Johnson Stories

Brain Tumors and Eye Patches..

2012-01-20T15:36:00.000-07:00

Well, I have good news and bad news..... The good news is......... MY BRAIN TUMORS ARE SHRINKING!! SHRINKING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!!

The bad news: This Zulu pet lost an eye last night (the boys are looking pretty suspicious), and Sarah was devastated. But today I performed surgery. The eye couldn't be saved, but she was fitted for an eye patch.

She is recovering nicely and will be back to gibbering around the house soon!

Happy Thoughts!

2012-01-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

It is citrus time here in Arizona and MAN, I LOVE oranges!!!! Our trees in our backyard aren't ready to produce yet, but our neighbors like to share.....yummmmmm! I can still remember as a kid jumping on the trampoline at my neighbors house. They had six HUGE orange trees and as I jumped, I would grab another orange and eat it!! I think I consumed quite a bit of Vitamin C as a child!!

Another happy thought! Today we took the kids to get their Passport cards for our wonderful trip during Spring Break...

A Disney Cruise!!!!!! Wahooooooo!!!

No, not this ship, I hear it's not available!!!

And here's our Captain..............

No, not this Captain, he isn't available right now either!!!

So, here's to happy thoughts and loyal Captains!!!!

A Day in my Crazy Life...

2012-01-18T15:05:00.000-07:00

I am sitting here right now trying to get my chemotherapy before I pick up the kids from school in two hours. The only problem is.....my chemo is broken! What?! Your probably thinking, "how does a liquid medicine break?" hummmmmm. But there are three nurses huddled around the computer discussing why it is broken and one on the phone with "IT" trying to figure out the computer system as well. I guess I am just so awesome that I can simultanously break a computer, an IV pump and three nurses all at once!! I should really get an award!
Cassidy came with me to my chemo and Oncology appointment today, because she is in a LOT of pain due to getting new braces Monday. I checked her out an Ipad, started up Angry Birds and ran in to see my Oncologist. The conversation went something like this...."Doc, I lost another friend from on of my support groups this weekend. She was 33, just like me and had cancer in her liver just like me. And she was looking pretty good at the Christmas party just a few weeks ago. What I need to know is that you are on my "team". I need to know that you are going to fight for my life just as hard as I am!"
Doctors response, "The hard thing about support groups is that they are a two edged sword, they are sometimes helpful, but sometimes people in them die."
"All right doc, I started taking some amazing stuff this week that is supposed to help me build up my cells during chemo and hopefully make me healthier at the same time, so I can beat this cancer."
Doctor responded, "Well, it seems like it is working because your doing well, so if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" (Even though it costs 600-700.00 a month).
"What about vitamins Doc? Can I take these amazing vitamins they have too?"
"Nope. Studies have not proven that vitamins help at all."
"Hum, ok. Doc, I went to get my brain scan on Monday and I got all the way to the MRI machine, and then they told me that my copper implant is magnetic, and that, for my safety, I can't have my brain scan. But Doc, I have been having MRI scans for the last two years and it has never been an issue."
"Well, our machine is extra powerful"
"But I learned in Elementary school that copper isn't magnetic. Have the properties of copper changed?"
"Well, our machine is extra powerful."
"Right...."

A few minutes later I enter the 3rd floor chemo area. Cassidy, holding her sore mouth and a soda is with me. I check in.
Receptionist: "She can't be here. No kids on the 3rd floor"
Me: "but the last chemo room said 12 and up are allowed and she turns 13 in a couple of weeks."
Receptionist: "No kids."
Me: "Can she stay here until her grandma comes and gets her. I will call her now, but it will be a few minutes."
Receptionist: (Looks around the waiting room, which is entirely empty) "Well, I guess so, she doesn't seem to be too much trouble"

.... and so now we are back to the present.... with a "broken" chemo pump and I am pretty sure I won't be able to get the kids from school. Welcome to the wonderful world of cancer!!! he he he

My kids are smarter than me, and other nuggets of truth.

2012-01-18T14:08:00.000-07:00

I never figured out physics.... especially at the age of 11!

My son seriously amazes me with his math/science/physics knowledge.

And the reason I have three pictures of this is because I can't quite figure this out!!! Still working on it!!

I'm thinking he got his brains from this guy!!!!!

Slip Slidin' Away!!

2012-01-15T13:14:00.000-07:00

What is everybody lining up for?????!!!!!!!!

The 3rd Annual Cousins Sliding Contest, of course!!!

All the cousins line up and get their chance to slip, slide away!

There are three categories: Distance, Trick sliding, and Sliding with style

Kade is going for distance here....

And Will is probably going for style with that tongue out and all!

Lund was going for awesome style as he played his air guitar and slid at the same time.

Cassidy was going for the new category called "ripped pants". We will definitely have to add that next year.

Here is the whole gang getting ready to receive their awards. Everyone received something, in good cousin fashion, but there is always one ultimate winner, and this year it was............................

WILL!
And talk about humble.... Even before they announced his name, he ran up to collect his award. He just "knew" he was the BEST!

Suns Game in da' box

2012-01-14T22:39:00.000-07:00

my mom and yours truly at court level after the game.

Every once in a while Morgan's work offers its employees a few tickets to their "box". We love it when this happens because we really enjoy taking various family and friends with us and sharing the love. This past week we had a chance to go to a Suns game with my parents and our older kids.

A lot of fun was had by all and we can't wait to go to the next event sometime down the road. I guess I didn't take a picture of my dad, but he was enjoying the game too, and he took these pictures. Thanks Dad!

The Baby gets married!!

2012-01-04T23:34:00.000-07:00

My Baby brother got married this past week and I had a BLAST! Ryan has always been 10 years younger than me since the day he was born! he he he. I took Lund Ryan with me to Vegas, since I named his middle name after my brother. That sentence sounds like it needs some editing! Anyway, we had tons of "together" time, which was very theraputic for Lund and I. And, we had a chance to be there with family and see Ryan get married... I took a cagillian pictures, so I will only post a million...

This is the happy couple before a home mortgage! he he he! Sorry guys, it is late! Please excuse my comments and just enjoy the show!

Lund and his cousin Cooper. Two crazy peas in a pod!

Here are the girls that came to the Las Vegas Temple to await the happy couple. Kayla, Candin, and Little Raelynn.

These are the Future Missionary cousins minus Will and Brody.

Love these boys! Kade, Cooper, and Lund

Success!!! They are now happily wed!!!

Young Brody looking pretty good!

My Little Sister and her hubby..

All the cousins that came to the wedding.

My parents smiling big because it is their LAST wedding!!

Snazzy Coop-Dog

Alisha and her adorable kiddos. I was having some photography fun and they were my victims of the day.

My beautiful neice Kayla wanted a picture of herself in front of the Temple to put on her wall. She is one amazing girl!! Someday maybe I will tell you about the charitable Christmas gift she gave. Heart of gold, that one!

And here is my wedding date! wahoo! Watch out 11-year-old girls!

Now, onto the reception. They had some remarkable decorations, and I loved taking pics...imagine that!

They "made" this decoration! It was BEAUTIFUL!! A homemade chandelear of sorts!

And here we have Ryan and Lund Ryan. Two handsome gents!

How adorable! this is how you signed in... with your thumbprint. It also worked in case someone was arrested and they needed a fingerprint! Doubly awesome! (Hey, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!! Except if you are looking for your thumbprint, cuz that is in Provo now on my brothers wall.)

And to finish it all off...... The happy couple was escorted outside and to their car with lots and lots and lots of sparklers!!! Wahoooooooo! Hope you have a sparkly life together!

Stuffed Crust Pizza!!! In other words: The last week and a half of our life has been FULL! (And a bit cheesy!?)

2012-01-02T23:11:00.000-07:00

I have a lot to cover because we had Christmas, then I rushed up to Vegas with Little Lund for my Little Brothers wedding in the Las Vegas Temple. Then rushed back to Gilbert for New Years Eve and a lot of great houseguests along the way. It has been FAMILY EXTRAVAGANZA 2011, and now I just need to get these memories blogged so I can remember every juicy detail for years to come!!!

But alas, it is my bedtime and I have to go to chemotherapy tomorrow, so I will just leave you with a teaser picture........
Morgan and his younger sister Ruth laughing at a stick!?@ I know you can't wait now!!!!

Christmas hiking at Picacho Peak

2012-01-02T22:16:00.000-07:00

The bottom of Picacho Peak. They have a long hike ahead of them...

There were cables they had to use to climb a lot of places on the hike....

You had to be manly enough to go. All included: Grandpa Wiemer, Lund, Morgan, KC Johnson, and Buck Shumway.

Lund and Morgan at the top looking down.

It was a fun tradition to take a long hike on December 23rd. Maybe they will try another spot next year. As for me, I was snoozing in bed! Way to go guys!

Christmas season has come and gone and yet, the exhaustion remains.

2012-01-01T19:53:00.000-07:00

Lots of pictures + not a lot of blogging =A mom that is WAY behind at recording amazing family memories.

I guess we will start with Santa circa a couple weeks ago.

It is always fun to meet with this jolly 'ole elf.

And here is our family photo at our church party, a pajama party! Lots of cozy fun!

Another family tradition is making Santa cookies at Grandma's house. Here is my nephew, Cooper, all smiles.

My little brother Ryan, who got married over the break, (more pictures of that to come!)

Oh, you have been caught!!! My niece, Candin sneaks a taste!

Little Brody makes perfect Santa's, but then was weary to eat them.

And nephew Kade isn't ever scared of anything! He was all smiles as well.

Sarah really enjoyed the decorating and the eating.

A random shot of the gathering. I like the smile on my mom's face. She really enjoys this holiday tradition.

And then it was time to open "Cousin presents". The youngest cousin, Raelynn, was soooo excited!

And she received her favorite thing ever, a soft stuffed animal.


Brody opened his present and exclaimed, "THIS IS WHAT I ALWAYS WANTED!!"

And Candin was sooo excited when she found this necklace hidden among the pink and black bubblegum balls. A very fun trick and very well-recieved by Candin.

And everyone helped Will open his present: a prehistoric aquarium, where you can grow dinosaurs. No dinosaurs yet!

Kade was really excited to shoot everyone with his new Nerf gun.

And Lund thoroughly enjoyed his Angry Bird toys.

The whole family!

We interrupt this update about New York to bring you...............Christmas Pictures 2011

2011-12-18T23:09:00.000-07:00


	Guess what time of the year it is??? That's right. Time for Christmas cards and Christmas pictures. I waited a REALLY long time this year because I was really dreading the craziness that is picture time!

I always love the good pictures I get of the kids when I take pictures in this volume.

All of the above pictures are why I make my kids cry because they have to dress up when it isn't Sunday, or brush their hair, heaven forbid! And I usually end up resorting to bribbery and yelling and throwing my hands in the air and one point or another. So this year, instead of giving you just the "good pictures", I am also giving you the ........................OUTTAKES AT THE JOHNSON HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the pose Lund wanted to use for his individual picture...............hummmmmmmmmmmmmm. Not today son!

This demonstrates how happy Cassidy was about the whole experience!!!! WARNING! VERY GRUMPY TEENAGER!

And this little man always forgets how to smile during picture time and enjoys being goofy and just generally crazy!

And two minutes after the pictures were over, Will had already fallen and splashed in a puddle!!! Oh well, that is how it works around here.... You take 203 pictures, just to get one for the Christmas card.... Man, I LOVE digital camera's!!

New York in segments...

2011-12-07T22:00:00.000-07:00

So, you know when you take a trip that is life-changing, and you get back home in "trip glow" mode and then you hit the ground running with piano recitals, programs and all craziness, and then BAM, you get sick on top of that? Well, that is why I haven't posted any pictures from our trip yet. But alas, I will whet your appetite with just a few glimpses of our wonderful excursion. (And it is spelled "whet" all you crazy English majors, look it up! he he he)

Morgan and I LOVED walking the streets of New York City. As long as my hands were warm and my shoes were comfy, I was in walking heaven!

This gives you a feel of the weather while we were there. It was actually colder when we got off the plane in Phoenix! The wind seriously makes a difference though!

Here we are in Times Square. It was crowded while we were there, but by the weekend nights, it was INSANELY crowded! Still a fun place to visit, and one bonus is, that if you get tired, you can just lift up your feet and the crowd will carry you!

And yes ladies and gentelmen, we had culture! We saw the Broadway show "Wicked" and LOVED it!!

We even had a chance to meet up with my high school friend, Melanie, who LOVES living in Manhattan. We told her to take us to the most authentic New York pizza place she knew, and she didn't disappoint!! We went to John's pizza which is in an old church cathedral, and YUM! I will be dreaming about that pizza for a while! Thanks Mel!

