June Goal - Update Scrapbooks

My June of Goal of updating scrapbooks was an EPIC FAIL. Instead I spent the time making memories! Here are a few pictures from our summer adventures.  My 5 children are growing up so fast and I feel pressure to spend as much time together as possible teaching them all the things I haven't gotten to yet and having fun.  So maybe when they go back to school in the fall I will start scrap booking or it might not be until they are all raised and out of the house:)  Here are a few pictures of our most wonderful summer.  I feel so very blessed!

Sending my two oldest boys Sam and Brigham to EFY with friends.  Major victory because it was at BYU and they are both U fans, despite my best intentions.  I blame their father.

Lots of trail runs!  This one is with my Dad for his Father's Day present.  We ran as the sun rose up above Bountiful!

My mom surprised us with season passes to Lagoon and we have had so much fun with cousins and friends.

Lots of fun hikes! This was to the Y when my brother and his family were in town from Oklahoma.  We only had one child fall and locked another in the car so we called it a success!  Another great one was Dog Lake up Milcreek Canyon.  My family grumbled and it was moving mountains to get them out, then they all loved it!  Why is mom always right.

Ran the ragnar relay.  Go Ragdolls!

 Took all five kids to Jackson Hole by myself and we survived and actually had a wonderful time.

 Sent number 3 son to scout camp.  He is still gone so the verdict of its success is still out.

 Lots of boating!!

My hubby and I took our son Charlie on a trip to New York and had the best time ever!  

My July goal is to get busy on my PTA assignments and I have already started and it is sure to get busier so hopefully I will be better at achieving my goal!  Thanks for all of your great examples!

May Goal - Run the Ogden Marathon

My May goal was to train and run the Ogden marathon.  I tried really hard to be in the best physical condition possible.  I tried to make food choices that would fuel my body in a healthy way, I took vitamins every day (which I never do even though my husband sells them!), I made myself get more sleep and I even stopped drinking diet coke for a month (which is a huge thing for me!!)  I followed a tried and true 3 month training schedule and miraculously managed to stay injury free.  I even recruited my running friend to come run the last 3 miles with me to motivate me when I was the most exhausted.  

Several of my friends were running the race so we all went and stayed the night at a house in Huntsville to avoid driving in the bus the next morning and get a few extra hours of sleep.  The morning of the race we set out to drive to the race start.  There was a police barricade and they would only let the buses through.  Panic set in as we faced the very real possibility of missing the race start! We started driving around trying to find a way to get to the top and miraculously saw the last bus heading up the road.  We jumped out and flagged our last hope down.  It was a small victory we made it to the start line.

I tried an Isogenix energy shot on a couple of training runs and I took that right before the race began and I felt fabulous.  The miles flew by as I admired the gorgeous scenery of Pine View Reservoir and felt the energy of the other runners.  I was on pace for my goal time by the half marathon mark and was feeling very excited.  I tried to eat a few gel blocks and drink water and gatorade.  My muscles started to become very sore so I decided to take some ibuprofen.  Bad idea!  Immediately I felt so nauseated and started dry heaving.  I know, I know, who runs marathons for fun you are wondering and so was I.  But I said a prayer and minutes later the nausea left.  My second miracle.  I wound my way down beautiful Ogden canyon trying to get energy from the raging river and cheering crowds.  I dedicated each mile to someone I loved and had fun thinking about each of their great achievements.


I was thrilled to see my friend Holly ready to run with me and tried to absorb her energy but I was completely depleted.  I thought about taking an gu gel.  But decided it was too late.  In hindsight I wish I would have eaten more before and during the race and will definitely study up on race nutrition before I run the St. George marathon with my sisters in October.  It was a slow, shuffle to the finish, but I crossed and managed to qualify for Boston which was exciting.  I missed my goal time by 5 minutes which was disappointing but I did my best so I am forgetting the rest.  I had the miracle of the last bus and my nausea going away and lastly my plantar fasciitis which forced me to drop out of the Big Cottonwood marathon last year did not hurt one bit! My Third miracle!

I loved seeing my cousin Vanessa, Nora's little sister at the finish line and celebrating our survival.

April Goal-Declutter

       My April goal was to declutter the house and give generously to the DI.  I am grateful for project connect which motivated me when I was lacking motivation!  My only excuse for not reporting earlier was I was too busy doing projects and having fun with my kids.  I think my middle name should have been fun.  When forced to choose between cleaning or going on a fun outing, fun wins every single time!
       My daughter Olivia and I cleaned and organized her room.  We hung a curtain we have been talking about for several years.  Below is the before picture.  We cleaned out the garage and master closet and took a big load to the DI.  I had an iron bed-frame that had been sitting in my garage since our move five years prior.  I took it to a welder and had it repaired and then my boys put it together for a chore.  Happy Day!!
       My proudest accomplishment this month was the creation of an Oak Hills Running Club.  My sister Whitney and cousin Laurie started running clubs at their grade school and they were such a success that I decided to try it at ours.  My son was finishing 6th grade and my daughter in 3rd so it was a perfect time.  I went around to businesses gathering donations.  It is intimidating to ask for money but I tried to be brave and professional and ended up with 75 gift cards to chick fil A, 100 dollars from wasatch running center, and 250 printed t-shirts from skills fitness.  The t-shirts were a hit!! I was amazed at the generosity of these businesses.  We held running club during lunch recess two days and week and every age was welcome.  We even had a few kindergarteners come early to school to participate.  The kids loved being part of something and ran their hearts out. I was thrilled by its success.  One third grade boy ran over 26.2 miles.  I was so proud I had a trophy made for him,  I will definitely be continuing this program in the fall.  Hopefully with a few more volunteers, it was hard work!!
    My May goal was to run the Ogden Marathon and qualify for Boston. I will let you know how it went in my next post.  Summer here we come:)

