Happy Memorial Day

These clips of our World Champion Bareback rider, Kaycee Feild, are amazing.  He is on a Tour with our troops, even his mom does not know where he is.  She has shared these clips with me and they are too good not to pass on.  Enjoy and Thank you troops where ever you are!

(Click these links below)
You gotta hold the Pizza pie

Have I done something?

Graduation

All the seniors proudly walk onto the field for the Graduation ceremony

This is Eric as he gets a hug from Mrs Burr.  She has been such a huge support for him.

A hug from the Principal Mr Peery

Tonya, me, the graduate, Daryl, Macklyn and McKell

Macklyn was loving his tassel.  It did rain on us a little and it was a little chilly, but a great night.

Eric, Steve Linford and Kolby Linford.  The Linfords are amazing friends who have played such a huge role in Eric's life before high school and especially through last year.  We cherish their friendship.  Steve coached Eric in football and in basketball. 

We had to take the opportunity before graduation to honor Bo Wilson.  Bo was a good friend of Eric's throughout school and was killed in an accident a couple of years ago.  He would have been receiving his diploma yesterday, along with Eric and we were both missing him.  So to honor him, Eric placed a graduation cap, tassel and the Skyhawk ribbon on the rod around his head stone.  As we were driving away, Eric was talking about how devastating it was to hear the news that he had lost his friend.  They say that the hardest thing a parent can go through is losing a child and as we were fighting to keep Eric here with us last year, I spoke with Bo's dad several times, Butch, and my heart broke for him and his wife, Jennifer, because we still have no idea of the pain they went through with the lost of their very vibrant, amazing son.  Bo you are still missed and you have left a lasting mark on many of your friends.  As Eric gets ready for his mission, we know that Bo was called home to begin the mission specially designed for him in Heaven.

Snake Cartoon

Our friend Steven who also battle Osteosarcoma along with Eric read the "snake" story and remembered this cartoon and wanted to share it with us.  I LOVE IT!  So I had to put it on the blog.  Here you go!  Thanks Sonja and Steven (Steven just received his 6 months clean bill of health!  YEAH)

Graduation & Mission Farewell

These are a few of his senior Pictures. 

This is his graduation announcement.  We have been kind of slow and as soon as we have them in our hands will get them mailed out

His favorite mission pic

I know I have mentioned before, but his mission farewell is scheduled for July 15.  Our sacrament meeting is at 11:00.  The address to our chapel is :  259 E Alpine Dr Elk Ridge Utah.

Funny story: I have had a hard to pronouncing Laotian.  So I finally had to figure out an association to pronounce it correctly.  I was saying "low-ation".  but you say it "Lay-ocean".  SO in my mind I would think of an Hawaiian "lay" and then the "Ocean".  Well it has helped me.  I mentioned this to a friend on our morning walk last week and she told me later that she was telling people that he will be speaking "Lay-Beach"!!    I told this to Eric and he laughed and said well if someone comes up and starts to speak "Lay-Beach" it should be close enough that he will be able to understand!!

Watched Over

My Dad, Lew Johnson, AKA Grandpa Lew

Eric came home yesterday, kind of rattled, and had quite a experience that took a couple of times of explaining to get the full impact of what had just happened.  I asked Eric if I may share with you the story.  This is what happened.

Yesterday Eric was going golfing with a friend, who was not able to make it at the last minute, so Eric decided to go ahead to proceed with his planned tee time.  He had golfed a few holes and was enjoying the sun, fresh air and his favorite music playing in his ears buds. 

Eric had hit the golf ball and it went into some tall grass so he walked over to the tall grass, with ear buds still in his ears, and proceeded to swing his club at the grass to uncover his ball.  He heard my dad say behind him "Eric!"  (My dad had passed away in 2000)  So Eric turned around and thought that was really weird.  As he took a step with his prosthetic leg, it felt heavier then usual.  He looked down at his leg and a rattle snake had struck his leg and had it's jaw locked around his titanium leg.  He took the club in his hand and did kill the snake, but was obviously a little shaken. 