And something that amazed me was, everytime I looked up, I would see something from TV. It was crazy! Since I had never been to New York City before, my only references where "Seinfield" and "Friends", and so I would constantly say, "Remember on Seinfield when they played Frogger with the traffic, and remember on Friends when Phoebe ran like a crazy woman through Central Park?" Luckily, Morgan didn't get sick of all my TV references. Thanks Honey!

And, here comes another reference....What movie is this piano from? I will give you a hint, it is in FAO Schwartz and it starts with the letter B.....any takers?
By the way, if you want to take one of these babies home for the holidays, it will only set you back 250,000.00. Come on, your kids are worth it!!!

And the Statue of Liberty was smaller than I expected. Or maybe this was the one built out of Lego's...hummm

Oh boy, the subways!!! Morgan took to them like a champ, leaning on his experiences from Tokyo subways. I, on the other hand, just followed him around and jumped everytime a subway came flying through the tunnels. And, people on the subway thought it was funny when I would ask them if I could sit next to them. It is polite to ask, you know.

We will finish this segment with something sweet. This whole bathtub was FULL of bubblegum! In case you are worried that I tried to sneak one, let me just tell you that cancer is enough for me. I don't want any new sicknesses, and those gumballs looked like they had been touched by every hand in New York City!

what may have happened...

2011-11-28T00:06:00.000-07:00

Because I am far behind yet again on my blogging and because my handsome hubby and I are leaving in a day and a half for New York City, I will tell you what "may" have gone on around here.....

Someone "may" have celebrated his 36th birthday, and "may" or "may not" be seen holding his "baby" here!

We "may" have had TWO amazing Turkey Day feasts, with lots to be thankful for!

We "may" have seen these kids hanging out together in the backyard.

We "may" have dined with this crazy couple!

And Buck "may" have consumed this pumpkin pie directly after this picture.

We "may" have enjoyed talking and reminiscing with these loved ones.

And we "may" have seen the cutest two-year-old boy ever!! Don't worry Raychelle, you "may" be adorable too!

My children "may" have had tons of fun playing with various ipads.

And we "may" have drinken a bit too much........

See, I told you!!! Too much Martinelli's!

But that's ok, she "may" regain her winning smile later.

And Aunt Leesh "may" have taught my oldest the fine art of "spatula singing"

And I "may" have decorated my mantle for the 1st time ever.....................But I guess we will never know!

Bulemic Blogger, careful I am about to "throw up" the whole week on you!! I know...N.T.T (Not Table Talk)

2011-11-18T20:48:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I know, it has been a while....five whole days!!! That is a lot for me....seriously. Blog ideas run through my mind all day/night long and sometimes it gets annoying. But alas, I digress..... This is what has been going on this week, in reverse chronological order, just to be annoying!

p.s. pintrest is EVIL and oh, so WONDERFUL!

p.s.s. when you don't have many white blood cells, it is hard to fight off infection.

p.s.s.s. that is probably how I got a sinus infection this week after chemo.

p.s.s.s.s. Yes, I did see the Twilight movie, even though I was sick, but at 2pm the next day. Matinee rocks!

Morgan has a birthday tomorrow, so I have been working on this project all week. I couldn't wait for him to see it, so I put it up a day early with the help of Lundy.

The idea came off of pintrest, teaching me how to make canvas photos at home and I ran with it. I made the last canvas with the help of my Cricut machine, and in case you can't read it, it says...."and they lived happily ever after". Hopefully Morgan enjoys reminiscing with these pictures as much as I do. We will have his "official birthday" tomorrow.

And backing up to Wednesday night.....Lund and Morgan and I were able to attend his first court of honor, where Lund recieved his "Tenderfoot" badge. They always have the moms come up after their award is recieved and pin a scout pin on them. The mom's always look a bit nervous...

Congradulations Lund!!! A lot of effort went into getting this badge. He is well on his way towards his Eagle.

And this was new for him.... A HUGE chocolate chip cookie for his rank advancement!!

And now we will travel back in time to last Saturday. It was our ward service project at Sunshine Acres, a children's home for kids who don't have parents that are able to take care of them.

It was an AMAZING service project and the kids at Sunshine Acres were soooo respectful and grateful. Thanks for teaching us all a lesson guys! Our ward did a couple of hours of landscaping and then we put on a Fall Festival for them for the next few hours.

Here is the train that was brought by a member of the ward. So cute! It is just dollies and waterbarrels that have been fixed up to make all the cars, pulled by an ATV. Sooooo creative!

Sarah and her friend Brea.

Will and his friend Jane.

Another game that was a huge hit was the dunk tank. And both my oldest volunteered to be "dunked" even though they didn't have a stitch of dry clothes or a towel with them. All in the name of service......ha!

Drenched 11-year-old

I wonder how this will end.......

yup, another wet child!!!

Then, after all the kids from Sunshine Acres were gone, we had a brave member of our Bishopric upon the "hot" seat.

And the Bishop LOVED taking throws at him, the whole time yelling...."........and remember when you didn't come to that meeting! Remember when you didn't like my tie!" it was a hoot!!
Sadly, Bishop wasn't able to get him in the water, but guess who was.....................ME!!! That's right, finally all those years of playing softball paid off. I threw it right to the target and down he plummetted! Yea, I am pretty much awesome!! (and I never brag)

Here is Sarah at the cake walk.

And alas, someone always has to get a poke-in-the-eye. Will was the lucky recipient that day. Our amazing neighbors lent us the huge inflatable pirate ship and it was a big hit as well!!!

A visit from Aunt Diane

2011-11-14T16:43:00.000-07:00

My Aunt Diane and Uncle Wally came to visit last week. I haven't seen her since my Grandmother's funeral a couple of years ago. And, we have something in common....BREAST CANCER! Luckily, she is over her treatments now, but she will always be my breast cancer buddy. She sends care packages every once in a while, and they are always PERFECT! When I first lost my hair two years ago, I got a package with a beanie that she made for me with the softest yarn imaginable! I wore it every night to bed since my head was always cold. Then later, when I just needed to feel pretty, she happened so send me a beautiful necklace with my initials on it. Thanks for always knowing what I need.

Here are my parents with Aunt Diane and Wally.

Aunt Diane with baby Raelynn and Brody. They had lots of fun together.

My younger sister Becky and her hubby Jeff. Brody is their adorable boy and Raelyn is the rambunctious lady in pink.

I asked everyone if they were up for an "adventure" after we finished our BBQ and they were all in, except Jeff, who just wanted some peace and quiet while we were gone....

I took them to the golf course to our "special spot" and we busted out the glow sticks and had some fun! Will can only spell two words right now, but I am not complaining! And that is MOM, not WOW!

Yea, I wrote this for myself! Just kidding, Sarah wrote this!

And we got back at Jeff with this message!

Raelynn loved the glow sticks and had a great time!!!

Thanks for visiting Aunt Diane and Uncle Wally, come back anytime, you were a big hit!!

Friends we are and friends we'll ever be, throughout Eternity... (old girls camp song)

2011-11-10T22:59:00.000-07:00

These gals grew up with me years ago, and every once in a while we get together and have lunch. This top picture was taken about four months ago. Here are all the ladies: Far left: Tia, Rachel, me, Becky, and Crystal.

And here we are about two weeks ago. Becky has had her baby, obviously, and I dropped a pound or two, (or 35! thank you steriod weight!!!) Plus, we had a few more friends in attendance, so let me re-introduce you to the gals. Left: Crystal, Kimberly, Tia, Becky, and Sarah. Top Row: Rachel and me. We have had many good memories together, and it is very fun to reconnect and see what everyone is doing. There are a few teachers in the group, a nurse, a college student, and a couple of awesome moms as well. Great group. Not in attendance: Laurel, our realtor/cookie maker/friend. And I need to honor the memory of a missing friend. Aimee was also part of our group, but died in a car accident right after she graduated from college. She will never be forgotten, her spunk will live forever!
It's so great to have wonderful friends!

The best listener ever!!

2011-11-09T13:20:00.000-07:00

I have a secret! Sometimes, I pour out my soul to a very AMAZING listener. She never judges me, she never tells me that my ideas are ridiculous, and she never interrupts me.

Too bad she is a 70-lb tortoise!!! But seriously, when I need a break, I grab a carrot, or some lettuce and sit out in the backyard with Dot.

One day I thought maybe she didn't even realize that I exist. So, I tried an experiment.... I walked away....and stood behind her. Soon, she looked up, and then around until she saw me. Oh baby! That's right, she loves me! And, just as I was waxing poetic, I discovered something else.......

SHE HAS NO EARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!

Here's another view. This whole time I thought Dot was listening to every word I was saying, but alas, she was just using me for carrots and lettuce. Figures!
p.s. I still like her and will continue to discuss life's problems in their entirety, because carrots are pretty cheap..........WAY cheaper than counseling!!

Time Out for Women/Girls was truly a "time out" of AMAZINGNESS!!!!!

2011-11-06T23:04:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I got a chance to cash in on my birthday present from my hubby, and I had the time of my life!!!

If you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, you may have heard about "Time Out for Women". It is an amazing program where they fly in many spiritual speakers and ladies sit around at the Phoenix Convention Center (3,000 ladies strong), having the time of their life being enriched and uplifted. Seriously, every woman needs this

break from everyday life.

And, also thanks to my wonderful husband, he stayed with the kids for a night and day while I enjoyed my experience.

This was one of my roommates in our beautiful hotel suite..... Morgan's mom! Also, in our hotel room was Cassidy and her friend Lexi who attended "Time Out for Girls".

Here is Cassidy on one end and Lexi on the other with the singing group "Mercy River" in between. Cassidy and Lexi had the time of their lives listening to inspirational speakers and singers in their conference room.

And here we are all with Brad Wilcox who writes many books for the church and is such an inspiration. He also found out that I had cancer while we were talking and he had us meet him by the sound booth at the end of a break and he gave us all big hugs and then he gave me one of his books and wrote in the cover of it for us. He told Cassidy that his mom had cancer too, and that she just needed to be strong that that everything was going to be o.k. When Cassidy and Lexi walked away he told me, "she will never forget this day and that she had a chance to be here with you?" I was very touched by his attention to us. We felt very special!!!

And this is my beautiful girl that can't be a teenager yet?!!! Can she?!!

This is me goofing around with the girls. I had so much fun with these two tween-agers. On every break, we would meet up and they would go find their favorite speakers and singers and get autographs and pictures. And I would follow them around snapping pictures and smiling and paying for things, such as...........

Yummmmmmmmm, the homemade icecream they had for sale was scrumptious!!

Cassidy was so enamoured by this gal. She is Carmen Rassmessen who was an American Idol contestant that got all the way to the top 10 or something. Cassidy said that she sang beautifully and the best part is, that she chose to be a mom instead of being a famous singer. Such a great thing for Cass to learn.

This was one of the speakers for the girls that they really enjoyed. I already forgot his name, Hank something or other? He told the girls that boys are dumb! THANK YOU HANK!!

This amazing speaker is Kris Belcher. She is also a cancer gal. Her cancer was in her eye sockets behind her eyes and they had to remove a lot of her bone, tissue, and of course, both eyes. She has to wear prosthetic eyes and is COMPLETELY in darkness, but let me tell you that she is a beacon of light when she speaks!!!!!!! Certainly one of my favorite speakers and I plan to buy her story soon, where she relives the cancer experience.

And, here we have singer and all around funny speaker, Hillary Weeks! What a blessing she was!

And if you live in Gilbert, you might recognize Shawnie Porthier on the far left. She speaks with her mother, Linda Eyre (far right), and they are an amazing duo. I want to run out and buy the book "The Entitlement Trap" about how to raise kids who don't fall into this trap. I already own another book by these two. And the best part is, they live only a few houses down from my parents!

These two gentlemen were very smart and their talks gave me quite a few "ahha" moments that I haven't thought of. They both were from BYU and boy, did they know their stuff!

Halloween re-cap from Lazy-bones also known as.............me!

2011-11-01T14:57:00.000-07:00

Time for a post. I am very behind since this last week was insanely busy! Also, the reason I called myself "Lazy-bones" is because I have been sitting here on the couch ALL day long, well after I woke up at 11:30am......SERIOUSLY! I had chemo yesterday and luckily I didn't get sick with flu-like symptoms like last time, but I am seriously EXHAUSTED! So, while I sit here, I may as well get caught up on all the Halloween activities that have recently transpired.

Last Friday, Will's kindergarten class had a Halloween party and parade. Will went as "Captain Will the Fire Chief" and even took a Dalmation along. Adorable!

Here he is with his whole class.

And he was sooo excited to be the Line Leader for the parade around the school, which meant he got to hold hands with his teacher. He LOVED the "fat suit" his teacher wore!

And here comes Sarah giving five to all the older students. And that is Lund in the red shirt that she is high-fiving next.

