We had known for 5 months that Callie would be leaving for Spain on August 17th, but we still managed to wait until the summer was ending to think, "Hey, we ought to get a family picture." We rushed around looking for any clothing we could find that would somewhat go together, called our neighbor who is pretty handy with a camera (and who is willing to drop everything to help anyone), and headed to the farm just as a storm started to roll in. Amid wind gusts up to 30 mph and torrential attitudes, we posed for a family photo. And as the first drops of rain pelted our glasses, we said, "OK, good enough" and jumped into the van to go home. And sometimes you just have to say
It's the best we can do, and it's good enough.
And that pretty-much describes the Johnsons' 2015. Here's a little about us:
Alex is a kid who likes to jump in with both feet. When he gets an idea in his head, he presses forward without stopping. Sometimes his ideas are good, like when he raised his hand because he wanted to explain to his 3rd grade class that fractions are just another way to do a division problem. Another good idea was when he wanted a pet fish, and he made good on his promise to feed it and clean the bowl every week. But not all of his ideas are this parent-pleasing.
Amy has an undying imagination. Her ability to draw things she sees in her head is pretty amazing. She loves action and drama--like the kind you might see in Star Wars or Lord of the Rings, and she loves to make people laugh. After 4 years of karate, she traded in her purple belt on a rented cello and joined her school orchestra. She definitely isn't afraid to try new things. To get extra credit at school, she figured out how to make a hot air balloon out of tissue paper.
Laura is happiest when she has a ball of fur in her arms or a soccer ball at her feet. She'd be excited for you to know that her soccer team was undefeated in spring competition, so they moved up a division and placed 3rd in the fall. She also loves to sing, play the piano by ear, and play night games with her friends. She is a conscientious student and is usually pretty shy, but she took a journalism class in school that has forced her into the public eye. You can
catch her in her school news show at about minute 1:46.
Hablas espanol? Callie received a mission call in March for the Spain Barcelona Mission. She finished out the school year at Snow, spent the summer working at a day care, and flew out to the MTC in Madrid just as her siblings were heading back to school. It was a very long wait, but it gave us a chance to do many things together as a family. She is now on the island of Mallorca and doing very well. If you would like to read more about her, you may join her
group page on Facebook.
From start to finish, Leigh is one to follow plans. This year he found a training routine, which he followed strictly to prepare to run his first marathon. Over Labor Day weekend he completed this lofty goal. He still teaches at BYU during the week and struggles to find time to do research. His Sunday job is as the ward clerk, where they capitalize on his organization skills.
Deborah is usually the one behind the camera, so finding any picture of her, let alone one she likes, is a challenge. She is still doing what she does best--being a full-time mom. Every day she thinks about this quote she heard from a wise woman, "I am powerful when I'm wearing an apron," and she knows it is true.
Overall, not a bad year for a bunch of novices. As we arrive at this Christmas season, when songs ring out of Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward Men, we pray each of you will be filled with inner peace and find joy, even when the world is in turmoil. We know it is all possible through Him whose birth we celebrate this season. Love, The Johnson Family
