Welcome Madelyn!

Hear ye, Hear ye! We would like to welcome another adorable cousin into the world. My sister, Carolyn, had her 5th child, sweet Madelyn, on April 21. After a long pregnancy filled with no energy and many ordeals, we are glad that she has finally arrived. We are SO SAD that she lives in Texas because we really want to give her hugs and pinch those adorable cheeks.

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Next to arrive: Aiden (little fire)

ETA- June 17 (on big fire's birthday)

Explanation: My brother, Nate, has bright red hair, hence the nickname FIRE. He and Sarah have chosen to name their baby Aiden, which literally means little fire. I think it's SO COOL! And the fact that Aiden is due to come on Nate's birthday tops off the coolness.

OLD (er)

I was working out a few days ago next to a new neighbor of mine. We were asking the usual getting-to-know-you questions. Where did you grow up? How many kids do you have? Yada, yada, yada. Then she asked me how old I am. I answered "28" and she said, "Wow. I have a sister that's 28, too. She's 5 years older than me." Something in the way she said "wow" got me thinking about my age. I don't remember ever being looked at as the "old one." It's always been the opposite for me since I left my peers in the dust when it came to marriage and having babies. It was a strange sensation to be perceived as old. I don't really know if I liked it, unless her "wow" meant that I must have a lot of wisdom since I'm pushing 30.

I have to deal with perceptions of my age all the time. Here are some of the comments I have gotten:

Q: "You have a 9 year old? You don't look old enough to have a 9 year old."

A: "I'm not, but I do."

Q: "You have 4 kids? You look like you're 10 years old!"

A: "Thanks?"

Q: "How long have you been married? And how old is your oldest?" (Translation: Did you HAVE to get married?")

A: "Almost 11 years, and almost 10, and we decided to start our family right away (so you can stop those calculations going on in your head-everything was on the up&up)."

These comments all started with a desire to attend college at the tender age of 17 and 1 month. I was done with high school and ready to move on and grow up. Actually, I guess I thought that I already had grown up and I was far too mature for sport sewing classes and high school dances. My bishop warned me that if I went to institute I would meet a hubby. That proved to be prophetic. Swen and I went on our first date on February 21, and were engaged on May 11, married on July 29.

Being engaged at age 17 is no picnic. No sir. I had distant relatives telling me I had made the wrong choice. I had neighbors running after me and stopping my car to tell me that they had been discussing my situation, and they felt like I had made the wrong decision. To each of them I wanted to explain that what really mattered was that I KNEW I was doing the right thing through a series of powerful experiences with the spirit. But I just thanked them for their concern and moved forward with the plans. We have the best families in the world, however, they trusted us and knew that we were capable of receiving direction from the Lord in our important decision.

On my 18th birthday, I went through the temple. 6 days later I was married for time and all eternity to my true love. I had Isaac 1 month before I turned 19. For so long, I've been the "young one." When I meet people, they are usually older than I am even though I may be further down life's path. I guess I still see myself as being about 20. That's why my neighbor's "Wow" took me back a little. It has caused me to come to an important conclusion. I am now older than returned missionaries, and I am older than most newly-weds. It's strange, but true. I have also come to the conclusion that people don't think of me as a newly-wed anymore. They think I'm a mother of 4 who may even have advice to give. It's so weird to see myself in this new light. I don't think my cute neighbor meant all this by her simple exclamation, but I guess I'm glad for the epiphany.

...

P.S. This picture was taken 10 days before Lincoln was born, I didn't look like this on our wedding day! Just in case you were doing your own calculations.

I lost!

Well, as you can see, I'm the only person that thinks the Easter Bunny is a girl. Yes, that girl vote is mine. Everyone ganged up against me. I can totally picture a cute little mama bunny delivering eggs full of yummy treats (what's the connection between bunnies and eggs, anyway?). But when I try to picure a male easter bunny, I see a fat, ugly bunny with big buck teeth and a gay little hop. WIERDO. I don't want a creature like that coming in my living room, even if he IS bringing chocolate nummies. Oh well. I won't be a poor sport about losing.

Welcome Samantha!

Baby Samantha Johansen joined the family on April 12, 2008. We're so excited that she's here and that she's actually a normal weight (the first of her siblings). We're sad that she lives in North Carolina, so we can't give her some lovin.

Pictures like this are my favorite. A first new family portrait. Swen's sister-Alexis, Hubby-Paul, Anastasia, Sabrina, and Samantha. Lovely family.

Next to arrive: Madelyn Johnston, coming in about 2 weeks.

We have also received word of another baby to add to our list. Baby Butterfield will be coming near the end of 2008. That brings the grand total of "baby cousins born in 2008" to 6!!! WOW! I think it's too late for anyone else to make an announcement for this year.

Happy Birthday Swen!

Swen turned 34 on Saturday. To celebrate getting one year closer to OLD, his back went out. So instead of going out to dinner on Friday, we sent the kids to a friend's house so we could enjoy a home-date with dinner, movie and a massage while Swen reclined on the sofa! It was funny. On Saturday we had a family party with a mock camp out. We set up the tent in the house, had hot dogs and the older boys and Swen watched Lord of the Rings after the little ones went to bed. It was the easiest birthday dinner I've ever cooked! 30 seconds in the microwave and walla! On Sunday we partied with the whole Howard clan, and we'll celebrate with the Tadje side soon. Talk about spoiled. Swen will have 4 birthday desserts by the time we're done!

Here's Swen in a nutshell...


What is Swen's favorite thing to do? Swen is all about family. He loves to get down and wrestle with the kids or chase them around the house. He is louder than all of the kids combined. Sometimes when they're being loud and he asks them to "bring it down a few notches" I just have to laugh, because I know exactly where they got their exuberance.


