Just when you think you know someone

February 29, 2012 By

Part of the joys of being self-employed is dealing with your own insurance nightmares. Due to Jamie’s medical history, he’s not exactly a desirable candidate (understatement) and so we’re paying an exorbitant amount in medical insurance.

And unfortunately that medical insurance does not include dental.

So it’s been a good, long while since any of us have gone to the dentist. Jamie has been harping on me to make an appointment for the kids and I’ve been looking around for the best deals because we’ll have to pay out-of-pocket.

Then yesterday, Bode came home with a toothbrush from school. Turns out a pediatric dentist had visited them and was offering a free new-patient visit.

Jamie: Call TODAY and make an appointment.
Me: OK, OK. I’ll leave a message at Dr. Savage’s office.
Jamie: (Long pause) Dr. Savage? His first name isn’t Rick, is it?
Me: (Wracking my brain for recognition). No, it isn’t. Why?
Jamie: Because Rick Savage is my rock star name.

Is it just me or is having an imaginary rock star working on your mouth a wee bit unsettling?

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Humor, Jamie

On firing your husband

February 28, 2012 By

This blog is woefully in need of some TLC and a complete overhaul (including rebranding and switching to WordPress). Jamie has been helping with the redesign in his spare time, which means it’s barely happened because the dude is always working.

But on Sunday, I convinced him that his day of rest was best spent helping me.

Something about service to your fellow (wo)man.

He reluctantly agreed and started searching around for a new logo. This is what he proposed.
Looks like I’m in the market for another web designer.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Humor, Jamie, pumpkins

Hadley’s new charter school (hold me!)

February 27, 2012 By

Part of the reason why life has been so busy, non-stop and stressful is became I have been investigating and ultimately enrolled Hadley in another school next year.

Now, to put this in perspective, I went to public school and I have always believed my kids would go to public school. That is what I did and that is just what people do.

Errr, right?

Wrong.

Find out what’s been going on with Hadley and why I’m going waaaaay out of my comfort zone to put her in an unconventional, creative school.

And why I think she’ll finally flourish.

Read more at MileHighMamas.com.

P.S. And no, Mr. Popularity Bode isn’t switching over. Basically it would be his worst nightmare. :-)

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Hadley

Valentine’s Day Loves

February 22, 2012 By

I’ll admit it: when I was single, I was one of those types who dubbed Valentine’s Day, “Single Awareness Day.”

Now, I realize I missed out on some great opportunities. It doesn’t have to be an over-the-top, romantic day but rather, just an expression of gratitude for those you love.

In addition to all the Pinterest-inspired activities I already wrote about here, one night we had a “heart attack love fest” for Family Home Evening. After sharing a scripture from John (a new commandment I give unto you…love one another), we each took several hearts and wrote what we loved about each other.


I knew it would be a great practice in recognizing each other’s strengths but I didn’t realize how much it would touch the kids. Though Haddie and Bode get along pretty well, they’re siblings so aren’t always BFFs (understatement). I will never forget the looks on their faces as they shared what they love about each other…one of those priceless parenting moments. We then taped the hearts all over the house for decoration.

This will be a favorite new Johnson family tradition for Valentine’s Day.

Because I’m all about forcing the love.

We invited Aunt Lisa and Uncle Chris over that night for a tasty fondue dinner.

And yes, that is a strobe light you see reflected in the left-hand corner.

Nothing says Happy Valentine’s Day like a cool disco.

The next day, Jamie and I celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary. I bought nine balloons and taped favorite memories from each year we’ve been married.


There were plenty.

But thank heavens for my blog’s archives to help me remember them all. :)

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Family, Hadley, holidays

Over 40 and Fabulous

February 21, 2012 By

“Over 40 and Fabulous” was the title of a club that was started by a workout maven I used to follow. I admittedly scoffed at the name of the club.

But now I get it because I am 40 and my birthday was, indeed fabulous!

It started with breakfast in bed (thanks, Jamie) and then a surprise TP job and sign on our front lawn.

Good thing I wasn’t bashful about my birthday.

And do you see these cuties?
They got me a phone for my new office (more on that ordeal later), some mango body wash (my favorite) and then they did an elaborate scavenger hunt where I ultimately found my big gift: an iPad 3.

In case you’re wondering if we have the inside scoop on this not-yet-released item, I assure you it was just a rain check.

My happy place is skating Evergreen Lake (about 30 minutes from Denver in the mountains) so I resolved that is where I wanted to spend my 40th birthday. We ordered a bunch of pizzas from Beau Jo’s(best in Colorado), a cake from Costco (Over-the-Hill, of course) and invited my besties to come play.

(Tina, Me and Lisa)

In case you’re wondering why I’m holding up a random plate, let me assure you I am also wielding a knife in my right hand.
Don’t you feel so much better now?

I have to give my friends credit. None of them were skaters but they were great sports out there.

By “great sports,” I am referring to their attitude, not their skating competence.

(This, from the woman who biffed it on the boardwalk whilst carrying Bode’s sled.)

