Land of the Free...Home of the Brave

Happy freakin 4th of July! Whew, it has been an eventful week full of fun, laugher, tears, FOOD, Becky jokes which = more laugher....., um stress, complete craziness, billions of kiddos, and who knows what the heck else. So fasten in tight for a long post, or don't read it...what do I care?!?

Sheri's family and Kristin's family were all here by Wednesday and so we went down to BYU for some Skyroom feast and a little bowling for the kids. I have to brag because my boys were the ultimate winners of the bowling game..no joke. I hear some people chuckling who have bowled with me before. I think my high in bowling is like 48...and that might have been with bumpers. BUT, with that said, Dallin won the competition with 112 and Alex and Colton tag teamed it up with a whoppin 110. I'm not kidding.....I would let Alex go first and then Colton roll the second turn. Colton got 3 spares, and Alex got a strike. I may of had to run down the lane...practically to the pins...once or twice to push the ball but they freakin took the cake. Stinks for the other grand kids!!! Looks like the Johnson's are the best!!

Thursday all the men "GOT" to take all of the kids and go to 7 Peaks. I have to admit I had issues with this. News Flash...I am a paranoid freak..okay I guess it is okay to say lunatic just this once. Poor Greg got the rundown for about 50 minutes, from car safety on the way there, to parking lot safety, to hold their hand 24/7 safety, to sunblock safety, to kidnapper safety, to wavepool safety, to let my kid go on the freefall or skybreaker and I kill you safety(I guess he wasn't paying attention on that part), to bring our children home in one piece or don't come home at all safety! How my sisters and I came from the same womb is crazy because they did a little wave and a 'get on your way" and pretty much skipped back inside. I think I stood on the street until they turned the corner. To my amazement, they came back alive. Whew...one never can tell. And Dal even rode the big rides and survived and they thought I would be mad...which I

would have had he not come home alive.

I spent the day up in SLC with Colton and his doctor. We had to go over the results and it is official that he will most likely sleep with either oxygen or CPAP for the rest of his life!!.....cross your fingers that that changes!!! The medical supply place called to set up a time to bring his oxygen and the guy on the other line was acting a little wierd and I finally figured it out...I have a horrible cold and I freakin sound like a boy going through purberty and I finally decided that he was probably thinking,.."lady, your kid is being put on oxygen,...cut out the cigarettes." I seriously sounded like a chain smoker. Whoops!

The fourth was eventful. Everybody but Mr. and Mrs. Partypooper (aka, Greg and I) went to the parade. I couldn't get my body out of bed. My family likes to party till the break of dawn. We slept in and went to my aunt and uncles for a wonderful lunch and mingling of the Peterson side. The boys got to go horseback riding and it was just heaven for them. We of course then had to go get ready for the "MAIN EVENT"..the Miley Concert. My neices were all so excited. Dallin pretended like he wasn't enjoying himself but I know deep down in side he was loving seeing Miley. It was so much fun and of course my favorite part is when the jets fly over. I am such a ballbaby. If I even talk about it I cry. And then I love when they let the soldiers talk to their families. It sure makes me appriciate all that I have and the men and women who are risking their lives for our freedom. I was proud to be an american!!!

So, to the real drama of the night. We had such a wonderful night and we all parked by each other. Andrew suggested we practically park in Nevada...he says you get out faster but that's because by the time you hike back your are in a different state and there is no traffic. Okay, just kidding Drew..don't get all worked up! So, we all got back to our cars and there was major traffic. My parents, Debbie and us were all facing Drew and Kristin's cars. We were ready to pull out. My brother in law was in the lead and 4 cars passed and wouldn't let him out. We looked and this guy a couple of cars back gets out of his stupid car and comes and stands in front of my brother in laws car so that he can't pull out. He let's like 3 more cars go until his car is right in front of their car. He then walks over to my brother in law and says,"Sorry I lost my contact" to which my binl says, "sure you did you liar." This guy be bops over to his car and gets in and my brother in law pulls up like an inch away from their car and that is when I learned all the different ways you can say the "F" word. The guy jumped back out of the car and looked like he was going to kill my brother in law. That is when my nice, sweet, never EVER loses his temper husband goes to jump out of my car. I seriously never see Greg lose it..that is not joke. But, because he was so upset about what was happening, I saw another side of him....a side of defense. I on the other hand am not one I would consider "BRAVE"...I held on to Greg's arm with all of my strength so he would not do something crazy. I may have been screaming with my manly cold voice too. Because I am strong, he wasn't able to get over there and the guy did nothing to my brother in law but, it sure ruined the night. Guess you had to be there....it sounds a lot better in person.

