The Chapman Clan

My girl is not afraid of anything!

2010-04-16T21:17:00.005-04:00

Abigail LOVES frogs, lizards, rolly pollys, worms, bugs, etc. If it crawls, jumps, hops, slithers, she loves it. I actually love that she is not afraid of creepy crawly's! She has a bug box and fills it with something almost daily!

Easter 2010

2010-04-11T23:55:00.002-04:00

????????????

2010-03-14T22:24:00.001-04:00

Does anyone still read this thing????

My girl loves her Carebears!

2009-07-21T22:03:00.002-04:00

To sum it up....

2009-05-30T20:57:00.005-04:00

We LOVE living in Charleston! We have had so much fun exploring all the great things to do here! We have only been here 3 weeks and we have had already 6 visitors! But we love it! We have a nice queen bed and a hide-a-bed couch, so everyone is welcome to stay anytime! We have been to the beach at Isle of Palms, visited the magnificent Angel Oak tree on John's Island, to the battery, downtown to the market, and to numerous parks! There is one great park down the street that has anywhere between 10 and 15 kids playing any given sunny afternoon! We have frequented there quite a bit!! Abigail has met a few friends and is already signed up for dance camp and teddy bear camp (whatever that is). I am just trying to keep the girl busy! Here are some pics from our first month living in sunny Charleston!

Fun slippin and slidin!

I'M BAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK

2009-05-28T21:30:00.002-04:00

I know friends, I am a blog neglecter. I promise to update soon as soon as our camera battery is charged and I can pull off some pictures! We LOVE Mt. Pleasant so far and have already been to the beach and MANY parks! We love our new church and are meeting new friends. Promise an update will be forthcoming!!

We're Moving!!!

2009-04-06T13:10:00.004-04:00

We announced this several weeks ago but since I am blog-neglecter, I haven't posted to all my blog friends!!! The Chapman family is moving to Charleston, SC next month. We are excited to go but have bittersweet feelings about leaving. Jonathan has accepted a position as High School Pastor at East Cooper Baptist Church on Mt. Pleasant. We have felt the Lord's leading and His affirmation COMPLETELY though this process so we know this is where He wants us. The church we are leaving is both mine and Jonathan's home church, where we grew up, so it was a hard decision to make, but we are excited at what awaits us.

We hope to begin looking for a place to live down there this week. I wish $100K would fall out of the sky to help us pay for a house down there, since housing is SIGNIFICANTLY higher in Charleston.

I know our girls will love it, being minutes from the beach and learning all the history and fun things to do in Charleston. Please pray along with us as we make this transition!!

From the rising of the Sun...

2009-02-24T22:55:00.003-05:00

What can be more pleasing to God than to hear His children praising Him??? It sure warms my heart!! Abigail learned this song in her preschool class. She has a new teacher this semester who knows a good bit of sign language and is teaching the children through songs! Abigail is beginning to learn more about God, His goodness and love. She asks us questions frequently about Jesus. Her latest question was whether or not Jesus had a Pinnochio video in heaven. Then she told me later that day that she'd rather go to Myrtle Beach than Heaven...Oh the girl has a lot to learn!!

Turn up your volume!

Oh the fun we have at the dinner table...

2009-02-12T23:26:00.003-05:00

I put this video on facebook and everyone loved it, so this is for my non-facebook readers!!

Annabelle

2009-01-28T13:52:00.003-05:00

Today marks the first birthday of Annabelle Butcher, the daughter of a great friend of mine. Annabelle was born exactly one year today with a severe heart defect, HLHS. Annabelle lived a glorious 8 weeks with us here on earth and is celebrating her first birthday with Jesus today!! In memory of such a sweet angel, her mother, Rebecca asked her family and friends, that if they had been touched by Annabelle, to release balloons to heaven in honor of her on this special day.

While I was preparing lunch for the girls, Abigail took her time preparing a birthday card for Annabelle. After we ate, we went outside, said a prayer, and released them to such a special little girl. Happy Birthday Annabelle!!!

This SLP Mama is SO proud!

2009-01-26T22:37:00.002-05:00

Tagged

2009-01-18T19:05:00.009-05:00

Kristen tagged me for this on her blog so here goes...

