MY JASPER'S GONE HOME...

As most of you know I have had the great privilage of having baby Jax aka Jasper in my home since his birth after hurricane Ike. I was even happier that Donny and Nat didn't get power for another week so I could completley enjoy having him around. As we all know all great things must come to an end. They got power and Donny was itching to get home. They left last night and I couldn't help but cry. It has been such a blessing for us to have that sweet, new spirit in our home and such a joy to watch him change his first week of life. He is very much like my Leanna was as a new born...PERFECT! He eats, only lets me burb him, poops, and sleeps. What a good "little man" as I call him. Today was my first day alone in the house without this angel and I have to say it's not been easy. I found myself rubbing Johnsons Baby Lotion on after my bath and starring at his cute face on my computer and phone. THANK YOU DONNY AND NATALIE for creating such a handsome, boy. I know they will raise him right and give him all the love he needs and deserves...if not, there is always Aunt La La. Enjoy the cutest pictures ever!

JASPER - Ike Baby!!!

THIS HAS BEEN SUCH A CRAZY 7 DAYS...HURRICANE IKE AND THEN A SURPRISE DELIVERY FOR DONNY AND NATALIE! WE ARE TOTALLY LOVING HAVING A SWEET, NEW BABY IN THE HOUSE AS OF TODAY AND NEVER WANT HIM TO LEAVE. HE WAS 8 LBS 4 OZ AND 20 INCHES LONG. KENDRA CALLS HIM "MY JASPER" AND WE ARGUE THIS WITH HER UNTIL THE SCREAMING FIT BEGINS...IT'S HILARIOUS! ANYWAY, WE LOVE HIM AND LOVE THAT SOMETHING WONDERFUL CAME OUT OF SOMETHING SO HORRIBLE.

Preparing for IKE...

YIKES!!! It's IKE!!!!

OK. Do we have a death wish on us or WHAT! This storm is so hard to predict that we waited to long to leave and now it's too late. My brother Donny and his VERY pregnant wife (due in 12 days) and child (Kendi-Pop) are back to "hunker down" with us for the next hurricane in the Gulf. Once again we bought out Sam's and Walmart and HEB "just in case". I am somewhat hoping for at least a few drops of rain for my troubles! The kids are thrilled to be out of school for another LONG weekend. However, this storm might actually teach them why we go to so much trouble to prepare for the worst. I HOPE NOT, but a little rain would be nice in this sweltering 100 degree heat. For those of you who think we are crazy for staying just check the weather channel for the eternally long, crowded highways full of people trying to escape! My mother and Travis got out early this morning and headed to Ashna's in Dallas. THANK HEAVEN since they are expected to get the worst of the storm being so close to Galveston Beach. Other than this update our busy day continues with Rob, Donny and Wade boarding up our home to protect us from the 100 mph expected winds. I for one, am charging my IPod so if the tornado's start lurking at my back door, or howling winds that sound like millions of screaming women begin I can block it ALL out. Nevertheless, PRAY FOR US AGAIN THIS WEEK! - Laurie

Houston - RACE FOR THE CURE

Dear Friends and Family,

Leanna, Krista and I recently accepted the challenge to raise funds to support the 2008 Komen Houston Race for the Cure® being held on October 4th in downtown Houston. One in eight women will be stricken with breast cancer in her lifetime and the more funds we raise, the more the Komen Houston Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® can give back to thecommunity to fight against breast cancer. Since one woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 3 minutes in the UnitedStates, there is an incredible need for your support.

We chose to run/walk the 5K together in honor of past family members who have died with Cancer (namely Rob's mother MaryAnn Johnson) and a very sweet, kind woman in our church family who was just diagnosed with Breast Cancer two months ago named Kathy Richardson. She has one grandchild named Samuel who doesn't understand why Grandma is bald and sick so we are participating with her as a team called "Samuel's Hope".

Please join us in the fight by pledging in support of my participation in the Race or contributing generously to the Komen Houston Race for the Cure®. Your tax-deductible contribution will fund innovative outreach and awareness programs for medically underserved communities in Houston and surrounding areas and national cutting-edge research. It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause.

You can make a donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message. If you would prefer, you can also send your tax-deductible contribution to the address listed below.Whatever you can give will help! I truly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress. Thank you so much for your time and support in the fight against breast cancer. Every step counts! Sincerely,Laurie, Leanna, and Krista Johnson

To sponsor our participation online, click here. http://www.komen-houston.org/site/TR/Race/General?px=1437736&pg=personal&fr_id=1050
If you prefer to mail in your contribution, please mail to KomenHouston Race for the Cure®, P.O. Box 4317, Houston, TX77210-4317.
Please make note of my name in the subject line of the check.