Describe Swen's personality... Swen is a true YELLOW personality. He's bright and positive and sees the silver lining in every situation. He's a kid at heart, and intends to stay that way until he's 103. He loves to dream big and he has endless energy. He is full of love, and he's not afraid to share it. He loves learning and he treasures books. He would feel just as comfortable with the president as he would with a homeless person on the street.



If Swen could go anywhere, where would he go? Back to Africa, first. He would love to see the people he met on his mission and be in the land that he fell in love with. He would also love to swim in the bright blue Indian Ocean off the coast of Tanzania, since he was only able to take pictures when he was there before. After Africa, he would love to tour anywhere in the world. He would enjoy learning about the culture and history of any place on the map.



What is Swen passionate about? Everything! The biggies are family and the gospel, of course, but he's also passionate about politics. He can get into a deep discussion on any subject from paint colors to history. His passion for life is unending, and he has a strong opinion on every subject.

What is Swen good at? Giving compliments, hugs, and kisses. Treating me like a queen. Putting babies to sleep. Driving. Being a real estate agent. Staying up late and waking up early. Playing. Dressing like a hottie. Cleaning bathrooms. Anything athletic.



10 things Swen would like to do in the future...


1. Be a race car driver

2. Change his name to Robert (that would be very strange, don't you think?)

3. Become really involved in politics

4. Become wealthy enough to buy some fun things for the family, a few cool trips, pay off student loans, and still be able to give a bunch of money to the needy.

5. Buy his wife (who's satisfied with a CZ) a large diamond ring which he picked out by himself and keeps the picture in his folder for motivation.

6. Travel the world

7. Serve missions with his sweetheart

8. Go back to school for a law degree and maybe a masters in business

9. Own a farm (sorry, honey, you married the wrong girl for that)

10. Most importantly, have an eternal family



I love you, baby! Happy Birthday! (Again)

Welcome Lydia

Our new niece/cousin, Lydia Tadje. Born March 13. 6 lb 7 oz, 19 inches long. We are so excited that she is finally here. She is the first in a windfall of babies coming. Next comes Alexis's girl #3, then Carolyn's Madelyn (sp), then Sarah's Aiden, then Trina's boy #5. Holding little Lydia felt so good. It made me think of starting to get excited for another. Then I decided: nevermind, there are enough babies coming to keep me satisfied in the baby-department. Hopefully my sisters will share with me.

Tagged

Okay. I don't usually do these, but I have to admit that I feel a little flattered at being "picked". My friend, Crystal, tagged me and she has like 50 people she blogs to, so I'm feeling a kind of popular. As far as tagging thingers go, it's of the more boring variety, but I'll do it anyway because, like I said, I am popular now so of course you'll want to spend 5 minutes to read all about me...(If it asks for my pet peeve, I won't put run-on sentences since I just wrote a whopper)

ABC...ALL ABOUT ME! This picture illustrates how cool I really am.

A - Attached or Single: I think title of this blog, THE HOWARD CREW, answers this question.
B - Best Friend: Swen, of course
C - Cake or Pie: I'll take both, please, with some ice cream too.
D - Day of choice: Sundays or Mondays, whenever we get our most family time in.
E - Essential Item: Cell phone
F - Favorite Color: Red and green (not forest)
G - Gummy Bears or Worms: Eeewww, give me some chocolate
H - Hometown: Alpine, UT
I - Indulgence(s): Reading a book all in one day when I have mounds of laundry to do
J - January or July: Duh. Who loves January?
K - Kids: Isaac-9, Joseph-7, Alyssa-3, Lincoln-1
L - Life is incomplete without: Family, Friends, and the Gospel
M - Marriage Date: July 29, 1997, going on 11 years. That is so wierd!
N - Number of Siblings: 7, 2 sisters, 4 brothers, and me
O - Oranges or Apples: Both
P - Phobias or Fears: Phobia- Having to touch an animal without a sink and soap nearby. That gives me shivers up and down my spine. And Swen still insists that getting a dog is an essential part of childhood. Have mercy on me, honey! Fear-Someone I love getting hurt when I'm the only one there to take care of them. I think they would die while I ran around in circles stressing about what to do.
Q - Quotes: ???I've answered too many questions already. I'm starting to go a little crazy and I'm sure you are too. You really don't have to read this. I'm not that interesting of a person...just kinda normal.
R - Reason to smile: I'm loved
S - Season: All but winter. P.S. Why do I live in Utah? I've been asking myself that question as winter drags on and on and on, and all the while my sisters are enjoying lovely capri weather year-round in Texas. No fair.
T - Tag Three Friends: As popular as I felt getting tagged, I'll just say: anyone who wants to ramble on and on about themselves can feel free. (I'll enjoy reading about any of you)
U - Unknown fact about me: I don't think I really have any secrets. I tend to share WAY TOO MUCH information when I'm with people, then I regret it as soon as I'm by myself again. I don't think I know how to be diplomatic. I'd be a terrible politician.
V - Very favorite Store: ??? I don't know. I like shopping for house-type things more than clothes I think. If I was a size 4 that might be a different story.
W - Worst habit: Reading books in one sitting. Does anyone know if there's a BA (Books Anonymous)?
X - X-ray or Ultrasound: Is that really a question?? Who would rather see an x-ray of a broken bone, as opposed to an ultrasound of your unborn child? Sillllly! (Crystal, I just had to keep your answer on this one. I agree. SILLLLLY!)
Y - Your favorite food: Hawaiian haystacks, Chicken garlic pizza, marbled bars (if you want this AMAZING recipe let me know)
Z - Zodiac: Sometimes Cancer, sometimes Leo. I'm on July 23, the cutoff date in between the two, so it depends on the source of the horoscope thing you're reading.

Phew. We made it to the end. Was that fun or what?