Our New Home!

Obviously the best feature of our new
home: the walk in closet -- I only took
a picture of my side, because if you
know Steve at all, you can imagine
that his side is pretty bare (which
means, of course, plenty of space
for me to "grow" into!)


The master bedroom -- biggest room we've ever
lived in the past 9 months of marriage and
4 moves. I am sooo glad I don't have to move
anywhere for a long time. I didn't take a picture
of the guest room (it's empty)or the 2 bathrooms,
but I promise, they're there.



It's your basic small apt layout -- front door
enters into front room, blends into kitchen/
dining area -- buy hey -- We've got granite
counter tops -- Who could ask for anything more??
(actually, granite's not my cup of tea, but the
color actually is pretty cool)



Front room -- I'm so glad I finally get to blog
about my couches . Let me just say that I
LOVE LOVE LOVE them -- they have character,
they're super comfortable, and they were
FREE! (hand-me-downs, thanks to Steve's
brother) Steve wants to get new ones, but I've
gotten attached.

We love our new home -- it's our first big
purchase together as a married couple,
and it feels so right. We feel very
blessed and fortunate that we could do this
right now. For those who know us, and without
getting too specific, we live very close to the
movie theater on my parents' side of town.
So, yes, we'll be members of the ward I grew
up in for a while. Weird, but we really like it
already :)

Sad News

We have lost our baby. I had a missed miscarriage so I had to have a D & C yesterday. I am feeling much better today. We are sad, but grateful that everything went safely at the doctors'. Please no comments, I just wanted my friends to know. Thanks.

Baby Johnson

We're having a baby! I left my ultrasound pic at work, so I don't have anything but words to post today. We are really excited, and I am really sick! Luckily, I can work from home, which has been really nice. I try to go in to the office as much as possible, but working from home is just so much more convenient. My dad is a great, understanding boss! I eat a LOT of Oat N Honey granola bars (the really hard, messy ones) and Cheerios in milk. That's about it. But sometimes I have a good spell, and I can eat eggs, spaghetti, and pizza. I'd like to say I have morning sickness, but really it's all day. Any advice from experienced people would be greatly appreciated!

Anyways, down to the technical stuff -- I am of course a little nervous -- probably more than most women because I do have another medical condition already. However, a couple friends recommended a high risk doctor to me and I feel really confident in his abilities. He is a head doctor at UCLA Medical so I will be delivering there, most likely. I am so grateful that he is covered by my insurance! PPOs are awesome for people who have to be a little picky about their doctors, like me. I have gained 3 pounds so far, and I haven't been throwing up too much, just really nautious, so things are going as expected so far.

Baby is due May 4th. Yea!

Refugio 2008

Our first "official" camping trip together as
a married couple. Steve's already been with us
twice before, so he's used to the tradition!

I always take this picture, but it's just so gorgeous!

So cute! Words can't describe the fun we had with
Paige, Ellie, Zane, Liv & Maeve!

Cousin Dylan, Mom, Jenny, Dad, & Ellie

Steve & Brian

We were really lucky and got to go to Refugio twice this summer! Once in July, and then in August. All of my siblings were there for at least part of the week, and my cousins came out from Florida. The weather was great and the water was pretty warm -- we had fun in the kayak, out on the rafts, and hanging around the fire, of course. Anyone that knows Steve knows he enjoys fire :)

Our "New" Home

Steve and I just moved out of our apartment and into a rental house that my parents own. After many years, their tenants have moved and we are now the lucky ones to fix up the place and make it a rental again! We have a lot of work to do, and have already done a lot -- so I'll post the pictures as we go along. And yes, we're staying at my parents' house until there is actually one decent room for us to sleep in at the rental -- I"m hoping that won't be more than 2 weeks away! We are having a lot of fun doing this -- I feel like I'm in a very long episode of Flip This House.

Jeff & Steve scraped almost all of the ceilings
in one day--- Jeff is basically a professional
since he did my parents' house last fall.


This was after cleaning for an hour already.



Not a very flattering picture, but the bathrooms
are my territory -- while the boys have been
demolishing ceilings and walls, I've been
scrubbing the tubs and toilets. I actually like it.

