You Can't Change the World For Every Dog, But For the Dogs You Rescue, Their Whole World Changes!

These are my dogs:  HoneyDew (Great Dane), Yogi (tan/white shaggy dog in middle), and Gizmo (black furball), with a new rescue Chihuahua that we renamed, Tinkerbell.

A few weeks ago I stumbled on Facebook a saying that has resonated through me and I just can't shake it :  You can't change the whole world for every dog, but for the dogs you rescue, their whole world changes.  Just think about that for a minute!  Let it settle into your soul.  Everyday in the United States there are 10,000 unwanted cats and dogs that are euthanized each day!!! (http://answers.ask.com/Science/Nature/how_many_dogs_are_euthanized_each_year)
That's 10,000 today, tomorrow, the day after, the day after, etc.  My family and I live in North Dakota and there is an online classified website called www.bismanonline.com where you can find almost anything you want around the state of North Dakota.  A few years ago, I was online looking at the Dog Section and I was appalled that there were over 450+ dogs looking for a home!  To say I was shocked was an understatement!  Some were puppies for sale (on the front page were the cute puppies for hundreds or thousands of dollars from breeders) then as you started to scroll through the pages, there were puppies to elderly dogs, dogs of every shape, size, and breed, and for every dollar amount you could think of, there were even a lot of GIVEAWAY!  Some people even had the guts to write on their ads "Someone come get this dog or we are going to take them to the pound/or be put down"!!!  So that day, a new found hobby in my life was formed.  I am a rescuer! My husband is a rescuer!  My kids are rescuers!  We all work together to rehabilitate one of our rescue dogs, and not just dogs- cats, kitties, and even ponies!

Belle with Lily, and Dawson with Feather-2 Chihuahuas rescued from a Chihuahua Breeder

I have always been a rescuer.  I sincerely believe that animals were put on this earth and our purpose is to 'care for those animals', just look in Genesis!  As a young girl, I was always bringing animals home or begging my parents for another one (I got really good at that one).  Animals have always been a part of my life and they will always be.  I have learned that EVERYONE has an amazing animal story of some sort that has touched their lives and formed who they are today due to an animal.  What is your amazing animal story?  I have many animal stories- some are the most amazing, miracle stories, some are gut-wrenching, agonizing stories where I actually cried so hard that I almost felt my heart break.  Which one do you want to hear? 

Meet Tucker, my brother Josh's Toy Poodle.  He was living with an elderly lady that had to go into a nursing home so her family was rehoming him.  He was one of the meanest dogs we had when we got him, and now he is one of the biggest babies!

Here is Tinkerbell, a 2 lb Chihuahua Puppy that we got a few months ago and family friends have since adopted her!

This is Wylie Coyote (a Red, Purebred Husky) that we rescued 2 years ago that went to a great family.

The first two dogs we ever rescued were two teeny, tiny toy poodles that were tossed aside so we opened our home to them, retrained them, socialized them, got them all the appropriate medical care, then started the process of trying to find new homes for them.  As of today, we have rescued and rehomed over 70 dogs in the last few years.  We have had everything from 2 lb. Chihuahuas to 150 lb. Great Danes and everything in between from mutts to purebreds.  But, it seems the most common rescues that we get are 8 months-1.5 years old puppy that someone got for a 'present' or they wanted one, then discovered that dogs do actually take some effort!  They need to be included in your family, they need exercise, they need love, they need training, they need dog food, and they can be expensive!!!  Here is a Purebred Yorkie from a breeder that is learning how to be a dog again with the help of our shaggy fluff-ball, Yogi.

Last week we got a Great Pyrenees that is a 9 month old Baby that has NO manners, NO socializing, NO nothing, and when you want him to do something he whines and cries and falls over (he has been really fun to train to walk on a leash).  I mean just think of a 100 pound toddler throwing a temper tantrum, sounds like a great time, huh? He has been our new project and when we finally get him all the way trained, he will be an amazing farm dog because we can already see what type of personality he has.  For some dogs, people just have a hard time training them!  The best advice I can give is to train them using dog language.  The best trainer in my opinion, is Cesar Milan 'The Dog Whisperer'.  Go to his website if you need help or advice on your dog. (http://www.cesarsway.com/)

