How could I forget!?!

Okay, so I am chatty Kathy today...but I forgot to blog out this wonderful story from our trip and I just couldn't leave it out.

So Cammie and I were swimming down at the pool with Dallin, Alex, Colton and then we also had Cooper and Parker. (Jeff and Kerri's kids). Cammie and I were just sitting by the edge of the pool talking. I happened to be listening to the boys conversation and this is how it went:

Dallin: I've seen a catfish before.

Cooper: You have?

Dallin: Yeah it was about this big.

Cooper: My cousin has seen a catfish before and guess what? It was as BIG as Becky.

Becky: Wow, Coop that must of big one huge catfish.

Cooper: Yeah it was.

If I didn't love the little kid so much I may have picked him up and dropped kicked him accross the pool. Nothing like a little self esteem booster to make you feel good while you are sitting in your bathing suit next to the pool. Excuse me, I need to go research liposuction on the internet.

Say huh?

I think the puppy fairy has visited our house and given my husband a big old bite!! When we were married for time and ALL eternity he promised me that no matter how much I begged, no matter how much our children pleaded,...that we would never EVER EVER have a dog. This made me sad,..but I hoped that one day he would change. Folks...I believe that day has come. He has been really thinking about it for the boys birthdays next week and I am in SHOCK that he is really considering this. We went to the pet store yesterday...(don't freak out..we know you should never buy from the pet store) although I fell instantly inlove with this sweet little maltese doggie. Ahhh! Greg said he'd never seen me like that about an animal. I forgot how much I love doggies..although I stood to long in the allergy line in heaven and not long enough in the talent line and so I am allergic to alot of animals but this sweet doggie didn't make it hard to breath or give me blisters on my eyeballs...seriously!!

So let me explain how big this is. Greg has never really owned a pet. He claims to have owned a "water newt" that got out of its "cage" and dried up on the computer desk!?!? Um, Ew!! Who the freak owns a water newt and what the heck is it? And..does that really count? I say no. So I have heard about this "water newt" for sometime and I think he was deprived as a child. He went to hold the puppy yesterday and didn't even know how to hold her....but once he held her,..... I sercretly share a brain with him..... and I know he loved her just as much as I did. SOLD to the lady in the second row! Okay, so we didn't buy her but I now know it may happen and that I love little maltese doggies.

So here's to really hoping that the next time we walk out of the pet store we leave with a doggie and not a water newt! Heavens!!

Viva!! Viva!! LAS VEGAS!!

Wowwy...we are home! We have been in Las Vegas for the week. Greg was session director for EFY this week down there and so we convinced Cammie to come with us so that we could take our children and have them around a little bit...which ended up being not at all since we had "uncool" coordinators!! (long story). It was such a fun week. We were staying just on the edge of the strip right next to UNLV and it was perfect. I have never been to UNLV but I was very impressed with the campus and the service these youth recieved this week. We actually got really close to the cafeteria gang!!! So, a list of some of the craziest events of the week.

1. The hotel:...squishing Greg, me, Cammie, Dallin, Alex and Colton all in one room...secretly. We were so paranoid of getting caught that when we would walk past the maids or other workers to our room we would say something like, "Hey, Cammie, are you coming to our room?" or "Do you guys want to go to Cammies room?" Pretty sneaky,...funniest part is that none of the maids spoke english so we probably conspired for no reason. They were probably saying, "dumb americans" when we passed. We would seriously go down in shifts to eat or to swim...they had so many people there they probably didn't notice us and it isn't like there wasn't room for us....(I am trying to make myself feel better)

Let's just say that Cammie saw me declothed a couple of weeks ago and I now believe it was only to prepare her for this last week because she got a show many times from both Greg and I... and no perverts...it was never at the same time. We like to space out our immodesty.

(look at Colton's Elvis lip...must be the Vegas air!!)

2. The stripper at the pool. Ya, you read it right. One day the boys and I were just enjoying ourselves at the pool. Cammie had gone to listen to Greg speak and we had the whole morning. We were there about an hour when all of the sudden a, um..., what is a nice way to say this...hooker, came out on the patio. She had a whole entourage with her, her husband, her photographer, and her followers. She had huge muscles and very enhanced bossoms and the scimpiest bikini I had ever seen and they were seriously taking exotic pictures of her. The funniest is when Alex noticed her and he quickly covered his eyes and kept repeating, "I not look ober der, I not look ober der!" (I not look over there) They took their pictures on the outside of the gates and they were pretty hidden so we kept swimming and I had to keep repositioning the boys so they couldn't see anything and then they of course came into the pool area and we had to get the flip out of there. It was funny how fast my boys moved!!! I mean I know I look exactly like that lady so they are used to seeing my muscly lean big bossomed body,... but I was wearing a more modest swimsuit and so the boys didn't need to see that other lady.