2008 Thompson Family Reunion 5-26-08

Thompson A vs. Thompson B Soccer Match



Sadly, the game was over at only 2 points, I
think -- they're all getting a little bit too old
for this stuff, I guess.


There were a ton of kids there -- but none
from my dad's family -- They were so cute.

Uncle Bruce made delicious beef brisket.
I didn't know he was such a great chef :) He
also gave us a very interesting lesson on our
genealogy -- about the Tanners, Browns, and
Andersons. I can't wait to start researching
with my mom and dad, although I know Aunt
Betty has gotten most of it done, but it will
still be fun to learn about it myself.



THE THOMPSONS


BRUCE & BILL --brothers -- we missed
Aunt Betty and Uncle Dan's families and hope
to see more of them and our siblings next year!


THOMPSON BOYS


I had to add this picture of Uncle Bruce's
amazing rose garden. It was gorgeous and so
peaceful. It was great to see all the cousins
and visit them in Fallbrook this Memorial Day.

Yosemite May 2008

Steve's parents took us to Yosemite this week
and it was SO BEAUTIFUL! This was my
first time going, so it was all so amazing to me.
I am so grateful for this wonderful gift of a
world in which we live.


Don't ask what fall -- they all looked the
same to me! (but in a really cool, unique way)




We stayed at the Wawona Hotel -- really old-
fashioned and in a beautiful little meadow. I
loved it, but Steve was really bummed-- no
TV in the rooms!

Coupons thru Tue April 29

I know this is really last minute -- but it's more to get me back to blogging than anything else!

Cottonelle 4pack of Toilet paper: $0.50 (with the $0.25 coupon from 4/27 newspaper)

Garnier Fructis Hair Products: $1.00 each (with coupon from last week's paper)

Stouffer's flatbread pizza thingies: $1.00 each ( I think last week's newspaper coupons)

Honey Nut Cheerios & Trix $0.75 each (buy 4, use 2 $1.00 off coupons)


I wish I could post something more intersting than this, but coupons are seriously the highlight of my week right now. Maybe I'll take my camera with me next time.

Update: Still Married :)

For anyone looking at this blog who actually knows us and cares--- we're still married and having fun, I've just been really lazy about keeping up with this blog. Here are a few of the "real" pictures from our photographer, Heather -- I think she did a great job and I would refer her to anyone. She does great family pictures too --if you want her contact info, let me know.






Everyone looks better in black and white!

My Personal Favorite!

I love, love, love this picture because....he's actually smiling! I love my new name by the way, it just sounds so cute "Jackie Johnson".

More!

Nikki, Ashley & Mercedes all made their
own dresses--aren't they great? Sorry
for all the hassle, but it was fun, right? RIGHT???





Still running after 300,000 + miles.

More Pictures!

Beautiful nieces, um, I mean princesses!
I heard that my 2 nieces in Virginia have been
wearing these dresses every day since
they got home!

Thanks for a wonderful party, Dad :)

Mercedes, Christina & Me

My sister Jenny & Me with my lazy eyes!

Sorry to Steve, but this is the only pic
I have of him and Jerron.

Stephen & Jaclyn Johnson: The Wedding! 3-1-08

Los Angeles Temple -- It just stopped raining for us!



Steve's Grandma Marilyn

Our parents are wonderful! Thanks!

The Thompson Family

Finally--some pictures of the wedding. It was a perfect day for us, thanks to our family and friends, especially those who travelled far and sacrificed much to be with us -- Gk, Susanna, Jones', Grandma, Jerron, Thompsons, Larsens, Melissa & more! Thanks so much! We had fun and hope you all did too. Isn't my dress awesome -- thanks to my mom and Cherie for beading it all night! Amazing!

