snapshots of our weekend.

This past weekend, Jared, myself, and my dad made the trip down to Storden to stay for the weekend. The Johnson-bed-and-breakfast was up and running, and we filled the house along with Greg, Lori, and Carter! There were some special celebrations we wanted to be a part of at their church, and it truly turned out to be a restful, rejuvenating, and simply happy weekend. As busy as the past few months have been for Jared + I, it was such a treat to have a calm weekend down in Storden with family. Believe it or not, it really was the epitome of calm. There aren't many weekends like that anymore, and it felt so good to slow down. 

There is this awesome park literally right across the street from the house, and it was the first time that Carter has been old enough and the season has been right to actually use and enjoy it! It is going to be such the gem for our family in the coming years to play.

Jared officially got Carter his first dunk. It was so sweet, and Carter was in heaven! We spent a beautiful afternoon outdoors, everyone playing basketball, chatting, and chasing the little guy around.

Matchy-matchy. Totally unplanned. Totally worth day-long-jokes for those two.

Doesn't that just melt your heart? It was such a good afternoon. Carter also got some snuggles in with uncle Jared. His own private jungle gym. That's true love right there.

So, the main reason we took this little trip was to be present in church on Sunday for the commissioning service for my in-laws as well as a small group of people from their church to head down to Haiti this month. This is a totally new experience for their church as well as them, and we are so thankful they have this opportunity! The servant-hearts of these two are constantly being displayed, and as a bonus, while they are down there they have the AMAZING chance to meet their Compassion child! I can't even begin to imagine what that day will be like for them. Remember them in your prayers! 

I am so thankful for you two! Thank you for the example you are setting, and for your open heart to the Lord and actually listening to Him in tough decisions. We are praying for you! 

carter | turning one

Hard to believe that just one year ago, I was writing [this post...] and now here we are celebrating the one year of life this sweet little guy has been present in our lives.

Family gathered yesterday, Carter's actual birthday, to celebrate his special day. And what a special day it was. He is such a people person, and with the exception of his post-sugar-party-crash (but who can blame him?!)... he was the life of the party. :) 

Carter got his first dump truck, had his first birthday cake and his first tastes of what sugar is....and held it down very well... wore his first party hat, and had happy birthday sung to him for the first time. Of all the firsts that happen before you are one, there is something extra special about this birthday. :)

hi baby, you are so loved...

We are filled with joy over your life, Carter! We are so happy to be your aunt and uncle. We pray the Lord's blessings over you and your second year of life! Happy 1st Birthday!

giving thanks.

Hi, friends! From what I have seen and heard, it looks like you all had great thanksgivings! Ours was no different -  filled with both sides of our family, food, extended weekends, and remembering all the little and big reasons we have to be thankful! 

From 36 Johnsons on Thursday to an intimate 7 on Saturday, we had 2 Thanksgiving dinners, plenty of catching up, hugs, nephew snuggles, games, a little bit of shopping, and pajama time. :) As I am still reading my book "one thousand gifts" I have started my list of thankfuls, and it couldn't have fallen at a better season. It is so good for me right now to be consciously listing out the ways I have been blessed. So here's a smattering of our thanksgiving - in bits and pieces as I actually didn't pick up my camera as much as I expected. 

{grandma's dinner rolls - everyone's favorite.}

{our family and grandma. we love you!}

{the drive to and from Storden gets me every time. I simply love the openess of the country.}

{uncle del and aunt karen. wish you guys lived closer!!}

{this guy and his sweet grandma. they have super special hugs.}

{dave and jared ran a turkey trot thursday morning. in frigid wind!}

{thankful every single day for my husband and how he loves me!}

{morning snuggles with carter}

{friday shopping with my mom. one of the funnest parts of our adult friendship.}

{brunch with friends. so good to have you back for a short bit annie + steve!}

{when you're in grad school, car time = precious study time.}

{cheering on the boys on saturday. off to round 3 they go! #BURoyals #goBU}

{a beautiful family. I think of how blessed I am to marry into this... so many of my clients dread the holidays, spending time with family is a chore to them and something to just "get through." I am blessed to say I can't even relate to that. We shared some of these thoughts together in the group, and I only echo them again. This is a huge thankful in  my life. 

