Sunday, November 1, 2009

The New Robby




So some of you may be interested in an update on Robby...
Well, do you remember Theo from the Cosby show? The one whose room was always destroyed? Well, that would summorize Robby pretty good. He hasn't seen his floor for years, unless I clean it of course. So, this is what he accomplished yesterday. Not only did he clean it, but he organized it too (even his socks and underwear). He had this big grin on his face and I said "where's my child, what did you do with him?" He just laughed.
So that is what has been happening here. He is still working with a lady who does homeopathy. There have still been ups and downs. He seems to plateau and need a change about every 5 weeks. We also figured out that he doesn't tolerate milk or wheat well. The wheat makes him very emotional, very on edge all day long. He isn't able to cope with life well. The milk causes him to be very distracted and he has a very hard time being on task. We don't want to pull him off both completely (what would he eat?) and we don't want him to feel even more different that other kids. But we have eliminated most of it during the day. We allow him to have flour goods once a day. This is a HUGE change, considering he used to eat crackers constantly. But he has accepted the changes are starting to show significant changes.
Some of you might be wondering about the bed. His therapist recommend giving him tight, small spaces for him to go when he is overwhelmed. He used to hide himself under his desk or between his mattresses. So we put the bunk beds up and built a fort. The fabric in the front gets folded down and makes it like a cave. He loved is so much, that we constantly found him alseep down there on the bare floor. So we finally put a mattress down there and he sleeps down there. It's been amazing! We added darkening curtains and the child is finally sleeping!
I am starting to have hope once again. Let's pray that we are finally on the right path. He has been like his own self again. Very loving, helpful and happy!


Halloween 2009



Notice Kelbre's jammies. She wanted to be warm and there was no way she was wearing a coat on top of her costume. We did just have a snowstorm!


Storm Trooper Aaron


Darth Robby


A couple days before the storm hit, we decided to get the leaves off the lawn. Aaron decided to help in costume. We had a couple people hit their breaks passing by.




Our first Snow

We got socked with our first storm of the season last week. 18 inches! Not too bad I suppose. Aaron missed two days of school, although I made him work the second day. After all, Robby never gets a snow day, so it is only fair!

The power of HGTV



Spending time at home watching HGTV may not be the best thing for our budget.
Our front room has always been an office, primarily because we had two kids schooled at home and had two computers going. Now that Aaron is back at the local elementary school we didn't need quite the school space. So, I decided to redecorate. I love having another room to sit and relax in. Notice the artwok in the first picture? I got that idea from a show. They said to buy some canvas, have the kids tape of a design and pain the rest. They had a ball! Notice the first two are extrememly precise (Aaron did the first one, Robb and Kelbre the middle). The last one is Robby's creation! I love them!

Estes Park with Grandma

First we took a walk around Sprague Lake.
This is our favorite place to go in Rocky Moundain National Park.

The elk were out while we are there. It was great getting to hear them bugle.


Grandma with the kids. They sure loved having her here.



My mom, Janice, flew out to spend some time with us at the end of September. She lives in Maryland. This was the first time she had seen the kids in about a year. She has had bladder cancer for a number of years, and last year the Chemo attacked her brain, leaving her with many symptoms similar to MS. She is doing much better now and was finally strong enough to travel.
We miss you grandma!






Monday, October 26, 2009



Here is a picture of me when I was about Kelbre's age. Do you think we look alike?

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Halloween Preview






Here's Princess Kelbre ready to do a little candy mooching.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Amyology and Robbology

My friend asked me to take this survey...........so here I am..........and Robb wants to feel important too so his answers are after mine.

................Foodology...................................
What is your favorite salad dressing?
Dorothy Lynch
Caesar

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
Hu-Hot Mongolian Grill........Robb agrees with me!!

What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of it?
Ice cream, definitely.
Robb says PB sandwiches and Ruffles with french onion dip.

What are your pizza toppings of choice?
I say chicken and red onion or maybe spinach or artichoke!
Robb says pepperoni, red onion, green pepper.

What do you like to put on your toast?
Homemade jam.
Robb likes butter, then Peanut Butter. Yuck.

..................technology..............................
How many TV's are in your house?
We have 3 if you don't count the one in the van that is sitting in the garage. We have 3 because of Robb.

What color is your cell phone?
Mine is grey.
Robb's is lime green.

Do you have an Ipod?
Nope, wouldn't know when to listen to it.
Robb has one in the drawer.

