Meet the Poster Girl

I have found my new favorite person. She is my dental hygenist. Today she told me that I am the Poster Girl for good Gum Health. So, I think I'm going to get cute and go in next week with some headshots, so they can really get working on the nomination process. I'm sure it is a lengthy one, so it may be some time before you see me at a national level, but be prepared.

This picture has absolutely nothing to do with this post except that I am smiling. You can see why though. I'm with Nan and her hubby Chuck. This was back from my graduation visit, but I miss them terribly. They are too cute for words, so I had to include a picture.

Dear Over Achiever

Dear Over Achiever,

I am not very well acquainted with you and don't really ever plan on joining your club. I have always been happy in life doing just enough to get by. I am sometimes bugged that your over zealousness makes me look bad, but I have enough inner strength to not let it bug me too long. Until, this weekend!

Friday afternoon, as I pulled into the parking lot of the Youth Conference gathering point. A lovely little out of the way camp/lodge type place. I was checking in and getting my bright yellow t-shirt that we were assigned to wear for the two days when I noticed you.

There you were standing there holding your 4 month old baby. WHAT?? I was saying a little prayer for you that you were just dropping girls off. Not the case. You were committed to stay for two days through the 800% humidity that was Friday and enjoy the antics of teenage girls.

I might normally be tempted to say 'hats off to you' if you are up to that sort of thing, but I am not humored. You see, I am planning on having my little baby in January and I have full intentions of milking the 'I can't possibly commit because I have a new baby' routine for at least 78 months. So, your presence made me a little nervous.

The Stake YW Presidency was there and apparently the sacrifices of the last two years of Girl's Camp and two years of Youth Conference are not enough. One lovely lady hinted about 800 times that that would be me next summer. I was on the verge of being rude by straight out telling her no. That did not discourage her one bit. She would point to you and say 'She's such a good example for you.' Um. NO!
Finally, I told this lady that I don't say no to callings, but I would say no to any summer assignments next year. Apparently, my hinting and sarcasm were totally lost, so direct and to the point I go.

So, just for the record and as an announcement to other soon to be mothers, I would appreciate it if you could lay low for a little longer, so as not to set expectations too high.

Sincerly,

Amanda the Under Achiever

Nursery colors

I can't seem to make peace with the whole nursery sets, so I went to the fabric store today and look how cute. Don't you think I should make my own set? Hmmm... I know it isn't very kiddy, but then again my son won't know that it is not Winnie the Pooh (small barf)and rather something that his mama likes.
Just wanted to share. Wish all of you were close enough that we could go shopping and do sewing together!
Let's all just say a little prayer that I don't run out of steam before the sewing and painting begins.

Oh, and funny story. I am standing at the cutting counter talking to other sewing ladies about fabric. One lady commented how she was just addicted to fabric. I nodded and then this other lady said "yeah, I have a whole closet of alien fabric. (Pause) But then I guess everyone does." huh?? Really? Anyone out there that loves beautiful fabric have a closet (or even one bit) of alien fabric? Just curious. What would you even do with alien fabric? And she even looked like a normal woman. Oh well. Never assume.

It's a BOY!

Sorry to psych you all out with all of the Cami references that I have been making. We should have known that having only picked out a girl's name, we would be guarenteed a little boy.
The ultrasound was great. The tech was wonderful, but by the end she had only printed out one picture. I was a little anxious about that and prompted her to print out a few more.
So, for those of you that are not ultrasound technicians, this is the baby's profile. Right up by his forehead is his little fist. The part on the top is his thigh bone. He is curled up and in prime kicking condition.
So now comes the tricky part. We have no name for this little fella. Any suggestions are welcome. We don't like really weird names, but with a last name like Johnson, we want it to be a little different. So, bring it on.

