Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice

I've been there. Totally been there. Actually been there twice. It is terrible, but it also is kind of great. Holding that baby for the first moment, falling in love, loosing her, then finally getting to hold her again. Loved the Grey's ending. Loved it. Been there, and it is the best feeling ever!

Feb. 2009
This is Savannah, or who we thought was Savannah. I got to see the sonogram, hear the heartbeat, stay awake all night for labor, I even got to cut the umbilical chord! She was an amazing experience that was horrible to live through.


But somehow the last day, I knew what was going to happen. I denied it... but my heart knew.
In Private Practice, during the horrible part of holding that perfect baby, and then knowing that you would never hold her again, she says, "How am I supposed to believe that? How am I supposed to believe in anything ever again?" Hated this. Been there... Worst feeling ever.
I don't watch Private Practice much, so it was kind of a surprise to see what was going on. I love it when they get it right. Capture it so well.

Ok, so I actually meant this post as a happy/thankful/look at how amazing this is kind of a post. So here goes:

I don't ever miss an episode of Grey's Anatomy and I love that they took the story and made it so real, and true to life. Anybody watch these shows? Your thoughts?

Well, when they started with Zolla as a storyline, I loved it. I had just gotten my own delicious little sweetheart, and they looked so much alike! And with her special needs, it felt so close to our Cole and his story.

I don't know if having a baby is ever easy. Maybe biologically it is easy emotionally? I don't know. But adoption, in my experience, is the craziest roller coaster ride in life. But you know how after you get off the roller coaster, and you realize it was the greatest thrill you could imagine? Well, in my life, I have gotten three roller coaster rides that were somehow unspeakably life changing. I am not making sense... so here is what I mean. This is why it is worth the heartache part.
October 2009
This is the moment I first met my princess Savannah and somehow I knew it in my heart... She was mine forever!




The moment the judge officially decreed that Savannah Kea Ohana was ours forever.
Addison, Meredith... It is worth it! I promise!!
I would have missed the pain, but I'd of had to miss the dance.

Thanks ABC... you got it right on these two.

Annette, Christina and Octavia...

We love you. We appreciate your beautiful, sweet spirits and the genuine sacrifice you made on our behalf. You have changed our lives forever, and your gift has made us a family.
Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow...
For babies grow up, we've learned to our sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep,
I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing women in our lives!

Mom... I'm Mexican!!!

Brighton came home from school last week really excited because they were assigned to do a heritage project.

Here is a part of a fun conversation we had.
Bright: MOM!! MOM!! (as he runs in the front door.) I'M MEXICAN!!
Me: What?
Bright: I AM MEXICAN!!!
Me: Ummm, ok, yes, you are Latin American.
Bright: Mom, that means Mexican. And my mommy Annette is Mexican.
ME: Yes, you're right. Are you so excited because you are Mexican? (Choosing to skip the lesson on parts of South America until I remember to look up where exactly mommy Annette is from. And choosing instead to find out why he is so excited about this fact right this minute, when he has always known his nationality.)
Bright: We have to do a report on our culture, and my culture is Mexican.
Me: It is? (Racking my brain to think what in my home is giving him the feeling of a "Mexican Culture")
Bright: Well, my Mexican family eats a lot of corn and tortilla's.
Me: Well, you love tortilla's, but you won't eat corn.
Bright: Now I do like corn. I like it because I am Mexican.
Me: Great! Tomorrow at the beach party you can eat lots of corn and tortilla's!
Bright: AWESOME!!! I LOVE BEING MEXICAN!
So we are very open about our lives, struggles, achievements, special needs, adoption stories, etc. We just talk about it all very openly and on a basic level. But now I am thinking... It is definitely time to start doing a lot more to celebrate the diversity in my little family. We have a lot of ethnic representation in our home, but we don't really have much of each person's individual "culture" being taught or celebrated throughout the year. We definitely teach a lot about our family's pioneer heritage, and we constantly talk our our eternal family going forth. But I really want my kids to know, understand and embrace their backgrounds, especially that of their birth mommies. It's kind of funny, because my Brighton is blond hair, blue/grey eyed. He looks nothing like his ethnicity, but he is FASCINATED by it!!

So, this is where I need help.
#1, Does anyone know of any special ways to celebrate being Latin/Egyptian/African American?
Any special occasions, celebrations, stories, foods, etc. Anything to honor or celebrate a "culture".

