The Johnson Family

10 years ago

2011-09-11T11:34:00.000-07:00

As I sit and think back to that day, that day of terror, I am reminded of what I felt that day.

It started out as a day as a new mom. Coy was 2 weeks old, and I was preparing to take him in for his 2 week checkup. We were all set to go, when the phone rang. It was Vinton asking if I'd had the TV on. Being me, I asked, "Why, am I on it?" I will remember that comment forever. No, it wasn't me, it was our country, The Land of the Free, under attack. It was a Nation wondering WHY? Why us? How could someone take so many lives, innocent lives from us!? There were so many people that day that lost their lives on that tragic day. So many people lost their loved ones.

It was on that day that changed America. We came back together as a country. Helping one another, asking if one another needed a helping hand. The way our country should be. The Land of the Free. The Land where my children can go outside and play in the dirt, ride their bikes, play with their friends and not be scared.

Take time today and thank our Military personnel, past and present. They are fighting not only for their lives, their freedom, but for ours too. Be thankful that we are free. We live in the Land of the Free.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union...

2011-09-06T17:05:00.000-07:00

If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today, may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and GOD. It was never between you and them anyway.

This is something I wish more people would live by, but since some don't, I WILL. Trust in GOD and he will be there for you.

It's about time!

2011-09-05T20:06:00.000-07:00

Greetings Everyone! It's been awhile!

Here is an updated picture of the boys!! Cooper is 2 1/2, Carter is 7 and Coy is 10!! I can't believe how time flies!
Coy was in kid pitch baseball this year, and loved it! He played 3rd base a lot. Carter played coach pitch this summer also. They love baseball so much that they play it on the XBox 360 all the time, and watch all the baseball on T.V. they can. Coy entered 4th grade and Carter is in 2nd grade this year.
Cooper is hanging out with mommy again! We get a lot of housework done, and baking! Cooper has to go back to the plastic surgeon in December. The little screws in his head are beginning to dissolve, and you can really feel them sticking out! It grosses some people out, but that is the fact of "his" life! Once they dissolve completely, the only thing left of his surgeries will be his scar.
Daddy is busy with the truck! We pray daily that the darn thing will stay together!
We hope everyone is doing well. Now that I have more time at home, maybe I can blog more!!

Update

2010-07-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone and Happy Hot Summer!
We started out the summer with Coach pitch baseball for Coy and T-Ball for Carter. We had a lot of fun watching them progress from last season and through out the year!
We also have taken trips to Omaha for Cooper's check ups. They have come through a success...so far. The Dr's are still watching the back of his head to see if it goes back to "normal" shape. If they don't think it is, we may have another procedure, but all is good right now and that's all that matters.

Craniosynostosis

2010-05-30T12:12:00.000-07:00

Craniosynostosis is a congenital (present at birth) defect that causes one or more sutures on a baby's head to close earlier than normal. Sutures are connections that separate each individual skull bones. The early closing of a suture leads to an abnormally shaped head. Side effects could include: loss of hearing, blindness by age 6, 1% chance of brain damage and dental problems.
This is a defect that our baby Cooper has. It was not caught at birth nor at any of his wellness checks with our family doctor. A nurse at Kearney Clinic saw pictures of him and was concerned and recommended we go see a pediatrician. So we traveled to Kearney. While there, we were sent over to the hospital for an MRI. The MRI showed that his frontal cranial was prematurely closed. From Kearney Clinic, we were sent to Surgical Images in Omaha where we met with our plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Bruneteau. In just 5 minutes, he knew we needed to fix Cooper's skull. However while there, he recommended we see a neurosurgeon to see if there was possibly any brain damage. While meeting with Dr. Mark Puccioni, he reassured us that there was not any brain damage present.
So with letters to our insurance company, surgery was scheduled for May 17, 2010 at Children's Hospital in Omaha.
The day of the surgery, we had to be at the hospital by 5am. They preped him for surgery and gave him his happy juice and took him away. We went out and sat with our crew of family members that came to support us. It was nice to have them all there to help pass the time, but little Cooper was in our minds the whole time.
Around 9:30am, the surgical nurse came to say they were closing and near completion. Both Dr's came out to visit around 10:30am to reassure us that things went well and that they were taking Cooper to recovery.
We had to wait until about 11:30 to see our little Cooper. His poor little head was bandaged up, and his right eye was beginning to bruise and swell. He was coming out of anestisia and not a very happy camper. Nothing we did could settle him down, so they tried more pain meds. Finally we were able to calm him down enough that he could sleep.
Later in the day, they informed us that his heart rate was creeping lower so they wanted to change his pain meds. That helped the heart rate, but he began vomitting almost every hour. The first night was a very long night for all of us.
By Day 2, his eyes were swelling a lot more and his bruising was terrible and we were still in PICU. They were able to stablize him enough that we got to move to 5th floor which is pediatric floor at Children's. It was on this day that his sweet little eye opened up. It was close to 7pm and everyone was wanting to leave the hospital and his cousins were talking to him and all of a sudden he opened his eye. It was one of the most precious things I've seen!! We were all happy to see his little blue eye ball!!
On Day 3, Dr. Puccioni came in and noticed his little eye was opened and said that as soon as he ate something, we could go home. The nurse we had was not in agreement to that, but the little man wanted FOOD! We gave him some food and by noon, Dr. Bruneteau came in and said that we could be released. With all the paper work and consulting with Dr's, we were finally on the road home by 7pm.
The trip home was a great one. Cooper vomited once, but I think it was the pain meds on an empty stomache. We finally made it home at 11:30pm, and on the way home his other little eye opened up!! When we got home, my parents had the older boys here waiting for our arrival! Cooper was so happy to see his big brothers and they were excited to see him!!
Thank You everyone for all your continued love, support and prayers through all of this!

