Walt Disney World 2014

I know this post is only 4 months late, but better late than never!

In November, we had the opportunity to travel as a family to Florida with B's parents and brother. While there, we spent 4 days at Walt Disney World parks 

and stayed at WDW's All-Star Movies Resort.

The first day we arrived, we got settled, took a nap, and had some dinner at Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney. Little did I know how completely terrified Finn would be of EVERYTHING in this place. 

Seriously, he spent the whole evening like this:

I had so many doubts about how the rest of our trip was going to go!

Day 2: Animal Kingdom

The first park we went to was Disney's Animal Kingdom. We weren't prepared for how cold it would be, so we ended up buying some hats and gloves for the boys. 

Tip: Come prepared or be prepared to pay crazy prices for ANYTHING. 

Because, hey, it's Disney!

Because I was right in the middle of the first trimester with baby girl, I was pretty sick and opted to sit out a lot of the rides! 

This Dino ride was definitely one of them!

We loved the Kilimanjaro Safari ride! So many awesome animals to see and Liam was soaking up every minute. Finn wasn't as sure about it.

After the safari, we decided to take a break and have some yummy snacks. Before the trip, I researched best treats to try in each park. 

We tried a Bear Paw brownie and Elephant cupcake in Animal Kingdom. 

Tip: We had to specially ask for these, because they weren't out in the morning. Of course, they catered to us and made us what we wanted. Awesome!

Finn had no problem with this part.

Tip: We made it a priority each day to go back to the hotel 

and take a mid-day nap. Best. Decision. Ever.

After our nap, we headed back to AK and took a train ride.

Both boys were enthralled.

The train took us to Rafiki's Planet Watch. 

We arrived just in time to participate in Chip and Dale's game "Pass the Acorn".

After the game and dancing were over, we were surprised when Chip grabbed Finn's hand and had him lead the little parade to their picture stop. 

I was shocked Finn went along so willingly!

After pictures with Chip and Dale, this WDW cast member came up to the boys and sang a song all about Liam and Finn! The boys were dancing while he sang. 

It was seriously a priceless, magical moment.

Our last stop on Rafiki's Planet Watch was a petting zoo.

Waving goodbye to Animal Kingdom. I think Finn was pretty done!

Day 3: Magic Kingdom

The second park we went to was Magic Kingdom, which was my favorite. I think it's the most like Disneyland and reminded me of magical memories and rides I loved as a kid.

Tip: When you're 8 weeks pregnant and you feel like you can handle a simple ride on Dumbo, turn the other way. IT'S NOT WORTH IT. But the kids loved it! Also, I love that WDW has 2 Dumbo rides and an area for kids to play as they wait for their turn to ride. Brilliant.

We had to get a picture of the boys in their Pluto shirts with Pluto!

Day 4: Magic Kingdom

We decided to spend 2 days in Magic Kingdom instead of a day in Epcot. We felt like we still had so much to do here and didn't think Epcot would offer as much for the kids.

Some highlights: Carousel, Small World, Splash Mountain (I couldn't pass this one up.), Casey Jr Train Ride, Buzz Lightyear ride, Tomorrowland Speedway, 

and eating a Mickey pretzel w/ mama as we waited 

for the other adults to ride Space Mountain. 

End of the day and I think the boys are pretty tired.

Day 5: Hollywood Studios

You will notice the amount of pictures decreases dramatically as the week goes on. I think I got to the point I was just too tired. Period. 

Not a good excuse, but it's the best I've got!

Hollywood Studios was okay, except it started pouring and we ended up going back to the hotel early and slept past the time we needed to leave to go back before the park closed. But what we did see, we enjoyed! Of course we had to take a pic next to some Johnson Family favorites: Lightning McQueen and Mater! 

We also took some pics next to Phineas and Ferb. 

The boys were a little more freaked out by those guys. 

We got to see Lightning McQueen in action at the live-action car stunt show! 

