Actually, we’ve been home since Saturday afternoon but we hit the ground running and today has been our first day just chillin’ at home. We had a fun time on our vacation. The kids had a blast playing with their “cousins”, digging in the sand, going on boat rides, learning how to fish, and being filthy all week 🙂 I enjoyed making memories with them…but as with everything these days, it was all bitter/sweet. Honestly, the week was harder than I anticipated…but I don’t regret going. We went to be with family and make memories with them and we accomplished that. There wasn’t anything that we did that Josiah wasn’t missed for. Sometimes his absence felt suffocating. This was not a “get away”…there is no getting away from grief. It’s like a constant fog and I take it with me everywhere. I told my sister-in-law this week that whenever I’m having a good time I feel like I’m outside myself just watching. Like it’s not really me laughing and having fun. I guess I have to re-learn how to do that too. Thank you for your prayers…they were much appreciated. I may write more about our trip later, but for now I have a house and laundry to catch up on and kids to cuddle and bills to pay…so, I’ll leave you with some of my favorite pictures from the week.
Eating chocolate pudding. This may become our new tradition on our 1st night of vacation 🙂
My 2 cheese-balls sitting at the end of the dock
Lincoln fell asleep on his very 1st boat ride
Ava LOVED learning how to fish!
Me and my sweet Boy (just to prove that I was actually there)
Ava enjoying a boat ride (man, I love that kid!)
My kids humoring me with an impromptu photo shoot 🙂
Beautiful Things 
I have not taken the time to read for a while. But that does not mean I am not praying for you. There is so much in my life right now. I am glad you had a wonderful vacation. The pics are beautiful evidence of your special time together. Kaarin had her baby…Violet LaRayne. A little bit of a thing!!! I am going to try to reread some that I missed. It is always touching to read about the life and times of the Johnson family!!! Continuing to pray…
Glad you made some memories with people you love! And hope you had a happy and safe 4th of July. Glad you’re home – love ya’ll!
bitter… missing him
sweet… having him still with you through those beautiful children
so true… glad you are filling your children’s lives with Good things – excellent memories. You are an excellent mother.
I enjoyed seeing all the photos! Looks like you guys made some good memories 🙂
Thank you for sharing your heart and describing grief so honestly. Continuing to keep you in prayer.
thanks for continually inspiring me to Christ-likeness and God-sized faith. i am praying for you often.
Hi Bethany,
I have been following for quite some time. My brother Dave is in heaven with Josiah. He joined Josiah Feb. 17, also leaving a wife and 3 kids here on earth. I think of you often.
I just have to say your close-up picture of Ava with her hat and the sun setting behind here is amazing…something about the light makes it look unreal.
My prayers are with you. As so many others, I wish I could make your pain go away, I wish I had the words that would make you feel better, but I know I can’t and there aren’t any. You know the best thing I can suggest — Jesus — there is no one better.
Blessings!
~Jill
oops! I mean Jessica!!!