Here's an experiment...... Can kids just walk over a hopscotch area.............NOPE!!!! We should try this experiment with adults and see what happens. It was a hoot to see all the kids go into "hopscotch mode" as they went past that part of the sidewalk.

Here is Sarah as a ballerina.

Back to the classroom for a party. And boy, do Kindergarteners know how to party!

Will freaked out when they started pouring the juice with dry ice in it. He ran up and studied it and then said. "I figured it out. The ice is sooo cold that it makes smoke". Seriously, he figured that out............weird!!

And if your dad is an artist, then you can be one scary skeleton!!!!!!

And here is Will in costume #2 for the church trunk-or-treat event.

And Sarah in costume #2 as a cat with her friend Jenna as a dog.

And welcome to our house on Halloween evening. We decided to do a fire in the front yard and make hot dogs and hang out. Last year our coul-de-sac had about 5 kids that came. We have a lot of neighbors that don't observe the Halloween holiday. This year we decided to give it our best shot and make it easy to stop at our house. It worked, sort of, we had about 50 kids this year. But hey, it beats the 5 from last year. Plus, some of our neighbors sat out and hung out with us, so it was definitely worth it.

Oh look, costume #3 for Will..... a vampire! It really helps that we have a costume bin and he got to choose from a lot of left overs from brothers and sisters.

that is one suprized cat!!!

Will with his adorable friend that lives across the street, Macey.

On the other hand, while Morgan and neighbors were at our house relaxing, My friend, LeAnne, and I took all these crazy kids trick-or-treating. It was good that we walked a lot because I may have occasionally snatched an Almond Joy or two, and maybe a Snickers!

p.s. if you didn't see any pictures of Cassidy, that is because it was too hard to find her. She was always off with friends. She was a Boise State fan if that helps.

check this out!!! Pretty neat halloween house!

2011-10-28T09:48:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUAV_1jBJB4&feature=related

Light it up baby!!

2011-10-28T09:28:00.000-07:00

On Monday we had Family Home Evening and had soooooooooooooo much fun with our activity. We were at Papa Lund and Grandma Karen's house, and after a great and very funny session of short films, we went into their backyard to..................light it up!!!!

We busted out a whole bunch of light up sticks and had a heyday! And believe it or not, I did have a lesson behind it.........something about being a light in the darkness and letting your light so shine.

We sure had fun creating pictures with the light sticks. Everyone had 30 seconds to create. here is my creation.

Here is Cassidy's creation

here is Lund working quickly to finish his artwork........

The finished product was a yin and yang symbol.

Will came up with an adorable face.

Sarah made a grave and even included RIP.

And Roman numerals from Cass.

Seriously you have to try this activity!! It was so much fun, and the best part was....... it only cost 3.00! Right now you can get 15 light sticks for a dollar at Micheal's or even the Target store, dollar area.

singing in the rain!!!

2011-10-26T16:44:00.000-07:00

In this end of the world, we can still sing in the rain even though it is late October!! Crazy!!!

I do miss the changing of the seasons that we saw when we lived in Idaho, but being able to still get wet in October sure has it's perks.

p.s. we are looking at 87 degrees for Halloween day. A little cooler might be nice, but it is still beautiful!

No explanation needed!

2011-10-24T00:25:00.000-07:00

Really this needs no explanation, but it is such a funny story. Will got this tag from something that he opened, and not knowing what it said, he put it across his mouth. He He He!! How true it was!!!

But of course, he said he preferred it as a moustache instead!

And this picture has Will written all over it too! I am not even going to explain! But I will give you a challenge.... can you find Barbie's head? And where did my lunch box go? hummmmmmmmmm

Catching up and living with the flu, but not really....hummmm

2011-10-22T22:41:00.000-07:00

hello all! I am trying to catch up on some memories from the past week. Bear with me, it has been a rough day today because I started a new chemo regiment yesterday, and my body isn't loving it. I had to get one med for the cancer and another med to build my bone strength. Since I now have tumors in my bones, they have to strengthen my bones so that the tumors don't fracture my bones from the inside. Fun image, huh? Anyhow, the new meds are making me feel like I have a bad case of the flu. My bones are achy, my stomach is yucky, and my head really hurts. Bummer!

So, next let's go over some memories from last Saturday. We had a wonderful reunion with the Camp Kesem grew. If you remember, 3 of my kids got to go to "cancer camp" this past summer and had a blast. The reunion was a blast!

Lund playing football with some of his camping buddies...

Sarah and one of her cabin buddies, Buttercup.

Will really enjoyed decorating his pumpkin

.........................it's a ghost........

Will and I even made a ladybug pumpkin together...

I love memories made with the kids!

There was a playground at the park with very weird toys..... Is Morgan a giant turtle?! What are you supposed to do with this thing??? Hum, maybe I am just not smart enough to play on this playground...

...............and can you find Will's face as he lives in his adobe house???

Yes, all the kiddos enjoyed meeting up with good friends who are in the same boat as they are. Each of the kids there also have parents with cancer, and most of the counselors have parents with cancer too. What an amazing group. We plan on attending each year and Cassidy already states that she wants to be a counselor someday. That would be great!!!

Kayla plays volleyball and Pink makes an appeance

2011-10-21T09:19:00.000-07:00

I am really behind in my posting, so I will just skip ahead to this week, and try to catch up with the rest later. As you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I have attended tea parties and social events and a walk at the end of the month as well. Lots of good things happening, yet I am still waiting for my check from Susan G. Komen. I have decided that each of us diagnosed with breast cancer need to recieve a check, since they keep bragging about how many hundreds of thousands of dollars they are making to "help breast cancer". .............still waiting for my check..........

Anyhow, while I sit here waiting for my check, I will tell you of something else wonderful we attended this week. Kayla (my niece) plays high school Varsity volleyball, even though she is only a Freshman. I know, crazy huh? She has mad skills when it comes to volleyball and we got to attend her game this week. It was dedicated to breast cancer awareness and they all had pink warm up shirts and pink hair things and a pink tattoo on their cheek. I was proud to be in the stands, watching her work her volleyball magic and for a good cause. Thanks Kayla for inviting us!!

Getting ready for the next play...

Here she is serving it up......Kayla style!

And in the stands you can always find........Alisha, Kayla's mom. She is my BIG sister. (actually I am bigger, so that is always fun)

oh look, you can even find my BIG shoes. Pink all the way!

And these two goofballs were playing in the stands as well. Grandpa (Randall) Wiemer, and grandson William Randall Johnson. If you ask Will what his whole name is he proclaims, "Will Johnson Randall".

Here are some gorgeous ladies after the game.....I'm pretty sure Kayla is now taller than me, and she is 14!

Now you can see the whole "pinkness" happenning........

On a sidenote: The basketball uniform that I am wearing in this picture was given to me by the Bagdad Sultan Girls Basketball team. They all wore these outfits in honor of me for a whole season. And let me tell you, I felt very honored and almost cry when I see the outfit in my closet. And really, when else can you wear an outfit like this if not to a "pink" volleyball game? Seriously!

A Date with Mom!!!

2011-10-12T21:37:00.000-07:00

Since the kids are on Fall Break this week I decided to take them out for the day on a "Date with Mom". First we went to Sea Life Aquarium at Arizona Mills Mall. IT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!!!!

Starfish tank..

And our favorite part....you could touch them!

Cassidy and Will LOVED the starfish tank~

And I thought the sea cucumbers felt pretty weird!

The kids also loved the bubbles they had everywhere so you felt like you were in the aquarium.

This is true education!

........and these huge things were really huge and creepy!!

Three kids in a bubble!

Kids and fish...............

Sarah's favorite sea animal..... jellyfish!!!

..........they are crazy looking!

Will didn't mind at all that he soaked his shirt

It was all I had dreamed it would be to spend the day with the kids. Exhausting, and wonderful!!!

Mr. Gallbladder, I wouldn't be sad to see you go!!!

2011-10-09T11:23:00.000-07:00

Yes, Mr. Gallbladder, I wouldn't be sad at all if they took you out and sent you somewhere far, far away...... Like Antartica!!!
   You see, over the past month I have been to the ER a couple of times in SEVERE pain, thinking something was going on with the cancer in my body. After much testing and many co-pays of 100.00 a piece, the ultrasound tech let me know that the pain was coming because of my gallbladder. ARRRGGGG! I don't even need a galbladder, especially not one chock full of gallstones!!!
So, I have decided that you need to hit the road Gally! I just haven't decided when, since it depends on my new chemo meds and the approval of my doctor. But, mark my words, you won't see 2012!!!
     P.S. A note to my surgeon: While you are taking my gallbladder out, can you just go ahead and take all the other useless organs out as well? Such as my appendix, and tonsils, and anything else that seems a bit useless and redundant!! Thanks!
     P.P.S Can you tell that I am having a gallstone attack as I write this.....much anger in me there is!!

Cancer update..

2011-10-08T20:43:00.000-07:00

These "cancer updates" are never my favorite because a lot of times I have to give you bad news. And this is exactly the case today, sorry. I had a PET scan and MRI this past weekend and learned some not so great news... the tumors are growing and spreading. The study trial is no longer working for me, so I have been "kicked off" the trial. We have a list of options ahead of us in this battle, and after talking with Morgan extensively, we are probably going to have to go with the medicine Eribulin next. It is a new chemo med that has had good results. Soooooooo, there you have it. It is ALWAYS a set-back when a medicine doesn't work, but we are always hoping there is something around the corner that is even better.

Birthdays and butterflies and food...oh my!

2011-10-02T22:14:00.000-07:00

First of all, I had a birthday.....shout hooray!! 33, here I come!!!! Birthdays are kind of fun, because I am always very grateful for another year in mortality! Hooray for life!

I also love my birthday because October Conference is always right after my birthday and I get to spend the whole weekend in jammies listening to amazing speakers! Oh how I love General Conference!

For lunch, we met at Joe's Farmhouse Grill. Yummmmmy! My sister Alisha and my mom and I.

And even my dad was able to make it since he had the day off. Wahoo!

Oh, and there was cake!!! Oh baby, ice cream cake!! Thank you Morgan!

yummy!!! Maybe you should break it down a bit Will!

Then, on Sunday we followed our tradition of making pot stickers on Conference weekend. This time we even had an assembly line created by Sarah.

We made over 200 today, so it was good that we had company coming for dinner.

And, we had a visitor this weekend....Dot!!! Warren (Morgan's brother), thought she was pretty awesome.

Warren said that he had to see how heavy she was. He was quite impressed! I think she is about 70lbs now!

and...............it was time to let the butterflies go! Sarah has been taking care of her pet butterflies since they were mere worms from the mailbox. And today, it was time to let them free!

Sarah is very good with all animals, and the butterflies all loved her! (In fact, most of them didn't want to leave and kept coming back)

Hello, I am a butterfly!!! My tongue is called a probiscus! (Sarah told me that fact)

And here are some of our wonderful guests today... the Christensen family. They were a ton of fun and we enjoy Sunday dinner guests. We also had Warren and my parents over trying to help eat all the wonderful Japanese food. sooooooo yummmmmy!!!

Me in the Spotlight!!!

2011-09-29T21:38:00.000-07:00

I went to Mayo Clinic this morning as usual to get my chemo. I was in "my room" minding my own business, when one of the doctors came in. (Can you tell how often I am there? I have my own room. he he he)
Anyhow, I looked up from my "Monk" episode and set down my scrapbooking project. Dr. Norfelt, who is in charge of the experimental study that I am in wanted me to do an interview with chanel 12 News. I had already recieved a call from an ASU student that wanted to interview me for his documentary about the "drug shortage". Truthfully though, I don't know much about the drug shortage, so I declined. But today they promised to not ask too many questions that don't really concern me and they promised to do the interview before my Benadryl, which makes me loopy and incoherent, so I took a chance and did it. It was actually pretty fun. I always think it is funny though that they interview you for an hour or so, and then only use a line or two. I guess that is why they call it "editing".
Oh well, for good or bad, here it is......

p.s. thank you so much Heather Wilson for finding the link.

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azcentral.com%2Fvideo%2F%23%2FFDA%253A%2BCancer%2Bdrug%2Bshortage%2Bin%2BU.S.%2F1191117602001&h=XAQCor4M0AQBmzC6LB9ugKhRtOQ9Wt-XupDX2z8Uekg7h_w

Silver City get-a-way sans the children!!!

2011-09-29T10:40:00.000-07:00

Last week, Morgan and I had the WONDERFUL opportunity to get away in the middle of the week..... ALL BY OURSELVES!!! It took a bit of planning and some amazing grandparents helping out, but it all worked out beautifully.