Finn LOVED it.

After that, we scouted out a place to eat and let the boys run around a bit.

Day 6 was a Sunday. I sent everyone else away to go visit B's Gramp's grave and the Orlando Temple, while I stayed in the hotel and SLEPT. 

Love this picture of B's dad with the boys:

Day 6 was our day to hang out by the pool, get a treat at Ghiradelli and do some shopping in Downtown Disney. Day 7, we packed up our stuff (among a tornado warning), burned some time at a local mall, then headed to the airport to catch a late plane ride home. And then we slept. We slept a lot.

*****

So, what are my thoughts?

It was fun. I will NEVER do it again pregnant, though.

I will NEVER do a red-eye flight with toddlers again, either.

But, I would stay at a Disney hotel again. (So many great things!)

And I would do Walt Disney World again...when my kids are a lot older. ;)

Thanks to B's family for inviting us and for 

Carl's awesome military discounts we were able to use!

One last Tip: 

If you are going to take toddler or youngins, your stroller is your lifesaver!

You can rent strollers, but we brought our own, because it was nice to have at the airport and other places. Also, I think if you rent a stroller from Disney, you have to leave it in the park. You can't take it back to your hotel room, etc. That would've been a pain for us! But, there are other stroller rental services that allow you to have them the whole time you're there and will even deliver and pick it up from your hotel room. 

Happy Anniversary Brandon Johnson

Today, B and I celebrate 4 years of marriage. Our children decided they'd help get the celebration started right by waking us up in the middle of the night...Finn throwing up and Liam crying because Finn was throwing up. From about midnight to 5 am, I had changed Finn twice, put a load of puke-covered sheets, blankets, and clothes in the washer, scrubbed the kitchen sink from more puke, watched Cars and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse semi-coherent with Finn, and then when the load of laundry was dry, make up his bed again and lay him down to sleep.

You might be saying "How awful!" You might think it was a terrible start to a celebration of such a lovely, significant day and memory. But, the truth is, those few hours perfectly exemplified the real beauty and foundation of our married relationship. What I didn't mention was B getting up with me every time I rolled out of bed to care for our sick child or moving the laundry to the dryer as I wiped Finn's face or tenderly grabbing my hand to let me know he was there or kissing mine and our child's foreheads as we lay on the couch. I didn't mention B taking the day off of work, so I could recover. I didn't mention him playing with the kids in the basement or changing their diapers or making them lunch, while I caught up on missed sleep.

If this young couple were offered a glimpse to this night four years down the road, I would want them to know that such a relationship doesn't come from years of just easy days.

YOU NEVER "ARRIVE" AT MARRIAGE.

And what I mean by that is that marriage is a living thing 

that requires constant physical, spiritual, and emotional nourishment. 

Marriage is WORK.

The greatest work? Yes. The most rewarding? Yes. But it's work, nonetheless.

We are more than just husband and wife. 

We are a partnership. We are a best friendship. 

We are lovers and we are caregivers and providers 

for 2 (almost 3) beautiful children we created through that love. 

We are each other's physical, emotional, and spiritual support.

Together, with the Lord, we have built and continue to build a foundation of 

faith, hope, and charity-

a foundation that affects our work, our home, our children, 

and every other aspect of our lives.

This picture was taken this morning.

It's not the most glamorous, but it's beautiful because of what it represents:

A real marriage full of real days of exhaustion, frustration, growth, selflessness, and pure love.

And that's what we celebrate today.

Happy Anniversary, Brandon Johnson. 

Welcome Home Elder Shaw!

I know I haven't posted anything about Disney World. I have a bazillion photos to go through and edit, etc. But it's coming! I've been a bit slower these days due to baby #3 and the "awesome" exhaustion, nausea, and vomiting that accompanies early pregnancy. It rocks. NOT. Good thing these kiddos are worth it, right?

