Day 300: And the last one falls....

Yes, that's right, Benaiah has succumbed to the sickness.  Poor Man-Child.  I just hope he didn't get the whole school sick.  He has to miss the school's bowl-a-thon fundraiser, too.  Bummers!  Maybe he'll be well enough by Sunday to go bowling with the high school youth group.  And do pray that Gary doesn't get it, and the other two ministers with him.  They are speaking at an event this weekend, and Jared is with them.  It's a very yucky stomach bug.  The middles started off the day slowly but gained momentum as it went.  I'm still feeling very "off" but it could be that actual stomach muscles are sore.

We did get some school accomplished today and puttered around the house.  As mentioned above, Jared left for a few days, so it will be interesting to be stuck at home so we can fully recover before Sunday.  Abishai's Baby Dedication (and others) Celebration is on Sunday and all are welcome to attend.  It's at Indian Creek Christian Church at 3:30 pm in the main auditorium.  It's we, the parents, and the community at large, promise to raise the child(ren) in a loving, Christian environment.  We were asked to fill out some homework with questions about how our walk with God is and what are some phrases we would like to train Abishai up in.  You also get to see pictures and there are refreshments afterwards.  And pray that there are no airplane delays because the men are getting back around noon on Sunday.  It will be a close one!

I also miss my guy when he leaves for more than a typical 8 hr day.  I've been thoroughly spoiled having him home so much this year.  This is a quote from George Eliot.  I'm so grateful that Jared will have some time away using his gifts of administration and leadership.  I've always seen him in this verse from Proverbs 31;23 "Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders." (NLT) Since high school, he's always been a deeper thinker than his peers.  He has a way with words that is unmatched.  And with time, he's learned to be gentle when presenting them to others.  Some are more receptive than others to those words.  As he continues to learn and grown under his dad and his dad's peers, I know it is where he needs to be.  I know Gary and Leah are very proud of him, as they are of all their kids and grandkids.  God will use the heartaches of the past few years for good.  I just have to be patient and follow Jared's lead as he follows Gods.  I pray it's a blessed weekend away!

Yes, he got in the trash can himself.

So the other two put him the orange bucket again.

Mean kitty in a cage.

Get the mean kitty! 

Pretty kitty!

Sweet kitty!

The yummy treat Benaiah brought back for Keturah.  She graciously shared it with Justin.

 I found the pictures of Benaiah in the yellow fleece shirt!  Here ya go!

We STILL use that rolling bag sometimes. 

This illustrates Benaiah's (and some of ours too) love for food.  I think I'll have him recreate this moment now that he's almost full grown.

Goofball Benaiah.  It must be a Johnson thing to want to sit in tubs and buckets.

Jared with hair!  Another moment I'd like to try and create.  Sweet!

Looking a bit like Abishai here. 

Aww, cute kid!  I didn't realize just how light his hair was back then.  And yes, Abishai does look like him!

And here's Abishai, pretending he's going to sleep in his nursing chair tonight.  As if, child.  By the way, he's almost fully weaned.  He didn't nurse on Monday at all because he threw up all day.  He nursed great on Tuesday, both in the morning and the afternoon.  He nursed a tiny bit yesterday morning, Wednesday.  But refused to nurse this morning and only nursed a bit after his nap.  I'm mostly ready for him to be done, but at the same time, he's the "last" baby.  Time flies.

And now, for the grand finale!  I made these little videos to send to the guys today, just for fun, but they are so cute!

Message for Daddy

Message for Benaiah

Message for Grandpa Johnson

When I picked Abishai up from his nap, he said, "Mama," and then immediately said, "Dada."  He usually sees Daddy as I carry him into our room.  He's so used to Daddy being here.  Again, I'm so grateful for that, despite the circumstances of why Jared's been home since March.  Then, the kids kept laughing and laughing over the one for Benaiah.   I guess Abishai's been watching too many YouTube videos or something.  Lastly, it was the first time I could clearly hear Abishai say "Grandpa" in his video.  Time to add even more words to his vocabulary!