The list

It's official I have a list and I'm going to blog about it too! I have no intentions of cooking my way through a Julia Child cookbook, I am however excited about planning to get through my fun list to close out my 20's.

When I think about the last 10 years there is so much that goes through my mind. I started my 20's living in Stockton, swimming an going to school. Life was pretty simple and I was living it to the fullest. Turning 21 was a pretty big deal and being able to be called an "adult" was exciting although it didn't mean I acted like one.

Monterey with the girls

The big day!

As the college years came to a close I embraced the life of becoming a wife and moving to southern CA. Life as a twenty something living with the man of my dreams it seemed things couldn't get much better. But they did!

Thanksgiving (pre babies)

In the spring of 2007 we found out we were going to be parents. An exciting and scary moment all wrapped in one.

Christmas 2007

And again as we brought in the new year, 2009 would be bringing us to a family of four.

Parker in the belly

Big sis Riley and Parker 4 days old

There are so many things that fill in the gaps in between the years but I'll save your eyes from having to read it all :)

As I look back and reflect on the different events and milestones it seems like just yesterday, but there have been a whole 10 years in which so many wonderful things have come into my life. If there is anything I know for sure, it's that I am blessed. Blessed with a wonderful husband who loves me unconditionally, two beautiful fun loving kiddos that make our lives whole, the most amazing and supportive parents that have taught me what life is all about, a brother and sister who I can call on at any time and also call best friends and with friends and family that stretch far and wide.

Life brings us many different opportunities and if you don't take a second to enjoy it, another 10 years might just fly by. I'll keep my list as it stands below and also keep you posted on the progress of what can be crossed of. This is going to be a journey and I can't wait!!



30 things to do before turning 30
1. Make a kiki
2. Host a "fancy" dinner party
3. Take guitar lessons or teach myself
4. Learn spanish (Rosetta stone from JD)
5. Rent a convertible car for a day of fun!
6. Take a cooking class
7. Drive up the coast of ca
8. Take a trip to Alcatraz
9. Take or send someone flowers just because
10. Make homemade cinnamon rolls (PW)
11. Plant a vegetable garden
12. See a pro ball game (splurge for good seats)
13. Go to a gun range/shoot a gun (enlist help from Kyle)
14. Visit the Reagan Library
15. Go to Catalina
16. Watch the sun rise or set on the beach with hubby
17. Go country dancing
18. Go on a girls trip with mom, Leah, Lucy and Riley
19. Sibling wine tasting trip
20. Make my own beer
21. Make a skirt or dress (for me or Riley)
22. Recycle.
23. Do more with less, find new uses for unused things we have.
24. Take care of my body with healthy exercise and nutrition
25. Do a better job at documenting life (photos, journal, blog)
26. Be inspired
27. Organize and get rid of things we don't use!
28. Go camping?? Anyone???
29. Go to Vegas...see garth brooks
30. Take advantage of Southwest companion pass!

Time is flyin'

It's been 6 weeks since my last posting....Life is good and everything has been going smooth since surgery. I really haven't done too much physically, mostly out of fear. I am however ready to start doing some things. I had a scheduled appointment today but apparently I was the only one who knew that. I didn't make the books so I'll be returning on Monday to get some real news on what I can and can't do.

Thank goodness for the track at work....I've been doing this on the sunny days

Beyond back health, the kids are constantly cracking me up and making me pull my hair out all at the same time. Riley is 3 going on 13 and if her little tude is any indication of what life is going to be like in 10 years, watch out! All I know is that Danny and I are at a point where we just have to "win". No matter what and fortunately we're both pretty competitive so winning is something we thoroughly enjoy.

But how do you get mad at this face? Seriously!?!?

Parker is 19 months today and couldn't be any sweeter. He is such a chatter box and doesn't walk but run, everywhere he goes. His laugh is beyond contagious and he couldn't be more boy if he tried. He has recently mastered the pouting routine that his big sis has so often demonstrated for him which has been pretty entertaining to watch. It's hard to believe that he's quickly becoming a little kid...but he'll always be my baby boy.