Here are the rules:
1. Choose the 4th folder where I store my pictures on the computer.
2. Select the 4th picture in the folder.
3. Explain the picture.
4. Tag 4 people to do the same.
5. No cheating (cropping, editing, etc.)OK I know this requires A LOT of explanation, but I followed the rules! This picture was taken Thanksgiving of 2003, when Jonathan and I were living in Fort Worth, TX while he was in seminary. We, along with my brother, his wife, and another couple friend of ours, set out to find the grave of Lee Harvey Oswald (JFK's assassin). He is actually buried in Fort Worth and very few people know about it. THIS IS HIS REAL GRAVE, NO KIDDING! I assume his family wanted him buried in an inconspicuous place b/c of the conspiracy surrounding the whole JFK assassination, and the media frenzy it generated. The funny part about it is he is buried to a comedian named Nick Beef, who bought the plot next to Oswald so people would be able to find it! You can't miss a grave marked NICK BEEF!!! I tried to post the link that explains the mysterious "Nick Beef" grave marker, but if you type in "Nick Beef" into google, it will direct you to the website.

Fun game! Thanks Kristen!

I tag Jen, Mary, Megan and Lea.

My favorite Christmas gift

2008-12-28T23:07:00.003-05:00

Dear God...

2008-12-23T22:40:00.003-05:00

Jonathan and I try our best to help our girls understand the importance of blessing our food before we partake of it. Above all, we want to teach them to be THANKFUL for the things God has blessed us with. Tonight, we were pretty proud of Abigail when she prayed this prayer (although she did throw in a few extra things...)

May we all be so THANKFUL for the most precious gift that was ever given, the birth of our Savior.

Merry Christmas friends~

Ok, you've proven yourself....

2008-12-18T15:20:00.006-05:00

I just now checked my blog and noticed TEN comments, never in the history of this thing have I gotten TEN comments, so friends, I will continue the updating....

Ok, so Rachel had her first birthday December 6th. We had mostly a family party but we all sure packed out my house! Rachel had a great time opening all the gifts, as did Abigail. We had a hard time prying them out of Abigail's hands and kept having to tell her they were Rachel's gifts and not hers! She told us that she would "share" Rachel's gifts with her!

Diving into her own cake! Funny story...I only ordered a big cake and just thought I would cut her a little peice and let her dive in...when we picked up the cake, they threw the small cake in for free!
Off to the tub!

Opening her gifts...

I can't believe my baby is ONE!

Leave me a comment...

2008-12-17T21:58:00.002-05:00

I know I have not updated this blog for a long time. The main reason being I just don't think many people read it. I usually upload our new pictures and videos to facebook because I know most everyone sees them there. So, if you happen to check and read this...leave me a message so I can see actually how many people read it before I quit blogging altogether...

Love to all! :)

Johanna

Long Overdue Halloween Pictures

2008-11-08T08:16:00.003-05:00

Our family had a great time trick-or-treating Halloween night! It was so stinkin cold so we weren't out long but still got LOADS of candy!

Selfless

2008-10-22T21:12:00.002-04:00

For 5 years, I worked as a Speech Pathologist in an elementary school. I KNOW and have seen firsthand how kids bicker, fuss and fight over place in line, who will carry the teacher's lunchbox, who gets to the class first...the list goes on and on. Nowadays, I have found myself teaching first grade choir at my church on Wednesday nights. I love staying at home, but I enjoy teaching it because it places me back with that sweet age that I love so much. After choir, I always line up the girls and take them to their GA (Girls in Action-for those who aren't Baptist) class where they learn about missions and evangelism. I have one little girl in my class who is very needy and was just adopted a few months ago, yes at age SIX. Let's call her Lucy. I have found myself drawn to her. To help her, comfort her.

As we lined up tonight to depart to GA's, Lucy kept saying "Can I please be line leader?, Can I please be line leader?" By this time there was already a line of at least 5 girls and I didn't think it was fair to allow her first place after all the others had been waiting patiently to leave. So I said, frustrated with the situation, "just stand here, we're all going to the same place. It doesn't matter where you are in line." Of course, Lucy's tears break loose. Halfway there, I gathered myself and explained to her that we really were all going to the same place and that we'd all get there at the same time, and that if she reminded me, she could be line leader next week. Still tears.

