Two strikes and he's OUT OF THERE!!!!

Hold your breath......ready.....okay.....they lost my baby Colton AGAIN in Nursery!!!! I will not tell a fib...it is true! I have been stewing over this one for two weeks now and I don't know what to do! The worst part is that I had just talked to the nursery leader fifteen minutes prior to that about how he had been lost in the nursery a few months back and how I have had to emotionally get over it and that he had just started going back. FIFTEEN MINUTES people!!! I mean SERIOUSLY? I had gone to check on him...because I check on him like every 15 minutes and I ran into her in the hall. I filled her in..(different nursery leader from last time) and actually told her about the complications we had in getting Colton here and how tragic it would be to have something happen to him because someone wasn't watching him (trying to make her even more sympathetic and cautious...um that didn't work!) So I headed back to Primary just as confident as I could be and happy we'd had this little chat. Church ended and Dal and I headed out to get Alex..who is close by the primary room...opposite end of the nursery by the way... and the hall was crowded and I just happened to look down and see my baby squeezing through the crowd walkin on by me. I said, "WHY is Colton all the way down here?" Just then I looked up and met eyes with that SAME nursery leader, whom I had just talked to fifteen minutes early, she then looked down at Colton and then her eyes went huge and was like, "oops!" Serious Karate instincts kicked in (no pun intended). I wanted to Karate chop whoever let him out. All of those moves from Karate Kid were coming back to me. I mean he had his picture and everything. So someone just said, "hey kid, heres your picture, now you are on your own to wander the streets..oh, and good luck on finding your parents." I am lucky he didn't go outside because the outside door is right next to the nursery and that is usually where he heads first. I picked him up and headed back to the Primary room to tell Greg what had just happened. I seriously was holding back the tears....until we reached our car. I'm sorry people...I know that it is a "FREE" service at church and that I should be happy that people are even in nursery..but I feel like I try to give my callings 100%. So, I could understand it happeneing once, but twice in a couple of months??? Come on!!!

So, what is next? Greg thinks I am a crazy person because I won't send him back. I can't...I physically can't do it. It is not worth it to me. He says he will check on him every fifteen minutes and be the first one there to pick him up..but obviously it only takes 1 second to walk out the door. Last week at church there was a lost little girl and everyone was running around the halls trying to find her. It brought back fresh memories and I vowed once again that he wasn't going back. I told Greg maybe when he's twelve going into Young Men's I could send him back. Just kidding people!!! Maybe when he's ten!! :)

Any advice for the CrAzY woman?

Two Johnson's in the ring!

May look a little abusive but our children love to wrestle and punch each other. They crack us up!!!! There is never a dull moment! Oh, and Greg just got done reffing a game..he doesn't normally walk around in a ref shirt!!

Family Singing Time

You may have to tilt your head for some of this one..I guess I'm not to great with the camera!!!

Let's hear it for MY boy!!!

I heard a funny coincidental story today! It made me think. Let me share. Back in the day, when I was young, (around 18), blonde(not fake), and skinny(110 pounds..ouch!!! That one hurt to type), I met a young boy..I will not divulge any more info than that.... He pursued me and pursued me until it became obnoxious. But, I knew without a doubt that my "vun twu love" was Gregory! This guy would flash his money and possessions in order to win me over but instead it was a turnoff. I was destined to be poor..because rich boys were not my thing. Oh, I preferred the more down to earth...fun guy!! You know the type of guy who at a BYU game is so fascinated with making a cougar noise and watching his hand move like a cougars in front of his face. (yep that's my Greg!) Or, the type of guy who tells me his date is as beautiful as the stars in the sky...(you guessed it..Greg again!) Or the type of guy who sings Barry Manilow at the top of his lungs...need I explain to anyone who this was??? (He still signs his letters to me with "can't smile without you!") Everyone together now...."Ahhhhh!"

