Wednesday, December 29, 2010

To a New Year...

We are just days away from celebrating the close to 2010 and welcome to 2011. This is a great time to set New Years Resolutions. Personally, New Years is a really over rated holiday. Maybe it has something to do with not being able to stay awake past 10:30pm and not drinking alcohol. But, I do like to set resolutions. It is a great time for me to prioritize my life and decide how I want things to be different in the New Year. And since I'm posting my resolutions on my blog, you're all going to hold me accountable right?

My New Years Resolutions for 2011:
1) Really utilize my gym membership by going at least 4 times per week
2) Shop wisely using coupons and price matching and STICK TO MY BUDGET
3) Spend more time at home giving Sara the time to develop her imagination
4) Read as often as I can, especially my scriptures!!
5) Watch less TV

Okay, let's start with those. I'm sure there are many more things I need to be doing better, but I don't want to overwhelm myself. What are your New Years Resolutions for 2011?

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Tribute to our parents

Many kids leave their homes and say, "I will never do "X" that my parents did." I know there were a few things I said that about. Research has shown that this is a healthy attitude as it relates to wanting to do things better. However, my life as a wife and a mother has given me greater insight and appreciation towards my own mom, who we call "Mookie," (and who I also call Wom)  my dad, who we call "Papa,", and to my mother and father-in-law, who incidentally raised a perfect son.

My husband attributes his desire to serve to his mom and dad. He said they always were willing to serve, and to this day, even though all their children are out of the house, their house is never empty. Those in financial predicaments or falling on hard times  find refuge in my in-laws home. I LOVE visiting my in-laws. They have a beautiful feeling in their home that invites happiness and peace.

I attribute my husbands happy countenance to the examples set by his parents. They are gentle and loving, and I know he got that from them.

I credit Mookie with my desire to be educated. She has worked hard to obtain numerous degrees, and she loves to learn. She loves to teach, and she is phenomenal. I also look to her as my example of unconditional love. Loving others has always been easy for me, and I know it's because of the Wom that I have gained this ability to love so easily.

I credit my dad with my love of writing. He is incredible at creative writing, and he has written many stories that --no biases included-- should be published. I also look to my Dad as my greatest source of faith. He loves God, and it shows in all he does.

WHAT TRIBUTE WOULD YOU MAKE TO YOUR PARENTS?

Merry Christmas
Tuesdays in Tucson,

brandi

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

10 more shopping days 'til Christmas

I decided to get started on my Christmas wrapping last night. I got all of the gifts we have gotten for Sara out of her closet and laid out all of my gift wrapping supplies. How in the world did we buy so much stuff? Nothing is all that exciting or expensive, but there were lots of little things and those little things needed wrapping. Then, because my parents live in a far away place called Chile, they can only shop online. So I had the gifts they have sent, as well. Hopefully the in-laws show up with nothing otherwise we are going to be unwrapping presents ALL DAY!

How do you control your Christmas shopping? Do you set a budget, a specific number of items, let the extended family do the work?

I am really looking forward to having Christmas in our own house this year. Cameron's parents are coming to visit, but it will be nice to sleep in my own bed on Christmas Eve and for Sara to wake up in her own house on Christmas morning to see all the things Santa (mom and dad, nana and papa in Chile, and grandma and grandpa) have left her. She will be so excited - I can't wait to see her face! Of all the things I know she's getting, I'm anticipating her being most excited about the Toy Story wrapping paper she picked out ("I choose byself, Momma. I pick") at Wal-Mart. Oooh, how exciting!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Sacrifice

Dear Readers Who Still Read This Blog,

I have missed you. Here at the Johnson house, we were blessed with a 10lb, 15 oz baby boy on November 9th. We signed adoption papers and brought him home on November 12th. This last month has given me a lot to reflect upon, especially as it relates to sacrifice.
Probably not many of us have made the decision to place a baby for adoption, but I know that being a mother and father calls for daily sacrifice. We make sacrifices to stay home with our children, or to miss a work meeting so we can be at their activities.

At the Johnson house, I have learned a lot of lessons about sacrifice. Mostly, I have started understandinh the sacrifices that my parents made, in order to give us the best life they could. My dad worked two or three jobs and went to school in order to get an education and support our family. My mom never once in my entire life missed any activity I ever did. That's including the small awards ceremonies, and the 5 minute singing moments of my life. She went to school at nights and has since gotten degrees in higher education.

I have always wanted to be a mother, and getting children to our home has come as a bit of a trial, but we have been so richly blessed. We have been blessed twice by the sacrifices of two young women; both who said they were taking their mistakes and making them good. By them making a good choice we have been blessed with two of our three sons.

At this point I ask:

WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM SACRIFICE DURING YOUR TIME AS A PARENT? What have you had to sacrifice? What has sacrificing taught you?

Finally,  I'd like to touch on the ultimate sacrifice; the gift that a loving God gave us through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. I believe in a Supreme Being; a Creator of the Universe, and a Heavenly Father who wants us to be happy. In order for us to enjoy the blessings of eternity, we had to have a perfect way that could only be provded through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Tuesdays in tucson
Humbled by the gift of sacrifice,

Brandi

Saturday, December 4, 2010

the Middle Place

"The Middle Place is about calling home. Instinctively. Even when all the paperwork-a marriage license, a notarized deed, birth certificates, and years of tax returns - clearly indicates you are an adult, but all the same, there you are, clutching the phone and thanking God that you're still somebody's daughter."

I'm reading this book called the Middle Place about a mother who is diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoes treatment. While she is taking care of her family and fighting the battle of cancer, she learns her father was just diagnosed with cancer for a second time. She shares an incredible relationship with her dad and experiences this 'middle place' where you balance the role of being an adult and raising children of your own while still being very much a child yourself.

It's an incredible book based on true events of Kelly Corrigan's life. She tells an amazing story about how sometimes we fall short in a quest to be everything our family needs. I have felt so enlightened by her story and wanted to share it with you.

What are some of your favorite books about moms or motherhood?