Carnival. Camping. Church. Choir.

This weekend was a blast!

We took Cannen to the Carnival in the United parking lot. It was...underwhelming. Well, it was underwhelming to Kyle and I. The kid we had with us absolutely loved it. One of the things I love most about two year olds is that they are impressed by anything.

When we arrived Kyle and I looked at each and said, "yikes" but Cannen had a totally different reaction, yelling how neat the lights were and "that thing [the ferris wheel] is so so high!" He rode the cars four different times and the carousel once. I took him down the big slide and he won a penguin for shooting basketball. I'm tellin' ya, the kid is an awesome shot!

Not the carnival I remember from my childhood, but it certainly didn't matter to Cannen. He was thrilled to experience it and we were thrilled to be able to take him!

On Friday we met my parents, Nick, Taylor and Cade at Red Rock Canyon for one fun-filled night.

My parents had their camper and Nick took his tent. We couldn't have asked for better weather. The fire and s'mores were a big hit with the kids. On Saturday we went to the park, listened to Oklahoma get annihilated by Texas (bummer), and went for a hike. We played football, tennis and badminton, took naps, and went "exploring". Mom made a birthday cake for Dad and Nick and I ate a lot of it. Happy Birthday, guys!

Saturday night Kyle and I went with our Sunday school class to White Dog Hill for a nice, child-free dinner. Then on Sunday we went to church (we attend Pine Acres Church in Weatherford). Even if there was a Sunday that we didn't really want to go to church, Cannen wouldn't let us skip. He loves it so much (and so do we!). Oh and I joined the choir. I'm not an awesome singer by any means, but I really love it! It's so much fun and I've met so many nice people. Although, this particular Sunday I showed up - early, mind you - for choir and there was no choir. Too bad I never show up early when we are actually singing. I'll get better. I promise.

All in all a really great weekend!

xo
Wendy

OHP Graduation 2013

Congratulations to the forty new State Troopers that graduated from the 61st Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy!

Check out the video - there are several shots of Kyle and then at the end you see me pinning on Kyle's badge. It looks like I'm struggling but I promise I got it on there fairly quickly and easily, even though I did forget to button his top button back! 

Congrats again and good luck to the Troopers as they go through Field Training!

-Wendy

A Life in Common

I stumbled upon this article (okay, I actually googled "A Proverbs 31 Woman" so stumbled upon is not an entirely accurate account of what happened...anyway...) on "A Virtuous Woman" and while I don't like EVERYTHING in the article, the following things stood out to me and I agree with. See if you do, too:

"A [husband and wife] decide what kind of life they want to live. They have a life in common. They are creating memories and experiences together.

A wife should compliment her husband in a way that helps him achieve their common goals so that he may prosper thereby prospering their family as well. The husband and wife work together to create their life together, each bearing their own roles to play. They are partners in life and love. They are like one unit, each working toward the same goal."

The above words are true for me. I am so proud of my husband and am truly honored that I get to go through this life with him! I'm proud of the man he is and how hard he works for our family. I'm proud of his work ethic, his determination, his grit and his love for me and Cannen.

Oh, and just one week until Graduation!

The Big Move

Friends. I have good news: The Great Weatherford House Hunt of 2013 has come to an end!

The new Johnson abode

That's right, we found this cute house to rent and are looking forward to getting settled.

We are planning our Big Move on Saturday, July 20. If any strapping young men (or women, of course) are willing and able, we'd love you forever if you wanted to help! I'll even buy you a drink or two.

But in all seriousness, this was the final piece of the puzzle. We had three big things to get done/figured out: find a daycare for Cannen, sell our house, find a place to live. There is no doubt in my mind that this is what is supposed to happen in our lives - just look at how it's all coming together!

Thank you to everyone for your support and prayers during the last 19 weeks. Guess what? Tomorrow marks ONE WEEK until graduation. Hallelujah!

xo
Wen

It’s here! My favorite month is here!

This IS going to be the best July in all my 30 (almost 31...eeek!) years.

Here's why:

#1. July 4^th: It’s America’s birthday! Independence Day is my favorite holiday and I cannot wait to celebrate! I get two days off work, making it a much needed four-day weekend. I get to spend the day with family and then Cannen and I get to go hang out with cadet #766 for a few hours that evening. We haven’t been able to see Kyle on a Thursday in 18 weeks. This is very exciting indeed. Happy Birthday AMERICA!!!!!

#2. July 6^th: It's Micala’s birthday! She’s one of my favorite people. But, sorry Micala, THIS is even more exciting (at least for me): for the first time in my life I get to see the one, the only ... GARTH BROOKS in concert! After a tumultuous and stressful hour on Ticketmaster one Friday (while at work...shhhhh.), I was able to secure two tickets for Toby Keith’s Twister Relief Concert in Norman. Even though it’s at 3 p.m. on a Saturday in July, I’m pretty pumped.