20 weeks

Well friends, it is time for another picture. This was taken on Saturday. As our Get out of Dodge, we went to Milwaukee. We've driven through before, but never stopped. John's brother and sister-in-law were in town with us for the weekend with their youngest Brock (7 months), so we decided to drive over to Lake Michigan so they could get a look. They have a fun little beach area there with lots of volleyball courts and picnic areas.
I do have to say that I was really excited about IrishFest that was going on there. We didn't know about it ahead of time and you know how I am about a Fest. However we were not all in agreement about going, so we drove right past the man in the kilt and as I cried a little, we headed off.
Another disappointment of the day came when Tim (John's brother) found the Leverne and Shirley theme song on his Blackberry and played it. I rolled down my window and started singing really loud to the man in the car next to us. He had his window down and I am SURE he heard me, but not a glance, not a smirk, NOTHING!!! What kind of man is that? Huh? It could have been a nice bonding moment for the Milkwaukee man and me, but no. I really don't get serious people, do you?
Back to my picture. I am actually pretty sure that I am now bigger than in that picture because I felt like my stomach was expanding by the second yesterday in sacrament meeting. I couldn't handle it. I had to get up and walk around and I was really wishing for a pillow to put behind my back. Now, I really have never been afraid of appearing to be Grandma Johnson, so a pillow in church is not out of the picture for future Sundays. I'm keeping that in mind.

Advice anyone?

So for those of you who don't know yet, I have been called to be the Young Women's President in my ward. It has been two weeks and I have already managed to forget to show up at a fireside that the YW were scheduled to babysit. Fortunately I have a good excuse. I was in bed in pain, so back off folks. Not you readers of course, but anyone who might want my head on a platter for forgetting.

That is not however the topic of this blog. I need some help. We have an interesting issue in our ward in that many parents seem to have somehow forgotten that they are responsible for their children. It's kind of weird because being in Y.W.'s means that they have at least been parents for 12 years, right? So, it is surprising to me that for some reason, some parents feel that providing transportation for their kids or arranging that is always someone else's job.
For example, we have recently instituted the 'the YW Presidency will not be arranging rides for all the girls to all the events' motto. If the activity is at the Stake Center we are now allowing parents the opportunity to arrange carpools of their very own, or in some other way get their kids to the events. We will continue to arrange rides for the big events like Girl's Camp, Youth Conference, etc. This new program was not well received by most, but we have continued on.
We also have an issue with girls actually arriving at the church on time when we are arranging rides. My new announcement to girls and parents is 'if you are not there by ____ we will assume that you are either not coming or have your own ride.'
So, I'm feeling good about helping parents and girls alike to be a bit more accountable, but am faced with a new little 'how do I handle this' situation.
Why is it that even though we have Mutual every Wednesday night from 7-8:30, we still have parents that can't manage to be to the church at 8:30? I understand that they have families, other children, stuff going on, but seriously, every week??? I was at the church until 9pm tonight waiting for a parent to come. Now this particular family has had YW in YW for 4 years. This is not a new schedule and yet we have this lovely interaction EVERY week.

Me or another leader: So, does everyone have a ride
Girl: Um, I don't know
Me or another leader: So, is your mom or dad coming to get you?
Girl: Um, I don't know
Me or another leader (in our head): seriously? You have no idea how you are getting home? Is the tooth fairy going to come and fly you off, because if you think that you are getting in my car for me to drive you home, you are a touch out of your mind.
Me or another leader (out loud): Well, why don't you call and let them know that we are all done and waiting to go home?
Girl: um, ok

10 minutes later

Me (in my head): in 5 seconds I am going to start you on the way home, walking
Me (out loud): So, are they coming to get you?
Girl: I don't know, I haven't called yet

REALLY??? So I have a couple questions: (seriously)
Would you:
a) talk to only the offending parents
b) send out a newsletter first with a reminder that girls are to get picked up at 8:30 in order to allow the leaders to go home to their families
c) find someone to pass the buck to?
d) another other really good ideas

Just curious.

Catapalooza

Now as far as I know, y'all aren't big fans of cats, but I had to pass this on. We adopted both of our pups from the Humane Society and a rescue and we occasionally get emails. This was in my inbox today. So, incase any of you are up for a palooza that you didn't plan, come for a little visit and we'll be sure to enjoy 29 hours of cat extravaganza. Just for the record I don't actually like cats, but would go if I had a visitor.

Things that bug me right now

#1 A dog (Max) that sits right next to me at my computer desk and stares at me with a look like I am just about ready to give him a steak dinner, but don't know it yet. He is also breathing incredibly loud with bad breath. This is one of his frequent habits that drives me crazy.

#2 Thinking about the person at church that stands WAY TOO CLOSE. I mean really! If you can smell my sacrament breath, you need to BACK OFF. Now I know that said person is mostly a lovely individual, but needs a lesson on personal space. I might be the one to give this lesson soon if we have too many repeat performances.


Things that do not bug me right now:
#1 The weather outside has been absolutely perfect. It is sunny and the tempurature is beautiful with zero humidity. I haven't noticed so many misquitos lately. I just want to spend all day outside. Anyone wanna join me?