I believe that almost every one is an animal lover.  I think we all really want to do what's best for animals, but what can we do?  Not everyone has the wide-open space of a farm to rescue dogs.  But I do urge everyone, please do your research!  Before you go buy that next puppy or dog, where does it come from (a neighbor, a breeder, a pet store, or a puppy mill)?  Before you donate money to that online infomercial from some large, National 'Supposed' Animal Organization go online and check to see how much of the money ACTUALLY goes to animals and their needs (http://www.humanewatch.org/).  SIDENOTE- the Humane Society of the United States gives less than 1% of its earnings to animals and their care...are you a donator to them???  I think it's best to support your Local Humane Societies and Shelters, that's just my opinion.  But, most importantly, think before you get a dog or cat.  Realize it is a live animal and once you decide to buy or adopt it, it is COUNTING on you to provide for it!  Can you handle that responsibility?  Are you ready?  If not and you give your dog away, do you know the chance of it ending up in a shelter? 

Meet Zoey, my parents Jack Russell.  We rescued her from a farm where she was 'untrainable'.  She has been my Dad's running partner for the last  4 years or so.

Purebred Maltese Puppy that we rescued from a breeder.

I love rescuing dogs, and most of my family and friends that have adopted dogs from me over the years are so special because I get to see those dogs grow into the happy, joyful, amazing dogs that they were meant to be.  So someday when I go to heaven, I hope that what I see is tens or hundreds or thousands (we will see how long I live) of dogs/cats/animals running for me at full-bore with ears flapping, tongues wagging, fur flying to greet me because in their lives I made a difference, and for them their whole world changed...isn't that why were put here on this earth, to make a difference?!?

I Get to 'Fall In'!!!!...Kinda.....

So today has been a very long, draining day!  It started this morning before 7 a.m. with 1 of my brothers and my mom texting me saying that they already had their confirmation letters from the Marine Corp Marathon saying "Congratulations!  YOU get to 'Fall In!!!'"  So, I instantly jumped on my e-mail and saw NOTHING in my e-mail.  So I thought, 'that's ok, I have all day'.  Throughout the morning, my phone went off with various texts saying my other brother got in, then my dad got his acceptance letter at lunch-time...that's when the "crazy lady" started kicking in.  Neither Andrew or myself had heard anything about us getting in so I jumped online and started becoming an 'online stalker'.  Some people had their credit cards charged first before the e-mail so I started checking both the e-mail AND my on-line bank account (like one wasn't enough, right?).  By mid-afternoon, I was checking both every ten minutes because after going on Facebook, again, and the Official Page saying they still had 2500 people left to notify, I hoped down to the last second that ONE of us had to get an e-mail!  But, at about 5:30 p.m. central time, the Official Marine Corp Marathon Page posted the all the e-mails had gone out....neither Andrew or myself had received ours.  I was deflated, defeated, and really upset.  We did, however, receive a rejection letter 20 minutes later...that was fun. 

Ok, on to consolation bracket time:  I knew early on in the day that my mom had gotten hers, and she was going to transfer it to me so that I could run with my brothers and dad, but what about Andrew?  I just knew, that if he was ever going to run a marathon, and I mean, EVER, this was it!  I mean, come on: 30,000 runners, Washington D.C., Marines, bands, memorials, veterans, fans screaming, etc etc etc!  Sounds like a 'once in a lifetime' experience and I was gonna make him sit on the sidelines and wave at him while I ran by?  He and I were both athletes, and part of us craves that part of our life that is now long behind us in our high school and college days.  So maybe this is our way to recapture that feeling again.  So, what did I do?  I turned into 'research mode'!  THERE HAD TO BE A WAY TO GET ONE MORE SLOT!  Along came a few charities that what they do is buy entrants slots for the marathons, you pay the registration fee to them, and once you raised a certain amount for their charity, you get to run the race!  So, I decided to partner with an amazing charity called 'Fisher House' at www.fisherhouse.org that helps families of wounded soldiers, and Andrew will get my moms slot at the marathon.  Now, fortunately, my brothers were never wounded as they proudly served our country, but I really feel for those who have been. 

