The Truth

WARNING: This is an emotional rant. I do have to admit that I feel much better after writing it. But, you may not like me so much after you read this. Or, at least, the myth will be dispelled and you will know that I am not perfect.

(GASP)...Awkward silence

Yes, it is true. If you want to believe, read on. If you choose not to believe, maybe it is best that you go and read this blog instead.
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Is my computer screen emitting through a rose-colored screen, or is it just me?

Maybe I missed the memo that in order to write a blog one must first be perfect. Or, perhaps it works the other way around and the blogosphere is some sort of Utopian fairyland where once you enter you are automatically perfect.

Oh! Oh!I know! I know! Pick me! Blogland is the enochian version of relief society. Yeah, that's it. That explains all the perfectly happy smiling children who never misbehave and all of the perfectly pretty wives who bake delicious gourmet meals for their perfectly wonderful and loving husbands who never do wrong and are always saintly.

Now, back to the real world:
Ring, Ring... Ring, Ring (that is my cell phone ringing)
Me: Hello
C: (my awesome sister-in-law) I HATE Mrs. X!!! (We know this is the real world because the emotion of HATE is forbidden in blogland)
Me: Ok... Why?
C: She has twins just like me but she is all like "oh, having twins is so easy!" "Oh, having twins is so natural!" "Oh, I love having twins." WHATEVER!!! Having twins is hard.
Me: Amen, Sister. (ok, I don't have twins, but I already know that if I did I would pretty much be dead)

Come on people, let's get real! Maybe it is just because my child has decided to stop sleeping and keeps me awake until all unholy hours of the night or maybe it is because it has been winter for way, waaaay too long, but either way, I am ornery. So, in my ornery state of mind I am calling for everyone to just be real.

If your kid, by some chance, does say the most seriously cute thing ever, by all means, post about it! If your husband has some wave of genius and loving emotion come over him whilst you are out and he does all the dishes in the sink for you, by all means, post about it. But, if have a day where you find yourself still in your pajamas at 5 pm, your child running around the house butt naked, and dinner burning in the oven, I want to hear about that too! (It would just really help me to know that I am normal). All I am saying is that full disclosure would be appreciated.

In an effort to start the movement of full disclosure I shall bare all.

You may know, from reading earlier blog posts, that Ryan and I are on a super strict anti-sugar diet. But, what I haven't told you is that last week my hormones began twisting my uterus inside out, sending me spiraling into a deep dark pit of emotional despair (otherwise known an PMS) so in an attempt at survival I ate 8 candy bars. Yes, I said 8. In one week.

I shall also reveal that I make this really awesome pecan encrusted honey-mustard chicken recipe. It is de-lish. (I should probably follow blog protocal and post a better homes and garden-ish picture in which you can almost smell how good it is sure to taste). You should also know that the last time I tried to make it we ended up eating Subway sandwiches for dinner because I burnt it to a crisp. Seriously, the smoke detector was very rude about the whole situation and mocked me, very loudly.

Really, the list is endless. But, I started (and now I am starting to feel embarrassed and a little inadequate). So now it is your turn. SPILL IT.

It's Good To Be 29

Dear Mr. Johnson

Happy 29th Birthday on the 29th day of March.

It is the very last year to live out your 20's, I vote you do it in style. However, you are getting up there in years. We wouldn't want you to break a hip or anything...so maybe something that can help you relax in style.

So..... I got Ryan a TV for his birthday. He has been wishing and dreaming for this day to come for a very long while. It was very fun to surprise him. Sadie and grandpa had a good time putting it together.I was very excited to see his reaction. He thought I was very weird for filming him while he was video chatting with his sister. I waited for like 20 Minutes before he saw the present. In fact, I gave up on him and turned off the camera. But, his reaction was well worth the wait.
Here is the tail end:

So, Happy Birthday Ry. We love you lots!

Fieldtrip Friday: Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum

So, when we went to visit the Utah Museum of Natural History we had a good time, but it kind of left me wanting to go to a better dinosaur museum. In an attempt to cure this craving we headed out to the Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum for our fieldtrip this week.

I give it Two Thumbs Up!

It was a little on the expensive side, but luckily we have some good friends who have season passes so they let us use their passes to get in for half price (Thank You! Nicole, Brenden and Kyleigh!)

This week was also lots of fun because we had lots and lots of friends come along with us:
Nicole with Brenden and Kyleigh
Lindsay with Phoebe and Simon
Heidi with Isabelle and Hayden

Yea for friends!

Here are the pics:

So, I am usually totally anti getting my picture taken. (I mean, Sadie is just so cute so why waste precious picture space on my ugly mug?) But, Nicole offered to take me and Sadie's pic together...and I am glad she did! It is fun to have a pic of us together on our outing.

