Updates from the underworld

December 4, 2015 By

Yes, we’re still alive Chez Johnson but just barely. After a busy Thanksgiving weekend, Jamie casually mentioned on Sunday that he had been having chest pain for three days. SAY WHAT? With a medical history like Jamie’s, you don’t delay on such matters so he went to the ER that afternoon while I fretted and worried at home.

Thankfully, it turned out he *just* had pneumonia. (Only at our house would that be considered a minor ailment). The weird thing is besides the chest pain, he didn’t have any other symptoms, juxtaposed against Hadley who couldn’t get off the bed for two weeks last year.

I’ve been sicker with a cold than he is with pneumonia but the cruelty of the matter is that I’ve been too sick to play but not sick enough to languish in bed watching ridiculous movies so I’ve had to work. And feel crappy. And wish I was either playing or wasting my day in bed. I don’t have any Christmas decorations up, which is a major trespass in my world (I usually have them before Thanksgiving but no later than the day after).

Tomorrow, we’re going through the temple with a dear friend who was baptized last year, followed by our Ward Christmas Party. Then next week is Jamie’s birthday. And our staff Christmas party. And Cub Scout caroling. And feeding the missionaries. And the kids’ piano recital. And volunteering at the school’s Santa Shop. I also somehow landed a huge campaign that will be all-consuming for seven days and then is taking me to Breckenridge at week’s end, followed by a weekend ski trip to Winter Park.

Maybe I’ll never get those Christmas decorations up.

In other news, Hadley just returned from Outdoor Lab, a sixth grade rite-of-passage where they spent the  week in the mountains playing in the snow and learning earth science, astronomy and wildlife biology. She has the time of her life every summer at week-long Camp Chief Ouray so I knew she’d have zero problems adjusting (as opposed to many of her  friends who’d never been away from home).

She was glowing when I picked her up, raving about everything from her day-long hike to her group’s failed skit to star-gazing to a fun electric guitar music performance to the team-building activities, to the cute high school counselors (OK, I added that in but I’m sure she thought it). She was completely in her element and already wants to return as an intern or counselor in high school. These pictures are from family friend Whitney, who was there as a counselor.

Cabin Juniper: B: Lexie, Morgan, Kasey, Lexie, Lily, Ellie. F: Charlie, Hadley, Jaeda, HS Leader Miss Acosta, Whitney, Alex, Lordan

Castle View

Outdoor Lab

Bunkhouse crazies

It brought back so many of my class trip memories. A world of possibilities was literally opened to me as we journeyed to the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium as a teen.  In middle school, we flew out to Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre,  a world-class teaching and research facility located on the outer west coast of Vancouver Island where I fell in love with coastal marine sciences…and then proceeded to live out my days in land-locked mountainous states (go figure!)   Dear Mom and Dad: If you’re reading this, you totally rocked for giving me those opportunities and set the trajectory for a love of travel, adventure and learning for the rest of my life.

Alright, back to my current pitiable condition. I finally dragged myself out of the house today to run some errands.  I was in my foggy, semi-functional state at the grocery store check-out stand when the cashier reached into one of my recyclable bag and pulled out my sports bra. Which would have been super awkward had it not been a super cute Soybu one.

Maybe I should have spent the week in bed.

Filed Under: Hadley, Health, Humor

The perfect winter day near Denver: Sledding Meyers Ranch Park + Country Road Cafe

December 2, 2015 By

Have I mentioned how much I love winter and snow? Jamie summarized it best when he said I have a temperate zone of about two degrees and I’m either too hot or too cold…until it’s a chilly 20 degrees F and I’m just right.

On Saturday, we invited our neighbors the Morgans to come play with us in the foothills near Denver. We’ve adored this family since our neighborhood was built 12 years ago but they are always crazy busy–if they’re not working, they’re working harder on extraordinary renovations in their home (it’s Meredith who does the over-the-top outdoor movie nights in the summer).

So we decided it was high-time to relieve them of their overachieving ways and come play. One upon a time, we got into a battle about who had the best breakfast place. We raved about our beloved Country Road Cafe while they boasted McCoys had the best eats in Denver. Eight years ago, we visited McCoys with them (very, very good) and we finally did Country Road Cafe last weekend.

Since Colorado had a glorious dump of snow over Thanksgiving, we decided to hit the hills…the sledding hills to be exact. Meyer Ranch Park in Conifer (about 20 minutes from Denver) has an awesome sledding hill but when we stepped out of the car, we wondered “is it steep enough?” Believe me, when the powder has been compacted, careening down is plenty fast enough.

The kids all had a blast…well, with the exception of 5-year-old Evan who wiped out on the first run and never fully recovered. The rest of us more than made up for him.

Meredith warmed us up with the most delicious hot chocolate as we settled into our cozy outdoor seating.

