood up.  And we do it.  Suckers!  She may never pull up or crawl as long as we do whatever she wants.  I know, I know.  But, for now, this works for us.

We found one we liked after checking out all the "bells and whistles" on each toy.  We came home and put Millie Janalee straight to bed for her afternoon nap.  Russ put the toy together while she slept, and I was too excited to show her the fun surprise!  As soon as I heard her start babbling to her bunny lovey, I ran to the bedroom to get her.  I was so excited.  We got our video camera, phones, and big camera ready...

She loved it!  She immediately started squealing and pushing all the buttons on the front.  Then, when I stood her up to the handle, she was so smiley!  It was the cutest thing.  She stood very still and just smiled at us for a while.  The walking toy started moving forward, and Millie Janalee stood firm in her spot.  She took a step or two, but then the toy kept moving without her.  She fell and hit her noggin on the floor.

(This was after me falling backwards, knocking over an end table, lamp, full diet cherry coke from Sonic, picture frames, and coaster while videoing her.  Yep.  You can tell from the video as you hear the commotion and get a good shot of the ceiling.)

Her fall is also on video, but it wasn't quite as funny.  Bless her!  From that time on, her standing position looked less smiley and more like she was holding on for dear life...

I'm not sure what the steps are for beginning walking, but I'm pretty sure standing on your tip-toes is not he best way to get your balance.

Unless you are working on your ballet.  Maybe we have ourselves a baby ballerina!

Her safest option is to sit and play.  Pulling the little telephone off is her favorite, and I am working with her on talking to Mama on the phone.  She thinks it is SOOO funny when I hold the phone up to my ear and say, "Hello?  You want to talk to Millie Janalee?  Okay!" and pass her the phone.  I will hold it to her ear, and she looks like she is trying hard to hear whoever is on the other side.  Until she gets bored and just wants to shake it around.

We have lots of fun with our little walking toy!  We have also started playing with another fun toy some.  Aunt Jenny passed down a rocking cow from all three of her children.  So, I think this makes the cow over 21 years old!  Ha!  He's in pretty good shape too.  Millie Janalee can crawl over to it, and we put her up on the cow.

(No.  We are not crawling with our tummy off the floor yet.  I've been informed that scooting around on your belly is "crawling" and moving with belly off the floor is called "creeping.")

She can make it rock by herself, and she loves the attention.  She hasn't grasped the whole idea of holding on to the handles.  But her little hands have a tight grip on the material, horns, or ears.  Ha!

So, that's pretty much what we're doing these days.  Holding on for dear life.  Literally.  Russ and I are holding on to dear life as we travel and work through the month of May.  We figure if we can hold on for a few more weeks, our beach vacation will be here before we know it!

And we need it!  And we can't wait!  (Except the packing part.  I'm starting to get the packing blues.  Any volunteers to come pack for us?)

The Way I See Her...

I've mentioned this before.  I feel like, as women, we spend so much time comparing ourselves to others and judging those who make different choices.  It starts very young...and even younger now it seems.  Who has the latest brand shoes?  Who has the newest version iPhone?  Who hangs out with the popular kids?  Who wears the latest boutique fashions?  As years go by, it doesn't end.  Who drives the newest car?  Who stays out late on the weekends?  Who even has their own car?  You would think that all the comparisons end as you enter adulthood.  But, what I've found is that adults can be just a bunch of junior high girls in bigger bodies.  We are still comparing ourselves and putting others down.  Who makes their own baby food?  Who is able to be the classroom mom?  Who sends the crafty snacks to school?  Who looks like they are ready to go out right after childbirth?  Who cooks five-course meals?  Who serves, helps, and never rolls their eyes at their husbands?

All these questions tend to affect how we, as women, evaluate our own lives.  Comparing ours to others.  Women, in general, spend too much time tearing ourselves down that it is no wonder our self-esteem often wavers.  It is also no wonder our children begin the cycle so young too.  Not just from older women.  But from television.  Movies and commercials and television shows star skinny, beautiful, flawless girls and women.  After awhile, we start to believe that everyone looks like that.

Except us.

When I look at Millie Janalee, I see perfection.  Literally.  Perfection.  Don't we all see our children as perfect?  Perfectly created by our God.  It hurts my heart to think that there will come a day when she looks in the mirror and isn't happy with what she sees.  I know that I will long for her to see herself the way I see her...

Beautiful!  Full of a natural beauty far beyond what I can describe.

I saw this video over at The Park Wife, and all I could think about is what I want Millie Janalee to see.  I want her to see herself the way I see her.  I want her to be grateful for her natural beauty inside and out.  I want her to find joy and give thanks for the way way God created her.  Every part of her.  God never makes a mistake.  She is perfectly made.  Perfectly woven to become a daughter of the King.  Please watch for yourself...

     

This is one of many reasons I decided to join with The Park Wife in the Women Bloggers network.  A network of women, from state to state, gathering together to grow and encourage each other.  I will be running the Mississippi site working to gather Mississippi ladies to get to know each other, share stories, and encourage each other.  We are preparing to launch soon.  So, if you are from the magnolia state...keep your eyes open so that you can join us!  Help us make a difference in the lives of other women in our state.  The website is not live yet, but you can check out Arkansas Women Bloggers.  This is where it all started four years ago!

Help women see themselves the way others see them.  Embracing their natural beauty and differences.