Merry Christmas 2015

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

It's Christmas Time Again

#Share the Gift

Welcome to the Johnson Family Annual Christmas letter. After spending a lot of time agonizing over this letter, I realized that probably no one will read it anyway, so I ought to just stop worrying. But you took time to stop by, and we appreciate it. Thank you for taking time to show you care about us. Leigh occasionally quotes a line from a David Gilmore song: "Thinking we're getting older and wiser, but really, we're just getting old." That line has been going through my mind a lot lately. But I hope we've learned a thing or two this year.

Alex, our second-grader, has improved his reading skills dramatically, and he's learned to love reading on his own. He has also learned some new tricks in soccer, how to trade Pokemon cards, and how to ride a ripstick. His sisters have taught him a couple of songs he can play on the piano. To talk to him, you would guess that he believes he pretty much has life figured out.

Amy, our fifth-grader, has been learning long division. She has also learned some new martial arts moves, and is now a "senior green belt." She's learning to take greater responsibility for getting herself ready and for getting her homework done. She taught herself to play "In Dreams" on the piano (a song from Lord of the Rings). If you talk to Amy, make sure you have plenty of time, because she has lots to say.

Laura is now in 7th grade and has learned how to navigate the halls of junior high school. She has learned that braces do not keep her from eating any of her favorite foods. She has learned to play several songs by ear on the piano, how to shoot an arrow into the center of a target, and some awesome new soccer moves. If you talk to Laura, you'll probably have to ask her to speak up, because she tends to be a little shy.

Callie is probably the big winner on learning this year--she learned enough to graduate from high school as class salutatorian. She has learned how to get a job, how to live on her own, how to deal with roommates, and how to survive college. She is learning to manage her anxiety and depression, and she has learned that she wants to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints--which she plans to do at the end of this school year. Between now and then, she'll be serving in the Relief Society presidency in her ward. You probably will have to schedule an appointment to talk to Callie. She's pretty busy.

Leigh has learned some things about tiling, as he's worked to make our bathroom downstairs usable. He's becoming an expert in trapping gophers, and he's learning more tricks that are going to turn him into a real runner (translation: he's training to run a marathon). He's also learned a lot about service as the ward clerk. He'll probably be too worn out to do much talking.Deborah is learning how to entertain a houseful of boys as cub scout den leader. She's learned a few sewing hints, a few gardening hints, and a few household organization hints. She's also learned how much fun it is to watch her kids use their creativity since they started being "unplugged" during the week. Mostly, she's learned that most of the things she worries about don't really matter. If you want to talk to Deborah, please call, because she hasn't learned how to text very well.

On our family vacation to San Diego, we learned that 6 people can spend 24 hours a day together for 5 days in close quarters and get on every nerve in each others' bodies, and still have fun.A lesson we learned from our tour while visiting the Mormon Battalion Visitors Center is that, many times the things that seem like obstacles keeping us from our goals, are really stepping stones to a better destination the Lord has planned for us. We feel blessed to have wonderful friends and family in our lives who have taught us to much, who have stayed in touch, and have enriched our lives. And we feel very blessed to arrive at this Christmas season with a firm conviction that He whose birth we celebrate is the Savior of the world, our Redeemer, and our Exemplar. May we all feel the true joy of Christmas this year and Share the Gift. Love, the Johnsons: Leigh, Deborah, Callie, Laura, Amy & Alex

Why We have Christmas

Have you ever been on a trip and made a wrong turn off the main road? Maybe you went that way on purpose, thinking it was a shortcut, or maybe it was just a mistake. But as the road got more winding, steeper, more rutted, or narrower, you realized your mistake. So there you are at a point of decision--will it be better to keep pressing forward (surely this road will lead somewhere), or to retrace your steps? Well, that's how it felt for our family earlier this year--a point where there was too much contention and not enough joy. We didn't know how we'd arrived at that point, and we didn't know if it was possible to find our way back. But we began taking some steps in a new direction, and that's how we arrived at a greater understanding of why we have Christmas. This is our family:

Alex is 6 years old, and loves first grade. He played T-ball in the spring and learned he wasn't supposed to chase down the ball and pick it up after batting. In the fall he played soccer, and got really good at running with the pack. He is a great reader, and seems to like doing math in his head. He believes in the old saying, "Early to bed and early to rise...," usually getting up before 5:30 AM, then pestering Mom until school time to allow him to play video games ("Screen Time" is his very favorite activity). He konks out on the couch around 7:00, and we have to carry him in and hold his head to get his teeth brushed. He is persistent to a fault. He is a good helper to get his jobs done. He is also very affectionate. His latest hobby is making up silly songs.

The highlight so far this year for 10-year-old Amy has been the 4th grade Hoe Down, where she got to square dance with her dad. When our family attended the hoe down, we discovered a picture on the cafeteria wall of her favorite place--Indian Creek, where we occasionally go camping with Grandpa and Grandma. Her drawing had won first place in a school-wide contest. She has her high-yellow belt in karate (testing in December for green belt, so keep your fingers crossed). Amy is the family "night-owl," giggling and playing long after the rest of us want to be asleep. Amy is working on controlling her temper, and she is learning to show gratitude. She loves Legos, video games and anything to do with Lord of the Rings. She is a great pianist, but she doesn't love it. She'd much rather be at the computer keyboard.

