The Johnston Family Blog: January 2009

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

First Editing Effort

Before:

After:

This I did in Lightroom...I am in way over my head. It's going to take a lot of time to figure out these programs. They are very involved and complicated. Hopefully, someday I'll get the hang of it!

Snow, snow, snow, snow....SNOW!

Finally, a snow day! David, Owen, and I enjoyed playing outside in the snow this morning. It was Owen's first time being out in snow; he's our little snow baby! David could've stayed outside all day, but I was able to coax him inside with the promise of hot chocolate!!! After playing in the crisp, cold air, we all came inside our warm house and enjoyed some homemade hot chocolate. Mmm...
Some of my favorite memories as a child are of us playing in the snow and then coming in to thaw out with my mom's hot chocolate!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Friends

Yesterday, the Patton family had us all over for lunch. We had such a wonderful time and David fit right in with the four Patton boys. :) William played with David for a couple of hours while the other boys all took naps. He was very kind to share his toys with David and play with him for so long!

Chris and Fibia both cared for us and we enjoyed being together. I am freshly grateful for the gift of friendship.

Update: Photography

Guess what?!?

Thanks to my generous Uncle John, who is a fabulous photographer (I wish he lived closer...he could teach me!), I now have Photoshop and Lightroom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woo hoo!

I never thought I'd be able to get these wonderful programs because of the expense...I'm still in a little bit of shock. I cannot wait to start playing with them and learning how to use them. Yay!!!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Our anniversary celebration at the Melting Pot...courtesy of our dear care group

Wow...that was a long title. :)

On Friday night, we enjoyed a wonderful meal together at the Melting Pot to celebrate our ninth anniversary. We sat and ate and talked for hours! We had an absolute feast and were even treated to a toast by the restaurant. We had such a special and memorable time together.

Thank you to our dear friends for providing us with such a special memory!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Having Fun

I was having fun with my camera today as we haven't really been out and about because of colds...here is the result! ...now if I could only get my hands on a good photoshop program! :) I am looking forward to warmer weather when I can take my two favorite subjects outside in natural light!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Happy Anniversary, love

Nine years of bliss! I love you now more than ever...

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Snow Day...

Well, our first "snow day" wasn't much of a snow day. There was only a very light covering on the ground. David was sooo excited and wanted to go put snow boots on and make snowballs and a snowman. Unfortunately, I had to explain to him that there just wasn't enough snow for that! So, we decided to make our own snowman inside. Although it wasn't as much fun as making a real snowman, we still had fun. Hopefully, we'll get at least one true snow day this winter! I miss the snow down here in the South. :-)

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Little funny...

Today, I turned on the inauguration to teach David about our President and for him to be able to see the history that is being made. This is what David said when he saw our soon to be President:

"Mom, this is really special. That's Rock the Mama."

Ha, ha, ha!

Monday, January 19, 2009

What could have been so beautiful...

Well, yesterday we had the Jacksons, Conrads, and Goodsells over with hopes for a championship. It was just not to be. Get 'em next year!

Go Eagles!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Remembering Rileigh Rose...

Remembering this precious girl today, Rileigh Rose. Today is Rileigh's 4th birthday in heaven. With tears and hope we look forward to the day when we will meet her.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Mercy, mercy me!

Today, Dave and I (and Owen :) ) returned from a marriage conference that we attended with our church and group of churches (Sovereign Grace Ministries). Dave and I have been processing and reflecting on all that we've learned, heard, and experienced over the past few days, and I don't even think a week of posts would be able to contain it all! Truly we have received grace upon grace.

The conference was on "Marriage and the Mercy of God". I am so freshly aware of God's amazing mercy towards me in every minute of every day. I also have a deeper understanding of what mercy truly is and the cost and call to mercy, compassion, forbearance, forgiveness, and love that we've been given. The messages were excellent and I am looking forward to listening to them all again to really soak them in. One of the highlights for me was when, on the last evening of the conference after Paul Tripp's message, we as couples were able to confess where God had convicted us in not showing love and mercy to each other and then pray and be restored to each other and to God. It was a sweet time.

One of the speakers, Paul Tripp, wrote a book, Whiter Than Snow, and it's 52 meditations on Psalm 51. Here is an excerpt:

"I come to the Lord with only one appeal, his mercy. I've no other defense. I've no other standing. I've no other hope. I can't escape the reality of my biggest problem--me! So, I appeal to the one thing in my life that is sure and will never fail. I appeal to the one thing that guarantees not only my acceptance with God, but the hope of new beginnings and fresh starts. I appeal on the basis of the greatest gift I ever have or ever will be given. I leave the courtroom of my own defense, I come out of hiding, I admit who I am. But I'm not afraid, because I've been personally and eternally blessed. Because of what Jesus did, God looks on me with mercy. It's my only appeal; it's the source of my hope; it's my life. Mercy, mercy me!"

Oh, I am looking forward to spending some time over the next few weeks meditating on my Savior's mercy! May God's abundant and unending mercy that I daily receive flow through me to all around me!