Been awhile!

2010-01-20T11:35:00.001-08:00

I can't believe it's been since May that I have posted anything!! A lot has happened since I posted last! Coy was in coach pitch baseball and Carter was in T-Ball. They both enjoyed themselves a lot!! It sure kept us busy the month of June! In July they both took swimming lessons in Broken Bow. Ma'Ma was able to take them both weeks and they all had fun! Cooper even got to do a little swimming! In August school started again and Coy & Carter were both eager to get back into the swing of things! (so was I!!)
We celebrated Cooper's 1st birthday Thanksgiving weekend. We were blessed to have so many family and friends join us. I think we ended up feeding 35 people. I made beef 'n' noodles, chicken 'n' noodles and mashed potatoes for the event. I had a lot of help and was very thankful for that!
The holiday season came and went with a bang! We busted through hood high drifts to get to my parents house on Christmas Day. We only stayed for 45 minutes because of the blizzard. Thank goodness we were able to make it back out okay! The drifts we busted through were already blown shut!!
The beginning of January has changed our lives a lot! We have made the decision that I would stay home with the boys and keep the house in order...along with the book work of our business. I am so far enjoying being home-cooking and cleaning and just being around for Tig whenever he needs me to run for parts. The older boys miss going to Ma'ma's after school, but really enjoy being able to come home, get homework done and go outside and play.
Cooper and I are getting along good. We have a routine figured out and we like it that way!
I will post pictures sometime soon!! I hope you all had a great holiday with your families and a prosperous 2010!!

5 Months

2009-05-02T14:36:00.000-07:00

Happy 5 month birthday Cooper! He is rolling from stomach to back now and definitely has his own personality! Coy & Carter love him very much and help out a lot.

Tired Day

2009-04-20T17:34:00.000-07:00

Not much has happened this week. Carter is feeling better each day, Cooper is still coughing, but feeling better each day as well, and Coy, well, he's my trooper and rarely gets sick! Thank goodness!! We are enjoying this nice weather and we enjoy taking Cooper outside to watch the older boys play.

Here is a picture I snapped yesterday morning. I love seeing Vinton with his boys. The were both real tired after a Saturday of nothing, so they were catching up Sunday!

Coy was doing his homework last night, and one of his assignments was to read this book. He enjoys reading so much that his reading level is 3rd grade in the 6th month. I was impressed when I saw that. We are both very proud of him. So is Cooper! He loves listening to Coy read to him.

Busy Week

2009-04-12T15:53:00.000-07:00

I have been told that I haven't updated our blog in a while, so here it goes...
Coy is cruising through 1st grade. He loves the challenges that it brings him. I went to listen to him recite a poem to his class. He did very well and I can see him in Speech/Drama when he gets older because of the expressions that he uses when he reads.
Carter is enjoying pre-school. He keeps talking about being in the "shoe club". He has been able to tie his shoes since last fall, but he keeps talking about being the only kid in his class in the shoe club. I know there are more than just him in the club, but for a while it was just him. We finally got his new glasses and he seems to be adjusting well.
Cooper is good too. He has been sick again however. He had a severe ear infection in one ear and a bit in the other. He was given a shot and things started working better real quick. He has been rolling from tummy to back and almost mastered back to tummy! Time flies!!
The motor in Tig's truck took another dump! It was in the shop for 10 long days. But, we finally got it back and he has been fighting the weather a lot lately. Hopefully it will cooperate for a while.
As for me, I'm keeping busy with the boys' activies and helping Tig whenever I can. We branded calves yesterday at Mom & Dads and my legs hurt real bad! I vaccinated and I think I did around 250 squats yesterday. These little legs aren't used to that! But it is all worth it!
We had Easter at my parents house today. All of us kids were there and we actually had a good time. We played Nurts and everyone enjoyed themselves.
Tig and I also celebrated our 8 year wedding anniversary. It has been a great 8 years and we look forward to the next 8+ years!!
One last note, please pray for one of my co-workers. She tragically lost her husband last weekend to a heart attack. He was only 58 and it makes one very thankful for what they have.