Laura is 11 and in 6th grade. She loves singing in her school choir. She likes to sit reading for hours after school, and she reads so fast that she can go through 6 or 7 books each week, so if anyone has any great titles to suggest... She is an awesome defender on her soccer team. The U12 Girls Shooters took 1st place last fall with only 2 goals scored against them all season. Laura takes responsibility for getting herself ready for soccer complete with water bottles and snacks. She also takes responsibility for our cat (though Mom wasn't thrilled when the good blankets and pillows got taken out to make Socka more comfortable). Laura is very tender-hearted and strong-willed. Math is the thing that is most likely to cause Laura to lose her cool. She is a good helper around the house and a willing babysitter for Mom.

Callie is on the high school drill team, a member of the National Honor Society,and an amazing pianist and artist. She has a gentle, quiet nature, and she's a good listener. She is living proof that Depression and Anxiety can strike anyone, no matter how much they have going for them. She went through some very rough times this year, but thankfully, these illnesses are treatable. Through sheer determination, faith in God, and the miracle of modern medicine, Callie is not just surviving--she is thriving. She is finishing her last year of high school, and making plans for college. And though the whole family is supportive of her going off to college, we will all miss her terribly. She is Alex's best back-scratcher, Amy's confidante, Laura's access into the teenage world, Mom's shopping partner, and the greatest appreciator of Dad's jokes.

Leigh is in his 15th year of teaching botany classes at BYU. He works very hard all day long, and usually finds it necessary to be at his computer all evening to just keep up. But he has also managed to find time for a few projects to improve our yard and home. And he has tried to make time to support the kids' activities. He is currently serving as ward clerk--a job which puts his talent for organizing and getting things done to good use. He has become a runner, and has lost 30 pounds for his efforts.

I used to think I was being a good mother when I would say to the children, "There is almost nothing I wouldn't do for you." But I am learning that it is much better for their self esteem when I allow them to figure things out for themselves. So with this new philosophy and having all my children in school all day, I am beginning to do more for myself. With the promise of a small rebate on our health insurance as motivation, I am exercising a couple of hours every week. I go to lunch with friends. I do projects--like writing this update on our family, and painting the walls and ceilings in our house. I still spend a lot of time running kids around to lessons and activities and helping with homework. I am currently a den leader in cub scouts, and I'm getting a whole new appreciation for the energy of boys.

We're a family that's probably a lot like yours. We have our good days and bad days, and we're just trying to make our way through life the best way we know how. I remember that when our days were the darkest earlier in the year, I thought perhaps it was too late to make things better. But it's NEVER too late to do the right thing. We can't undo the consequences of past choices, but we can always make the path ahead smoother. And it's all possible because of Christmas--because Jesus Christ was born into the world to atone for not just our sins, but also our sorrows. And when we're really trying to do better, he walks right there alongside us. When we mis-step, we can try again, and again and again. Realizing this has brought a family a lot more days where the sun shines on the inside. Best wishes for a joyous Christmas for your family and a fantastic 2014 full of many wonderful adventures.

Callie

Callie turns Sweet 16 on November 21st. She has her learner permit to drive, and teaching her how has been quite a learning experience for Mom and Dad! Callie is a great student, dancer, and pianist. After only 18 months of sleeping in the bonus room, she finally moved into her own bedroom in the basement, and she has enjoyed having a haven away from the chaos. Callie's special talent is being a good listener.

Laura

Laura is 9 years old, and is in 4th grade. She plays the piano grudgingly, but she does a great job. Her great love is soccer, especially playing defense. She only wishes the season lasted longer. Laura has joined the school choir and has to be at school an hour early 2 days each week. She takes responsibility for making sure she is up and ready on time. Laura's special talent is being a helper.

Amy

Amy turns eight years old in November and is looking forward to being baptized on December 3rd. She started taking karate lessons this year, and she loves it. She has also become a very good reader, and she's been teaching herself to play some Christmas songs on the piano (because she does NOT want to take lessons--that's too much work). If Amy could have a whole day to do whatever she wanted, she would spend it playing video games. Amy's special talent is sharing.

Everyone Loves Alex

Alex is just a fun, and funny kid. He's 4 1/2, and just started preschool in September. He has learned to write his name, and he loves to show that off.
For the 4th of July, our family got matching blue M&M shirts. Now, usually Alex is a Thomas the Train sort of guy, but he fell in love with his M&M shirt--mostly because he liked matching others in the family. Even if he'd dressed in something else for the day, he ran off to get his M&M shirt if anyone else in the family was wearing theirs. He loved pulling everyone's out of their drawers and closets and counting them. And it has been a shirt that he digs out of the laundry basket to put on, whether it's dirty or clean.
He has also become fascinated with pinatas (something he learned from Handy Manny). At Halloween, he decided his plastic pumpkin looked like a pinata, so he filled it with candy and small toys and figured out how to hang it from the swingset. Using a stick, he swung until it tipped over and spilled the toys.
It snowed early in November, and that was his signal that it was time to pull out the Christmas train. So every day, 7-12 times per day (sometimes more) he asks if we can get the train out. We told him we'd do it after Amy and Callie's birthdays, and after Thanksgiving. So now he asks if we can celebrate Amy's birthday today. I think we need to make him a "countdown to train" chart, or the next 3 weeks are going to drive him nuts.
In his attempts to figure out the world around him, he comes up with the funniest things. He keeps us laughing all the time.