Okay, now I am just reminiscing! Anyways, my mother was just talking to one of her best friends about moving here and my mom asked whereabouts she moved to. She then told her whose house she moved into and my mom about died. That's right..Mr. Not so Charming! She said he was so dishonest and rude and that the whole neighborhood was so happy when he moved!! One neighbor even rejoiced that the devil had left the neighborhood. He even played the, "I can't move on the price because my wife really wants this million dollar mansion on the golf course and I am just trying to be the best husband possible!!!" GAG! Oh, don't feel bad for him. He sort of deserves it. I remember on our first date we were passing the street that my parents lived on and I said, "Oh, my house is down there!" (I was living in the dorms). He said, "Well, I want to see it." I said okay, but being insecure I also said, "it isn't as big as your house." He then looked at me and said, "Hey, here's the deal. I'll forgive you for being a poor girl if you forgive me for being a rich boy. Fair enough?" Uh,... um..., okay idiot! The date was a nightmare for me. At dinner he told me how much fat was in my food...I told him, Um okay, and then the next time the waiter came by I asked for extra sour cream and guac. (he, he) Needless to say, he was too much for me! After we were both married my sister was at his house for a party. She just happened to be asked out by one of his best friends. Anyways, he cornered her at HIS and HIS WIFE"S house and told her that he had been having dreams about me and that in the dream I kept telling him that he shouldn't worry because things were going to work out between us! PSYCHO!! There are plenty of stories about him that would knock your socks off, but I won't divulge anymore. I just thought it was a small world that she had bought his house oh, and that people can't stand him.

It also made me even more thankful for my sweetie! Is there any better than my hubby? I think not!! Greg is the most easy going person in the world. Every time I am mad he just starts laughing and laughing at me..(which usually drives me crazy), but I can't help but start laughing. I have to leave the room so he still thinks I am mad, or turn my head so I don't crack a smile. I remember one time..that's right, one time that he got so mad at me that I think a potty word came out of his mouth. I seriously thought it sounded so funny that I was hysterical laughing. He didn't think it was too funny but I just thought it was the funniest and oddest thing to come out of his mouth!!

Everyone loves Greg! Even when we had our babies, by the time I made it up to see the babies in NICU he was best friends with everyone in the NICU. Life got boring when he had to go to work. I didn't have quite the effect he did. When he was there, there were nurses and resp. therapists that would just hang out and talk! If you've met him, chances are you love him! He makes my life fun and entertaining!! So, we may not have it all...but I am so happy with everything that we have. I love Greg and my three mini Greg's!!

Easter was different. Colty was super sick and we were up all night with him and so the day was mostly spent at home! It was actually nice to be home as a family all day. The night before we went to a family reunion on my side of the family. This was for all of my extended family leading from my Great grandparents. It was incredible! The family who put this on spent so much time and money putting this together. It is amazing to see what two people can accomplish!!

So this reunion made me think of another crazy boy story. Back before my senior year of High School I went to EFY. I loved EFY and there was always a bunch of cute boys to choose from. (that was the important stuff back then) Well, this particular year I saw this amazingly cute boy. I just knew I was inlove. I remember even seeing him reading the newspaper and thinking, "Ahhh, he even looks like a real man reading the newspaper." I sorta specialized in boys! Well, I believe he had the hots for me too. You know, we'd smile and say "hi" when we passed at each other. Well, by Friday we were working up the nerve to converse with each other. I was walking behind him after classes and his friends said, "Hey Parker, Becky is behind us." So, he slowed down and we started walking together with his friends just barely infront of us. I don't remember how the conversation got to this point but we made a gruesome discovery. We shared a favorite relative! Ew, sick, we were second cousins!!! His mom and my dad were cousins! No wonder I thought he was a looker...we shared the same genes!! (wink, wink) I wonder how many family reunions we had actually been to together. Well, his friends were very mature and fell to the ground laughing and we immediately parted ways disgusted by our initial love for each other. Coincidentally we had a family reunion that same summer that he very conveniently missed and his aunts and my parents kept telling me that second cousins was distant enough...GROSS! So, out of all the sessions of EFY and all the boys and girls that come and go...we just happened to find each other. I can imagine what our deceased loved ones were saying at that point....that is some sick joke!! I am sure that will go down in the ancestral story books!!

So, he was there and we both have obviously not gotten over our embarrassment because we stayed on opposite sides of the room from each other. Although I did take this picture of Greg and Colton because he was sitting off in the distance behind Greg...but you can't see him. Ohhh, this is my life. I always have the unusual things happening to me.

