Dear Winnie

Try as I might I can't seem to remember what life was like before you. 8 months really isn't very much time to pass my little dear but it seems to have been just enough for all of us in this family of four to fall completely in love with you....And your minky hair that sticks up every which way and not to mention those delicious baby toes that sends you in a fit of laughter whenever I pretend to eat them! We love it everything about you!

you are beautifully curious. incredibly busy. and seem to feel the world deeply. you laugh from your belly and seem to cry from your very soul. 

you love sweet potatoes and any toy your big brother is playing with. you are a girl of many talents...which include but are not limited to laughing, clapping and crawling :)

You light up when we play music and are completely devastated when we take you for long car rides. Your brother loves them.

You stopped sucking on your toes and now prefer sippy cups. It seems as though I can't sit down with out you wanting to nurse.....It is more out of habit for the both of us ;)

You slept through the night. Now you don't . You used to take the longest most glorious naps. Now you prefer not to. I truly think you are way to excited about life to bother with such things.....and I need to be more disciplined about laying you down when you are sleepy ;)

Your Daddy is the one that rocks you to sleep nearly every night. You are like sunshine to his winter.The tenderness and love he shows to you is inspiring. When you grow up marry someone exactly like him. 

Your brother adores you for one minute (he saves his best smiles just for you) and then will squish you or put his fingers in your mouth the very next!! 

You handle it with far more dignity than I do! You and Jett are my definition of sweetness. 

I find the greatest joy watching you two starting to play together. You were the greatest gift we could have ever given him.

You are my "little love, my little dear, my Miss Winnie" your Daddies "little princess" and your brothers "Bayyybeee!!!"

You are loved.

Happy 8 months!

Love  Mama!

*The Letter I wrote to Jett at 8 months old

on a quest to find beautiful.

Did you keep a diary growing up? I have entries scattered through out my youth. Part of me finds each and every entry hilarious the other part of me thinks they would be best served as fire starter. But for posterity sake burn they must not. They need to know the truth....I was a stalker in junior high ;) Every boy I found handsome had a page dedicated to why and a million signatures with my first name in front of their last! Luckily I was just as awkward as I was shy and so my undying love was always kept a secret. 

In high school I was told "I was they type of girl you want to marry, not date." At 17 I found that to be devastating. At 24 I can't think of a kinder thing a teenage boy could have ever said to me. Reading through I couldn't help but smile at the things that haven't changed (I still have the same best friends since elementary school and a mom and sisters who are the very best)....entires full of my "aunt made me this" and "my Pops took me here." make my heart smile. I could feel my lips turn upwards unconsciously remembering my Grandma instructing me on how to butter toast.....corner to corner, let it sink in and then add more butter, so you can see it :)

But what I hate (I know, such a strong word) was how long it has taken to simply love myself, to accept myself. I so desperately wanted to be "beautiful" In the most worldly kind of way. I was less than kind to myself spiritually and physically (I struggled with eating disorders.)

I woke up yesterday on my 24th birthday realizing something that made me utterly and hopeless excited....I am finally starting to look inward on my quest to find beautiful. I feel a stirring that the best is yet to be. 

I think I like the person I am starting to become.

I was thinking about things I would like to do/experience in this life. With out a start & stop date. Here we go:

>> I hoping to adopt a little girl from china. Reading through my old diaries it seems to be something that I have always longed to do. Kyler is apprehensive and reserved. Six of his 11 siblings were adopted and in my eyes it was such  a good thing! When we were dating he said he would and I keep reminding him of that. He keeps reminding me that I told him I liked football....;)

>> Some day I plan on building a farm house with a little red barn. complete with chickens. And for my children to wear rain boots wherever they might go...

>> I always want to Hunger and thirst after knowledge.

>> I am naturally a messy person...my husband would die of happiness if I wasn't. I promised myself I would never change for a man but sometimes you just have to give ;) 

>> Run a marathon. Which is funny because I don't enjoy running. But I want to enjoy that and yoga. I hear they are both therapeutic. I want to radiate with health. You know the type of person that looks at a healthy recipes and thinks "Oh I have all the ingredients in my pantry!"  instead of  getting overwhelmed and saying"how does chili dogs sound?"

>> I would love to grow my blog. Because through writing I am finding my voice. And I have a lot to say ;)

>> Most of all I want to have the light of Christ shine from my very countenance. I want to be brave enough to not only share but live what I know to be true. 