{and on that same note... this house, these parents, these friends, that dog. This is my home, and I am so thankful for the upbringing I have had here. I am reminded again and again of the rarity of my family, and it is a gift that I did not ask for, choose, but was graciously blessed with.}

I am striving this year to downsize these next few weeks in preparation for a peaceful, thankful, and calm Christmas. With the busyness of Jared's schedule right now {more on that later}, we are nixing the outdoor lights, minimizing our indoor decor, and trying to balance our hearts to prepare for this Christmas season. 

As the Thanksgiving "season" fades out and the Christmas season rolls in, I hope you are able to keep on being thankful, being reminded daily that it is a lifestyle of thanksgiving that brings true joy, rather than the hype of the season. Be blessed, friends!

the turkey day 10k

Until recently, I was very confused as to why an annual race on September 14 was coined as "turkey day" seeing that we weren't even in October yet let alone November... 

Apparently.... if you're the turkey capitol of the world - you can (and probably should) claim every day as turkey day. That being Minnesota's very own - Worthington! It's kind of a big deal, as I found out. I was so blessed to be able to run with my mom, my  inlaws, Jared's uncle Dan, and close family friend, Grace. And we had the rest of the fam there to support us! We were down in their neck of the woods after all... 

Pre-race happy smiles! Thanks to Barb, Megan, Drew, Grandma, Amy, Mark, Cashel & Kendrick for cheering us on! It was great to see your faces when I was running up a hill, into the wind, around the 5 mile marker. When I needed it most! :) And this picture was the highlight of my day...

Although the last 1/2 mile was uphill... that finish line, greeting my family, celebrating being able to do this together, with healthy bodies, glorifying the Lord for the opportunity He has given us and the capability to run was priceless. 

That's my runners high.

My beautiful and ispiring moms. Thank you both for encouraging me to tackle this thing called running! Love you both.

I missed my hubby this weekend. :( He would have done a lot to have made it down to run with us and be a part of this all. Unfortunately with it being Bethel's first home football game of the season he couldn't sneak away. :) But my dad sent him a video of me crossing the finish line, so that made up for it a little. :) We spent wonderful time with family carbing-up post race. Pizza ranch is this family's group meeting place of choice. I couldn't be happier! It was a fun, loud, joyful time to all be together. And we shut the place down after lunch looking just like this! We're even missing a few in this pic!

Aren't they brothers?!

Post lunch, and almost falling asleep in the car from all those carbs, we made a quick stop at a local orchard for some freshly picked goodies. Didn't spend long, but it sure signaled that fall was on its way!!

So beautiful. So thankful. So excited for fall. 

20 years of ministry

A weekend in the beautiful country for a very special occasion. We all have our areas of ministry - but it has been an honor and a joy to see the servant leadership my father in law holds within his community. 20 years of service to his church - not something to be looked over. His congregation speaks of him with such beautiful words, such respect and such gratitude. I am blessed to be a part of a church family (although indirectly) that seeks the Lord so highly and has such love for their pastor. Dave, you are loved. And rightly so. Thank you for your leadership.

It was so great to have the whole family together for a weekend. I couldn't be more thankful for my inlaws. A father in law who is the most respectable and loving dad and husband, a mother in law who is the most hardworking and wonderful partner and support, I go over the top every single time I talk about my family, I know... :) but they are just wonderful! So enjoy... a compilation of phone and camera pics... of our blessed weekend.

We enjoyed time together, running & resting, on the lake & on the golf course, at pizza ranch & around the dinner table, driving through country sunsets & cornfields...

While the guys golfed with their parents, Lori, Carter & I joined some family friends at their cabin who were nice enough to let us enjoy the lake! 

Both first time paddleboarders! We were hooked. 

*lookin' lovely at pizza ranch post lake day... quite cold actually. :)

Some more of my beautiful family... so thankful for these guys.

Our precious nephew.

And these two... love them.

And this little guy... gosh I love him too. Got to see him enjoy his carrots this weekend. :)

Ooh, to end with cuteness. So thankful for a joy-filled weekend to celebrate the commitment of Dave & Chris. We are richly blessed!!