Merry Christmas 2009

WOW! What a year 2009 has been. As you can tell from our Christmas card, we added a member to our family. Veronika Alece Johnson offically became our daughter on November 16th. We have been working our way through the adoption since June 2008. It was an emotional rollercoaster of a ride but very worth it. We are now blessed with a sweet, caring, happy, intelligent and funny 10 year old daughter. Please watch our journey....

It is a little small here. If you would like a better version of the video, I can email it to you.

Veronika has been adjusting to American life better than anyone could have expected. She is learning more and more English every day. The language barrier hasn't been that big of a deal. It is weird how facial expressions, tone of voice and body language are just as effective as the actually spoken words. I could go on and on about Veronika but I need to move on otherwise this Christmas letter will get to be annoying long.

Our next source of pride and joy, Ryan. Sometimes I look at him and I can't believe he is 5. Where does the time go? It's a little sad for mom. Ryan started Kindergarten this year. He is doing well. Amazed by how much reading is taught in Kindergartner. I don't remember being able to read as much as Ry does when I was 5. It is fun to have him read a book to me. This year Ryan played spring and fall soccer, took swimming lessons, played t-ball and took gymnastics this summer and is now in wrestling. He really is most happy staying home playing around the farm though. He is his fathers son.

Ben went on guys trip again this year. Wild boar hunting in TX. This is the second time Ben, my dad and my step brothers have taken this trip. It must be a fun trip because Ben is already talking about going again. Otherwise, a regular farm year around here. Had another wet spring but if it isn't one thing it's another in the world of farming.

Veronika took this picture. I like it. You better look closely because as soon as Ben knows it is on the blog he will demand it be removed......

My world changed quit a bit in August. After being a stay at home mom for 5 years, I went back to work. I am working for International Spine and Pain Institute here is Story City. It has been a great opportunity. I work 5 minutes from home, I only work when the kids are in school so about 25-30 hours a week and my bosses are very family friendly. I can honestly say I enjoy being back in the work force. I still enjoy scrapbooking but have very little time for it right now. I was able to go on a weekend scrapbooking retreat in May. I would love to do that again. Such a relaxing weekend. My greatest joy is being a mom so being engaging in my kids life is how I prefer to spend most of my time everything else can wait or even be forgotten.

Many more things filled 2009 but I have already blogged about most of them so you are welcome to go back through the year and read about life in the Johnson house. I pray your year has been as great as our year. If it has, you are very blessed.

2009 Minnesota Vacation

Spring Break Trip to Colorado

Alabama

Here are a couple photos from the last couple weeks.

First time riding a horse

Not Ry's first time

Found the perfect Christmas Tree

Ryan trying to cut it down

Then the snow storm hit Iowa

Trying to push a path up to the house

Kids had fun though