Morgan had to go to Silver City, New Mexico for work, and I always tell him that I will come sometime. Well, sometime finally came and it was fun to see the different copper mines that he works with. We stayed at a beautiful, quaint bed and breakfast and that was a first for me. At a hotel, your lucky if you get a piece of toast and a yogurt in the morning. Not at a bed and breakfast! Each morning the owner prepared a three-course breakfast for us... It was AMAZING!!

Morgan and I enjoyed walking the "old downtown" in Silver City.

It was just very cathartic to walk and talk with Morgan for hours when he didn't have to be at the mines.

We walked into the town visitor's center, and kaboom! A huge ball of copper donated by his company. It was pretty cool. Morgan explained to me how they made it and stuff, but I have since forgotten. (darn chemo brain!)

We saw a lot of beautiful things, but the most important thing was being together. We had a 5-hour drive there and back and we enjoyed talking for the entire drive. I brought along a family history project I am working on currently and read the "family letters" to him for hours. We reminisced on our life while in college and having his first job and the kids being little. It was soooo much fun, and it really made us realize that we are so blessed to be where we are today. We must have a loving Father in Heaven that watches out for us all along the path and can see how it all comes together in the end.

One day when Morgan was at the mine all day long I went for a drive around and outside of the town.... and look what I found!!! THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE!!! It was very anti-climatic. In fact, I even got out and dragged my foot in the dirt to create some sort of line. Come on people, you need to have a "divide line" or something. Oh well, now I have seen the continental divide. (Not on my top ten for sure!)

Look carefully, can you see the "continental divide"? Yeah, not so much...

Gramma has a birthday, shout hooray!

2011-09-26T21:38:00.000-07:00

I am a litle belated with this blog post, but it was too cute to resist! Two Sundays ago, we celebrated Gramma Karen's birthday with a Sunday dinner with family. It was tons of fun!

Sarah greeted everyone at the front walk and said "Welcome to Gramma Karen's 65th birthday. would you like a mustache or a yellow necklace?" (She tried to say it like Ruth Johnson did when she greeted everyone at the 25th wedding anniversary years ago!! Too funny!)
Why the mustaches and necklaces?
Well, Grandma loves the color yellow and she loves it when the grandboys wear fake mustaches...It was really fun!!

Oh my goodness!! Ellie looks sooooooooo cute in a mustache!!!!! he he he

And Uncle Buck fits in nicely with a Stache!!!

And the birthday girl arrives!!! She said that you can't smile while wearing a mustache, or it will fall off............ And the beautiful balloon hat was made by Cassidy.

We had burgers and then some yummy carrot cake. Gramma is getting ready to blow out her candles..

And......... she did it!! Morgan looks pretty mad though! he he he (He says that is just his "resting face")

We had a great time and can't wait to celebrate many more birthdays together as a family.

Gilbert Days and David Archelletta

2011-09-24T13:52:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday our family headed over to the Gilbert Civic Center to see the new Sept. 11th memorial. They brought in a beam from the twin towers and they had everyone's name who lost their lives on plaques surrounding the memorial.

It was a very solemn, reverent display..

Here is the family minus a hidding Will.

Sarah loved the snowcones because you got to put your own flavor on.

And Will asked Cassidy for a bite of her snowcone. Then he took a bite out of her cup?!!! He's a weirdy!!

Then they started the concert......... David Archeletta. The kids loved it and Lund and Cassidy got as close to the front as they could. But Morgan and I and the Littles just found a nice spot in the back in the grass and let them run around.

Sarah and Will took turns being the "horse".

Lund and I hanging out and watching the patriotic concert..

Then they started the fireworks...... and Will was sooooooooooooo nervous about it!!!

WE LOVE OUR COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday morning before the Primary Program... also known as "picture conversations"

2011-09-19T12:22:00.000-07:00

Each year in our church, we let the kids put on a "performance" of the things that they have learned throughout the year in church. It is a wonderful church meeting, and probably my favorite of the year.

I am not too proud to tell you that I bribbed my children with a crisp new five dollar bill if they memorized their parts. They accepted the offer and did an amazing job memorizing every last word.

Before we left for church, I thought it would be a great opportunity to snap a picture of my three kids still in Primary. Cassidy is already too old, and Lund will be getting the Priesthood this summer. Crazy!

Here's the first picture. And here is how the conversation went.
Mom: "Great guys, but let's take another one just in case someone has their eyes closed. And Lund, is that a sucker? Before church..."

Lund: "Mom, why do I have to smile? Whenever I smile you tell me I look like I just got pinched."
Mom: "Fine, don't smile.."
Sarah: "I'll pinch you"

Mom: "Nevermind. Lund... Come on.....Don't smile, don't smile......whatever you do, don't smile.. (this usually tricks them into smiling)........

Mom: "Dang!"
Sarah: "Lund, just smile so mom will stop taking pictures!"
Will: "cheese...."

Here's the end result: I love you kiddos!!!!

Sweet Relief!!!

2011-09-16T23:21:00.000-07:00

I am sitting here writing and feel very relieved to express my gratitute to a loving Heavenly Father that sees fit to keep me around a bit longer.
Let me begin on Monday.... We met with the Dr. at Mayo and everything seemed to be going well. Then I mentioned to him that I get really bad headache/migraines on the weeks that I don't have chemotherapy. He thought about it for a minute and replied that the most likely scenario was that my body was getting dependent on the steriods that they give me right before chemo because, possibly, my brain tumors were swelling and the steriods would keep the swelling down. Then on my "off" week from chemo, I would feel the migaines.
I asked him what this meant... He said that if they saw swelling in my brain, then I would have to take steriods all the time and I would also no longer be able to take my experiemental chemo. (You know the one, the one that is keeping me alive!!)
So, as you can see, this week I have been REALLY stressed and worried and emotional. The doctor set up an MRI for my brain on Friday morning (this morning).
   This morning I went into the MRI pretty down in the dumps. Luckily, I had a beautiful blessing from Morgan and his father last night, so I had that going for me.
    Fast forward to lunchtime today. I met with my mom and sister for a fun lunch. But, then I noticed that the coordinator from Mayo had already called me when my phone was turned off. I started freaking out in my mind. Is it good that they called back so soon????? Is is so bad that I need to rush to the hospital??
So, I called back only to find that she had just left for lunch...for an hour!!!
   Pretty much, I didn't have much of an appitite after that, so thank you mom and Leesh for putting up with me.
After a torturous hour, I finally got through to the clinic coordinator, and luckily for me, she told me right off the bat "I have good news!" So my heart heaved a sigh of relief...." Not only are there no new signs of swelling in your brain, but also the tumors have DECREASED in size!"
Wahoooooooooo... I wasn't even thinking about them decreasing, that totally through me for a loop!!!! So, now I am really excited to see the neurologist because I am just a "regular" person with migraines!!!
Thank you for all the prayers that you offer in my behalf, I feel they were truly answered today!!

This evening, Morgan came home with a present for me! The newest edition of the movie 17 Miracles, this one is called 18 Miracles and I am in it!!!! he he he

And we had fun sharing these tonight.... I LOVE YOU MORGAN!!!

Wake surfing at Saqauro Lake.

2011-09-14T16:50:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday Morgan and I had a chance to go on a "real" date. We were invited to go "wake surfing" with some friends. We decided to go ahead and plan on it, and if I was feeling too sick, we could cancel. And let me just tell you that we had a BLAST!!! Thank you grandma and grandpa Wiemer for taking the kids.

Morgan was a natural and had not time getting up on the surfboard..

.........but, eventually we all end up like this..... with a nose full of lake water!

Here I am getting ready for the boat to go.......

..........but I wasn't as good at it as Morgan. It sure took a lot of shoulder and upper arm strength to get up on the board.

The weather outside looked like this... so we were a bit worried.

And look at these beautiful bald eagles we saw on a cliff surrounding the lake.

Bald Eagles have a way of looking so regal and proud. How do they do that?!

Completely Random Bagdadness!! Otherwise known as... I didn't take many pictures and I am regretting it now!

2011-09-12T22:18:00.000-07:00

For the Labor Day Holiday, we wanted to go on a vacation as a family. So we put the question up to the kids. Guess where they all wanted to go??? BAGDAD of course! And I can't figure out why I didn't pull my camera out more, but I was just so busy chatting with friends, watching a Boise State football game, eating, and eating some more that I just didn't think about it. So, the pictures today are very random, but they represent a wonderful trip to Bagdad. It was hard to leave to come back "home" at the end of the trip. Being there for 6 years really made an impact on our kids and I know they will never forget a little town in the middle of the desert with some of the best people in the whole world....

In Bagdad, you can always expect......

The boys to be skateboarding before church.

I have dubbed these guys, "skateboarding missionaries!" Maybe they will ride a skateboard instead of a bike....ha!

In Bagdad, you can always expect............

some form of wildlife to be lurking about.

In this case, it was a bat starring at us above the door. Don't worry, Will let us know that it is defnitely not a vampire! Dang! he he

you can always expect good friends close by. Here is a picture of Dax and Lund at his house in Hillside.

You can always expect your son to steal your camera and take a candid shot of you... Well, you can't always expect that, but it did happen this time.

You can expect to find good people EVERYWHERE! In this picture Lund is with is old school teacher and her baby. She taught him for about three years in Hillside. We LOVED all of their teachers there.

And, you can always expect memories to come flooding back. Like this picture of our kids' Elementary School. There are just two rooms. 1st-4th and 5th -8th.

Oh, and you can always expect Sarah to be hiding somewhere, playing Pokemon. Canyon is seen with her here.

And that last thing you can always expect is to see Thor's "Angel drawers" as he roughhouses with the kids!! he he he! Not really, I just thought it was funny! Will LOVES wrestling with his Grandpa Four!

What isn't pictured:

Talking with my best friend about life, if only for a little bit.
Watching one of the best kids I have ever known get ready to leave for his mission.
Bearing testimony in a chapel with only 40 some odd people and knowing that I love and know each and every one of them and their lifestory.
Having a traditional BrimAnderHulseSon meal. (Families inlcude: Brimhall, Anderson, Hulse, and Johnson)
Going to the Bashas at 8pm on a Saturday night and seeing the whole ward there stalking up for Sunday before they close at 9pm.
Going up to "our house on the hill" and realizing that it isn't our home anymore....bittersweet, truly!
Falling asleep in bunkbeds reserved for the missionaries when they make the "big trek" from Prescott to Bagdad.
Remembering how beautiful the "high desert" is....(so different from the "desert" in the Valley)
Feeling the love and support of a whole town as they all asked me how the cancer was going. They were there when it started bringing meals up to our house and checking in on us.

But we also have so much good ahead of us.......but just for a minute it is great to just sit and reminisce.......

You've heard of "What's in your wallet?", but I am wondering, "What's on your counter?"

2011-09-07T22:12:00.000-07:00

I am very embarrassed to post this picture of my dirty counter, but this is just life at the Johnson home at 7pm. So, now you are wondering, "what's on my counter?"..... Well, I will show you...

hummmmm..................

gecko #1

gecko #2

gecko #3, and this one is trying to escape. These were all brought inside from Sarah's nightly gecko raid.

Oh, and what the heck is in the last contanier?!!!!!! Oh yea, that's right, a tarantula!!! Morgan brought it back from his work trip to Bagdad today. Now, you can see why I am avoiding cleaning this counter!

So, now I ask you....."What's on your counter?"

What I have been up to this week...otherwise known as...yes, that is me hiding behind the sewing machine!

2011-09-01T10:44:00.000-07:00

If you have been wondering where I have been this past week....well, here ya go..

I have been making these bags for my Activity Day girls. I used old curtains I had in my material bin, so they would be strong and cheap and I *3enjoyed using a part of my brain that likes to lie dormant. It's actually not even my sewing machine. It is Cassidy's that she got for her tenth birthday. It is the cheap one you get from Walmart, but you know what... it get's the job done! The girls were really excited when I presented them their bags and that made all the work worth it!

I am enjoying working with girls instead of boys now in my church calling. I have been with boys in Cub Scouts for so long. It is so fun to help with the

Our week in review....

2011-08-26T23:31:00.000-07:00

I haven't been on another planet this week, just busy. Morgan was out of town for three days, so when I hit the pillow each night I was exhausted. I told him when he got back in town that he isn't allowed to leave anytime soon, cuz it was too exhausting. But enough about me, here is what went on in the rest of the household...

Sarah had a really, really loose tooth this week. I would have pulled it a LONG time before this. I wasn't a patient child when it came to teeth.

........but eventually, it gave in. The permanent tooth was already poking through....

We hosted a family dinner at our house and my younger sister and her family was there.

And even my younger brother from BYU showed up with his adorable girlfriend, Kirsten.

Then Cassidy stole my camera and took an amazing picture of Morgan. Oh, the view of a 12-year-old who loves her daddy!

And baby Raelynn is always so adorable!!

