Very Scary...

So, Halloween day started out innocently enough. Jaya came in at 6:40 a.m to tell me that Dad's coffee maker was making noises. She proceeded to try to make the gurgle and bubble noises. I jumped up as fast as I could and tried to cover up the fact that Jaxx was sleeping next to me. I felt like a guilty kid trying to hide the candy sitting in plain site next to me. Jaxx crawled into bed next to me, at some point last night. I vaguely remember him saying something like "your bed is so comfy" as he shimmied his little buns under the covers. The coffee machine was set to start making coffee at 6:30 and it is sort of loud, I guess it woke up the "tornado". So, when she came blowing into our room, the first thing I thought of was her seeing Jaxx sleeping next to me. The last thing I need is for her to start thinking this is an o.k. policy. I have not been able to break the first kid from it, I certainly don't need a second one in there too. I really couldn't get up fast enough and basically pushed a very cozy and settled in, Jaxx, right off the edge as I did.

Up and at 'em, at least I knew the coffee was ready. It was one of those mornings that I thought I had plenty of time to get ready and then ended up rushing around. The kids had parties in class today so I had little t shirts for them to wear since there was no costumes allowed. I got Jaxx's out and he got dressed, while I was drying my hair. Jaya, however, was trying to find hers and took out about everything in her drawers to find it. I guess she enlisted Jace in the hunt, at some point, because she came in with it on and other very NON matching things. This went on for awhile until I finally went into her room and found the clothes scattered everywhere. I got her dressed, rushed outside to take some pics and buckle them in the car.

I set my cell phone gently on the top of the car while trying to wrangle Jaya and her pettiskirt in the car seat. Can you guess where my cell phone ended up? I called Jace from a payphone about 4 miles down the road to ask him to go look at the route I took and see if he could find it. He did, crushed to smitherings and looking like it had been run over about a million times. The silver lining was, at least I had the memory out of it, so that I didn't lose all my numbers. Tomorrow I will be at the phone store!

The kids helped me make breadstick bones at dinner time. Hmmm, I wonder if you can tell which one Jaya contributed? The others didn't make it to the tray since I looked up and found them wrapped around her feet. Should have gotten a pic of that!

After dinner and tub, it was time to get ready for the big night!

This one almost looks like he is too cool to be hugging a Princess. I tried to get him to give her a kiss. That was idea was turned down faster than a loan application in a recession.

I sat some chairs out on the driveway and Jace stayed at the house while I took the kids around the neighborhood. Mom and Dad came over and then our friend Chris, soon there were 5 or 6 chairs out there while we chatted. Jace had the wine flowing and I was sort of going inside and out. I put the kids to bed and Mom read them a story so I popped out there again. Of course, the topic ended up being political so I didn't stay out there long. Let's just suffice it to say that we are all not voting the same in the Johnson family and politics and booze is not a good mix. I mean, really, we don't even need booze for it to get heated so I came back in to watch Lipstick Jungle ( new night, new episode). I had planned to be planted in front of the t.v. at 9. I don't know how I have evolved into a such a boring and predictable human, but I have.

Mom said she was going to tell Dad she was ready to go and I told her I would see her tomorrow for Jaxx's golf lessons. I had just heated the leather to my rear when she came running in with this look on her face. It was a look that said something is happening outside that is unusual but I just can't get it out of my mouth. She finally said she needed a tupperware or bowl right away. I was actually able to take a breath and say to myself, "self, it is fine, just a scorpion again" . Oh, I said "Is there a scorpion?". Jace has found 2 scorpions at this house that could carry the house away if they wanted . I am not kidding, the kind you see in resin, being sold at the novelty shop at the zoo, they came from our house.