#3. July 18^th: THE GRADUATION AND COMMISSIONING CEREMONY FOR THE 61^ST OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY PATROL ACADEMY. (Sorry I'm not sorry for the all-caps, bold-font business.) I’m simply over the moon about Kyle’s graduation and his new career. Words cannot express how proud I am of him and what this means for our family. He’s my hero.

#4. Sometime in July: We’re moving. It will be bittersweet indeed, but I’m still very excited about moving to Weatherford. Let’s be clear, I’m not excited about the packing and moving process. But! I’ll be happy once we’re there and settled.

We're still deep in the throes of the Great Weatherford House Hunt of 2013. So, again, if anyone knows of a house for rent please let us know!

#5. July 22^nd: It’s my birthday! I love birthdays. And I get to have Kyle with me on my birthday – that’s the best present this girl could have!

July, I love you so.

xo

Wendy

An Update on the Johnson's

In case you didn't hear - we are moving to Weatherford! While the past few months have been a stressful and trying time, I know that this is God's plan for our lives and I believe that we are walking totally and completely in his will.

We prayed and prayed for Kyle to be accepted into the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy. Then we prayed that he would make it through the Academy. Now that we've made it this far (only 3 weeks, 1 day left!) I seriously doubt God is saying, "Well kids, I brought you this far. Now the rest is up to you."

I completely believe that this is what is supposed to happen in our lives and I have to admit - I'm pretty excited! God has been so good to us. This became abundantly clear to me when I finally said, "Okay God. I get it. I surrender to you. I GIVE UP. I give it to you." And then - almost instantly - things started revealing themselves to me and things started going our way...

First of all, we found a daycare in Weatherford! This is a HUGE relief as there are not many options in Weatherford. (Thanks Becca for helping on this one!)

Secondly, we sold our house. This is totally and completely awesome, especially considering it was on the market a mere 8 (yes, eight!) days.

But, there is one tiny problem: we don't have a place to live in Weatherford.

So this is a plea to my Weatherford friends - does anyone know of a house for rent? We prefer a house with at least 2 bedrooms, but 3 would be ideal. We also need a yard. Many places don't allow pets and that's okay - I believe we have an option for our German Shepherd if she can't live with us for a while.

If you know of a place that is open or will be available in mid-July please let me know.

Much love,
Wendy

Read my other blog post for some additional details about the move!

Plea for Prayer

Forgive me ... that title is probably a little dramatic. But if you get a chance could you lift up our little family in prayer?

This is an emotional time for us. First of all, Kyle is gone and having him away has proven to be tough. We're fine, I promise, but miss him terribly. And Kyle misses us terribly (and, understandably, most of all Cannen). I know Cannen misses Kyle but I am very thankful he doesn't really have an understanding of time. He knows we pick up Daddy on Friday, get donuts for Daddy on Saturday and go to "Oklamama City" to drop Daddy off on Sunday, but that's about it. What happens between Sunday afternoon and Friday evening is all the same to Cannen...it's a blessing, actually!

Secondly the impending move to Weatherford brings with it a lot of stress, from getting the house ready to sell and on the market, to finding a new place to live, a new daycare and a new pediatrician, my mind is reeling. And, although I know I can do it, I am taking all of this on by myself (for the most part). And that is just a bit stressful!

I have been very emotional about moving. About leaving. I love living in Norman. It's home to me and I'm comfortable here and it's become a part of me. And now we are leaving. It's not a bad thing necessarily, as I know God has a plan for our lives and this is obviously part of his plan. But I'm having a really hard time accepting this plan.

I am 100% supportive of Kyle and I'm so proud of him for pursing his dream. We prayed for this. We prayed that he be accepted into the 61st Academy. He got in. We prayed if he got in, he would graduate. He's not there yet, but I know he WILL graduate (only 39 days!). We prayed for God's will. And I know God is not going to bring us this far and then vanish and leave it all up to us. I know that. I'm just having trouble believing that.

A few years ago during Bible Study I took a test to see which spiritual gift I had been blessed with. Mine was faith. And I firmly believe that it's true. I'm faithful. I've never struggled with having faith. But with this new turn of events in our lives my faith has been tested and is being tested even as I write this. I keep praying, "Lord, let me accept this. Let me embrace this. Let me want this." but so far I feel like I can't. In my head I know I need to. My heart? Well that's a different story.

I've always listened to Air1, but these days it's basically all I listen to, whether at work or at home. When the song "Whatever You're Doing" by Sanctus Real plays it nearly stops me in my tracks. Lyrics speak to me and music is therapy for me ... but no matter how many times I listen to or sing this song and hear these lyrics, the words just aren't sinking in. They're in my head but are not in my heart.

