This little thing called, "Life"

  Have you ever noticed how "Life" seems to get in the way of all the things you thought you were going to do? For instance, I was accepted to join the Young Americans, then I was going to make a name for myself performing. Then, "Life" came along and said "Nope! here is a baby" and then I became a Mom. Today, Life determined that I was not going to be able to function.

  A very close friend of mine, we will call her K, has lived with debilitating migraines for a great portion of her life. She has taken meds, gotten piercings, which helped some, but it's still something that she is unfortunate enough to have to deal with. I always felt bad cause there wasn't anything I could do to help, and I didn't understand. Until now. As of late, I have had the worst, life stopping, migraines. I can't compare them to anyone else's so I still may not know her pain, but I at least understand some. The worst part is, I cannot for the life of me figure out why this started.

 When this does hit, it always comes when I need to function. Like, on vacation or when I am home alone with Big and Little. Not only am I in pain from my migraine, that spreads pain to my whole body.... but it makes me feel like I am a failure. I failed as a wife today, my husband asked me to help with laundry and it hurt too much to move the 3 floors to get it done. I failed as a mom today, I had planned this super fun day with the boys to go to the pool and get some pre-school work done. I failed. When I fail, I shut down.

  So, in conclusion, don't let "Life" make you feel like this, like you failed. No one is perfect, even Mary couldn't spare her only son, Jesus from the pain and suffering he was destined for. Find your self, even a higher power if need be to get yourself through. The good days come with some of the bad, that is what make us appreciate what we have more.

UPDATE:
So, this is hilarious to me, but the day after I post this, I woke up with Pink Eye. If Life ain't a B**** I don't know what is lol!
Hang in there,
Catie :D

Happy Birthday Big Boy!

Brayden, Day 1

   How has it been 5 years?!?! My Mommy friends, are ya with me? I still cannot believe that this much time has flown by, I mean how is this precious little baby starting Kindergarten in a month! I still remember going in to the hospital at 6:30am on that Tuesday to be induced. Playing cards with my friend, she never left my side, crying when my Dad came to see how I was doing, trying to squeeze the life out of Brayden's dad's hand during every single contraction. I even remember looking down in my lap and wincing when the doctor injected my epidural. I hope the memories never go away.

  A whole year later I had a spunky little toddler who was more concerned about being dirty than the fact that he had cake in his hand. Being my little buddy going to the park, playing with Gamma's doggies, his first hair cut. Thinking all the while, "How has this much time passed us by?" Crying every year on his birthday because this little man is the only reason I am alive.

Pictures provided by Photos by Liz

  I still am amazed every day that God gave me the strength to raise this little boy in his image. I am more than blessed that I get the opportunity to know him and see him every morning and every night. Brayden changed my life and prepared me for this Mom role that I am in now. HE is the reason I have my moments as a great mom to both him and Bradley. 

  Brayden, I love you baby. You are my favorite Brayden ever, I am so proud of you and everything you do. I love you my sweet, I hope every dream that pops in to your head comes true.

Love, 

Mommy

Hooray Hooray....

   It was an Okoboji day.... You guessed it! That is were our little pack spent our Fourth of July! We got to spend an entire week in lake bliss with most of our Johnson clan. It was awesome! So relaxing, refreshing, nerve racking... Have you ever considered taking a 2 year old on a boat? Well we did, and if I can offer you a bit of advice, if your Little has ear tubes, do not leave the cabin without ear plugs in. Also, don't ever let your kids leave dry land without their life jackets on. Especially if they don't know how to swim (and maybe not even then)!!

Sunset on Lake Okoboji

  We had a whole week in lake bliss. We got to see the awesome fireworks show, or "fire pops" as my Little calls them. The whole family got out on the boat, swimming, cruising... my father in law even dropped a pair of his glasses into the lake! I tried to get them for him, but a very nice young man was more successful with his scuba goggles. Big went fishing and caught 13 fishes! He threw every single one back because they have to be with their mommy and daddy fishes. Daddy only caught 4 and Papa caught 5. It was an amazing first trip out fishing for him!

The best time making smores!

 The whole Johnson clan had a great system, perfected by the end of the trip of course, where the hubs and I would could the dinner, Mom would clean and Papa provided the food. It was great, we had a week of really great food! The one major setback to that was now, they know that I can cook, which means that now, I will be cooking more for family occasions. This will come in handy for our Sunday cleaning day!

  After 5 whole days up at the lake, it was so sad to pack up and move on to the next stop on our vacation trip. We headed over to Oregon, Il to visit my Dad's maternal cousins. I forgot how much I loved the scenery in Oregon. So peaceful and calm, I love that about smaller towns. If you ever go, and you love flea markets/antiques/ Junkstock (it's an awesome event here in Omaha) you HAVE to go to Conover Square! It used to be a piano factory, so they have pianos lining the halls which is so neat to see them all. BUT, most importantly, every floor is filled with little shops. That is where I find all the coolest items that I naturally have to buy. For instance, I got a "Mrs. Pot's" cookie jar, and end table that matches my coffee bar perfectly, several new coffee themed signs that match the theme of my life, and the best find, in my opinion, is my new wine bottle holder. It has to be one of the ugliest faces on a piece of "art" or whatever you want to call it that I have ever seen, but it is a Butler that holds your wine bottle. I have named him "Jeeves" and he is my favorite.

All in all, we had a great time away, relaxing and sad coming back.

Hang in there :)
~Catie

Long Time, No Blog

   So much has happened since November of 2014... SO much that I don't even know where to begin. I suppose the most obvious one to start with would be I got married!! I know, I didn't know if it would happen either, kidding! ... kinda. Brian and I got married October 24, 2015. I'm sure some time in the near future I will write a post or two about the planning. We had a really simple, small wedding. If I do say so myself, and I do, it was perfect! Thank you to Dave Uhlig of Photo Omaha, for capturing our perfect day!

Just one of our perfect moments!

  I left the barista life for good. Back to the optician life. Which is just amazing. I have learned so much in the year I have been back there. Not to mention, I love the people. If you haven't noticed, I am a people oriented person. I have always excelled at a job where I am in service to others. Having our patients come in the door being greeted with a smile and leaving with a smile, makes my day. I love the hunt of finding your perfect pair of glasses. If you are in the Omaha, Ne area and are in need of new glasses, I know a guy! :)

Optical Barbie, at your service lol!

    Anyways, I will be around more, I really want to make a go of this blog thang. I will be posting more on "Moming", working, family trips and the awesome places we go, our journey through marriage, oh and "Fooding" because if you aren't eating there is a problem. 

Hang in there :)

~Catie