Coupons Feb 13-19

Best Deals This Week: (Notice that I included the date the coupons came in the paper for most)

Colgate Total Toothpaste $0.00 (FREE with the $1.00 off 1 tube coupon from 2-3-08 paper)

Colgate Toothpaste (various special ones) $1.00 each (with the $1.00 off 2 coupon 2-3-08 paper)

Best Foods Mayo $0.99 each ($1.00 off 2 jars coupon)

Tropicana Orange Juice $1.50 each ($1.00 off 2 cartons coupon)

Smuckers Jelly, Jam or Preserves $1.80 each (with the $0.35 off 1 jar coupon from 2-10-08 paper)

Great Sale: Ralphs Spaghetti Noodles: $0.80 each

Thanks Everyone!

First of all -- THANKS so much to
Ashley & Nikki for throwing my
shower! It was tons of fun, with tons
of great food!



I was so grateful my oldest friends


came!



You can tell I was a little embarrassed


--glad that's over!



This gift got the "awwwwwwssss"

Coupons Feb 5 - Feb 12

Best Deals This Week (in my opinion):

Colgate Toothpaste $1.00/each (with the $1.00 off coupon in this Sunday, Feb 3rd newspaper)

Campbell's Condensed Chicken Noodle & Tomato soups $0.40/each (with the $0.40 off of 4 coupon)

C& H white & brown sugars $1.60/each (with a $0.55 off 2 coupon) --this is cheaper than the Ralph's brand

Quaker Chewy granola bars $2.00 a box (with the $1.oo of 2 coupon from this Sunday, Feb 3rd paper) -- even though these have literally no nutritious value, i like them as a snack sometimes!

Bon Apetit! (sp?)

More Coupon Savings

Ok -- I know not that many people check out this blog, so this is specifically for my friends and family in SoCAl. Every week I will be posting my good deals and coupon savings on this blog. You can check out my blog for FREE! And I will try and keep it current at least every 2 weeks.

To do this you will need:

1. to live near at least one Ralphs grocery store, preferably 2

2. the L.A. Times Sunday newspaper -- (I get mine from my parents house-- for free, but they're really not that expensive) --this is where the coupons are

3. a little time -- but it's worth it

This week's greatest deals (good from Wed, Jan 30 -Tue Feb 5):

Post Cereals: $0.99 each with the $1.00 coupon in this week's newspaper

Quaker Life Cereals: $0.99 each with the $1.00 coupon (I think from last week's newspaper)

Campbell's Seclect Soups: $0.75 each with the $0.50 coupon from a few weeks ago (these are the big cans of soup)

Many of these coupons can be printed off of coupon websites for free -- just google it, and you should be able to get the same coupons that come in the newspaper.

I will be more specific about what coupons come from what week's newspaper in the future.

i've been tagged -- 10 random things about me

I've been tagged to post 10 random facts about myself--here goes:

1. my favorite thing to do to relax is tweeze my eyebrows

2. i don't like ice cream very much -- i'll have it every once in a while, but only a few bites

3. i know where every penny i spend goes -- i love my checkbook ledger!

4. it is very difficult for me to drink the milk from the bottom half of the carton--gross!

5. i am an excellent hula hooper -- it's the only semi-sport i'm good at

6. i prefer fresh chocolate chip cookies to cake any time

7. i still run into curbs and sidewalks, and i've been driving for 10 years

8. i had a private conversation about California politics with the Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich (sp?) at LAX airport a few months ago-- we didn't really see eye to eye

9. i never had braces -- i think that counts as weird and random because it seems like everyone i knew had braces from 3rd grade on -- and i was always jealous

10. i honestly don't know 10 people that blog that haven't already been tagged with this game, so I am just allowing all who feel the need to go ahead and participate!

my favorite engagement pic -- but it's blurry!

this is the only picture I have access to right now

Here's how to save some serious $$$$

Hello friends and family -- sorry this blog is so outdated -- but I only think to update it at work, when I shouldn't and when I don't have my camera with me to download pics. So I'll try and scrounge something up real soon.

BUT---- I do have something serious to blog about:

RAGU SPAGHETTI SAUCE.

Yes, Ragu. It is on sale this week at Ralphs -10 for $10.00 -- so, $1.00 a jar.

But I got mine for $0.60 a jar because I used my double coupon out of the LA times coupons.

So, all my friends who live near a Ralphs, I hope you go and stock up, because you know what all those important guys in Salt Lake have been talking about for the past few years, right?