The Fat Lip

We all set out for Jaxon's game on Friday. I always love watching his games. Well, I was feeling more like a circus trainer trying to keep the girls sitting down and under control. Bryce was playing with his friend above the gym. Next thing I know I hear his friend's mom calling my name. I look over to find poor Bryce crying and covered from nose to chest with blood. He just kept sobbing "mom, mom" . I could tell he was freaked out. Poor thing. Plus everyone around us started freaking out which didn't help the situation. One lady asked if I needed her to get the trainer. I tried to downplay the whole thing to get Bryce to calm down. And of course my mom was there and she helped calm him down. So I sat him down to get a closer look and I'm not gonna lie--it was pretty bad. One of his teeth went all the way through his lip, there were two large cuts on the top of his bottom lip, and he had four loose teeth. Luckily they are baby teeth. It was so sad to see, but as soon as I sat him down and told him it wasn't so bad, he calmed right down and he was so tough. I think he was just scared by all the blood. We took a picture with my Dad's camera phone to send to Trever.

When he made it home I cleaned his face up to take a picture. Yes, that is one of my favorite shirts I bought him from american eagle--ruined. Oh, well. It was funny because he didn't want to take off his shirt until Trever got home to see it. I think he wanted to show his dad how tough he was.



Here is a close up. You can't see the spot where his tooth went through, it is underneath. It is also all black and blue inside his whole lip. Poor kid. Traumatic!

Santa

The annual Ward Christmas party!!

Santa asking Bryce what he wanted for Christmas.


Don't they all just look so excited?? I promise they were excited about it.

Kira and Santa

Love this picture--it is a little blurry but still so cute. Kira was so shy, but warmed right up to santa.

Power Tap Addiction

I love, love, love my dance team this year. It is a mix of our dance team from last year and a couple of other studios. We are mostly moms and dancing is a way for us to get out of the house and do something that we enjoy. We have so much fun together! This is our first performance of the year at the Ogden ampitheatre. It was outside and FREEZING cold, but a great opportunity to try out our new dance. I am looking forward to this year and can't wait for nationals in May!!!

Thanksgiving and Kambree's no good very bad day

Thanksgiving has become complicated with divorced in laws. We used to have such a great system, but now it is kind of a mess. My father in law and Ann came for thanksgiving so off to Jamie's we went. Jamie is such a great cook and I had so much fun spending time in the kitchen with Jamie and Sherie. I haven't laughed that hard in so long. Anyway it was such a great feast. Well, we were nearly finished with dinner when I heard screaming from the wash room where my in-law's dog was staying. Apparently there was just too much commotion and too many kids and poor Kambree got in the way. My heart just dropped when Lance brought her out with her arm in his hand. I was basically freaking out inside. And the look on Kambree's face just broke my heart. She was so upset. I cleaned up her wounds. She had two large puncture wounds in her arm and several smaller ones on her hand. I just felt awful. Kambree just kept crying and saying "Pup, Pup" and pointing towards the dog. It was so sad!!! I don't think there is anything worse than seeing your kids hurt. Needless to say, the afternoon was pretty rough. So, that was thanksgiving for us.

I am finally posting our new family pictures!!! My friend Wendy who is an amazing photographer (and nurse by the way) took these. You can see more of her pictures and photography at www.wendyandersonphotography.blogspot.com. Thanks Wendy for the fun pictures!!!

Halloween with the Johnsons

The kids had so much fun for Halloween this year. They have been wearing their costumes all month long (Kambree even wore her costume to the grocery store). Thanks to Lani for the hand me down costumes, they were great. We started Halloween off with Kir's preschool parade on Wednesday, then Bryce's school parade on Friday, and Trunk or Treat on Saturday followed by a little Trick or Treating.

The kids at Trunk or Treat. Bryce is so cute, he would rather give out the candy than go around filling his own bucket. I am so lucky to have a kid like him. He is so thoughtful of others and loves to see other kids happy. Kambree was all about the candy. When we went trick or treating all the kids were riding in the back of the car, unsupervised with the big bucket of candy. Every time we stopped to go into a house Kambree had another couple of hand fulls of candy in her bucket. She would even sneak a few from Kira's bucket when she wasn't looking. So sneaky. lol.


