His Day

I love this picture because we have one where Grandpa Johnson is the dad and Andy is the kid.

A. turned 8 this year.  In our church, it's the year you get to be baptized.  (Go here for more about baptism in our church.)  Since he turned seven, A. has been telling people (even complete strangers!) that when he turns eight, he gets baptized and he gets to go to cub scouts.  He has been really looking forward to it.  Aunt Charlotte gave the talk and Uncle Stan gave the closing prayer.  Uncle Arnie and Uncle Spence were the witnesses.  And I got to welcome him into the primary.  (You know, since I am the primary president again... The main reason I was sad to be released last time.)

It was an emotional day for Andy and I.  We were remembering how emotional we were the day he was born and the day we blessed him.  And how emotional we were at our wedding.  Andy said something about maybe being less emotional as we baptize each subsequent kid.  I'm not betting on it, because important family moments make us blubber every time.  :)  We were so proud of him-- the boy he's becoming, the choices he's making-- and just in awe at how quickly his life is flying by.  We are blessed that God sent him to us.  He has blessed our family and he is a strong spirit.  I am grateful for his influence on my other boys.  Just the other day, I noticed G. saying his personal nightly prayer.  I hadn't reminded him.  I think it's the combination of seeing A. be so good about it and the teachings of his church teachers.  (I go to bed so much later than him, that I'm sure it's not much of my influence.)

We were so grateful to have such support from so much family.  It was so fun to have them see our new place and spend time with them.  We have missed the Johnson's and living so close to cousins.  We saw them all the time before we moved, so my kids were going through withdrawals.  My sister's family drove five hours and stayed the weekend.  It was the first time we had met their beautiful baby boy and he's such a sweetheart.  We were also excited to have my aunt's family come.  Their son had a cross-country meet here so their trip was extra worth-it.  I really appreciated that they came all the way.  It's funny that she was always my faraway aunt and now she lives close enough to come to A.'s baptism.  :)  Her boys were so sweet to the Johnson cousins.  

The weather was perfect and it was a fantastic reason to get together.  We shared a lasagna dinner before most of them had to leave.  The only bummer of the day was that Anna twisted her ankle, but luckily Spence (the trained EMT in the family) taped her up.  And she says she is healing nicely.

I think A. had a very memorable day.

My Future Missionary

Uncle Spence took all the stylin' pics of A.

Click on this pic to see it BIG.

Our family.  They are all growing up so fast!             
And yes, we bribed G. to get him to smile.  It worked a little too well!          

8 years ago, this guy came into our lives.  :)

The following  are some of my thoughts in preparation for A.'s baptism.  Some background info:  Mormons know how to have a good time and we have activities that are noisy and joyous.  But if you have never been to a service, you should know that we teach our children to show their respect for Heavenly Father by being reverent.  Also, when they are quiet, they will learn the way the Holy Ghost speaks to them- spirit to spirit.  This means that in our meetings, we attempt to get our children to talk in hushed voices and we don't applaud during services.  Needless to say, when I have been in churches with electric guitars and drum sets, I am a little out of my element.  :)

     I attended a baptism once where the family of the child to be baptized were relatively new to the church.  Because of this, no one was surprised when after he emerged from the water, many in the family applauded.  This response was quickly, but politely, hushed. 

     My oldest child will be baptized in a few weeks.  We have looked forward to this day almost his entire life.  I often contemplate how though joyous for us when our children are born, it must be a bittersweet day for our Heavenly Father.  I am sure He misses us and worries about us even though our sojourn on this earth is part of His plan.  On that day of baptism though, we as parents share with Him in the excitement of the moment.  This is the day where that son or daughter chooses to become His. 

     I recognize the appropriateness of reverence at worship meetings, as well as baptisms.  But I also have heard sacred music sung when I longed to have some way to express my appreciation.  At the baptism that day, perhaps the applause of joy was not the norm.  But it did express how we all felt.  When Alma asked the people if they desired to be baptized, to be called His people and come into the fold of God, "they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts." (Mosiah 18:8,11)

     It has been years since my baptism and I only remember a few things.    Now as I prepare the program for my boy's baptism, I cheer inside that our Heavenly Father lets us be old enough to choose his plan.  On that day, I will have to cheer on the inside that my boy has the desire to come into the fold of God.  I won't clap, but I will want to.

This Girl

This girl...

Grew up to be this woman...

And I don't know where I would be without her. My mom just had a birthday and I already told her how glad I was that she was born. I mean, without her being born, I wouldn't be here... But it is so much more...