Being a Wrestling Mom

2009-03-14T10:39:00.000-07:00

I always told myself in high school that I would never be like those wrestling mothers that were down on the mat cheering on their kids or telling them what moves to do next. Well as of today...I am eating my words! But damn it was fun!

After Coy hit a kid in the nose and gave him a bloody nose, he was able to come up with 2nd. The kid he hit got 1st and well deserved! Coy was very aggressive during all 3 matches. Coy impressed Coach Hoyt when he did a double leg on a kid! Actually so was I!! I thought he did so much better this week than last!

Carter also did real well! He got real mad during his 1st match. The other kid had him on his stomach and Carter couldn't remember what to do next. The next two periods were interesting for the other kid because Carter's temper was showing. His little cheeks were red and he was so pissed off that he was crying. I think that's why he ended up with a 1st place medal!!

Good job Coy & Carter!

The cake...

2009-03-10T20:29:00.000-07:00

Carter got to pick out his cake this year! He still loves Thomas the Train stuff, so this is the one he picked. I sure wish I could take credit for this one, but I have to thank my mother-in-law one-hundred times over!! She did a wonderful job! The birthday party was a success with all of our brothers & sisters, parents and grandparents here. There were a lot of people packed in this house, but having everyone together was great!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARTER!

2009-02-24T18:43:00.001-08:00

On Tuesday, February 24, 2004, we welcomed our 2nd child into this world. Today we are so happy to help him celebrate his 5th birthday. He has developed so many wonderful qualities in the first 5 years of his little life. He makes jokes and says things that are so off the wall, that we just laugh so hard most of the time. At family gatherings, he keeps the family in stitches with his comments. Carter, your daddy and I hope that you keep that cute smile and we wish you a very Happy Birthday! We Love You BUBBA!!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

2009-02-14T10:40:00.000-08:00

Today my Grandma Marie turns 81. She is the most beautiful 81 year old I know. She listens to what you have to say when you need to talk and she also isn't afraid to tell you how it is. I guess that is what I love about her and I guess that is why we are so much alike! I love you Grandma, and here's to another 81 years!!! WE LOVE YOU!!

Sick...

2009-02-10T08:43:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, we thought that Cooper's lungs were filling up, so we pounded the neb. treatments to him. Yesterday morning when we woke up, the electricity was off in our Village. Cooper wasn't up yet, so we thought we were safe, but when he did wake up and the lights were still off, we knew we were in trouble. We figured we'd better get him to the ER just so we could give him a neb. treatment, but just then the lights came back on. Thank Goodness! We took him to the Dr. anyway because we thought he was definately getting worse. When we got to the Dr., she was worried that he was getting dehydrated, but she didn't want to put him in the hospital in Broken Bow, so she sent us to a pediatrician in Kearney. There, Dr. Psota said that he was not dehydrated, this lungs sounded good, and his blood work came back looking good, so we were not admitted to the hospital. She did however say that she wanted me to stay home with him the rest of the week, so that he doesn't spread anything or get anything. Which is easier said than done with having 2 school aged children! They bring home everything! We now have Germ-X by every sink in our house, so that after a cough, sneeze or the obvious, we wash and apply! A big Thank You to Nurse Syndie! (Also Baby Collin's Grama!) You are great!
We sure hope everyone else can stay healthy! My mother-in-law is sick now, which is not good considering her immune system is shot! Sorry Ma'Ma if we got you sick! We hope you feel better real soon!
I guess it's like J.P. always says, Vitamin C, a lot of fluids and plenty of sleep! Gosh he is a wise man!!

Hospital Stay

2009-02-06T10:09:00.000-08:00

Little Cooper & I spent the night in the hospital with RSV. Poor little man had a shot, which really pissed him off and several rounds of nebulizer treatments. He took the treatments very good. So now I have been off work for 3 days this week. We had Carter home with an ear infection and high fevers. Plus his asthma was acting up giving him the coughing fits. But now Cooper and I are home and I am getting prepared to give another kid neb. treatments. Darn lungs anyway!!

Happy 2 month Birthday!