Anyways, that was fun to go back in time and remember how lucky I am to have found my husband!! We seriously share a brain..no seriously. We couldn't think without the other one!!! And, so far we haven't discovered any family ties to each other....whew!!!!

Dina Dina Bo Bina!!!

Sad sad day here at the Johnson house. We were hoping that my sister Deanne..aka.Dina, and her husband Nick, and cutiepatuty little Addie, and soon to be baby girl..were going to come home to us!! They have been back in medical school at Wake Forest and are getting ready for residency. Well, they found out today they will be going to Pennsylvania. Congrats to them....dangit for me. We have been praying for them to come here..for our benefit...but I guess things work out the way they are supposed to. We actually went back to that area last summer to direct an EFY so it is fun knowing the area around they are moving too...but still. Could I just get one of my sisters to move here??? Yes, I am sulking and "it's my blog and I'll cry if I want to."

Let me give you some history of the love/hate relationship I have with Dina. (yes, my parents did name her Deanne, but Greg took it upon himself to rename her Dina..you know like Dina blow your horn..long "i" people. Anyways, I have the hardest time calling her Deanne now and she is only known as Dina in our house. No one else calls her that unless they are with us. Except some of Greg's family really thinks that Dina is her name.) Boy, that was a long add in!! Anyways, back to the relationship I share with Dina!

It started young. The first experience I recall with Dina is when she cut my finger off. Did I just hear you gasp? Oh, ya, the chick cut my finger off. You'd think she'd spend the rest of her life making it up to me, oh, no. Not Dina! She thinks it is hilarious. My whole life she would say to people, "Hey, look at what I did to Becky's finger" like it was an accomplishment or something. Real funny Dina. It just happens to be my middle finger and everytime I got mad at her she'd say, hey, you gonna flip me off? Oh, that right, you can't." It's not that bad, it has a nail but it is a fat, short, squishy finger. I have always hated my finger and even when I went to get my nails done for my wedding the asian guy said, "oh, vat happen you finger? les see, how I charge you...? Nine nomal finger, one berry berry hard finger!" I flipped him off. Just kidding.

Moving on. In high school Dina pretended like she didn't like me but behind all that tough stuff, she would actually be somewhat nice to me. She even let me hang around her and her friends. That is big stuff people. There were nights when I would go into her room scared and say, "Can I sleep with you?" and she would say, "yes, but turn your face to the wall and don't touch me." Sounds mean, but that is my Dina!! She hated my boyfriend in high school and she had no problem telling me that, (and him that for that matter) and I would cry and cry, but looking back I have Deanne to thank for helping me out of that mess. See, she was looking out for me!!!

One of my favorite stories was when Dina and I worked together up at Morgan Stanley. We lived like a block away from each other and we seriously tried to carpool but we drove each other crazy. Greg used to get so mad because we stopped carpooling together but then we would seriously drive right next to each other all the way there and home and talk to each other on the phone the whole time. Hey, no one understands it but it worked for us.

I just got off the phone with Greg and he says I have to tell the famous "farting" story. He says, that he should have named Nick..Dina, (you know, "dina blow your horn") because when they were dating they used to love to play cards. Well, one Sunday night they were in my parents living room playing cards and Greg was sitting in there reading and someone..not Dina..blew his horn. Well, Dina and Nick just let it go (literally) and my sweet husband can't do that. He just started saying, "Okay, you two..who farted? One of you farted. Come clean!" Poor Dina and Nick were so embarassed, although it was great payback for all of those dang finger comments!!! Gotta love it! Come to think of it. Dina dated the tooters. One time she brought a guy over to my apartment. Well, just the three of us were in the living room and Dina and I were standing there talking and he was standing back by the couch and he seriously let a huge one fly. It shocked Dina and I so we looked at him and he looked at the couch like the couch was making noises. Nice try buddy! Mature people would have let it go, but we tried with all of our might to not laugh, but once we made eye contact with each other, we couldn't get a hold of ourselves. We just were talking and shaking(thats how we laugh) at the same time. Poor guy, I don't think he even had a shot after that.