Sadie thought this cave was so awesome. She just kept running in and out over and over again.

Que the theme from "Jaws"

All our friends digging in the sand. Sadie's not in the picture because she kept eating the sand instead of playing in it. I guess it was lunch time!?!

But, she was all about playing in the water!

Fieldtrip Friday (x2)

Last week Sadie and I went to a Kindermusic class. I never ended up posting about that fieldtrip because I felt that taking the time to post would just further increase the time I wasted by going to this class. Needless to say, I was disappointed. Maybe I just got my expectations to high but when I saw toddler "music" class I envisioned drums or tambourines or any type of music making device. At the very least a pot and a wooden spoon, right? Or, music that had a beat and some rhythm.

Yeah, that is a big fat Nope.

They had run around time. They had play with balls time. And they had story time. The only music part of the class was the teacher singing (and she had a sinus infection so I am not really sure you can call it singing) a really stupid song. Basically this class was no better than story time at the library. In fact, I think I like going to the library better.

I am being harsh. And, I already said that posting this is a waste of my time. Anyway, if you decide to check out one of these classes I would just suggest you go to a teacher who looks like she is more experienced.

On to bigger and better things!

Today we went to Sugar Space for the Children's Art Preschool class with our friends Brenden, Kyleigh and Nicole. Sugar Space is an art studio in Sugarhouse so I totally felt all cool and yuppie hanging out with all the yoga-y parents from the east side. (ha ha, you can call me a dork. I would understand). Anyway, the class tries to focus on a bunch of different aspects of art from music and dancing to arts & crafts.

The days theme was "flowers." We started out doing some acting type skills by making shapes with our bodies and giving the shapes movement. Next we went on to dance. The teacher gave the kids windmill flowers so they could make the flowers dance too! Brenden had some pretty awesome dance moves. We will call his dance style interpretive dance and he interpreted his flower as a sword. All little boys everywhere would be proud of him.

Here are Sadie's dance skills. (The video is amazingly bouncy. Apparently I am not good at dancing and filming at the same time).

After dance we worked on balance and coordination by walking on the balance beam. Then, we made some music with the triangles.

Next we did a little art project by decorating little planters and the teacher gave us a seed to take home and plant. We finished up the day with story time and the goodbye song.

I am not really sure what it was about this class, but I was really, really impressed. Maybe it was the price. You get to do dance and exercise AND art for 1/2 of the price of places like Gymboree and The Little Gym.

Sadie seemed to be a little easier to impress, liking to play with the babies more than join in the activities.

Baby Kyleigh wished she could get out and play too!

Next Week's Fieldtrip: I think the plan is to head out to Thanksgiving Point and go to the dinosaur museum (and hopefully it will be warm so we can go to the gardens too)

It's Tourney Time!

My heart is pounding and I have a little tingle in my tummy. That can only mean one thing: It's March Madness time, BABY!!!

I had to bend my rules just a tad this year. I normally say that BYU is a huge disappointment that can never be relied upon. However, I just couldn't ignore the stats this year. So I had a little faith and put them through the first round. And then what do they do to me to give thanks for putting all of my faith in them? DOUBLE OVERTIME. whatever. I am just glad they finally pulled it out.

Speaking of BYU, they made me break another rule, they were #7 seed. I ALWAYS pick number 10 over number 7. But I just couldn't do it this time. Again, DOUBLE OVERTIME. I think I might just stick to my rules next year. Then I won't have a heart attack in the first round game.

I am also a little disappointed with the competition this year. Ryan and I do a bracket challenge with my SIL & Brother, and ALL 4 of us picked KANSAS as the winner. HOW BORING (i am loving the capital letters today. did you notice?) I kinda hope they totally die in the final 4 just to prove us all wrong.

I invented a new picking strategy this year. So far, it correctly predicted Murray St. over Vanderbilt. It also told me that UT. ST. is going to the sweet sixteen and that it will be BYU vs. Baylor in the finals. (ha ha, I think I was smoking pot when I filled that bracket out) But won't you all be jealous when it works?

Ok, the babe is screaming from her crib. I guess that means this post is done. YEAH FOR NCAA BASKETBALL!

XOXOXO
-Lisa

What's In A Name?

Dear Sadie,

If you were to go back and look through my old school notebooks from jr. high through college, you will find pages of my bored doodling. I would draw flowers and cartoon faces. Create patterns of diamonds and squares and circles. And, I would write down names that I thought I might one day give to my kids. Long lists of cute, unique or family names.

However, after seeing a positive pregnancy test, the names flowed a little less freely. Dad vetoed a fair amount of my ideas and was pretty adamant that your name needed to be a name present within the lyrics of a Beatles song. I wanted to be sure that your name couldn't be twisted into any funny nicknames or create incentive for teasing. I also felt the gravity of deciding how people would refer to you for your whole life. I wanted you to like your name. I wanted you to be proud of your name. I wanted people to look at you and think that your name fit your look and personality. But most of all, I wanted your name to signify who you are and will someday be.