This is Brynn at the school parade. She was such a cute witch and the missing teeth were perfect.



Bryce is his slightly too small costume, but he didn't care. He really was excited to be there and smiling, I just didn't get a picture of it :D



Kira at her preschool parade. They went to the Post office and the church. They were all so funny.

The kids Trick or Treating at the post office

Making Halloween sacks for all their candy.

Kira's Preschool Class.

Trick or Treating at Grandma Peacock's and of course she had homemade wassil and cupcakes. I am so blessed to have such an amazing grandma.

Soccer

As most of you know I was asked to be Bryce's soccer coach--no, not because I am such a soccer superstar, but because no one else would do it. So, it was an adventure. When it was all over I had a pretty fun time with all the kids. Here are a few shots. Trever coached for me so that I could take some pictures.

Brittin

Nine months is a long time to wait, when you are waiting for something as cute as this!!! I had to post this cute pic that Jalee and I took of baby Brittin. She is such a beautiful baby, and Jalee is such a great mom!!!

Dancing Queen

Kira started dance class this fall. I was a little worried because of her performance and cheer clinic, but she has done so well. She loves it.

Kira showing off her moves at dance class

This is how they walk on stage--on their tiptoes.

"hands on hips, smiles on lips" That is what their teacher says to get them all ready and in position.

Stretching.

My Birthday Bug

With work so crazy, we were unable to celebrate Kambree's Bday until Sunday. So we all got together and had a little Birthday Bash for Kambree and Kyle. As every mother does, I found myself asking where the time has gone. I just can't believe my baby is two already.

I was able to take a few fun pictures of Kam on her birthday when I picked her up after work. We had so much fun together! I really feel so blessed to have her in our family. There have been so many times that she has reminded me just what life is about. From the day she was born, she has been different. It's almost like she knows something that I don't--in fact, I am sure she does. She is a girl of few words but can always tell when mom needs a hug or a laugh. She is very good at reading people, which is one of my favorite things about her. She makes you laugh when you want to cry and she makes you calm when you're stressed.

She was having a blast posing for all the pictures.

I always love making cakes for the kids--probably because I love cake and fondant. So this time I decided to make the fondant as well. I usually buy it, but it turned out yummy.

This is one of my favorite pictures because everyone looks so stinkin' excited!!! I captured the exact moment when everyone had a serious face--funny.

Kyle and Kambree blowing out the candles.

When everyone was singing Kambree just looked around and smiled at everyone. She is just so dang cute.

After she blew out the candles she decided it was time to pass out gifts to everyone to unwrap. She noticed that everyone was asking if they could unwrap gifts. I don't know how many two year olds would give up unwrapping presents on their own birthday.

She opened one gift by herself.
So happy birthday bug!!! A couple days late :) We love you.

Busy, Busy, and more Busy

I never really wanted to be a circus clown, but ever since I started my new job I have found myself in a juggling act. Trying to balance everything has been a challenge, but I am so excited to be a part of the new hospital team. Sure I have shed a lot of tears, some because of post surgical frustration and not being able to do everything I wanted to do (this whole surgery just didn't fit into my schedule very well, after all I have things to do). However, most of those tears were because of the guilt of leaving the kids. I feel like I am in nursing school again--not sleeping, not eating, and leaving my kids with sitters. I am truly blessed to have family help out with the kids and Jalee has been nothing short of a LIFESAVER. I had gotten so used to my night shifts and it worked out so well. I was home with the kids during the day, and could still have a career. That is what is so great about nursing--its the best of both worlds. I really don't know what I would do without my career. Having the ability to impact someones life or save a life is amazing. I am also lucky enough to have a job that changes me for the better. I can step outside my own life and problems and learn from the special people that I take care of. It is the patients that make my job so rewarding. My new job however, has started off a little rough, and only because I find myself outside of my patient care role. We are so busy trying to get everything ready for our big opening, and of course, it is all done 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday. So, though I am so excited to be working there--I will be even more excited to get back on my part-time, night shift schedule and care for real patients. That concludes my venting session tonight--off to bed to prepare for work tomorrow, then I am going to enjoy my two days off.