"NO! A rattlesnake!"
What! A rattlesnake! Now, as I am typing this, I don't really know why I continued to look for a tupperware bowl. I mean, I even remember thinking, what size should I get? As I am rushing outside, all sorts of visions are running through my head. I was just out there barefoot, my kids were out there with their socks on, how big is it? Where is it? Where did it come from? How long had it been there?
So, I get outside and there it is under the chair that Jace was sitting in for about 2 hours chatting it up. It was about 15 or 18 inches long, so not very big, which makes it more dangerous. Now, keep in mind that Mom and I are the only ones that have not been drinking. Chris is telling me to get a shovel, which would be easy enough except the I would have to walk through the two cars in the garage and the snake is firmly planted dead center of the two cars....in the garage. I am scrambling to find something and Jace is saying that he is going to put the tupperware over the snake. Now, I have visons of being in the ER with Jace while all the people in there are making jokes about some guy that has been drinking, playing with a rattlesnake. I regain common sense and finally realize that the tupperware bowl is NOT a good idea. I just really want this snake away from the cars and the garage. I find a stick that we have in the garage that we use when we walk.....in the desert. How ironic! I yell at Chris to get it out of the garage. He flings it down the drive way and almost on to Dad. Then Jace thinks he can get the tupperware bowl on now:) Chris and I are adamant that this is not happening. A semi truck carrying turf grass, drives up and shines a flash light down on it so we can all confirm what we know....it is, indeed, a rattlesnake. The truckdriver says to kill it. I think we looked liked we needed some direction to go. Here are 5 adults looking at a baby rattlesnake. One has a stick in his hand, one has a tupperware bowl in his hand, one has a glass of wine in his hand and two women that are ready to climb on top of the car. Yeah, I think we looked like needed guidance! The snake was pissed off at this point. It has been flung around and had some giant trying to come at it with a large dome shaped item. It has struck out a few times but it small enough that it just takes one good blow with the stick and it is dead. The big game hunters examine their kill for a minute, talk about eating it and then carry it ever so gingerly, by the tail, to the garbage can.

Now, I have to examine this. These guys have been out there for hours, Chris looks down and calmly tells Jace that there is a snake under his chair. Jace jumps up and they realize that it is a rattlesnake. My questions are, when did it arrive? Where did it come from? Are there more of them in the area? How close were any of us ,at any given time ,as we danced, talked and walked around barefoot????

I didn't get a picture of the snake since it was a frantic few moments. I thought about going and taking one as it lie in the garbage can but .... I didn't like looking at the scorpions, let alone, a rattlesnake. The idea that we had one so close to the kids, freaks me out. I hate the thought of it. So, if you read this blog and have thoughts that Arizona is some dry desert with rattlesnakes, scorpions and gun toting cowboys, I just about confirmed that, in this story. We really are a civilized society with upscale malls and exclusive spas. A wonderful vacation spot ;)

So, it was a scary Halloween that we won't forget. How as yours?

Cortney K.

Date night

Well, tonight was date night with the kids. Jaya had "Special guys night" and Jaxx had "VIP night". I am sure you can figure out who went with who. So here a few pics as "Family Affair" by Sly and the Family stone plays. BTW- if you only access this through your email and never go to the actual blog site, you always miss the fun music!

The Rockin Jaxx J.

The Divine Diva "J-licious"

I don't have any pics of Jaya and Jace in her class because they finished before we did but we made rain sticks in our class. The kids hammered nails into a cardboard tube and then put beans and rice in them. The rice and beans make noise has they bounce of the tube inside. Just like bouncing around in life, we make noises too just not always ones you can hear;) The teachers turned off the lights and we had a rain storm. It was cute.

This is our friend Trinity again that is in Jaxx's class but is the daughter of a good friend of mine.

Jaya made a spider which was a blob of playdough with different sizes eyes and black pipe cleaners sticking out all over it.

Moving closer to another busy weekend. However, Lipstick jungle is starting in 15 minutes so you know where I am going!

Cortney K.

Hold your own, know your name and go your own way....

Sometimes I take inspiration from songs and Jason Mraz's "details in the fabric" is one of many of his that I love. Those are words from that song and it is so true.

