tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71269046503934744992009-12-21T08:10:43.134-08:00Sharing a little piece of me with you.Laurie Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10518941441673229165noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126904650393474499.post-24392135200324670072008-06-05T17:58:00.001-07:002008-06-05T18:08:14.318-07:00

As young woman, I read a few romance novels and often wondered if romance like that truly existed in a marriage. When I became part of the dating world at age 16, I wanted that knight in shinning armor to sweep me off my feet, ride me off into the sunset on his white horse. When I reached my twenties and started looking for husband material, I looked for romance, the candlelight dinners, the

Laurie Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10518941441673229165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126904650393474499.post-60841846772547384752008-04-21T17:29:00.000-07:002008-04-21T17:30:48.049-07:00

At night when it was time for me to get ready for bed, my daddy would pick me up so I could reach the top drawer of his dresser and pick out one of his t-shirts. My dad's t-shirts were my pajama's, I loved the way they fit me and how they felt. I loved that my dad's t-shirts were big enough for me to draw my knees up to my chest and cover them. My dad's t-shirts were often just plain white

Laurie Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10518941441673229165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126904650393474499.post-14460278034579047562008-04-21T13:53:00.000-07:002008-04-21T13:54:11.530-07:00

Just yesterday someone asked me if I could have any car in the world what would I want? I am not much into cars so this was a hard question for me to answer. Therefore, I decided to come up with the top 10 cars I'd like to own. Many of my choices have more to do with there sentimental value rather than there looks or economical contributions.First, the Fiat X1/9. As a teenager I owned a 1976

Laurie Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10518941441673229165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126904650393474499.post-76759375952271286792008-04-21T13:32:00.000-07:002008-04-21T13:33:41.869-07:00

As a young woman, I read a few romance novels and often wondered if romance like that truly existed in a marriage. When I became part of the dating world at age 16, I wanted that knight in shinning armor to sweep me off my feet, ride me off into the sunset on his white horse. When I reached my twenties and started looking for husband material, I looked for romance; the candlelight dinners, the

Laurie Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10518941441673229165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126904650393474499.post-60788116509356712162008-04-21T11:55:00.000-07:002008-04-21T13:39:43.259-07:00

A few months ago, I started writing for Helium.com. Mostly, I joined Helium because I like writing; writing is a stress reliever for me. However, writing for Helium also means I have the opportunity to get paid for my writing. In February, I participated in Helium's Rate and Write Rewardathon. Writers had 3 months to write and rate as many articles as possible to earn money. Payout for this

Laurie Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10518941441673229165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126904650393474499.post-40465563511053069172008-03-13T18:21:00.000-07:002008-03-13T18:22:35.830-07:00

For me getting pregnant was easy, it was staying pregnant that was hard. In October 1995, just over a month after having my third miscarriage, I found out I was pregnant. Finding out I was pregnant at age 31 after years of trying and three miscarriages, I was thrilled but scared.Standing in the bathroom, looking at the plus sign on the stick I just peed on, I ran through the house looking for

Laurie Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10518941441673229165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126904650393474499.post-54328340276962844702008-03-13T18:18:00.000-07:002008-03-13T18:19:39.599-07:00

You are a few weeks past your due date and you can't remember the last time you saw your feet. Your belly has grown to the size of a beach ball and if you gain anymore weight the beach ball will burst. People tell you often that you look like you are ready to pop. You want your body back now, which means the beach ball...I mean...the baby needs to come out now. How do you induce labor? Let me

Laurie Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10518941441673229165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126904650393474499.post-30841554097425607542008-03-13T18:10:00.000-07:002008-03-13T18:11:56.695-07:00

Hey you, move your eyes slowly from the screen take your hands off the keyboard and back away from the computer with your hands on top of your head. If being on the computer more than eight hours a day were against the law; then I am guilty.I bought my first computer in 1996 and since then my life has been filled with never ending emails, instant messaging, chat rooms and Google. At work, I am on

Laurie Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10518941441673229165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126904650393474499.post-85218871766646681192008-03-13T18:05:00.000-07:002008-03-13T18:10:09.156-07:00

Taking a child to the doctors can be frightening experience for everyone involved. It doesn't matter what age the child is, a visit to the doctors can be a very traumatic event. You can make visits to the doctors easier for you and your child by following a few simple suggestions.Prior to the doctor's visit, be honest with your child about the reason for the visit. If the visit to the doctor is

Laurie Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10518941441673229165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126904650393474499.post-81470418725429400652008-02-25T08:16:00.000-08:002008-02-25T08:17:08.213-08:00