As I was researching about 'Fisher House', this whole day started to sink in.  From the severe disappointment, to joy of all my Johnson Family members got in, to frantically checking my e-mail, to sitting down and researching a charity.  A day that was so full of selfishness and all about "me, me, me" just turned into a completely different perspective!  This picture got so much bigger than me just running with my family at the marathon.  Now, I am running for a cause that has nothing to do with me!  It has to do with helping other people, and those people NEED our help!  Part of me is glad that I didn't get in the traditional way, now I have to 'earn it' and by 'earning it', I help others that have proudly sacrificed everything for this amazing country so that we all whole live here have this amazing life! 

Did you notice that their mascot is a HOLSTEIN COW!!!!   NOT KIDDING!!!  I'm mean, really???  I swear, it is Divine Intervention!!!  Please help me give back by clicking on the link.  I'm ready to 'Fall In', and now I get the chance to by representing so many more people than just myself.....what a day.....

I would love and appreciate your support by clicking on this link and making a donation to both the charity 'Fisher House' and also sponsoring me running in the 2014 Marine Corp Marathon: 

http://www.teamfisherhouse.org/site/TR/Event/General?px=1018517&pg=personal&fr_id=1220

So in a few months, and many miles of training, this will be me and my brother, Justin running together again.  But, this time there will be my dad, Josh, Jeremy, and Andrew beside me too with my Mom, Ellie, and all 4 of my kids waiting for me at the finish line!  Gonna need a wide-angle lens!!!  FALL IN!!!  SIR, YES, SIR!!!

"It's Time to Fall In!"

"Its Time to Fall In" is the slogan that the 39th Annual Marine Corp Marathon is using this year.  The race will be on October 26th, in Washington D.C. and Andrew, my three brothers, my dad, my mom, and myself have all filled out our full marathon registrations.  Justin, an officer in the Army, is still in active duty so he got to fully register already.  But the rest of us, had to go into a lottery system which closes on March 15th at noon.  Why a lottery system?  Because last year, the race sold out in less than an hour after registration opened.  So on March 19th, they will announce via e-mail on whether each runner gets the chance to 'Fall In' or not.

But you may be asking "Why out of all the marathons to run, why are you running the Marine Corp Marathon?"  Well, let me show you:

From Left to Right, My Brothers:  Joshua (Marine), Justin (Army), and Jeremy (Navy)

I am a very proud military sister!  Each one of my brothers have proudly served in the military.  My oldest brother Electricians Mate First Class Petty Officer Jeremy Johnson, served 10 years in the Navy in various occupations/bases all over the nation and the world.  He spent a lot of his time in a submarine and we had no idea in the world where he actually was, other than the ocean.  I remember on the infamous September 11th, and the attack on the Twin Towers, Jeremy was stationed on a nuclear submarine that was "Battlestations- Missiles Ready to launch their nuclear payload" (one of the many times my sister-heart stopped).  He is the older brother that I proudly look up to where he did "Accelerate His Life"!

Justin, my younger brother, is currently Captain Justin Johnson of the United States Army.  He is currently serving in Fort Benning, GA.  He has served 3 tours over in Iraq/Afghanistan and his proudest thing that he says is "I brought all my Joes home safe!"  This is a picture of him actually over in Iraq, and let me tell you, as a sister, I don't think there is anything harder than knowing your brother is over there fighting for our freedom.  From jumping out of airplanes in the 82nd airborne, leading his Joes into battle, firing armor tanks, and teaching all kinds of tactics, Justin is a true 'Soldier'.  He inspires me to push harder and "Be All I Can Be"!

Then my youngest brother, Sergeant Joshua Johnson of the United States Marine Corp.  He served his 4 years in the military completing 3 tours of duty in Iraq.  Josh had various jobs over there, two of which were 'security' and the last was a mechanic fixing all the Humvees and 7 Tons that they took out on patrols.  Josh proudly volunteered/stepped up when he was called upon and proudly represented himself, his country, and his fellow marines.  He epitomizes strength, honor, and loyalty as being one of "The Few, The Proud, The Marines"!

Lastly, my brother-in-law, James Holle enlisted in the United States Army Reserves and he too was sent overseas to the war in Iraq to do Aerial Recon.  This is a picture where he surprised us by showing up to the farm after he got back from Iraq safe and sound!  It was a great surprise!!!