Hadley soaking it all in. I have an identical picture of her sipping a pina colada poolside at The Broadmoor.

The girls adventured in the forest.

While my little (snow) angel beckoned me, “Mom, you’ve got to lay down beside me and see this.”

The dark green pine forest and pristine white snow field lured me in as I snuggled up to that boy, marveling at the huge frozen bulbs clinging to branches like wasps’ nests against a bluebird sky.

God is an amazing artist.

I somehow convinced Meredith it was a good ideas for us to sled together. With her in front, we barrelled down that hill, laughing ’til we cried as we soared over bumps, her leg got stuck under the sled and a spray of snow gave us a face-freeze near the bottom.

We were such ridiculous fools that we ordered The Husbands to do the same and I wish I’d video taped their run because it was about the funniest thing I’ve ever seen as Andy claimed they set a landspeed record. That wasn’t too far from the truth!

From there, it was onto Kittredge where we played near Bear Creek.

Meredith had an impressive run on the slide at Kittredge Park.

While Hadley was equally as impressive (getting stuck) on the tire swing.

Of course, the climax of the whole day was introducing Meredith and Andy to Country Road Cafe where we devoured fresh cinnamon rolls, fluffy oversized pancakes, breakfast burritos, pumpkin cheesecake-stuffed French toast and the Timber Ridge Tamale Benedict–Two pork filled tamales topped with two eggs, cheddar-jack cheese, green chili, avocado, salsa and sour cream drizzle.

Suffice it to say, our overworked friends are now converts to the playing way of life.

Filed Under: Bode, Colorado, Family travel, Hadley, outdoors

With a mother like me, she’ll someday rule the world

November 30, 2015 By

Baby H

Me: “Can you please go upstairs and look for my phone?”

Hadley (after a few minutes of searching): “I can’t find it.”

Me: “Do you want me to call it?”

Hadley: “Yes.”

Me (at the top of my lungs): “Phone, where are you?!”

Hadley: “Never mind.”

Filed Under: Hadley, Humor

The Roadshow

November 27, 2015 By

Every four years, all the youth ages 12-17 in our wards (congregations) from our stake (our city’s entire geographic area) perform a roadshow–a 15-minute play/musical they write themselves. This year, our theme was “Latter-day Avengers” and all seven wards made a fantastic effort. Some were funny. Some inspiring. Some sang. Some had celebrity appearances à la Scott Sterling, who has become an icon in Mormon folklore.

But really, the evening is about camaraderie with our fellow Saints and a lot of laughter. Some of these kids are performers, most aren’t and I love that kids who aren’t normally the superstars have their chance to shine. I know I’m biased but 2nd Ward did the very best, thanks (in large part) to the new musical power couple who moved into our ward and oversaw the project.

I was excited for Hadley and Bode to see what they’ll be participating in four years from now and they were pleasantly surprised how fun it was. Hadley was having a blast…until our ward performed and she saw every single one of her close friends was participating except for her.

Age 11 is an awkward age in the Church, especially when you’re the youngest of your peers. Upon turning 12, kids move up into our Young Men/Young Women organization where they meet for weekly activities…but she’s stuck in Primary (the children’s organization) until May while all her friends have moved on. I tried to distract her but it reemphasized we need to make her feel as involved as possible because the next six months are going to be tough.

My friend Debbie did a fantastic job entertaining the crowd as MC and between performances, she told corny Mormon jokes. For another, she had a silly basketball competition. I was having a good time until she declared “open mic night” where members of the audience could come share a joke. Bode started bouncing in his seat like Tigger. “I want to go up there!” he exclaimed. Startled, I whispered back, “what’s your joke?” because, let’s face it, sometimes 9-year-old boys’ gross-out humor is anything but humorous. He ignored me and gosh darn if he wasn’t the second kid to get up there and share his corny, cute joke in front of 200 people. Can we please have a collective “WHEW?!”

During the next break, Debbie opened it up to the adults to share a funny story of their spouse. What?! This one was fine-tuned for me.  Do I not have an entire blog worth of fodder about The Pumpkin Man?!

Here’s a little sidenote: I practically had to drag Jamie to the roadshow because the BYU football game was on and he’s obsessed. We compromised that I would call him when it was our ward’s turn and he’d race over to watch. Unfortunately, Debbie’s proposition happened when Jamie was there.

My arm shot up. Jamie, alarmed, realizing that this would be about him, grabbed my arm and enveloped me in a straitjacket. “I cannot be contained!” I protested but we were at the back so Debbie didn’t hear my cries and I missed the opportunity to share with the world Jamie’s mouse sleep-walking story.

The censorship on my performance? I shall call it The Silence of the Lambs.