Feeling good tonight, though, so I'm taking advantage. I picked up and vacuumed my front room and cut B's hair and now I'm feeling motivated to blog on. I juggled with posting on WDW or my missionary brother coming home. Missionary brother it is.

Elder Shaw came home on Wednesday! The whole family cheered as he came down the escalator and lots of happy tears were shed as we hugged our brother/son after serving in Mexico for 2 years.

He was the missionary I always wanted to be and when I had the opportunity to attend his release last night, I couldn't help but reflect on my own missionary service and what a unique and incredible opportunity it is to see the Gospel of Jesus Christ literally change lives...including, and most importantly, our own.

When Parker left, Liam and Finn were a few months old. I wondered what their reaction would be to him when he came home. They have pretty much attached themselves to him since that first night. They love their "Un-ko Pau-ko".

WELCOME HOME BROTHER!

Happy Halloween from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!

This year, in honor of our upcoming Walt Disney World trip, 

we decided to pay homage to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse- a Johnson Twin favorite. 

Besides the fact that Finn got complimented as "The cutest little girl!", our costumes turned out pretty good. Almost every item we wore came from Savers. My dress was made from a pink polka dot duvet cover I found for 7 bucks and I knew I couldn't pass it up. That means...yes, I made it. I MADE A DRESS! It's not pretty. In fact, it's pretty ugly. But, it worked. B is such a good sport and "played along". I took the boys out to both grandma's workplaces and they got to "trick or treat". This is a new stage for our family and it was pretty fun! We decided to take the boys trick or treating around our little neighborhood and the minute we stepped outside, Finn found a costume he didn't like. Hence, the scared face in this picture and the hiding on Daddy's shoulder in the next. It left us wondering how "fun" it will be to meet some Disney characters in a couple weeks! ;)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Upcycling: DIY Halloween Banner

Upcycling. Love everything about it. Of course, I'm not a professional crafter and decorator and will never profess to have the "gift", but I do like cute things, I do like to be creative, and I do like cute and creative things that don't cost me a bundle. As Halloween approaches, I've been on the lookout for some new decorating pieces at the thrift stores. I found a few and tried to figure out ways to make what I already have work. Pinterest inspired me to make a little DIY Halloween banner for my fireplace mantle. I went into the craft room and looked at what I had:

I tore out 6 pages from the old book and cut out a triangle on the bottom of each page, using a ruler to measure evenly and cut straight. Next, looking at what letters I had left over, I decided to spell out the word "Boo!". I peeled off the stickers and placed them on the different pages/flags. I measured my string on my mantle and then cut the desired length. I turned the pages over and taped them to the string, then took two small pieces of tape and taped the banner to my mantle.

Finished Project:

Sorry, this is a terrible picture. I was in a hurry, mostly because I had two little boys crying and throwing toys across the room and causing all sorts of mess and stress. All the other pieces are things I've gathered over the years, except the painting on the right. Last night, I found a picture on Pinterest, grabbed a left-over canvas I had in the closet, and headed to a friend's house to get my acrylic painting on! It turned out better than I thought it would- considering I have zero artistic ability.

Also, you'll notice the crate of books on the bottom. The children and I picked up some Halloween picture books at Savers for $.69/each It's fun and festive to have them out and accessible to read throughout October! I also found my stash of Matthew Mead Halloween magazines and placed them on the side table for a little more decor and inspiration. Please don't mind the empty Nate Berkus frame (Target clearance find) sitting behind. I have yet to fill it with a picture of my scrumptious monkeys. :)

Speaking of Matthew Mead, here's some lovely decorating advice:

"I love to poke through my craft supplies, unearth items in the basement, and rediscover cast-off pieces in the attic. And because my home is always in design transition, I like to repurpose items as something new and different." 

When I put the diaper back on.

Warning: This isn't going to be your normal potty training post. 

It's probably not what you expected. 

Which is exactly why I have to write it. 

