Ava

So what do you think of the new look? Fran from Small Bird Studios did a fabulous job with the design and was so patient with all my delays and changes! I love it! You can still get to this site through [prayforjohnsonfamily] for now, but [heart-momma.com] is the new address. I decided on that name because when Ava was born with her heart defect (for the story on that go here) that’s what I became…a “Heart Mom”. But I see it as so much more than that. While Ava’s physical heart is important, the state of her, and all four of my children’s, spiritual heart is so much more important. I’m a “Mom”, which means I do what all mom’s do in caring for my children’s physical needs (i.e. cleaning, feeding, etc…) but I always want to see more than that. I want to see their deeper needs as their Mom. I want to mother what’s inside of them and not just their outside behavior.

Ahhh…I love fresh beginnings and newness (is that a word?) don’t you? I’ve been planning out this new blog design for quite a while and right now just seemed like the right time. There is so much “newness” in my world right now and I’m so excited to share it with you all and continue to journal about my little life. I want to remember this crazy time in my life and all that God will teach me through it.

So, on to what you really want to see…wedding photos! Dustin and I got married on March 31st at our church and it was just absolutely what I wanted it to be! Simple, laid back, meaningful, warm, and fun! I’m so thankful for all the help both behind the scenes and on the actual day. I couldn’t have done it without all those so willing to help me out. Planning a wedding while raising two small children is no small feat…but I’m so glad I put in the effort because it turned out to be a day full of blessings. From the beginning we tried to eliminate anything extra and just try to make it simple and focus on first of all, honor to the One who brought it all about, and second, on the making of a new family. So, while there were a lot of people who attended the wedding, the wedding party was just Dustin and I and the kids and I loved it like that! We wanted the kids involved but we also wanted it to be fun for them. So all three girls were flower-girls (which they were thrilled about!) and Linc walked me down the isle as the “Best little Man”. The two older girls brought us our rings when we exchanged them and instead of lighting a unity candle, we had all the kids come join us on stage for a time of prayer as a new family. The reception was planned with them in mind. We set up a little carnival and served pop-corn and cupcakes and cookies and other sweets. We hung hundreds of balloons from the ceiling and had a fun photo booth too. We wanted the kids to enjoy the day and they loved it! There were so many special moments during the day and we were beyond blessed!

The next day, Dustin and I flew away for two weeks in Hawaii. Ummm, yeah…it was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! Relaxing on a beach with zero responsibilities was rough, but someones got to do it. But it was seriously so good for us to start out our marriage like that because we hit the ground running when we got home. We are definitely still adjusting to life with four kids and all but every week that goes by I feel like we are finding our groove more and more. God is so good to give me little nuggets from His Word or encouragement from a friend to help me along. We’ve had some rough moments, but even in those I know God has a plan. I’m wanting to do a post devoted to the kids soon so I can introduce my two new crazies!

I’ll end this post with some verses from Psalm that I have been reading and re-reading and re-reading. Who knows? Maybe they’ll end up in a post all their own!

⁵Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
⁶Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
⁷How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
⁸They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.
⁹For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light. ¹⁰Continue your love to those who know you,
your righteousness to the upright in heart.

Psalm 36:5-10

My very first combined Ava-isms and Lincoln-isms post. I know. I just blew your mind. Enjoy 🙂

Lincoln-isms:

“I want a dwink a moke.” (translation = I want a drink of milk)

“I don’t want sun-scream on…I jus want to fim.” (translation = I don’t want sunscreen on. I just want to swim.)

“I luffs you Mom. I need a hug. I need a macker! I like you eyes.” (macker = smacker = kiss)

“O-wa is so nice!” (O-wa = Ava)

“That’s weird” (his comment for about every animal at the zoo)

“My cheeks are blue! My cheeks are green! They’re weird!”

Ava-isms:

“Could you go away from me Mom and just let me do my business.”

“I was playing outside and all of a sudden the bugs were just killing me! I don’t know why! They are such a bother.”

“I have a very bad case of sickness and pain and sin and ummm…coldness. But it’s really not that bad…”

“You’re the biggest Momma on earth!” (She totally meant this as a compliment…gee, thanks Ava.)

“He’s a creepy little guy.” (her comment for about every animal at the zoo)

“When I looked up at the sky it made me think about God and the Holy Spirit and then I realized we have a mess in our hearts and…I need to clean my room tomorrow don’t I Mom?”

“Hey Mom! What’s your favorite color?” Me: “Ummm…blue.” Ava: “Really! Green is my favorite color too!” Me: “I said blue not green sweetie.” Ava: ( giggle giggle!)

“But my Dad always used to let me do that!” (I was actually impressed by her trying this one. It didn’t work. But it was still impressive.)

“I need to keep this for my collection. I really need to get a collection don’t I.”

“That’s a shame!”

“Hey Mom! Things are surrounded by God’s will.”

“God looks kinda different. He looks like fire.”

Me: “Ava, stop leaning on me.” Ava: “But you’re so comfortable!”

“My heart is beating. ‘Cause the blood is pumping out.”

“God’s Word is pure.”

“I want to be like you Mom! You have earrings and you drive…”

“Well, you’re just a silly little Jessica!”

While reading the story of David and Goliath I asked the question “Who do you think would win in a fight between a big scary huge giant and a little boy?” Ava replied without hesitation: “Jesus!”