I am the only sister with 3 brothers, now 4 military brothers (I will claim James!).  At one time, all four of my military brothers were 'active' and at least one of them was over at the war overseas.  I never did serve in the military, and some people have said to me "Why didn't you join the Air Force?  Then you would've had every branch of the military covered?!"  So, farming isn't the same as military???  Just kidding....well, this is what Justin and his guys came up with for a 'Redneck' vehicle in Fort Polk, LA!

Here is Justin In Iraq on one of his tours (looks pretty bad-a** doesn't he...doesn't even look like my brother when I see photos like this):



Obviously, the military wasn't the path I chose, but I think that if you cut me I might bleed red, white, and blue.  There are no words that can describe the pride and overwhelming gratitude that wells up inside of a family member of someone who is in the military.  I have been to every single one of my brothers Boot Camp Graduations and stood there with tears streaming down my face as they proudly marched by in formation, straining to find their face in the crowd.  I can remember every single one like it was yesterday.  I have spent countless hours on the phone or e-mail talking to them when they were in Iraq, putting together a 'Care Package' full of stuff they love from home, anxiously waiting on the 'Green Ramp' for their plane bringing them safely home from war, or picking them up at the airport to surprise my parents from Iraq.  It is hard to be the supporting role sometimes because most of the time I don't know what to say when I am listening to their stories/experiences because I cannot relate in any way.  I have no military training, I have never gone overseas to fight in a war, I have never had to lose a friend/comrade overseas who was fighting next to you, or any of the other things they have had to do.   But, part of me kinda wishes I would have, just to be able to put my hand on their shoulder and say "I get it".

This is Josh (Marine) and Justin (Army) over in Iraq and they were at two separate Camps that were close enough together that they got one chance to see each other!  How amazing is that to see your brother in a war?!?

So, why the Marine Corp Marathon?  First, it is on my Dad's bucket list and he has always wanted to run it because they lived in Virginia for a short time when they were first married and he has always wanted to go back.  Second, Justin has become a 'marathoner' and is trying to qualify for Boston someday and he always wanted to do this race.  Third, my whole family of runners decided it was time to do a full marathon together.  And Finally, for 26.2 miles I think I might try to pretend that for just a few hours, I can finally relate, in one little miniscule, tiny way, just a little more to my brothers.   See the comradery between a group of 'soldiers' in this picture.  That is a feeling that you cannot describe, and maybe for a moment, I can be a part of it!

So in a few days, I get to find out if my family and I get the chance to "Fall In" together and do something I have never had the chance to do.  We will all fly into Washington D.C., the Capital of our Nation, to proudly line-up on a starting line that will weave its way through all the national monuments that is mostly military based.  So with every foot fall and breath, I will immerse myself in what this country stands for!  Does it get any better than that?  It's definitely MY TIME to "Fall In" next to my brothers and family and finally share an amazing 'military' experience with them!

Easy-Peasy Microwave Caramel Popcorn Recipe!

I have come to realize that I am not that great of a cook.  I don't like to be in the kitchen for hours trying to invent new recipes and I really don't understand half the terms/lingo that are associated with cooking.  But, I really do love to cook.  I especially like to hear the compliments that something that I have made was a 'thumbs up' from my kids and that they think I'm the "greatest cook in the world".  I can serve up some pretty good food (so my husband says).  So, how can I cook great food if I am not a great cook?  Well, I am an amazing copy-cat and recipe stealer!  My mom gave me her 1982 cookbook from my hometown of Oakes, ND, and it is my 'Go-To' cookbook for everything. Then,  two Christmas's ago, my mother-in-law gave me her families favorite recipes when my husband was growing up all written up on cute index cards.  So I sat down the next day, got out my little wooden recipe box with the alphabetical food categories (that I had never used before) and organized all the recipes that I have "stolen" over the years from various people.  But, maybe stolen isn't the right word, maybe borrowed?  All you really have to do is ask!  Anywhere from Graduation Open Houses, to Bridal Showers, to Church Potlucks, or even just friends getting together over an amazing meal.  So not one of these recipes are my originals.   They are all from family and friends, so THANK YOU!

