Pictures of our wonderful trip to Maine are posted on my SmugMug site! All 315 of them! :-) (narrowed down from 700...)
kjohnstonphoto.smugmug.com
We had a fabulous time visiting with family, swimming in lakes, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, going to the beach, eating lobster, jumping off docks, tramps, and paddle boats into lakes, hanging out in a really cute town for a day, jumping in puddles, knitting on the deck, and reading--and I had a blast taking pictures of it all! The weather was perfect the whole time until the last two days when it poured and thunderstormed, but even that felt perfect, too.
Enjoy the pictures!
Gramma and Poppy: You can print any pictures you want directly from that site and they will mail them to you within the week. Let me know if you have any questions or if you want any of these in black and white. Thank you for a wonderful time in Maine! We are all looking forward to seeing you again in the fall.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
sweet, sweet sight
What a week I've had... Ended up with an emergency visit to the ophthalmologist on Saturday after the symptoms I'd been having on and off since April (a hazy film coming over my eyes, rainbow halos around lights, sensitivity to light, contacts slipping off my eyes easily, nausea, and headaches) got more persistent and worse.
Turns out those symptoms are not good. The pressure in my eyes was incredibly high (48-50, normal being between 10-20) and I was diagnosed with glaucoma. No, not good at all.
The doctor prescribed two different drops to get the pressure down and I spent a sad, stressful weekend at home with my glasses on reading horrible things online about glaucoma.
Monday morning, I headed back to the doctor to check my pressure again and take a battery of tests. That appointment ended up being the best-case scenario, really. I do have some damage to my optic nerve in my right eye, but the left is okay and now that we've caught it and are treating it, there hopefully won't be any more. My pressure was way down (11 in the right and 27 in the left), so I'm continuing the drops and it doesn't look like I'll have to have surgery for now.
Thankfully, the doctor said my chances of going suddenly blind are very, very slight (definitely my worst case scenario) and I found out I can't do anything physically to make glaucoma worse, so photography, working on the computer, knitting and reading are all okay. Thank God.
I go back to see him again on Monday. And I have an appointment to see my dermatologist to try to get off the topical steroid meds I'm on for my psoriasis, which could have brought on the glaucoma in the first place. Unfortunately, he could "fit me in" until the end of August. What gives with the dermatologists? I've had this problem before; I need to get in, but he's booked for months, and they can "squeeze" me in a month from now... Gee, thanks for fitting me in your schedule... I don't get it.
But, anyway, I wasn't even sure I was going to write about this here, but I started a post about Maine and couldn't NOT write about this first. This is definitely forefront in my mind. Even though the news I heard yesterday was all pretty good and I know it's all going to be okay, it's still scary and depressing and exhausting to think about. I really like seeing...
Turns out those symptoms are not good. The pressure in my eyes was incredibly high (48-50, normal being between 10-20) and I was diagnosed with glaucoma. No, not good at all.
The doctor prescribed two different drops to get the pressure down and I spent a sad, stressful weekend at home with my glasses on reading horrible things online about glaucoma.
Monday morning, I headed back to the doctor to check my pressure again and take a battery of tests. That appointment ended up being the best-case scenario, really. I do have some damage to my optic nerve in my right eye, but the left is okay and now that we've caught it and are treating it, there hopefully won't be any more. My pressure was way down (11 in the right and 27 in the left), so I'm continuing the drops and it doesn't look like I'll have to have surgery for now.
Thankfully, the doctor said my chances of going suddenly blind are very, very slight (definitely my worst case scenario) and I found out I can't do anything physically to make glaucoma worse, so photography, working on the computer, knitting and reading are all okay. Thank God.
I go back to see him again on Monday. And I have an appointment to see my dermatologist to try to get off the topical steroid meds I'm on for my psoriasis, which could have brought on the glaucoma in the first place. Unfortunately, he could "fit me in" until the end of August. What gives with the dermatologists? I've had this problem before; I need to get in, but he's booked for months, and they can "squeeze" me in a month from now... Gee, thanks for fitting me in your schedule... I don't get it.
