Christmas Jammies!! **Shinesty PJ #Review**

Happy Holidays from the Johnson crew! 

This Christmas we got some new jammies courtesy of online retailer Shinesty.

I had never heard about their store until now, but the website is hilarious. Below is their mission: 

“We created Shinesty for one reason and one reason only:

To bring you the most outlandish collection of clothing the world has ever seen.

When worn correctly, the right clothing can make Mike Tyson's albino tiger purr like a kitten, blow the minds of boringly-dressed onlookers, or be a major contributing factor in the creation of a small human that looks strikingly similar to you.

Whether you are searching for a rare retro piece, enough neon to blind the 80s, or simply something that would make Chuck Norris weep with pride, Shinesty is here to help.

Stay Weird & Shine On” 

Our jammies are a cool, wintery blue and covered with a cool Santa beard and hat combo. The official name of the style is “Fifty Shades of Santa” from their Christmas pajama line.  

Here is the run down: 

• The fabric is this soft, 95% polyester + 5% spandex blend that stretches to fit all body types
• Henley style tops are a loose, traditional PJ with a partial button down closure 
• The style of the pants are a jogger style with an elastic hem
• Elastic waistbands for no guilt with all the holiday snacking
• There are pockets!
• Some of the styles are even made for pets! Sadly, I those went fast so we weren’t able to get any for Jett

I’m so excited to find out about this company, because the fun doesn’t stop with the Christmas season, they have Thanksgiving, Hanukah, New Year’s, and Fourth of July themed jammies for the whole family.

***I was gifted a set of family pajamas for compensation for writing this post. All opinions are my own.*** 

We (I) Needed a Little Christmas...

This year, our home hosted the last interview dinner again. We LOVE hosting anything, and it gave me huge motivation to get our Christmas decorations up earlier (i.e. a whopping three weeks before Christmas). It was no small feat as this was our biggest tree yet! Shout out to my mom the OG of "I decorate my tree with a ladder". 

After filling our home with more poinsettias and pine than should be allowed, rearranging the ornaments that the kids placed on the lower branches, and deflecting snow-globe sabotage (I'm looking at you, Natey)...my heart was overflowing with holiday joy. 

Finished!! I told Little Nate the snow globe wasn’t going on the tree and then he tried to sabotage my mantle. #YouTriedIt #JohnsonChristmas 😂🎄🎅🏾

A post shared by Jasmine Johnson, MD (@mrsmommymd) on Dec 9, 2017 at 12:53pm PST

All of the decorations even transformed Isabelle into a Nutcracker ballerina...

I think I know what her new activity will be in 2018 ;-) 

Later that night, we headed to the home of two of my co-residents for our resident holiday party. This was actually the first one I made it to because we either didn't have a babysitter or were out of town. It was a lot of fun!

The found the desserts!

Also, 6 of the 7 members of my class were there, which NEVER happens since one of us is always on call.

Class of 2018, minus one (home sick with her little)

Fast forward to Christmas Eve....

I mentioned in my last post, on the 23rd my parents AND Grammy made the drive down (!!!).  This was a big deal because this was her first Christmas since my Grandaddy died. We knew she would be sad, but didn't want her to be alone. She can be stubborn, but she agreed this time. My little bro also flew in from Chicago - the other two had a wedding and had to work back at home so they could not make it. Missed you guys!

I was feeling under the weather and kind of like a Scrooge all week because I had been working a ton. When I got home on Christmas Eve, it was around 9PM. The cookies were already made and Nate had gotten all of the gifts ready the day prior without me - also because I was working.

I stayed up to set out the presents. I think this may be our Natey's last Christmas believing in Santa. He wrote him a letter saying he still believed even though a lot of his friends didn't. Be still my heart....

Uncle Carey wrote a letter back to Natey - because he would recognize his parents' handwriting, obviously...

No one got dressed until dinner, and then I went right to bed. I didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked, but man, nothing beats having family around for the holidays. My heart was so full.