........................biology...................................................

Are you right handed or left handed?
We are both right. I mean right handed. I am right.

Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
Besides 3 baby's and all that comes with them? splinters, tonsils. teeth
Robb has had his wisdom teeth taken out and some moles removed.

What is the last heavy item you lifted?
The furniture that I was too impatient for Robb to move.
Robb says "the desk Amy wanted moved!"

Have you ever been knocked unconcious?
Nope. But Robb has!


......................bullologoy..............................................
If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
Nope. One more thing to worry about.

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
I already did. To Johnson. I miss being a Castro, it was so ethnic. What do get with "Johnson?" I get Robb!

Robb wants to be Bill Gates if it will get him everything.

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for a $1000.
Nope. I would spend all of it on antacids and hospital bills.
Robb says he would drink 2 for $2000.

.....................Favoritology............................................
Season?
Fall. Robb agrees with me. Good man.

Holiday?
Christmas.
Robb says "my birthday."

Day of the week?
Saturday. For Both of us.

Month?
I love September. Then I get to decorate my house for fall.
Any month that Robb can go fishing.

.....................Currentology...................................

missing someone?
My sister and mom.
Robb is being too sarcastic to answer this one.

Mood?
Tired.
Grumpy.

What are you listening to?
Robb being a pain.
Amy asking me dumb questions. Yap Yap Yap.

Current worry?
My children.
My cholesterol.

....................randomology.............................
First place you went this morning?
Bathroom. Same for Robb

What is the last movie you saw?
Borne Supremecy. It's like the 10th time.
Robb watched Wolverine.

...................other-ology................................
How many pairs of flip flops to you own?
None. Mine broke this summer.
Robb ones one.

Last time you had a run in with the cops?
When I ran a stop sign if front of one. Robby was 1 year old.
Robb had one in June when he got pulled over for speeding in Wyoming. He was listening to
John Denver at 11 at night. He got off with a warning.

Last person you hugged?
My man.
Robb hugged Kelbre when he put her to bed.

Do you always answer your phone?
Nope. That is why mankind have answering machines.
If by "always" you mean 50% of the time, then yes.

It's 4 in the morning and you receive a text message. Who is it?
Someone who has the wrong number.
It better be somebody dying. Or in jail.

If you could change your eye color, what would you change it to?
Green like my dad.
I love my blue eys. Heavenly Father gave them to me.

What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic?
Didn't know you could.

Grape.


Do you own a digital camera?
Yep. I lose it every other day.



Have you ever had a pet fish?
Yep, I killed him too. I think I gave him brain damage from not cleaning his

tank. He started swimming backwards.
Robb has a whole tank full right now getting brain damage from filth.

Favorite Chrismas Song?
All of them.

Not "Drummer Boy." It drive sme nuts.

What's on you wish list for your birthday?
Sleep! Less worry. Maybe dinner out.
See cuddle question. Or Wolverine. Or some action flick with something blowing up.

Can you do push-ups?
Maybe a push-up.

Of course. How many do you want? I hope it is less than 10.


Can you do a split?
Only ice cream ones.
I split my pants.

Does the future make you nervous or excited?
Both. I am excited to not be nervous.
Religiously excited, financially nervous.


Do you have any saved texts?
How would you do that?


Have you ever been in a car accident?
Yep. I just backed in to my neighbor's car 2 weeks ago.

Yep. 2 of them. Robb slid on the ice and rear-ended someone. Then I was side-swiped by someone who was pulling into a Wendy's.

Do you have an accent?
Nope.

Not normally, but I can.

What is the last movie to make you cry?
Just about all of them. Heck , I balled when reading abook to Aaron for school.

Star Wars 3.

Plans tonight?
Curl up in bed and watch TV while it snows outside.
See question about "cuddling" later on. Or the question about watching Wolverine (again).

Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
Yep. Many times. Turns out I hadn't actually reached bottom yet.
Yesterday.

Name 3 things you bought yesterday.
Nothing. It's the only day this week I didn't shop.
Nothing.

Have you ever been given roses?
Yep. By other men.

Nope.

Met someone who changed your life?
Yep. And then I married him.

Jason Mark, President Peck and my wife.


How will you bring in the new year?
I will sleep like always.

Robb will ski on new years with the boys, it is tradition.

Would you go back in time if you could?
Only to save others.
Heck ya. For financial reasonsa nd more fishing

Have you ever dated someone more than a year?
Yep . For 2 1/2. Almost married him.