There have been so many times that she was the ONLY one who understood. The ONLY one who knew what to say.

I called her so many times from college and even though she was far away, she knew exactly what I was going through and exactly what to say. Many times, it was just to go to bed, that everything would look better in the morning. Advice that has also come in handy now that I am a mom.

I remember how she made our home smell so great with her cooking. Oh, how I loved the smell of dinner when I walked in the door after a long day. I remember how she remembered all the details of my friends' lives so she could keep up on the latest story. She knew how to make me laugh. She would come in and dance with me in my bedroom. She always knew what to do with teenage drama. :)

She can talk to anyone, anywhere and boy, can she tell a story. Truly, it is one of her talents!

Her faith in God and her devotion helped me understand the importance of my testimony and my own convictions.

She taught me so much about how to be the woman I am today. So here's to you Mom. Thanks for everything. And Happy Birthday. :)

He Answers Us

G. wanted me to take a picture of him praying. So he showed me how he would do it... Yesterday, I was in charge of teaching the children at church about how prayer strengthens our families. I told two stories from my childhood about how my family prayed together. Funny, they were both about babies. :)

1. When my mom was about to have my brother, he was sitting on her liver which caused her skin to itch horribly. No cream, no medicine could solve her problem. The dr. said the only solution was to have the baby. So one night she was in the bath trying to get some relief and we could all hear her crying. What she didn't know was that all of us were in our beds praying that our mom would feel better. My brother was born before school started the next morning. I know because I was so excited to finally have a brother that I RAN to North Elementary. At the hospital, it all came out that everyone in the family was praying for my mom at the same time.

2. When my mom was in the hospital with K., she also had extensive abdominal surgery. We of course wanted to see our baby sister and our mom, so Dad took us to the hospital that night. She was really suffering from the surgery and I think it freaked us all out. Dad had us wait outside, where we quickly found a closet full of wheelchairs to offer up a "Willis kid" prayer to help our mom. We were relieved that no nurses came in. Wouldn't they have been surprised! I guess I didn't know at 14, that most hospitals have a place meant for praying.

I thought some of you siblings of mine may not remember these stories. So I thought I would share them with you too.

I do know God answers me. He hears me and understands me. And offers comfort that no other can give. This world touts independence and pride; He teaches humility and asks us to seek Him. I know that my life has been blessed by seeking Him. And my family, now and when I was growing up, has been strengthened by inviting Him into our lives and trusting Him.

Willis Kids

Wedding Picture: Brittney Singer Photography

All grown up
how did that happen?



When Andy and I lived in Kentucky, my friend Laura asked if her kids would be friends when they grew up. She wondered since they were young and seemed to disagree most of the time.


I was able to assure her that in spite of the huge fights we had, as adults, we were friends. More than friends...

There have been times where the only person to call was one of them- for mothering advice, marriage advice, friend advice, church advice, or being sane advice. They "get" me like no one else does (besides Andy). They know where I came from. They know my history. They know my serious mistakes and they know what really embarrasses me. They know my secret dreams. Their confidence in me helps me feel capable. I don't know where I would be without their input in my life.


This past weekend, I got to see them. And marvel at who we have become.


J. keeps it all together and still has the fun spirit she had when we were kids. And she is wise.
C. has so much grace and class. I love to watch her quiet joy. You can just FEEL it.
B. is so talented and isn't the little girl I left when I went to college. (She is the same height as me!!)
B. is sooo smart and articulate. I had a really intelligent conversation w/ him and I hate to say, I think he is smarter than me. Ugh.
K. is married. The little girl with the pink cast is old enough to get married. She is spiritual and fun and embarking on the wonderful adventure.


I think we all felt blessed to be together. Blessed to be a Willis kid. Blessed to be raised with the gospel of Jesus Christ in our home. Blessed to have been taught the right lessons to make the right choices. Blessed to all be in the temple together- to have to recruit someone else to watch the kids. (K. thanks for the many times you had to do it!)


I am grateful Heavenly Father sent us to live in families. What a lonely, confusing road this life would be without those that "get" us. Also what amazing life lessons I have learned by being a sister, daughter, wife, and mother that have made me more loving, less selfish, and more like my Savior.


And to my parents- Kudos! You did something right. We aren't perfect. But we are pretty good. And we are so grateful to you. For the sacrifices. For your love and support. For the hard decisions. For it all.


And in spite of the huge fights ;), we do love eachother. And no matter what, we've got eachothers' backs.


Thanks for inviting us to wedding K. and J. Thanks for giving us an excuse to ALL get together.