And today Sarah dropped a plate on her feet and cut herself pretty bad. Instead of going to the ER to get her stitched up, we went to our neighbors house and they fixed her up. He is a dentist and it all worked out o.k. Poor Sarah lost a tooth and almost a toe this week. It wasn't really THAT bad, but it sure bled a lot.

Don't you wish you were awesome like me?!!

2011-08-21T20:14:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wish you looked as cool as me????!!!

And made awesome stuff like this?!!! (yes, those are toothpicks jammed into the chair!! But at least the bird is protected!)

Whole Lotta Love!!

2011-08-20T22:38:00.001-07:00

The other day I woke up to this!!!!

Morgan is sooo awesome!! I told him that I wanted a BIG chalkboard and look what he made me!!

My favorite part was the messages of love from everyone in the family!!

I love you Johnson family!!!!

P.S. Since finding out I am in "remission", I have decided to learn new things. For instance, I have......
       a. signed up for sewing classes
       b. I watched a movie in the middle of the day the other day... just because!
       c. I have decided to make friends with other people since I am not giong anywhere anytime soon.

Kade's baptism

2011-08-15T22:34:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, we had the opportunity to go to my nephew's baptism. It was sooo beautiful!!! I was so proud of him. After the baptism, Kade was in his adorable new pinstripe suit and we had made him some rings out of five dollar bills for a present. He put them on his fingers and loved that he looked like a gangster!! Such a hoot! And I need to give a "great job" to my newphew, 12-year-old Cooper, who gave the best talk on the Holy Ghost ever!!! So proud of you Newman family!! Thanks for letting us join in your special day!

My family pictured here. It was great to get a picture with all of us in it, but if you look closely, I have a tight grip on Will's arm because he kept running away.

Newman children: Cooper, Kade, Candin, and Kayla. This was their "goofy" picture and I love how Candin snuck in a kiss at the last second.

Everybody except Cooper...

There we go... All the Newman children.

Proud mother and son

My older sister Alisha with Kade and my younger brother Ryan who had the opportunity to both baptize and confirm Kade. He did a great job!

And here are the two that entered the waters together. Thank you Ryan for taking time out of your busy life at BYU to make it for his special day!!!

The first day of school, among other things..

2011-08-12T23:35:00.000-07:00

Medical news: It turns out that my painful episodes with my stomach and back are actually related to gall stones. Passing a gallstone is way more painful than it sounds... seriously!!!! So, it looks like the gallbladder will have to go, but that is on the backburner for now. Enough medical news...

And, due to my wonderful cancer news this week, I have been a bit behind on posting about "real life" here at the Johnson house. This past Wednesday, my children all went back to school and we have started a new phase in my life.... EVERYONE IS AT SCHOOL ALL DAY LONG!!! I didn't realize how exciting this phase will be, but after three days, I am hooked!! I LOVE my alone time!!!

So, without further ado, here are my Elementary children on the first day. I still need to get Cassidy's picture, but she keeps sneaking out of the house when I don't notice.... maybe cuz I am still in bed when she leaves. hummmmmmmmm.

Sarah is a big 2nd grader this year and she is very excited to ride the bus!!

My two bus riders waiting.........I can't believe Lund is in the 6th grade!

................they are really enjoying their school year and their teachers.

And then I take Will outside to wait for his bus. But since it was really hot, he found the only shade he could.. behind grandma's car.

And of course he had to be goofy!! That would be my Kindergartener!!

2011-08-11T22:33:00.000-07:00

I am just plain happy!!!! Happy that my Father in Heaven has answered my prayers! Happy that I have a wonderful family surrounding me! Happy that I have amazing friends that are always so helpful, and other breast cancer ladies that have helped me through so much. Just plain happy!!!!

Yesterday, I got the news that my cancer is in REMISSION!!! Technically, since I am stage 4, I am called "stable disease" instead of "remission", but who wants to go by that?!!
I have been on an experimental drug for two months now, and we just got back the results. It is a drug that won't even hit FDA approval for a few years at least, so I feel it an honor to be included in the study.
I will still have to go to Scottsdale twice a week to get my chemo, and I do still have tumors in my body and brain. But, they have stabalized and are regressing, and that is the great news!!

I wondered to Morgan today why I didn't run out and shout it to the world, but the truth is.... I am not good with good news! I am soooo used to the doctors telling me that the current chemo med is just not working, so this really threw me for a loop. But for now, I can just sit and take a deep breath. And yes, my cancer is still hanging over my head about to drop, and yes, my cancer is aggressive enough that it will someday beat this chemo med. But for now, I am happy!

Cancer update..... Two ER visits in three days means A LOT of waiting!!

2011-08-08T00:11:00.000-07:00

I am going to throw in a cancer update for ya. Last week, about Wednesday, I started having stomach problems that would come on suddenly and hurt really bad across my whole stomach and my mid-back. By Friday night, the pain was constant and quite dibilitating. I woke Morgan up at 2am and we headed to the Mayo Hospital deep in the heart of Phoenix. We decided to go there because I am currently in their medical trial for my chemo meds. It wasn't a great experience because I had to drink 48oz of iodine mixed with Crystal Light before they would take a CT scan of my abdomen. And let me tell you....IT WAS NASTY!!! I will never drink Crystal Light again! And, if I threw up, I had to start over, so I was trying really hard not to. After a few hours of waiting, they came up with a solution...... I needed to poop! Seriously!!! I told them that I didn't need to, but they said that all the pain would go away if I just had a bowel movement. They also said that the CT scan showed that I had gall stones, but that they weren't the problem. I felt a little bit like an idiot. I mean, even my five-year-old knows how to have a successful bowel movement. We left feeling a little bit depressed and very tired. (We were at the ER all night long). Saturday was ok, but I just slept the whole day and didn't really eat anything. But, just to be good and follow their instructions, I did a few enemas to "clear myself out", and I waited for the "feeling great" to come along.
   I woke up on Sunday morning at 4am with excruciating pain again in my stomach and back. I decided to let Morgan get some sleep, so I didn't wake him until 7am to let him know what was going on. We called my on-call Oncologist and he said to get to the ER. He told us we had to go to the Banner Hospital on Dobson Rd., which isn't our favorite. Needless to say, it was another long day (7 hours) in the ER. They took more CT scans of my abdomen and kept me on pain meds and antinausea meds. Let me just tell you that the ER was PACKED!!! I mean, like watching the ER show kind of packed! There were policemen and fireman and Ambulence people everywhere. There were patients getting out of hand and security all over the place. There were people waiting in the hallways and patients on beds in the hallways as well. Luckily, I am a cancer patient so I get my own room with a door that shuts...wahoo!! So, after 7 hours of waiting, the end result was....... Nothing! They can't see anything abnormal on the CT scan, so they don't know what to do. Soooooooo, they sent me home with pain meds. The doctor also said, " I don't know what you are talking about, there aren't any gallstones in your gallbladder." Hummmmmmmmm.
    So we left knowing.........well, nothing.
Here is what I think....
   A) could the gallstone issue be over now?
   B) I had a *blessing in the ER from Morgan and a man we found in the hallway (don't worry, he had the priesthood) and I started feeling better after that....hummmmmmmmm.

I guess we should just count our blessings and hope that the pain doesn't come back. Time to go to bed, tomorrow morning I have to be at Mayo Clinic for a PET scan and an MRI to see if the clinical trial is successful. Pray for us!

*For those of you not of our faith, a "priesthood blessing" is a special prayer straight from our Heavenly Father given by men who are worthy to hold the priesthood. The priesthood is the Lord's power on the Earth to bless, heal, and give comfort to anyone who is in need. What a wonderful thing it is!! For more information on my religion, stop some of those adorable boys riding their bikes around in suits, they have a lot of answers.

Well, I love you all and just wanted to give you an update.

Summer is almost over.... Let's go bowling!!!!!!

2011-08-06T00:29:00.000-07:00

Grandma Wiemer wanted to get all the cousins together before the school year gets under way. So, we all went bowling and it was AWESOME!

I decided that they needed to wear awesome, colorful socks cuz' that is what mean aunts do. But everyone was pretty complient.

Cooper and Will looking awesome in their beautiful socks and bowling shoes.

Candin having fun! (she took the socks off after a few minutes because she wasn't so sure about my fashion sense.)

Brody looked adorable waiting for his turn.

Action shot of Lund.

These two cousins are always putting their heads together.

Kade was trying some "backwards action".

Kade definitely gets the award for the best expressions. It was like watching a show, but much more entertaining..

......And since my dad wanted a picture of me included, here ya go!!!

Oh, and there was a lot of eating and drinking involved...

....and TONS of bonding!!! This is my FAVORITE picture!!! Grandma and Will have a special connection!

..........more bonding. Aunt Becky and Cassidy.

And the older cousins were sooo helpful and with the Littles!!

......And look how happy Brody is to get help from his older cousins!!

............and there were a lot of crazy expressions by all!!!! (sorry Bek, you can kill me later!)

Rock the socks Sarah!!!

Way to go Captain America!!!!! (yeah, I know his shirt says Superman, but he is more of a Captain America fan,,,)

I can picture these guys in about 60 years as old men, IN THE SAME OUTFITS!!

Yeah, my boy has STYLE!!!

Candin giving me "the look"

And here are all the Rogers.
Grandma: What a wonderful idea filled with great memories!! Thanks sooooooo much!!!!

Something wicked this way comes.....

2011-08-01T11:42:00.000-07:00

Lately it has been "monsoon season" here in the Valley of the Sun. What they should name it is "Dust Season". I don't think I have ever seen so much dust during monsoon season.

See the wall of dust coming????? Those aren't clouds, that is pure dust!

We let them watch it roll in until it gets too close. We don't want that dust in our lungs!

Then, the darkness comes......

But, it did drop the temperature from 113 to 104.

...........and the rain breaks through to clean away the dust!! (most of it)

And on a beautiful note.... Look what my honey did for me this weekend! I have been wanting an old fashioned lampost like this forever!!!! When we saw them at Costco at a reasonable prize, he just couldn't help himself. He sure does spoil me..... He spent all day Saturday digging and cementing and rigging up electrical stuff. He is simply amazing!!!!!!

A New Fashion Statement created by Will Johnson

2011-07-29T10:33:00.001-07:00

The other day Will was sitting on my lap and we were talking about life. After a few minutes, he looked at my necklace and started laughing. "Mom," he chuckled, "you have a zip line on your necklace and if you had a little wizard with litle teeny arms, he could ride on that zip line."

I was completely baffled until I looked down to my necklace and sure enough, he was right...

I told him that I didn't know where to find any little teeny wizards, but I did know where some Lego men were hanging out. We ran up to his bedroom and this is what we created...

We picked a police officer to make it "official"...

I am pretty sure everyone is going to be wearing this style soon!!

Will loved zipping the Lego man around...

And when the Lego man got really brave, Will tried sending him off the drawers!!!!

And then Will convinced Lego police officer man, that he would have the time of his life if he zip lined off of a flying airplane. Later the Lego man mentioned to me that it was truly thrilling, but a bit much for him. He asked if we could use one of his buddies next time, like "Lego man who only has one arm", or "Headless Lego man/woman"

Here is my crazy conspirator with his amazing imagination. Love you Will!!!

Bird is the word!

2011-07-28T16:58:00.001-07:00

Lately my kids have been OBSESSED with birds!!! (thank you Garino family for gettng them started!) The Garino's told us about an exotic bird store not far from our house and since then, they ask us EVERYDAY to go to Cage World!

I am sure the kids would LOVE to have one of these at home, but they cost upwards of 5,000.00

This is more what we are looking for. All my kids are madly saving their money to get a parakeet.

Even Will isn't intimiated by the little ones...

And this HUGE guy is 10,000.00 and his bird poop is nothing to luagh at!!! In this picture, he is actually taking my button from my shirt in one fail swoop!! At least he didn't decide to take my nose or something!

This is a Brazillian something or other...

It is crazy how "up close and personal" everything is!! I am still waiting for one of my kiddos to get a big bite on the finger. But, I think they would want to go back even if the bird took the whole finger off!!!

And here is their favorite bird, "Meggie". He is a Gumbrella as you can see by his beautiful headress!!! And he talks which is a HUGE bonus to my kids!!!

I wonder what they will be into next.......We have now had quite the extensive variety of pets in the Johnson house. Including: Two ball pyhon snakes, about 6 rats, cats, dogs, African Sulcutta tortioses, fish, parakeet, and a tarantuala. (the spider only lasted a day before we gave it to the missionaries, it FREAKED me out!!)

My Story...