The kids had a blast skating, climbing on a makeshift snow slide and being hauled around the ice.


I felt so darn grateful for the many friends who showed up to make this one of my very favorite birthdays ever. I knew skating wasn’t on their list of favorite activities, which made it even more special. At the end of our outing, I told Jamie I had so much fun I wanted to do it EVERY year for my birthday.

Which basically means I’ll be friendless by Birthday 2013.

=============

My parting thoughts to Jamie that evening before bedtime.

Me: “Tell me I don’t look a day over 40.”
Him: “But you’re not even one day over 40.”
Me: “And don’t you forget it.”

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: birthday, Colorado, Humor, outdoors

The rocky road to 40 (and not chocolate-marshallow kind)

February 19, 2012 By

I’m turning 40 tomorrow.

As surprising as this may sound, I’m doing a lot better with turning 40 than I was when my 30th birthday rolled around. This is because I’m in a much better place and it’s all downhill from here.

This is a good thing when you’re a gravity-challenged old bitty.

My tough descent into my 30s actually began when I was 29. I was career-obsessed and had my dream job, was dating some great guys, freelancing as a travel editor and living this whimsical, carefree life.

And then I went to see The Family Man, a movie with Nicolas Cage. If you haven’t seen it, Cage was a single, successful businessman who is yanked out his world to catch a glimpse of what his life would have been like if he’d had a family with his college sweetheart.

The movie hit me hard. So hard, in fact, I later wrote in my journal that I needed to change. I saw my life for what it was: self-serving and not on the path to anything of lasting happiness.

(Spoiler alert): Then I didn’t change.

Another year passed and I was more deeply entrenched in this world than ever when I learned my position (and one-quarter of our corporate office) had been cut. Suddenly, the source of what had become my identity was gone, too.

I was depressed and my friend Kristy took me to a movie as a pick-me-up. (Another spoiler alert): Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings is not a pick-me-up movie. It was dark, long and I hate almost every minute of it.

Except for one shining moment that really counted.

Frodo was overcome with the burden of being the ring-bearer and expressed his concern to Gandalf. His response proved to be prophetic to me, which basically stated that everything happens for a reason and “All you have to do is to decide what to do with the time given to you.”

TIME. And then I started crying. Hard. Now, I don’t know if you’re ever been a weeping mess during a LOTR movie so let’s just say I was an anomaly. But that was my answer.

A month later, I celebrated my 30th birthday and it was a tough one (despite a shining moment when my friend Dave took me to the 2002 hockey quarterfinals and I made Olympic history when I dove across my maple-leaf-clad neighbor for a five-second spot on the Jumbotron.)

But I was in the middle of muddling through changing my life and having faith that this time, was indeed, given to me for a reason.

That summer, I met Jamie. The following February, I was married.

If I had not changed my path, I am certain neither of these things would have happened. Prior to my wedding, I read back through my journal to the day when I saw the Family Man and resolved to change. Then I flipped ahead a year to when I was laid off.

They happened exactly one year to the day apart from each other.

I don’t believe in coincidences. I hadn’t changed so the Lord gave me a swift-kick to ensure I did and I’m so grateful for it. My 30s were spent with the highs and lows of building my family but with the sweet assurance I’m exactly where I need to be.

My friend Laurel recently wrote about turning 40 at Time Out for Women.

In the scriptures, one of the strongest shadows used is the relationship between “forty” as a means of preparation and the fulfillment of promises.

Did you read that?

THE. FULFILLMENT. OF. PROMISES.

Just a few examples of how the number 40 is used to represent a period of testing or preparation (thanks to the help of our friend, the worldwideweb)…but followed by the fulfillment of promises.

• The rains (in Noah’s day) fell for 40 days and nights (Genesis 7:4).
• Israel ate Manna for 40 years (Exodus 16:35).
• Moses was with God in the mount, 40 days and nights (Exodus 24:18).
• Moses led Israel from Egypt at age 80 (2 times 40), and after 40 years in the wilderness, died at 120 (3 times 40; Deuteronomy 34:7).
• God made Israel wander for 40 years (Numbers 14:33-34).
• Goliath presented himself to Israel for 40 days (1 Samuel 17:16).
• Elijah had one meal that gave him strength 40 days (1 Kings 19:8).
• God gave Nineveh 40 days to repent (Jonah 3:4).
• Jesus fasted 40 days and nights (Matthew 4:2).
• Jesus was tempted 40 days (Luke 4:2, Mark 1:13).
• Jesus remained on earth 40 days after resurrection (Acts 1:3).

I have spent my life in preparation for the fulfillment of promises I truly believe God “is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them.”

I finally know for what to ask and that these promises will be fulfilled.

And as for turning 40 tomorrow? Bring it.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: birthday, LDS

Parenting Perils and Perks

February 16, 2012 By

Though busy, busy, busy, we’re having a batch of really good days around here with even better attitudes from the kids.

Believe me, we’ve had enough bad ones to recognize a ray of sunshine when it happens.