Filed Under: Humor, LDS

Happy Thanksgiving Gratitudes

November 26, 2015 By

Happy Thanksgiving! With a 20 degree high and snow, we’re forgoing our annual Turkey Trot hike and hunkering down with movies and lots of tasty goodness. As I type this, my awesome husband is brining and then smoking our turkey.

This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for this beautiful family of mine. The kids are growing so fast–too fast–and I’m trying to treasure every last minute with them. We had planned to go skiing but ended up sticking around for a week of fun with friends that included a game night and also a boy’s lightsaber fete while Hadley was at her bestie Alex’s birthday.

There were casualties.

A free Hammonds Candy Factory Tour with 25 fun friends.

Hiking Prospect Park, an adventure we’ve done a hundred times but with Clear Creek’s low water levels, an otherworldly cavernous maze was revealed.

While Hadley was ice skating with friends, Bode hit Big Time Trampoline Fun. It was to be my day of triumph when I conquered their new Wipeout-esqu “Big Balls. Until I took my first step and they completely deflated. Note: not built for anyone over 100 pounds.

On Tuesday, our plan was to go mountain biking and to piano lessons. We decided to combine them and bike to piano but hadn’t anticipated the adventure we would have through Van Bibber Park. If my kids ever relay a story of how their mom dragged them up a hill so muddy they got completely stuck and their wheels wouldn’t turn, don’t believe them. Lies. All lies.

The calm before the (muddy) storm

We had a PJ/movie day where Bode made cinnamon rolls from scratch almost completely by himself.

Bode’s Cub Scout troop did the Scouting for Food drive. The kids and I then donated the food to our local food bank–almost 50 pounds! And then went went to the playground across the street and soared.

A couple of weeks ago for Family Home Evening, we did our annual gratitude turkey. Hadley designed the body while Aunt Lisa cut out the feathers, resulting in our most beautiful turkey yet filled with so many blessings!

This article in The Atlantic nails it: “Gratitude is the truest approach to life. We did not create or fashion ourselves. We did not birth ourselves. Life is about giving, receiving and repaying. We are receptive beings, dependent on the help of others, on their gifts and their kindness.”

My heart runneth over to have so many wonders in my life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Filed Under: Bode, Hadley, holidays

Because Hadley and Bode need more media exposure…

November 24, 2015 By

….They were interviewed by Colorado Public Radio about the Children’s Museum of Denver’s $16.1 million expansion (see their story here). We were privileged to attend the preview night and had a grand time. As I was hanging up our coats, the kids goofed off in front of a new camera at the entrance.

I thought it was harmless until we looked up and saw their precious chokehold displayed all over the ceiling.

Later as they were splish-splashing (and practically taking a bath) in the new Water exhibit, the CPR reporter started photographing Hadley, undoubtedly thinking, “I need to connect with the kids who make the biggest mess at the museum.”


Related: They proceeded to flood the water exhibit.

That was not included in the interview.

Also related: last summer when they attended the museum’s Joy Park grand opening, they dug a huge volcano in the “sand dunes,” filled it with water and ended up looking like swamp creatures, prompting a passerby to observe, “I didn’t even know that was possible.”

With my kids, anything is possible.

=====

The Colorado Public Radio interview:

A Look Inside The Expanded Children’s Museum of Denver

Corey Jones

Following a $16.1 million expansion, the Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus reopens on Friday with six new exhibits including the Teaching Kitchen, the Art Studio and more.

What’s 9-year-old Arvada resident Bode Johnson’s favorite?

Altitude, a climbing structure that takes visitors three and a half stories up. The feature aims to capture the spirit of climbing a 14er. And don’t forget your helmet.

“One of the best parts is where you have to go across this bridge and each piece of rock moves,” Bode says. “It’s a little bit of a challenge.”

Amber Johnson — Bode’s mother – says her kids were aging out of the old exhibits at the Children’s Museum before the expansion.

“I’m really happy that there’s something geared to them,” she says. “The older kids can appreciate the science behind it.”

Children’s Museum president and CEO Mike Yankovich says his staff visited places like zoos, botanic gardens and children’s museums around the country seeking inspiration for new exhibits. “The final part was really trying to create exhibits and experiences that have never been done before,” Yankovich says.

The museum emphasized Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines by adding areas that explore issues like water and energy.

Yankovich says the new features were designed with an open-ended approach to education in mind.

“Don’t try to control people’s experience. Create platforms that allow them to really show off some level of individuality,” he says. “It really is about children becoming architects of their own learning.”

Last year, the museum served more than 327,000 children and adults, which resulted in over-crowding, Yankovich says. The recent renovation doubled the amount of space.

The Children’s Museum expansion also includes more parking and Joy Park: An Outdoor Adventure, which the museum unveiled this summer. The park includes sand dunes, rivers, forts and a zip line.

Filed Under: Bode, Hadley

Death by Cuteness

November 23, 2015 By

I’m not one to glamorize my kids’ early years. Sure, they were fun but my gosh, they were a lot of work and I wouldn’t go back.