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”This Bible verse was placed on my daughter’s door; the door to her ICU room when she was just six weeks old. This verse is what reminded everyone that walked through those doors that faith was the only thing that mattered. When you have a newborn baby that has just been diagnosed with a life threatening

Laurie Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10518941441673229165noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126904650393474499.post-30983581984767048502008-02-25T08:13:00.000-08:002008-02-25T08:15:18.246-08:00

For 9 1/2 years I have witnessed a miracle. For 9 1/2 years, I prayed for a miracle. For 9 1/2 years, my miracle wakes up in the room next to mine. My daughter, Ashley, isn't supposed to be here according to her doctors, she wasn't supposed to make it past her first birthday. Each time my daughter wakes up is a miracle.It was late July 1998 when Ashley was born. She was born with the

Laurie Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10518941441673229165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126904650393474499.post-21441216786638902002008-02-25T08:11:00.000-08:002008-02-25T08:13:15.915-08:00

Every year at the start of the New Year, I take a moment to reflect on the past. Each year I ask myself a few questions. Do I have any regrets? Would I change anything? And how can I make things different for the New Year? My answers have always been the same. There are no regrets, there is nothing I would change, and the next year will be no different. It wasn't until my dad passed away in late

Laurie Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10518941441673229165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126904650393474499.post-3561023406126000292008-02-21T11:24:00.000-08:002008-02-21T11:38:29.130-08:00

Planning a boy's birthday party can be both fun and challenging. When planning a boy's party keep in mind the likes and dislikes of that child. Creating a themed birthday party can be memorable not only for the birthday boy but for his guests too. Themed birthday parties can be done at any age.First birthday parties are usually centered on family. However, you can still create a theme for this

Laurie Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10518941441673229165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126904650393474499.post-19911209446738084142008-02-11T06:39:00.000-08:002008-02-11T06:40:52.648-08:00

The baby of the family, the outcast, the black sheep, and the family embarrassment created a wedge between us and her. For over twenty years she decided that drugs and alcohol were more important than her family. For twenty years, we tried to remain a family in spite of and because of her. When asked, I tell people that I have two sisters and no brothers, only to remember later that I really have

Laurie Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10518941441673229165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126904650393474499.post-87933916438061343472008-02-11T06:36:00.000-08:002008-02-11T06:37:42.205-08:00

Today's teens seem to be under more stress than the teens of a decade ago. Teens like adults need to learn how to manage their stress through relaxation. By teaching teens to relax under stressful situations, teaches them valuable stress management skills. There are many factors contributing to the stress of our teenagers today. Teenagers who are stressed often are anxious, withdrawn and angry.

Laurie Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10518941441673229165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126904650393474499.post-46848258278662258192008-02-11T06:32:00.000-08:002008-02-21T11:41:43.617-08:00

There is nothing better than being a baseball mom. When you are a baseball mom the song "Take me out to the ball game" takes on a whole new meaning. There is nothing like sitting in the stands watching your little 5 year old hit the baseball for the first time. Seeing the excitement in your little man's face as he slides into home plate, you can't help but fall in love with Little League

Laurie Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10518941441673229165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126904650393474499.post-48678347450915580902008-02-06T10:45:00.000-08:002008-02-06T10:47:05.723-08:00

Isn't it time to say I am sorry To make the pain go away Isn't time to say I am not perfect That I make mistakes along the wayIsn't it time to say I am sorry Because of the things you do and say Isn't it time to say I love you And mean it in every wayIsn't it time to say I am sorry Because you made me cry today Isn't it time to make me feel loved And to say that I was sent from God aboveIsn't it

Laurie Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10518941441673229165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126904650393474499.post-76152111162725342512008-02-06T10:43:00.000-08:002008-02-06T10:45:43.036-08:00

Any type of stress in a marriage is difficult, whether it's financial, emotional, sexual, or medical. Throw a chronic illness into a marriage, the stress can be unbearable. Dealing with a chronic illness can create the additional stresses as mentioned before. It's how you deal with the stress that can make or break a marriage.Nine and half years ago my husband and I were blessed with a beautiful

Laurie Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10518941441673229165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126904650393474499.post-58668227273054315182008-02-06T10:41:00.000-08:002008-02-21T11:47:01.718-08:00

Organ donation, just two words to most people but to me those two words mean that there is hope! As a child my family talked about organ donation, giving of oneself so that others could live. We never thought that one of us would need a new organ or become an organ donor. Talking about organ donation was a subject discussed at the dinner table as easily as saying our prayers before every meal. It

Laurie Johansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10518941441673229165noreply@blogger.com1