The name Sadie is of english origin. It means Princess. And you are my little princess. But to me, the name Sadie has so much more meaning.

Your dad and I came up with the name Sadie Anne because that name represents four of the women that I respect and love the most. Each of these women have characteristics and qualities that we hope you will strive to emulate. If you live by their examples you will be a better, stronger, happier woman.

Your first name, Sadie, is a condensing of your Grandma Johnson's name, Sandra Dee.

Your Grandma Johnson is one of the most meek people that I know. The dictionary, when describing meek uses words like submissive or docile. But, when I use the word meek I picture the prophet Moses. He was righteous, humble and teachable, yet powerful enough to part the Red Sea and steadfast in defending righteousness and the commandments of the Lord. Your grandma is a very petite woman with a very quite voice, but she is one of the most powerful and strong women that I know because she faithfully follows God's will. She is gentle and humble, but stands up valiantly for what she believes is right.

Sadie, I hope that you will follow your grandma's example. Always be humble. Always be gentle. Always be faithful. And never be afraid to stand up for what is right. Always choose the right, even when it is unpopular or hard.

Your Grandma Johnson also knows and values the importance of family relationships. I can see in her actions and her examples that she knows that motherhood is a divine calling. She has nurtured and taught her children well. I am impressed with the relationships she has with her own siblings, parents, and extended family members. Sadie, family is extremely important and you are lucky to be born into a large family that loves you deeply and supports you endlessly. Carry on this legacy and tradition that your family has given you. Stay close to your family and they will support you in times of trial as well as in times of happiness.

Your middle name, Anne, is after your Grammy Anne.

Your grammy Anne is one of the most charitable people that I know. Countless times I have seen your grammy go far out of her way to give service or love to those around her that need it, often times at a great sacrifice to herself. She seeks for ways to give, to love and to serve and she often times does it without being asked. Your grammy Anne truly follows in the example of Jesus Christ. She loves people despite their actions and circumstances. She always strives to see the good in others.

Sadie, I hope that you will follow in your grammy's example. Always try to show love to those you come in contact with, whether friend or enemy. Always seek for ways to serve others. Always be on the lookout for the people that truly need a friend. If you learn to show compassion, if you learn to have generosity, if you always strive to be kind in any circumstance, I promise you that you will always feel happiness and love in return.

Your grammy Anne is also extremely talented and she has worked hard over the years to cultivate her talents. She sings like an angel and she can sew anything you could think up, just to name a few. Her talents have enriched my life and many others as well. Sadie, life gets busy and full of things that always need to be done. But don't forget to take the time to do the things that you enjoy. Heavenly Father has blessed you with specific talents so that you may, in turn, bless the lives of others.

Your first name, Sadie, is also a combination of my two good friend's names, Sara and Heidi. S and A come from the first part of Sara's name and D-I come from the ending of Heidi's name.

Sara is smart. In high school she was always using big words that I pretended to know, even though I had no idea what she was saying. The reason that we are sent to this earth is to gain knowledge. Sadie, always be curious and never stop learning, whether that means getting a formal education, learning from life experiences or reading and studying. Always do your best.

Sara also has the biggest, happiest laugh I have ever heard. She brings joy and happiness with her. Sadie, I hope that you will always look for the joy in any situation, even when times are hard.

Heidi has a firm testimony and she shows that testimony in the way she lives. Heidi has always done things, like pull out her scriptures before going to bed even when she was at a sleepover, that shows her testimony for the most basic principles of the gospel. Sadie, scriptures, prophet, prayer...build a firm foundation by gaining a strong testimony of the basics of the gospel. Your testimony will give you the strength and courage you will need in your life.

I also wanted to name you after my two good friends to reiterate to you the importance of choosing good friends throughout your life. My two friends have always made it easy for me to make good choices. We have laughed together and we have cried together. We have been there for weddings and for births. We have been there through sadness and grief. Good friends are important. Choose wisely.

So Sadie, that is what is in your name: MEEKNESS, FAMILY, MOTHERHOOD, NURTURING, CHARITY, KINDNESS, SERVICE, TALENT, KNOWLEDGE, JOY, TESTIMONY, FRIENDSHIP. Each person that has shared their name with you has set an example for you. I hope that you will honor the names that you bear. You are a very special girl. I love you dearly, forever and ever!

