After such an overwhelming, joyful, emotional, and wonderful weekend...we are HOME!  Russ and I brought Millie Janalee home yesterday afternoon.  I think she's gonna like it here.  I know we are loving having her around.  I absolutely love looking into those big blue eyes and knowing that I'm her mama!  Nothing sweeter!

We can't stop smiling...

We can't stop staring...

Sweet perfection in this 6 pound 13 ounce bundle!  

Welcome home, sweet girl!  Welcome home!

'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

 I'm so glad I learned to trust Thee,

Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;

And I know that Thou art with me,

Wilt be with me to the end.

In February of last year, Russ and I took a step out in faith.  We stepped away from the shore toward what we felt the Lord calling us to.  We began our journey to adoption.  Never could I have imagined the outpouring of love, concern, encouragement, support, and prayer over the last year and a half.  Every step we took seemed like "immeasurably more" than we could have ever asked or imagined.  There were many moments we both felt discouraged and wanted to grasp control.  But, it was the encouragement and prayers of you...our prayer warriors...that kept us going.  Month after month, placement after placement, holiday after holiday...you were faithful.  We have been overwhelmed with thankfulness...and even more convicted to trust Him with everything.

Some days sure did seem sour!

But, OH, 'tis SO SWEET to trust in Jesus!

Our life changed on July 18 at 8:58 a.m., when Miss Millie Janalee Johnson entered this world weighing 6 pounds 13 ounces and measuring 20 inches long.  A beautiful, sweet, spotless bundle of inexplicable joy!  Born to a pair who have taken hold of a piece of our hearts forever...because we share a love for this little one.  This little one who holds our whole hearts...

Miss Millie Janalee!

Over the last month, Russ and I have certainly traveled a journey we never could have prepared for.  It has been a journey full of tears, fears, nerves, excitement, and indescribable beauty.  Most of all, it has been a month full of amazing experiences FAR greater than anything we could have ever imagined!  The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with JOY...pure JOY!  Thank you, Lord, for YOUR beautiful, perfect plan WELL WORTH THE WAIT!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! 

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

O for grace to trust Him more!

Praying for More...

...at Opryland Hotel in Nashville!

Eleven Months

Baby J,

Yesterday marked eleven months since your daddy and I were approved to adopt.  I can't believe it has been almost a year!  I know I say this all the time, but some days it seems like the days drag by.  And other days just fly!  I know that the day we meet you, all our days of waiting will be a fleeting memory of time that is well worth it!

I just cannot wait for that day!  I can't wait for the day I get to see what your sweet face looks like.  I can't wait to dress you in your sweet little clothes just in time for you to spit up all down the front!  Ha!  I can't wait to change 10-12 diapers a day.  I can't wait to stay up at night rocking you back to sleep while I pray over you.  I can't wait to share pictures of you with all your prayer warriors who have literally carried us through the last few years of waiting.  I can't wait to see you with your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  I can't wait for you to meet your great grandparents.  I just can't wait.

But I will.

I will wait, because I know that when that day comes...all the other days of waiting will be precious.  I try to soak in every waiting day so that I can remember all the blessings we have received through our waiting.  The last couple of weeks have kept me up at night.  I've been up praying for you, your birthparents, and your little life.  I've been up praying for others too.  At some point, during all those prayers, I fall back to sleep.  I guess when I surrender my thoughts to God, he eases that anxiety and gently rocks me back to sleep. I love that time though.  I love my time praying for you!  And that, Baby J, will never change.  I will never stop praying for you and over your little life.  I know God has big plans for you, and He has already used you in so many ways.  I will continue to pray for you as you grow.  That's what parents do.

Until our day of waiting ends...we will still be ready for you!  So come on, Baby J!  Grace us with your presence whenever you are ready!

Love,
Mama

Happy 60th Daddy

Yep.  Daddy turned 60 years old on June 27.  The real celebration will be in August when we travel to Nashville for the American Idol tour.  But, in the meantime, we couldn't let it go by without a little cake.

