A Very Awkward Christmas.

I started a tradition last year that I didn't exactly know was going to be a tradition.

I'm a huge fan of awkwardness. So Chad and I took an awkward Christmas picture...I made an awkward card...and sent it out to a bunch of family and friends. We got such a great response from it that I decided to make it a family tradition. 

Best. Idea. Ever.

2011 Johansen Awkward Christmas

Meowy Christmas From the Johansen's!
Screen shot of our 2011 card from the website I ordered it from. (zazzle.com - a super awesome custom order anything website) Sidenote: This is not our cat. We do not own a cat.
Fun fact: I was actually around 6 weeks pregnant in this picture but it was before we were really telling anyone. :)



This year we have a super cute "prop" for our awkward Christmas! She makes this tradition WAY more fun. Poor poor Shaylyn....she's in for a long ride with these parents of hers. So far though I'd say she fits right in to this awkward family, but you can be the judge of that...............

2012 Johansen Awkward Christmas

Made this year's card on picaboo.com -  so easy to custom make them! And also awesome that I got a great deal on all the cards from Groupon. 

This could be really embarrassing so it's a good thing we only sent this to 100 of our family and friends (and posted it here online for anyone to see)............

Have a very AWKWARD Christmas and a HAPPY New Year!!
(I'm not sure how we'll out awkward ourselves next year....we really went for it this year.)

xo,

The Johansen's

Chad, Brooke, and Shaylyn

12/14/12

Dear Shaylyn,

You don't know this but something very sad happened Friday, December 14th. A really sad, angry, and confused young man went into a school and shot some very innocent little children. I won't even waste my breath trying to explain what that man could have possibly been thinking because nothing....absolutely nothing....can make me understand it.

Instead I want to tell you how it made me feel. How it made me hold you a little closer at bedtime. How it made me cry watching you sleep after you had a full belly simply because I knew there were mom's on the under side of the country who would never see their babies sleep again. How it made your dad and I have a conversation on "worst case scenarios" with something happening in a public setting and make a plan of what we could do. How it shook me to my bones to know we can't protect you from everything. How it made me literally nauseous knowing that there are terrorists in our own country attacking not only our own, but the ones that can't defend themselves.

This is just the tip of the iceberg on all the emotions this tragedy brought up but most of all it made me feel more love. Goodness Shaylyn...if I don't teach you anything else in this lifetime please let me teach you about love. It's so important to feel it and give it. It can turn anything around. I'm not just talking about showing love to your family and friends (although that's very important.) But send out goodness and love into the whole world. You don't have to grow up to be the President, a disease curing doctor, or anyone else with an "important" title in order to change the world. You have the possibility to change the world within you just by sending out love and goodness. This is exactly why you make me and your dad better people. It's our goal as your parents to show you by example how to live that way. Not only will you make the world a better and happier place...but can you imagine how happy your life will be too? Giving and receiving that much love and light? Now....let's be real....I am not always good at this. And that's okay. It's okay to not always be able to do this. But as long as there are other people in the world giving out that same love, they'll be able to pick you up when you need it. That's why it's so important to surround yourself with those people who are giving you that love too. It'll pick you up when you need it, push you when you need pushing, catch you when you're falling, and completely envelop you with warmth, security, and happiness. Hang on to the people in your life that challenge you to be a better person.

I'm so sad for all of those effected by the tragedy in Connecticut. Innocence was ripped right out from underneath so many beautiful children. I'm praying for everyone...the people that were taken away and the ones still with us.

Alright, I'm finished for now. Just know that I love you Shaylyn and you have so much to give this world and it's all within you!!

xo,
Your Momma