Johanna Grace: September 2011

Pictures on the lake

I have been wracking my brain trying to think of a descent post... truth is... I must not be thinking hard enough. It's weird, most of the time, I always have a post in my head. Then when I really need to post, it disappears. Oh well.

I do have some pretty pictures to share with you, however :)

This past week, we went to the lake. It was a beautiful sunny day, very, very sunny.
The water was cool and refreshing... the air was warm and clear.

A few pretty flowers grew on trees. We promptly picked them and took pictures on the worn picnic table.

Special little "look out" spots were begging to be found. People sighed at the dreaminess of the view.

Random concrete bricks lay on the beach, providing stories from children who wondered what they were there for. The older people secretly wondered too, but of course, didn't say a word.

Afterwards, people looked down at their arms and legs in horror at seeing that they we're bright red. But of course, I wont subject you eyes to that sight! :)

I have the blog design itch. Thinking about redoing my blog.... just 'cuz I can... your thoughts?

Beware: Kittens are involved. (Other things too)

One of our cats had five of the most adorable kittens a while ago.

They all sorta look like this:

And this:

A little like this:

And oh my. They also look like this:

I'm not a huge lover of cats, but maybe I am, seeing I've already devoted one post to the feline folk. These kittens were too cute to pass up, no matter what my views of them are. :)

Because I haven't posted in a couple days, I'll give you an update on what I've been up to, and what I'm doing this week.

(In pretty much, no particular order)

Two of our goats, Rosie, and Tinkerbell had twins this past week/weekend. Each had a girl, and a boy. Sadly, two day's after Rosie gave birth, she died for some reason. We're not sure what happened to her. We now have two little babies to feed, we named them Pierre, (after War and Peace) and Lisle (The Sound of Music, movie, not the book.) They are pitch black, Lisle has some white spots though. They are adorable and think we are their parents. I'll post pictures of them soon, I've been to lazy to go out with my camera and take some good ones.
Sometime in the past week we had 2 inches of rain!
On Wednesday, Rachel and I are going to the dentists. Surprisingly, I don't actually have to have any teeth pulled before I get my braces. Rachel, on the other hand, has to have two. Her mouth is going to feel really great.
I got my violin fixed, finally. It wound up costing me $37.95 to get my bride replaced. Ouch.
I'm reading the most amazing book. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy. By Eric Metaxas, is really, really a good read. If you haven't read it. You need too. Mr. Metaxas is actually my dad's friend. Their story is really cool. But long, so if you want to hear it, comment and tell me, I'll write it out. It's a cool one. Really though, read Bonhoeffer. It's worth it.
I have a test on Tuesday for violin. It's going to be good.
I'm super excited about courageous coming out on Friday. I might get to go see it :)
I'm trying to think of what else we're doing this week. But I can't think of anything else extremely important. So... Adios!

Can't wait to announce the winners of the giveaway tomorrow!!!

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone!

Stevie boy.

My little boy is getting big. He was eight months old on the 13th. He is almost walking now, he's almost talking too. He gets into plenty of mischief, such as, pulling open the baby gate and escaping into the bathroom to go bang on the bathtub, pushing open the front screen door when it's open just a bit, and finding himself crawling across the middle of the porch.

That was a little bit scary. We now keep the door locked.

He loves to make big messes.

He loves trash, also. He likes to suck on it. Yum. (Trash like, pieces of pictures that his sisters drew, plastic water bottles, little bits of... stuff. Why do we even buy him toys?)

He now has two little toofs. Lydia named them ickle and Lardee.

See? They are very little and cute.

He's a go-go boy. He likes to ride. Thank you very much. He loves his puppies too.

He likes to go on walks with his big sister (me!) even though she can hardly hold him anymore.

See what I mean about the mischief? Just look at that face!
*Swoon*

.... He also makes very strange faces. This one had me laughing all morning.

I love my baby boy.

(Don't forget to enter my photocontest, and my blog design giveaway, pretty fab!)