I was reminded, as I sat in another beautiful Arizona sunset, listening to the squeals of delighted and loved children ,that we only get one chance in life. One chance to teach our children self esteem and confidence. One chance to teach them to respect and love. One chance to be have the tools to make their own way. Whatever it may be, they need the drive and self discipline to get to there. I know that I am giving the kids the best of me and in return I get the best of them. I want them to find something they love and go get it. I hope to pass the passion and "stick-to- it- ness" that we have to the the hearts of Jaxx and Jaya. We have to teach them that there is a higher power. We have to let them fail to know the feeling of victory. We have to watch them make mistakes to let them learn how to make the right decisions. Then we have to swoop in and help them , to let them know we will always be there for them. Life has knocked us down to our knees and we have gotten back up again and again. It's not fun but it feels so good when it all goes right. We have to prepare our kids for getting knocked down. Tough job? Yes, and we have to get it right.

So, having said that, I think Jaxx has found a new passion in t-ball. It is nothing like soccer. He used to love soccer practice and hate the games. T-ball is embraced by him in all ways. He comes by it honestly, of course, but he really genuinely likes it. HE GOT THE ONLY OUT IN THE GAME (BOTH TEAMS) PLAYING FIRST BASE! Here are pics of his budding talents...

Showing his team the weed he found ;)

Catching(except notice the ball is already at his feet)....

Giving hand signals!

Throwing is one of his best skills!

Yelling to everybody to remember to throw it to him at first base.

He is very good at staying in the batting order!

And, of course, he loves to HIT...

He must wave to his fans once he gets to first base too!

These are how his fans enjoy watching him!

The Pink Tornado has to have her Princess chair where she raids the snacks!

When she gets tired of that, she hits the swings!Cortney K.

The weekend

Saturday started the madness. We had Jace's seminar and then an afternoon wedding. It was going to be a crazy day.

The seminar went off without a hitch. It was well run and set up nicely. Andrea and I checked people in as they arrived and pointed them toward the room. There was a good turn out and Jace and John are hoping for a good return on their investment of the seminar costs.

Then I quickly left Jace there and took the kids from Joanne to get Jaya home for a nap. While she was sleeping, I needed to get ready. I already had the dress so it was a good excuse to buy the shoes that I had my eye on for awhile. I saw them months ago and was immediately drawn to the color. I just wasn't going to pay full price though. They finally made their way over to the clearance rack where I happily spied them. I had to have the sales lady call around to find my size but I was more than thrilled to have them on my hot little feet. They are the most wonderful color of pearlescent hot pink. LOOOOVE them and they looked puuuur-fect poking out under my velvet hem line. I will find a way to fit them in my wardrobe as much as possible, now where did I put that pink tank top? These shoes ROCK!

I wore a grey velvet dress with a matching faux fur shrug. I borrowed Andrea's diamonds and was ready to hit it. Jace, of course, not to be out done, was on the hunt for his own bargain. He said he "needed" new black shoes. He wore a "tux suit" that we bought a few years ago that is timeless. It can be dressed up or worn more casually. Jace prefers to wear it with a "flair" . He loved his sale purchase too. They were "pimp", as Jace says.

So, as we are getting ready I realize that I forgot to get a card so we had to allow for time to that too. Jace arrived home with only 20 minutes to get dressed and out of there. If you know Jace at all, that is a tough time frame to meet. We hand the kidlets off to Grama and head out the door. We arrived just in time as the bride was getting ready to walk down the aisle. Not good timing.

The ceremony was beautiful and the weather was fantastic. It was outside on the golf course and the sun was setting. After a fairly quick ceremony they released us to the drinks and appetizers.

Some of our good friends were there. You've heard me mention Justin and Susan.

This is JR and Anna.

Now, usually this is a "G" rated blog but the next picture is PG-13. Jace is already a little fire ball but add a little "liquid" and Justin and this is an explosion. It is like adding fire starting liquid to a warehouse fire already burning. This is the result sometimes...

Susan and I deny any and all attachments to these men when these "antics" go on!

