Future Site of the Johnson Home

 One day...hopefully this year we will be moving to our future home here!  The subdivision is called King Oaks.  It is about 4 miles outside of College Station and about 10 miles from our current house in Castlegate. I am not going to lie.  I was very hesitant about moving this far out of town, but when you get out there it is just so peaceful.  You don't hear cars, or sirens, or people.....just the beautiful sounds of nature. The lot is over 2 acres and has a nice little pond on it.  The kids absolutely love it and Jeremy is super excited.  I think it will be the hardest for me to transition to the new lot, but when I get my dream house I know I won't even think twice. We already have the blueprints ready for the new house, so all we are waiting for is to sell our house in Castlegate.  We have had a ton of showings lately so we are hoping that it will happen soon.  Please say prayers that our house will sell soon! :)

Ethan Lost His First Tooth!

Well, the tooth fairy is making her first appearance in the Johnson home tonight.  We have one excited little boy.  He was was in tears when he realized his tooth finally came out...so was Mommy.

These are my most favorite first lost tooth quotes from Ethan:

"I just can't believe it!  I lost my first tooth."


"Can you take a picture and send it to Ms. Rodgriguez so she can show the class?"
(I think he forgot that he will be there in person tomorrow.)


"Do you think the tooth fairy will leave me two hundred dollars?"
(Not a typo.  I know you were thinking that I meant two dollars..not so.  My son is an entrepreneur.)


"I can eat cheeseburgers again!"

What an exciting night for us!  I cannot lie.  My heart is a little broken at the thought that my baby boy is growing up even more.  I remember how painful it was just to get those cute little teeth...and soon they will be all gone.  Well, we have one more loose tooth that shows signs of evacuation by the end of the week.  I'll keep you updated!

Emily Update

Stats:
Current Age: 3
Grade: Preschool
Newest Love: Make-up and shoes
Favorite Show: Barbie Movies
Favorite Food: Chicken Noodle Soup

3 years old going on 16 just about sums up Emily.  My little precious angel is the smallest diva I know.  She is tough, bossy, and does not mind telling you what is on her mind.  At the same time she is the sweetest creature you will ever meet.  She will love and kiss on you many times a day (and not because she is wearing lipstick). She has a sweet heart and is truly a great kid.   Emily this year has started writing her name.  Yes, you will find Emily's name many places.  If you leave a pen, pencil, marker in the near vicinity of this child, she will leave her autograph.  She also has become especially fascinated with Justin Bieber, who she claims is her boyfriend.  She wanted a cardboard cut out for Christmas of the Biebster...but I had to put my foot down on that one. Emily also started dance classes this year. They seriously cost an arm and a leg, but they are totally worth it.  Emily loves it and is actually learning to dance.  She did give an impromptu performance on the stage at Chuck E Cheese.  It was nicely choreographed for a three year old.  Anyway, if you come across Emily in the near future...all I can say is, steer clear!

Ethan Update

Stats
Current Age: 6 years old
Grade: 1
Newest Love: Angry Birds
Favorite Show: Lego Ningago
Favorite Food: Cheese Burger

Ethan has been seriously growing by leaps and bounds.  Every six months he is going up a shoe size and has grown at least 1-2 inches.  We have two loose front bottom teeth, which he is very excited about. He cannot wait for his first tooth fairy visit.  Ethan loves computer time, wii, legos, star wars, and now Angry Birds!  He's obsessed...I tell you.  His sweet heart usually makes him the victim between the quarrels of himself and his sister.  He is definitely introverted at times, but once you get to know him...whoa!  Ethan is also extremely mathematical and a problem solver and a master negotiator.  He tries to wiggle out of so many chores it is ridiculous!  Overall, he is still my precious baby boy who loves his tlc from mama.  I love that boy!

New Year's Resolution #1

Well, I know what you are thinking...is she really going to do this...is she going to blog?  Yes...yes, I am!  My #1 New Year's Resolution for 2012 is to blog it up.  Why? You ask.  Well, it all started when I got an email from a friend last week, needing an Alyssa (plus family) update.  A week later, when I sat down to type a three page email, I realized there may be other friends out there that are wondering, what in the world has happened to Alyssa Johnson.  I must admit that I have become preoccupied with many things...family, work, friends..I know..you have heard it all before.  But truly, I am a very busy woman.

So, it started this very evening that I opened the Jeremy and Alyssa + 2 website that has not seen a post since August 27, 2010.  Really? (In my best Kristi voice--only some of you will get this joke of course.)  I read the three posts that were on the blog and realized that more than anything that I missed writing.  I really love to write, and especially about things that I love like my family, friends, my faith, my work, everything.  So at precisely, 12:01am on January 5th 2012, I resolute to blog at least once a week on the comings and goings of the Johnson home.  I will start my next post at precisely 12:02.

