Lucky Me

I have been blessed enough to have been busy doing this recently:

This adorable little one is only five days old here.  Having not known whether or not I was ever going to be able to take pictures again only a few weeks ago, each image feels like a gift to me.  I feel so lucky that I am seeing well and able to take these pictures.  I had a horrible headache the rest of the day after this shoot and my eyes were sore, so I won't be doing it often yet, but I'm getting there.  

If you want to see the whole gallery, they can be found at:  http://kjohnstonphoto.smugmug.com .  Then just click on the first gallery.  (For some reason, the gallery isn't loading normally; clicking "refresh" will bring up the images; I'm trying to get that fixed... Annoying!)

Adam's gone this weekend to New Orleans, so it's just us girls.  We're planning on having a good time tonight with friends, will be busy with the cookie booth all day tomorrow, and perhaps have a movie night Saturday night.  Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Orange Belt

Almost two weeks ago, Grace tested for her Orange Belt in her martial arts class.  She did amazingly well.  She is so calm and focused!  She was even better prepared for this test, mainly because she knew what to expect and knew to trust herself and not worry about what other kids were doing.  We were very proud of her--but I think she is even more proud of herself!  

Grace showing off the many stars she's earned by doing chores every month (red=300-399 chores; blue=400+ chores!):

The yellow and orange belts waiting while the white belts tested:

Grace doing "TK 1", taking down a boy :-)

Grace after getting her orange belt, shaking Bhak Bonnie's hand (her only female teacher, who can kick some serious ass while still being super cute--a GREAT role model for a little girl!), the whole group after earning their belts, and the proud girl.

We ended the evening by going out for malts, fries, and Grace even got a strawberry tart.  It was quite a decadent end to a great evening.  Now she's moving towards earning her purple belt!  (which will be a while...)  

a blur

I have lots more to write, but I'm only on a brief escape from helping in Grace's class during a surprise assembly, and wanted to share...  

It seems obvious now, but I was talking to Grace's teacher this morning and saying how much better I'm doing now, etc., but how most of January and February were spent obsessing over my eye and the stress of all that and I don't remember much else.  She responded, saying, "yes, it was all just a blur, literally and figuratively."  I like that.  A lot.  Because it really, really was.  

But, yes, it is getting better.  I'm doing more, feeling more like myself everyday, and still healing well.  I go back to the doctor next Thursday--on World Glaucoma Day.  I'm thinking about bringing a cake.  With a big eyeball on it.  All those wonderful people in that office need a huge thank you anyway.  And, what's the point of having glaucoma if I can't have a little fun with it, too!  :-)  Glaucoma Day.  The whole concept totally cracks me up.  

March 12.