After the drinks, we had to find our table. The seating arrangements were really cool. Instead of having the same ole boring cards. There was a votive glass candle for everyone at the wedding (200 + people) lit and waiting on a table. They were in alphabetical order so you found your candle and then had your name and table number on it. The color of the candle holder indicated to the server whether you order fish or steak. It was really cool. I wished I would have gotten a picture. Dinner was good and we were off to the patio afterwards to enjoy the weather and the company.

Well, maybe not this guy so much...

But this guy is o.k....

It was a very nice wedding and a good time.

Now, we are off to Justin and Susans for dinner and to watch the game.

Cortney K.

How Far Would Go???

This was sent to me by my mother and I had to share it. It is a powerful moving video about the choice that God made to save our souls. What a mighty and powerful message.

You may want to scroll down to the bottom of my page to turn off the music player so you can here the music for the video. It is about 5 minutes and worth every minute.

Thanks Mom!

Cortney K.

Doctor Day!

Jaya had her 3 year "well check" today and she is very well. She is 3' 4" which is an inch shorter than Jaxx was at that age but she is 41lbs which is 6 lbs heavier than he was. She is COMPLETELY off the charts for her age in both height and weight. The Dr. was very complementary of how happy, healthy and well adjusted she is to life. She told me that she wished she had more mom's like me. That was nice. I mean, I like to think that I am great "mom", so it is nice to hear someone complement me. By the way, do you know how much I hear that word a day??????? "MOM" Wow, you can't wait for those little mouths to form the word and then the days come when you may just stick ear plugs to get through the rest of the day. Who knew that two little human beings could be so DEMANDING? This job is whacked! No cash, work 24/7 and no vacations. At least I get paid in "I love you's ", wish I could pay the electric bill the same way ;)

So, Jaya had to have one shot. The Dr. goes to get the shot. Jaya watches her prepare it, wipe her arm with alcohol and poke it in. The Dr. injected it and put a on a bandaid. Jaya took the candy she offered and got off the table with NOT ONE SOUND. I looked at Jaxx, who had a complete melt down in the office at shot time, and said did you see that? He said "yeah" with a complex look on his face, as if wondering how she pulled it off. She was terrific!

Then we hit The Biltmore after her nap and had a great time. The kids both ran and raced, threw money in the fountains to make a wish. Jaxx wished for a Wii game and Jaya wished for a "party". It was a great night to walk around outside.

Did I mention I love the weather right now?

Also, if you are looking for the cutest support Palin t shirts EVAH! Check Angie's blog link again. I put it below. She has some super great shirts that are really unique in the VP's Republican candidate, Sarah Palin's, effort to get elected. I know some of you that read don't share the same political convictions that I have, but this is my blog so I get to plug whom I like here.

I flipped for the shirts. I wish I could have one of each. You may want to pick up one and I haven't seen any as creative as these.

Leave it to Angie to come up with these. I know my loyal friends know how much I lurve Angie's designs and ideas. May-jay-lee cute, Angie! You always "rock" the fashion!

http://www.angelicagracedesigns.com/blog/

We have a busy week and weekend coming up. I hope to post some good pics this weekend.

Jace has his free seminar this Saturday at 10 a.m.( Moon Valley Country Club) about how to take advantage of the foreclosure housing market. His mentor, John Ray, and Jace will talk to everyone that shows up about how to put John and Jace to work for you. So many people wonder how to do this and they don't teach you how to do it, they do it for you which is so different than other "seminars". They have radio commercials running and lots of other "plugs" going on too. I will be helping in getting people in the door. If you have any interest or know someone that does, tell them about it and remember it is "FREE.99". Just a little plug to support my "peoples" and my politicians. All in one blog! I am efficient!

We also have a wedding that night that a lot of our friends will be at so that will should be a fun time. We are dressing up and gonna "shake it like a polaroid, pic-cha". I hope I remember my camera and better yet to actually take the pictures!

Cortney K.