It would be ridiculous to refer to this as a Christmas letter; I've even missed the deadline for a New Year's letter. So, friends, happy Friday (unless I can't finish this until tomorrow). Dear reader, you should be used to this by now: Life is hectic, so busy, blah, blah, blah. Truthful as that may be, life in the last 12 months has fit lots of other descriptors: Challenging, hilarious, painful, touching, quick, slow. All of it. Together, as well as separately, we are a beautiful mess, but we love each other deeply and are in awe watching God's plan unfold through all life's ups and downs. Here's a peek at what we've seen since I've last corresponded (you know, New Year's Day 2017):
Aaron has had a great year professionally. He sold the apartments in Southern Indiana and became part owner in a retail center here in Louisville. His Marcus & Millichap deals earned him a trip to Punta Mita, Mexico for this year's company awards. I get to join him, so yay, M&M! We zipped up to Chicago for a quick getaway from the kiddos, but don't feel too sorry for them. We did take the kids on family trips to Gulf Shores, Orlando, Myrtle Beach and a Caribbean cruise. Grandma Macaulay doesn't call us "the go-go Johnsons" for nothing! Aaron still loves teaching The Cord Sunday school class at Southeast Christian Church, where he's also found a group of tabletop gamers as avid as he is.
This was my big 4-Oh year, and boy did it not disappoint. I had yet another surgery - an appendectomy that effectively cancelled a planned trip to Hawaii with Aaron. In investigating a separate health scare (which proved not scary at all, by the way), I discovered I needed glasses. But you know what? I add that one to this year's plus column, as I've wanted glasses since I was a kid misreading eye charts to attain that sought-after accessory. Earlier in the year, I found myself in an emotional upheaval when my parents' health was in question. The Holy Spirit led me gently in those months, and I'm grateful to tell you that each of my parents have rebounded since - they even took a Christmas cruise! It did my heart so much good to get photo updates of them having so much fun with family on the high seas! One wonderful addition to my year has been getting a new DC group underway. I'm co-leading with a wonderful lady from Westport Baptist Church, and our diverse group of ladies teaches and encourages me. Aaron and I also began mentoring engaged couples through Southeast, which has proven to be a fun way to minister together and enriching to our own marriage. Finally, we each just wrapped up the first of the two-year Soul Transformation series of retreats that is leading us in examining how to strengthen our walks with Christ. Pouring into others is our passion, and we believe that for our outflow to be healthy we need to be poured into ourselves. We're so thankful for the faith communities the Lord has placed us in!
It's dizzying how fast Katie, 10, has matured of late. Can I just humble brag a little? First of all, hers just may be the best school photo in the history of school photos. Gorgeous, is she not? Still the creator, Katie has added writing to her palette. So far this school year, she has been selected as a Writer of the Month for a short story she composed, and a haiku she wrote for class was selected to appear in
The Courier-Journal just a couple of weeks ago. Good grief, I didn't get published in that paper until I was 23! Outside of school, Katie still loves to draw and paint, and she uses her artistic strengths in Minecraft and other computer games.
Hands down, the best part of Adam's 2017 happened on Jan. 1, when he was baptized by his dad at our church. The rest of the year was icing on top. We were so proud of Adam's performance at the regional spelling bee last spring, and he's excited to have qualified again for this year's competition. Adam is basically an 8-year-old version of Aaron Johnson - a brainy reading junkie and gamer extraordinaire, and I love every aspect of that description! He delights in filling us in on what he's learning, both at school and in his leisure. And as Aaron's occasional sidekick at game nights, Adam gives the grown-ups a run for their money (er, their cookies)! This year, he's tried his hand at sports, too, playing baseball in the spring and basketball this season. Adam keeps us in stitches with his humor, and I can't help but smile just looking at his handsome face.
Dang, our kids are cute. I'm sorry, but come on - look at this nugget. Nora is a 5-year-old firecracker that even the coldest heart could not resist. She's a social butterfly at her preschool three days a week, spending the other two weekdays begging to go to school anyway. She cannot wait to be a full-time student next year! Our family adventures mean a lot to Nora, who longs to spend more days at the beach, LEGOLAND (where she confirms what the song touts - everything is awesome) and "Werewolf Lodge" (maybe you're mispronouncing it). Nora lives for cuddle parties with Mommy, Daddy and the dog, and we each just eat up those moments. She's my carpool karaoke companion and kitchen dance party partner, and I simply cannot imagine how life would be without her in it.
As you can see, Pedro has been well assimilated to our family. But he's probably had the "ruff-est" year. His teeth had a run-in with an ankle and, long story short, he's not allowed on walks anymore. Thankfully, we had already installed a fence in the backyard, where he can happily bark his head off at squirrels and whatever else moves out there. Inside, Pedro loves his people, patiently allowing the kids to bother him while he's trying to get his 22 hours of napping in and keeping Daddy's spot in the bed warm. And in exchange for being my constant companion, he's the only other life form in this house with whom I gladly share my popcorn.
The Johnsons wish each of you a year of abiding love, belly laughs, good cries and warm hugs. All the good stuff.
