For the year in pictures, check out my 2009 Digital Scrapbook Album on Facebook - click here!
So far I only have through mid-July, but it's coming...hopefully lol
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
2009 In Review (Extended Version)
As another year passes, we are continually reminded of how fast the years go the older we get, and the Lord's continual grace and blessings on us.
In an effort to NOT make this year's newsletter anywhere near as long as last year's, I'll TRY to summarize :) If it gets too long, feel free to check out the Abbreviated version!
I hope you have all had a blessed 2009!
Amy (and Mark) Johnson
Weddings
In summary: Amy's two brothers were married as well as three sets of friends and Mark's cousin! A grand total of 6 weddings.
Two of Amy's brothers were married in the past year – Dave and Elicia on December 30, 2008, and Josh and Tiffany on December 19, 2009. We also celebrated with our friends Jed and Kristina as they were married in June, and with Jed’s sister, Kala and her husband Joe, who were married in August. Amy was also a bridesmaid in her friend, Rachel’s wedding in October in Sioux Falls. We were sad to have missed Mark's cousin, Greg's wedding which took place the same day as Josh and Tiffany's wedding, but in Minneapolis.
New Additions
In summary: three new nephews and two new sister-in-laws!
My little sister, Amanda and her husband Michael welcomed their first baby, Caleb Michael, into their family in April. My older brother, Dan and his wife, Sarah and the kiddos also welcomed a new little (hardly – at 11lbs!) one, Elijah Charles in August. My younger brother, Josh's new stepson Riley, is also such a pleasant addition to the family!
With the weddings this year, we’ve also officially welcomed two new sister-in-laws to the family – Elicia, Dave’s wife, and Tiffany, Josh’s wife. They both, of course, have been "unofficial" members long before the "official" part :)
Special Celebrations
We celebrated Easter with Mark's Mom's side of the family at our home in Windom, and were blessed to have 14 in our home, with entirely way too much food, fun games, and good conversation.
We were also able to celebrate birthdays with all Mark’s grandparents this year! What a treasure, since this was Grandpa Loren’s final birthday here on earth.
We were able to spend an evening with Mark's aunt Barb and cousin Megan in mid-May while they were in town.
We had a wonderful time over Memorial Day when the whole Ropte Family made it to the farm for the weekend!
June was bittersweet, as we were able to gather with all of Mark's extended family on his Dad's side - a few of whom I hadn't even met before. However, the occasion was for Grandpa Loren's funeral, so it was tough saying goodbye to such a wonderful man who had such a major influence on Mark's life.
In August, we were able to celebrate Mark’s 30th birthday in Minneapolis for a Minnesota Twins' game and supper with Mark's Dad, Step-Mom, Pam and Step-Siblings, Jess and Tyler. We had a great time at the game (although we left early and headed to the Old Spaghetti Factory since the Twinkies were disappointing)
We celebrated our 3rd Anniversary on September 23 with a half day off work and a trip to Redwood Falls for the day. We can't believe how fast three years has flown by, and are so excited for the years to come!! I LOVE THIS MAN :)
We spent much of October in anticipation of Mark helping with harvest. However, it was a very late harvest this year. We celebrated my 28th birthday the weekend after when my Mom, sister Amanda and nephew Caleb came for the weekend. We had a great time watching movies and celebrating together. :)
The anticipated harvest in October ended up being mosty in November, even into December, so while Mark was in the field, I was able to take a weekend trip to Iowa to visit some of my family in Humboldt, and then one of my best friends Steff in Des Moines. The same weekend I was able to celebrate with most of my family at Dave and Elicia's to celebrate my nephew Ben's 1st Birthday in November, while sending wishes from afar for my nephew, Jacob who turned FOUR!
We celebrated Thanksgiving in Worthington with Mark's family, where we had, I believe, 19! It was nice to have time to catch up with everyone, although the harvest kept Mark in the field the day after. I drove to Sioux Falls to do a little Black Friday shopping (my first time ever) with my friend Heather. We both found a few great deals!
We're now just settling in after having just finished up our Christmas festivities this past weekend. The weekend before Christmas we were able to celebrate with Josh and Tiffany at their wedding, and we had a fun, old-fashioned Ropte family Christmas at the farm the next day! It was fun, albeit chaotic with 12 adults and 6 kids 4 and under!
This past weekend we were able to make it to Worthington before the blizzard came to celebrate with Mark's Dad's side of the family at Grandma's house. We were a small group this year at 7, but we had a good time playing Rage into the night - the Kent, Dean & Drew really took a liking to this new game! :) We were snowed in for a couple days there, which was a nice time to catch up with Grandma, cousin Drew and uncle Dean.
Races
I hope you have all had a blessed 2009!
Amy (and Mark) Johnson
Weddings
In summary: Amy's two brothers were married as well as three sets of friends and Mark's cousin! A grand total of 6 weddings.