I am going to start off with one of my families favorite snacks and it was just recently discovered when we were at friends house.  Their mom LOVES to cook and play Hostess for people and she does a phenomenal job!  She has 2 grown daughters and they have picked-up that trait from her, therefore they LOVE to cook (and boy, oh, boy can they COOK!)  So whenever I am around those friends, I know that what they cook is going to border-line gourmet and most of the time I have never had anything like it in my life!

My family loves air-popped popcorn and being dairy farmers we really slather on the butter making it almost drip when you scoop it out of the bowl (exactly like the movie theater popcorn....mmmmm).  But, I have never made caramel popcorn.  The reason why is most of the time making 'caramel' of any kind involves standing at your stove, bringing the caramel to a slow boil, and constantly stirring it for 30 minutes while it cooks.  Well, who has time for that?  Usually I end up scalding it, or it doesn't set-up properly so then it turns into a really great ice cream topping.  But, if you can run a microwave, you can do this!

Ingredients:

Air Popped Popcorn (if you don't have an air-popper, go spend the $15 to get one!  It is so much more healthier and tastes better than bag microwave popcorn!)
1/2 cup Brown Sugar (can use a little more if you like it sweeter)
15 Large Marshmallows
1 stick Butter

First, make 1 batch of air-popped popcorn in a really big bowl.  While it is popping, throw all the other ingredients into a microwave safe (don't even stir it or anything) and cook it for 2 minutes, 15 seconds.  When microwave beeps, stir it up really good so all ingredients mix, then pour half over the first batch of popcorn.  Make another batch of popcorn and pour remaining caramel over it.  Stir really well with a big spoon and ENJOY!

Recipe Variation:  A trick I learned is if you want the caramel to taste more toffee-like, put it in the microwave for the 2:15, stir, then put it in for another minute or two. (I stumbled upon that while I was cooking up a whole lot of caramel corn for the Corn Chopping Crew last summer and 'accidentally' overcooked it...)

This recipe is SO easy to make and I have yet to ruin it.  Tweak it as you want, and let me know if you come up with other 'Recipe Variations'!!!

********Special Thanks to the Sheppard Family for the Recipe!

What Are You Giving Up For Lent?

So all the way to school, my kids and I talked about today is 'Ash Wednesday' and the whole talk of their catholic school is "What are YOU giving up for lent?"  Even last night at wrestling, it was all they talked about before practice had even started.

Last year we gave up an American favorite:

 

This was a super difficult one for my family.  My brother, Justin, who is has become quite a cooking connoisseur gave me an amazing dough recipe so we are always making pizza.  It's quick, it's fast, lots of variety, and super nutritious.  One funny story happened last year: It was the day after Ash Wednesday and my school kids brought Pizza Flavored Combos with them to school for snack.  Kim, the secretary, called me about 9:30 a.m. with both Dawson and Belle in hysterics because they were so upset that they brought those "pizza flavored" combos to school and now they couldn't eat their snack.  They weren't so worried about not being able to eat it, they were more worried they were going to break their promise of what they gave up for lent!  Well, we both patiently explained that "pizza flavored" isn't exactly pizza...(and in my opinion, it doesn't really taste like pizza anyways, but whatever).

Two Lents ago it was:

 

That's right all candy.  Do you know how many kinds of candy there are out there!  This wasn't super difficult for me because I don't eat a lot of candy, but it was very difficult for the 4 children.  I do have to admit that giving up the chocolate-part was hard for me because I love to have something chocolate everyday (usually a few chocolate chips is enough).  But, I soon realized how much candy our kids are offered on a DAILY basis!  From their friends, the clubs they are involved in, school, and even church gives out candy during their children's time!  They are constantly bombarded with candy.  They all stayed strong and made it the whole 40 days which made me an extremely proud mommy!

 

Three Lents ago it was:

 

 

Our favorite dessert in this dairy-loving house!  Dawson and Daddy had a very hard time with this one.  They both love to have a bowl of ice cream after their supper or right before bed-time.  For Easter that year, we were up at my parent's house and my mom had purposely bought 3 different flavors of ice cream all ready in the freezer so at the end of Lent they could really indulge!  But, that led to a discussion with my father, who is a Lutheran pastor, when is Lent officially over?  I still don't remember the exact answer after so much debate (guess we will have to rehash it again this year).

