Birthdays are a BLAST!

It's so hard to believe I now have a FOUR year old. That number sounds so BIG! At three, you could still consider Cole a 'preschooler', but now it's all big boy this and big kid that. . . how the time has flown!

This year, we went with an outer space theme for Cole's friend party. He LOVES learning about the planets - all sparked from a picture in a book about the story of God's creation. His love for space has caused Michael and I to truly marvel at the awesomeness of our God as we read facts about our universe. What an amazing Creator!

The planning began with the creation of the b'day invites. I've handmade them every year and hope to continue that tradition with both boys in the future. I must say, these were my favorites so far!

I used a rocketship template I found online to create the shape. Adding a little fun with colored paper, markers, and a picture of astronaut Cole made the perfect front cover.

I then attached two other 'pages' by a star brad at the top of the rocket.

The second page read:

Message From Misson Command:

4,3,2,1. . . It's Time For FUN!

Space Cadet Cole will soon complete phase three of his training and embark on phase four.

You have been selected as part of his launch crew for a celebratory mission to outer space.

We hope you can join us for an OUT OF THIS WORLD party!!

Third page contained all the party info.

Launch Date: Saturday, November 20

Command Center: Space Station Johnson

Coordinates: (our address)

Lift-off: 10:30 a.m.

Return to Earth: 12:30 p.m.

Communicate with Adrian at Mission Control to confirm your flight readiness by Monday, Nov.15 (with email and number attached)

Here are a few pics from Cole's special day. . . (believe it or not, there were people at this party :) I was just so busy with the festivities, that Kyle took most of the candid shots on his camera).

We transformed the dining room by hanging planets around a giant sun and letting the table scape represent all things space. The kids (and adults) LOVED it!

Each child had a special seat complete with star blower, space cadet badge, and rocketship craft which we made during the party. They turned out so cute and the kiddos loved soaring them around the house.

Treat bags I made for each guest - filled with Pop Rock candy, Milky Way bars, glow-in-the dark party silly bands and stars, a light up astroball, solar system sticker chart, and astronaut erasers (LOVE Oriental Trading!)

Cole's cute cake made by my dear friend, Rebecca. She also made the sweet star cupcakes for our gender reveal party.

Our yummy lunch :) Complete with star sandwiches for the kiddos.

Watching Cole grow from 1-4 yrs. Amazing how he's changed!

Time for presents!His own camera! The favorite gift by far. . .

CAKE!! He couldn't wait to blow out his candle :)

After the friend party that morning, we took a quick breather and prepared to host family that evening for more birthday fun and the awaited baby gender reveal.

Cole amazed us all by reading his own birthday cards this year. Such a smart boy!

Oh. . .my. . .word. . .

And Christmas is just around the corner!

Cole, we LOVE you so much - our precious gift from above. We treasure your presence in our family and can't wait to see all the wonderful things the Lord has in store for your life. His light and love already shine through your spirit. . . we pray it never fades.

Introducing. . .

Cade Elias Johnson

Michael and I are thrilled that the Lord has given us another son to humbly raise into a man of God. We feel blessed beyond measure and can't wait to meet this new little boy!

Check out that sweet smile :)

A little about his name. . .

Michael and I always joked that we would have a hard time naming another boy since we thought long and hard about Cole's name. That joking turned out to be so true :) Although we didn't have a name for some time, we knew that God had the perfect one already chosen for our newest son. . . we just had to seek and trust Him to reveal it.

In our own quiet times with the Lord, Michael has been in 1 and 2 Timothy reading about Paul's commission to this young man to 'fight the good fight' and finish well. In concordinance, I had been reading in Ephesisans 6 about wearing the full armor of God to "resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing" (Eph. 6:13). With these thoughts weighing heavy in our lives, the Lord brought me the name Cade meaning "battler". We then chose Elias as his middle name meaning "My God is the Lord". How beautiful!

