Long over-due attempts to catch up:)

Michayla's Baptism

It was such a special day! I am so proud of you Michayla for choosing to be baptized. It was so fun to watch you feel the spirit, and to see you receive the Holy Ghost. I'm glad that you had such a special experience, and that you are trying your hardest to keep your covenants that you made.

Michayla was able to be baptized on her birthday! It was so special to have grandma and grandpa Flake, and Granny Jo and Poppy Keith and Natalie there. What a blessing that they were able to travel all the way from Arizona to be with us!

That morning we went to Michayla's and Blake's basketball games, and then hurried over to the baptism. It was a great day. The only downer was that Ally was sick...

I cant believe we have an 8 yr old!!!!! She is the best 8 yr old ever.

The Kiddos take on their new sibling......can you guess what it is??

Liberty's Got Talent

I know, two posting sessions in one month? I cant believe it either. This just cracks me up, so I had to post it before I forgot about it.

Halloween!

Every year has been extremely different for us here in the midwest. This year the change was welcomed, as we had an amazing, beautiful 65 degree day. Two years ago I think it might have topped out at 30! It was also fun to live in a neighborhood with tons of kids roaming, and family friendly neighbors all out and about. The kids had to be their favorite book character. Blake choose star wars....he is Captain Rex, and Michayla is Cam Jansen, her favorite mystery book series right now (well back then....she has recently started the babysitter club books, and has also formed a club at school....the 5 funky sisters....funny!) Allyson, as you see in the pictures was a repeat this year, a cowgirl. Although she did change the name of her horse to Rose. She is an interesting character. It was her choice completely, which I was very happy about, since I didnt have to get her another costume. Halloween always starts about 2 weeks too soon in my opinion. Its hard to monitor all the candy that comes through the door for those two weeks, but we seem to have made it out unscathed, besides the mounds of candy sitting on our fridge that Brent and I pick from every night:).

Swearing In

We trecked to Jefferson City for Brent to get sworn in. The kids did really well, especially considering they were the only kids in the entire room at the federal courthouse. The buildings were beautiful, and we couldnt have asked for better weather. Brent also got to sign the official Book of attorney's while there. It was a great day! Just as an update, Brent is LOVING his job. He gets to take the Kansas bar in Feb, since we live right on the border of two states, he has to be official in both, so one more test to go! Yehaw! I'm sure once that is done, he will decide to go to medical school....who can live without test taking?

Look who is joining our family!

ITS A BABY!!!

Baby Johnston is to make his/her debut May 5th!

We couldnt be happier!

Drum Roll Please........

If you have not heard yet, I found out yesterday that I passed the bar! It was the most nerve-racking experience of my life (opening the results was even worse than taking the exam). I'm not sure why I was sooo nervous, but I was. I was pretty sure I "should" pass, but I had convinced myself I could find a way to blow it. The second I opened the PDF document--which is just a list of names of everybody who passed--my heart immediately started to pound about an inch out of my chest. I don't think I took a breath for like 2 minutes, and I scrolled down as slowly as possible. I even made Michelle and the kids leave the room before I got my results so that I could discover my fate in private (just in case it was bad news and I had an embarrassing melt down). I cannot even explain the relief I felt when I saw my beautiful name on that list. (I never thought I would consider my name beautiful)

I want to thank everybody who prayed for me and supported me and my family during the last 3 1/2 years. I am so thankful to be surrounded by such wonderful family and friends. I especially want to thank Michelle and my amazing children. I could never have done it without them.

Now, I get to take the Kansas bar in February. It won't be nearly as stressful though because I only have to take the essay portion, and even if I don't pass, I'm still a licensed attorney and I still have my job!!!