2009-02-02T17:34:00.000-08:00

Our little man is 2 months old today! Last night was the first night he slept all night long!! Good Job COOP! If you look at his chubby tummy...no wonder he has that look on his face...GEEZ MOMMY!, get my pants off! They are hurting my gut! Poor little boy! He is so cute! His little expressions are the cutest things. Coy & Carter are still very big help. They love helping out when ever they can.

Full Tummy!

2009-01-25T18:21:00.000-08:00

Cooper during Nanners & Cereal...

Cooper after Cereal...Oh, so full!

Being Brothers

2009-01-19T17:00:00.000-08:00

Cooper is just sitting in the corner of the couch watching the older boys play mini pool!

The boys enjoying each other. Don't Coy & Carter look like proud big brothers?!?!

6 week check

2009-01-19T14:33:00.001-08:00

Cooper had his 6 wk check today. Our little man weighs 11 lbs 7 oz and is 22 1/2 inches long. He had shots today, but he didn't cry as much as I would have! Thank goodness babies don't remember those! Carter went with us to the Dr. He said he needed to go to be brave for Cooper while he had his shots.
My first week of work went okay. I was tired most days, but it will get better as he gets older. The older boys and Tig were really helpful with daily chores around the house and I hope they know how much it helps me out...I told them how helpful they were, but they looked at me like I was a crazy person!!!

Sad Day

2009-01-12T12:23:00.001-08:00

This is little Cooper the day before mommy has to go back to work. Many of you probably remember what it was like leaving your newborn at daycare on the first day. I've done it twice before and I am still not prepared for tomorrow morning. I know Cooper will be in good hands, its just not the same as having mommy. He has been very cranky the last few days. Maybe in his little mind he knows that mommy has to go back to work and this is his way of being mad at me. His sleeping habits are getting somewhat better. We can put him down at 10:00 and he usually sleeps until 2 or 3, then up four hours later. Except this morning, he decided at 3am that it was time to play! He was up until 5:30am. Let's just hope he doesn't do that tonight/tomorrow otherwise, people at work might find me sleeping in my little tiny office!

Ready to hunt Dad!

2009-01-04T12:38:00.000-08:00

Coy & Carter were thrilled when they saw that Cooper had a camo outfit. They were so excited that they asked to have their picture taken. The older boys already go hunting with Dad, so when Cooper gets old enough, I'm sure he will be right in the mix of things.

Happy Birthday to my Dad!

2008-12-30T15:56:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Dad!! We hope you have a great day! Enjoy your steak and windsor!

The Quads

2008-12-30T15:47:00.000-08:00

Here are the babies born to the Kastens family in 2008--Cooper James Johnson (12-02-08), Collin William Brueggemann (10-10-08), and Trevin Wayne & Kaden Charles Klein (7-01-08). Collin is my sister Kelli & her husband Brandon's baby and the twins belong to my cousin Lori and her husband Shannon. Our Grandma Marie seems to think that we are horney, but we keep trying to tell her that she started it!! And Grandpa Keith told the grandsons that he was getting them condoms for Christmas! He didn't, but boy that would have been funny to see the looks on their faces! We have all been blessed with happy & healthy babies this year!!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T14:51:00.000-08:00

We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year.

The Johnson's

Vinton, Jodi,
Coy, Carter & Cooper

Daddy & Cooper

2008-12-22T20:19:00.000-08:00

We finally got a picture of Cooper with his eyes open Aunt Tressa!! If only you could hear him cry! I should have called you at 3:00 this morning!! Your heart will melt when you see him smile....he has the cutest dimples!!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

2008-12-22T20:09:00.000-08:00

We had supper at Tig's parents house tonight for his birthday (31) and Christmas. The boys are sporting their new shirts from Ma'ma & Papa. We had such a great time laughing and playing our new game, Snorta! Thanks Uncle Ernie!

2008-12-13T19:30:00.000-08:00

This is my first post, so let's hope I can do this right. I thought maybe this would be a good way for all of our family & friends to watch our boys grow up since a lot of them live so far away.

We welcomed our 3rd boy into this world on December 2nd. His name is Cooper James Johnson. We weighed in at 7 lbs 1/2 oz. and was 19 1/4 inches long. He came sooner than we had expected, but things are good. Daddy almost missed surgery, but they waited for him!!

Coy is 7 and being a very good big brother. He likes to help out as much as we let him. He likes to sing to Cooper and he sits and talks to him like they are the same age. We think he will be a very good bigger brother.

Carter is 4 and adjusting well. He tries to help and we try to let him, but there are just some things that we can't let him help with. But we do try to include him as much as possible.

Tig is staying busy in the truck. He told me tonight that he is taking tomorrow off to spend some time with us. The boys really like it when he is home...me too!!

I should get going. Enjoy this and I hope to post more soon.