Totally Townsend

Here is my third sweep stakes prize from Heaven. Marinda was born at home early in the morning on a warm September day. She was so tiny. I used to show her that she weighed the same as a 5 pound bag of sugar and a package of chocolate chips. She is still a 'sweety'. She has entertained me since she was a little girl. I have videos of her singing, juggling and making me laugh in general. Does anyone remember, "Hello.......fat lady"? I remember the pride (that I really tried to not let take over my heart) as she sang solos throughout her high school career. We also drove to Ephraim two nights in a row to hear her sing solos for the Messiah.
I am so grateful for home teachers....Marinda married hers. We love Jamey. Although he very quiet and I fear for his soul when the rowdy Johnsons are in their groove. He is a great man. We are glad he is in our family. Marinda and friends ham it up at a party

2 years ago, precious Ethan made it on the scene. He is so funny. He loves to help take care of the chickens, ride the lawn mower or the cart behind it, rearrange my curio cabinet and make Grammy laugh. I love to hear him say, " I made a mess" (Usually sounds like, "jdhksuyrhkjsd a mess" to me.) Ethan and Lacey enjoying the lawn mower
Marinda serves as the secratary in the Primary in her ward. (I forgot to add stuff like this to Stephanie and Jeremiah's tributes...sorry you still know I love you though?) Marinda has blessed my life. She takes good care of her mommy.

My boy, Jeremiah

I remember the excitement I felt when Jeremiah was born. He is my second child, but my first born son. He is a handsome boy. (I like his bare face better than the hairy one, but I love him all the same). He has always been the kind of person, who gives great service. There is a dear sister that lives a few doors away. She told me she still misses Jeremiah, because he always checked on her and helped her in her yard. Jeremiah works as a printer. He is an excellant father to two of my precious grandchildren. Jeremiah also gave us our first grandchild. We are amazed at this fantastic family. Marian is a loving daughter in law. She is good to her husband and devoted to Cory and Isabelle. I just wished they lived closer to us. They live in the dark and dreary wilderness of Salt Lake City. I love to see my Cory and hear him calling me,"Grammy Jo, guess what?" Or talking to me on the phone. I still remember the phone call with a sobbing Cory telling me that he needed to come to my house. Isabelle can melt me with her smiles. She wants to make Poppie feel good so she hangs around him, but when she smiles at me, I know we are buddies.
The Johnson family loves football, dancing and we hope hanging around us. I am truly blessed.

Pumpkin Dessert

Morgan asked for my recipe of Pumpkin Dessert. It is an Autumn treat that we enjoy every year. It is fast and easy. Try it this month!

3 eggs 1 tsp. of pumpkin pie spice (or whatever you do to season pumpkin pie)
1 c. sugar 1 pkg. yellow cake mix
1/2 tsp. salt 1 cube butter ... or margarine
1 can (29 oz.) Pumpkin Whipped topping
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
Blend eggs, pumpkin,salt, milk and spice together. Pour into a greased 9X13 pan. Sprinkle cake mix on top. Dot with butter. Bake 350* for 1 hour. Serve warm with whipped topping.

Heigh Ho Halloween is Here....Almost

Morgan talked me into starting my Halloween decorating. I love Halloween! I am planning on burying a few people this weekend. For those of you that are perplexed....look at the pictures. More Halloween later!

Love Those Lamberts

I have decided to honor each of the darling children that were sent to teach me celestial lessons. I will start with the one that had the hardest assignment. Stephanie. She has always been the calm "I can take care of my mother" child.She is talented, smart and who we call when someone is sick or injured. She is an incredible nurse, working with tiny little bodies that were too anxious to get on with life. She is serving in the Primary Presidency in her ward. She is married to a super fantastic man-Richard. We have been so blessed to welcome him to our family. Richard is a great brother-in-law to Hayden and Carter. He invites them over for sleepovers to play Guitar Hero, etc. all night. He will never know how much we love him.
Stephanie and Rich are the perfect parents of Alaina Grace. Shown here on her blessing day. What a beautiful gift the day she came into my life.
Alaina is my oldest granddaughter. I am loving being her Grammy. She loves to be at my house. She knows where all the good 'toys' are and keeps us laughing with her sayings and antics. WE love when the Lamberts visit. They are such good sports and join in all our crazy ideas for fun. They were the first to hear the cougar scream on our campout, play a mean game of badmiton, ride bikes to come visit, and are pretty much perfect ...well maybe they leave too soon and don't come over quite often enough, but we know they have busy lives also.

When I am feeling down, I have learned that counting my blessings and practicing gratitude (it's a verb!) always helps me back to a happy life. The Lamberts are always on my special list of blessings! Next week we meet the Super Johnsons.

The Cat Came Back....

I love my new job! I know that, eventually I will have to teach the core and be a good girl, but for the first two weeks as I have established rules and procedures, we have played. My boss told me that the students have not been very enthusiastic about music so I began a quest to convert them. I have been singing questionable songs.....they love them. This week I taught them The Cat Came Back, a delightful song of the adventures of an unwanted cat with an uncanny talent of survival. A bit violent...but they loved it. One 3rd grade boy (usually a discipline challenge) said, "Mrs. Johnson this song is violent!". I said "Okay, I won't finish it." Pleas of protests were heard for the finish. One second grade girl stated that she would be having nightmares.
I think I am safe in my job as the administration keeps visiting ...(checking on me or enjoying my refrigerated air?) and I still have a job. So far so good. Any ideas of songs for the future? Please share. PS I love Bill the Cat!