 

This Lent we decided:

 

 

Yep, Ladies and Gentleman, JUNK FOOD!!!  With our on-the-go life, we try really hard to not eat junk food, but we are as guilty as anyone.  This might be a little tricky with traveling tournaments every weekend, but it's just preplanning of grabbing those 'CLIF' Bars and bananas instead of a candy bar at the concession stand.  So, wish us luck this year!

 

But, whatever you give up for lent, let that not be the important factor.  Let the REAL reason on what Lent is resonate in you:

 

Jesus spent 40 days fasting and praying in the desert, where he endured temptation by Satan.  We do this 40 days of prayer, fasting, and abstinence to be able to relate to what Jesus did for us as part of his journey which ultimately led to him dying on the cross for our sins.  So, every time you say "No" to that junk food or whatever you gave up for lent, just remember that is a small slice of what Jesus went through for YOU.  I challenge all of you to find something that you will give up this Lent, and reflect on it every day.  Pick something that isn't easy but something that is challenging so it can be more impactful.  So is 'Junk Food' just a trivial thing?  Yes, in many ways, absolutely.  We aren't totally fasting, or being tempted by the ultimate tempter.   But it instills a connection in your children so they can understand the meaning of Lent on a more personal level.  Use this time to find a closer relationship with your savior and lord, and teach your children the real reason for Lent. 

 

So, what did you and your family decide to give up for Lent?



Where do you find the time to RUN?





Is this how you feel before a run or a workout?

"But, I don't wanna and you can't make me!!!"

 

I have a lot of people that ask me:  Where in the world do you find the time to run?  And most of the time I don't have an answer for them.  I could say something insightful like "You have to Make Time" (how many times have you heard someone say that), or "Its all about priorities" (making the person sound like they have their life perfectly put together because they are so good at prioritizing and you're not).  Or, they have suggestions like "I just get up in the morning before everyone else does" (there are many times I go to bed late, or get up multiple times a night with the children, so me running at 5 a.m. certainly falls under NO WAY category), or "Find a running buddy to keep you accountable" (I can barely coordinate MY schedule let alone someone else's).  Now, I am not ripping on any of these reasons, and if any of them have personally helped you, more power to you.  I think it boils down to the very simplest answer: You have to be a master at multi-tasking!

 

Usually while I am getting ready to run, I am cleaning the house, getting the kids their lunch quick, finishing any dairy work on the computer, trying to finish a phone conference, drinking that last little bit of coffee thinking it will actually give me energy to run, whatever.  But, my trick is this:  Get your running clothes on, and don't take them off until you run!  Sounds stupid doesn't it?  Well, this is one of my tricks and it seems to work.  Sometimes I run around the house for 10 minutes before I can get on the treadmill, sometimes it is 5 hours.  But I can only remember one time that I have all my running stuff on (including my shoes) and I DIDN'T run...and it was just recently (my husband is still giving me a hard time about it).  But, multi-tasking isn't just before the run, but DURING the run!  Before the run, I have strategically got the boys sippy cups ready, laid out toys and books, put a kids show on t.v, and had them all go to the bathroom.  Then, once I am actually on the treadmill, I hoped that I had remembered everything so I can have 30 minutes of uninterrupted running (how often do you think that happens?).   While running, I always end up screwing with the remote trying to change the channels or the volume, or one child decided that NOW he has to go to the bathroom.  REALLY?

 

The simple thing is, just find your motivation.  This is Andrews:

:

(He loves a cold beer after a hard day at the farm or after a hard workout, this day he didn't even get off the treadmill first!  But, hey, at least he ran.)

 

Or maybe something like this is your motivation:

( This certainly is my favorite!  I love to do a hard run, and then soak in a super hot bath afterwards. This is the two culprits that always get in the bath after me.)

 

Now, some of you might be asking, after all that, is it even worth it?  I guarantee you, running will change your life (or working out in general).  The hardest part sometimes is just to start.  But not just start, but stay started.  Find whatever works for you, and give yourself a break.  Some weeks I run consistently and some weeks I have a sporadic schedule.  But, the important thing is that I did it and I am proud of myself.  So, where do I find the time to run?  I don't think I find the time, I think it finds me.