Well, Christmas is just around the corner, and for those of you who know me well, you know that this is my favorite time of year! I just put the Christmas tree up last Friday, and have been on a hot chocolate and hot apple cider kick since :) It's getting harder and harder to force myself to the gym, but I know I've just got to get my butt motivated! I suppose I should just be glad that I've been able to maintain my weight the past 5 months, but I'm really wanting to drop another 15 this winter.
I've been really enjoying a wonderful Bible study the past couple months, which will be coming to an end here shortly. It has just reminded me that even in all the hustle and bustle and the craziness of life, that we have no right to complain about that which we have been given. The study is "The Lies Women Believe, and the Truth that Sets them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I can't tell you what a difference this study has made in my life! There are so many times that I believe so many lies, and feel I have a right to treat others badly because I'm having a bad day.
November was a pretty laid-back month at the Johnson residence. We spent the first weekend in November just trying to get a grip from all the craziness that was October!
The second weekend in November we went down to Humboldt again to visit the Ropte farm for a "pre-Thanksgiving" visit. Mark and Jason hung out during the day on Saturday while Mom and I had a girls' day out on the town. We went to the Carribean Coffee house for a couple of Chai teas, and then took off for Fort Dodge to shop. We shopped at Target for a while, and then went to Sister Sadies' Tea Room for lunch - which was so stinkin fun!! The place was all decorated up for Christmas already, so (of course) I was game :) We had a nice visit over baked acorn squash, and then continued on to the mall for the rest of the afternoon. We got back to Humboldt shortly after 4pm, rested up a bit, and then Mom, Mark, Amanda and I went to Vinny's BBQ in Dakota City for dinner. We stopped in to see Josh at his new guitar store - Rock Stop Guitars - after dinner. It was the first time I'd been in, and I was pleasantly surprised! It's odd to say that my little brother owns his own business!
Monday after work, Mark went to Minneapolis to pick up his brother, Daniel from the airport. Daniel and Sarah both were able to make it back to Minnesota for Thanksgiving, which was a nice treat! Mark took a couple days off to spend time with them while they were here. I met up with Mark and Daniel Tuesday night in Worthington for dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's, and a short visit there.
Sarah flew in on Wednesday, so Mark and Daniel went back up to Minneapolis to pick her up, while I worked on a small Thanksgiving dinner for the 4 of us kids and Mark's mom, Diane. We had a great time playing UpWords, which always seems to turn into such a cut-throat game :)
This Thanksgiving was a little different, in the fact that I wasn't able to spend it with any of the Ropte family. They took off for Noblesville, IN for the week to spend time with Dan, Sarah, Hannah, and Jacob (who just so happened to have a birthday on Thanksgiving Day)! Mark's grandparents celebrated their 60th anniversary on Thanksgiving Day, so it just didn't work out to go with them. But I'm definitely looking forward to Christmas!!
Thursday, we went down to Worthington around noon for the big hoo-rah at the church. To say this day was jam-packed is an understatement! It was nonstop craziness and fun from noon until 11:30pm! We had a great time visiting with all the extended relatives, of whom we were only missing 3! We took way too many pictures, played some basketball (at which I totally schooled those old fogeys...or not?!), ate...ate somemore...and somemore...and a few of us stragglers stayed behind to "experience" the game that is "Loaded Questions". It was a very long day, but SO much fun!
Friday, I actually got up early and went to the gym (HOORAY - a small victory in yet another day of too much eating!) We made it down to Worthington by noon for lunch at Grandma's, and then most everyone joined in a crazy game of "Taboo" until around 2:30pm. Around 4pm, the cousins took off forthe bowling alley, where Mark and I totally tooled EVERYONE there - with top scores of Mark - 137, and myself - 138! I'mpretty sure everyone was pretty jealous of our mad bowling skills, but what can I say - I'm just that good :) After bowling, we went down to the Pizza Ranch to meet up with the rest of the family for supper. I think I ate so much pizza that I quite honestly could have exploded!
Needless to say, we have had quite the busy past couple of weeks! We're looking forward to a lazy weekend in Windom finally - with no big plans (except maybe I'll convince Mark that we need to put up Christmas lights outside) :)
God bless you all! Take care! Have a glorious Christmas, remembering He who is the reason for the season :)
Amy Johnson