________________________________

Potty training. It's a major source of conversation among mamas with toddlers. We dread it. We don't look forward to it, yet we read and prepare and ask our friends and family how and when we should start. Of course, we receive many opinions, advice, and a book on 3-day potty training that promises your 26 month olds will get it by the end of 72 hours.

B and I read and read and read. We reviewed and reviewed and reviewed. We set aside our Labor Day weekend solely for potty training our 2 year old twin boys, with hopes and pretty strong expectations that if we did everything that was spelled out in the book, we would find great success! We prepared. We prepared well. We ordered the highest ranked potty chairs and picked up stickers, gum, fruit snacks, lots of juice, dollar store toys, 47 pairs of underwear, and a Costco-size box of flushable wipes. We set our alarms and got up early to shower, have breakfast, and be ready for a full, intense, focused day of potty training. We each picked a boy to focus on and went at it!

The first day was rough. Extremely rough. But, we were told to expect this. The second day was a tiny bit better, but no real progress. That night, we told ourselves "They have to get it by tomorrow!" We even prayed together that things would "click" and we would be on our way. The next day, things were a little better. The boys were doing better about warning us when they were about to "go" and there were definitely less accidents than the first day. Yet, it still wasn't clicking. We were advised that twins may take a little longer, just because it's hard to give full attention to 2 kids- even when you have 2 parents, because 1 is rushing a kid to the bathroom and the other is wiping up the floor. Yet, B and I feel we were pretty focused and catching a majority, if not all of the accidents when they happened.

By the end of day 3, we reassured ourselves that it was okay if it took a little longer and hopefully by the end of the week, we would be good to go. B went back to work, so it was just me and the children all day- potty training. Each day seemed to get a little better. There was a day that Finn had no accidents and I was so thrilled and excited and overjoyed and I clapped my hands and did a little jig! I posted it on Facebook. I posted it on Instagram. I honestly felt like I was the best mom in the world, having accomplished such a feat. I was positive things would just keep getting better and better.

Then Friday happened. Accident after accident. The boys became scared of the potty, in a way. This surprised me, because we never shamed them or were negative or pushed them to go to the potty. The whole purpose of the method we were using, is to help the boys recognize when they have to go on their own. There was never any "trying" or sitting on the potty for a long period of time. We were so positive and upbeat, I was confused why they fought me hard, even if they really had to go. They also were wet and poopy EVERY time they got up in the morning and from their naps. I even started to sit by their door after they went down and if I heard one peep, I went in and reminded them to tell mama if they needed to go to the potty and I rushed them in if they said "yes". Yet, this still didn't prevent another load of wash and cleaning poop-filled underwear in the toilet. We followed the advice to wake them up 1 hour after they go to bed and 1 hour before they get up in the morning to help keep things dry. This did more harm than good. We were worried they were starting to associate going to the potty with being woken up from sleep and sat on a cold seat- which I wouldn't enjoy myself!

By the time yesterday morning rolled around, things were basically the same as Day 1, except a few less accidents. I was so frustrated. I felt so defeated. More than anything I wanted to take a break and try again later, but I kept hearing the words "Don't look back!" "It's not when they're ready, it's when you're ready." "They are old enough to be potty trained. Keep at it." For whatever reason, I had associated successful potty training with being a good mom and if I failed at this- I had failed as a mom.

Then I talked to Becky.

Becky is a mom of four, including twin boys. Her boys are about 15 months older than mine, so we have this great deal that I buy all their clothes at a huge discount when her boys outgrow them. It really is the bomb-diggity. The first time we did a clothes "exchange" was when we were both really pregnant- me with the twins and her with her baby girl. From there, she's become a friend and a person I trust to talk "parenting" with.