I call my parents "Daddy and Mommy"

I've always called my dad and mom, Daddy and Mommy. It's just what I've called them. And ever since I can remember, people have asked me why? I say people, but I mean kids, friends, individuals of my own age. Anyone I've ever known (with the exception of a few), have always called their parents "Mom, and Dad." And when my little nine year old self would say "Just a sec, lemme ask my mommy." I would get some pretty weird looks. "Why do you call your parents that?" or "How old are you? You still call them that?" It used to make me embarrassed, I would catch myself saying to my friends "Mom, and Dad." but I felt so bad about it for some reason.

Fast-forward a few years

I'm eleven years old, call my parents Daddy and Mommy to their faces, but behind them "Mom and Dad." were their names, especially if I was talking to a friend. I still felt weird about it, calling them something other than what I normally did, but I didn't want to look weird. That changed.

One day, we had a sweet couple over at our house eating lunch with us and just having some good old fashioned fellowship. I came into the room where my parents were talking to ask a question, and, because I was in the presence of adults, I called them by their "real" names. Before I left the room, Kris pulled me over to the side, "Thank you" she said. "For what?" I asked, very confused. "For calling your parents Mommy and Daddy at your age, so many kids stopped doing that when they turned six. I appreciate that about you, and your family."

That changed the way I look at things. I'm no longer afraid of looking weird, or babyish. To be frank, I hardly care what people think these days. I love that I can call my parents, who they are. Because they aren't "Dad and Mom." They are my wonderful parents, who deserve something better, they deserve to be called something endearing, something, more. That's why I call them mommy and daddy.

Be sure to link up your picture for this weeks/months/somethings photo contest (challenge? You be the judge). The theme is reflections, and there is a beautiful prize that I really want. Check it out HERE

Also, I'm hosting a giveaway at Me Too! Studios. I'm giving away two, two! Blog designs. Amen. HERE is the lovely link.

Love,

Where have I been?

I actually, haven't been anywhere since last time I blogged. I've been right here, same office chair, same mouse, same bare feet on light blue carpet. I just haven't blogged. Poor little blog. But, I have done things like this:

(001.

I designed my friend Johanna's new blog CreativityStartsHere which leads up too:

(002.

Me launching my new design studio!!! You heard that right, Me Too! Studios is up and running, and wanting some business!

(003. Something wet just started falling from the sky. I better go ~~check it out~~ dance in it.

I'll be back soon with a "real" post. I promise.

News.

Well, here's the skinny.
We went to the orthodontist yesterday, Rachel and I, she has to have braces on her upper jaw and some kind of temporary brace on the bottom to hold her teeth still. The dentist was just like "Oh yeah, this is an easy fix."

Me, on the other hand.... well.

I have super crooked teeth on the bottom, and top, my upper pallet is too narrow for my mouth. So apparently I will have to have a plate in my mouth to stretch out the upper pallet, then I have to have either two teeth on my lower jaw extracted, (my eye-teeth) or one of my front teeth on the bottom, or have them reshaped (by drilling, or cutting, or what ever they do) or remove four teeth, two on top, tow on bottom. Then I will have braces, which will be on for a minimum of 2 1/2 years, and THEN I'll have to have a permanent, permanent bar thingy in my mouth on my bottom jaw to keep my teeth from being rebellious.

{per·ma·nent (adj) continuing or enduring without fundamental or marked change}

That means forever y'all. Forever is a long time

I'm going to cost about $6,500, I'm pricey. But it's in God's hands now, He has it under control, He will provide what we need!

My violin is also broken, I took it to the shop today, hoping that they will have it fixed way before next Tuesday. I kinda have a test... that I have to practice for.... :)
Orchestra was really fun last night too, I love seeing my orchestra buddies on the first night. Us all hugging, and smiling, and talking a billion miles an hour. "So how was YOUR summer!" "Ooooo! You got a hair cut!" "I adore your new violin!" "I missed you! Let's get together on Friday!" Love it.

