Spring Concert for Bradley

Here is a link to the playlist from Bradley's choir spring concert from his freshman year. The concert was wonderful. I sat on the front row by myself and bawled my eyes out. Nothing at this concert would have had me crying 5 months ago, but everything is different now. Everything. 

Spring Concert April 30, 2019

Bradley earned a varsity letter for all of his work in choir this year. Way to go Bradley!

April 2019 Misc Pics

Enjoy the April 2019 installment of misc pics. These are all the pictures and videos that don't get their own post, mixed together each month. Enjoy!

April 1, 2019. I thought it'd be funny and tell Cora her favorite teacher moved as an April Fools' Day joke. It ended up being not very funny.

April 3, 2019. Jude joined me for my monthly cemetery visit.

April 5, 2019. We took the kids to play volleyball at the park. They had a ton of fun.

April 6, 2019. Meet a few of my friends. From left to right, Sarah (me), Erin, Corinne, Suzanne and Marie. All of us except for Marie currently live in Vegas. We are all from the same high school graduating class. We have all known each other since 1990. It was nice to have Marie come into town to visit so we all had an excuse to meet up for dinner. I am so grateful for many wonderful friends in my life.

4-10-2019. This girl! She loves getting dolled up. I love that she lets me practice on her. I've never been good at hair or make-up!

4-16-2019. We had a few extras in the tub tonight.

Sparkly, clean and ready for bed. We love our cousins.

4-17-2019. Just a routine tightening. These teeth are lookin' good! We are so grateful for Dr. Wirig!

4-17-2019. Another slumber party.

4-20-2019. Ward dinner.

4-23-2019. All of the 4th graders wrote a paper about Arbor Day. Conley was chosen to read his at the Arbor Day Assembly.

 

Here are some videos from Arbor Day assembly as well as their concert a few days later. 

April 24, 2019. Cafe Rio with four youngest. Going to restaurants is kind of rare for my crew. There are too many of us! I'm not sure what the occasion was here but I guess I thought it was good enough to document!

4-25-2019. End Game! Anthony and Eddy took took the four oldest to see End Game and enjoyed dinner together afterward. They loved it. Anthony and I went a few days later. What a great movie!

4-30-2019. Taco Tuesday!

 

And to wrap up, here are a few misc videos from April 2019. 

Spring 2019 Piano Recital

The kids are doing well with piano. Megan has started lessons with Sister Barlow too. We are so grateful for Sister Barlow and her ability to teach these children the piano. They love her and they love going to lessons every week. Enjoy some pictures and videos from their Spring recital. 

Sarah 41st Bday

I was asked to chaperone a field trip for the choir at the Elementary school. Conley told his music teacher that I could chaperone, but that I couldn't do any work because it was my birthday. He is so sweet.

Later that night Megan, Anthony and I were able to go to Bradley's concert and then out to dinner.

 We celebrated my birthday with lots of yummy desserts and lots of cute kids!

 Happy birthday to me! A fun family dinner with our Sunday dinner crew.

Desert Rose Concert

I was missing my sister on my birthday. I had received many phone calls and texts. Each wish was sweet and helped me to feel loved. But, I knew the day was going to end without a text or FaceTime call from Elizabeth. Then, my sister-in-law texted asking if I wanted Megan for the night. How did she know I needed her? Thank you Kaylee! Best birthday present ever. Megan helped to make it all better. Also, Bradley is now 6'1''.

 

 Bradley and his madrigal group sang at the Desert Rose Festival at UNLV. We attended his concert and then went out to dinner. It was a great birthday.

Everything Will Work Out

Elizabeth and Adam loved the opportunity they had to serve others while they lived in Mississippi. A few times Adam was able to join the yellow shirts after natural disasters in both Texas and Florida. Elizabeth was able to serve the young women and Relief Society in her area. Adam served the young men and the ward mission efforts. They helped with every ward and stake activity even though the church was 45 minutes away and the stake center was in a different state two hours away. Elizabeth had never felt comfortable leaving her children home alone so they would all go with her every time, every where. Elizabeth and Adam tried the best they could to make the situation they lived in as service-oriented as possible. But, Elizabeth texted me multiple times that she felt she was doing her children a disservice not raising them near family.

My sister and her family had no where to go for Thanksgiving 2018. Elizabeth was feeling pretty lonely. She was also worried about Adam who was depressed about their situation. He was trying the best he could to do what the Lord wanted of him. They were both earnestly praying for answers. Adam was beginning to apply for jobs elsewhere but didn't know what was right yet. I asked Elizabeth in early November if she would like me to ask the family to have a special fast for them. She said she didn't want everyone to know their situation yet but if I wanted to fast for them she would be grateful. I did and she and I both talked afterward about feeling peace that everything was going to work out.

I tried hard not to text Elizabeth my plans for Thanksgiving because they included tons of family, tons of food and tons of activities and I just knew it would make her so sad and jealous. I told her not to worry, that she would be closer to family soon. I told her Christmas would be a blast and that there wouldn't be too many more lonely holidays. What I never told her was how much I hated that she lived so far away. I never wanted her to feel like I wasn't supportive so I tried so hard to be positive.

Elizabeth loaded her family in the car during Thanksgiving break and headed to Birmingham, Alabama. They spend a few nights in a hotel and had pizza for Thanksgiving dinner (she texted me to please eat lots sweet potatoes for her.) They went to the Birmingham, Alabama temple to take baptism pictures of sweet Jane.

This was my sister and brother-in-law. No matter how bleak their situation or how down they may have been their kids had no idea. They were as happy as little children should be. Megan has told me many times how much she loved her house. I remember during Christmas break she told that she was glad to be here, but that she missed being gone from Mississippi. 

I have felt so conflicted about that fast in November. Why did I feel that everything would work out? Heavenly Father knew they were going to be gone within 2 months. Why did I feel peace? Why did Elizabeth feel peace? 

I still do not have a good answer. I still cry everyday wondering why, why, why? Just maybe that peace was meant for me to feel now. Maybe feeling 'peace that everything will work out' should be what gives me strength to carry on. 

What I do know is that the three Johanson children that survived their parents and Jane will grow up with tons of family. Elizabeth's hope will be a reality. They will be well taken care of. They will be loved like never before by Aunts, Uncles, cousins and grandparents. Don't you worry Elizabeth, everything will work out.

I know this sweet, sweet girl is with her mom and dad and brother Jack on the other side. I know they are with my dad and countless others who have gone before. 

I don't know what they're doing and I don't know why they had to go. I don't know if I will ever know why. But I have faith that the answer I got to my prayers in November will come to pass. Everything will work out.

photos taken by Elizabeth Johanson in Birmingham, Alabama on 11-20-2018.