A beautiful two story, lavish abode now sits where the Johnson’s former house once stood. Stucco walls surround the carefully crafted home as its occupants take part in a multitude of activities inside, quietly enjoying their new place of residence.

            Eric and Elaine Johnson, along with their five children, were the recent recipients of a new home, courtesy of Extreme Home Makeover, as a reward for their dedication to their community. An impromptu surprise at the Improv Comedy Club began the lengthy process.

“We were nominated by my husband’s supervisor and a friend at our homeschooling co-op,” said Elaine Johnson.

Her husband, Eric, said he never suspected he would have the house of his dreams, along with a new lease on life to match.

“The whole house used to fit in just the living room and kitchen,” Eric Johnson said with a laugh. “The living room we have now used to be the multipurpose room.”

            The Johnson’s said they dedicate a large portion of their time to helping their community in an effort to teach their daughters the meaning of true activism. With five girls ranging from 5 to 14 years old, the Johnsons said it is important for their children to never forget where they came from.

            “I was born and raised in the third ward,” Elaine Johnson said.

            Eric Johnson, who also grew up in an underprivileged neighborhood, said volunteerism is extremely important to the family.

            The two adults counsel couples in their community and also take part in the Green Initiative program which is aimed at teaching Houstonians how to live greener, more cost effective lives.

            “This whole experience has catapulted us to do more of what our passion is,” Elaine Johnson said. “We’re turning it into an Extreme Community Makeover.”

            As a result of the show, the family is able to provide educational youth field trips for children of the couples that seek counseling with she and her husband, said Elaine Johnson.

            All five of the Johnson children are home schooled and devote their time to both studying and developing their passion for the arts. The girls, Regan, 5; Evan, 8; Jessica, 10; Zoe, 12; and Angelah, 14 have all benefited from the home makeover.

            “We have future film producers, singers, and actresses,” Eric Johnson said in reference to his daughters, who all partake in various extracurricular activities.

            With five daughters and multiple pets all living under one roof, the Johnsons said their new living arrangement took some getting used to.

“It’s all the way live in this house,” Elaine Johnson said jokingly.

            The glare of the media can be foreboding to some, but the Johnson family said they welcome the notoriety they have achieved in the past few months.

“People recognize us all the time,” said Angelah Johnson. “We went to Sam’s and this lady just busted out and started screaming that she knew us from the show.” 

Along with state of the art cameras, which were given to the girls as gifts from the Extreme Home Makeover team, a red piano greets visitors as they enter the home. The piano, a new addition, adds a splash of color that encompasses the vibrant energy the Johnsons have undertaken during the process.

“I’ve been learning from videos off of Youtube,” Eric Johnson said as he listened to his daughter Angelah playing a medley on the piano. “Everybody’s learning the piano.”

Life is more than waking up, going about their daily activities and continuing the same routine pattern the next day, Elaine Johnson said. She and her husband instill the value of cherishing what they have in their children.

“Our motto is live right, love all and give back,” Elaine Johnson said.

Receiving a new home would not have been possible without everyone who has helped along the way, said Eric Johnson.

Though strenuous at times and considerably lengthy, the family said their wait paid off in the end. Extreme Makeover has completely renovated not just their homes, but their way of living as well.

“I’d like to say thanks to the city of Houston, the Mayor, Wanda Adams, Boris Miles, Mama Jenkins, Sheila Jackson Lee, Extreme Makeover (crew), Ty Pennington, the camera guys, the sound guys and the coordinators,” Eric Johnson said.