I have a million stories I could share about Dina, but I won't right now. I am glad she is my sister. Yes, we can drive each other crazy, but I know she loves me. (you do love me Dina,..don't you?) It is funny how things work out. She was always the tomboy and I was the girly girl and she so far has two little girls and I have three boys! Who knew? I wish she would move closer but I'll just have to hope eventually she will move closer...if not, she'll be rich by that point and she can come and visit every weekend oh, and buy me things!! (this post is only to flatter the rich..or in this case, the future rich) I love you Dina, Nick, Addie and baby girl!!!!! Congrats on residency!!!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Baby Colton

March 14, 2006...Colton Gregory Johnson

Happy Birthday Baby!!!

Time is an amazing thing. I can hardly believe that two years have gone by since my sweet precious little miracle was born. Yet, at the same time, I can hardly remember my life without him in it. Each of my children have been a gift,..each have had great challenges, but I had to work a lot harder to get my little Colton here. I will never forget the emotional rollercoaster we went through from the time we became pregnant with him up on through his birth. Still today, if I think too hard about it, I am amazed he is even here..and amazed that emotionally we made it through.

For those who don't know, I will give a brief summary because if I give all the details, we may be here awhile. Greg and I are a perfect match...not really. We have "antibody disease"..in easy terms. Greg has antigens that he passes on to the children, therefore my body thinks I have a disease and begins to fight the disease..or in this case, the baby. Yes, very similar to Rh...but also pretty different. The only thing they can do is transfuse the baby prior to birth and try to keep the baby in the womb as long as possible. It gets worse with each baby and our sweet Colton needed a transfusion at 23 weeks gestation. Only problem..they can't do it until you are atleast 26 weeks because #1. the umbilical cord is too small, and #2 the risk to the baby is too great. If you are to go into labor then the baby would just die. We waited until 26 weeks with the result that Colton ended up having a stroke and therefore having some brain damage. (Atleast, that is when they think it happend).

Each transfusion was a rollercoaster. We had 4 transfusions before he was born. So many risks it is scary. Each one is done on the operating table because if the cord doesn't stop bleeding you have 1 minute to get in and deliver the baby before the baby bleeds to death. Among other risks. Another miracle is that only 2% of the nation could donate blood to Colton. This little baby in the end..ended up having 9 transfusions (4 inside and 5 outside) and each and everytime they were able to find blood for him pretty quick. What a miracle. Strangers blessed our lives in ways they will never know. Anyways, the 4th interunterine transfusion didn't work. They didn't catch it and so when we went in the next day there were blood clots floating all around him and he had one the size of a softball sitting on his face. His scores were even higher than before they had given the transfusion. Another miracle..he stopped bleeding on his own before he bled to death. We were kept at the hospital on monitors until they could get some blood and our sweet little Colton was delivered at 32 1/2 weeks. Another miracle..he was 5 pounds 4 ounces. What a chunk!!! He only spent 3 1/2 weeks in the hospital and then 2 1/2 months with oxygen. He was a great eater, and unlike Alex, our second, he only had the feeding tube for three weeks. (Alex was on a feeding tube for 2 months). Each day has been a gift with Colton. I still go into his room when he is sleeping and just stare at him. I love to watch him breathe. I even sometimes try to lay my head on his chest..just to feel his heart beat. I can hardly believe that he was that same little baby I went through all of this with. I use to spend every day of my pregnancy trying to feel him move..just to know that he was still alive. Here we are two years later. Another miracle... so far, our little boy that we were told would have cerebralpalsy/brain damage is perfect in our eyes. You would never even know the difference between him and the others. In fact..he is our biggest baby and our earliest talker.

I love you sweet Colton. You bring more joy into my life than I could ever even begin to explain. I will spend every day of my life loving you and being grateful that God gave you to me. You made it buddy! There is nothing like your smile. There is nothing like your attitude. There is nothing like an.."I wuv oo" from Colton. There is nothing like a "mmm-ah" kiss from you. There is nothing like a scolding from you. There is nothing like your laugh. These are all gifts that I cherish every second of my life! Happy Birthday bubby!! Thank you for making my life so amazing!!!

I am still so grateful for wonderful doctors who played a role in getting Colton here. The perinatologists: Dr. Schemmer, Dr. Gainer, and Dr. Dizon-Townsend. The whole staff at the hospital..from ultrasound technicians, to the many nurses who made our nine months + more comfortable. We made many friends. I am also grateful for the many neonatologists who assisted in all three of my babies care!!! We will always love each and every one of these people. Also, all of our family and friends. We truly felt the love of so many people!! I am especially grateful to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with three beautiful boys. Not a day goes by that I don't realize just how lucky I am! I truly believe in miracles!!!!