And right then, out of the mouth of the sweet girl in front of her "you can get in front of me". SELFLESSNESS. Even a six year old child comprehends this. I struggle with it. I bet most of us do. We are born loving ourselves. Its innate in us from the beginning of our existence. Its NOT about us people. Our soul existence is to glorify our Lord Jesus. That's why we're here, and I am so comforted by that. This whole experience tonight reminded me of a song we used to sing a lot at our old church in TX..

Its all about you, Jesus
And all this is for You,
For your glory and your fame,
Its not about me,
As if you should do things my way,
You alone are God and I surrender to your way.

Suze Orman (financial guru) always says.."People first, then money, then things".
I like to think of it as "Jesus first, then people, then things..."

Reason for my absence...

2008-10-19T23:00:00.006-04:00

Sorry for the lack of activity on this thing. I want to post all about our trip to the SC State Fair, Abigail's singing debut, Rachel walking, and our trip to Charleston this weekend, but this blasted computer won't let me post any pictures or video and well, blogging is pretty boring with out them! So for now...thanks for your patience...until I talk Jonathan into reformatting the whole thing!

Update on Baby Gracie

2008-10-01T12:51:00.001-04:00

The Lord called Baby Gracie home this morning...please pray for her family as they face these coming days without her. Below is an update I pulled directly from their blogsite.

THE LORD JESUS CALLED OUR AMAZING GRACIE HOMETHIS MORNING AT 8:08 Am. After a 7 month fight to remain with mom and dad, brother and family, Our Lord said,"Gracie you come home to me now"

Gracie battled mightly througout the night. At 3:30 A.M the family gathered and began a wonderful time of each one holding Gracie ad sharing her sweet kisses and loving her with all that we have.

Grandpa Brown decided to go last as he got to spend three precious hours holding Gracie on Monday before the surgery. Everyone had a glorious time. GrandPa Bill Lockyer had her snuggled sweetly in his arms shortly after 8:00.

Gracie had been unresponsive for the two hours previous and the Doctors and nurses had told us that she may have already passed and was being kept alive by the medicines and machines.

However the wonderful Savior knew different and Gracie opened her eyes wide, turned her head, gave two deep breaths and left with the Lord to heaven. Heaven was in the room.

Thank you all so much! We love you. Arrangements will be posted soon.

Grandpa Brown for Todd and Amanda

From Todd and Amanda:

The last few hours have been a whirlwind!! But, please do not be shocked and saddened--we are rejoicing. Gracie has been given the victory! We were fighting to keep her here and she fought with us each minute of each day without looking back....back when the Lord Jesus called her name, she obeyed and everlasting peace and comfort began for her--to never end!!

Please pray for this precious baby girl...

2008-09-28T21:34:00.003-04:00

This is Gracie Lockyer. I do not know her or her family but have been following their blog for several weeks now. She was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. I learned of Gracie's blog and story from a dear friend whose baby was also born with HLHS. She is 7 months old and has NEVER left the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Duke Hospital. This baby is in DIRE need of our prayers.

You can read her blog and the whole story at www.caringbridge.org/visit/graciejeanlockyer. She will have a surgery to attempt to repair her heart defect in just a few days in which she has only been given 10% chance of survival. Please pray fervently for baby Gracie and her parents, Todd and Amanda. They are believers and are trusting God completely with their daughter. What an awesome testimony to God's goodness.

Dialogue between Abigail and furniture delivery man...

2008-09-12T09:54:00.004-04:00

Abigail: "You are missing some teeth!"
Delivery Man: "I am missing lots of teeth. I haven't been to the dentist in a long time."

My New Hobby

2008-09-05T14:31:00.004-04:00

I got really tired of paying $6+ for hairbows so I tried making them myself! Much to my surprise, I was pretty good at it! I started by investing only about $30 on ribbon and hair clips and those materials made me 20 bows! Jonathan told me I should sell them so I called the toy store down road and I think they actually may help me sell them in their store! So exciting! Anyway, here are some of my firsts...

Yearbook Yourself!!

2008-08-25T21:47:00.004-04:00

1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

This was SOOOO funny! Yearbook yourself at www.yearbookyourself.com!!