#2, We celebrate our adoption day, and this is where I want to start focusing in on each child's special culture. Any adoption day ideas from any of you out there?

Let me know!
Thanks all

To 3 Amazing Women... Thank You,

This time of year really makes me think about the gifts we give.

Thank you mommies Octavia, Christina and Annette. You gave us such an amazing gift when you blessed our lives with your love.

We think of you often, and we talk of you with love, respect and ultimate love. You made the choice to give your child a life of love, family and joy.

We love you.

More fun adoption pix!

Savvy LOVES her Ally!


Darling girls in pink!
Savannah, Dixie, Darcy, Brooklyn, Denim
Such cute cousins!Special friends forever...
Elizabeth Mattus and Savannah Johnson
Aunt Amy and Cousin Dillon Celebrating with us at the El Torito Lunch Buffet!
We had our own private balcony for the group and we decorated it all up!!!
I found pink confetti that said Savannah! So cute!!
We also had pink candy necklaces, beads, boas, and more for everyone to get all blinged out with!

We knew Dillon would want to be in on the fun pink action, so we made him a shirt to match ours! The front had 4 or 5 of the fun different action stick figure guys, and the back had the fishing dude. Such a cute shirt. He loved it!

Ok mom and dad... this post is for you! One perfect moment

I don't even know how to begin.

Savannah Kea Ohana Johnson is ours forever!!!!

We had a family reunion planned in Zion Park Utah for the 24th of July weekend. Bill and I wanted to have family be with us for Savvy's sealing, so we went up a day early and had lots of our family join us! Thank you, thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with us this wonderful experience. And thank you to Dixie for opening up your motel to us all for the extra night! It was GREAT FUN to have everyone there together.

My little brother and sister, Chuck and Ashley, and my missionary parents were in my heart while we were in the temple. They were definitely missed, but it just made me so thankful for modern technology that could keep them in touch with us. Mom, the email letter you sent that morning is printed out and was in the pocket of my temple dress. Thank you for your beautiful thoughts . I miss you Ashley Whoo Hoo! Mike and Hock... thank you for sending your wives, my sisters to be with me. It was so perfect to have them there. (And of course... it goes without saying, I missed you both!)

I found Savannah's dress at the OC Marketplace (fancy OC word for Swap Meet) for $1! Yes, one dollar!!!! I knew I wanted something wonderful, because I want to frame it in a shadow box. I saved up for it and was willing to spend lots more on it, but then I came across this PERFECT dress for ONE DOLLAR!!!!! It was exactly what I wanted.

It was important to Billy that she have a tiara for this occasion, because she is a royal little princess daughter of our Father in Heaven. Our darling Auntie Karen and Uncle Greg Hill gave her this tiara and even though I told them we had plain white socks that would work fine, Uncle Greg insisted that a princess needed princess shoes for such a special event. (Thank you Hills!)

By far my favorite part of the time was being in that special room with my little boys and my baby girl, and my wonderful husband. That was heaven to me in that place.

Brighton and Cole seemed to laugh and dance their way through the temple. It was such a joy to witness.

Before we all came together, Bill and I were waiting in a room off to the side, and Brighton, Cole and Savvy were in a very special room that is normally silent... but Savannah's dress has layers of tulle that made it very scratchy and the St. George Temple was built in the 1800's so the air conditioning is not great. So Savvy was HOT and scratchy, and so she started screaming crying... which is so strange, because for the most part she is a very happy and easy little girl! She RARELY fusses, let alone SCREAMING CRIES!

So here we all are, in this silent, beautiful room, and the silence is broken by these huge, lusty cries. My sisters Tiffany and Mitzi rushed out to see if they could help, but the temple worker who was holding Savvy gave her to Brighton and Savvy snuggled right in and was happy again.
(At least that was what I remember of the story, as I was in the waiting room off to the side.)