But, anyway, I wasn't even sure I was going to write about this here, but I started a post about Maine and couldn't NOT write about this first. This is definitely forefront in my mind. Even though the news I heard yesterday was all pretty good and I know it's all going to be okay, it's still scary and depressing and exhausting to think about. I really like seeing...
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Merpati Putih Grace
This week, Grace's anticipation to take karate (or more specifically, "Merpati Putih", or just "MP" (pronounced em-pay), an indonesian martial arts) was finally fulfilled when she took a three day "try-it" camp, culminating in earning her white belt today. It would be an understatement to say she enjoyed taking MP... She absolutely loved it. She took to it with confidence and an excitement she doesn't often have for new things. It was exciting to see. She came home each day bursting to show off what she had learned: punches, kicks, and blocks. The only bad part for her was having to wait until 6:00pm every night... Needless to say, we signed her up to continue taking MP, where she will be part of the larger class and begin earning her yellow belt (and then orange, then purple, then blue...). I have a feeling it's going to be a long, long wait until her next class on Monday... She rather liked going every day! She was very tired tonight (the girls are going to sleep Utah-time, but waking up Maine-time...), but pulled through for me to snap a few pictures of her in her cool outfit and NEWLY EARNED white belt!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
We're back!
After a great time in Maine, we're back home safe and sound. I'll write much more about it once we're a little more settled and I've had a chance to go through the hundreds of pictures I took.
For now, though, I wanted to post a picture I took of my mom with the girls the day before we left on our trip:
It's always nice to have Oma here. We went swimming, went to two movies, rode the train to SLC, and she frolicked with the girls while I got things ready for Maine. Thanks for coming to see us, Oma! Come visit again soon!
For now, though, I wanted to post a picture I took of my mom with the girls the day before we left on our trip:
It's always nice to have Oma here. We went swimming, went to two movies, rode the train to SLC, and she frolicked with the girls while I got things ready for Maine. Thanks for coming to see us, Oma! Come visit again soon!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Happy Birthday, Grace!
How can she be SIX?! What a beautiful girl. I don't care how old she is, I still see the little baby in her. I hope I always do. The first moments knowing Grace were truly magical: she was an old soul at the beginning, looking at me with wise eyes, like she knew all the answers already. Parenting her continues to be trying to know the person she already is and helping her find her strength, bravery, and patience. Grace humbles and amazes me everyday. Thank you, Grace, for teaching me so much and for being so true to yourself. I learn so much from you.
All Grace asked for from us was a guitar, which we happily picked out for her. She idolizes Brandi Carlisle, which I think is pretty darn cool. I picture this on her album cover some day:
Grace with the BEAUTIFUL cake Oma made for her (thanks, Oma!!):
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
whole new holes
Here's hoping I don't shock the grandparents....
Anna got her ears pierced on Monday. She's been wanting them pierced for quite a while now, and finally talked Adam down from his original thought of 32 being a reasonable age to put holes in her head. I got my ears pierced at seven, so after that age seemed like fair game to me. We both agreed she had to be old enough to take care of them herself, which, quite honestly, she really wasn't when she was seven. Well, around Christmas time Adam and I told Anna that she could get her ears pierced when she felt ready. Once given the okay, her pleading all but stopped, and she would only occasionally bring it up (I think it was more the temptation of the forbidden that enticed her). Finally she started bringing it up again a few weeks ago and while Auntie Mik was here seemed to be the perfect time to do it. I must say I was really, really glad to have Mikaron there with me for support (I got nervous!!). Anna was the picture of serenity and poise, though. She got a bit nervous, they put both earrings in at the same moment (why didn't they have that technology when I was a kid?!), and she declared immediately after that she was "okay" and was excited to see what they looked like. Really, Mik and I both agreed she was amazing. Grace loved watching it all and has even said since that she's "proud for Anna." I'm happy that she still looks like a little girl, just a little sparklier. Adam was shocked we went without him, and often talks about Anna "before she had holes in her head", but I think he's adjusting just fine. And, you have to admit, she looks quite cute:
I have had quite the exciting week. Adam completely surprised me by having Mikaron fly out for my birthday (Soley couldn't make it--we missed you, Soley!!!). Adam and the girls came to visit me at the Needlepoint Joint, which was already a surprise, and a few minutes later, Mikaron walked into the shop. It was perfectly executed. I was stunned and immediately started to cry. It was great. Then Adam surprised me again by saying we were headed to Alta Lodge for two nights. Here I was planning to go to GS day camp for the next two days, and Adam informs me that they already know and I only think they need me: they don't. So, very disoriented, I leave work (everyone there knew, too), go home and try to pack (if only I had known, I would have done laundry!). Well, we had a great time needless to say. It was so nice to spend so much time with Mik with nothing else we had to do... We had a lot of plans to do lots of different, fun things: yoga, hikes, a movie, time at the spa, but mostly we ended up sitting on the beautiful patio, talking and eating: DIVINE. We did sit in the hot tub and sauna, we made it to REI for a birthday shopping spree, and we flew down the mountain on the alpine slide, but my fondest memories will always be just hanging out with Mik. Thank you so much for coming out to spend the weekend with me, Mik! I loved every minute!
