Just so you know, I've spent the last hour updating my laptop and importing photos from my phone for our annual last-minute, week-late Christmas/New Year's letter. I'm gonna keep this intro real because we all know that life can be complicated and messy. Each member of the Johnson's five-person (and one canine) crew is imperfect but full of awesomeness in his or her own way. Tantrums were thrown (not all by the children). Jokes were told and terrible puns endured. A zillion loads of laundry were done and then left to sit in a hamper to be rifled through on hectic mornings. Some of us have matured. Everyone's grades are good. Vacations were enjoyed. We loved one another. We're healthy. Above all, God is good to us all the time, and 2018 has been a reflection of that.
The hubs has had a busy year in every corner. He remains with the Marcus & Millichap commercial property group, serving as the broker of the Kentucky office and selling apartment complexes. He heads up and shares teaching responsibilities at our weekend group at Southeast Christian Church called The Cord. Aaron and I are the old and supposedly wise ones in this class for young married couples, but they in turn keep us young and remind us to take joy in discovering one another, even as life and marriage advance onward. Speaking of marriage, we also mentor engaged couples, helping to prepare them for the aspects of marriage they may have not discussed yet. Again, this keeps our own marriage fresh, as we continually talk out how we're doing.
As our family's designated cruise director, Aaron planned and executed trips to Mexico, Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Florida as well as a Christmas cruise to the Bahamas. He also hosted many a fine game night with friends around what is formerly known as our dining room table. He has taken on our son as his young apprentice in gaming, and Adam is proving to be a formidable opponent. Aaron's current obsession is the new Fallout, where he is exploring the post-apocalyptic versions of my old stomping grounds in West Virginia.
This has been a year of new things for me. With all three kiddos in school, I thought I'd have extra time. Adam wanted me to work in his school's cafeteria. Katie suggested slinging chicken at her favorite restaurant. I pictured me back at this laptop, tapping away at a book. But, alas, time easily is eaten up by other things. You know how it is, adults, for it is our plight.
If you would have told me as an overweight, inactive 12-year-old girl that she would one day be a fitness instructor, I would have choked on my Big Mac. But I was certified as a REFIT instructor in April and teach a few times a month at our church's gym, the Southeast Sports & Fitness Center. I cannot begin to tell you how much fun I've had dancing with these ladies and learning to laugh at myself as I forget moves and tell stupid jokes over the mic. And to think it counts as exercise is just icing on the cake! Between REFIT and other group fitness classes, I may as well pitch a tent at the gym, for it has become a second home as well as my happy place. I feel physically stronger than I've ever been, but the best part is the community I've found there. I'm loved, accepted and supported in my fitness journey, and I admire and enjoy the company of the ladies I'm on the journey alongside.
At the moment, I'm blonde. I've had fun with this. I visited a friend whose child was in the hospital recently, and her poor husband didn't recognize me when I ran up and hugged him. Who knows how long I'll keep it, but hair is fun to play around with, no?
The discipleship group I've been co-leading is in its final months of a nearly-two-year span. Our group is small and close-knit. We're diverse in age, ethnicity and life stage. And we love and learn from one another because that's how the body of Christ looks when it's healthy. If you have ever considered joining a DC (Developing Co-laborers) group but have been intimidated by the time commitment, I encourage you to tell that inner voice to hush and go for it anyway. I've been involved with DC for nearly a decade, and it has been one of the most significant growth agents in my walk with Christ.
Family, church community and fitness friends - these are my people. Find your tribe and love them well.
Our first-born is becoming more lovely all the time but will argue with you if you try to tell her so. Ah, adolescence approaches! This is Katie's third year at the Meredith-Dunn School, where she keeps being chosen as writer of the month. She and her bestie have been writing and illustrating a series of unicorn books, which are adorable. Her mom is so proud, but, again, is rebuffed each time I mention it.
She had to undergo a tonsillectomy this fall to help her breathe and swallow a little easier, as those suckers were huge. Having surgery at this age is traumatic, but she handled it like a trooper!
Katie's Lego cities have overtaken most of the flat surfaces of her room. There's an island where the Elves live, a Lego Friends series of shelves, a land of general princess whatnot and some original designs taking up lower shelving. Touching of any of said structures is forbidden under penalty of mauling. Trust me, little sister has tested this. Bring on the Kragle!
Katie also attends American Heritage Girls meetings at church. It's only just begun, so we'll see how things develop.
Ah, the boy. This is such a neat kid. Funny, smart, bookish, with energy in spades - Adam is a force all unto himself.
This year he has been learning the ropes of outdoor adventure in Trail Life at church and American Sign Language in the signing club at school. Though not a fan of homework, Adam wows his teacher with his class work as well as the jokes he scrawls at the top of his paperwork. He's definitely honing his joke-telling skills to the detriment of the talent his mother would prefer him to develop: room-cleaning.
Adam typically is the first person in our home to rise in the morning, much to his mother's chagrin. When recently asked why, he replied, "I just want to seize the day." He's good at that. Look out, world!
Our little firecracker blissfully entered kindergarten this year, after years of envying her siblings. Each afternoon, as soon as Nora crosses the threshold she digs her folder from her backpack and excitedly shares what she's done each day, page by colorful page.
Nora accompanies big sis to American Heritage Girls meetings, where she giggles with friends over snacks and makes crafts.
She seems to be our musically-inclined child, forever singing songs she's made up and spinning about the room. She inspires me to enjoy life and spin more regardless of whether anyone's watching.
At home, Nora is my partner in both kitchen dance parties and cuddles on the couch. What will I do when she gets too big for these? I suppose Aaron will have to take her place.
Our terrier mix has spent the year mastering the art of napping and instigating barked arguments with our neighbors' dog across the fence. Pedro loves popcorn and all the meats as well as eating holes in blankets - the fluffier, the better. His dislikes include peeing outside on rainy days. As fierce as he may sound to passers by, Pedro is so patient and gentle with the kids, though they pester him while he tries to sleep. He helps clean the kitchen floor and is a top-notch lap warmer in the winter. We couldn't love him more.
I hope you and yours are as happy and blessed as we are. God loves you and so do we!
The Johnsons
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