Traditions...

When I was younger I never thought I was a good writer. Then I took my first college english course and the teacher kept telling me to "write what you know." I wrote about our Johnson family Christmas tree hunt with my father as the leader of our pack...can't find the original story but the memories are always strong...especially this time of the year...strong family tradtion...

Every year shortly after Thanksgiving KAJman(our dad) would dawn his bright orange hunting hat signaling it was time for the hunt...hunt for the year's trophy 18 foot Christmas tree.

Our family would get all bundled up, boots, hats, mittens, down jackets, scarves up to our eyes...four children plump from all the layers loaded into the "woody" station wagon all fighting for the back seat. The hidden seat in the trunk so you looked out at the cars behind you. After all settled into our positions, dad prepared with a full 12 pack of Diet Coke under his legs or was it the megaswig stage at this time? Dad would turn the inginition and we were off up the highway to some remote tree farm in northern minnesota where my dad knew we would find the perfect tree.


















My parents house has gorgeous 18 ft. ceilings in the living room and my father placed special hooks so the tree sat perfectly in the middle of the stained glass window. Gorgeous every year...

This year is different with our missing link. We decided to put the tree outside this year and decorate with popcorn and cranberry strings, pinecones with peanutbutter and birdseed, all food for the birds. As the topper we used dad's signature bright orange stocking cap as our shining star tree topper, our angel!!!!

We love you dad!

Also Mavisu is growing more beautiful everyday! She just got over her first cold and we are getting eager to see her daddy when we go back to Turkey in January.

Hope all are having a good holiday season whatever holidays you celebrate! Hope it is filled with love and time to be with those loved ones! xoxo


















Mavisu is getting ready...with her party dress on! Will take picks of the outside tree soon.

Yep...

She just keeps getting cuter:)

Mercy home foundation...

One of my dearest friends, Trinea is doing a round the world trip. She has currently stopped off in India to work with a non-profit named Mercy Home Foundation who helps take care of women who would other wise have no where else to go. They all have some varying form of autism or other mental disorders but are basically all grouped together since they lack funding for doctors to diagnose let alone treat them.

They need basic necessities most of all and a place to feel safe, warm and home!!!

Please read more of Trinea's journey at http://itstrinea.com/ and donate whatever you can at mercy home foundation

The above photo is from when Trinea visited me in Turkey. We are standing in front of the Sultanahmet, Blue Mosque on a spring day.

We are lucky girls to have been born healthy and safe with loving families!

Elimination communication; ie: baby potty training!

Ok so I heard about this from my sister...she had been in Costa Rica for the summer working at this enviromental learning center, Rancho Mastatal in the jungle... pretty sweet but that is a different story.

She told me how the little girl who was only one year old would use a hand signal when she needed to use the potty. She can't talk yet but is signally for the potty! My sister suggested I teach Mavisu to do the same.

At first I thought it seemed a bit crazy, let's be honest but was willing to at least read the book and give it a try.

I got the book from the library and it took me forever to read as I have a newborn and life is on baby time...how does the time fly by? (oh but I love her so much!)Tip to new moms...have it close to you for everytime you breast feed you can read.

So I read Ingrid Bauer's book, Diaper free! The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygeine. and it made a lot of sense. That this early potty training only actually sounds crazy to the western world. That you tune into your child and watch facial expressions and noises to know when they need to relieve themselves.

So I started with Mavisu yesterday...and havn't had time to write about it...

life is different these days...been trying to finish this blog entry for days!!! but i am a new momma who can't seem to find the time and must learn to do all things one handed!!! love it but is a whole new world!!!!!!

i'm tired...will go into detail later about how it is going...my baby using the potty...

note: her leg warmers for easy diaper on and off...ohhh she is cute!

Mehmet Ali...

Seni seviyoruz!

Seni ozliyoruz!

My dear father-in-law passed on October 25th 2009. He had a long battle with lung cancer that had metastasized to his brain.

Thank you for your beautiful son!













Mavisu's two grandpa angels!

I am so glad they met and we all had a good time together before this craziness all happened!

As my mom pointed out...hopefully my dad and Ali are in heaven together playing Tavla(backgammon) where language is not a problem. Smiling down on us!

They will be missed everyday but thank you for your legacy!

We cherish the memories and thank you for what you left behind in us all!

sharp, surprising stab in the back...

First off thinking and praying for my dearest auntie godmother who had a double mastectomy yesterday...Dearest Auntie I love you more than words! You are so special, kind, giving, thoughtful, selfless and wonderful! A true inspiration...you don't need boobs to be any of those things:) I promise to have a petite syrah and lentil soup ready to aid in a speedy recovery.

FUCK CANCER (sorry but swearing is necessary sometimes!)

As far as thoughts of my father we still are going through the motions, living life and able to laugh and talk about dad but then it(the reality of his absence) sneaks up behind you and stabs you in the back...but as my mom said that is good. We need to feel it.

The most recent tear-jerker was this morning, a card from my great-aunt Audrey who lives in Arizona:

My most outstanding memory of Kim is when he met me at the airport after Dayton died(my father's father). He greeted me with a big hug and his famous smile, and I thought:"I bet he learned to show warmth that way from Theresa(mom)." Us Johnsons, my generation and previous ones for sure, were pretty much taught not be very demonstrative. So I thank you for your love for him and for helping him and will always remember him that way. He really made me feel like family.

So thank you Aunt Audrey for the note and for keeping in touch! Very special!


The above photo is from when my mom and dad came to Turkey to check out this other life. It makes my heart so happy that my dad got to meet the future in-laws and see just what I have been living. It one thing to hear about places but a whole other to experience them.

My dad's neck had gotten really cramped from his first really long plane trip. Well at the time we blamed the trip but in hindsight we wonder if it had to do with the cancer? I was helping support his neck so he could see the beautiful domed ceilings at the Hagia Sophia mosque/church(a must when you all come visit us in Istanbul:).We were laughing away of course.

The one time I could support my dad. He loved and supported us countless unasked times. I realize now something I sort of took for granted, the solid rock, supportive roots that was my father. But now I ask myself "WWKD" -What Would KAJMAN Do? How would my father do it? It helps.

I was inspired to post this pic since my dear seester has a photo of her and dad on facebook. It is good to be reminded even though it hurts.

Thanks to all for sharing stories they mean a lot to us. Never forget.

Girlfriends...

Two of my best girlfriends came to town this weekend. It was amazing and we didn't have to do anything.

Girlfriend sessions are so necessary. It is a counseling session filled with giggles. So good for the soul!

We thought of our San Diego lives when the world revolved around only us and just hanging out together. Now so much has changed; a world not just for us, marriage, birth, death, travels, moves, new houses.

We are in such different times in our lives but it comforts my soul to know we will always be friends no matter how many miles apart we are. That our next generation will have some wonderful aunties! Although I wish I could put you in my pocket and pull you out whenever I need you.

Thankyou for coming my darlings!

Also thank you to my mother's wonderful girlfriends/sisters that have helped her and us all so much through these tough times! You are such special ladies! I worry so much less about my mother's heart hurting when I think of you!