We have had a fun two weeks since Erick has returned. We went to the Orem Summer Fest, which had fun rides, food and booths. Kiah inpressed us all with her rock climbing skills. She made it to the top in a matter of seconds. The twins loved the Carousel, and Ikey and Kesli enjoyed the ferris wheel. Fathers day was special this year seeing how Erick was here to help us celebrate. We gave him a tent that will fit our family. He loves camping and we know have kids the perfect age for this. The kids gave him a car washing kit because they love to wash the car with him. We ate dinner at my parents. One of the things I love most about Erick is the wonderful father he is. He spends such quality time with each child and they love him so much. We also took a trip to St. George Ut this week. My brother lives down there. And he just purchased a boat so we helped them try it out. One of Erick's greatest loves is Waterskiing and Wake boarding. Kiah tried out the knee board and the twins and Kesli tubed It was a great time. Kiah also had the oppourtunity to see Les Miserables and the Tucsan theater with her cousins, it was her first musical and she loved it. We are looking forward to a family reunion in 2 weeks in Zions so there should be some fun pictures and story's to tell soon.

Johnson update.

I flew out to Virginia Beach on the 29th and Erick and I had plans to meet up in Chicago. He had a job interview in Seattle and he was flying the same day as me. So I rode the plane from Salt Lake to Chicago it was a long 3 hours. I arrived in Chicago and I got off the plane and there he was waiting for me. I remember thinking how wonderful he looked as I ran into his arms. We flew from Chicago to Va together it was so awesome. We got to Va and went to Cheesecake factory for dinner so yummy (and that included the food). The next morning we went to Busch Gardens it's a fun amusement park in Willamsburg. We rode all the extreme roller coasters it was such a fun time together. We were so thrilled after our last rollercoaster ride Erick received a job offer in Sandy Utah. The next morning we heading to Anapolis where we meet up with friends, they were great they put us up for the night. Sunday morning we headed back down to Va beach where we took a trip down memory lane. We drove by the old house and neighboorhood. We really loved our time there. That night we went to dinner with Erick's co- workers. Monday was a busy day we ran all over town. Erick was signing all sorts of different papers to discharge from the navy. We relaxed monday night and Tuesday we hit the rode. We drove across country for the next 3 days and on friday afternoon arrived in Orem. The kids were all lined up on the street and the ward had put flags all down out street. The kids paraded us down the street on there bikes and power wheels included my sister and there kids. At was really neat. Erick had a wonderful reunion with his kids. And now it feels like a party all day long. Erick has accepted the job in Sandy Utah and will start work July 10th as an account manager in a Sales job. He is excited about this opportunity. And of course we love the area. We will stay in Orem for now. I will post pictures later today or tomorrow.

Erick is back in the U.S.

I am happy to report that Erick made it to the United States early this morning. He is staying with some friends of ours in Baltimore. He will be there all day today and then off to Seattle for a job conference. I am so happy to know that he is safe and home. He will be in Seattle until Saturday then he will heading to Virginia Beach for 3 weeks before I go get him. This week has been so crazy busy. My grandpa Kocherhans passed away on Friday he was my mom's father. It has been an emotional week. We went to a wake on Sunday night, then we have a viewing tonight as well as the funeral tomorrow. At the wake we had the opportunity to share stories and feelings about my grandpa. I was very close to him. I grew up 2 blocks away from him. He would come over every Saturday for a while to visit. I remember lots of camping trips with him, He would take me to A&W for my birthday every year. I remember one time I had a fight with my parents and I was downstairs packing my stuff with plans to (run away), he came down and talked to me and told me if I ever wanted to run away I should come stay with him instead. He also showed such a love for my kids he made frequent visits to my mom's to see them when we were in town. I loved him very much. My grandpa was a wonderful singer his dream was to sing in the Tabernacle Choir, but he started to have hearing loss in his early 50's he could no longer hear music, he had 85 grandchildren and 30 something greatgrandchildren many of which have a talent of singing as well. He was with my grandma for 70 years and he died of heart failure. He was such an amazing man and I will remember him forever.
Kiah had a choir concert last night where she sang a solo and did amazing. She is so talented and has no fear. Kesli has a dance recital this weekend she really loves to dance and does great at it.
So that sums up my busy week but anything to make time go faster so I can be with my man again.

Very blessed year.

Now that Erick is down to his last 10 days in Iraq. I have just been reflecting a little about the last year. I have never felt so blessed in my life. I know that my heavenly father has taken our little family into his care and filled our life with blessings. We have been so well protected and taken care of and I have had a strength I didn't know possible. I am also blessed to have such a wonderful family. While I have been here My sister Corey had a baby boy and my sister Jenn had twin boys. I haven't been able to be with them yet for there baby's. It has really been fun being an aunt (not a mom) to these sweet little boys. I have been able to grow so close to my sisters and have know that I could count on there support and love through this hard time. This picture is all of us together . There are 15 grand children. We had this picture taken while Erick was visiting for Christmas. I am also so greatful for my parents. My dad has been over almost every saturday fixing things around the house or helping out with the yard etc. My mom lifts my spirits every time I am with her . She expressing to me daily that I am a wonderful mother and I am doing an amazing job. I have loved being close to them. My brother who also served in Iraq as a general sergeon also returned to Utah resently after being in the army for 12 years. Has been so good to me by taking me out to dinner or taking my kids to do fun things. They all love there Uncle Rob and his wife Tara. I also am thankful for my friends who have been praying for us and sending Erick packages and emails. We have felt your prayers and we thank you for taking that time to think of our family. We truly love you. We look forward to the next adventure that our life will bring. I am blessed to come from such a wonderful supportive family and I know that I could not have done this without them. I know I am a stronger women because of this experience and I am greatful for this trial I have been given. I just pray that more trials don't come my way for a long long time. I am ready for a break. I am going to Virgina to pick up Erick in May and look forward to that time with my guy. I love Erick more than ever before and I am so proud of his postive attitude of this experience he has made the best of things and that has kept him happy, and given me peace of mind.
We love you and thanks again for coming into our lives.