The “fruits” of their labor

The girls went over to the neighbors with the intention of finding work to make money.  They were gone for nearly two sweaty hours.  When they came back in their faces were red hot and full of pride.  They decided they wanted to be paid in fruit from the neighbors Star Fruit tree and even had some jam recipes to go with it.  Now they are cleaning up b/c they came back really stinky!

Life Updates

This blog has really been suffering ever since we have come to Florida.  Between my illness and an ever- changing rhythm I have been struggling to keep up with life.  To be honest, I haven't even exercised for fear of a flare-up which in turn would slow down everything else.  Thank the Lord I have a very helpful husband and very sweet kiddos but I feel like something has to give.  

I am coming up on the end of my 2 month treatment.  I don't feel 100% better.  But I do feel somewhat better.  Now I am left to figure out how to start over with my health journey.  When and how to exercise, what to eat when- all the while keeping my fingers crossed and my prayers lifted that my body doesn't relapse.  

I would love to start taking pictures again.  Real pictures, with my real camera.  I'd love to run to the park with the children again and not feel like death for two days after.  I'd love to have the energy to homeschool, keep the house up to standards, exercise and make healthy meals and still have time for fun extra things like library runs, girl's shopping trips and date nights.

One step at a time.  My first couple goals are to move or stretch everyday even if it is light and easy.  Just do something so I am not so weak and tight.  Then I would love to make healthy, simple meals more often than not including Eric's lunches again.  Then we will see...

We have made some adjustments to the homeschool recently b/c after 8 weeks of giving all of our new things a try some of the books just aren't working.  Mathias is doing great!  He is independent and self-motivated for the most part.  Some days we are finished just after lunch and others we are wrapping up as Eric gets home from work but we love to do school together.  The girls are doing pretty well but I found a few books that were leaving them behind or just not clicking so after some discussion with Eric we decided to tweak a few things.  We will see how the new approach works after several weeks.  Fingers crossed again.

Thanksgiving is coming up and since we had to cancel our trip to Texas due to family illness we decided to host it here again with a few other family members joining us.  I am looking forward to being in our own home.

Side Note:  If you would like to see more of our day-to-day I use the app SNAPCHAT a lot.  The video clips and pictures go away after 24 hours but it's a fun way to peek into our exciting homeschool life.  If you download the free app to your phone you can look me up under 

kjohnson0724

Kelli Johnson

Super power convo

Christmas Gifts

We have decided this year to limit all of the gifts of "toys" this year again.  Our children are so blessed and they really don't have very long wish lists.  The idea of accumulating more toys just because it's Christmas makes me skin crawl with clutter.  We would like to respectfully request that in lieu of toys that will probably be shoved into a closet to maybe consider alternative things.  I've listed some ideas below for reference.  Please do not be offended by the list below as they are just ideas.

• Books or Audio books
• We are a book reading family.  The girls love audio books and we've kind of exhausted our library supply.  Or gift cards to Amazon to purchase Audio books so they can pick out their own is nice.
• Memberships/ Experiences to Museums, Zoo, Theme parks, Aquariums etc.  
• Experiences are top on our list b/c they remember them way more than physical items and we are also creating memories
• A lot of Zoos and Aquariums have behind the scenes experiences that would be a lot of fun
• Kiwi Crate Memberships
• These are monthly boxes full of hands on science and projects.  They are having a sale right now too.
• Tinker Crate for Mathias, Doodle Crate for Allie, Atlas Crate for Brielle (per request)
• Handmade Items
• Anything handmade is always enjoyed for many years
• Gift Cards
• Classes
• Online cooking classes, art classes, hobby classes, science experiences are all loved by all three kids
• Lessons
• Private gymnastic lessons are available where they take group lessons, Allie would enjoy voice lessons, etc.
• Anything learning or adventure or creative

Weekly wrap up

Sunday Supper Tampa Bay

Supporting the James Beard Foundation tonight with amazing food and wine from over 26 local chefs to support scholarships for emerging talent in the industry, equal opportunities, and sustainable food sources.

I had a pretty handsome date.

Thanks Nikki for helping me get ready and for my amazing makeup! 

New Hair

I finally found a hair stylist that I really like so far here in Florida.  And I finally have some blonde back!

Catching up...

This month has been challenging with my sickness/treatment so here is a compilation of photos I've taken sporadically in the past several weeks.  We have been ticking along with school, extra curricular activities and play time.

Mathias' 4th and 5th grade worship quest classes sang for the Wednesday night service.  (He's so tall!)

We saw a perfect double rainbow after dinner on night!

Piano practice for all 3 kids continues for another few weeks before winter break.

Lots of reading...

Football game for the boys.

Allie's 2nd and 3rd grade worship quest classes sand for a Wednesday night service too.

School, school, school...

Gymnastics has been a fun addition to our Friday afternoons.

Shopping with the kids is so fun!

A little lizard friend.

2nd Month Protocol

Morning, noon, and night I choke down huge handfuls of pills and whispered prayers as we continue to try and treat my chronic illness.  It's been an exhausting couple of years.  I feel worn out and tired from the constant pain and lack of nutrition.  One of my biggest challenges has been starting over with my health journey.  I had put so much time into getting fit and healthy and in the snap of my fingers it was all gone.  My muscles are atrophied and my strength non-existent.  Things that use to be so easy are challenging on the best of days and impossible on the worst.  I am making sure to keep my mind and spirit filled with reminders that in my weakness He is made strong and even as we walk through this valley that He is still good and just and He loves me more than I can comprehend and that "even if..."  I will still trust His plan is good and His glory will be made known.  I pray that I am remain faithful in my struggles and try to protect my heart from growing bitter.  Which is hard.  It is very hard to be at peace with weakness and loss.  So every time I feel sorry for myself I try to dive deeper into Him and His promises.  I believe He is a healing God.  I believe that in sickness we can be a testimony and a light.  So here is to little steps forward and little steps back- may His name always be known.

Bay to Bae Finale

 This weekend was a whirlwind of events to celebrate Nikki raising nearly $29,000.00 for Kids Inspiring Kids over the past several months.  She took 1st place overall for the event raising 34% of the total money raised between all 12 contestants.  She looked gorgeous and everyone was super proud of all of her hard work.  I am so glad I could go and support her.  

Week 3 School

Settling in and getting into the groove of our weekly routine.  Mathias has become quite independent and often starts on his work before the rest of the kids do in order to finish as early as possible.  They have learned it is important to stay on task and finish b/c they will be doing school the entire day if they don't.  We have had a few days where the lessons stretch into the late afternoon.
Mondays we work until piano lessons.  We usually take a couple of things to work on while waiting.  Wednesdays are Worship Quest classes in the evenings (which Eric takes them to usually).  Fridays are gymnastics in the afternoon and we are usually finished for the day after that.
I love that this new curriculum really challenges both the children and myself into more discipline each day b/c the idea of falling behind or working all day long isn't appealing to any of us.