Tuesday, it was back to the Onc service for me. It was a bummer to work Christmas week, but being at work also put things into major perspective. Some of our sweet patients could not go home for Christmas, despite this, they were grateful to be alive, and some knew they were spending their last Christmas here on Earth.

This year was rough, but it's important that I don't let being tired push me away from seeing opportunity for gratitude in all things, choosing compassion, remembering my purpose, and seeing the good in all people.

It may be January tomorrow, but I'm going to keep the Christmas Spirit going a little while longer...

 

From Our Family to Yours...

 "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 

- Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

Happy Christmas Eve!!

Every year I try and get a family picture taken for our Christmas card. Every year it is last minute. There was that one time back in 2011 when it wasn't, but definitely not the norm.

Last year after finding a photographer, we went to get our pictures taken and I just wasn't crazy about the way they turned out. We ended up coming home and immediately snapping our own in front of the tree. This year I decided to forego scheduling a photography session and we snapped some photos at my moms. I absolutely love them. 

Below are some of my favs: 

My dad came home from work and jumped in since he was dressed for the occasion 

Little miss sass!

Thank you everyone for reading and staying with me on this crazy journey. Though it is difficult, I feel so blessed to be living the life I dreamed for myself. This is going to be a big year for us, I can feel it. 2017, bring it!

xoxo

Roadtrips, Blizzards, & Graduations...

Last week was my first vacation week since March - I was so ready. Since we would be home for Christmas and my little brother was graduating from college on the 17th, it made sense to do our marathon road trip and cram as many visits in as possible. A little insane since it is a 12 hour drive to Michigan, but we never regret it. 

First, we had to buy some coats... 

My kids are so enamored with the thought of snow since we do not experience it like we did in Indiana. Poor Isabelle had yet to have a real snow day - she's practically a Southern belle. After frantically going around to three different stores, Target came through for the win. I think it is hysterical that no one was selling coats here in December. 

We hit the road after big Nate got off of work and drove straight through. I love driving overnight when the kids will sleep. I wasn't able to help out with my entire half because my immune system decided it was the perfect time to come down with a cold..womp. By the time we hit Virginia, I was done. Nate took over and we made great time. 

Our Detroit visit included a stay at Nate's brother's house, my Grammy's house, and Nate's Grandma's house. It's always awesome to see everyone and the kids were in heaven with their cousins.

I was kind of bummed because I didn't get to see any of my college friends that are still in the Detroit area. There just wasn't enough time - in addition to the blizzard that made elective travel risky so we just stayed put where we were.

On Tuesday, we headed to my mom's in Indiana. I looooove love love being at home. Thankfully, we were able to stay in one place for a few days until we all made the trek to Indianapolis for my little brother's graduation. I even was able to pull together our family Christmas photo and card... #habitualprocrastinator

Making gingerbread houses with Lita (my mom)

After this photo was taken, we hit the road and drove right into an ice storm. Ya'll, a trip that normally takes about 2.5hours, took about EIGHT HOURS. The highway froze while we were on it, and the police SHUT. IT. DOWN....this is the mess I DO NOT MISS about the Midwest. 

....But we all made it!! Thank the Lord for his traveling mercies. And the next day after a slight delay from the ice storm (they almost cancelled it all together), we watched my baby bro walk across the stage. It was an amazing moment for many reasons. Last time I saw him he was wheel chair bound due to his football injury. I am so proud of him and God is so good!

Jooooordan!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 @jayydran90

A video posted by Jasmine Johnson, MD (@mrsmommymd) on Dec 17, 2016 at 11:25am PST

Brothers!!

Jordan and my proud parents 

Sunday morning it was time to head back to North Carolina :tear:

We were all feeling kind of blue being back home, but we are enjoying our Christmas vacay by making our own on memories Johnson style. This 61 degree weather also helps to ease the pain a bit ;-)

Hope you all are having a great start to your holiday!

xoxo