Dear Friends and Family, 

It is with sincere hearts that we wish you a happy and most memorable Christmas.  We are celebrating our Lord and Savior’s birth this year with added joy.  This past year has been an amazing journey!  We have seen the hand of God work in our lives in many ways.

In January we found out we were pregnant!  On Valentine’s Day, Jeff’s former employer, InfoAdvantage, had some financial trouble and needed to release Jeff.  On our knees we asked God to provide for us and we placed our trust in His hands.  Within two weeks Jeff was offered a job at Bondware.  Praise God!

We celebrated my 30th birthday (yikes!)  in March, our fifth wedding anniversary in June, and Walter’s second birthday in July.  After trying to convince God that I should have a VBAC-(Vaginal Birth After C-section), I was again on my knees and asking God to lead and guide me through His Will.  On September 27th, we welcomed Carrie Evelyn into our family via C-section.  With the combination of staying at my parents’ house and avoiding stairs, many generous hands to prepare meals and God as my healer, I was back to normal at about 3 weeks. 

Jeff enjoys his job managing a startup web software company (www.bondware.com) and wears many hats.  Speaking of many hats, he is also continuing his masters program at Belmont University.  He is a very busy man, but slows down and gives himself to the family.  I love to watch the morning routine where he sits with Walter and they share a bowl of Lucky Charms together.  There is a father-son bond that has been established that no one can tear apart.  Walter has developed his daddy’s love for the Seminoles and has learned what the Florida State University logo looks like.  If he sees anything garnet he’ll say, “Look Mommy! It’s a Go Noles __!”  It’s really quite funny.  He cheers louder than Jeff at the game watching parties—sometimes even for the right team at the right time.

His “terrible twos” have hit, and he’ll reply once in a while, “No Mommy, I not,“ after I ask him to do something.  With the milestone of the twos comes independence and testing authority, but it also comes with this package of delightful energy that can outlast the energizer bunny.  His laughter is contagious and he loves to dance and pulls anyone and everyone out of their seat to dance with him.  He is a good big brother.  He will play his triangle for Carrie and it makes her smile.

Carrie is a beautiful baby and she has the sweetest smile.  I think she has Jeff wrapped around her finger already.  She is a good sleeper and loves to swing.  Now at almost three months old she has the most beautiful blue eyes and a wee bit of Irish coming through the blonde strands.  She is just now beginning to have that full giggle that can light up a room. 

I am still staying at home and loving it.  It’s not the most glamorous of professions, but I wouldn’t miss it for the world.  I love teaching Walter how to draw a circle, or help Carrie learn how to reach for an object.  And the smiles, laughter, hugs and kisses, and the “I did it Mommy!”  make me feel like I’m changing the world.

Check out some of our family photos on our website:  www.jeffandmindy.net
Specifically on our on-line photo gallery: http://www.tnjohnsons.com/mod/ophoto/

It is a new site we are just starting to play with so don't expect too much, but it is running on my company's software so even Mindy and I can create and manage our own website.  :-)

We look forward to catching up with you all more in the new year!

Please reply to Mindy at Mindy@TNJohnsons.com
Please reply to Jeff at Jeff@TNJohnsons.com

1320 Brentwood Highlands Dr.  *  Nashville, TN 37211   *   615-831-1090