Last weekend, Kristin and Lee hosted a family birthday cookout at their house.  Lee and the boys grilled the most amazing filets while Kristin fixed a wonderful salad, pasta dish, and sausage rotel.  We all sat around visiting and enjoying the delicious food.

After dinner, we gathered in the living room to relax.  Kristin and Lee have an awesome sectional with a total of 5 recliners built in (I think)...plus the extra stand alone recliner.  Perfect for our growing family!  Kristin broke out the heath bar cake while we sang the traditional "Happy Birthday" and let the birthday boy blow out his candles.  No diets on that day... the cake was so yummy!

To top the evening off, we popped in a movie for a little family movie night.  Unfortunately Russ had to work the next day, so we traveled home into the wee hours of the morning.  But always totally worth it for precious family time!

Lee and me

Sheila and Dustin

Dustin and Mama

Russ and Maw Maw

So...until our big birthday blowout in mid-August...Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Praying for More...

...in Tel Aviv, Isreal!

Our Day in the Garden

 Yesterday, Russ had an unexpected doctor's appointment...which led to an unexpected day off!  Yay for me!  We woke up and headed to the pool for our morning sun before showering and heading to the doctor's office.  On the way, I suggested we go to the zoo afterward.  It was a beautiful day!  When I looked up the zoo hours, I realized we may not have enough time to enjoy the cost of two zoo admissions, so I suggested something new.  We have never been to the Botanic Gardens, so we made the decision final. 

I'm sure the spring is the best time to go, but we enjoyed it nonetheless.  We had quite an eventful day, so a day strolling around the gardens and just being silly was just what the doctor ordered!

I must say that "My Big Backyard" was my favorite part.  Needless to say, it was for kids...which made it perfect for me!  I mean, look at all this fun stuff...

Living Room

Bathroom

Flower "Beds"

And a nursery too!

We were hot.  We were sweaty.  But, we were having a ball!  Nothing fancy about this trip.  Just a leisurely stroll in the garden discussing whatever topics came to mind.  Lots of discussion about Baby J, of course!

Just a swingin'!

Russ chillaxin' in the hammock swing!

Russ and I laughed at ourselves the whole time, because we were two grown adults acting like kids.  Whatever we felt like doing...we did.  We spent a big chunk of our time in My Big Backyard as you can see...

Russ...about to be eaten by the huge spider!  You couldn't pay me to get under that spider...real or not!  Ha!

You can hula hoop wherever you are!

 We met one of the groundskeepers along the way, and he invited us to pick our own figs from the fig trees.  Russ is the brave one who ate one before bed.  We ended up with three large figs to take home.

 Russ is so proud...

So...I would say that our unexpected day off turned into quite the FUN adventure!  Love it when I get some fun time with my hubby!  And I LOVE him...in case you didn't know that already!  Ha!

Happy Father's Day Weekend

So Russ worked this weekend, and I traveled home alone to pick up Farley and spend Father's Day with my dad.  Farley has been at my parents' house since they picked him up from the vet following our beach vacation.  We missed him so badly.  Basically, I held, baby talked,  and snuggled him all day Saturday.  Ha!  Friday night, I met my sister-in-law and brother-in-law at a local restaurant for a much needed catch up dinner and fun!

Me and Jenny...courtesy of Jeff's iPhone

After dinner, Kristin and Lee stopped by to join us before taking me with them to see Rock of Ages.  If you love 80's music, you may like this movie.  There's not just a whole lot to the plot...but the music is great!  It made me wish I had grown up during 80's music times!  Ha!  Plus...I'm kinda obsessed with Julianne Hough.

I spent my Saturday shopping around town with my sister and snuggling on the couch with Farley.  We had a family movie night Saturday night and watched We Bought a Zoo.  It was great!  I had already seen it, but I watched it with the group.  This movie will make you laugh one second and cry the next.

Mama

Daddy had foot surgery Friday, so we laid low Sunday.  My mom decided to have a Father's Day cookout late Sunday afternoon.  I stopped by Maw Maw's to visit before the cookout.  We ended up shopping at Belk before heading to the house.  We both purchased a few items on sale...none of which we needed.  But it's certainly genetic.  Shopping just makes you feel better.  Ha!