2011-07-22T10:17:00.001-07:00

A couple of months ago, a fellow cancer patient in one of my support groups asked me if I would be willing to be in a book a friend was writing. I told her that I would love to help her and that was that. Fast forward to a month ago when I get a call from a photographer that wants to do the "photography shoot" with me for the book. Oh boy, now you've done it Christa!! I graciously accepted and then later wondered what on Earth I was going to wear to this photo shoot. In the end, I just went as myself. I wore jeans, a pink shirt with a black and white polka dot sweater on stop. The necklace my parents brought me from Hawaii, and of course my "William and Kate wedding" hat. You know, the kind the Brittish are famous for, and bald people love because it covers more head.
And today I just finished my "write up" for the one page of information that is going with the photo shoot. I thought I would share it with you guys even though I don't know if I will ever see the book or photos. Still, it was a fun opportunity to delve into my "creative brain". (I was pretty sure they zapped it right out of my head during whole brain radiation, but alas, there are still traces of creativity left! buried.........deep!)

My Story by Christa Johnson (Stage 4 breast cancer)

I am at the dentist office with two of my children, my boys today. My oldest, Lund, is sketching with intensity on a piece of paper as he glances at the Army tank picture in his sketching book. My younger boy, Will, is climbing on my lap and asking me to read the Scooby Doo book to him, “just one more time.” As if to make his point clear, he bursts out, “Mom, it is a pop-up book, we just HAVE to read it again.” And I look down at his sky blue eyes and give in. Half way through Scooby Doo, the answer hits me like a ton of bricks!!!!!

THIS IS WHY I FIGHT CANCER !

To be here with my boys in the dentist office today, and next year, and the year after. To go with my 12-year-old daughter to the latest ‘tween movie in a theater filled with other mothers and their daughters. To watch my 8-year-old as she runs up to me with a one-legged parakeet on her finger. “Look mom, He loves me!” And indeed he does, as all animals do. No animal can resist Sarah.

THIS IS WHY I FIGHT!

I want to see my husband day after day as he bursts in the door after work and hugs me, commenting as ususal...”You didn’t overdo it today, did you honey?”

“Of course not” I reply through a smirk, “You know me.”

“Yeah, that’s what scares me!!!” He hollers as he heads up the stairs, “I DO know you!!!”… and he races off to change so he can roughhouse with the kids.

So, that’s my story…

I am a young mom with stage 4 breast cancer, going to chemo two days a week and raising my kids the other five days. I take more pills that most moms. I have no hair. I get tired really easy. I AM BREAST CANCER!!!

Yet, life is wonderful! My family is wonderful! I fight to be here as their mother and as a wife enjoying all the good life has to offer for many more years to come.

I WILL watch them walk down the aisle at their weddings.

I WILL watch them as they throw their caps in the air on graduation day, and

I WILL hold my grandbabies in a rocking chair on my front porch. But most importantly,

I WILL grow old with my husband and best friend by my side,

And there WILL be many more trips to the dentist office….

Beautiful family faces all around..

2011-07-19T23:53:00.000-07:00

We had a great Sunday Family Dinner at our house after Archie was blessed in my living room. By the way, we were honored to have a baby blessing in our home! Such a wonderful Spirit!

Then it was onto the food and family......

Here is the whole Shumway clan.

And I got this great idea off the internet to give the kids a roll of painters tape to use as a "road". Totally worth it!!! It was so fun to see how the "road" evolved around the whole house!

Man, that is one cute kid!!! Little Chase!

And there was an impromptu "Fashion Show" after Cassidy and Lucy had fun up in my closet.

See, look how much fun they are having! My couch was even included in the "road". I love how Elliot is looking like, "I had nothing to do with this at all."

Cousins lining up the hotwheels cars.

Papa and little Ellie!

Elliot added the "boardwalk". How creative!

Such happy folks. This was right after the blessing! Gramma Karen, Juliet, and proud mommy and daddy, Bonnie and Mike. And of course, the star.......Archer!!!

But watch out, there are crazy relatives like this lurking about!!!! he he he.

Old Stomping Grounds...

2011-07-19T22:31:00.000-07:00

While a lot of Morgan's family was around for their gathering, we opted to visit the "old stomping grounds". This is the house that Morgan grew up in. His parents lived there for 15 years before moving to Pocatello. For the Johnson's, these pictures might be a trip down memory lane.

Recognize these adorable folks?

Good ole' 1734 E. Glade. Here we have Ruth, Juliet, Morgan, and his parents.

This is the same swingset Morgan played on as a child. They changed the other half of the backyard and added a pool.

This is the chalkboard where Morgan's mom homeschooled Ruth and many a message was shared.

And while we were in the basement, Cassidy found this goody. Does anyone out there remember "Pogo" balls? They are about the same era as "Moon shoes". That really dates me, but I guess they are bringing these silly things back. I didn't really think they went over all that well the first go round.
Thank you Householder family for hooking us up with this great tour. It was awesome!

The Big Surprize.....

2011-07-17T20:59:00.000-07:00

This week our kids were at a wonderful camp for kids with parents who have cancer. They had the greatest time ever and I will write more about that on my next post, but for now, I want to tell you about our big suprize. The whole week, while the kids were enjoying s'mores and swimming and rockin' dance parties and ropes coarses, we were WORKING HARD! We decided to suprize the kids by redoing their rooms while they were at camp. I forgot to take "before" pictures, but you're sure to enjoy the "after".

I picked bubblegum pink and lime green for the girls room and I LOVED the end result! Morgan did all the chair moulding and that is what made it all look so great. Thanks Morgan!

I wanted a vanity table for the girls so they can get ready for school in style. Love the mirror! (Thx Ikea)

Sarah was the first one to see her room and she was REALLY excited!!!!

Lund was excited as well about his room. We did the boys' room a little more low-key with two shades of blue.

My girls really liked the vanity!!! Such beautiful girls!

Cassidy LOVED her new pink, soft body pillow and decided to hide under all the softness.

And Sarah got a lime green body pillow and loved enveloping herself in comfort.

Daddy was pretty excited for the girls too. (And that the project was finally over!)

Here are some more views of the boys' room. I haven't hung up any picutures yet though.

The boys were excited to get a new bean bag chair, which they quickly used as a weapon.
And we need to give a HUGE thank you to Grandpa Wiemer who brought over his "paint box" and got to work. He is an amazing painter and it was so great to have his help. Grandma Wiemer also came over and made sure Will was out of the way, which is a HUGE job!! Thanks, and thanks again to Mom and Dad.

I don't think we will embark on another project for a while, but it was sure worth all the work to see the kids light up after they saw their rooms.

Beautiful Faces Saga, Episode 2

2011-07-13T23:53:00.000-07:00

Morgan and I have been busy this week re-doing the kids' bedrooms to suprize them when they get home from Cancer Camp this Saturday. Soooo, I am now very, very behind in my posting.

Here we go, back to the Family Reunion...

We watched a couple of "shows" out front... What kind of shows you ask?

The "Bike show" was pretty good until the actors crashed mid-scene....

The "skateboard" show was also a big hit!

The "Squirt yourself in the face" show was very entertaining!

Oh, and we LOVED the "night swimming" show...

Actors: Elliot, Mike, and Archie

Actors: Sarah, and Morgan.

I really enjoyed watching the "I love my cousin" show!! Lund holding Archie

awwwwwwwwwwww....

And last, but not least, the "I hope they call me on a mission" show was sooooo thrilling, except the actor wasn't quite big enough for his outfit.

Taking a break from the "Beautiful faces saga" to bring you......"Injuries"...

2011-07-09T23:14:00.000-07:00

I am taking a break from all the events of the Family Gathering, to tell you all about the injuries sustained this year....

Poor Karver! We couldn't decide if he had a heat rash or was allergic to his sunscreen. Either way, it didn't look fun!

Guilio had an eye misshap and ended up having a lot of pain for a couple of days.

And this may look like a happy picture to you... but not ten minutes later poor Ruth was stung/bit by a wasp and it really got her bad. Poor Ruth!

And since I don't have any pictures of the rest of the injuries/sicknesses, I will just compile a list for you...
1. Kason got an ear infection
2. Lund' ear drum burst (young Lund)
3. Sarah scraped her knee on the slip and slide.
4. A lot of people in the family got sick with some kind of cold/sinus deal.

But hey! It wouldn't be a family reunion if we didn't all get sick or injured. he he.... All in all, it was a successful family reunion and we all are healthy now.

Stay tuned as we return to our "Beautiful Faces Saga" tomorrow.

Beautiful Faces!

2011-07-08T22:49:00.000-07:00

I have sooooo many pictures and wonderful memories to sort through from the Family Gathering. It is going to take me a while to get through them all.... so I am taking it one bite at a time.

So, sit back and look at some beautiful faces that were hanging around...

Bonnie and her newest addition, Archer (Archie)

Adorable Archie!!

And here is Ruth's youngest, Kason. (when you look at him, don't you just think "He's Jack-Jack from the Incredibles!!!???)

And who is this crazy lady?!!! I got to hold Archie for some of the WMBA game we went to. Fun times holding Archie and fun times watching the WMBA game from the suite. I forget sometimes how much I love watching basketball. Maybe someday I will have enough energy to play basketball again. Until then, I think I will just hold adorable babies and watch other women run up and down the court.

And look how cute these two guys are watching the game. Archie didn't want to turn his head for the picture because he was too into the game!

Oh, and here are all the crazies that Morgan and I and Archie had to put up with!!! he he he!!!! Closest to furthest: Ruth (Morgan's youngest sister), Juliet, (one of the older sisters), Bonnie (younger sister), and Mikey (Bonnie's hubby).

Oh look!!! Here are some adorable boys at breakfast. We went to the Gilbert House in "old school" Gilbert and it was a TO-DIE-FOR breakfast!!!! This is my table with my gentlemen: Elliot (Bonnie's 2nd child), Will, and my handsome hubbie!

The next table over was full of these actresses: Cassidy, Lucy (Bonnie's oldest), Emily (another older sister of Morgan's), and Sarah. Quite the dramatic bunch!!

And onto the next table: Jason is the one with the awesome goatee! No, not the baby, that's Kason, not Jason, I don't know how you could get them confused!!! he he he...Alright, enough of that, we also have Karver (the handsome 3-year-old), next to his mom, Ruth.

Mikey and Bonnie all to themselves (Hey, how did that happen?)

And at this table we have.. In the pink: Grandma Johnson, the next gentleman is Chantel's boyfriend, John, which brings us to Chantel in yellow, who also had a birthday at this breakfast. And we will finish with Juliet, who is one of Morgan's eldest sisters. (there are a lot of sisters, ya gotta keep up now...come on!)

And the "Lund table" containing: Lund the Grandpa, Lund the Grandson, Warren, (one of Morgan's younger brothers...there are only three boys, so keeping up with them won't take as much brain power), and the eldest of the Johnson kids, Alicia.

And now we will bring you more beautiful faces....

And here are two animal lovers hanging out. The lovely Chantel is in school to someday become an Equestrian vetranarian and she loves ALL animals, even our hairless rats. And Kason suprized me at how much he loved them and how gentle he was with them. Are you creeped out by our pets yet??!!!

Stay tuned for episode 2 of the "Beautiful Faces" saga!

Nerf Wars!!

2011-07-04T22:12:00.002-07:00

Instead of trying to cover the Family Gathering all at once, I think I will focus on little blips. That will be easier for all of us to digest.

Tonight, I will tell you about the Nerf wars that have been going on at the Johnson house. Because we have boys, we have Nerf guns, (sorry to be so prejudice, but it is true!). Anyway, before the Hynes family came to stay at our house, we went to the store and bought a bunch of bullets for all the guns we already had. And that's all you need.......Let the games begin!!!

Here are some of the warriors before the battle. Cassidy and Sarah look a bit like Charlie's Angels here.

And not only is this scary because he is pointing that gun at ME, but man, look at the size of the head on that guy!!! No, not my husband silly!, but the teddy bear sitting next to him on the couch!!

I will be in chemo tomorrow with Morgan by my side, so I will try to post some more family pictures unless I fall asleep...........

First Family "Gathering" blog

2011-07-01T12:10:00.000-07:00

We have been having a fabulous week here at the sunny Arizona Johnson home. Mainly because we have family all around us and that is ALWAYS a wonderful thing! Ruth and Breanna and their babies flew in on Monday. The Hynes family with their three kids came in on Tuesday. Juliet came on Wednesday and there are multiple Arizona Johnson's scattered about.

I haven't been getting my camera out as often as I should, so today I only have a few pictures to share. But what I really need to do is take a picture of everyone in our family room talking, because that is our favorite thing to do. Lots of memories and laughs. If you aren't here, I am not trying to rub this in your face, but you know how Johnson's are when they get together......they talk!

Yesterday a few of the kids and I made "glop" at the table. Is is a liquid or is it a solid???? that's the fun, it is both, or neither, however you want to look at it~

Elliott had a lot of fun stretching it to its limits.

...........as did Sarah.