Love,

Mom

Fieldtrip Friday: Jumpin' Jacks

At the beginning of the week when I was trying to plan our fieldtrip I thought that I should just do something chill and easy like go to the park. When I woke up this morning to SNOW (what? wasn't it like 55 degrees outside yesterday??) on the ground I was very glad I had made other plans. Anyhoo, for our fieldtrip this week, Sadie and I went to Jumpin' Jacks - an indoor playground with inflatable slides and bounce houses. Sadie was a little dare devil and jumped right into the first toy and started climbing up the ladder/stairs. And these were not stairs for the faint of heart. They were steep and high! And, of course, what goes up must come down, so right away I found myself at the top of the slide. This slide was so high that I was a little scared to go down it. But Sadie was all about it, wanting to go down over and over again
Our friends Christina and Ali came along to play. Ali was a little more reserved when it came to jumping, but she had lots of fun making friends, running all around the colored tile floor, and looking at the magazines.

I was glad to have Christina there because she patrolled the area and made sure the crazy, wild boys didn't trample our babes.
The Wild Ones

Sadie really had a lot of fun. This is the view I had of her for most of our playtime.

She got to use up lots and lots of energy, practice her jumping and balance, and she even had occasion to remember how to crawl.

When she was just about all worn out from bouncing and sliding she found a nice dinosaur to sit on. She played on this thing for at least 15 minutes.
Next time it snows and you are trapped inside your house with kids that are driving you crazy, I recommend you check this place out. Parents can jump too so you can burn a little steam off too! Prices range from free to $5 depending on the ages of your kids but they have coupons on their website so don't forget to print them off before you go. It is a fun, affordable way to spend the day.

Next week: Kindermusic Class

Our Science Experiment Results

February has come to an end and thus Ryan and I's science experiment has too. It must have been a success because Ryan and I have decided to continue on this diet for an undetermined amount of time into the future. Here are the facts:

Ryan lost 8 lbs. Lisa lost 6.5 lbs.
Ryan didn't notice too much of a change in how he feels.
Lisa feels very, very much more energetic...in fact, I have enough energy these days that I have started training to run a half marathon in April.
Lisa is sleeping better than she ever has in her entire life.
Lisa's acne is about 50% better. So, this diet wasn't the cure all for my complexion. However, when you are 27 years old and your skin still thinks you are 17, 50% better is better than nothing.
Lisa's back only feels about 20% better...if that. So, I guess nutrition isn't going to keep my spine correctly aligned.

Here are the details of our month:

Although the diet sounded hard at first, and for the first few days it was pretty hard, once we found some good food staples it was pretty easy to maintain. Some of our favorite snacks were cheese, fresh fruit smoothies, and raw almonds. After only a few days the sugar cravings were completely gone.

On March 1st Ryan and I decided to celebrate our accomplishment with a free day. A day in which we could each eat whatever our heart desired in whatever amount we wanted to eat. Ryan hit up Carl's Jr., Burger King and Papa Johns. I just wanted ice cream and M&Ms.

Oh boy, was that ever a mistake!!! I think I realized the benefits of the diet more on the free day than on our normal days. After binging on a good amount of M&Ms, I had a terrible headache, my heart raced all night, I felt like I was going to throw up and I slept terribly! I never want to feel like that again!

All in all, I love the way I feel when I choose to eat healthy. I am so thrilled to feel like I have enough energy to accomplish the day's tasks. And I am excited that the scale is finally starting to show me lower numbers. I still have many an L-B to go, but we are on the right track!

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So, after my first post about our experiment some of you expressed an interest in learning more. I would be happy to answer any specific questions you have either via comment or email. Just shoot them my way!

We Need Some Friends for Friday!

I am planning on taking Sadie to Jumpin' Jacks on friday and we would love some company! I have a $2 off/per person/per admission coupon if we have a group of 4 or more. Leave a comment if you would like to come.

The Utah Museum of Natural History

Fieldtrips that occur on a Monday are just not as fun as those that occur on Friday on account that it is, after all, a Monday. That being said, our fieldtrip this week still was pretty fun.

We were accompanied by my friend Sara and her two boys Parker and Austin. I think Sadie was just glad that she finally found a friend that would hold her hand.

Too Cute!

The best part of the museum, by far, was the interactive digging site were the kids could crawl into a rock pit and "dig for dinosaur bones." There was also a big window where you could look in on real archaeologists uncovering and cleaning artifacts. I am not so sure Sadie was impressed, but I sure was.

Sadie had a good time pointing out all of the animals she has been learning about. And Parker taught her how to do a really good dinosaur "ROOOOAAAARRR!!"

And she took off running, pointing and "oh"ing when she saw the dinosaur bones.

Seeing a real T-Rex was pretty impressive.

Overall I would say that the museum was a bit too mature for Sadie, as I was assuming it would be. Besides the dinosaurs, the rocks were fun to look at, but everything else wasn't very interactive or "attention grabbing" for a toddler. I am glad I took her because it was fun to teach her about dinosaurs, but I think I will hold off a couple or 5 years before we return.