Hopewell Church

While John was playing music in Boston Indiana yesterday, the kids and I took a quick trip over to Hopwell Church near Hueston Woods State Park. It's about 10 minutes from our house.

I have always loved it, it's a one room church that was built around 1808 and I've even attended on occasion. It's so simple and so lovely that I really wanted to capture it and my kids with it. It feels like it just oozes with memories, mine... my families... other families... so much History. Anyway, the kids loved it too.

I think it's a real tradgedy to live in a place and become numb to it's riches. Preble County may not be fancy... but it's full of gems, like this church.

It was close to evening, the light was nice and the weather outside was just right. The kids had a lot of fun and so did I. Maybe we can go back sometime soon... maybe even in the Autumn.

Spring Rain

Today it rained. It's been staying in the mid 80's and to be totally honest I was not loving it. I am a mild weather kind of girl. And I like a little rain.

Well, it rained today so I strapped the 2 little ones in the double stroller and told Lydia to put on her rainboots. We walked around town and I let her take photos of all the colorful flowers. She likes that, and so do I. Our own yard was quite pretty, rain droplets on the plants and the lilac bush just wafting it's scent with every slight breeze. The rain had all the bees under cover too. It was just perfect.

The kids were wild today and getting out of the house was a nice breather for all of us.

I hope you are all enjoying your Spring.

Rooster

My little man is growing up so fast. Sometimes too fast. But I'm enjoying it all. 2 is a fun age. They are learning so much, becoming more independent and speaking clearer. It's amazing how they transform. He is showing real progress with the potty training and is learning his boundaries much better as well. Seems like he gets in less and less trouble every week. Which is wonderful.
Yesterday he came to me, in the morning, and said "Mommy, Take Picture of Me!" He was so excited. So, in his shorts and bedhead we rushed to the photo room and took a few shots. It was fun since usually he won't let me. They came out nice, but I was faced with how big he has gotten, and as usual that hit me like a ton of bricks. I'm just so glad I am at home and not missing all these little blessings.

Lydia Marie

Lydia has changed so much this Spring. She's going from a toddler to a child. She's my liittle lady. She's just smarter everytime I turn around. I can't believe my Baby is about to start school... it's all went by too fast.

Layla Grace

Layla is growing like a little weed these days. She's up to about 3 and a half teeth and I'd swear she gets a pound bigger a day. Since her surgery last February she has really turned into a whole new baby. She's so happy and so full of life. It's hard to believe she was ever so sick. All the proof we even have is just that tiny little scar beside her belly button. Kids are so reziliant. They just take everything as it comes and never slow down. It blows my mind.

I have a feeling she's going to be walking soon. She's getting pretty brave, and standing without holding on to anything for longer and more frequent. But, she still prefers to be packed on a hip.

I'm really looking forward to the rest of spring and then Summer with her. She just is so ready to explore.

End of the Spring Holidays

Easter was a blast this year. All 3 of the kids enjoyed the great weather, egg hunting and making some "yucky" desserts, like dirt pudding.

Lydia was sweet this year, at each egg hunt she purposley overlooked eggs so that her little brother and sister could get them, and traded plastic eggs for real ones. She loves boiled eggs! And Rooster, well, he was just on a mission. I don't think it was even about the candy... it was more about the thrill of the hunt. He is such a boy. And Layla, she preferred mud to candy this year, but I think her first Easter was a success... and one that I will enjoy thinking of.

I hope all of you had great Easter's, and that you have many more ahead of you.

Peace and Love.

Hello All

Spring is here, and with all the cleaning and sorting I'm doing I also decided it was time to get to work on this Blog that I have been meaning to start.

So here goes...

My Name is Johnna, I'm the Mom and Wife of this little family. John is my Husband and we have 3 great kids; Lydia, John "Rooster" III and Layla.

We live a modest and simple life, no frills, but that allows us the freedom to immerse ourselves into our kids and into our life and just enjoy eachother while we can. I'm a stay at home mom and while anyone who does it KNOWS how hard it can be, it is the most rewarding job I have ever had the blessing of taking part in. I enjoy photography and writing and my husband plays in a few local bands. I feel pretty good that our children will not only see a traditional lifestyle and marriage, but that they will see the arts in action.

Anyway, hope to keep up to date on this... enjoy reading.

Peace and Love to all...