Two of Amy's brothers were married in the past year – Dave and Elicia on December 30, 2008, and Josh and Tiffany on December 19, 2009. We also celebrated with our friends Jed and Kristina as they were married in June, and with Jed’s sister, Kala and her husband Joe, who were married in August. Amy was also a bridesmaid in her friend, Rachel’s wedding in October in Sioux Falls. We were sad to have missed Mark's cousin, Greg's wedding which took place the same day as Josh and Tiffany's wedding, but in Minneapolis.
New Additions
In summary: three new nephews and two new sister-in-laws!
My little sister, Amanda and her husband Michael welcomed their first baby, Caleb Michael, into their family in April. My older brother, Dan and his wife, Sarah and the kiddos also welcomed a new little (hardly – at 11lbs!) one, Elijah Charles in August. My younger brother, Josh's new stepson Riley, is also such a pleasant addition to the family!
With the weddings this year, we’ve also officially welcomed two new sister-in-laws to the family – Elicia, Dave’s wife, and Tiffany, Josh’s wife. They both, of course, have been "unofficial" members long before the "official" part :)
Special Celebrations
We celebrated Easter with Mark's Mom's side of the family at our home in Windom, and were blessed to have 14 in our home, with entirely way too much food, fun games, and good conversation.
We were also able to celebrate birthdays with all Mark’s grandparents this year! What a treasure, since this was Grandpa Loren’s final birthday here on earth.
We were able to spend an evening with Mark's aunt Barb and cousin Megan in mid-May while they were in town.
We had a wonderful time over Memorial Day when the whole Ropte Family made it to the farm for the weekend!
June was bittersweet, as we were able to gather with all of Mark's extended family on his Dad's side - a few of whom I hadn't even met before. However, the occasion was for Grandpa Loren's funeral, so it was tough saying goodbye to such a wonderful man who had such a major influence on Mark's life.
In August, we were able to celebrate Mark’s 30th birthday in Minneapolis for a Minnesota Twins' game and supper with Mark's Dad, Step-Mom, Pam and Step-Siblings, Jess and Tyler. We had a great time at the game (although we left early and headed to the Old Spaghetti Factory since the Twinkies were disappointing)
We celebrated our 3rd Anniversary on September 23 with a half day off work and a trip to Redwood Falls for the day. We can't believe how fast three years has flown by, and are so excited for the years to come!! I LOVE THIS MAN :)
We spent much of October in anticipation of Mark helping with harvest. However, it was a very late harvest this year. We celebrated my 28th birthday the weekend after when my Mom, sister Amanda and nephew Caleb came for the weekend. We had a great time watching movies and celebrating together. :)
The anticipated harvest in October ended up being mosty in November, even into December, so while Mark was in the field, I was able to take a weekend trip to Iowa to visit some of my family in Humboldt, and then one of my best friends Steff in Des Moines. The same weekend I was able to celebrate with most of my family at Dave and Elicia's to celebrate my nephew Ben's 1st Birthday in November, while sending wishes from afar for my nephew, Jacob who turned FOUR!
We celebrated Thanksgiving in Worthington with Mark's family, where we had, I believe, 19! It was nice to have time to catch up with everyone, although the harvest kept Mark in the field the day after. I drove to Sioux Falls to do a little Black Friday shopping (my first time ever) with my friend Heather. We both found a few great deals!
We're now just settling in after having just finished up our Christmas festivities this past weekend. The weekend before Christmas we were able to celebrate with Josh and Tiffany at their wedding, and we had a fun, old-fashioned Ropte family Christmas at the farm the next day! It was fun, albeit chaotic with 12 adults and 6 kids 4 and under!
This past weekend we were able to make it to Worthington before the blizzard came to celebrate with Mark's Dad's side of the family at Grandma's house. We were a small group this year at 7, but we had a good time playing Rage into the night - the Kent, Dean & Drew really took a liking to this new game! :) We were snowed in for a couple days there, which was a nice time to catch up with Grandma, cousin Drew and uncle Dean.
Races
In summary: 5K in June in Windom; 8 mile in September on Mackinac Island; 10K in September in Worthington
We trained for and completed three races in 2009! Putting in an average of 20 miles per week in training, I guess you could say we kept really busy during the summer running around :)
- A 5K in Windom for Riverfest in June.
- An 8-mile race around Mackinac Island in September.
- The Turkey Day 10K in Worthington a week later in September.
Trips / Vacations
In summary: Roadtrip to San Diego in June; Indiana and Michigan in September
- In June, we took a long road trip to San Diego to see Mark's sister, Sarah, as Mark sold her his prized 2003 Monte Carlo SS. It was a much shorter trip than initially planned, and I've vowed never again to take a roadtrip so long again, but we had a good time irregardless. Stops along the way were in Lincoln, Nebraska; Littleton, Colorado and Las Vegas, Nevada. We were able to spend a fun evening with good friends of ours in Littleton, the Demeters - our first visit to see them!
