The power of a praying wife....

My husband has been home with Silas and I for the last 10 months. There are great things about this and some not so great things. During this time the relationship that he has with his son is something I think is priceless. Silas knows his daddy, loves to cuddle and play with him. Before Doug was home, he did love Silas but now he has such a love for him...its indescribable.

Some friends of mine at work get together every two weeks to talk, pray, and share our lives. One of them posts a daily reading from the book 'The Power of a Praying Wife'. I am often taken back by the chord these readings touch in me. It is often on those difficult days when I sort of wish Doug was at a job somewhere. I am quickly reminded the Lord is continually doing work in both of us and to get on my knees and pray for my husband. Here is one that really hit home for me.

Lord, I pray that in the midst of trials my husband will look to you to be his refuge “until these calamities have passed by” (Psalm 57:1). May he learn to wait on You because “those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). I pray that he will find his strength in You and as he cries out to You, You will hear him and save him out of all his troubles (Psalm 34:6). Teach him to cast his burdens on You and let You sustain him through everything that is happening in his life.

As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me. Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice. He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me. Psalm 55:16-18

Do you remember...

Looking at my son I am reminded of my 31 years of age. It seems like yesterday I was 16 and had the world in front of me. It seems like yesterday I was having a joint birthday party with my sister. So many memories..some of joy and some of pain. I know so much more now that I am older that I wish I had know back then.

Lately I have been haunted by the mistakes of my past. It could be anything from a conversation I wished I wouldn't have had to a decision I thought was the right thing to do at the time. Looking back I regret not being closer with my sister when we were under the same roof. Looking back I wished I had spent more time with my mom instead of a boyfriend. Its hard for me to let go of some of these things. I feel so stupid and sad that I missed out on opportunities that I will never get back. The only thing that helps me heal from these is knowing who I am now and taking the opportunities as they come my way now.

Yesterday is gone, today is passing by and tomorrow is upon me. I will take the time today to love God, my family, and the people that mean the most. I will take the time now to strive for what is best, do what is important, and make memories I can gladly look back on with no regrets.

Praise God for the journey we get to take in our lives. Through the pain, the regret, and the heartache comes joy, praise, and amazement for His Love, His lessons, and His Grace. To God be the Glory.

Almost a year ago....

Almost a year ago my son was born. I am in disbelief that the time has flown by so very quickly. To think that he will be a year old, a toddler, walking and who knows what else blows my mind. I used to think that I would never get married and never have kids. Yet here I am almost 4 years into marriage with a one year old. Silas is such a joy in my life. He makes me laugh, cry, get frustrated, and so much more all in one day. Each day he grows stronger, more independent, and more hilarious.

In the summer of 2008 when Doug and I found out about Silas it was a shocker. We had heard we wouldn't be able to get pregnant and then I had to have surgery when I was four weeks along. To know that early, to have surgery, to have so much uncertainty about his future made me trust in the Lord for strength and guidance. Every week we would get an ultrasound and see that tiny body keep growing and growing. Then...he was here! He came a whole lot earlier than we had expected...about 3 weeks to be exact. And the fun begin. We haven't stopped having fun.

These days Silas loves to play with his cars, his books, his shapes and his Elmo toys. We crawl around the floor and laugh with him. What a joy his laugh bring!!! I find myself being silly just to get him to smile for me.

What a year! I have heard it goes fast. I want to cherish every single day and moment that I have with him. I am looking forward to another year of 1st, joy, laughter, frustration, and so many other wonderful things he brings to my life.

Happy Birthday bubby!!!

Ringing in the new year...

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Well its a new year..2010 and what a whirlwind the last 4 weeks have been. The holidays seemed to sweep by in an instant. So much happened in such a short time. Shopping, wrapping, singing, celebrating, unwrapping, unwrapping, and more unwrapping. Then another week and the year my baby was born is gone. He is going to be 10 months old soon and it seems time is speeding up.

2009 began with pregnancy, birth, adjusting to motherhood, and more adjusting. I turned 31 this year in July. That came quicker than I had thought it would. My son started eating solids and rolling over. Then it was September and ready for Doug and I's 3rd wedding anniversary. Again, where did the time go? All of a sudden it was October and we were off on a vacation fishing trip with grandma and grandpa johnson in Bishop. It was an experience and so much more. Then Auntie Amanda, uncle Jodie, and the cousins were out for a Thanksgiving trip. So much to do in such a little time. All of a sudden we were celebrating christmas at the Johnson house and getting our annual visit from Santa Claus. Silas opened his presents...but was more interested in the paper and the boxes than the presents. I am sure Christmas 2010 will be much more enjoyable for him:) Last we headed to Yen Ching's to celebrate New Years with wonderful members of our church. It was such a blast! We had a great time. We had planned to go camping but ended up staying around the house in a low key new years weekend. I liked that much better.
Now here it is already the 4th of January and we are preparing for grandma kim's birthday next week. It all starts over again. The same but also so very different. This year I would like to play the piano at least 3 times a week, begin working out and drop the rest of the baby weight, and also learn to cook a few more interesting things for the family. There it is...my new year's resolution. So cheers to 2010 and a new decade. May God bless you and keep you safe.

Here is my husband and my son...hanging out....

Days at home with my son and my husband

I am blessed to have a job where I work from home three 1/2 days a week. These days I usually get up around 7 and start working in my pj's while the rest of the house sleeps. I am connected at the hip with my laptop until about mid day. I love these days! I feel amazingly blessed to be able to shut my work laptop at noon or a little after and spend the rest of the day in just one role..as a mom. Lately I have been playing two roles on those afternoons...wife and mom. My husband recently lost his job at the end of July. It seems he is among most of the country or at least most of California being out of work. He now watches our son when I go off to work on Tuesday and Thursdays.
In the beginning I was a bit worried at how he would do being home alone with Silas for that time. I think I would call the house every hour to ask how he was doing, what he was doing, how the baby was doing, anything I could just to talk with him. I actually was jealous of his extra time with Silas. It has gotten easier to leave and not worry about them both every minute. Don't get me wrong I still have my days where I have the urge to pack up at work, run home, and snuggle both of them in my arms for as long as they will allow.
It has now been two months that my husband has been home with our son. He has grown a new appreciation for the work I do around the house. He also has grown an enormous amount of tenderness for our son. The way he cares for him overwhelms me with joy. Its not like he didn't love him before, its just different now. I can see the way Silas looks at him with more trust and security. Even though the days have been tough and trying, I am very glad they have this bonding time with each other.

1st day

Hello world! After a few rounds of name play I settled on Andrea's Anecdote. Others that didn't make the cut were laughing late bloomer, anticipating Andrea, and cheerful chick. I am officially entering the world of blogging. I'm not sure how many will read this or what I will be posting but I do know I'll be writing!


I have been through many interesting turns in my 31 years that have gotten me to this place. I have loved and hated my life many times over. Through out all the tears of joy and pain the Lord has been my rock and my guide. He has never left me and I know He never will. How amazing is our God! How lovely is His name.



I have been married for 3 years to a wonderful man who loves me very much. I feel blessed to be called his wife. I also have a 6 and 1/2 month old son who is such a joy. Im sure you will learn more about these two as the days flow by...



Cheers to my first post!