Harbor

We celebrated Courtney's 9th birthday by going to the Baltimore Aquarium and Harbor

Kayla, Courtney, Jana, and Nate

Poem to all my friends in Tennessee

I've been blessed it's plain to see
As I have lived in Tennessee
It's not the mountains, rivers, or the trees
It's that you befriended me
The time has come this place to leave
It's for you my friends that I will grieve
Like the dear one from Galilee
You took me in and befriended me
I won't forget the kindness shown
Please don't forget the times we've known
The time has come for me to part
But you'll remain close to my heart
I will keep you in my prayers
And never forget how much you cared
Please do the same, remember me
I hope we shall meet in eternity
Until then you can always come visit me
Please do not be sad or really blue
Always remember that I love and care for you

- by Earl Johnson

First Day of School in WV

North Jefferson Elementary School

I drove you the first day...

The 2nd day you rode the bus for the first time ever! You were so excited!

Nate was so excited he ran in before I had a chance to take a picture of him...

Moving to West Virginia

It all started with us wanting to move out of the house we are in, to help cut back on our monthly bills. We also wanted a different layout for the house, we feel like we really needed a basement, a neighborhood with kids, a flat area for the kids to ride their bikes...etc...so with all that said it was a must to look for a new house. We did start looking in our own community...but then began thinking...since Roy works from home we could really move where ever we wanted. So we began praying. We thought, we would really like to be closer to some family, we would really like to have more snow...so we decided to move North. After all there is nothing like family, it would really be nice to be a little closer, but not too close if you know what I mean. :) We loved West Virginia because we would be about an hour from family, we would definitely get more snow, and it is the "mountain state". So it has all the great things we love about Tennessee, the mountains, the rivers, skiing, tubing, white water rafting....etc....all the fun outdoor stuff that we love so much. So we asked God to either open or close the doors, and he opened them, by providing a house for us in West Virginia. It is perfect. Less per month, a basement, nice yard, on a culdisac, in a great neighborhood. It's even a new house so, just move in. It is beautiful. We feel so blessed and at peace that God is moving us in a new direction for a new purpose in His plan for our lives.

But...There are many thing I will miss from Tennessee. So I will list them and pray God will provide ones similar for us in the new state.

Church - Heritage Fellowship - Great Word, Worship, and Friends. Pastor Paul and Lynn

Identity - 4-6th grade kids that we have grown to LOVE


My House - Safe, Quiet, Birds Chirping...etc...


Dyllis Elementary - We always say "There is no place like Dyllis". My kids felt at home and loved.

My Job - Also Dyllis Elementary, I will really miss my co-workers there. They have been my family!


My friends - TOOOO many to name, but I will miss them all.

My mechanic - friends, trustworthy, reliable, reasonable. Kim and Rex Spoon

My Doctor - so through, patient, caring, kind, concerned. Dr. Ann Carter

Pediatrician - The Best one in the World!!!!! Nate will miss making him laugh. Dr. Courts is the bomb.

Lakes, Rivers, Hiking, Mountain Beauty - There is nothing like the "Great Smokey Mountains"

I will even miss little things like, my hairdresser, my dog groomer, our vet, and even the tellers at our local bank....the list could go on....but I think you get the point.


Lord,

Please be with all those listed above as we leave...and please take care of us as we go.

Nate - 4th Grade

Never a dull moment with you...need I explain?

When I told you you were going to have a "male teacher" this year. You quickly responded:

"Oh, Yeah! My teacher is a mailman!!!"

You never stop laughing, being silly, and telling jokes. We love you thank you for keeping us smiling. Here in the picture below...you are trying SO hard not to smile! :)

Smart Cookie

Kayla Grace - 3rd Grade

"Smart Cookie"

Where do I begin...

Your first two weeks at Dyllis have been successful. You came home with a stack of graded school work, filled with 100%'s. You were SOOOO proud. So was I, but with the craziness of moving...I looked at the pile of 100's, said "Good Job Kayla" and when you weren't looking...I slipped them into the garbage can. Little did I know, my little smart cookie would ask for them later. Sooooo there we were in the garage, digging through the trash bags!!!!! Your reasoning was you may never again see an entire stack of graded work with ALL 100's. Kayla, I am so proud of how hard you try. I will love every stack of papers you bring home, no matter what the grades are...as long as you tried your best. I might not save every single one, just always remember how proud I am to have you as my daughter. I love you my little smart cookie!

First Day of School 2010

Nate is in 4th grade and Kayla is in 3rd Grade

Here they are standing outside of Dyllis Elementary. Dyllis has been their school for the past 3 wonderful years. This year we will not have the oppertunity to stay long as we are moving out of Tennessee to West Virginia. We love Dyllis and will miss all the teachers and staff who have helped to make our time there so special. 3 weeks at Dyllis...Let's Cherish Every Moment!

Kayla Turns 8

Kayla's birthday wish was to have a pool party with all her cousins at Aunt Patty and Uncle Dana's pool. Her wish came true!

Table of Cousins

Us with Aunt Patty

Kayla, Kayleigh, and Mom-Mom

The Vella's with Kayleigh and Courtney

The Vella's

Kayla with Aunt Charity

Opening Gifts

Kayla with Pop-Pop

Pool Fun

Trampoline Fun

My Grandparents

My Grandparents 57th Anniversary

I am blessed to come from a such a great and Godly family!

Earl and Natalie Johnson

(my dad's parents)

The Lego Store

The kids are really into playing with Lego's.

So they really had fun building their own characters.

Pick the pieces you need.