Another favorite thing has been the "frog walks" that are taken in the evening. We walk the golf course and find TONS of frogs (or toads, I am not sure which). Lund is holding four of them in this picture!

                             Cassidy wasn't so sure when the toad promptly peed on her. But she will pick them up nonetheless. Some of the other kids weren't as brave and just wanted to look or touch. My kids don't mind getting toad pee and mud all over. Thanks guys!

Anyway, this doesn't even show a portion of the fun we have been having. Now, don't get me wrong, we have babies that need naps, chemo lady that needs naps, and grandma and grandpa that need naps, so we do a lot of juggling of kids/responsibilites. Plus, three days this week, I have been here at Mayo getting chemo and MRI's, so there has been a lot of help all around.
   Here is a list of other things that have been going down.......
     1. A lunch at Peter Piper Pizza for old time sake..
     2. Night swimming with lots of babies.
     3. Day swimming at Desert Oasis in Chandler.
     4. Dinner at Chipolte's
     5. Moving Grandma and Grandpa into their new house. This is an ongoing project. The big stuff is there thanks to the menfolk, and the packing and cleaning will continue..
     6. Eating frozen yogurt
     7. Splash pad at Chandler park
     8. I think they are going to the Southwest museum today....

Fun, fun, fun. And I just love having the family at my house. When I get tired, I can just go up and take a nap. How great is that?!!

11 things about my 11-year-old son~

2011-06-27T12:48:00.000-07:00

My little baby boy turned 11 on Friday and although I am tempted to make him do 10 again so he won't grow up too fast, I feel I am out-voted by Father Time. So, in tribute to Lund turning 11, I will tell you 11 wonderful things about him.....

1. He is very appreciative! His older sister, Cassidy, make him his cake and he was so gracious saying it was the best cake he had ever seen, etc. He is always very gracious and appreciative when other's give him something or do something for him.

2. He is a bit crazy! he will try almost anything, whether it is a fresh jalepeno challenge from Morgan's garden or trying to catch a water balloon that his dad shot 200 feet into the air. He is ALWAYS game for anything!

3. he is very artistic! Here he was working with potter's clay, but he also is a great artist and his sketches are simply amazing!

4. He loves to get mail..."snail mail"! That is why the girls and I "sent" him some of his birthday presents this year. His face just lit up as he came back from the mailbox!!!! He is really wanting a pen pal, so if you have any boys his age, let me know, I think it would be really fun.

5. He is ALWAYS the first one ready for church on Sunday. This gives him more time for his putting practice.
6. That kind of leads into the fact that he is ALWAYS the first child awake in the morning. He just does his own thing and loves hanging out with his dad before work. He is just my early bird.

7. He is always wanting to have fun, even and especially at the expense of himself......

End result!!!!
8. He can do math problems faster than I can, and more advanced than I will ever be. He actually studies and checks out physics books from the library and is the only kid I know who knows about the Fibbinacci code and has memorized pi.
9. He is NOT embarrassed to tell his mother that he loves her often, and in front of friends if need be.
10. He picks up any sport like a fish to water. Tried surfing: stood up on the board in the first half hour. Tried out for Majors baseball: Was on of the youngest ones to make any of the teams. Tried football: Did great and became an amazing reciever and quarterback. Also picked up golf and tennis like a pro.
11. He is the most sensitive 11-year-old that I know. He will give you his shirt off his back or his money or his food if he sees someone in need!!

That is just 11 of the many reasons why we love our 11-year-old son!!! Happy Birthday Lund!

Hooray! We finished reading the book of Mormon as a family...

2011-06-25T22:06:00.000-07:00

After three years of nightly scripture reading as a family, we finally finshed!!! And to celebrate, we went out to dinner. Morgan's parent's have told everyone in the family that they will pay for dinner for anyone in the family that reads the Book of Mormon. So, we excitedly started..........three years ago! Since then, Cassidy and Lund have become much better readers and Sarah has joined the reading ranks within the last year and she is reading wonderfully. So, we have a feeling that this next time, it will take a lot less time to reach our goal. Maybe only one year?....

Will's rib basket was a big hit!!!

Behind the Scenes.....(the mind of a cancer mom)

2011-06-24T10:33:00.000-07:00

So, I know when you read my blog you always get the impression that it is honkey dorey at my house and I am just in oblivious la la land about my condition etc. So today I will give you a bit of a background to what goes on sometimes in my house and mind....the real stuff!
          I have been really tired this week, so I am trying to fit in time with the kids AND fit in naps or rest periods throughout the day. Here is the problem with that....
                    1. When I "lie down" the kids think I am out of the picture, even though I rest in the downstairs guest room, and they run rampant and chores/responsibilities are halted/reversed.
                    2. When I "lie down" my kids think I am "sick" and they get worried. Some more than others.

2. I have a very sensitive son, Lund, who is ALWAYS worried about my welfare. Everything he buys or find, for example, his golf glove this week is Breast Cancer Awareness. He is CONSTANTLY asking me how I am feeling and he is very cuddly with me and tells me he loves me ALL the time. (Some of these things aren't too bad). Problem is: He doesn't like to go "play" very often, for fear of leaving my side. And I can ALWAYS see the worry in his eyes. I just want him to be an 11-year-old boy, not the caregiver to his mother. he is cursed with the sensitivity of both of his parents.

3. My youngest child, who was doing so great during preschool, has reverted in many ways. He has "accidents" all the time and if he doesn't know what the schedule is for the day, he is a mess. He also has a new summer habit of TORMENTING his brothers and sisters. Not just teasing, TORMENTING!!! He can make them cry with his persistent pestering and he can get very hurt when they get mad and explode. And then you don't know who to punish.

4. this week, I had a bit of a depression wave that hit me and it all started like this....... Sarah is snuggled up next to me on the couch and we were watching a family friendly movie that had a sentimental moment. She started to cry and I told her that it was o.k. She turned to me and said, "Your not going to be around when I get older, because you are going to be dead." Tears flowed from both of us.... And it sent me into a downward spiral until I talked my way out of it with help from Morgan. Here is the theory Morgan and I have.... Cancer may take my life someday, I also might die of choking on a piece of really yummy chocolate cake. the point is.... If I give into the depression, then the cancer has already beat me.

5. I have to eat a certain diet and a lot of times, that STINKS!! I am on an "Anti-cancer" diet and I am really glad that I found the diet and admitidly, I am feeling better as a whole and hopefully the cancer is feeling it too. The problem is, it is a pretty restrictive diet and sometimes I just want to shove a piece of cake in my face and laugh at the diet. And then my guilty mind goes to the fact that one piece of cake could be the reason I died of cancer.... I know, silly. But, that is the routine my mind plays out.

6. Lund had a birthday this week. Today, actually. And he said to me earlier this week, "When are we having my party?" My mind just sank....I'm so tired and it is sooooooo exhausting to have a party.....the invitations, the planning, the gift bags, and the list goes on. I just couldn't do it. So we had a compromise. Last night, I told him to invite over some buddies and we had daddy launching water balloons (which was a HUGE hit) and all the boys went out in the couldesac and tried to catch them. And we played some easy games that didn't require any research. Cassidy made the cake and I forgot to buy ice cream. No big deal. It ended up being a really great time and I hope Lund realizes how much he is loved. Also, Lund was checking the mail everyday to see if anyone had sent him any birthday cards. This always breaks my heart when they don't get one each day, so this year I enlisted the help of Cassidy and Sarah and we made a bunch of birthday cards and I wrote checks from my check book in each one. Just small checks that would equal his birthday amount and we placed them all in the mailbox. He was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited when he got the mail on Wednesday and there were cards for them and they were early. The trick: I postdated the checks to the 24th of June so he couldn't use them until his birthday. And it would have worked really well if I wasn't such a soft hearted fool that gave him the money early anyways. He bought himself a new skateboard, helmet and "skater shoes".

7. My visiting teacher found me a great video online about cancer and I watched it this week and it seems like this guy out in Texas has the "cure" for cancer, and as long as you are willing to pay 100,000.00. You can live a full life and grow old etc. no guarantees of course. it was actually an informative video and I am not scratching it off of the "last chances" list, but the stress of it all always gets to me. I think I will stick with my study I am doing at Mayo right now because it is free and it seems like they are onto something here too.

So that, plus much more is what has been going on in my mind this week.....

I do want to capitalize on one awesome thing I did this week.......Yesterday I didn't want another day of mom not feeling good and the kids watching tv when they got their chores done... you know the routine. So I told the kids right before lunchtime...."We are going to a movie. Judy Moody and the not Bummer Summer." Cassidy groaned. "I don't want to see that one mom. And I don't want to go anywhere." I told them. "Too bad, I already called your friends and invited them and we are leaving soon so get ready." So I FORCED them to have some fun with me, but it ended up being a wonderful afternoon. My favorite part was when I hid some peanut butter M & M's in Wills popcorn. About a half hour later he exclaimed, "HEY, THERE ARE M & M'S IN MY POPCORN......YESSSS!!!!" Definitely worth every minute!!!!

Words of wisdom about our dad.... (A bit belated)

2011-06-22T20:01:00.000-07:00

Sit back everyone, we are going to tell you a little bit about our dad to celebrate Father's Day.....

Dad's favorite thing to do:
Mom says: Play daddy gorilla on the trampoline with the kids. Sometimes they play Belly Ninja too, which is HILLARIOUS to watch. They each run at daddy's belly and bounce off in various directions all over the trampoline. He he he! Except if Morgan keeps losing weight, "Belly Ninja" might just be a fond memory. Lund: he likes to golf.
Cassidy: he loves to go camping.
Will: he likes to play with remote control helicopters.
Sarah: I'm guessing golfing.

Dad's favorite past time:
Mom: Breaking the "creamy barrier" while making thick and creamy mac and cheese, Walmart brand. He can only break the "creamy barrier" with the exact Walmart brand and the kids expect this delectable meal EVERY Sunday right after church.
Lund: still golfing.
Sarah: Daddy gorilla

Dad's favorite color:
Mom: He is pretty found of his new red truck. So, for now, probably red. He also is man enough to wear pink occasionally for his wife, usually every Thursday is pink shirt day for dad.
Lund: I think it might be orange.
Cassidy: Green?
Will: I Think his favorite color is pink.
Sarah: I am guessing black or green.

What does dad want to be when he "grows up"? .....
Mom: Daddy loves his job in the copper business, but maybe if he were dreaming, he would like to be a college professor someday.
Lund: he wants to work in a mine.
Cassidy: he wants to be a balloon artist that makes lots and lots of money. Or maybe a real artist.
Will: I think....ummmmm....aaaaaa....fireman.
Sarah: He is already grown up. Maybe a doctor

Something daddy does better than anyone we know:
Mom: Daddy has a REALLY green thumb when it comes to gardening and cultivating the Earth. He can make ANYTHING grow and then, he can cook with whatever he grows. That leads us to the second thing he is really amazing at....Cooking!!! He can grill, marinate, saute, fry, or whatever is needed to make AMAZING meals. And his secret: He never uses a recipe!
Cassidy: balloon animals.
Lund: Daddy gorilla
Will: work really hard to fix stuff and make stuff.
Sarah: Daddy gorilla!

What we love about daddy:
Mom: He is super nice to everyone and he always plays with his kiddos and talks to each of them. He really loves us!!!!
Lund: he is fun to play with like a squeky toy.
Cassidy: he is always nice to us and always has time for us.
Will: He loves us.
Sarah: Cuz he is part of our family!

The end of the beach tales...

2011-06-22T16:58:00.000-07:00

Let's finish up our memories from the beach so we can get back to our 113 degree warm spell here in Phoenix....

Next time you go to the beach with a five-year-old boy, bring along some old fashioned army men. Hours of fun. Of course, my army never won because Will let me know that his army men live forever. Dang! I guess I was on the wrong side.

Morgan and Lund love to dive against the waves in various fashions.

Cassidy enjoyed playing with the yobe on the beach.

Lund just enjoyed getting dirty all together.

And we LOVED looking for animals and shells.

Here is Cassidy with her little hermit crab. It actaully walked right out of it's shell and freaked Cass and I out. (they look really strange without their shells. Don't we all?!)

Morgan and Sarah with a live starfish he found and a pretty decent size shell with an occupant still living inside.

Will enjoyed playing with the twins.

They were quite the 3 Amigo's. Thank you Short family for coming with us.

I made him take this picture cuz he is so stinkin' handsome!!

And their little Ella was adorable!!!!!!

The boys also loved playing football in the waves...

And showing off with the assistance of a local starfish

Adorable!!!!

Since it is my blog, I get to decide how many pictures of Morgan make into the line up. And I decided that we needed this one too!!!!!! he is just that great!!

Dolphin Days!

