Happy 4th Birthday Katelyn!

Today is the day, Katelyn is celebrating her 4th birthday!  She doesn't know it yet, but we are heading to Kansas City for a little shopping, some game time at Chuck E. Cheese, and then out to dinner at the place of her choosing.  We have had a great morning so far.  I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast, put candles in them, and sang happy birthday to her. 

It is hard to believe that it was 4 years ago today that Katelyn made her swift entrance into this world.  Brian and I headed down to Kansas City around 6 in the morning and I was induced by 8:30am and had her about 4 hours later!  She was born at 12:28 p.m., weighing 8 pounds and was 20 inches long.  Today she is around 35 pounds and 40 inches.  She is a blessing in our life and can't wait to see what the next year brings!

 Welcoming Katelyn!

 Katelyn's 1st Birthday

 Katelyn's 2nd Birthday

 Katelyn's 3rd Birthday

 Happy 4th Birthday Katelyn!

Here is a little something I wrote for Katelyn's teacher for preschool, I think it describes her perfectly!

Katelyn is a spunky little girl who is easy-going and loves to giggle.  She is very out-going, but can be very bashful.  She loves to talk and be the center-of-attention.  She has an older sister, Julianne and a younger brother, William.  Katelyn is constantly asking questions and exploring in a quest to learn everything her sister knows and more.

Katelyn gigles quite often, causing the rest of the family to giggle and laugh.  When she is not giggling she is smiling.  Katelyn loves to tell jokes, tickle and be tickled, and just be plain silly.

Katelyn enjoys being with others.  She loves to play games with family, friends, and especially her sister. Some of her favorite games are UNO, Clue Jr., and Littlest Pet Shop.  Katelyn also enjoys using her imagination playing with play-dough, building with legos, and playing dress-up. On nice days you may find Katelyn outside swinging, chalking, or riding her trike..  She loves to play outside most days and enjoys the warmth of the sun.

Throughout the day Katelyn enjoys time to herself.  During this time we often find her "reading" books, coloring, or playing her leapster.  Other times she likes to cuddle and watch tv.  Her favorite shows include Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Wipeout, and Tom & Jerry. 

Finally, Katelyn is involved with dance and gymnastics.  She attends class for both, but is found practicing at home quite often. 

Katelyn is excited to be turning 4 and looking forward to lots of fun times during the year at home and at preschool!

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY KATELYN!  We love you!

Mommy, Daddy, Julianne, and William

Control

So those of you who know me well, and even some who do not know me so well, know I am a control freak.  I like to be in charge, know what is going on, and be in on making the decisions.  This can be challenging at times, especially with 3 little ones, a husband living 6 hours away, and single parenting during the week.  I feel like I am managing it all very well during the week, but it can be very challenging.  Some days are more stressful than others, though I am pretty sure I bring that upon myself alot of times. 

For those of you not following what I am saying here it is, "My name is Becca Johnston and I am a control freak."  For as long as I can remember I have loved to be in control.  I want things to be perfect.  Why let others do it if you are just going to have to re-do it so it is "perfect"?  I have taken many personality tests only to find out what I know, I am an extrovert who is a Type A personality.  I want to be in control! I need to be in control!

When I was in elementary school (before we typed papers - gasp) we would "long-hand" assignments.  My assignments needed to be perfect.  I would usually use pencil on a "rough draft", though I never handed in the rough draft, and then re-write it in pen so it was perfect.  I would even start over on the rough draft if there was an error and I couldn't erase it to my liking!  Yes, I was that anal.  Sometimes I wish I still was like that with certain things.  Though, it is probably a good thing I am not! 

As I got older, I liked to be the planner.  I planned birthday parties for my friends....once we did a video scavenger hunt.  I had to be meticulous in my planning, down to the minute of where we were going to be  because other friends were dropping off the clues ahead of us and other friends were meeting up with us (pre everyone having cell phones).  I loved it...I loved being in control.

Even with my kids births I had some control.  I knew what day they were going to be born on.  I was careful in picking the day, I wanted things to be perfect for my new little one coming into this world.  I know, that no matter what else happened on that day, I always welcomed my perfect little baby!

I still love to plan and I carry my planner with me everywhere.  I have my days and weeks planned out ahead of time, sometimes 3-4 months out, at least.  When one summer vacation is over, I like to start planning the next one.  I don't want to miss out on something fun and exciting!

Being a control freak or Type A personality definitely is challenging.  I don't want to change it for the world, because it is who I am.  So, instead of changing me I just make adjustments and move forward.  I bury myself in other things to keep my mind off that which I cannot control. 

But I will always remember, "My name is Becca Johnston and I am a control freak!"

It's Just One of Those Days...

It's just one of those days to put on a big smile and take a step forward.

It's just one of those days to cry a little and then wipe the tears away.

It's just one of those days I am thankful to be enduring it, for I love every moment - easy or hard, good or bad, happy or sad.

It's just one of those days to ask for forgiveness and to be forgiven.

It's just one of those days to forgive.

It's just one of those days to lift my worries to God and say a prayer of thanks for His unconditional love!

William's One Year Check-up

Yesterday William, Katelyn and myself headed to Kansas City for William's check-up and a little shopping.  Here are William's new stats:

Weight: 23 pounds 6 ounces
Height: 29 3/4 inches

When I did he birthday blog I took a guess at his weight and height.  I guessed he weighed about 24 pounds and was between 30 and 32 inches tall.  I wasn't too far off on either.  The other big news from his check-up, the doctor gave me the okay to put him forward facing.  I wasn't planning on doing this until at least January, but he constantly fights getting in his carseat and screams when he is in in.  During the hour and a half drive to KC yesterday he screamed for about an hour of it.  After a good conversation with the pediatrician, I put William's carseat forward facing and he loves it!  He loved to just look at the window and point at things.  The drive back to Chillicothe was much more peaceful!

Becca