Micala / 27 / Oklahoma

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I'm so excited to introduce the Kelly's Korner readers to my sister by choice, Micala! 

I’ve known Micala her entire life. No kidding. I was there the day she was born.

Rhonda (Micala's mom) and Micala

Micala and I spent a lot of time together growing up (her pesky little brother was around a lot, too…but we’ll talk about him some other time). We grew up in Balko, Oklahoma, which is – quite literally – in No Man’s Land (aka, the Panhandle). 

Micala and Brett back in the day.

Micala and I are six years apart, and when you’re a kid – that’s a lot. I was in high school when she was in grade school. So I got to "babysit" Micala and Brett and did a lot of things I probably shouldn't have and uttered the words "don't tell your mom" more times than I can count. But Micala and I grew closer with each cup of Kool-Aid and each cheerleading session. 

Fast forward 16 years and now Micala is one of my best friends and my sister by choice. 

Micala and me. She forced me to do the Color Run. Side note: we had a lot of fun

Micala's one of those people that you absolutely cannot forget. She's pretty, she's funny, she's sweet, and she would do anything for anybody she loves. She's a Christian and loves the Lord, and she rarely misses church. 
 

Micala's wonderful family (parents, brother, grandparents)

Micala is loyal, has the biggest heart of anyone I know, and can handle it when life gives her lemons. She's tough but also caring and kind. She loves sports and working out, is a great cook and makes the world's best chocolate chip cookies. Sure, she may not be very good at geography, but that doesn't really matter, does it? :) 

Micala and Amy (Micala's on the left)

Micala graduated from the University of Oklahoma and lives in Norman where she works as a Recruiter for IBM.  She lives for football season and tailgating, loves baseball and basketball, country music and concerts, and enjoys spending time with the kids in her family.

Simply put, Micala is wonderful and one of a kind. Thanks for reading! 

 

xo

Wendy

 

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

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

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!

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

First Camping Trip

Cannen and I met my parents, Nick, Taylor and Cade, Uncle Terry and Auntie Sandy and my cousin Jarrod his wife Tiff and their kids at Lake Eufaula on Friday night (Kyle was working, of course).

 

This was Cannen's first 'camping' trip and he loved it. Although the entire time I think he was wishing he was 6 so he could play with the big kids.

I think kids these days are spoiled because when I was a kid camping meant sleeping in tents. Oh well...I definitely don't mind air conditioning.

 

  He loves being on the loose.

My dad found a branch.

"Excuse me!"

 

I wanted to hug Taylor for this. She found an app that had all of the kids mesmerized
and, better yet, still. Pretty sure that's a first.

Cade is the cutest.

Finally got Cannen down for a nap.

Camping is exhausting!

San Diego

Kyle and I have been married seven (SEVEN!) years and we decided it was high-time we took a vacation. We hadn't been anywhere with just the two of us since Cannen was born, so this was a good time for us to get away for a few days.

We chose to visit San Diego. After much research I landed on the La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla. We had an amazing time. Here are some of my favorite pictures from our trip (July 19 - 23, 2012).

Bonus: I got to spend my 30th birthday in California. Unforgettable!