Maw Maw and Brodie

We enjoyed a beautiful day outside watching the "grandpups" chase each other around the back yard.  They have a love/hate relationship.  They love each other.  Then they growl and snap at each other when the play gets too hard.  Mostly...it's playful love!

Farley chillin' with his cuz!

While Mama grilled the burgers, Maw Maw and I solved all the world's problems. But we did it in style!  I mean, who else has the same sunglasses as their grandmother!?  Maw Maw has more fashion and bling than I ever had!  She can shop for us and be right on target!  QVC helps her a little with that, I'm sure. 

Maw Maw and me

Daddy found a semi-comfortable position so he could enjoy the outside air.  Farley must join him at all times.  Brodie was probably under the table somewhere.  Both dogs definitely take to their grandaddy very well.  No surprise!

Daddy and Farley

Russ and I are blessed with amazing fathers!  Spiritual leaders in our homes, our fathers have shown us by example how to live.  My dad certainly was a picture of Jesus to us growing up.  Because of how my dad loves me, I can only imagine how my Heavenly Father loves me.  I am so thankful for my daddy and his constant reminder to "Remember Whose you are!"  Thankful for a dad who isn't afraid to have a little fun too...

I am also thankful for Russ's dad.  I am thankful for the way he raised my husband to be the amazing father he will one day become.  I am thankful both Russ and I have fathers who are committed to their families and strive to be a Godly example to others.

I was happy to celebrate Russ on Father's Day too.  I find myself daydreaming more and more of the day Russ will become a father himself.  I have absolutely no reservations about the fact Russ will be the most amazing dad!  I know I have already gushed about him in some previous posts, so I won't go on and on today.  Just know that I am incredibly blessed with ALL the men in my life!

Russ's anniversary/Father's Day gift...an original painting of Farley!  LOVE IT!

Thankful for another fun weekend with family celebrating the men in my life!  Counting my blessings daily!

Praying for More

...in Grafenwohr, Germany!

We are still so humbled and in awe of how many of you are STILL "praying for more!"  I realize you didn't sign up for nearly a year of prayers...but please know how much we covet and cherish each prayer lifted on Baby J's behalf!  Thank you, thank you, thank YOU!

Pool Day

We arrived back home around 4:00 AM Sunday morning, but Russ and I were NOT ready for our vacation to end.  Once we finally woke up from a wonderfully sound sleep in our own bed, we decided to make our first summer trip to the pool!

My Pool Diva

Surprisingly, it wasn't crowded. We were able to enjoy a few quite moments reading, relaxing, and talking to each other.  Of course, I may have had time for a tweet or two...

Please excuse, what appears to be, my birthing position!  Oh my!

I am SO incredibly grateful Russ is past the most stressful days of his schooling and residency.  I realize his specialty now calls for a different type of focus and "stress"...but as a wife, I am forever thankful he chose radiology!  This summer is the first summer he has thoroughly enjoyed in a long time.  This is the first summer he has been able to really relax I think.  He works long hours occasionally...and he hasn't begun to moonlight yet.  That will come next month I believe.  But, for now, I am enjoying this schedule.  I have friends who don't have the same sentiments.  There are a few reasons for this...one being the program their husbands are in.  It also helps that I am and was raised to be pretty independent.  This doesn't mean I know how to do everything.  Not at all!  It just means I don't mind...in fact, I enjoy...time alone.  I don't mind spending the night alone or going on trips alone while Russ is working.  Sure, I miss him.  But I use that time as "me time."  And I have come to enjoy it.

Not sure how I got off on that subject.  Back to the pool!  When looking at pictures on the way home from Florida, Russ referred to Kristin and me as "beach angels."  I found it so funny when he referred to me a "pool princess."  It's the little things that make me laugh.

Thankful, once again, for a sunny day with a fun husband!  Mindful that thanksgiving produces JOY, I am thankful for the daily happenings these days...and the small things that really matter.