Please pray for joy and peace for me. I know it's there. I know God offers these things abundantly. I know the Holy Spirit is here to help me. But so far I'm at a loss. I need to surrender but I'm being stubborn. And I can't seem to let go ... this is far and away the most frustrating part. My head and my heart are in two different places and for the first time in my life I feel like I can't bring them together.

But I know God can. And I believe He will.

I just wish He'd hurry.

Wendy

Lord, help me truly and firmly believe the words of this song...

"It's time for healing. Time to move on. It's time to fix what's been broken too long. Time to make right what has been wrong. It's time to find my way to where I belong. There's a wave that's crashing over me. and all I can do is surrender.

Whatever you're doing inside of me. It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace. And it's hard to surrender to what I can't see, but I'm giving into something heavenly.

Time for a milestone time to begin again reevaluate who I really am. Am I doing everything to follow your will? Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills. So show me what it is you want for me. I give everything I surrender ...

To whatever you're doing inside of me. It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace. And it's hard to surrender to what I can't see, but I'm giving into something heavenly.

It's time to face up. Clean this old house. Time to breath in and let everything out. That's I've wanted to say for so many years. Time to release all my held back tears.

Whatever you're doing inside of me. It feels like chaos but I believe. You're up to something bigger than me. Larger than life. Something heavenly. Whatever you're doing. Inside of me. It feels like chaos but now I can see....... this is something bigger than me. Larger than life something heavenly. Something heavenly ...."

We're Moving

It's happening: we're moving to Weatherford.

Kyle received his assignment from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and he got Custer county. He's so excited! I'm excited, too, and am looking at this as an adventure. Although, I have to admit, I am very sad to leave our home and friends in Norman. We've lived here for 6 years and in this house for 4 1/2. It's become home and will always hold a special place in my heart.

BUT! There are some really good things about Weatherford:

• Kyle's dad lives there
• My bff Becca, her awesome husband Keith and they're adorable baby Brady live there. 
• Becca has a pool =)
• It's a lot closer to KKKK: Kasey, Kyle, Kamrynn and Kynlee, which is a very, very good thing
• It's a lot closer to other people we love: Kyle's grandparents, Kyle's Papa, the Stotts family, the Keasler's...
• We already have a church to go to in Weatherford
• It's a small town with good schools and (mostly) friendly people
• It's the home of Heapin Helpins, my favorite BBQ place!
• It's not that far from OKC
• It's where Kyle and I met. Now everybody say awwww!
• I get to keep my job (because my boss is AWESOME) and commute 3 days each week to Oklahoma City. I'll work from home the other two.This is a tremendous blessing. I LOVE my job and the people I work with.

Our house just went on the market yesterday. You can see it here: http://www.openhouseok.com/OK/Norman/2608%20Weymouth%20Way/showhome.oht
 

If you know anyone looking for a lovely 3 bed/2 bath home in a beautiful Norman neighborhood, send 'em my way, would ya?

To Weatherford we go!

Also, a side note to anyone finding out about this via the blog and not from me or Kyle personally: sorry. Everything has been a little crazy lately! We love you!

Travelache | Lake Garda, Italy

Someday when Kyle and I have lots of money and free time and we don't have to work I am going to take him to Lake Garda, Italy. Just look at this.

Photo, Lake Garda: freetravelconsultant.com

And while we're in Italy we'll have to go to Venice and Rome and Pompeii and Florence and Cinque Terre, of course.

Photo, Pantheon in Rome: from R&W's trip to Europe.

Photo, Venice: from R&W's trip to Europe.

Photo, Cinque Terra: from R&W's trip to Europe

Now excuse me while I try to come up with a way to make millions of dollars to cure my travelache.

-wj

for more on R&W's trip to Europe, check out: manneyeuros.blogspot.com

Again!

Can you watch this video without laughing? Because I can't.



I love these two. And I love witnessing the love between them. They'll be best buds for sure.

I'm Worn

"I'm worn. My prayers are wearing thin. I'm worn even before the day begins... I'm worn. I've lost my will to fight. I'm worn so heaven come and flood my eyes!"

Photo: screenshot of "Worn" lyrics video

I woke up one Monday morning with a heavy, lonely heart. I struggled to get ready for work and get dressed. I struggled getting Cannen ready and to school. I struggled because I didn't want to. I wanted to crawl under my covers and sulk and feel sorry for myself. But I didn't. And then I heard this song. And then I cried. Boy, did I cry.

This song is just ... perfect. And it reminded me that my situation is not unique and it's not impossible. I believe God uses these moments and seasons in our lives to teach us to lean on Him and to trust wholly and completely in Him.

I'm really doing some major leaning these days :)




-Wen