There you have it my hopes and dreams in print :)

10 steps to Pulling yourself together in 10 minutes or Less!

Hi my name is Cate and I am habitually running late!

(hi cate)

So you roll out of bed looking like a not so hot mess and realize you already should have left! These are the tips and tricks of a habitually running late self proclaimed expert on how to look pulled together{ish} in 10 minutes or less (I am really not proud of this and have resolved to do better! ;) Since becoming a mama we are going for "comfy chic" but mostly comfy!

Step 1: Brush your teeth (no way of getting around this one....gum is not the same thing friends...if only my fifth grade ever so clever self would have realized that ;)

Step 2: A bit of concealer and powder goes a really long way. I love everyday minerals powder. My favorite steal of a concealer is the age rewind stick and my splurge is a concealer by laura mercier....it is like magic!

Step 3: Thou shall not neglect thy eyebrows. I wrote more about that subject here! You weren't born with eyebrows?? That is okay either was I and that is why THIS tutorial is so dang amazing! Eye bows = looking polished! Be bold!

Step 4: I always add eyeliner to the top of my eyes I love this smoldering eyeliner or any of the eyeliners by tarte....and I am so picky on mascara I couldn't even recommend one!

Step 5: lots and lots of blush! I love tarte for the blush department too....I am swooning over their cream blushes and the longevity of it all! 

Step 6: Top bun, braid or if all else fails a hat! If nothing else simply embrace messy...messy (or effortless) is sexy...am I right? Oh and sprinkle of a little dry shampoo and you're as good as out the door! 

Step 7: Hypothetically speaking you don't feel like you have enough time for a shower.. you could always use baby wipes, baby powder and lots and lots of deodorant and perfume.....I love

LA vanilla....this is all hypothetical of course ;)

Step 8: I almost feel silly giving any type of fashion advice, but my Madre told me to dress in layers and so that is exactly what I do....Cardigans all year around. And miss Winnie wears a lot of cheetah these days and that is clearly working for her!

And if you really want to look a bit more polished or say you have at least 12 minutes to spend on yourself these next two steps are for you!Step 9: Bold and beautiful lipstick! Make those puckers proud!Step 10: lots of jewelry and some fancy kicks!And now go to what ever you are running late for with some confidence!

and when I saw this photo I couldn't help but share it! I just love him he is what I consider to be "effortlessly funny!"

Happy Monday friends! 

Insta life

I handed Kyler the baby and told him I needed to go to the bathroom. He yelled to me "what is taking so long?" I called back "I am dying my hair." Sometimes decisions are easy.

Most of the time I am terribly decisive and think to myself "ya that was a good decision!" with am affirmative head nod (with the exception of restaurants.... :)

But other times I find myself staring at my computer screen for 45 minutes completely lost on what to choose. Deciding what case I wanted for my phone was right up there with naming my children! I ended up with a cute little running fox....and wondering if something a little more child/cate proof would have been a better fit for me and my not so careful ways....;) And a big YEAH for instagram. It is the best of every world crammed into one! #catejohnson

Oh change is in the air...

Jett  saying his most favorite phrase "yes mama!"....okay that is most definitely wishful thinking

I really . really. really should be going to sleep. But in one hour it will be my birthday....It seems slightly wrong not to stay up for what I consider a special occasion.  I mean I have never been 24 before! I already know I am going to love this age! We have some excitement stirring up in our neck of the woods. My fingers are itching to share but my heart husband would prefer if my fingers didn't do the typing quite yet! 

But What I do want to share is that today was as perfect as cold day in January could ever have been <3 I woke up and ditched my two favorite boys (like literally grabbed Winnie and ran out the door;) And spent the afternoon with my beautiful twin sister scouring the mall for the very best kind of deals. The moment the cashier at Gymboree announced how much money we saved I felt completely light headed! In that moment I realized my new life ambition is to be on TLC as one of those crazy coupon ladies!! I am not even sure how they cope with that much excitement!? And than my incredible husband who  learned a very long time ago (most likely the first time we me) that the way to my heart is through my stomach took me and our kiddos out to a steak dinner (as much as I love flowers I prefer a steak with  some bacon on it!) 

Jett filled up his large "to go" box with one saltine cracker....and told everyone "cuse-me" has he ever so carefully carried it out to our van. When we reached the van he said what sounded like good job and vigorously clapped! 

