Hope you all are having a beautifully reflective New Year's Eve.
I'll be ringing in 2017 on my 24 hour call catching the babies of Wake County ;-)
This week was tough, I returned to work after a month of research followed by family time during my vacation week and then Christmas. Our family had a beautiful Christmas. Isabelle has been hilarious in her new Jeep...
A video posted by Jasmine Johnson, MD (@mrsmommymd) on
I feel so thankful to have had a productive and rejuvenating month, but it was like going back to school after summer vacation, the time FLEW.
I'm ready to attack this second half of my PGY3 year (!!!) and see what the Lord has in store for our family this year. I pray that you all experience a New Year filled with abundant blessings...
Last year, I avoided the list of resolutions thing and just resolved to be better - a better Christian, a better wife, a better mom, daughter, sister... I think that I kept it going all year but there is always room to be a better me, so I am going to take that with me into 2017. In addition to my 30 by 30 campaign because 2017 will also be the year of 30 year old Jasmine hotness :snaps:
Happy New Year Everyone...Please be safe out there tonight!
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
- Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
Happy Christmas Eve!!
Every year I try and get a family picture taken for our Christmas card. Every year it is last minute. There was that one time back in 2011 when it wasn't, but definitely not the norm.
Last year after finding a photographer, we went to get our pictures taken and I just wasn't crazy about the way they turned out. We ended up coming home and immediately snapping our own in front of the tree. This year I decided to forego scheduling a photography session and we snapped some photos at my moms. I absolutely love them.
Below are some of my favs:
My dad came home from work and jumped in since he was dressed for the occasion
Little miss sass!
Thank you everyone for reading and staying with me on this crazy journey. Though it is difficult, I feel so blessed to be living the life I dreamed for myself. This is going to be a big year for us, I can feel it. 2017, bring it!
Last week was my first vacation week since March - I was so ready. Since we would be home for Christmas and my little brother was graduating from college on the 17th, it made sense to do our marathon road trip and cram as many visits in as possible. A little insane since it is a 12 hour drive to Michigan, but we never regret it.
First, we had to buy some coats...
My kids are so enamored with the thought of snow since we do not experience it like we did in Indiana. Poor Isabelle had yet to have a real snow day - she's practically a Southern belle. After frantically going around to three different stores, Target came through for the win. I think it is hysterical that no one was selling coats here in December.
We hit the road after big Nate got off of work and drove straight through. I love driving overnight when the kids will sleep. I wasn't able to help out with my entire half because my immune system decided it was the perfect time to come down with a cold..womp. By the time we hit Virginia, I was done. Nate took over and we made great time.
Our Detroit visit included a stay at Nate's brother's house, my Grammy's house, and Nate's Grandma's house. It's always awesome to see everyone and the kids were in heaven with their cousins.
I was kind of bummed because I didn't get to see any of my college friends that are still in the Detroit area. There just wasn't enough time - in addition to the blizzard that made elective travel risky so we just stayed put where we were.
On Tuesday, we headed to my mom's in Indiana. I looooove love love being at home. Thankfully, we were able to stay in one place for a few days until we all made the trek to Indianapolis for my little brother's graduation. I even was able to pull together our family Christmas photo and card... #habitualprocrastinator
Making gingerbread houses with Lita (my mom)
After this photo was taken, we hit the road and drove right into an ice storm. Ya'll, a trip that normally takes about 2.5hours, took about EIGHT HOURS. The highway froze while we were on it, and the police SHUT. IT. DOWN....this is the mess I DO NOT MISS about the Midwest.
....But we all made it!! Thank the Lord for his traveling mercies. And the next day after a slight delay from the ice storm (they almost cancelled it all together), we watched my baby bro walk across the stage. It was an amazing moment for many reasons. Last time I saw him he was wheel chair bound due to his football injury. I am so proud of him and God is so good!
A video posted by Jasmine Johnson, MD (@mrsmommymd) on
Brothers!!
Jordan and my proud parents
Sunday morning it was time to head back to North Carolina :tear:
We were all feeling kind of blue being back home, but we are enjoying our Christmas vacay by making our own on memories Johnson style. This 61 degree weather also helps to ease the pain a bit ;-)
Hope you all are having a great start to your holiday!