As he recalled this story to me he pointed to his leg and said "Look, there is still Venom on my leg."  And sure enough there were droplets of a liquid still on his leg.  If he did not turn around when my dad had called his name, his "Flesh and blood" leg would have taken the strike from the rattle snake.  I have always felt that he/we have been so blessed and watched over by angels above, but this was another confirmation that we truly are watched over.  Eric has a mission to fulfill and with the watchful eyes of Heavenly beings, will be able to do just that.

Honored by Representative Jason Chaffetz

There is so much going on in Eric’s life right now, but today was a shining star.  During Eric’s US Government class with Mr/Coach Griffin, Eric was honored by receiving a Congressional Record presented by US Representative Jason Chaffetz. 

Rep Chaffetz was explaining why he was at the High School today.  He then read the Congressional Record that he presented to the US House of Representatives in Washington DC on January 17, 2012.

He is a very down to Earth guy.  Mr Chaffetz knew that Eric had recieved his mission call and congradulated him on his call.

 Mr. Griffin asked Eric if he would like to give a speech. Eric kept it short and sweet and thanked everyone for their support during his struggle last year. 



This is the document presented to the House of Representatives in Washington DC



 It was very humbling for Eric to receive this honor, Mr Chaffetz then handed Eric his business card and told him that if he needed anything to call him, and especially when he gets home from his mission.

Once again, we are very humbled by the attention given.  I was proud of Eric at his attitude last year and the changes it made in him.  It is just an honor to be a part of the many recognitions he has received.  More important is the honor to still have Eric here with us, healthy and strong!  Please keep those still fighting this ugly thing called cancer in your prayers.

Missionary Bike???

Eric received his welcome packet from the Sacramento Mission President today and there was a section on obtaining bikes....There was also a disclaimer that if you are a sister missionary or a Asian speaking missionary, you can skip this portion of the information packet.  McKell missed the part of "Asian SPEAKING" and only heard Asian missionary and wondered why they were discriminating against the Asian missionaries.  :)  Well as you can imagine our family was teasing Eric about not being able to ride a bike, so he had to prove that he could ride a bike!

With the help of Big Brother, Daryl found a clamp in the garage and clamped Eric's foot onto the pedal

The first attempt was pretty shaky... but he was determined.  It did not help that with Todd and Daryl teasing him, he was not willing to allow a silly bike ride defeat him.  I have to admit that there are a couple of pictures that are not allowed on this blog....  We do need to keep it uplifting... Don't Ask!

I thought he was doing pretty dang good!

He is pretty proud of himself.  Then he had to have Daryl come and unscrew him from the bike!  We had a great laugh and Eric proved that he could be a bike riding missionary.

Prom

Here are some pictures of a great night at Prom.

Big Brother helping dress Eric

Everyone gathered at the theater until the Limo arrived

 

The Limo had arrived

What a gorgeous group of kids, I don't say that with disrespect, but to me they are kids.... young adults?

They were patient with me as we took pictures

This one is actually one of my favorites

Promenade

Sami and Eric

They said they had so much fun!  It is hard to believe that my "Baby" will be out of school in 1 month and this is the last of the school dances!  But they do look beautiful!

Baby crunches

Macklyn is so funny, she has been doing stomach crunches for a couple of months.  Eric said that she is getting ready for the bikini season.

(click link below to view video)
baby crunches

Isn't she just the cutest?

Broken Foot

This is what Eric's foot looks like without the "foot" on

It is hard to see, but the spring has several layers to it which have seperated.

So we fixed it the best way we know how.... Duct Tape!  Well until the replacement is here

Then the hard part was to put the foot back on.  It is a tight fit for a reason

Almost done.  I thought you may be interested what his foot looks like.  You have seen the leg, but the foot is always covered with a sock and shoe, so there you go.