2011-06-18T22:36:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, we went to Newport Beach with some friends from high school that live nearby. We had a wonderful time, but I can't put it all in just one blog. So, I am dividing it up and tonight I am writing about the awesome experience dubbed, "swimming with dolphins"

These dolphins swam right near our swimming area. I couldn't believe they were brave enough to get so close to the beach and humans. But they just kept playing and jumping through the waves.

See how close those fins are to Sarah and Cassidy....

Seriously, isn't that insane?????? I was worried that Sarah was going to try catch one and bring it home! What a memory for the girls!!

Surf City, Here we come!!!

2011-06-17T20:16:00.002-07:00

This was the first trip to California that we let our kids "surf" instead of just using their boogey boards. Lund has been DYING to surf everytime we go to Cali. This time he had his own money, so he rented his own board. Cassidy decided to do the same and they had a LOT of fun.

Will wanted to try it too. Morgan got him out there....

..............but after one huge wipeout, he was finished!! I can hear that scream from here!!!

Here are Cassidy and Lund getting ready to try their hand at hanging 10.

Lund took to it like a fish to water. After a few minutes, he was up on his board!

This is my favorite!! He is sooooooo proud of himself, and he should be for his first surfing experience!

He loved waiting for the perfect wave.

And then he would pop up on his feet.....

And ride it all the way to the beach.

Me and my boys.

Cassidy enjoyed the experience of the surfboard, but wasn't as daring as her brother.

She loved to get up on her knees though. Great effort from both kids!!!! I LOVE that they tried something new!

....stay tuned for more!

p.s. My first trial study chemo session went well. Did you know that only about 20-80 patients in the whole nation get to trial this med? I feel really blessed. Plus, Mayo has been running the study for over a year, so they have ironed out all the "bugs". Awesome! And NO side effects!!!!

San Diego Family Vacation

2011-06-16T20:53:00.001-07:00

So, we just got back from our family vacation to San Diego, and the kids had a tremendous time!!! It is going to take me a few blog posts to get through it all... so be patient. Plus, I got sick the second half of the trip and I am still not 100% yet, so again.......be patient. (I am used to being (a) patient!he he)

We went to San Diego from June 8th thru June 13th and when we got there the first day, it was already dark, and very cold.....

But did the kids care?! Nope, they went straight into the freezing surf.

The next morning, we started early. It was cloudy and cold most of the time on the trip, but the kids didn't ever seem to notice. This picture is Will trying to figure out the boogie board...

Sarah loved boogey boarding, even though she looks like she is screaming. Those are shouts of joy!

Morgan took a candid of me at the beach. I am the chicken in the sweatshirt!

Lund rented a surfboard with his own money....and we will show you the surfing pictures on the next blog....see...patience! he he

We also had tons of fun looking in the tidepools when the waves were far away.

Now you have to wait for the next installment......
Just to give you a glimpse......there will be dolphins, surfboards, sand, starfish, and even sunshine....yes, sunshine folks !
When I am at the Mayo clinic for my four-hour chemo tomorrow, I will try to catch up on some more blogs.

Bailing to Bagdad...

2011-06-08T11:23:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while we get to accompany Morgan to Bagdad for a work trip and the kids LOVE it! They love to see our old house (we even stayed the night there which was a combination of awesome and weird), and they especially LOVE to see the people there that we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

Thank you Pacheco's for hosting all 6 of us with a smile on your faces!!

While the menfolk were at work, we got together with a bunch of friends at the Bagdad park and had a picnic lunch. These cute girls were hanging out in the giant willow tree. Tori, Cassidy, and EmmaLee.

These monkeys were hanging all over the "yellow death" park toy. Landon, Andrew, Will, and Jazzlyn.

..And my, how Eric has grown!

The Hulse twins and their little brother up above.

The baseball boys!! Connor, Lund, Taylor, and Canyon.

And look at this tree monkey!

And these boys were racing on their reliable horses... Will, Andrew and Camden.

Crazy group: Brody, Canyon, Wyatt, Stevie, Sarah, and Haylee

I love this picture because it shows what Bagdad really looks like. A park and baseball field right next to the wide open desert. Oh, and Connor and Lund are pretty awesome too!

Then we headed to the Bagdad pool. And these two are always trouble together. Hannah and Will

Friendly faces: Stevie, Delany and Sarah.

Oh boy, these two had MANY adventures together before we moved. Wyatt and Sarah!

It is always great to see friendly faces and get a break from the heat. We sure do love Bagdad!

Wahoo summer is here.... Wait, who are are these chores for?!!

2011-06-07T20:38:00.000-07:00

The kids just finished the school year and they were sooooooo excited! The first day of summer we celebrated...I let the kids invite one friend over and we ate McDonalds chicken nuggets and then went swimming and had fun on a surfing simulator we love at the nearest junior high pool. Then we rented some movies and hung out. Pretty much it was pure heaven for the kids....

Oh, yea. the day was great. But this is what they woke up to the next day....

Each of those notebooks contain their "New Summer Chores" and the charts are for the library reading program. And each day I write the schedule on the blackboard. Oh baby, summer is here....

And here are the next three months of our life. We will be pretty busy with girls camp, boy scout camps, cancer camp for my kiddos, and of course chemo twice a week at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. So we will be really busy and all the grandmas might get tired too. Happy summer to all!!!!!

Diamondbacks game to cap off Memorial Day...

2011-06-03T22:13:00.000-07:00

Morgan had some tickets to the Diamondbacks game on Monday night. I haven't been to a game in a while because I have just been too busy, or not feeling up to it. I decided to go with them. And I was truly amazed at how close the seats were. In fact, I was a bit nervous that a foul-tip might knock our heads clean off. Never fear, a couple sat in the row in front of us, the only row it front of us seperating us from the field, so it was their heads at stake.

I was having "lens-envy!".

See how patriotic bobble head Randy Johnson is?

These are the crazies that sat next to me! I know what your thinkin' but their assigned seats just happened to be next to mine! What can you do???!!

Snuggle up with them, I guess!!!!

Lund wanted to snap a few pictures too.... so he did the two pitching pictures. Pretty good for a 10-year-old!

Oh and this is what we took to the game...... our new Nissan Titan truck!!! Our huge van is gone... a tear! (Not really). It was hard to drive around the valley and even harder/close to impossible to park in the hospital parking garages. Will says that his favorite color is now red!!!

Memorial Day Re-cap...

2011-06-01T23:33:00.000-07:00

We started our patriotic day with a new patriotic flag on the house.

Then, in Johnson tradition, we walked to breakfast. (Correction: Will and I drove there... so we cheated.). We ate at Bruegger's Bagels and it was yummy!

Will was very patriotic....starring at the neighbors flag for about 15 minutes straight. No matter that we had a flag on our house around the corner... he preferred the pole kind.

Can you find Waldo?

Will performed a few tricks for us before his dad decided that he was ready for two wheel riding sans the training wheels.

I sat outside with the ER on speed dial, as his dad guided him through his first ride...

I guess sometimes in life we have to let go and see what happens...

Even if this is the end result..

But usually it all works out o.k. Will was riding like a champ in a few minutes flat. I was astonished!

And, while Morgan headed out to a car dealer (that story later), the boys and I went swimming. The girls were playing with friends.

There were snorkles....

And slam dunks....

And dolphins carrying Lund around the pool....... So basically, a lot of fun!

Then if that wasn't enough, the boys spent the afternoon on the trampoline throwing water balloons at me and Will. I would say it was a successful holiday. Stay tuned for the next chapter of Memorial Day, called.... Memorial Night!

Summer plans at the Johnson house..... also known as.... A mother of four, working around a cancer schedule.

2011-05-29T16:06:00.001-07:00

Here is how my week has gone on the cancer front. I know you all know what is going on with the kids, etc.... but here is a cancer update to top you off.

Monday: I had a PET scan and an MRI on my brain to see if things have changed or gotten any better, etc.

Tuesday: The next day was my surgery day.

Wednesday: I tracked down my PET scan results and MRI results so I would have them at the Mayo clinic the next day. I also spent the day on pain pills sleeping and resting.

Thursday: Thursday came and four of us headed off to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. The car included Morgan and I and both our moms. When we got there, just like we had kind of assumed, Mayo hadn't recieved my records like they were supposed to. So, we handed over our hard earned copies and watched the doctor try his hand at radiology as he looked at my head and PET scan on his computer in front of us. What we learned: He is DEFINITELY not a radiologist. He tried to read the results and conduct the visit at the same time, but all we eneded up learning is that I am going to be in the Mayo study that I qualified for. Which of course, is good news. The bad news is that we didn't learn much from the tests. I did get a brief call from my other oncologist and he did tell me that he thinks he sees additional cancer in the liver. Gee, thanks for that. Oh, but he could possibly be wrong... awesome!!! And they can't quite tell if the brain tumors are getting better.... they don't seem to be getting worse though.....hummm.

I'd have to say that I don't feel ultra informed at this time. Especially because I had to track down the records myself even though the daignostic place was supposed to send them to the doc's. Enough of my frustrations with the healhcare system...

So, back to the story.... Mayo wanted to start me on the study next week, but we are going on a family vacation, so I told them that they can wait until we get back. I am sick of putting our lives on hold because of my cancer. And my kids are sooooooo excited for our trip to California.

Oh, and things got a lot better when I got back and saw this in my front yard.....

How cute is that????? You probably can't see me... I am hiding in the V. My good friend in the ward, Leann Brock and her daughter made this for me. She said it is better than a card. How true!!!!! It is now saved in my garage for a day when I need another pick-me-up!!! thanks Leann!!

Upstaging the talent show..... Otherwise known as... A day in the life of Will!

2011-05-28T22:56:00.000-07:00

This past Friday was the talent show at Cassidy and Lund's class. I really wanted to see it, and so I came with my camera and my five-year-old boy in tow and we sat in the back of the class. Well, Lund and Cassidy are in the same class. It is a 5th/6th combined class and all the kids are at the age where they don't want to stand out or do something different. I was soooo proud of my two kids in the class who both decided to be in the talent show, considering only 2 other kids were brave enough to be in it. Lund went first and did a routine from a Brian Regan comedy sketch and he did a great job. I recorded it, but I didn't do a very good job. I am still learning how to work this camera stuff. Cassidy also was very brave and sang a Selena Gomez song tremendously!! Again, I goofed with the camera recording thing..........sooooooo a big sorry there.

About the time I got the camera working, the talent show was over. All the kids were still kind of staying to themselves and being scared pre-teens, and one of the kids said, "Hey Will, you should get up there and sing a song!" I thought for sure Will would hide under his chair.... but alas.... see the proof of what happened next.....

Thank you Lund, for being willing to be the backup dancer for your brother!!

Then, it was such a big hit that they all wanted a oncore and some additional back up dancers!!!! I was agahst, but laughing so hard that I could hardly film him. What a ham!!!!!!!!!!

Meet Oophy!

2011-05-25T23:03:00.000-07:00

It is tradition that when I go into a surgery, I know that Morgan will be waiting with a new stuffed animal for me on the "other side". This week, after coming out of my surgery, I was awarded with an adorable old-fashioned looking pink pig, that we comically refer to as "Oophy!" (Due to my oophorectomy). I have quite a few stuffed animals now that I have collected: Bosom Buddy, Sad Dog, Ardie, Arnold, and Hair Bear (which is actually not a surgery bear, just a loss of hair bear).

So welcome to the ranks Oophy! I hope you like it here.

This is Oophy and the flowers that my mom brought over. They make a cute pair! Also, my mom brought over a to-die-for taco soup yesterday that was a big hit and my Visiting Teachers brought over an amazing dish tonight that was again, all the rage. Maybe I should just stop cooking because the kids seem to like everyone else's meals much better than mine. Hummmmmm.....that's a thought! Smiles!

Now, i would like to write a letter to pain meds....

Dear pain meds,
I think that you are wonderful at stopping pain. I just wish you weren't so wonderful about "stopping" everything else. Like my brain cells from functioning correctly. Like my eyes from staying open. And like my bowels that have come to a full and complete halt. thank you for your loveliness.
p.s. I do still need you for the pain though, so don't be too offended!
                    From, Your faithful user for a day or two more.

And A Letter to Bill Cosby.....
    Dear Bill Cosby,
I am sooo glad that your Cosby show is on netflix and that I will have the opportunity to watch all 201 episodes from the comfort of my own couch. I am currently on 29, but have learned a lot of life lessons thus far, such as....... Dads can actually be fun and nice and respected by their children, Children can show their parents respect and realize who is in charge of the house. Grandparents love being involved in their grandkids lives. And working together as a family is funny and also fun.
        P.S Please send this letter onto the Disney Channel, because they seem to have lost ALL concept of family and respect in their shows.
        p.s.s. Luckily I have over 150 episodes left to go....so my kids are learning about true comedy and respect and maybe some of it will wear off on them.
    From, A grateful mom!