Pre-marriage dating? No. But I still date my wife.


Does anyone love you?
I sure hope so.



What song do you sing in the shower?
Just the other day I was singing the hit song to "The Little Mermaid."

It's different evey day.

Ever had anyone sing to you?
Birthday's.
Mariachi Bands at Casa Bonita.

Have you held hands with anyone today?
Yep, my daughter.

Nope. Robb was too sick so we all stayed away from him.

Do you like to cuddle?
Of course.
Before or after?

Who was the last person you took a picture of?
The virtual students in Robby's school We were on a field trip.
My brother at his birthday party.

Do yo like pulpy orange juice?
Yuck! Why would I want to chew my juice?
Robb loves the stuff!!


What is something that your friends make fun of you for?
That my P. Blessing tells me that my talents are dormant. Like I needed a reminder!
Wearing white socks up past his knees.



Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Kelbre's Daily Wisdom

Just some thoughts Kelbre has shared over the last week.........

Thursday:
Kelbre's pants won't stay up, so mom says "Kelbre, your pants are driving me nuts!"
Her reply "Where are your nuts anyway, mommy?"

Friday:
Kelbre comes up to mommy patting her chest. "Mom, how does it feel to have big boobs? I am already 4 and mine aren't growing yet."

Saturday:
Mom tells Kelbre she needs to go to bed soon.
Kelbre asks "But why?"
"Because your eyes are tired"
She pauses for a minute then says "Well, can you tell them to stay open for a little longer. I don't want to go to bed yet!"

Sunday:
During church a woman mentions in her talk that Heavenly Father wants us to be happy. Kelbre declares "Heavenly Father wants us to die!" She then explained that He wants us to live with him again.

Monday:
We are passing the park and Kelbre says "That is the park we rode our bikes to with daddy and Robby and Aaron. And that was where you were mean to me!"

You never know what that child is going to come up with!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Dirt Bikes and Sleeping Bags


Kelbre decided to play with her friend in the tent. I was amazed at how well
the little girls got along considering they had never played before!

Robb riding a 125! He didn't think he could manage the 650 right away.


Aaron riding the 70. He only crashed once but he had a
pretty good road rash.





Amazingly we allowed Robby to be behind a gas powered vehicle and everyone survived.




For Labor Day we went up to the mountains with some friends who were camping. We weren't able to stay and camp with them, but we went up and rode dirt bikes. The kids had a lot of fun, and Kelbre was thrilled that there was a girl her age up there!
Notice Amy Jo didn't dare get on the bike. I don't have good luck!

Aaron's Birthday Party





Aaron wanted to take his friends to "Fort Fun" for his birthday this year. It is a place where they can play laser tag, bumper cars, bowling, and arcade games. This was like a gift to mom and dad too, because in the past he has wanted an elaborate party at home which was an awful lot of work! This way we show up, they get fed and play for 2 hours, then we go home!

Monday, August 31, 2009

Happy Birthday to Aaron!!


Today is Aaron's real birthday, although he has been celebrating it for an entire month now!
Happy Birthday!

Down to 7 and going strong!

For those who don't know this, I have been dependant on steroids for a LONG time. I was put on them when I got pregnant with Aaron because my arthritis got really bad and it was the only safe medicine to take during pregnancy. The bad thing was, my body got dependant on it. For 10 long years, I have tried to get off it, unsuccessfully. I had to slowly wean myself from it, going to 1 mg every so often. No matter how many times I would go from 8 mg to 7 mg, my body would fail me. You wouldn't think 1 measley mg would cause so many problems, but I would end up in so much pain it was unbearable and I would end up on 10 mg again. Not only do I hate being dependant on medicine, but it is impossible to lose wait while taking steriods.
Well, I made it!
I recently switched from 8 mg to 7 mg and am going strong. YIPEE! I still have a long way to go, but this is hurdle I have been longing to cross. I think I will stay at 7 for a while before trying to go down more. But hopefully this is the path to freedom!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

New Hair Cut for Amy Jo




I have been wanting a more updated look for a while, but since I have had the same hair forever, it was a hard move. So, Robb's parents watched Kelbre today and I went to see my sister-in-law Brooke at the beauty school wher she is going to school. She did a great job and I really like it. I need to grow out my bangs now so that she can blend them in. But it's still so much better! Next time she is going to teach me how to wear makeup!