However as all parents will attest, parenting is just exhausting. Though I can keep up with my kids on the best of days, sometimes I just need a break, some alone time and you know what? They’re always there, clamoring for my attention and pulling me in so many different ways.

Then I remind myself these are the precious years and I wouldn’t have it any other way because pretty soon, they’ll be ignoring me.

However, on one of my fragmented nights after we put the kids to bed, I started to confess to Jamie: “Here’s the hard thing about parenting….” and before I could continue, he responded.

“The kids.”

That pretty much sums it up.

==========================

When Bode says his nighttime prayers, he often rattles off a long list of items and body parts for which he is grateful. Following a recent prayer, I asked: “Bode, did you just thank Heavenly Father for TVs?”

“Yes,” he confirmed. “In the olden days they didn’t have them.”

Can’t argue with his logic…or gratitude.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Humor, Jamie

Our Anniversary Love Story

February 15, 2012 By

It’s official: Jamie and I have been an old, married couple for NINE years!

In keeping with tradition, I’ll share my courtship story with Jamie. Y’see, my beloved James and I were BYU students at the same time, graduated from the same department, walked through the same graduation ceremonies and regularly played volleyball together on the same court one summer…and yet never met.

It took a glorious thing called the Internet to finally bring us together many years later. I was in the midst of terminating an on-again, off-again five-year long-distance relationship and was cruising a popular Mormon singles site, adding unsuspecting prey to my Little Black Book.

Jamie had also ended a relationship a few months prior and was looking for some nice local Mormon girls to date. I, however, was not local. (Or nice for that matter; really, my only qualifier was I was Mormon). He was in Denver, I in Salt Lake City. I had just endured a long-distance romance and vowed I would never do that again. That avowal lasted about a week. He, too had no interest in something long distance.

Despite the odds, I came across his profile. It was not his dashing good looks that initially struck me (his photo was taken on an Alaskan glacier five miles away) or his poetry and prose (i.e. “I like eating good food”) but rather the strong impression that I needed to write him. Immediately.

Our connection was immediate. Jamie first knew it was love when I expounded upon mountaineering and the definition of the horned sacrificial altar in Ancient Israel (yep, we’re two of a kind). I knew Jamie was The One when he googled my name and read every single article I had ever written. Either that or he was a stalker. Fortunately, he proved to be the former.

After countless e-mails and phone calls over the next two months, we planned to meet. By this time, it had been revealed to both of us in a very powerful way that we would get married. Imagine, if you will, how you’d feel opening the door to a person you’d never laid eyes on, yet knowing he was The One. Suffice it to say, the week prior to our meeting, I was a wreck.

Another confirmation I received was when The Family Curse came upon me. Y’see, when both of my brothers met their spouses, something unfortunate always happened. For Patrick, he “accidentally” passed gas when he was introduced to Jane. For Jeek, he had developed a horrible boil smack in the middle of his nose when he met Shannon. For me, I developed an allergic reaction to some flowers at work, which resulted in a stye in my eye. Y’know. The really pink, pussy, ugly kind. This was yet another sign.

And so despite my pussy, makeup-less state when I finally laid eyes on him (albeit one good eye), I knew then what I know now: that we were meant to be together. And despite all my Murphyisms and idiosyncrasies, he still loves me. And keeps loving me. I don’t understand or question it, I’m just grateful for it.

Happy Anniversary, Honey!

(To read all the sordid details of our wedding day, go here).

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Humor, Jamie, Marriage

My Valentine’s Day, according to Pinterest

February 13, 2012 By

Pinterest.com has turned me into a domestic goddess.

Or at least someone who is disillusioned enough to believe she is one.

Some of my inspirations have included:

An Angry Bird Valentine’s box for Bode.
Because nothing says “Happy Valentine’s Day” like an irate fowl.

On Sunday, we made cinnamon bun caramel popcorn (seriously the BEST POPCORN ever). We made six batches of it.


Don’t bother asking me how long I spent in the kitchen.

Hadley was invited to her friend Casey’s Valentine’s Day party on Saturday and what could be more apropos than hearts in her hair?

Oh yeah, and Valentine’s Day morning? I’m surprising my family with these:

Excuse me while I take the rest of the year off.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Hadley, holidays

My Exciting News!

February 13, 2012 By

Remember when I said I’ve been busy/stressed with some good things?

I’m thrilled to be a new columnist for The Denver Post’s new Monday print section: $MART. Once a month, I will bring you fun, personal narratives for navigating the consumer culture. My column, Family Cents, will also include helpful tips (and I’m always looking for your topic ideas).

This month, I’m talking about the best daily deal sites for moms, what to avoid and even how to aggregate all of them so you’re able to tap into the best deals without being overwhelmed.Link
Come check out my article Daily-deal websites more of a dandy deal now and be sure to share your ideas!

P.S. And no. “Dandy” never was, nor ever will be a part of my vocabulary (I have the headline editor to thank for that).

I’m thinking they should have used “groovy.”

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With:
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