Cassie Grace turns two!

Party from Cassie's 1st birthday, time flys!

Cassie swimming in her toy box

Cassie outside enjoying January weather in Minnesota

Cassie in her new car that goes beep beep!

Cassie saying "do it again!"

Now, how do I do this dad?

A new vanity/piano for the birthday princess!

Our youngest granddaughter celebrated her 2nd year of life with her family on Saturday January 26th!  She had her grandma and grandpa Johnson and aunt Jenna come and celebrate at her house with cake!  When daddy lit the candles she wasn't quite sure what to do so he gently blew them out for her...  her reply?  Do again daddy!  So they lit the two little candles and blew them out together... yummy cake!!  Cassie got calls from her other family and some cards in the mail with the promise that we would all get together again and celebrate this wonderful day!   HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASSIE GRACE JOHNSON!!!  WE LOVE YOU!!

Cassie on her 1st birthday, time flys!

Heart songs...

Sometimes when you see things with your heart...
You are not sure in your mind what it is saying...
but,
you know it is something beautiful!

Cassie Grace helps make Ginger snaps!

Casey Grace reads from Gramma D's recipe book

Are you listening momma?

The end product

My mother has always been an exquisite cook.  I remember having her in the kitchen and how special she would make each meal.  She did baking at Christmas, made special things for birthdays and actually, each meal we had seemed special.
My favorites as a child were...   macaroni and cheese, poor mans lobster, swiss steak and buttered noodles....
We will often joke about the girls all calling Grandma D for her buttered noodle recipe.
I did not take after her with the cooking or the baking.

It does seem however,  that through the years one of the girls has taken on some of her recipes with a serious attitude...
making some pretty awesome cookies and cakes..
and look who's helping!

JORDYN NOEL TURNS 4!

Jordyn Noel Harren 1/11/11 preschool picture

Jordyn at her first birthday sleepover

The party

Jordie with uncle Doug - Labor day 2014

labor day 2014

labor day 2014 - dancing with Jeff

It seems as though the years all begin to come together after you turn 50.  So, I sit and think about it all... remembering those gentle times when my babies turned four.
Chris and Emily have the Coborns Christmas party in Foley.  So grammie pammie heads to Foley arriving about 4:00 on Saturday January 10th.  It is Rachele, JaciAnna, Emma and me that will be at the house for the night.  We pack up and head out to McDonalds for supper.  Our birthday girl is having a sleep over at her friends house tonight.  With her being gone, the girls and I decide to stop at the dollar store and pick up a few things for the Sunday birthday party.  We pick up an out fit for her, a nice birthday sack for gifts, a pink table cloth and some birthday plates and napkins.  When we get home the girls and I finish painting her "birthday pig".  It is a piggy bank that has been waiting for many years for the right day, and the perfect little girl.  We set up the table and go to bed.
The next morning it is time for dad, Jaci and Emma to go and pick up our little birthday surprise.
Four years ago this very day our little smiley Jordyn Noel Harren came in to the world.
Her dad predicted that she would be a girl and would look just like Jaci when she was born.
He was right.
He also predicted that she would be the one to complete their little family.
He was right.
And oh what a time we had...
opening presents,
eating cupcakes...
and loving our little smileyJordie cakes!

Baby Jordie - look at that smile!

Perfect princess of the Most High King!

Market 101

Snow Dancing

Today I was on my way to Amberfield Apts.  Cassie Grace is in Arlington and I am going down to grandma D's to stay with her while her mom takes Jeff Christmas shopping.
My thoughts are Heaven bound as I am thinking how blessed I am.
I came up to the T-road and put my blinkers on to turn left...
I looked to my right to check for cars...
and there she was...
this little girl with long curly hair and winter attire.
The snow flakes were falling big and wet around her,
and she was twirling in the snow.
First to the right and then to the left.
The smile on her face would have lit up the sanctuary on a silent night.
I smiled at her, and she stopped.  As I turned the car to the left, our little snow dancer continued with her dance in my review mirror.  She was smiling at me, as the gentle arms of Jesus surrounded the whole area.  I continued on the drive, and thought of the Snow Dance all day, and smiled.

Cassie Grace showing her dance moves

Jordyn Noel and Jeff dancing

Cassie Grace doing the side step

Nola Jean dream dancing

His favorite

His favorite!

It was a beautiful Sunday in Foley.  Grams, Jeff, Lila and I had spent the week-end, and this morning gathered up and headed to New Life church.   JaciAnna and Jordyn went to Sunday school and Conner stayed in church with us and listened to their wonderful worship team, then a Spirit lead sermon called "Keep Swinging". 
When we left the sanctuary, I saw him.  A man who belongs to their church...
I don't know his name,
but, every Sunday he has a bag, he stands in the foyer and hands candy out to everyone.
On this beautiful Sunday filled with the spirit of God - he was there.
He was graciously handing out treats from his bag and he looked at me and said...
"do you see that girl right there?" (he pointed to Jaci Anna)
I said "yes, that is my grand daughter"
he said "SHE IS MY FAVORITE"...
it was said with this strong voice and beautiful smile, and as Jaci Anna took her piece of candy, she smiled.
We left church and went back home.
Jaci Anna went straight to  the big ole recliner and was processing something in her mind, something that made her smile a Kingdom like smile...
she said "mom, you know that man that hands out candy at church? He told me that I was his favorite!"
In that instant I felt the power behind our words in a way that I never had.  This man had no idea that this is exactly what this little girl needed to hear in a human voice.
There is no doubt in my mind that it was God using this man to reach out to her.
I will forever be thank-ful for this day in the Foley church, for this moment of God's voice reaching through another human to touch the heart of a child...
and He whispered...
SHE'S MY FAVORITE.