The First Week of School

We made it...we survived...Ethan's teacher is still breathing!!! Ethan and I had a great first week! Ethan has been so excited this week and absolutely adores his teacher. He started the week really strong...but by about Thursday he didn't know about this kindergarten business...because..did you know... you have to go everyday!

Well I was super excited that I was at the same school with Ethan on his first day. I had to be there early to help guide my students to my classroom, so Jerm and his Mom took Ethan to his class. When Jeremy took him in, he said Ethan was quiet but decided to share with his teacher, "Did you know I can make myself into a ball?" He then proceeded to lie on the floor and make himself into a ball. Yep...that's my boy. I am proud to be the parent of a ball! Anyway, I was able to go and check on him during my conference time and It was so wonderful that I could do that. I haven't checked on him anymore this week, but have seen him in the halls a couple of times. I think it is the comfort of knowing that we are so close that gives me peace of mind.

On the first day, Ethan's teacher helped him find his way down to my classroom after school...but Tuesday and on he has made it all by himself. He is even starting to warm up to the kids in my class by giving them high fives on their way out the door. I'm personally loving Kindergarten. Ethan comes home so tired that I never thought I would see the day that he would be exhausted. This morning when I was waking him up for school...he was telling me he was soooo tired. So, I promised him that tomorrow we could sleep as long as we wanted. I say "we" because dude I'm tired too.

Every year I forget how exhausting the first week can be. I think it was especially exhausting for me because I was learning a lot with my class this week too. Every day it gets better and I become a little more acclimated to my new school. But, I have to say that when I left on the first day of school with Ethan...I knew right then and there that my move to Forest Ridge was the result of divine intervention. I felt so good and at home. It was as if God was affirming to me that not only did I make a good choice, but that I was following his path. I have found a peace that I thought would take me years to find. Thank you Dear Lord.

This morning I came into my room and I had this awesome basket from my Principal and Asst. Principal with all kinds of cool stuff in it. They had included a note to thank me for a good job my first week and to let me know that if I needed anything they would be there for me. How awesome is that? Ethan thought it was especially cool, so he decided that he needed to share the basket with me and took everything he needed. Luckily he left me all the cool teacher supply stuff and only needed the candy and snacks.

Anyway...thank you all for your prayers and kind words over the last months as I have been transitioning. They definitely worked, because my prayers have been answered.

Starting Over

Here I am...thirty years old...starting over. The last few days I have been overcome with thoughts, feelings, and apprehension. What am I doing? Can I make my way? Will I do a good job? Will they like me here? I feel like a kid again starting a new school again...well I guess I king of am.

Well Friday was the districts kick-off to a new school year. It was at the First Baptist Church where I have gone time and time again for Bryan ISD's convocation. This time as I approached the massive church, I was lost. I didn't know anyone and I saw masses of people. I found a few ladies who were wearing the same shirt as me and followed them in. They didn't know me and I didn't know them, but we had the same shirt on so I was going to follow them. A few people greeted me here and there and welcomed me to the campus. I was looking for a couple of my friends that were from Branch but couldn't find them. Then, finally someone I knew! A sense of relief flooded me. I wasn't alone in the district...I had a friend. Isn't weird that even at thirty years old, we still need that reassurance of community and friends. I really needed it, because I was in very familiar surroundings but my friends were no where to be found. I felt very alone.

I enjoyed the kick-off and left with that renewed sense of purpose and determination in my profession. I love that beginning of the school year spirit. The spirit feels your heart with love and guidance and you are so ready to take on the world. I could feel it and I was pumped once again.

Thirty minutes later after finally getting out of the parking lot, I made it back to my campus and met in the cafeteria for our first faculty meeting. It was overwhelming. We have a very large faculty! I was thinking how we used to scrunch into the Library at Branch...and i was looking out at about double the people I was used to seeing. The purpose of our meeting was to meet and greet. I got to stand up in front of all of the curious faces and smile. Then we were to go around and aquaint ourselves. Everyone got up and began hugging their comrades and chatting about their summers. I made it around to a few people to make those awkward first introductions...wondering if that person would be a lifelong friend like I had made at Branch. I know...pity party time...It just made me really miss my friends.

Things are definitely different on my new campus...but it doesn't bother me so much. I can learn new approaches...I can teach anything. I can use different systems, new grade books, and lesson plans. I guess my biggest worry at this point is if I will make those connections. Will I know this school inside and out? Will I be successful? Will I find my crowd? I want so badly for this to all work. I want to be apart of this school like I was at Branch. I want this to be my new home.