Very Exciting Times For The Johnsons'

I have so much to share about our family so enjoy catching up with us. This past week Bryant had surgery to remove the stints and burn granulation tissue out of his airway. The surgery went great and we were home that afternoon. The best part of the day was when Dr. Thompson informed us that we would be back on the 12th and we would be removing the trach. Tears rolled down my face as I felt a great moment of joy and accomplishment. 7 months ago I never thought I would be where I am today, WE MADE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The excitement is all for Bryant as he will be able to do whatever and not have to be bothered with everything. Please continue to pray for us as we prepare for this last surgery.

We also celebrated my sister's 18th Birthday, which just seems so unbelievable. She has become such a beautiful woman and is so talented. We will miss her so much as she will be starting a new chapter of her life in Jonesboro Arkansas at ASU. To celebrate her birthday she picked her birthday menu and I prepared the meal for everyone. It was great time with family and Emily had all of her favorite things. I decorated the table with pictures of her and a birthday sign on the door and we shared some funny memories about her.

Dad, Emily, and Mom

Emily and I on her Birthday

Friday was Halloween and the day was very busy. I had a JA project to attend so I was a little late getting the babies dressed. Thanks to Kammy they had precious monkey costumes from Pottery Barn. I also managed to get Hutch dressed as a witch and Bailey as a Hot Dog! Charles was working so Vernita was here to help me, we got them dressed took some pictures and strolled over to Mrs. Patsy's house so we could say they went trick or treating. Our neighborhood is very busy and we have tons of trick-or-treaters, so thankful Chris, Ginger, and Warner came over and Chris managed the trick-or-treaters.

Two of the cutest monkeys I have ever seen!

Lucy Kate and Bryant with Jeanie and Patsy!

The babies and I on there first Halloween

The babies are doing so wonderful and they are so happy! They love to watch me vacuum, mop, cook, and fold clothes. They are just so amazed with all of it. They still love to watch Hutch and Bailey and Lucy Kate rolls around trying to get to Bailey. They are both sitting up so well and like to watch each other. It is so funny to watch them together because they just laugh and take the toys from each other. We are so blessed and we thank God everyday for the joy He has brought into our lives.

Such a precious face!

Sitting up like a big girl

Too sweet with her Papa D

Just spending a little quality time together

Sitting up together and sharing toys

Here We Go Again

We are headed back to LeBonheur tomorrow for more surgery. Bryant will have the stints removed and he will have some granulation tissue burned out of his airway. We will be back Wednesday afternoon, which was a big surprise. Dr. Thompson initially told us that we would be staying a few nights. When the lady called to ask some final questions she informed us that we would be in and out the same day! Anytime we are preparing for surgery I am nervous and dread that moment they take him out of my arms. This surgery is allowing us to get so close to the removal of his trach. The ENT is going to plug his trach and see how he does and we may be able to get it out very soon. It will have to remain in for a little while after the surgery because he will have a lot of bleeding in his airway. The trach will allow him to cough out the blood easier and ensure a safe airway. Bryant is so strong and we are know that this will all be over soon.

Oh Hutch!

Just waiting at the door this morning, it was very cold!

These are a few of his favorite things and the stories below explain!




I have a couple of cute stories to share about our crazy dog Hutch who has so much character. Before the babies he was able to come inside and he got tons of attention, well now he is outside only and maybe not as much attention. He was living in the backyard but he kept finding ways to escape so we just let him hang out around the house. He was staying right in our cove but he has become brave and now takes adventures around the neighborhood. Last week I received a call from the electric company and they said Hutch was over there. I was home alone and the babies were napping so of course I call Val to come over when she gets home so I can go get the crazy dog. When I called her she was running errands so she stopped to pick him up and when she arrived the men at Coahoma Electric were feeding that dog sausage and biscuits! Val loads him up and as soon as he got out of the care he headed back over there, so I just decided to let him hang out and go get him later. The second time he was picked up the ladies were letting him walk all around the office and they just love him. Now when I can't find him I head over to the electric company and he is usually there.

He also love my neighbor Val, needless to say she does not feel the same way. She has food in her garage for her husbands workers and she told me that the crazy dog would get into it and sure enough she was right. I woke up one morning to cracker packages all over my yard! He had eaten about 8 packs of the cheezit crackers and they were everywhere. We picked up the ones he had not eaten and did not think much else of it. We noticed that he was still eating them and as we investigated the situation we discovered that he had hidden packages of crackers all over our yard and was digging them up for snacks during the day. We laughed so hard I had tears!

One last story, I was unloading groceries out of my car and the back was open. I went in with the last load and left the back of the car open. I was inside for awhile and did not even think about it being open. A little while later I went out for something else and Hutch was laying in the back of the car just hanging out! I guess he was tired of not having anywhere comfy to lay so he decided the car would be the best place.


Because of this he got a new dogbed..........
















.........and he loved it!

Half Marathon Training

I just have to share with you about the St. Jude Half Marathon that I am training for. I am training with a group here in Clarksdale and long runs are on Saturdays. This past Saturday we ran 9 miles and I was so proud, that is the furthest I have ever run! The half marathon is the the first weekend in December and we are on week 7 of training. It is a personal goal I have for myself and it feels great to have accomplished this much so far. Please pray for all those who are participating in such a wonderful event.

Will's Blog

Will Jacks is the photographer that we are using to take all the babies pictures. He is such a great person and has such a wonderful talent. Just thought I would share the post he made about the babies on the his blog.

http://www.wiljax.com/blog/

What a Mess

Everyone has told me not to try the bitter biscuits because it makes such a mess, but I just could not help myself! It was so cute and they loved them! Lucy Kate was screaming when she was done with hers because she wanted another one.

Back To LeBonheur

He Loves his Daddy!

Yes, we were back at LeBonheur Monday morning. I noticed Saturday afternoon that Bryant's stints had moved and they were rubbing the edge of his nostrils. Sunday morning Charles called Dr. Thompson and he suggested that I try to move it back into place. Okay...... Charles was gone to work, it was 8 in the morning and this was not a task that could be done alone and so I called Val. She headed over and we attempted to reposition the stints with a pair of tweezers. We were unsuccessful and Bryant was very annoyed with us. After informing Dr. Thompson that this was impossible he concluded that we needed to be at LeBonheur at 6:30 AM Monday morning. I worked things out for Lucy Kate to stay with Vernita and Ginger while Vernita was gone to class and we left at 5AM for Memphis. At 11:00 they took him back and with light anesthesia they removed the stints, cut them off, placed them back in the nose, and stitched it back in. Charles and I were in the room for all of this but I was not able to look. During the procedure Dr. Thompson was covering Bryant's trach and his O2 levels were great, we are getting so close to having the trach removed. We were home by 2:30 but Bryant is in some pain and we are doing whatever he wants to make him feel better. We are scheduled for surgery on Oct. 29th to have the stints removed, the granulation tissue removed, and he is going to take the trach out to see how he does. This does not mean the trach is staying out but we are going to try! Please continue to pray for us as the end is coming near.

Just arriving at LeBonheur

This is around the 14 hour mark of nothing to eat or drink!