Then, after we got back from our relaxing weekend, Adam and the girls had a big party for me (I had found out about this part of the surprise). We had a great group of some of my favorite people. It was a great, great day. I was exhausted from all the hullaballoo, but--Man--what a way to turn 36! Thank you so much, Adam. You make me feel special every day, but this weekend topped it all. :-)
Anna got her ears pierced on Monday. She's been wanting them pierced for quite a while now, and finally talked Adam down from his original thought of 32 being a reasonable age to put holes in her head. I got my ears pierced at seven, so after that age seemed like fair game to me. We both agreed she had to be old enough to take care of them herself, which, quite honestly, she really wasn't when she was seven. Well, around Christmas time Adam and I told Anna that she could get her ears pierced when she felt ready. Once given the okay, her pleading all but stopped, and she would only occasionally bring it up (I think it was more the temptation of the forbidden that enticed her). Finally she started bringing it up again a few weeks ago and while Auntie Mik was here seemed to be the perfect time to do it. I must say I was really, really glad to have Mikaron there with me for support (I got nervous!!). Anna was the picture of serenity and poise, though. She got a bit nervous, they put both earrings in at the same moment (why didn't they have that technology when I was a kid?!), and she declared immediately after that she was "okay" and was excited to see what they looked like. Really, Mik and I both agreed she was amazing. Grace loved watching it all and has even said since that she's "proud for Anna." I'm happy that she still looks like a little girl, just a little sparklier. Adam was shocked we went without him, and often talks about Anna "before she had holes in her head", but I think he's adjusting just fine. And, you have to admit, she looks quite cute:
I have had quite the exciting week. Adam completely surprised me by having Mikaron fly out for my birthday (Soley couldn't make it--we missed you, Soley!!!). Adam and the girls came to visit me at the Needlepoint Joint, which was already a surprise, and a few minutes later, Mikaron walked into the shop. It was perfectly executed. I was stunned and immediately started to cry. It was great. Then Adam surprised me again by saying we were headed to Alta Lodge for two nights. Here I was planning to go to GS day camp for the next two days, and Adam informs me that they already know and I only think they need me: they don't. So, very disoriented, I leave work (everyone there knew, too), go home and try to pack (if only I had known, I would have done laundry!). Well, we had a great time needless to say. It was so nice to spend so much time with Mik with nothing else we had to do... We had a lot of plans to do lots of different, fun things: yoga, hikes, a movie, time at the spa, but mostly we ended up sitting on the beautiful patio, talking and eating: DIVINE. We did sit in the hot tub and sauna, we made it to REI for a birthday shopping spree, and we flew down the mountain on the alpine slide, but my fondest memories will always be just hanging out with Mik. Thank you so much for coming out to spend the weekend with me, Mik! I loved every minute!
Then, after we got back from our relaxing weekend, Adam and the girls had a big party for me (I had found out about this part of the surprise). We had a great group of some of my favorite people. It was a great, great day. I was exhausted from all the hullaballoo, but--Man--what a way to turn 36! Thank you so much, Adam. You make me feel special every day, but this weekend topped it all. :-)
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