The latest on the Chapmans...

2008-08-21T21:18:00.005-04:00

In Abigail news, we have had a fun few weeks before she went back to preschool today. She is so excited to be in her 3 year old class, but happy with some familiar faces from last year's class.

Changing baby's diaper... On her way to her first day of preschool for 2008...
She loves her Tinkerbell backpack.
Playing in her new class for the first time...
And if I didn't know any better, I might think Abigail was showing some autistic tendencies by lining up her panties on the fireplace. She loves to find her clean panties (yes would only let her play with them if they were clean) out of the clean clothes and play with them. Why, you may ask? I have no idea. Anyhow, this what she did with them...(she'll also stuff them in her Dora backpack and walk around the house with them.)

My sweet Rachel is growing up so fast! Look at her already standing! She's only 8 months! She loves to play with her big sister!

Rachel is also crawling SO fast! She is like bullet and into EVERYTHING! One day this week I was in the bathroom getting ready and I came out into our room and couldn't find her. Here is where I found her...My sweet Rachel. And here is where I found Jonathan tonight with his head INSIDE the paper shredder attempting to fix it! I was really tempted to close the door and turn it on but I refrained :).

In other news, I am officially a STAY AT HOME MOM! It feels really strange to not go back to school after 5 years of working there, but I am loving being home more with my kids. It is a blessing to be able to work PT treating a few speech clients on Jonathan's day off to make a little extra money.

That's been the latest with us in a nutshell!

Girls' trip to the beach!

2008-08-08T13:59:00.008-04:00

Two of my best friends came to visit this past week from Texas. They are friends from grad school and are also both speech pathologists and work in the public schools. It had been 2 long years since I had seen them, so it was SO SO SO SO nice to see them again. We made a girl's trip down to Myrtle Beach where I showed them all around the beach. I also got to meet Ashleigh's little girl, Ryleigh, for the first time! She is so precious and had so much fun playing with Abigail. My mother-in-law graciously kept Rachel for me during the day so I would not be tied down with a baby while we were there. Jonathan kept her at night. We had a great time and made such great memories!!!! Love you girls!!

Abigail, Me, Ryleigh, Angie, Ashleigh in front of Sarah J's. It was good even if we had to eat at dinner at 4pm!

Ryleigh and Abigail in their matching PJ's Angie bought them. Angie's yummy breakfast plate we threw together...breakfast in bed!

Playing on the beach!

And of course on a girls weekend, you have to get a little crazy once the kids go to bed! We were attempting to mimick stupid celebrity expressions...

"TOOT"

2008-07-18T21:26:00.002-04:00

Tonight's dialogue between me and Abigail:

"TOOT" (passing gas)

Me: "Abigail, did you pass gas?"
Abigail: "No, I didn't.
Me: "Are you sure?"
Abigail: "Mom it wasn't me because I don't have a toot in my booty."

Must have been Daddy!!!

Summer Fun

2008-07-12T22:57:00.006-04:00

I am sorry so much time has passed since I have updated this blog. I am not even sure how many people even read it, but for me, I try to keep it up to chronicle my children's lives to have for years to come. Hopefully, nothing will ever happen to blogspot! Here are just a few things that have been going on in our family this summer. Enjoy!

Cake Baking with Mom

Flying a kite with Daddy

Jumping the waves

I promise Rachel was not being tortured here although it looks that way. That carrier just is hard adjust!
In this video, Abigail decided she wanted to gather all the instruments/toys in the house that made noise and took them into her room to put on a "show" for us. Here is her production:

And another (sorry about my really annoying laugh at the end)...

In other news, Rachel is 7 months and crawling all over the place. She went from not even sitting up by herself in mid June to crawling in mid July. Abigail walked at 9 months and I bet she will too. In fact, the other day I went into get her out of her crib after her nap, and she was STANDING! We had to lower her crib to the lowest setting that night! That's been our summer in a nutshell!