#2 I got to spend the morning with John. I love it when he's not at work. Just have to say.

#3 John has started talking about moving back to CA. :) I of course am enjoying the summer here, but talk to me in 3 months and it'll be a different story.

The Baby

Just in case you are curious.
I am 19 weeks now and this is what Cami is up to:

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. The hair on her scalp is sprouting. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, taking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

We go in for our big ultrasound on the 19th. We can't wait to find out if we get to buy pink or blue.

Get Out of Dodge Week

Challenge of the Week: (quite possibly my new feature, quite possibly not)

This coming week, your challenge if you choose to accept is to Get Out of Dodge. Dodge is of course defined as wherever you happen to live. Find a place in a different town that you want to go to and skeedaddle. Could be anywhere. A little cafe you've wanted to visit, a favorite museum, Watts Tower (personal invitation to anyone who has not been there) or an out of town friend.
Of course your job is to bring:
1)camera
2)self and possibly small cute children
3)notepad and pencil
4)fedora

If you don't have a fedora, you can skip it, but should probably find alternate headwear. Rachel, you have a bonnet. Andrea- cute bird hat and the rest of you could work on something.
Take pictures and blog about where you went and how much fun you had.
Items of real interest:
1)really tacky people
2)animals dressed like people (possibly easier in So. Ca)
3)Mullets
4)you doing something really wacky

Off you go! Don't disappoint!

Collective Ahhhhh!

You are probably all checking Bronwyn's blog regularly for new pictures of little Henry James, but I had to post my favorite picture. I just can't get enough. By the lighting he was starting to look like a bit of a red head, and I was secretly going to start calling him Spencer, but Bronwyn says that it's not really red. Plan foiled!
Just wanted to share a little bit of cuteness for today. Don't you just want to kiss him?

Memories

Okay girls, got this from Wendy's blog. It seems like we could have a whole blog just for this one activity. I know that most of you have a memory of me that will probably be embarassing for me, but if you have to leave one of those, then your job is to leave two! One embarassing and one not so embarassing.


1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Happy Reminiscing!

Things I Learned Today

1) We have the perfect swing tree in our yard. How do I know this? Because our backyard neighbors hung a tree swing in it. It really does have the perfect branch for it. I had palpatations until John went over to the neighbors and in his best neighborly way made sure that they knew where the boundaries were. We thought this was obvious by the lawn care. They just purchased the home and bought it from a man who 3 times a week (I kid you not) was out shirtless on his riding mower. His yard was immaculate. Ours...not so much. This makes identifying property lines, pretty easy. They assured us that they knew and the husband said that he had told the wife to come and ask first. We told them it is okay as long as they don't mind that the dogs may or may not chew it to pieces. Proceed at your own risk.

2) Brandon Fraser should not be given additional opportunities to prove his lack of talent. Who exactly is casting him in movies these days? Anyone willing to do a little imdb research and find out if it is the same person choosing Keanu Reeves? (Rachel?)
I went to see The Mummy movie tonight. The only possible reason is that I love popcorn and movie treats and my husband who got to choose tonight. Let me just say that the other two options were X-Files (with Foxy Mulder) and Mamma Mia. Hmm...I choose next time.
My biggest problem with this movie, aside from Brandon was the actual writing. It was like they not only gave him the lead, but the pen as well. It's so bad that you really can't get past it to think about what is actually happening in the movie, although I do believe that there were several holes in the plot. I of course haven't seen the other Mummy movies, so maybe not.
Highlights may or may NOT be the Yetis, three-headed dragon and the yacking yak.
Have a great weekend friends and use judgement in movie selection!

He's Here!

Henry James was born this morning!!! That is Bronwyn's new little bundle for those of you who don't know. I don't feel like I should post a picture of him on my blog since she hasn't announced it on her blog yet, so I will wait until she gives the go ahead. I did however email the picture to most of you, so you're welcome. I really don't know about blog etiquette, but it seems like this is the right thing to do.
He was born at 6:45 and is a beautiful, perfect little boy. She was all sniffly from having cried so much. You can imagine. He is 7lbs, 12 oz and is about as long as most babies. Bigger than a toaster and smaller than a microwave. He is healthy and she says he is a quiet calm baby. That was only 1 1/2 hrs after he was born, so we'll see about that. Here's to hoping.
Congrats Bronwyn!!