Take the key and lock her up!!

Okay, I just couldn't pass up blogging about our little experience on Monday! Greg didn't have to work on Monday and so we decided to keep Dallin home so that we could go out and about and have a little family time. Greg was meeting with some old friends for lunch and so we decided to head to IKEA before his appointment to get a little therapy shopping in for ME......don't act like you don't know what that means. There is nothing like a "new little something" to make you feel like a new woman. Same thing goes for a new hairdo!! Greg has hopefully learned that a new hairdo or new shirt, or in this case.. a new little cubby for the garage entrance way, is all I need to perk me up for a good while. Okay, so maybe he hasn't learned which is why I gave him no choice about going up to IKEA. Anywho..I am just rambling. On to the story.

We went into IKEA and actually had a great time. This was only my second shopping experience there and the first time I wasn't as impressed as I was expecting to be. Although Greg gave 10 points to the 50 cent hotdogs. Doesn't take much to impress Greg. He was like, "50 cents???, geez, um I'll take like 25 of those. Who can beat 50 cents?" Such a bargain hunter. Moving on. We shopped and found what we needed with a good half hour to spare to feed the boys "50 cent hotdogs" and once again even though Greg was meeting friends for lunch he couldn't pass up two cheap hotdogs. We got out to our car and started loading the new purchases into the truck when this chick pulls up next to us. I was busy putting the boys in their carseats when I hear this lady talking to Greg. I could hardly believe what she was saying. She asked Greg if he was in a hurry. I am sure Greg thought what I thought..she needs help loading something in her car...which was just fine because he does have awesome muscles..(atleast thats what I hear him telling himself every morning in the mirror!) Oh, no..just wait. Greg said he had about ten minutes before he needed to leave for an appointment. She proceeded to tell Greg that her CHILDREN had fallen asleep in the car and was wondering if he would watch them while she shopped. That was about when my jaw hit the freaking pavement. I should have gone over and questioned her right then and there but I was in shock.. instead I told Greg he didn't have time. But, Greg is way way WAY too nice. He said, well, I have ten minutes but that is it. She said, "oh, well, how long are the lines? I'm not sure I can be that quick." Greg told her they weren't to bad and there she went. She ran off into the store. She didn't ask us our names or anything. So here we sat in the IKEA parking lot watching some lazy unfit parent go into shop while we watched her children. No joke. Poor kids. When she ran off I seriously said some choice words and then in typical "Becky Fashion" I started looking around smiling and wondering where that camera was. Was I being punked and if I am, I just said a potty word. I couldn't help myself. What kind of mom leaves her children with complete strangers? I know we are in Utah and I know Greg and I look like "upstanding citizens"..okay maybe just Greg does because she didn't ask me...but say we decided to take the kids..or even better..ditch the kids because we waited so long. I couldn't get over it. Greg thought it would be funny if we just moved the car so when she got back she freaked out....oh funny until you get arrested Greg for kidnapping!!!!! That would be a real knee slapper. Anyways we waited and she came back about ten mintues later and just said thanks and hopped into her car. I can't believe I didn't say something to her. I'm sorry but I have three children and there have been plenty of times that my kids have fallen asleep in the car I have a few options at that point...1. I can freakin wake the kids up and just know that they'll go to bed real good that night. 2. Take a little snoozer with the kids. 3. Take advantage and go get a coke..(if my mother in-law is reading this I meant go get a ROOTBEER) 4. Keep a book in the car to read for times like this. 5. Admit defeat and go home!!

When Greg and I drove away we couldn't get over what had just happened. Do we live in another world because things like that just seem to happen to us. I think Greg was more in shock that a woman was leaving her children with him without a 50 page list of do's and don't's! He always has to remind me that he is their father. Hey, you can never be to sure....about their safety-- not about if he's their father. Come on..they all are exact clones of their dad!! Anyways, let this be a reminder to all moms. The next time you need a babysitter in the IKEA parking lot, call Greg!!