evan, lindsay, nina, elena and esther

The media of this post is mostly directed to my Dad, but I want to let all of my dads in my life know how much I love and appreciate them. Fathers are so important. I have so much to thank my own father for. He has so much faith and integrity. My love for him is always growing. I also have so much gratitude for the father who raised my husband. Evan is the newest father in my life - Nina's father. I also love and miss my mom and dad's late fathers a lot. I've enjoyed getting to know Evan's grandfathers as well. It goes on and on. So many fathers. So much goodness. My heart is so full.

My dad has always been there for me, even at times when I didn't know I needed him. Here is proof of this fact:


This is a picture of my dad as a 19 year old student at BYU in 1965. Handsome huh? And killer glasses! haha How his picture wound up in SE Idaho and into my path could be considered a small but to me, significant miracle. Three weeks ago I decided to stop in DI (deseret industries for those who aren't familiar, it's a thrift store). I found a funny sweater for Nina as I did my usual thrift shop scavenging. On my way out when I decided to turn around and check out the book section. While looking through old LDS and other religious books and whatnot, a big artsy looking book caught my eye. I picked it up and soon realized it was an old BYU year book. Cool! Didn't think much of it other than "fun old hairdos and yearbook designs". I was amazed to see that President Monson, President Hinckley, President Hunter, President Benson, President Kimball, President Lee, AND President J F Smith all served on the board of trustees at BYU in 1965. (Talk about a dream team of inspired leadership for the youth of zion) I thought about that year and with my heart racing it dawned on me, "maybe my mom or dad is in here!". No sooner had I turned a few pages in the freshmen section than I read James Russell Johnson and there he was, on this page:



There you have it. I couldn't get a hold of my dad on the phone, so I decided to save this little story as an electronic father's day shout out. I love you dad!


Dad, I thought you'd enjoy this golf picture :)


This one's for Gordie, Evan's dad, who studied civil engineering at BYU years later.


jewels of retro hairdos. Some aren't too different from hairdos here in Idaho now.

Some prophetic wisdom to chew on about fatherhood-

"Of all the titles that God, the creator of the universe embodies, He asks that we call Him father."

rexburg, intermountain west garden of eden haha this picture is deceiving




we took a nice walk together and used a roll on our holga. Lately it's been rainy - sunny - rainy - sunny and I LOVE it, it just feels so refreshing to me. It makes me want to play soccer, I'm itching to play outside all the time.

I've started a part time job as a PSR (psycho social rehab). I hesitated to work after Nina was born, I really was happy to be able to be home with her all the time. This job sort of fell into place and it feels right. Plus it's a pretty nice deal - I pick my own hours which is so great, it pays well, and I'm learning a LOT about child development. Today I met with my first little friend and it was pretty fun. This line of work can get really heavy - skill-training troubled kids - but so far so good.

An award-winning yam grower in Tonga.

I did not know they could grow this big! I am in awe!

The three of us had yams with our dinner and aside for being grateful for food to eat we really enjoyed the yam, and decided that we need to make them a staple of our diet. Well if that's not a non-sequitur.

Now that I finally realize how simple it is to post videos from vimeo, here's this one from the good ole days:

Nina meets Kittens from Lindsay MacDonald on Vimeo.

Nina had a great six month birthday. A package arrived with a sweet card and goodies for her. She (we are) is thrilled!

Today Nina was immunized again, the poor little one. I used to think that when moms talked about their kids getting immunized, they were talking about like a once a year thing. Nope, so far this is her fourth time. Man. She's so tough though. I have to close my eyes while I hold her legs still (i'm pretty needle phobic) and all she does is squeal for about 5 seconds. i don't know if there's anything cuter than the matching band-aids on her little thighs.

I'm realizing that this girl does not have a cap on cuteness. I thought the two/three month age was the cutest yet. I was soo wrong. The law of diminishing marginal utility does not seem to apply to babies cuteness. She's more adorable every day. Who am I kidding doesn't every mom think their baby is beautiful? I almost can't handle it. I hope she doesn't mind me squeezing the dickens out of her and smothering her. (have you ever noticed that the word smother includes the word mother? Interesting to note) I wish our family were all here to hold her every day.

She is 27 inches long and 17 lb 8 oz. I'll have to look at the growth charts and report on what that means. Alls I know is I'm getting more tired earlier in the day. I probably need to start working out to keep up. Maybe it's time to get my own yoga video, I used Jessica's a few times and loved it.


We visited Shauna David & newly arrived Clark in the hospital last week shaunaanddavid.blogspot.com


a few days before that we met Penelope Nieman at the hospital dernieman.blogspot.com Lots of new ones!

Here are some pictures from our weekend trip to Utah for Katie's wedding. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful wedding. BY THE WAY, is it possible to NOT take tons of pictures on the grounds of Temple Square? Has anyone reading this ever attempted to not take pictures on temple square grounds? It's an impossibility! Much thanks to Heather Ross & Soren for putting us up. It was so great to see them. I wish we'd taken pictures of Soren & Nina.


Nina and I stayed the night and hung out with Grandma Johnson on the way to Utah. We had a lot of fun! I am always so impressed with her beautiful home. It's one of my favorite places in the world.


Grandad went on a walk with Nina after the sealing


photo intercepted by Nick






All of us whining nina-style

Labels: Grandma Johnson, Nina, Utah

Today I found two grains of rice in Nina's belly button.




I really just wanted to prove to myself that I can make a small blog post.

I met Lindsay about three years ago, in the summer of ‘06. It’s weird to say that because it seems like a long time and a short time at the same time.

I can’t tell you how great this woman is. She is such a doer. I’ve watched her face so many challenges that were completely foreign to her and then conquer with such ease. More important to note, however, is how humble she is as she does so much good.

In her goodie bag of accomplishments, we find her internship to Ethiopia, she is an incredible cook (doubly impressive when you learn how new she is to the art), a Mission among the Spanish speaking people of Utah Valley, an ever expanding ability with some really great crafty stuff (have you seen her stamps? awesome), being the wonderful and supportive wife of an art student/perfectionist (that’s me!) and and so much more. Still of all the changes I’ve seen Lindsay pass through, the most impressive is her motherness (is that a word?).

Nina is super blessed. And I am blessed to get to watch this really great parent. Before Nina was born, Lindsay would sometimes express her fear that she wouldn’t be a good mother. I never doubted her ability, but I also had no idea how great she would be at it. Seriously.. she is a good mom... GOOD! She keeps on taking on new challenges and becoming more and more dynamic and amazing. I am so lucky to be able to witness her grace from day to day.

I am sometimes a little less expressive that I ought to be, and I know that I don’t thank her enough for being such an amazing friend. Lindsay really does know me more than anyone. And she really is my best friend. I married up for sure.

Today is our two-year anniversary. Two years!! That,s as long as my mission. Up until now, my mission was the best two years of my life. Now this past 2 takes the cake. the best part? Unlike a mission, which ends, this will never end. I love Lindsay so much. Happy anniversary lindsay!

Oh yeah.. Nina is 6 months today! (big day, I know)

Labels: lindsay