7 years

2008-06-21T14:43:00.005-04:00

On Monday, Jonathan and I will celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary! These seven years really have been the happiest of my life. I am so thankful to have a husband who is a faithful provider and leader to our family. He works very hard so I can work part-time and stay home with our children. I love the way he rubs my back at night until I fall asleep, plays with our girls, keeps track of our finances (because I have no idea), makes a special trip to gas up my car (I mean van :)), grills up a mean burger, and brings me home Starbucks frappachinos. There are so so many more. In these 7 years, we have moved 4 times, lived in 3 different cities, had 6 cars, adopted our first pet, survived 3 years of seminary, and produced 2 very beautiful, wonderful, precious little girls. And this, my friends, is what 7 years of marriage will do to you!!!

I love you, baby! Happy Anniversary!!! Love forever and ever, Johanna

Bi-vocational Abigail

2008-06-17T14:14:00.003-04:00

Today while Jonathan was putting Abigail down for her nap, she was talking about our jobs. Jonathan told her about our jobs and that Mommy was a Speech Pathologist and Daddy was a Minister. When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she replied " I want to be a speech padologist AND a lizard".

Dad

2008-06-15T13:21:00.006-04:00

Today is Father's Day. I am so grateful and blessed to have my Dad. On November 3, 1985, my Mom married Paul Huggins. He is my step-dad. He jumped into our family and began raising my brother and I as if we were his biological children. This is the Dad who taught me how to ride a bike. This is the Dad who taught me how to swim. This is the Dad who helped me with my highschool math homework until 11:00pm until I got too frustrated, began to cry, and just went to bed. He is the one who used to call me his "little princess". He is the one who will do any handy man job without complaining. He is the one who started a Roth IRA for me with "babysitting money" when I was 13 and had no clue of the importance of investing. He is the one who, together with my Mom, paid for my entire four years of my undergraduate degree. He is the one who walked me down the aisle on my wedding day 7 years ago. I may not be related to him by blood, but as far as I am concerned, he is my Dad.

From the mouth of babes...

2008-06-10T22:29:00.004-04:00

Since Sunday, Abigail, Rachel and I have been down here at the beach while Jonathan is at Beach Blast with his youth kids. Tonight we snuck into the pool of the Royal Garden Hotel to swim. While I was holding Abigail and attempting to teach her how to swim, she was holding onto my underarms and begins to make a funny face. This is how our conversation went: '
Me:"Why are you making that funny face?"
Abigail: "Because I am touching your scratchy hair."
Guess it's time for a shave!!

A few quick pics of Rachel

2008-06-05T23:06:00.002-04:00

Photography by Creative Portriats by Cha.

Funny Story

2008-06-04T08:02:00.004-04:00

Ok, so this morning I stopped at McDonald's in Chapin for a cup of coffee on my way to work. Of course McDonald's does not have the best reputation for customer service, but with only 2 people working in the restaurant and the drive thru line a mile deep, this poor guy really was doing the best he could. I walked inside and stood in front of the counter about 2 minutes before he was able to look at me to take my order. Meanwhile, an EMS worker parks his ambulance outside and comes inside. He stands behind me in line MAYBE for about a minute and a half and I begin to hear him grumbling behind me and how dissatisfied he was about the cashier not even acknowledging us. Finally he screams this and walks out: "If I treated people like this, they would be in body bags!".

First visit to the Dentist!

2008-05-22T22:11:00.003-04:00

Abigail had her first trip to the dentist on Tuesday! The pictures perfectly capture the progression of her feelings that day! She did great! The dentist said her teeth are beautiful, although he predicts braces in her future! We better start saving!

Minivan Mom

2008-05-18T14:46:00.005-04:00

Never in a million years did I ever think I would be the owner of a minivan. If you would have told me 10 or even 5 years ago I would own one, I would have laughed and laughed. But the truth is that with two small children, it just makes sense. A few years ago, I got caught up into the "SUV just looks cooler" attitude. I have come to realize that convienence is just worth so much more than looking hip. Its a used 2006 Kia Sedona and we got a great deal, I mean GREAT deal, on the verge of stealing it! I have SO much room and for the first time ever Abigail can't annoy the heck out of me by kicking the back of my seat! I LOVE IT!!

A few pictures...

2008-05-14T14:00:00.004-04:00

Here are a few pictures taken to give my mom and mom in law for Mother's day. Photography by Cha Chapman .

My girls are growing too fast!