Check out our sweet bed head.

Last week was our spring break and an enjoyable one at that. Danny and I had the opportunity to do a little wine tasting with friends in Temecula one day. We were with an amazing group and in a '67 Bluebird Bus. Our friends own it and have put a few pennies into it so it's beautiful. We had a bus driver who actually drives for our district cart us around and we got to taste wine to our little hearts content.

On the bus...

After our wine tasting extravaganza we headed to Palm Springs for a little family fun. The weather was amazing and we had a blast. Lots of swimming was involved as well as some really good naps.

Just enjoying the view

It's hard to believe that it's already April and I swear these days keep going faster and faster. But with approach of my 29th birthday I've been looking ahead a year thinking about 30. I'm not sure if 30 is scary or exciting, maybe because it's not that close (yet). I've been brainstorming some idea of what would be fun to do in the year leading up to the "big day"and this is what I've come up with so far...Input and suggestions welcome :)

1. Make a kiki
2. Host a "fancy" dinner party
3. Take guitar lessons
4. Learn spanish (Rosetta stone from JD?)
5. Rent a convertible car for a day of fun!
6. Take a cooking class
7. Drive up the coast of CA
8. Take a trip to Alcatraz
9. Take or send someone flowers just because
10. Make homemade cinnamon rolls
11. Plant a vegetable garden
12. See a pro ball game (splurge for good seats)
13. Go to a gun range/shoot a gun (enlist help from Kyle)
14. Visit the Reagan Library
15. Go to Catalina
16. Watch the sun rise or set on the beach with the hubby
17. Go country dancing
18. Go on a girls trip with mom, Leah, Lucy and Riley
19. Sibling wine tasting trip
20. Make my own beer
21. Make a skirt or dress (for me or Riley or both)
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.

Mom and Dad are making the trip down here tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited to see them both! Fun times for the weekend ahead and I just can't wait!

My back ball is back ballin....

For anyone who has ever heard my family speak you may think that at times we have a secret language. It's not a language as much as some really great sayings (i think). I remember one of them being, "my back ball is back ballin" which simply meant "my back is hurting me".

The last 5 days have been an experience of a lifetime for sure. Something for the books and also a step in the right direction. I've been recovering for back surgery or a procedure called a Lumbar Mucrodiscectomy. The procedure itself went well it was the way my body responded to all the drugs that made it a wild ride....the following is what I wrote on my phone while in bed at home.

Finally home and relaxing after surgery. What a wild ride that was! Went in Thursday morning and waited what felt like forever for "my turn". I was the 2nd of 3 surgeries that day and had to wait patiently. I guess surgery went smoothly. Dr. Ceverha took out two larger pieces from my disc bulge. I'll have to get clarification at my post-op attp.

After being moved into my room for recovery I had some rough times with the meds. Morphine and me didn't mix well at all. It made me nauseous and feel like shit. The gave me some anti nausea medication but it really just made me fall asleep. Nurses tired to get me to stand on the first night but I blacked out. They had to use an ammonia capsule to wake me up. Oops! Blood pressure dropped and that was all the excitement I could handle for one night.

Throughout the night and into the next day my stomach was cramping. These cramps were so uncomfortable. Imagine needing to poop and fart...and it's stuck! Great! They kept giving me anti nausea meds because I would throw up with everything I tried to eat or drink. No room for anything but trapped gas and it wouldn't come out? Lovely!

Finally, day 3 of the hospital I get an awesome nurse who listens to me and suggests this thing called a Harris flush. Think enema but gets the gas out. She did it twice and finally I got a jump start on what had been keeping me in the hospital. I was able to get up, walk and yes have a bm! Heck yes!! I had 2 bm before leaving the hospital and was feeling like a new woman being able to be up and moving around. We drove home and the kids were so excited to see me. Poor Parker didn't understand mommy couldn't hold him but Riley did and she was so gentle and gave me a perfect leg hug.