Our week has been full of good food and lots of laughter. We celebrated my parents 40th and also of course went to Brick Oven where people were literally moving away from us because we were so loud. Stupid people...who eats in silence. I guess the workers were actually warning people before they sat them by us!! Oh, well, more room for us!! The cousins have had so much fun together and I always realize how much I wish I had sisters who lived by me. I miss them like crazy. I wish I could fill in more details but I would be writing for a week. Just know it was fun...99% of the time....and we made some great memories. I love you fam!!

Colton is now officially on his oxygen. Last night was his first night and it was a miracle that we made it through the night. He still had little sobs after he finally fell asleep. Poor guy! He better get used to it! I do believe this oxygen machine was housed at a chain smokers house though because my whole house reeks of cigarette smoke whenever it is running...or Greg has a new habit he needs to come clean about.

Well, all but one of my sisters have gone home and I officially need to diet. We seriously eat none stop and I needed to lose 25 pounds before they all came and now I need to approximately lose an elephant! (give or take) Good freakin luck! Any suggestions? I have thought about having Greg staple my lips shut..which would also benefit him because then I couldn't get mad at him....I have thought about having him tie a rope around me and hook me to the back of the car when he drives so that I am forced to excercise....or I could seriously lick a cart at Walmart so I get super sick and just start throwing up and getting the runs....I don't know which one to do!! These are all difficult decisions...I'll let you know what I decide to do!

Well, life is good and great and I am blessed to be alive and to have all that I have! I am proud to be an American and to enjoy the freedoms that so many people take for granted every day. Till next time!!

....and another sleep study......

I had to take Colton back up for another sleep study to see if having his tonsils and adenoids out cured him from his sleep apnea. I am so frustrated....although his episodes were cut in half he still has alot of issues with sleep apnea. He will now have to sleep with oxygen every night and when he naps. They will retest in six months and if he still is having problems we will continue on the oxygen for 12-18 months before considering doing a CPAP machine. I guess the scariest part is that they still have him sleeping with us and I slept next to him in the sleep study....and I don't even realize how bad each of his episodes are. Its not like when your oxygen drops you make noise...it is just opposite...he is really quiet and so I sleep through it. That scares me! I can't stop sleeping for the rest of my life...although I wish I could right now. If the apnea is just a breathing disorder then the doctor says she is optimistic that he will grow out of it,..BUT, if it is results from his stroke and brain damage then he is likely to have problems throughout his life.

I guess we are just maybe finally seeing the side effects of his birth...which in reality aren't anywhere close to where we were told we would be with him. So I can't complain,...there were so many unknowns with his birth and he practically has turned out perfect so I am actually really happy that hopefully this is it and that we can maintain it! We actually went and bought him a "big boy" bed yesterday...looks like it will be unused for a while...unless Greg decides he is tired of Colton's feet being in his face!!!

I am looking forward to this week. All of my family...BUT DINA (sad)...will be in town. It is always so much fun and the Peterson's definitely know how to celebrate for the 4th. I am sure there will be much humor to report next week. Is it sad that I am wigging out to see Hannah!!!

What an Incredible Day!!

What an amazing day! Almost 10 years ago, Greg and I were married and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple by an amazing man! Elder Dallin H Oaks was our sealer. He was a good friend to my grandfather and therefore a good friend to my father. Greg and I were in awe of the fact that we would be married by such a wonderful man. We went up before our wedding and had an interview with him. It was such a neat experience...one that Greg and I will NEVER forget. To sit knee to knee with an Apostle and be interviewed was one of the most intimidating but sweetest days of my life. We received some of the greatest advice from him that day, on our wedding day, and then in a letter he sent to us after our wedding. Then and there we determined that our first son would be named after Elder Oaks.. (who informed us that if we were to name our son after him...we needed to spell it right.)