Conversations

2008-05-11T00:09:00.006-04:00

Here is a video I took a few weeks back. Abigail usually has very long conversations with her animals during nap time. This was one of those times. On this particular day, she did not want to wear a shirt to bed. Make sure your volume is up loud!

A Joyful Noise

2008-05-03T21:40:00.006-04:00

Nothing warms my heart more than seeing my 3 year-old daughter making a joyful noise to Jesus!! Luke 18:15-17 says “But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

ps- Abigail insisted on wearing her WINTER hat today, despite 85 degree temperatures.

(Be sure to read below to see the surprise visitor in our backyard!)

SNAKE!!

2008-05-03T21:01:00.005-04:00

(edit:05/05/2008- Many have brought it to my attention that the snake looks longer than 3 feet. Now that I think about and look at it, I think it probably was closer to 4 feet! Plus, it was curled up when I took the picture next to the broom! Anyhow, it was HUGE to see in our residential neighborhood! )

We had a surprise visitor in our backyard today...a 3' long SNAKE! I put the broom next to him so you could get a good idea of how long he was! We think he was just a black snake and harmless, but it was very strange seeing him so close to our home. I have an issue with killing animals just to kill them (since he was harmless) but our attempts to lure him into a bucket to then release him into some nearby woods failed. He finally just slithered across the fence into our neighbor's yard. I would tell them but since they never talk to us, I will just let Mr. Snake slither into their sewer system and bite them on the bahonkus. :) (That's for you, Angie)

My Giggly Girl

2008-05-02T21:19:00.002-04:00

Rachel will be 5 months on Tuesday! I love this age. She loves to be tickled and laughs at her sister constantly. I am so blessed...

Nemohead

2008-04-27T16:19:00.002-04:00

Abigail being silly trying out her Nemo hat on Rachel!

My heart swells...

2008-04-25T13:00:00.004-04:00

http://www.jonathanchapman.wordpress.com/

"I will dance with Cinderella"

2008-04-23T22:42:00.002-04:00

I am usually not the "cheesy christian song" type, but this morning in the car I heard one of those songs that brought tears to my eyes. It was "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman. He wrote the song about his two daughters who grew up too fast and he often forgot to savor those precious moments with them instead of letting life get in the way. It reminded me about my own life and MY two precious daughters. Abigail a girly girl if I ever saw one. She loves princesses, tiaras and high-heeled shoes. She also thinks that Jonathan and I are wonderful. The song made me realize that these moments are SO fleeting. In no time our girls will be teenagers who think we are boring and old. And not too long after that they will be getting married and out of the house forever. I often times get frustrated and want to rush the kids to bed so I can have "me" time. Although time without kids is very important, I recognize that I need to cherish the moments I have with my children more often. God does not promise us tomorrow. They could be taken away from me in a second. As many of you know, I have resigned my position as a Speech Pathologist in the district where I currently work to stay home with my girls next year. I am excited to be home more with them instead of making the most of the last 3-4 hours of their day, which is about how much I see them on working days. I look forward to the next several years while I stay home and probably do some part-time speech work. So, I am counting the days until I am out for this summer....about 6 weeks!

Princess Wishes

2008-04-18T22:18:00.000-04:00

Last night, Jonathan and I took Abigail to see "Princess Wishes: Disney on Ice". Jonathan thoroughly enjoyed it. He was excited all day long. Really though, he was a good sport about going and seeing the excitement in the eyes of Abigail made it all worthwhile. We were lucky enough to get the tickets free, but believe me, we spent PLENTY in consessions. I think 2 Chick-fil-A sandwiches, a large coke, and a box of popcorn rounded us out at about $24! RIDICULOUS!!! I can't beleive I even let myself to it!! Anyway, Abigail looked forward to it all week and thought it was the best thing ever.

Abigail and her friend Jackson in their Nemo hats.

And there's Cinderella!!

Here I go!

2008-04-18T21:25:00.000-04:00

This is for all you have been begging me for pictures! I have finally joined the blogging world and hope that I can keep this up so everyone can enjoy my precious girls as much as I do. We have been blessed so much in the last year...Rachel was born in December and Abigail has turned 3 years old. Both are tremendous joys in my life, along with my great husband of almost 7 years!! Enjoy!!