We pray that as Cade grows, he will wage war against Satan and all the principalities of the air and below forever proclaiming that HIS God is the Lord. May he also do battle for those around him through prayer and encouragement as he proclaims the Good News - pressing others to ever increasing faith as he fights the good fight and, Lord willing, finishes well.

We also loved the way Cade's name correlates with Cole's which means "shepherd". How wonderful that our boys' proclaim the very nature and awesomeness of our God. Not only is Jesus our Good Shepherd - leading, protecting, and guiding, but he is also our great defender - fighting for us, laying our petitions before the father, and giving us the power we need to prevail against evil and temptation.

As we continue to praise the Lord for his goodness in our lives, here is a glimpse of our FUN gender reveal with family. . .

Ultrasound picture in the envelope and little outfit in the bag - what will Baby J be??

(oh the suspense!)

The family casted their votes for boy or girl by choosing their colored plates.

We let Cole have the honor of opening the gift. . . it's. . .

a. . .

BOY!!!

Although Cole has mentioned a sister from Day 1, he was excited to know he was going to have a little brother. He talks about his love for Cade constantly, kisses my belly, and even got to feel Cade kick a little yesterday evening. I LOVE watching his wonder as our family travels this blessed path. He is going to be such a FaBuLoUs BIG brother!

Oh the Suspense!

Our ultrasound yesterday, November 18, couldn't have gone better. The miracle of life never ceases to amaze me! Our little one is healthy and growing right on schedule. What a joy to see that sweet profile (which looks just like Cole!), hands waving, heart beating, and feet kicking. Baby J was very immodest. . . yay!. . . and cooperated wonderfully for the ultrasound tech. We left the room, she wrote the gender on a special page I created along with a picture and placed it in a manilla envelope. I told her we should've brought duct tape to keep from peeking, but we've done great so far :)

To add to the suspense, Michael and I stopped by the new GAP outlet and each picked out an outfit. I picked a sweet knit polka dot dress and Michael picked a cute boy's shirt that said "Lock Up Your Daughters". We gave both to the sales clerk, along with the envelope, bag, and tissue paper. She took them to the back and wrapped up the outfit we would need for our sweet little one. She loved the idea as did everyone in the store. . . she couldn't help but share :)

Tomorrow at Cole's fourth birthday party, we'll open the envelope, bag, and rejoice with family at our new addition. Michael and I are both thinking boy. . . now to convince Cole!

Fall Fun

It seems as if this season of life has literally flown by.  Just yesterday, I was contemplating Cole's Halloween costume, and I'm now making grocery lists for Thanksgiving dinner.  Where have the past few months gone?

Here is a small glimpse of our fall family fun. . .

Day at Centennial Park

Pumpkin Carving Party at Kyle and Laura's.  

Laura was the perfect hostess and fed us a yummy dinner of Spooky Chicken Fingers, Mummy Dogs, Pumpkin-shaped chicken salad sandwiches, 'candy corn' cheesecake, and lots of other goodies.

Carving Pumpkin #2 at home :)  Cole wanted a puppy - I fortunately found a free stencil online that looked JUST like Tank!

Trick or Treating around the Gallatin Square with friends.  Cole was the CUTEST doctor I've ever seen!

Halloween night around the neighborhood

And the fun isn't over yet!  This week, we'll celebrate Cole's 4th birthday AND have the long awaited baby gender reveal :)  We can't wait!

Two More Weeks!

It's hard to believe we only have two more weeks until we find out if we'll be purchasing ribbons and bows or more trucks that tow :)  Our anatomy ultrasound isn't scheduled until 20 weeks (December 2), but we've swayed the doctor into letting us have a 'gender sneak peak' at our 18 week check-up on Nov. 18.  Just HAD to know before Thanksgiving (especially since we'll be mega-shopping in Gatlinburg!).  

Even though we have a sneak peak (pray baby cooperates!), we're not opening the envelope until Saturday, Nov. 20 when the family gathers for Cole's 4th birthday.  It will be a fun evening indeed!

For a little fun, I'd love for you to cast your vote (to the right) and let us know if you think we'll be purchasing pink or breaking out the blue :)

Results to come soon!