I was finally feeling like a little food. Mind you I hadn't eaten/kept any food down since Wednesday @ 7:15pm. I couldn't eat much but it felt good to get some food in my tummy. I slept great in my own bed, with Danny and clean from my first shower in 4 days. And man did I smell!!!

After a great night sleep I had cantaloupe and a piece of toast. Took my meds (everything but the narcotics) and then went for a walk. Walked the the corner across the street from jen and adam's house and back. I was tired and needed to rest felt good to get outside and breath the fresh air. I've taken Tylenol for the pain and that seems to be enough. Nervous to take anything stronger.

It's been a wild ride the last few days but man it feels good to be home. Mom being here is the best!!! Life is good :)

Ah geeze

For those of you that have spent any bit of time with Riley you know all too well some of her hilarious sayings. "Ah geeze" is just one of those sayings of her's that I was saying all day today. Before I get into anything else, I would like to tip my hat to all you that have the hardest (and most rewarding) job in the world, stay at home mommy. You are badass and there isn't really any other way I would like to describe it right now ;)

Riley and Parker are at such great ages. We can all play together doing crafts, blowing bubbles and going on bike rides. But they are also at an age that constantly tests my patience and as quickly as we can have fun, laugh and giggle, there is biting, hitting and screaming.

On our bike ride

Riley likes to be close to her brother and he often lets her know that she's too close by screaming. Today, he decided that he would really let her know and he bit her in the chin. Great! We quickly recovered although there are two beautiful teeth marks on her chin. The rest of the day went smoothly considering naps were at a minimal and the kids were a bit wild.

I had attempted to get Parker to take a nap today and he was quite for about 20 minutes and then started screaming. It was a different scream and he was mad. I walked in to find him grinning from ear to ear but with blood all over his face, arms and shirt. I've decided that this wild man was doing a little jumping and knocked his nose on the crib. Ah geeze!

Wild Man

Thank goodness for the beautiful weather because we were able to spend time outside, running and playing with bubbles. It was a wild day but we're getting geared up for Mema and Bubba to make the trip down for the weekend!! Can't wait.

Bubbles!!!

New Year, New Ideas & New Goals

The New Year brings on so many implications. A fresh start, a chance to organize and tons of excitement. On day 4, at the start of the new year and I feel blessed that I've been given an opportunity to get prepared for the next 12 months. With work not starting back until the 31st of January I am officially enjoying my vacation from the working world and chance to be home with my babies full time.

The holidays were amazing and being with family and friends through the last bits of 2010 was incredible. As we returned home, after being in Palm Springs for our New Year's celebration, I felt this intense need to clear the clutter (everywhere). Christmas decorations are finally put away and ones that didn't make the "cut" the last few years have been donated. That task alone has motivated me to reevaluate all the "things" we have and really look at what we need and actually use. I will be tackling the kids closets and dressers (get ready for the hand me downs name!) as well as the closets with all of stuff in our room. I often feel that we accumulate too many things and that they begin to consume our lives and living space...

The next big plan I have is just that, to plan. Planning meals, family outings, date nights, and get togethers with friends and family. When meals are planned we can enjoy our family time instead of spending time deciding what we're doing for food. Family outings are the best, especially those that we can include Chloe in. Date nights are what has and will continue to keep the relationship Danny and I have full of fun and excitement ;) With busy lives and schedules getting together with our friends can be challenging but we are so blessed to have great friends and friends that are an extension of our family. Making the effort is half the battle and something I will be working on. I've found that when I am surround by with those that are positive influences, it teaches me about myself and makes me want to be a better wife, mother, daughter and friend.