3. The drama of the week. Of course I hesitate posting the drama because there is so much good that goes on. But, boy was there drama this week at EFY. More than we have ever had. I won't go into details but Holy Freakin Cow!! And then we had Skylar...who was the hardest person we've ever met...but we loved him. He was so cold and unresponsive and I will never forget the feelings I had on Thursday night. Thursday is the big spiritual day and that night they have the musical program and then Greg gives and AMAZING talk on the Savior and then it ends when they all sing the EFY medley together. It really is so neat and you just pray that these youth are feeling the spirit. I just happened to be sitting infront of two of our hardest youth we have ever worked with. I prayed so hard that they would feel something....that is all I did was pray for these two. Well, the meeting gets over and they are releasing them for testimony meeting and everyone was crying and Greg turned around and patted Skylar on the leg and said, "Good to see you Skylar" and Skylar looked up at him and said, "You are the MOST BORING speaker I have ever heard!" (in his monotone voice through his long hair) Greg, said thanks that's means a lot coming from you and he said, "Did you not hear me? You are boring, Boring, BORING!!" And for some reason it knocked the wind out of me. I started to not cry but weep. I now know the definition of weeping. I am sure people thought it was because it hurt my feelings for Greg but if anyone has heard Greg speak you know he isn't boring and can hold his own....I was crying because it hurt me so bad that I was looking around and seeing all the youth crying because they had felt the spirit and that I had spent the whole meeting just praying for him that he would feel something and then for him to say that to Greg it knocked the wind out of me that he didn't feel a dang thing. I have never experienced that before. I physically hurt for him that he was so cold and shut off. I guess my hope is that EFY planted a seed in him and that one day he will be softened because deep down behind that hardness was a great kid!!!

4. So on the last day we were down swimming...all of us. We happened to be swimming with the "Immodest picture lady's" husband. Come to find out they were having the "Ms. USA body building competition" over at UNLV and she was one of the contestants. (That explains the big muslces, big hooters, and the minimal attire...sort of. We started talking to him and actually talked for awhile and then he asked us why we were here and we told him that Greg was directing a youth program for our church and Greg mentioned what church we belonged to. He seriously looked at us and said, "Well, hey, I gotta get out of here." We laughed and then we put it together. I would almost swear he thought we were polygamists because here is Greg with two women, three children and Cammie and I just happened to have our hair exactly the same...you know the hairdo with your bangs pulled back. We about peed our pants..okay, we about peed our swimsuits. We should have worn our pilgrim swimsuits!! I am sure we had many a people a wondering this week which is why I usually said out loud something about "Aunt Cammie". Ah,, funny funny!!

Well, the week was amazing. It is always so much fun to get so close to the youth and to see the power of this wonderful program. I am so lucky to be married to someone who is so gifted at speaking to the youth. He really truly is amazing. It always sets you back a little bit when they are asking for his autograph and taking pictures. On the last night all these girls were balling that they had to say goodbye to him. CRAZY. I hope they realize it isn't Greg but the spirit that testified to them. I think most of them realize that but Greg also has a way of making people feel loved and welcomed and let's face it..he's hysterical. I hope it was as positive experience for them as it was for us!!

Las Vegas 2008 Session 01 FOREVER!!!

Cammie and I practicing for her engagement pictures! (at the temple)

The boys looking over the "wicked" city from the Temple!

Oops, I have been tagged once again!!

So, I guess I got tagged and didn't realize it...sorry Paige. I decided once again I will play along. Here's the rules: Take a picture of each of these things with out changing anything before you do it.....for this I apologize ahead of time for my house!!



My Closet:....um notice it is of the upper part of my closet. I used strategy here. I didn't change a dang thing...just left some of my closet up to the imagination.




Self Portrait: Funny, I am sitting in front of the computer...somethings never change.

My Favorite Room: Don't really have one..but I walk down this hallway atleast 8 billion times a day so there you go!!





The Kitchen sink: Whew..dishes are done!!