Another fun moment was seeing Kathie, Betsy and Matt Gates in the sealing room. I was so surprised and thrilled. They drove all the way from SLC that morning, and went home that night. I am not certain, but I think that is about 10 hours of driving in one day. What a beautiful labor of love and support that was!
I don't really know how to thank all of our family who came to support us. It was such a beautiful blessing to have so many of you there with us.
From top Left... Ben, Katherine, Aaron, Johnny, Liz, Kevan
Eric, Nicki, Rachel, Dixie, Lani, Betsy, Laura
Matt, Kathie, Amy, Mitzi, Wayne, Tiffany, Pam, Grandpa Jim Bodell
Cole, Charise, Brighton, Bill, Savannah, Grandma Maydene Bodell

It was important to Bill and I to have Grandma and Grandpa Bodell there with us. Thank you Aunt Dixie and all those who helped Grandma get there. I know it is not easy, and it meant so much to us.

Our sealer was a distant Whiting cousin. (Jack Cooper, Joycell's husband, which I think makes him my first cousin twice removed)


Julia and Rachel, your photography is Amazing! Thank you for capturing one of the most important days of our lives! These are memories we will cherish forever!

The Princess...

One of the great miracles of my life is that this little princess is going to be mine!!!!

We are having her adoption finalized on Wednesday, June 30th at the Orange Courthouse.

PLEASE, anyone who can join us, we would be thrilled. An adoption is kind of like getting married at a courthouse. It is a fun ceremony, and all your family and friends can be there to watch and celebrate with you.

Here are the details of the day. For some reason, my blog won't let me change the font from blue to another color... so highlight the area and then you can read it. It is like a hidden message!

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

11:30 am

Lunch before the Celebration-

El Torito Mexican Grill, 3520 The City Way, Orange, CA 92668

We will be having lunch before the Adoption Ceremony at El Torito Mexican Grill located across the street at the Block of Orange. Please let us know if you can join us so that we can reserve tables together. Kids Eat Free on Wednesdays! The buffet is $8.99 for adults.

1:30 pm

Adoption Celebration

Lamoreaux Courthouse, 341 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868

Directions:

5 North, Exit Chapman Avenue and turn Left. Turn Left at The City Drive South.

Turn Right at Justice Center Way. At the stop sign, turn Left and go to the second parking garage.

Children welcome!

We will all be dressing in Pink. If you have pink, we would LOVE for you to wear it!

You can rsvp to this post or email me or call.
Love to you all!
Charise

I Am A Child of God

I am a Child of God, and he has sent me here. Has given me an Earthly home, with parents kind and dear. Lead me, Guide me, Walk beside me. Help me find the way. Teach me all that I must know, to return and live with him someday.

We believe that we are sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, and that he loves us, and we love him. We believe that he gives us commandments to help us grow, and to teach us right and wrong. We believe that our family is eternal, that we lived with God, the Eternal Father before we came to Earth, and that if we are true and faithful to the promises and covenants we make in this life, that we will return to live with him again. We believe that through the ordinances of the temple, our family has been sealed together for all eternity.

Families are forever, and we are part of an eternal family, with a Heavenly Father who loves us!

Cole, Brighton, Charise and Bill Johnson 2008

Adoption Party Day

What a great day. An adoption party day. We stopped at the party store first thing this morning on our way to the courthouse. We have been talking with Brighton about adoptions, and how amazing it is. While trying to explain to him the process of adoption, I said it was a big party at the court for our family. He was dead serious when he said, "Mom, we need orange balloons." What, I replied. "Mom, we need to have orange balloons at the doption party. And banilla (vanilla) ice cream. " When I asked him what we should wear to the party, he said, "How about orange." Serves me right for asking a four year old. He loves orange.

So we all wore orange. And we invited everyone to wear orange or yellow. (After all, not everyone owns orange!)

So we stopped and got our orange balloons and went to the courthouse. It was an awesome experience. Many of our dear friends joined us for the celebration.
Grammy and Papa
Sue and Mike Ward
Carrie Collins
Tricia, Alex and Rachel Merson
Deena and Kiara Fausett

The judge was very patient and kind to Brighton. He wanted Brighton to feel like an important part of the day, and he had Brighton answer some questions, and sign an actual legal document stating that he promised to be a good, honest, kind big brother to Cole. It was really sweet and touching. We all had to raise our right hand and swear to tell the truth. We all committed to be a family that is good and kind to each other. At least, that was what I got out of it. I was so nervous, excited, scared and thrilled all wrapped up into one emotion... and it made me a little bit crazy overwhelmed!

After the courthouse, we all went to Olive Garden for lunch. We had a private room and we really enjoyed the company. Again, It was wonderful to be surrounded by friends.

It was a wonderful kind of day.