Kira's First Day of Preschool

We have officially started our crazy fall schedule. I am just hoping that between school, preschool, Tumbling, Dance, and work that I won't lose my mind. So far work has been taking the front seat as we are trying to get the hospital up and running and ready before the big opening. So, sadly, I was unable to make it to Kira's first day of school (yes I did cry nearly the whole drive to work this morning feeling that the worst mom in the world for missing it) . Lucky for me I was blessed with an amazing sister who was able to take her. To be honest Kira was probably more excited to go with Jalee. Jalee also took these cute pictures of the big day.

This is her "too cool for school" pose. She loves to get her picture taken.

Here she is at Mrs. Shelley's preschool. When I got home she told me how much fun she had and about all of her friends. I just can't believe how big she is. Like every other mom on the planet--I am thinking where the time has gone. They just grow up too fast. Bryce also started Tumbling tonight. Luckily I made it home for half of it. It was so much fun to watch him. He kept looking over at me after every trick to wait for me to give him the thumbs up. I know I may be biased, but I sure do have some cute kids!

First Day of School

Bryce woke up about at 6:00 so excited for school. He was all ready to go with his backpack on nearly an hour before the bus was supposed to pick him up.



I was trying to get some pictures as he hurried off to the bus, but this blurry wave was all I got. "Bye, Mom" he yelled to me over his shoulder--not even an I will miss you, or love you--ouch! He is supposed to be scared and miss his mom while he is gone, but not Bryce. He is just too darn independent.


Here he is loading the big yellow bus-he loves his bus driver. Hopefully all goes well at school. I am sure it will, but I will just let myself think that he misses me while he is gone cuz I sure miss him. I am so lucky to have such a great, responsible kid.
I followed the bus to school to make sure he made it to his class okay, and as I was helping him hang up his back pack Mrs C stopped me. She was so funny and just kept telling me there is no way that I have a first grader (She taught me in Elementary school). Time just goes by too fast. I will be anxiously awaiting the bus this afternoon to hear all about Bryce's Day.

Recovery---UGH

So I have decided that I am sick of this whole recovery thing. First off the thought that I am now permanently disfigured is lame, but second it just plain hurts to have your abdominal muscles cut apart. Who really wants a c-section scar without even bringing home a baby--Lame, lame, lame. That is all. Onto other things. I have been really busy with my new job, which has also made recovery difficult, but I am really liking it. We are just getting our acute care unit put together and ready for the hospital opening on the 15th. As for the kids, they have been very patient and spending way too much time with a babysitter--lame. I hate leaving them and it will be so much better when I am back on a night schedule. But as for now I am dealing with the 8-4 every day. We are all getting ready for school. Bryce is so excited to be at school for lunch and Kira will be starting a preschool class. Can't believe it will be just me and Kambree. Trever has been so great and has become a great nurse and his priesthood has really helped me through. That is all for the update. I also wanted to attach a THANK YOU to everyone who has brought dinner, sent a txt, made a phone call, and helped out with the kids ,or gave a blessing. I am so blessed to have great friends and family. And to my best friend Monica--whenever you read this--You are such a great friend--It is crazy to think of how many times our paths have crossed. Thank you for listening to me vent and for being there for me through this whole process. I always walk away from our conversations feeling better about everything. Now this is the only post I am going to write about it--next one I am on to more positive things.

A little clarification (caution actual surgery photos)

Before anyone else asks me about having plastic surgery--I thought I would clear it up. It all started with a stray IUD. After an ultrasound and an Xray--it was finally found. However, not anywhere near where it was supposed to be.