March Goal, Bekah Johnson, Gratitude Journal

My March goal was to keep a gratitude journal.  In the October 2007 Elder Eyring gave a talk entitled, "O Remember, Remember' that touched my heart to the core.  He urged us to find ways to recognize and remember God's kindness.  He said before he went to bed he would ponder this question, "Have I seen the hand of god reaching out to touch us or our children today?' As he kept at he saw more evidence of the blessings in his life.

My patriarchal blessing teaches me that I have been blessed with a positive, forward looking attitude.  The ability to turn negative events into positive happenings.  I try to be cheerful, but this is not always easy.  Keeping the gratitude journal helped me to recognize more fully the Lord's hand in my life!

Last Sunday I took my five kids on a hike up Mueller Park 7 miles to elephant rock.  There were patches of snow and steep slopes and they made it to the top.  I was so proud.  It was a beautiful spring day and I was so grateful for my healthy children and the blessing of  living close to the lovely mountains and temple.

 A couple of days later I found this gem left by my bed from my nine year old daughter, Olivia.  Grateful beyond words!!!

After 3 sons, I was convinced I was going to be a mother of all boys.  Watching my two daughters dance together in a dance recital made my heart swell with gratitude, joy and ok, I admit, pride.  I am so grateful for them!

Elder Uchtdorf's talk in April 2014 "Grateful in Any Circumstance" was poetic.  I loved every word.  He stated, " Could I suggest that we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation?  I'm suggesting that instead of being thankful  for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances whatever they may be."

Next month's goal is de-cluttering the house,  it is going to be tough to stay grateful while cleaning:)

February Goal - Heart Attack my Kid's Doors

I love the month of February because it gives me a chance to focus the entire month on LOVE!  Especially since my baby girl was born on Valentines four years ago and she truly is the most loved child.
We took a 10 day vacation during February and spent Valentines on the the beach so I was grateful for this goal to motivate me to "heart attack" the kids doors post Valentines day.  I was raised in a family where praise and love were given in abundance and I truly believe you cannot give your children too much sincere positive reinforcement so I loved taking the time to write hearts telling my children how much and why I love and appreciate them in my life.  I am so blessed to be their mother!

Bekah Johnson-January Goal- Run the Saint George half marathon

My name is Bekah Allen Johnson and I am one of Nora's many many cousins, but we are the closest in age so that gives us a special bond. I am married to Dave and we live in Bountiful so we are also very excited to have Nora moving nearby! We are parents of 5 kids, Sam (16). Brig (14), Charlie (12), Olivia (9), and Amelia our little love baby who just turned 4 on Valentines day!
I love my family! My best friends are my sisters and my kids! When we get a break from house work and school work and sports and lessons we love to have fun adventures and explore this beautiful world!
This will be a quick post because we are actually in Florida right now visiting family and friends and paying a visit to Micky mouse.
It sounds crazy but I love to run, the farther the better. Sadly last year 3 days before I was scheduled to run the Big Cottonwood Marathon I developed plantar fasciitis probably from overtraining and teaching aerobics and despite my great desire the pain was so severe I had to drop out of the race at mile 12.  My goal for January was to rehab my foot so I could train for and run the Saint George half marathon. Resting was the hardest thing I have ever done! I have the disease my family and I have named "FOMO" or "fear of missing out". And remember I think running is fun! But I stopped teaching my classes and running and spent too much time and money at the podiatrist, physical therapist, and chiropractor.
Good news. The custom orthodics saved the day and I was able to join my girl friends for a beautiful weekend in the red rock running the race and enjoying the sunshine!

Bekah Johnson's Projects & Goals for 2014

January:

Run the St. George Half Marathon

I suffered from plantar fasciitis and had to cut my running season short and work on healing so I was nervous and excited to train for and run a race this year with my girl friends in a sunny, warm spot.

I am also starting a running club at Oak Hills Elementary and I need to get that organized

February:

Write Love Notes every day to my kiddos and hubby and send them in their lunch boxes.
Once a week pick someone in the family to be awarded the Special plate for something wonderful they did that week!
{We are also going to Disney World!!}

March:

Write daily in a gratitude journal and focus on the Lord's blessings in our life.  Have the journal out in the kitchen and invite the family to participate!
{Running the Antelope Buffalo run with my sisters}

April:

Organize every room in the house!  Declutter and donate generously to the DI!

May:

Run the Ogden Marathon and qualify for Boston

June:

Make a Scrapbook for 2013.  I am very behind in scrapbooking but I am starting somewhere!

July:

Ma and Pa on Pioneer Trek. Camping in the great outdoors is huge for me!

August:

Start my job as Milcreek Junior High PTA President

September:

Sew Curtains for my Family Room

October:

Help my son Brigham finish his Eagle Scout Project.  Hopefully we will be at the finish up stage of the game

November:

Daily Scripture study and family council

December:

Family Service Project

[My dream is to build houses in Mexico or Dominican Republic but I am flexible}