This week my kiddos and I had the pleasure of reviewing a monthly kids' activity box by Little Doebahyou. Little Doebahyou, developed by two sisters born in Liberia and raised in the United States, seeks to educate children about the rich traditions in Africa and the African Diaspora. Through colorful illustrations, fun activities, and informational cards they introduce us to cultures thousands of miles away from the comfort of our own home - with an adorable passport book to document your "travels"!
They were so excited to open a box under the tree early!
The box starts with warm wishes from the Little Doebahyou team to get you excited about the contents inside. Our box was holiday themed and focused on holiday traditions around the world.
In addition to a huge poster map, the adorable Little Doebahyou travel case was loaded with A TON of items.
From the company's website...
Every month, we carefully select each item in the Little Doebahyou box to ensure that you and your child have a fun, authentic cultural and educational experience. Each box includes one pen-pal letter from Grear & Guaye, one country passport stamp sticker, one fact sheet regarding the country of the month, one country flag, one map of the country, three cultural activities, one cooking activity, and one journal activity.
Your first subscription package also serves as an intro kit, and will include one passport, one travel journal, one sheet of decorative journal stickers, one box of colored pencils, one pen, one luggage tag, and one suitcase.
The activities were super fun for the kids and easy to do. In one sitting, we made Christmas wreath (US) ornaments and decorated a Jankunu mask (Belize). Later this week we will make the Santa Berries treat (South Africa) and do an Amigo Secreto (Brazil) gift exchange. So cool!
Jankunu mask coloring
Wreath ornaments!
It felt awesome to get away from screen time and do such an easy learning activity for the whole family! Little Doebahyouis a great year-round gift idea for the littles in your life. Check out their site for one-time or subscription options.
***My family received a free box for review, but I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own***
Gift season is coming fast! Here is a round up of some of my favorite things from the year that any doctor Mama (or working woman) in your life will enjoy...
- A Personal shopper - think Stitch Fix gift card or schedule them a fix!
2. The Gift of Portable Caffeine...Witty portable and non-portable mugs are all the rage right now and a fun conversation piece for the commuter you love.
- Fancy coffee transport
- Fancy mugs
- Coffee gift cards
3. Photo Keepsakes...I am always taking pictures of my kids. Sticky 9 is a fun and affordable way to display your favs. They will even use your Instagram photos! It's one of the most thoughtful gifts I've gotten.
4. An Awesome Bag...even though it counts as an accessory, a good bag can make toting all the things to work so much less of a burden. I invested in this perfectly compartmentalized bag this year, and I LOVE it!
LOVE, LOVE pearls!
5. Name Swag...Since I wear scrubs 99.9% of the time, the only way to show a little bit of individuality is with bomb accessories like this name plate from Monogram Hub.
6. Ear Accessory Slay-age...These beautiful earrings from Pearl and Clasp are perfect for going from the OR to clinic and then out to dinner. In my opinion, it is always an occasion for pearls.
7. The Gift of Outsourcing...No explanation necessary. Treat your favorite always-working mother to someone else doing things around the house. The sheer JOY from just thinking about someone mopping our floors. SHEER. JOY.
- Maid service
- Cooking
- Laundry
Hope this helps!! I would love to hear from you in the comments if you have any other great gift ideas....xoxo
**Disclaimer: I was gifted earrings from Pearl & Clasp for review**
I hope you all had a great weekend. We had a busy one.
Friday, Nate was feeling under the weather and after going to the doctor, it was confirmed that he had strep throat. Thank goodness after a little penicillin he is feeling much better.
It was the last interview day for our program on Saturday, and our family hosted the pre-interview dinner on Friday night. We had a great time, and the food is always delicious - the department caters a taco bar from one of the delicious Durham restaurants. So good! I also was reminded how much I love, LOVE having our house full of friends. It makes my heart smile :)
Yesterday, I spent the whole day doing interview things and wrapping up with my class well into the evening. I was so exhausted when I got home, I fell asleep watching Alvin & the Chipmunks with the kiddos.
Today has been a a much-needed chill day. Thanks to the interview dinner, not only are my Christmas decorations finished, but my house is the cleanest its been since we moved in...No lie. Hopefully, I can keep this momentum going, but lets be real, I probably will not...haha
Ya'll...I'm super excited about my Christmas decor this year. Not only did we get our biggest tree yet, but I channeled my mom's decor sense and tried to tie in a number of other decorating touches around the house including decorating our mantle with tree trimmings. Just call me Moesha Stuart ;-)
Now that December is here, I can play my Christmas music with no shame. YAY!!
