A Johnson Family Update

 So Sunshine left a comment asking about my family and our summer. That little nudge made me realize that yes, I do miss blogging. I still read blogs periodically, but I do spend a good bit of time listening to podcasts. Anyway, here is an update on our family.

We are all doing well!

• Jimmy and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary on June 22. What a blessing to have been married 30 years to my best friend. 
• Olivia and Brian are expecting their first baby in December. They still live super far away in Indiana--a 9 hour drive. I am so excited for them! She will find out next month if the the baby is a boy or a girl.
• Julie and Big Sam are doing well with their two little girls, Mae 2.5 and Bea 10 months. Both girls' birthdays are in August. They live about 15 minutes from us. :) Julie has a garden and baby chickens, and I am looking forward to having fresh tomatoes. 
• Clay is in pharmacy school at The University of Tennessee. He will begin his second year in August. He is also working part time this summer at Handy Man and is studying for the MCAT.
• Leah will be a high school senior (how is that possible?) this fall. Leah has her driver's license now, and it is so nice to have an extra driver. She can drive herself and Sam to their XC practices and Bible studies now which is so nice! Leah has an Etsy shop called PaperCactusDesigns where she sells stickers and various other things that she designs and creates. 
• Sam will be in 10th grade this fall. He is busy this summer working on engineering projects, yard work, and various outdoor activities. Both of them have already been to RYC, and they will attend another camp in July.

I have many, many projects planned this summer. Right now I am picking blueberries for 1-2 hours each day and also working on my "secret room" which is unfinished room off of Olivia's room. This is where I keep all my children's old toys (large and small), stuffed animals (thousands!), memorabilia, college stuff, dress up supplies (way too many!), old t-shirts they want to save, etc. When Olivia, Julie, and Clay were little, this room was cleared out enough that they could play in there, weather (temperature) permitting. Over the years as they have outgrown their toys and things, I stored all of it in this secret room with the intention of getting it out for my grandchildren. Well now that that time is here, I realize that I kept way too much! So I am purging and organizing with the hopes of clearing it out enough for Mae and Bea and future grandchildren to be able to play in there when it's not too hot or cold. I am pulling out all of the children's boxes of "things they want to save" for them to go through and either take it to their houses or get rid of some of it. I am willing to store 2-3 boxes for each child, but not 12! Julie cleaned out the secret room 4 years ago, and I tidied it a little bit 3 years ago, but since that time way too much stuff has been dumped in there. I failed to take before pictures, but I may take some "in progress" pictures today. 

I hope all of you are having a good summer. 

Sunday

Here's the boring update on life.....Jimmy and I took Olivia for a college visit, Thursday-Saturday.  I spent the rest of yesterday afternoon picking up my other children while Jimmy ran 24 miles.  My dear, dear friends Heather and Lynn kept my children for three nights while we were gone.  Julie stayed with Heather, and the rest stayed with Lynn and Uncle Kelly.  All of the children had a super fun time and were exhausted when they got home.  Everyone in our house was asleep before 9:30 last night.  Olivia actually collapsed on her bed shortly after we arrived home, around 4:00 PM.  She did not wake up until 8:00 this morning!  Staying in the dorm wore her out!

Today was spent attending worship services, teaching Bible class, attending our monthly Ladies' Bible class, buying groceries, unpacking, doing laundry, and tidying up my house.  Actually, I am still not done.  I was posting my run from this morning on Daily Mile, and just decided to do a little blog update before I get back to cleaning my kitchen.

For the second week in a row, I went to the grocery store to buy a week's worth of groceries using a list that I made a few minutes before shopping.  I made it at the restaurant at lunch, and then Jimmy and the kids shopped at Sam's while I went to Kroger.  I probably won't be posting my weekly menu tomorrow, and I will not be trying any new recipes this week.  I plan to be back to careful menu planning and list making next weekend!

I was unable to get my long run in for the week since we were out of town, so I will be doing it tomorrow--22 miles.  The longest long run before the marathon.  My week's total miles will be 49.  I hope I survive!  Jimmy just finished a 70 mile week!  Yes!  We are both crazy.

Well, that's it--oh, one more thing.  Jimmy and I made friends with another couple who had their daughter visiting the college too.  We all four became fast friends, and I found out that my new friend was a runner.  And not just any crazy marathon runner...she is an ultra runner!  She had just completed a 60 mile race last Saturday.  HMMMM........an ultra?  Lynn?  Heather?  Esther?  Leanna?  Anybody interested in training for an ultra??