Firsts

So it's been a week or so of firsts around the Johnson household. Brodee is officially a roller now and LOVES it! He can roll, from his back, to his right or left onto his belly and then back. He's now figured out that he can roll to things like objects on the floor and his new favorite, the coffee table. Brodee has also moved up to the exersauser! He loved bouncing and pushing and tugging on all the things that light up and make noises. Brodee's also discoverd that he can make things make noises with his hands. So anything he gets his hands on he moves them back and forth and scratches...then he lights up when he hears the noise. Brodee also ate his first "solid" food tonight! We've now graduated to rice cereal...which is disgusting, YES I tried it...did you even have to ask? I won't put anything in my kid's mouth this isn't tested first...it makes life more fun anyways. Brodee loves the cereal as you'll see in the pics below.

Brodee also is spending his first FULL NIGHT in his crib tonight. After Neena put him down, the first time, She bawled. It's no fun holding your wife in that state...but it was a very precious moment. Thank you God for a wife who loves her son that much! I mentioned the "first time" of putting him down...After he spit up, all over himself and the crib, we changed the sheets, put on new PJ's, and a diaper...gotta love solid food poop, we've now, finally, gotten him down for hopefully the final time. He slept a good bit and woke up mad because mom and dad weren't there to pick him up and play. It's the hardest thing to let your kid cry. Standing outside his bedroom door trying to convince yourself that its best not to rush in, swoop him up, and let him have whatever he wants. Mom and Dad are having just as hard of a time adjusting. It's going to be a long night for all of us. Neena remarked that he's too far away, as we're used to him sleeping next to the bed. I know he's ONLY 4 months old, but for his ENTIRE life he's been within arm's reach. My baby is already accomplishing his first in a series of leaving! Whoever said that Parenting was the greatest joy in life obviously forgot the first night in the crib.

The other first that happened this week is the Johnsons finally broke down and bought an XBOX 360...no we did not pay full price, thanks to the Kimberlins. We also bought Guitar Hero 3 and I don't think we've turned it off once...we're pathetic!

Other than the firsts, life is generally going well. Brodee talks ALL the time and its so funny! We'll try to get it on tape. He also loves playing and laughing...the kid is just a happy happy boy! The church and ministry is amazing. I get no grater joy than coming home and seeing my family, watching Neena be an UNBELIEVABLE mother and wife, and seeing Brodee grow way too stinkin' fast. Anything beyond this will be rambling and I get in trouble if I don't post pictures, so here's our boy. 4 months 26 in. and roughly 16 pounds!

7 Random Things...

I have been tagged by Billy Burnett so here are 7 random things about me.

7. I've been stung by over 20 scorpions at one time.
6. Everything has it's place and it's up to me to decide where that is.
5. I have a Foosball Table in my kitchen.
4. Thunder, Rain, Cold Weather and Snow excite me.
3. I hate the telephone.
2. I would wear superman under-roos if they made them in adult sizes
1. I like watching HGTV


I’m tagging, my wife, Kyle Dugan, Elizabteh Carman, and Alyson Shirley.

Retreats and Cedar

This is Camp Hensel located in Marble Falls, TX and it's been the home of Westover Hills' retreats for more than 30 years. Needless to say, it holds MANY powerful and life-changing memories for lots of Westover members, young and old. I have spent the last two weekends at Hensel and had a blast. Two weeks ago was our middle school Winter Retreat and this past weekend was our high school Winter Retreat. We had a total of 152 people at the retreats and I think just about everyone ended up with the Flu or a sinus infection. This place is surrounded by blasted Cedar trees...I really thought about burning them all to the ground, root, seed...I hate cedar trees! Aside from the cedar and it's horrible nose draining affect on everyone, we had an amazing time both weekends.

Our theme this winter was "SOULD OUT" obvious playing off the phrase "Sold Out" like, "I'm sorry, sir but we're sold out of that item. The Middle School took the spin on being SOULD OUT by building others up; and the high school was Sould Out souls. We saw many light bulbs go off over the heads of several teens and have heard lots of positive responses from both teens and their parents. In short, great time, God moved in powerful ways, teens are working for a change in their lives which is blessing the lives of all those around them. I'm excited about the future in helping them and keeping them accountable.

On another note, for my Westover crew that reads: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all the adults who were sponsors, mentors, cooks...GREAT FOOD!!!, prayer worriers, and Jesus for our teenagers. You guys were AMAZING!!!!!!!!!



This is an image of what two weeks worth of retreats, plus all the other ministry 'stuff' that happens in between, does to two youth ministers.