Johnsons' Journey

Merry Christmas Everyone!

It’s the time of year to remember what Christmas really means… The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, who came to earth to deliver us from our sins.

I hope that this letter finds everyone happy and in good health! I can’t believe another year has flown by… They go so much faster now, than when I was a kid in school, waiting for summer vacation.

This year has had it’s ups and downs. We found out on June 25th, that we were pregnant with baby #4. But when we went to our first pre-natal check-up on July 10th, the ultrasound showed an empty amniotic sac… Our baby had died. It was very upsetting, and we are desperate to get pregnant again (At least I am! Ü… Not too sure about Joe sometimes! )… Anyhoo, we’ve been trying ever since the doctor gave us the OK, but with no success.

Other than that, I have been doing fine. Just plugging away at the mommy/housewife thing… Which I love. There is no greater joy to me, than my children and being able to stay home with them.

Joe is doing well as well. He is still working for Container Recovery, and still on the Salem route. He seems to enjoy his job, and likes his short days. He makes it sound like he doesn’t do that much, but I wouldn’t want to do it!!!!!

Jared is doing just great. I can’t believe that in just one month, he will be 5 years old. My little man is growing up too fast!!! Jared enjoys playing with his Rescue Heroes, and his animal toys… And his sister’s dolls! (Much to Daddy’s despair!) He also loves to learn… He’s eager to learn anything you are willing to teach him. He is getting so independent. He already takes his own shower, all we have to do is turn the water on. He is learning how to tie his shoes, which was hard for me to teach him, because I am not left handed like he is, and I couldn’t understand at first, why he kept doing things in the opposite direction!

He is also doing well in our “school”. I have started, with the boys during Alicia’s nap. a “homeschool preschool”. It’s not with any set curriculum, just little things I make up. Both the boys love it, and beg me to have school with them…. Since I am their teacher, Jared has started calling my “Mrs. Mommy” during our classes! Such a nut! Anyhoo, Jared can already count to 69, can recognize all of his capital letters, and about 95% off the lower case ones… Those “b”s, “d”s and “p”s keep getting the better of him, since they are so alike! He, of course, knows all his shapes, including rectangle and Oval, and has known his colors forever. He can also spell “Jared” “Joshy” “Alicia” “Mommy” “Daddy” and “Zoo”… He can write them all too, in upper case letters.

While Jared is our little brain, Josh is our little cuddle bunny. Josh just turned 3 in November. Joshy’s favorite pastime is sitting in our laps. He wants to be held, and snuggled, and I just LOVE that! He is always ready with a hug and a kiss, such a little sweetie….. Now if only we could get him potty trained! Joshy loves to play with animals, be read to, and pretty much whatever Jared is doing. They play very well together, and would be lost without each other. Sure, they have their little sibling squabbles every now and then, but not as often as some.

Josh is doing well in our school too. He can say his abc’s, and spell his name. He can also count to 13. He is starting to learn to write his name, and we are focusing on the “J” right now. But he does have a mind block about his colors… He just isn’t getting it… We’re beginning to wonder if he’s color blind.

And you should see how big our little Princess is getting!!! Alicia is 14 months old this month. and she is our little go-getter. In fact today, she picked up the nick-name “Prancer” because she prances around the house all day. I don’t know if she can sit still, unless she is eating…. Eating is VERY important to Alicia, and she can out eat both the boys! She sure is cute, and giggles her way through the day. Her eyes sparkle and shine with each new discovery, and she loves to torment her brothers. She is constantly getting into whatever they are playing with, and messing it up… On purpose! Of course Jared, who adores her, thinks she can do no wrong, but she and Josh are starting to butt heads…. I think poor Josh is in for it, because her personality is so much stronger than his. Jared and Alicia are feisty and independent like me, while Josh is mellow and laid back like Daddy.

Well, I didn’t mean to ramble on without stopping. But once I get started talking about my kids, I can’t stop! I am so proud of them, they are all so beautiful and smart! What a blessing God has given us, in our children!… Heck, I’d write more, but this is already two pages long! (What will I do when baby #4 comes?)

Hugs to you all!
Julie, Joe, Jared, Josh and Alicia