When Life Hands You Lemons.....CELEBRATE!

It seems like this pregnancy has just flown by! Maybe it's because I am chasing around two other littles, or maybe I don't have a lot of time on my hands lately either way one little baby coming right up. I just can't believe we only have four weeks left. Our sweet little bundle will be here in less than a month.

I haven't really had a lot of crazy cravings up until recently. I am loving anything with LEMON!! I got a lot of recipes, with lemon as an ingredient, off pinterest and have been cooking up a storm. The picture at the top is one of my fav dishes so far. However, I also have been craving lemon on some crazy things like potato chips. I haven't given into the potato chip craving just yet, but it sure does sound good.

What are some of the craziest things you have craved while pregnant or heard of people craving?

My Christmas Wish

This year I only asked Santa for one thing for Christmas and that was to be able to stay home all day with our boys. I must have been good this year, because I got what I asked for and so much more. I am so happy to be creating precious memories with my children without the hustle and bustle that sometimes distract from the true meaning of the holiday. I loved watching them open their gifts and seeing their little faces light up. I also love the fact that they realize the true meaning of Christmas isn't found under the tree. Case in point, we have a book we've been reading every night at bed time for a few weeks now about the Christmas story. It tells of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and Christ's miraculous birth. Well, last night as we were laying out the cookies (yes, I said cookies, the pie didn't go as planned) and milk he asked me, "Mommy can we leave the book out for Santa? That way he can know about Jesus!". That was the sweetest Christmas blessing ever. My little guy already sees the importance of sharing his faith and love for Jesus with people. Praise the Lord! I am so thankful for God's provision for my sin, the birth of my Savior, and seeing Him work through the lives of my children.

Merry Christmas.

Yummy Treats: Santa Hats

The other night I had a fun holiday event to attend and I ended up making these sweet little Santa hats. They were a hit, and were so easy to make, so I thought I'd post the recipe here.

Santa Hats

Ingredients:

Betty Crocker Brownie Mix (eggs, oil)

Cream Cheese Frosting

Strawberries

1. Make Betty Crocker Brownie Mix as directed. Line mini cupcake pan with mini cupcake liners. Pour brownie mix into liners

2. Bake as directed on box

3. Take brownies out and let them cool. Pipe cream cheese frosting in a swirl around the top. (if you don't have an icing kit you can cut a corner off the end of a Ziploc bag, put frosting in, and use it as a frosting bag)

4. Wash strawberries and cut tops off. For bigger strawberries slice in halves.

5. Place one strawberry on top of mini cupcake and pipe a little dot on top.

6. Viola. Santa hats.

Hope yall are having fun making yummy holiday treats as well. Today we are off to bake sugar cookies and make peppermint bark. DELISH.

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

What an eventful weekend. Joel had two days off in a row. Praise the Lord. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, having him home with us. It was so nice to be able to wake up and make pancakes together and not be rushing around trying to get somewhere. I truly cherish times like these. Although, I can not complain. I feel more than blessed that Joel's work is still going steady because around this time last year he was already laid off.  We have ALL of our Christmas shopping done. We also made our annual trip to Hensler's to get our tree. We have been doing this every year since Kade was born, it's a Johnson family tradition. I just love having a real tree. There is something about the way it looks and especially the way it makes our home smell that makes me swoon. It is starting to feel so much more like Christmas around here. We also took the boys to see Arthur Christmas yesterday. What a CUTE movie. While Joel and the boys thought it would be fun to be one of the elves in mission control I would be satisfied with being Arthur, (in the beginning of the movie not the end), replying to all of the Dear Santa letters. What a fun job to have. Your day at work would consist of reading joyful, hopeful, letters and responding back with the most beautiful stationary, peppermint smelling ink, and glitter pens. Speaking of Christmas stationary I just love this little etsy shop and all of their whimsical designs.
Tonight I have a Women's Bible Study ornament exchange to attend. Can't wait. A bunch of lovely ladies gathering around for sweet fellowship and yummy treats =  a good time. I should get off here and get to baking. Hope you had a magical weekend as well.

P.S. Does your family have any annual Christmas traditions? If so I'd love to hear about them!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

We are loving listening to A Very She & Him Christmas around the Johnson household this holiday season. Listening to Christmas music instantly puts me in a good mood.  I wrapped a few presents yesterday (even one for Santa himself ) and today I will be attempting to get photos of the boys for our Christmas card this year. Send up a little prayer for me today. LOL. I don't know what it is but taking pictures of your own children is much different than taking pictures of other peoples.

On another note a few of the toys we've been looking at buying for little D are on sale today. Click here to see! We love Melissa and Doug toys. Especially this little wooden set. Adorable.

Hope you all have a cheerful Thursday.

Oh Christmas Tree

Last night we took our boys to Norwayne Field for the annual Christmas tree lighting. It was our first time this year and I must say it was a lot of fun. Although we had to battle the cold the kids had a great time. K loved the parade with the fire trucks and police cars. :) Daddy, David, and I truly enjoyed the lights. A lot of people put hard work into decorating those trees and we were very grateful for their efforts. If you notice in our family picture my coat is open, that's because it won't zip anymore! :) 7 more weeks until we meet the newest member of the Johnson clan. I must say I am excited about Christmas but I am even more excited to meet our own little miracle. :) Hope you have a good weekend.