When I got to her house yesterday afternoon, she asked how I was doing. I basically vented all my frustration and discouragement from the past 10 days and desperately asked her what she did. Her answer surprised me. "I don't potty train." I gave her a weird look and asked "You don't potty train?" She explained that with her first child, a boy, she tried potty training, but it wasn't happening. So she got this idea "I'll let him tell me when he's ready to use the potty." And that's exactly what happened. One day he came up to her, told her he wanted to use the potty, and he was trained over night.  He has never had an accident. Then, when her twins came along and it got close to that magical "time", she decided she was going to try the same thing and see if she got the same results. Sure enough, one of her twins came to her and said he wanted to use the potty. She sat him down and he was done with the diapers after that. After seeing brother use the potty, the other twin decided he wanted to do it too and....Voila! Her twins were toilet-trained. Each of her boys was bout 3-3 1/2 when they used the potty.

I was shocked, yet a feeling of relief came over me. It was like everything clicked and I heard the words of my pediatrician in the back of my head "Sure, you can try to start potty training, but just remember- it's when they're ready." As I left her house and drove home, I started to cry. For some reason, I was worried that if I followed my instincts and put the diaper back on, I was giving up. I was failing. I was going to lose all the hard work I put into the past 10 days. My children would be behind. I would be a complete failure.

At that moment I listened to the voice in my head and thought "What a stupid thought!" My children are happy. My children enjoy exploring, learning, and talking to me. They are active and healthy- especially since we haven't been to nursery in 3 weeks! ;) They are smart. They love to read books. They love to play games. They love to sing songs. My children are LOVED.

Is this the result of a failing mom? NO.

Even as I write this, I can't help but feel emotion as I receive a witness that this decision IN NO WAY reflects my failing as a parent. I feel so strongly about this and I want all of you mamas out there to understand as well. Why do we do this to ourselves? It's damaging and completely un-necessary. So, I'll tell you what I keep telling myself -STOP IT.

I am a STRONG believer that every mom knows her child and has instincts to what that child needs. For some moms, I know the 3-day potty training of their 22 month old is right and they find great success. For me, I think I needed to go through this process to learn this principle, and, as B and I have discussed, our boys now have a better understanding about what using the potty is all about. We will continue to read potty books, take them to the bathroom while we use the potty, explain what the potty is all about. But, we both agreed we are going to let them tell us when they're ready.

This post is not meant to convince or advertise to anyone that this way is better than any other way to potty train...or not potty train. My purpose is to hopefully help any mama out there who is struggling- with potty training or whatever else. Because your child isn't doing algebra at 4, reading at 3, or isn't potty trained at 2 does not equal failure on your part. Look at your child. Really look at them. Watch them. Pay attention. Are they happy? Are they loved? Are they being taught correct principles? If the answer is yes, chances are you are DOING JUST FINE. End of story.

For B and I, our parenting style is very parent-directed. But we both agree, this is one thing we're completely okay with being child-directed. I've had a couple friends ask if I'll blog about potty-training and I know this probably isn't what they wanted to hear or expected. But make sure, if you've already started or about to start, that you remember it's okay to take a break. It's okay to reassess. Do not put added pressure on yourself that is completely useless. You have enough stress in your life! I know I do. :)

I can tell you, though, the anxiety and frustration is basically gone from our house. My boys are happier. I'm happier. I am more confident and peaceful- as a mother, as a wife, and as a woman.

Just some things that happened 

when I put the diaper back on.

Beach Day: Bear Lake

For my mom's birthday, we promised her a beach day with us and the kids.

So this morning, we packed up everything, including a potty 

(Another post on this coming. Get excited.), 

and headed to Bear Lake to spend a day at the beach.

Here are some of my favorite pictures:

(My sweet little Liam is always a bit cautious. 

I love how he watches daddy and brother, 

wanting really bad to join them, but so worried.)

(Boys love rocks. Boys love dirt. Boys love throwing rocks and dirt. All you need to know.

Oh, and they love kisses from their mama. I hope this never changes.)

Hope you enjoyed your belated birthday gift, Grammy!

We loved playing with you today!