The Fridge: Um, Leslie..sweet sweet mother in law...that is not my Pepsi!!




The Laundry Room or in my case..CLOSET: Notice there are clothes going....Typical for someone who washes for an army. Let's just lay it all out there right now: I HATE LAUNDRY and I may swear sometimes when I have to do it!



Your Children: Ahhh..My children...SLEEPING. Yes, they do own pajamas and no..they don't use them. And although it looks like Alex is sleeping in the buff..he is actually in his undies!!








The Toilet: This is the boys bathroom and that toilet you see right there magically has pee all over it each day. Funny, I just clean it and then...Voila..PEE! So I think either it is magic or some people have a problem with aim....and it isn't me!!






Favorite Shoes:

Dang it..I forgot to take a picture of my favorite shoes and I'm not walking back up there to do it. Close your eyes and imagine a pair of black flip flops from Old Navy. There may be a few rocks stuck in the bottom of them. Got it? That's them. There..who needed a picture.



Dream Vacation:



Let's face it folks. Right now a trip down to the "thrist Aid" station for a cold coke would about do it for me. In reality.. I'd love to take Greg to Norway with me and all of my sisters/brother and parents so he could see where I lived. I would give anything to go back there with all of my family. It just wouldn't be the same without them!!

There...that wasn't so bad. I now tag: Rachel, Debbie, Deanne, Kim, and Lisa and then whoever the freak else wants to play!

Austa!!

Privacy?

Okay, I have gone back and forth on this issue...and I think I may just do it. I think I am going private. It is hard though because I have found some long lost friends through here...but I also don't always know who is looking. Nothing like seeing a random stranger who says.."I read your blog". Which is a little "hippo"critical (as Greg and I call it) since I sometimes just venture into random blogs. I don't know...I mainly do this for myself since every entry in my journal is, "Dang it, I promise I am going to be better at writing this time. I am going to commit to writing every night" and then the next entry isn't until another child is born. Sound familiar?!!.! So this is my journal so to say. I also have sisters who have chosen to live in outer darkness....(love you)...and so it is fun to check in on each others families.

I may be wigging out because I stayed up and watched a scary "MSNBC" show last night that had nothing to do with blogging but with scary people in general...and since I have "paranoid freak out" issues, I realize how vulnerable you are when you are just out there for all too read. So, drop a line....email, name, who the freak you are and I am going to continue to ponder.

So, I took down my crib yesterday. I had bought Colton a big boy bed and after we put it up Greg said, "so are we taking down the crib?" and I said, "um, well, um,' uahhhh, NO!" I couldn't do it. We have been trying for over a year now, (TMI) and still if I think about it for too long I freak out. I am so so SO grateful for my three boys and will live my life always in gratitude for the three of them. I just don't want to make a mistake if I am supposed to have another one. This has been one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. My sister said it was a good thing we have problems first with getting pregnant and second with scary pregnancies and third with scary sick kiddos, because otherwise I'd have like 18 kids..and I think she is right. I remember when Colton was like 6 weeks old and I was already baby hungry. So yesterday I put all 3 of the boys in the crib...took a picture and took it down. It would be fine if I knew it was going back up or if I knew it was really going down for the last time...it is the unknown that is hard for me. If I have to hear one more pregnant lady complain because she is hot I may kick her to tinbucktwo!! I'd go through everything I went through with Colton, (which may have been close to hell) just to have another baby. And with that said, I know many people go through worse. And that is my fear...most likely our next outcome could be tragic. So, why am I even trying? You tell me...I think I may have gotten too many drugs given to me through the transfusions that my brain is defective. So, now you know my thoughts! There you go!!

Well we have a fun couple of weeks coming up. There should be a lot to post about!! Until then!!

Colton sort of looks like he is flipping me off...do you blame him??

MeMoRiEs...light the corner of my mind!!!

I don't usually do the tags but this one sounded like fun..and a little interesting. Let's keep it clean, and fair, and I will hunt you down and hurt you if it is mean. Let's remember I have a trash button and I'm not afraid to use it!!! I am also allowing the words, "Beautiful", "incredible body" and "NICEST PERSON IN THE WORLD" on this post. (just in case you were afraid to say any of those things)

Here's how it works:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember, good or bad but be nice please! ;)

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.Come on all my blog followers... I want to post something about you, let's see this on your blog!!!

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!!!