So, I now knew that it would have to be surgically removed. The doctor did not know what kind of damage the IUD made, but he was pretty confident that the surgery would be a simple and laproscopically. Unfortunately it became more complicated. The IUD has apparently been out for a while (good news that the hole in my uterus healed on its own, but bad news for the surgery). It had embedded itself into tissue, which continued to grow around it. Eventually the entire piece of tissue broke loose and was found in surgery under my rib cage. this is a picture of the tissue they removed along with the IUD which I colored in purple.

The surgeon also found a cyst on my ovary, which he also removed. Strange I had no idea that it was there.

So, after an hour of surgery and a c-section sized incision I am just hoping to be back on my feet before my new job starts on monday. I was really upset that I ended up with such a nasty incision, but I am so glad that they fixed all the problems with one surgery. Thank you to all my amazing friends for all of the phone calls, txts, goodies, meals and your thoughts and prayers. Lucky me I have The greatest friends and family who have all been waiting on me. And my cute husband has been so sweet and caring. Sorry if the post is a little too graphic for some of you--most of my friends are nurses.

My Creepy Encounter

This morning after a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day at work I decided to make a quick stop at smiths for a few essential groceries before heading home. Well I grabbed a cart and into the store I went, not paying too much attention to the homeless looking man by the door. I started down the diaper aisle and noticed footsteps behind me. I glanced over my shoulder only to see the creepy man walking behind me. Obviously he didn't need diapers of that I was sure. I picked up the pace a bit gliding faster with my cart and circled quickly to the next aisle. The footsteps behind me grew faster and louder. With my heart thumping I looked around, relieved to see the bud light delivery man stocking the beer. I raced over stopping nearly right next to the poor delivery man. Creepy homeless guy followed close on my heels. I dialed Trever's number and quickly explained the situation in hushed whispers and code words. He naturally was freaking out. I picked up random drinks and casually read labels hoping my smith's stalker would leave---no such luck. After nearly five minutes I hung up the phone with Trever and decided to make a move. The bud light man could help me. Crazy homeless man continued to stare at me, and then when I was nearly freaking out he asked if I lived nearby. Okay that is it. I turned to the Bud light man with a help me PLEASE look. Startled he asked," is this man following you?" Yeah, I was saved. The man quickly turned and walked away. It was then I noticed the oh so familiar sky blue wristband with the black bar-code. Creepy homeless man suddenly became creepy hospital escapee!!! Luckily with the help of a very nice Bud Light delivery man I made it safely to my car. Seriously you can make this stuff up. My life is just so full of drama---Crazy. Hopefully this has inspired all the girls out there to keep a can of mace handy.

The Newest Johnson

Ever since our friends dog had puppies, Trever has been asking me for a dog. It is weird that both of us always had pets growing up but haven't since we have been married. I agreed with him that it was time for a puppy. We are still unsure of the name, but she is such a sweet puppy. She plays with the kids, but isn't too rowdy. She is just what we needed.

I decided that I had to get some photos of her today. She just laid there posing. So cute

She loves playing in the tall grass, she nips at it and pounces around, she is so fun to watch

I am just enjoying the time that she is still small enough for me to hold. She loves to snuggle, it is just like having a baby around. I love it. Thanks Monica and Jorge!!!

July 24th

Monica and Jorge invited us over for a bar B Que. We had so much fun. We are lucky to have such great friends, we could all just sit and talk for hours (and we usually do).

Aaron is quite the ladies man and was giving the girls rides on the hammock.

Kira loved the puppies. They were so cute and this puppy just let Kira carry her around and hold her. I guess it's time for a puppy.

I was so excited for fireworks because I have been dying to try out the "bulb" on my camera. It was tricky with little ones, but we were able to get some fun pics with the sparklers. Unfortunately I haven't figured out the white balance part. Never the less it was fun to try something new.

The kids watching Jorge's awesome fireworks show. Kambree was scared (big surprise) and spent the whole time with Daddy. What a fun evening. Thanks to Monica and Jorge for inviting our crazy family!! We had a blast.