Oh and trust me when I say Kyler and I gave that little boy a standing ovation for a job well done! Even miss Wynn Charlotte joined in on the clapping! 

and my {our} 23rd birthday   I forgot about the clumsy date I was last year...it was pretty dang funny...how did i completely forget about it??!!..I suffer from selective memory.

p.s Mrs January is eating cake instead of weighing herself :) 

I feel like my fingers can never keep up with my thoughts, but this is me trying! Because there is something terribly therapeutic to me about the sound of fingers pounding on a key board. Kyler and I are both terribly indecisive! It really has to be up there with one of our biggest vices. Lots of big plans where the only thing that happens is they are talked to death. Then we put them to rest for a tiny amount of time until one of us indecisive people resurrect the same poor idea that has already been beaten to death again!

There is so much freedom when a decision is made! I remember the exhilarating (and overwhelming) feeling I had both times I learned that I was expecting. Just knowing there was a baby growing inside of me brought such sweet relief. The decision had been made.

Now we have those two babies and now I am so confused on where we should raise them. This decision has been more overwhelming than picking out their names (a burden I don't regard lightly ;)

Currently we live in a lovely home in a beautiful state that is infused with religion and so many fun family friendly activities. Kyler has a wonderful job and I finally made a friend! The lonliness I have felt for so long is starting to lift.

But

Ten{ish} facts about the Johnson family you never cared to know!

1. The scripture in Mathew that says"man can not live on bread alone." Doesn't seem to apply to my sweet Jett-Jett. He sustains life off of bread, waffles, macaroni and bread...;) what a dream of a diet!
2. I woke up from the dead of sleep and decided to spell miss Wynn Charlotte nickname Winnie instead of Wynnie.....a life altering decision has been made indeed friends!
3. My husband is the most incredible cook...it is a blessing and a curse! I may never be thin again! He will spend hours pouring over cook books and websites and create something that taste like heaven....and he even washes his dishes as he goes...is he even real sometimes?? 
4. Me, I distain cooking........I often wonder if Kyler was aware of how deeply rooted my anti-domestic skills were in the kitchen if he still would have wanted to get hitched to me??My motto in life has always been to love and cook with reckless abandonment or with the least amount of planning and the fewest ingredients possible! Kyler you are one lucky man!
5. Winnie has become a certified expert of the army crawl, it is like she is gracefully swimming across our hardwood floor....and Jett seems to think that she is always trying to chase him :)

6. With a little elbow grease I can totally get Winnies hair in a bow!! I almost shed some tears out of excitement! A friend told me that it was going to make the tiny strands of hair she does have fall out. But after looking at the cuteness of it all we are willing to take our chances! She totally works the bow!
7. Jett has been watching so much Diego (Dora the Explorers animal rescuing cousin) that I am 98% sure that when he does start talking he will be bilingual!
8. I am completely in love with two year old humor! Jett can't even breathe when I do something completely hilarious like put my shoe on my head....It is so gratifying to have someone finally realize how dang funny I am! Thanks Jett and Winnie!

9. We went to a charming little parlor last week and my children did so.so.so good! I am still pinching myself! So we tried it again and they still did great...and if you read above you know I am not a lover of cooking (only eating) I may try to keep this goodness streak alive!
10. After I got my eyelashes done I gave The Husband my best "doe eyes" and told him that I planned to keep these beauties up forever! His face was priceless but unfortunately eyelash extensions are not! I love them! They have bee the perfect little pick-me-up! No matter what  life throws my way at least I have long eyelashes..right?

*Bonus: I have been wearing hot pink on my toe nails since 2009

There you have it! Ten {ish} facts you never really needed to know!

Have a great night friends!

We are over and out!

There is something about the word resolution that makes me want to quit....

via

Before I even start....This year I am doing a cake list. Cake lists are way more fun to cross off! 12 books +12 adventures +12 things handmade+ 14 things to do =  50 layers of an awesome and productive 2013! Each month I will chose one thing from each layer of my cake :) I will be posting it on my sidebar for you friends, as soon as I finish writing it that is. Any good book suggestions or adventures I should know about?

I had big plans for new years.....Be in bed by 9:00p.m....but instead Kyler brought home root beer, handmade pizza and I made cookies while we turned up the radio and danced with our littles in the kitchen.....and then at midnight I snuck into Jetts room and watched the fireworks from his second story window. It was somehow a perfect start to the New Year!

I know, I know there is a word for girls like me...;)