We have waited for the opportunity to go and meet with him again, and since Dallin will soon be eight and we will soon celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary, we decided this was a great time to do that. So today was the day and I can't put into words the anticipation and excitement I have felt. I also felt to inadequate to take time from an Apostle. He was so sweet with the boys and I wish I had a picture of him hugging Dallin and picking him up off the floor. He then held his hands out to Alex who ran and jumped into his arms, and then to Colton who did the same. I was worried how my boys would behave but they just loved him. He was so gracious and kind and again, a day I will never forget.

As we were leaving the building I hurried and took Dallin and Alex in to the bathroom and on our way out Alex tripped over Elder Tingey who was standing outside the bathroom door. Greg was out with Colton talking to Sister Dew. She was so cute with my boys and said that she always imagined she would have 6 boys! What a neat lady. On our way out the door, Greg started saying, "Oh my heavens, oh my heavens!" In walked Elder Hales. He walked right to Dallin and said, "Hey, this looks like a future missionary!" He was so kind to us and friendly and wonderful!!

I feel so blessed and humbled to have met such wonderful servants of Jesus Christ. I hope that at least Dallin will remember this day for the rest of his life...I know I will!!

Saddle up!

A Night at the Rodeo! We started going a couple of years ago when Dallin was doing Muttin Bustin...now he is too big and so we really just go for the entertainment...okay and the food!!

Dallin and Cammie Cooper and Alex

The "gorgeous" couple themselves!

Grandpa and the boys..and some random stranger!

One Hot Tamale..and she's single boys!!!

Colton during the pledge of allegiance...is he not the cutest?

Okay, this next part needs some introducing....Cammie and I were just simply entertaining ourselves. There are a billion more pictures of Cammie and I..but I will not share them here. We got a few others to join in on the fun too. Hey, who doesn't like to pay $12 a ticket for a rodeo and then not watch a second of it because you are simply just having too much fun with the camera!!

Me..it takes talent people!

Kerri...couldn't look ugly if she wanted too!!

Cammie was too good at this...she has some strategy she uses!

Come on Leslie..you can do better than that!!

And finally...I made this one larger because I love him but mainly because he embarassed me in church yesterday and so this is part of his payback......

My husband.....GREGORY!!!

What a man, what a man..what a MIGHTY good man!

Whew, I'm tired tonight! I know nobody cares..but that is the thought going through my head right now! Isn't it funny how as a child we refuse to take naps and sleep in..but as an adult my idea of a dream vacation is sleeping for a week! Okay, I'd wake up for an occasional coke...but then go right back to sleep. "WHAT?" I know what you are thinking.."you could go back to sleep after drinking a coke? You must really be addicted!" And I am thinking,.."Yep, you are probably right..what's your point?" I must be tired because that whole paragraph reminded me of Jack Handy..."deep thoughts by Becky Johnson"!! MOVING ON......

So we had an amazing weekend. Greg surprised me for my birthday and took me down to the George for the weekend and tickets to Les Mis. I know..I was shocked. I hate to bring up the past...and so I really won't dive into the past..(too much!!)....but my sweetie patooty has had a problem with gift giving in the past...let's say 5 years or so. "Now, Becky I really don't want you to think I got you something because I really didn't, I just really didn't have time." First year...DEVASTATED. Second year, "Your kidding me right?" Third year, "Take a hike and sleep on the couch." Fourth year, "He must be teasing me...NOPE!" Fifth year...."Numb to it...he must have something wrong with his brain!" Poor guy...he just can't live it down!!

So he did amazing. He got a screaming deal on this condo..I mean condo castle! It was so beautiful I could hardly believe it. My only regret was that we couldn't stay longer...like forever!! We got there and went straight to the temple and had an amazing experience there. Nothing crazy, but if anyone knows Greg and I then you know that we will just talk to anyone. So we did sealings..but we spent like an hour getting personal tours of the St. George temple and loving our time with the temple workers. Greg even got a Father's Day candy bar from one of the old ladies. My sister always makes fun of me because she says no matter where I am I will start up a conversation with anyone. True, true. What's her point, I like to talk so I might as well talk to the people around me. And Greg is just as bad..if not worse. I had to laugh because I got a little lost in the temple and so this nice lady was showing me the way and then I heard Greg's not so quiet voice coming down the hall....and of course he was lost too and was getting help along the way. Afterwards I seriously had to wait in the waiting room for fifteen minutes because Greg started up a conversation with someone in the dressing room and they had a grand old time exchanging stories. I love it!!