Birthday's at the Johnson's

Aunt Brooke giving the girly treatment to Kelbre.
It's a good thing she's around!

Here are the August Birthday's!

Kelbre, Aaron and Brady




Aaron got goalie gear from his uncles and grandpa.


Kelbre in the birthday chair.
She was telling us all day that she was going to sit in the birthday chair. The problem was that grandma had planned on everything being outside since it was a nice day. We even tried to convince her that there was another birthday chair outside. She wouldn't budge. Then it started to rain right about dinner time. She got her way, yet again.








Kelbre's Chuck E Cheese Birthday















I can't believe it! My little girl is already 4. She is such a delight and we are learning from her every day. Happy Birthday Kelbre!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Robby's Progress

Life is learning..........

.............and surprises.

This has been an emotional week, one where I have been on the lowest of lows and now the highest of highs. When Robby got diagnosed with ADHD 3 years ago, I thought I knew what suffering was. But over the last year I have discovered what true suffering is. He turned in to a different child. After refusing medicine for so long, we decided to try ADHD meds in hopes of finding one that may benefit him, especially for school. He is incapable of focusing on a task for any length of time, which made school a nightmare (mainly for me). The littlest thing, such as his fingers, who preoccupy him for hours. He never connected to you when you spoke with him. He lacked social skills. The psychiatrist summed it up when he said our life was like the movie "Groundhog Day." So, we tried Concerta, then Aderall. We took him to Occupational Therapists, doctors, psychiatrists. We read books, bought every tool out there. By last week my child was so angry and agressive nothing I did would calm him down. He became depressed, started running away, mostly he began hating himself. Of course, the doctors kept giving him more diagnosis. Oh, maybe he also has depression. Or wait, it is ODD.

Finally, I tossed the medicines in the garbage. He calmed right down.

I wanted to give up. I wanted someone to take him away. I wanted someone to take me away. Aaron decided to go back to our neighborhood school because Robby was too hard to live with. I wanted to get a career and leave home. It was starting to affect Kelbre as well. I cried until I coulnd't cry anymore.

Then I took him to a woman at church who specializes in Homeopathy.

Okay, I admit it, I thought she was nuts. I thought all of them people were nuts. Of course, I thought people who homeschooled were nuts too and then I became one of them.

So here we are. I am only a few days into this homeopathy stuff. The first day was a nighmare. Robby was so unfocused and I spent 7 hours trying to get about 3 hours of school done with him. But at least he wasn't angry. He was actually happy. Then I noticed changes. Not only is the anger gone, but he is actually fun to be around. He is noticing the world again. He becomes excited about stuff. He wants to talk your ear off about little things he is learning. He actually got his work done early today. He actually does stuff I ask without question. He still gets upset once in a while. But that is okay. I feel like my son is back, even if just for a while.

So maybe I am nuts just like the rest of them. But maybe, just maybe, we are finally on the right path.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Denver Zoo

This was one of my favorite pictures of Kelbre with her cousin Sariah.



Cotton Candy Beard



We are so thankful to Robb's parents who treated us to the Zoo. They not only paid for me and the kids, but treated my sister and all her kids as well. We had a fun time and made lots of memories.





Rock Climbing

We went with some friends up to Horsetooth Reservoir so the kids could do some repelling with their cousins. The weather was perfect and they had a blast!
Here goes Aaron up the smooth face of the rock.




He makes it to the top!


Robby's turn; He chooses the crevice.
Notice he is climbing in his Karate Clothes; mom forgot!


Don't you just love those Colorado Blue Skies!!




I made it!





What on earth is this girl wearing?

You will notice that she is always in a skirt or dress when hiking.

Okay she is always in a skirt or dress doing everything.







River Trip

The last day that my dad was here, we decided to go up the Canyon and have a picnic near the Poudre River. My dad loves the outdoors so we thought this would be the best way to spend the afternoon.



Here is my dad with all his grandkids. In the back are my sister's kids: Rachel (10), Gary (12), Ben (14), my dad, Sariah (15) who is holding Kelbre (4). In the front is Robby (11) and Aaron (9).



My dad in the Poudre River, about 20 minutes from my house. My dad is Hispanic, having grown up in Spain but Mexican by lineage. I always hated that I didn't get his dark skin. Now everyone knows that I look like my mom who is very white.


Robby decided to take a chance and try to fish the Poudre all by himself, including picking which lure to use. He was the only one that caught anything.



My kids enjoying the river edge.