The refreshing start of the 2011 has included great friends and family. I am so excited to see what this year will bring and am thankful as reflect on what 2010 gave us. With organization on the mind and the blogging world at my fingertips I am ready to hit the ground running. Happy New Year!

xo

Camping

Camping is one of those activities that wasn't really in my vocabulary. Honestly I'd rather sleep in the comfort of a bed, shower without rubber slippers or have to hike to the toilets. But this weekend I traded my comfort zone for something new and decided that we could handle a little good 'ol outdoor fun. We decided we would go camping with some friends of ours (two of which have rather large homes on wheels). So I think it's fair to say that this "camping" experience was different for each family. Johnson Party of Four...we set up our tent right in the middle of the AC pumping, toilet flushing microwave cooking beauties. :)

Setting up camp

What a good helper!

It's almost done...

When we arrived it was a warm sunny afternoon and a great day for kicking back and relaxing. Danny and I set up our tent with out any troubles, put up the pack-n-play for Parker and the mini blowup mattress/sleeping bag combo for Riley, we were set! Danny and I were in charge of dinner for the group that night and decided ka-bobs would be great...and they were! I had everything prepped before our arrival so all we had to do was pop the meat and veggies on the skewers and dinner was ready for cooking. The dinner was a hit and we were off the hook for cooking for the rest of the weekend. One of the families that was with us has a daughter that is a month younger then Riley and so Ri and Parker had a little play buddy for the weekend. Awesomeness!

Camp Johnson

The awesomeness didn't exactly carry over into the first night of sleep. Our first night in the tent was an experience. New place, new surroundings and new noises. Some might think the noises were those of the great outdoors but instead they were the hums of our sweet baby boy. He is the noisiest little guy! He does so much talking in his sleep that we thankfully have a hallway and two doors to buffer those songs at home. Not a great first night of sleep but we made it through and were ready for a little camp breakfast...and coffee!

Ella and Riley chatting more then eating

Parker and Daddy all smiles

Hey girls, wait for me!

After a good breakfast we were ready for whatever the day would bring. The campsite we were at was slightly reminiscent of 5th grade science camp but this place had a POOL! Having a pool was the most wonderful treat. Three kids + lots of swimming = nap time (for all!). Not only did the kids nap but because we were with two families that had the "set up" we were able to relax while the kids slept, get dinner ready without anyone screaming and watch a little Texas/UCLA football. A rough game for the Longhorns but at least I got to watch it ;)

Watching the game

After all was said and done, I survived! It was really a great weekend and definitely something I would be willing to do again...it just might not be anytime soon :)

It really was beautiful!

It's a blog right?

As I've sat down to my computer for the millionth time today, wanting get a new post underway I realized that it's just a blog, period. I'm such a visual person and I feel the need to make sure there is some visual representation of my writing. But that's silly, who cares? Sure, you'd love to see a picture or two of the stories I share but then maybe not and so here I am posting with no visual aids whatsoever.

It's quickly zoomed into the middle of August and I'm in denial that I am, and will be starting back to work in about a week and a half. The idea of being back at work is crazy and I've had so much fun being with the kids this summer that I swear that I could just stay at home, full time! Danny gently reminds me that my job is to die for and the 32 weeks of year that I am working, isn't tough.

I've recently been keeping busy trying to get as many summer like things squeezed into the last bit of summer and plan on taking the kids swimming tomorrow if it continues to be as warm as it at this very moment! I am also trying to switch to my working hat and am getting things organized and ready for the start of the semester. I am so excited about teaching a new class this fall, called "Total Fitness for Women". I have 16 weeks to leave a positive imprint on the lives of these women and am trying to brainstorm ideas about what to do. I have 10 weeks accounted for but am taking any advice or ideas from all you ladies out there. What would you love to get if you signed up for this class? All ideas welcome :)

Well until next time, I'm going to enjoy this evening with my hubby who is quickly approaching 30 (yikes!), search for fun ideas for Parker's 1st bday party (double yikes!) and pretend that school is still a few months from starting ;)