So, we spent Saturday shopping and then went to the musical on Saturday night. It was incredible and so nice to just be with my hubby. Although, they give you a hand out and the chick who was the "star" in the other musical.."Sound of Music" that plays on the odd nights is Greg's past woman! Gag! I am so glad we opted to see Les Mis because how awkward would that of been to have your husband starring at "Maria" all night long wishing he was Mr. Von Trapp or whatever the heck his name is! I'm not bitter...I may not be able to sing a note but I always remind him that I have bigger boobs than her! Don't act shocked..it's true!! Weigh it out...."Good singing voice or Big Boobs?" See it's a no brainer!

Well, we got back to our condo around 1 a.m. and packed our bags..went to sleep and woke up at 3 freakin 30 A.M. to drive home. Greg was getting a new calling and we had to be back in time for church at 9. It was a crazy drive. I just knew it was going to be hard so I decided I was going to have to be the strength that got us home. I'd like to personally thank my good friends, "Karen Carpenter, Tiffany, Carrie Underwood and many others,.." for letting me belt out their music all the way home. Greg drove the first half and seriously it was like pulling teeth to keep him awake. I'd say, "SCREAM!! Sing your guts out!" and Greg would say in his not so enthusiastic voice, "ahhhhhhh!" Instead he was tickling himself. Um, excuse me buddy, we aren't trying to fall asleep! Finally he moved over and got some shut eye and I continued the driving,...and singing to keep myself awake! It was fine until about 30 miles out of Payson when I realized I was either going to pee my pants or have my bladder burst...or better yet, pull over and give the truckers something to smile about. Don't worry, I made it! (Hope I didn't worry anyone!)

Yesterday was a great day! I love the fathers in my life! I have an amazing dad. He is my hero and I am so thankful that he is my dad!! I love you daddy! I also have the most amazing husband and my kiddos are so lucky to have him as their dad. He really truly is an amazing father!! Love ya babe!!

As a sidenote...I am devastated. We got home and were trying to hurry so fast to get ready for church. My sweet sister in law had stayed Saturday night with the boys and so she was there. Well I was trying to hurry and when I got out of the shower I was sneaking out of the bathroom,...into my bedroom..in ALL OF MY GLORY...tiptoeing over to the door to shut it so that Cammie couldn't see me when all of the sudden I look up and she is laying in my bed! I was frozen..I just screamed and stood there and did nothing. I think she was going to seriously have a heart attack from laughing so hard. Here's the visual.."Me...NUDE....me.... with a towel on my head...me....with nair on my upper lip....me... tip toeing to the door!! Dang, if only I'd known I could have done my model walk over to the door!!

Well, another fabulous week! Another fabulous birthday! Another fabulous embarassing story for me!! At least it keeps me human! I love you Greg! Thank you for an amazing birthday! He really is close to perfect and he's all mine!!

Another year older!! OUCH!

Turn up the music....listen to the selection I have chosen for this particular post! (Pump up the jam!) I know if you are any where around my age...this will get your boodie moving!! How do I know? Because I had one of those moments today....don't pretend like you don't have them. I may be a little sentimental today seeing as though I am turning the big "29" tomorrow.. but I swear I can't be the only person who does this. I went grocery shopping..little bit of reality..but I didn't have to take my kiddos today since it is Saturday. So sometimes when I am kid free I find myself turning up the music as loud as it can go and getting my groove thing on. Todays song just happened to be.."Pump up the Jam". I found myself doing the robot,..mostly just with my head,..doing my little head dips to the right and then on over to the left. I seriously have the moves...:)!!! I was rocking out. As I pulled up to the car next to me at the light I realized how silly I must look. Usually this doesn't matter to me...I don't care who is watching..but today it hit me that although I feel like I am still a teenager...that I am a freakin mother of three children..driving in a minivan...with my hair in two messy pigtail/buns....getting my groove on to "Pump up the Jam"! Dang! It doesn't take much for me to be drawn back to past memories...especially with music. I can remember going to good old Stag dances and walking in all casually with my friends and then some song like Pump up the jam would come on and we would either start walking with a little more pump...or start running into the dance so we could rock out or maybe even do a little line dance. Because you know you are cool when you are part of the line dance and everyone is watching and you are all doing these dang cool moves all together! (probably not cool anymore?!?!) I think that no matter how much times goes by...no matter how much weight I put on (SIGH)...no matter how many children I have....no matter how many times I move and make new friends.....I will always be that 18 year old...110 pound...real blonde..perfect size boobs(had to throw that in there...cause you know they will never be the same after nursing three boys)...GIRL! In my mind..and until reality hits and someone from High School acts shocked when they see you! "Becky, is that really you?" Kiss it!!!