Until I was cruising through Jamie’s old phone and saw this picture we took of the kids in 2011 at Park City and I was overwhelmed by cuteness.

Facebook often does flashbacks of past posts to remind you just how much has changed. Unless you encounter a gem like this:

Humble Hadley to brother Bode: “Are you mad because I do beautiful things?”

And you realize not much has changed at all.

Filed Under: Bode, Hadley, Humor

Hiel Fat Kitty

November 22, 2015 By

Fat Kitty. Captain Squishy. King of the Squish. He goes by many names (except for his given name, Remy) and what’s not to love? He’s fat, squishy, lovable, gentle and an Olympic-level snuggler.

We were horrified upon returning from Canada to learn that Jamie’s sister, who lived with us this summer, decided to put him on a diet. Garfield does not diet. He just has a slow metabolism! And she while she’d limit his food to one small bowl in the evenings, the kids and I would sneak our starving cat extra food.

I think he actually gained weight on his diet but don’t most of us?

Bode, Hadley and I adore him but after five years as a part of our family, Jamie still openly disdains him. We just don’t get it.

“Why aren’t you nicer to Fat Kitty?”

“I don’t understand why you and the kids are obsessed with him.”

“Three out of four members of this family love him. Maybe there’s something wrong with you!”

“Three out of four Germans liked Hitler.”

 

Filed Under: Family, Jamie Tagged With:

City Hall: The Disneyland of Fieldtrips

November 20, 2015 By

Bode is having a blast as a part of our school’s student council and was thrilled when he heard they would get to miss school to go on a field trip to City Hall, which is the equivalent to spending the day at Disneyland.

Until he realized it was during his recess, lunch and P.E.

Fortunately, he bounced back quickly because he was going to meet the mayor.

Until he was a no-show.

Fortunately, a very informative City Councilmember-At-Large gave an awesome tour and he was joined by our City Manager and Deputy Manager, which is kind of like having Minnie, Pluto and Donald, and you almost forget that Mickey couldn’t come.

Our city’s leadership wisely started the kids with pizza and cookies, which would make any presentation fascinating and I was impressed that our group was so attentive. After reviewing the nuts and bolts of running our city, he unleashed the kids to the stand. If I had been a better listener, I could give you the correct vernacular but all you need to know is there were microphones. And cushy seats. And buttons that light up when you vote!

Each of the kids got a chance to give their two cents in what would make the school run better. Bode proposed “free doughnut Wednesdays” and to have video games in the computer lab. No wonder he’s so popular.

But it was our neighbor Maddie who had my vote when the councilmember asked the definition of “integrity.” She bravely raised her hand and said, “I’m not sure but my dad watches a lot of Bill O’Reilly. I think it has something to do with that.”

Let’s hope she doesn’t go into politics.

Filed Under: Bode, Humor

The Peace of Wild Things

November 19, 2015 By

We were at Disneyland when we heard about the Paris bombings–talk about a juxtaposition. The Happiest Place on earth vs. The Horrific.  After serving an LDS mission in France, I have tender feelings for that wonderful country and one of my dearest friends still lives there.

I was particularly touched by Antoine Leiris’ powerful tribute to his wife, who died in the Bataclan. “I won’t give you the gift of hating you.”

It’s tough not to get swept away in the world of ISIS and I’ve been glued to NPR, Frontline and the news. I’m tired of all the fighting, all the divisive opinions about the Syrian refuges. I’ve had to step back because it’s discouraging to see the way the world is spiraling out of control with no easy solution in sight.

I absolutely love love love this poem:

The Peace of Wild Things
By Wendell Berry
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

I’m also giving a call out to my women-folk. As I was preparing a Visiting Teaching message yesterday, I was particularly struck by a General Conference talk “A Plea to My Sisters” by President Russell M. Nelson. In a world where so many women are fighting for their lives and their rights, in the Western World, it seems we’re putting the superficial Kardashian Housewives on a pedestal of how women should be and act.

Thirty-six years ago, in 1979, President Spencer W. Kimball made a profound prophecy about the impact that covenant-keeping women would have on the future of the Lord’s Church. He prophesied: “Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world … will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different—in happy ways—from the women of the world.

“We need women who are organized and women who can organize. We need women with executive ability who can plan and direct and administer; women who can teach, women who can speak out. …

“We need women with the gift of discernment who can view the trends in the world and detect those that, however popular, are shallow or dangerous.”

Today, let me add that we need women who know how to make important things happen by their faith and who are courageous defenders of morality and families in a sin-sick world; women who know how to call upon the powers of heaven to protect and strengthen children and families; women who teach fearlessly.

We are women of great power, influence and light. And it’s about time we remember that.

 

Filed Under: LDS
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