And finally, I posted on "Beloved Star" today, all about foodography. I think there were some pretty good tips in there, if I do say so my self! ;) You can check it out HERE if you like. (And you should really follow Nela's blog, it's one of my favorite blogs in the blogging community :).)

Here's a totally random picture that has nothing to do with this random post.
I have a recipe for it too, Yummy.

Love,

True story

Act one: 8-almost-9-year-old Brother John and 3 year old little sister Hannah standing side-by-side washing dishes:
Hannah: John, why do you have to use hot water to wash the dishes?
John: Because it gets the yucky food off the dishes better.
Hannah: Oh, so like, is cold water wetter than hot water? Or is hot water wetter than cold water?
John: Uhhhhhh........

*Me*: Cracking up, and treasuring the moment.

(Please note that I am not, in fact, exuding my three other siblings, they just "happened" to be taking a nap at the exact same moment of our mini-shoot.

And that's the whole truth and nothing but the truth.)

(Please note that the child in the front is not actually related to me in any way I can think.... oh wait. Never mind, I remember, that's my brother. He is really, really... attractive. And I love him to death for it.)

(Please note that the young lady in the back may in fact be trying to avoid her three other siblings, note that they are the ones in the picture, and not the ones who aren't. But that is not a fact, it might, however be due to the large bee hive right above her oldest sisters, head... but one may not know.)

(Please also note that it was very hot yesterday, so that explains my pained expression on my face and the reason for my excessive "glowing")

(Please not that I will no longer be doing any more please notes, I want you to note that.
Love,
You glowing friend who shimmers like a mermaid.)

Tomorrow Rachel and I are leaving very early in the morning to go to the dentist for the first time in nine (9) years. And the first time ever for Rachel.

Don't judge.

Actually, correction, we will be going to the orthodontics. So there. Bye bye crazy teeth. Hello... Braces.

Ps. I'm not even kidding about the bee hive part, look:

Lets just say, I didn't want to take many pictures after that.

Annnd now...

Wowie! What a day! The votes just poured in all day yesterday! You all did really, really well! I enjoyed it very much!! :)

Before we get to the winners, lets look at the prizes again. Because I want too because I'm jealous, and I want to keep you in suspense for a little bit (muh-hahah).

First place will receive their choice of either a choice ($21 plus shipping or less) of Julia's map pendents, (which are so totally awesome, and I really want one, and I'm buying one soon) OR, your choice of one of Cecilia's super amazing and beautiful overshadows, AND two free samples!!

... If I could have legally entered into my own contest. I would have :)

AND NOW! The winners of phos-graphé and Growing up on a Farm's labor day photo contest are.....

Because of popular opinion, Kelsey of A Ray of Sunshine wins second place in this contest!

I absolutely LOVED your picture Kelsey! It's creative, simple, and pretty! Thanks so much for entering! Please Email me your information so that I can validate you are the winner :)

AND NOW!! The winner! First place goes to...................................................................

Mary Ann of shutter happy :)!!!!!!

Mary Ann, I can not tell you just HOW much I love this picture!! :) The composition is lovely, your friends/family's faces are perfectly hilarious, and... I just love everything about this picture, and I just had to pick it for the winner! :) Will you please Email me with your prize pick and needed information (Address, ect.) And then you can contact the seller! I can't wait to see what you pick!

You guys can take this little button if you want and put it some where. If you want.

Thank you all so much for entering! You are all winners in my eyes!

I'm planing on doing this again soon! So say in touch :)

Never forget. Always remember.

Source: google.com via Johanna on Pinterest

Source: todayspictures.slate.com via Johanna on Pinterest

Source: 911.navexpress.com via Johanna on Pinterest

Source: todayspictures.slate.com via Johanna on Pinterest

Source: 911.navexpress.com via Johanna on Pinterest

Source: todayspictures.slate.com via Johanna on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Johanna on Pinterest

The time has come!

The contest has ended!!! I am having the hardest time choosing my favorite picture out of all of them! They are all amazing! Thanks girls for entering and good luck!

1. Johanna Kautt