So although time continues to pass and I just keep getting older...I love the "girl" inside of me. I wouldn't trade my life now to go back because lets face it. I may be quite a bit heavier now,..not as good lookin...ect.ect. but I have more confidence now. Okay, Greg would pee his pants about that comment, but in reality I am content with who I am and nobody is going to change that!

So I am glad to be another year older because of the wonderful memories I have created in the last year...and the maybe not so great memories...it makes me who I am and I am glad that I can still get my groove on! Hey, my kids still look at me when I dance or sing and think I am the stuff..might as well enjoy it while they don't really understand that mom panting around the kitchen working up a sweat with my sweet moves isn't really cool!! So heres to the inner child and another amazing year!!!

Happy freaking birthday to me!!!!!

C Diff

WARNING: This post contains the word "poop" quite often. If you have no desire to hear about poop...then don't read it!!!

What a week! I'm exhausted..how bout you? Does it mean you are insane when you look back on your week and actually start to laugh??!?!? Nothing comical about it...but it just strikes you as funny when you realize everything that went wrong! So, Colton had been throwing up for about a week but it was only once or twice a day and I thought it was due to this awful cough he has had for over a month. On Wednesday he started throwing up everything!! EVERYTHING!! Even if he ate an ice chip he would throw up a gallon of water...or so it seemed. At this point he had no "diarhea dans" yet, infact he hadn't even pooped in a couple of days. By Thursday Greg was begging me to take him to the doctor. Sounds wierd but I don't know if it is the "mom complex" or what but I always hate taking my kids to the doctor because I hate paying a copay for them to tell me they have the flu or a cold or whatever. I almost canceled my appointment..but I am glad I didn't. The doctor came in the room and took one look at Colton and said, "I think we are sending him to the hospital." She looked in his mouth and said "He is so dehydrated!!" She also listened to his breathing and thought he might have pneumonia...or as Greg would say,.."Amonia". You have to realized that it had only been two weeks since his surgery so he really hadn't gotten back to much eating and had already lost alot of weight. Well, at that point Colton had his first blow out and from that point on the poop kept a flowing through the rest of the day and the night. He couldn't stop. The worse part is that he would scream everytime he had to go because it hurt so bad. I didn't realize how bad he had gotten. He screamed when they gave him his IV and the poor kiddo had no tears. When Grandma and Grandpa came to see him he just layed in the bed a looked at them with his eyes half open. He was miserable. At this point I was so happy I actually took him in...especially because when I got up to change him at 3 A.M. because he'd had another blow out all I found in his diaper was blood. Not a little blood....a lot of blood. He continued to have bloody diapers through the night and when the nurse came in at 7 she checked on him and was like, "uh oh..um I need your help". I went over there and he had blood all over him. He had gone so much that it came up through the front and was all over the front of him..his hands. his pillows and all over the bed. Pretty scary to see that much blood come from your childs bum. He was miserable. Over the next few days we waited for test results and continued to collect poop for more tests. He in the mean time had started to perk up a little from the IV's. At midnight on Friday night we finally got the test results back. "C-diff"...just what we were thinking it might be. He was started that second on heavy antibiotics. Isn't it funny that you never hear of something until one person gets it and then you hear of so many people having it. Greg's mom just had c-diff a couple of months ago and I had heard of so many people having it in the meantime..and now my own kiddo has it. Well we came home Saturday afternoon and the pooping continues..but is slowing down. The only problem is that I can't get him to drink anything for the life of me. I have tried everything and everyonce in awhile he will have a sip of water..but nothing else. He will eat a few things...but will not drink. I just hope he starts drinking here soon. He is so skinny and I don't like skinny babies...I like them chunky!!!!

Anywho...that is the poop saga. Here's to hoping for hard poops!!!