- In September, we made our way out to Indiana to visit Dan, Sarah and the kids in Noblesville, IN, and to see new baby Elijah Charles! It was so fun spending some time with them, and also seeing old friends of mine from High School (Mel, Joe and Karen) for supper at Bucca di Beppo in Castleton, IN. We were also able to have lunch with another friend from High School, Shawna, and her son, when we spent the day in my hometown of Warsaw, IN. It was fun driving around my old stomping grounds, and showing Mark my true hometown. After our visit in Indiana, we slowly made our way up to upper Michigan's Mackinac Island for a few days of vacation before the big race we had been training for that Saturday. We were able to catch up with my cousin, Katy, and her son Berrit for lunch on our way up north, which was a treat! Mackinac Island was beautiful, and we had a wonderful time relaxing, and certainly enjoyed the beautiful scenery (and the fudge).
Work
In summary: We both work at The Toro Company in Windom, MN - Mark as a Manufacturing Engineer, Amy as an IS Application Developer/Programmer
Mark and I are both still working at Toro here in Windom. For those of you who didn't catch that from last year, I left Raven in October 2008 and have been at Toro since. Mark is enjoying his seventh year as a Manufacturing Engineer at Toro, and I am working on my second as the IS Appliation Developer/Programmer. It has been a HUGE blessing to have found a job in Windom, and with the cruel Minnesota winter we've had thus far, I wake up praising the Lord every morning that I no longer have to drive to Sioux Falls twice a week! We praise the Lord that we have jobs, period, in this economy, but are even more thankful that they are really great jobs we ENJOY!
2009 in Review (Abbreviated Version)
As another year passes, we are continually reminded of how fast the years go the older we get, and the Lord's continual grace and blessings on us. In an effort to NOT make this year's newsletter anywhere near as long as last year's, I'll TRY to summarize :) If you want to check out the Extended Version, click here!
I hope you have all had a blessed 2009!
Amy (and Mark) Johnson
Winter
After the hubbub of the holidays in 2008, we spent much of the cold winter months skiing and enjoying time with friends and family, and many days keeping warm inside. Mark went skiing in Colorado with his buddies, Jamie & Curt. Amy spent a few weekends in Humboldt for baby showers for her sister, Amanda.
Spring
We had Easter at our house in Windom with Mark's Mom's side of the family. Mark was in the field helping his Dad get the crop in down near Worthington for a few weeks, and also helping his Mom out with some of her home projects. I was busy traveling to and from Humboldt for baby showers, and then for the birth of my nephew, Caleb. We began training for a few races.
Summer
We spent much of the summer out on the lake with Mark's new waverunner with friends! We continued our training for races with long runs to and from the Wellness Center in Windom. We said goodbye to Mark's Grandpa and took a long road trip to San Diego. We also went to a few weddings and celebrated Mark's 30th birthday.
Autumn
We celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary, took a long road trip to Indiana and then up to Mackinac Island. While on Mackinac Island, we ran an 8 mile race we had been training for all year. We also ran a 10K in Worthington the weekend after. We celebrated my 28th birthday in October. Amy took a couple trips to Iowa - Humboldt and Des Moines. We spent Thanksgiving with Mark's Dad's side of the family in Worthington, MN. It was a long, wet, late harvest. Mark & his Dad finally wrapped up in early December!
Winter (Again)
Finally had a couple lazy weekends at home before Josh and Tiff's wedding the weekend before Christmas and Ropte Christmas the day after - 12 adults and 6 kids ages 5 and under made for a crazy, but fun one! Worked the week after, then spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Worthington, snowed in at Grandma's. Couldn't make it to Wisconsin this year, what with the 2 feet + of snow we got. Working until NYE this week, and looking forward to time with friends and hopefully skiing! Also looking forward to 2010!
I hope you have all had a blessed 2009!
Amy (and Mark) Johnson
Winter
After the hubbub of the holidays in 2008, we spent much of the cold winter months skiing and enjoying time with friends and family, and many days keeping warm inside. Mark went skiing in Colorado with his buddies, Jamie & Curt. Amy spent a few weekends in Humboldt for baby showers for her sister, Amanda.
Spring
We had Easter at our house in Windom with Mark's Mom's side of the family. Mark was in the field helping his Dad get the crop in down near Worthington for a few weeks, and also helping his Mom out with some of her home projects. I was busy traveling to and from Humboldt for baby showers, and then for the birth of my nephew, Caleb. We began training for a few races.
Summer
We spent much of the summer out on the lake with Mark's new waverunner with friends! We continued our training for races with long runs to and from the Wellness Center in Windom. We said goodbye to Mark's Grandpa and took a long road trip to San Diego. We also went to a few weddings and celebrated Mark's 30th birthday.
Autumn
We celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary, took a long road trip to Indiana and then up to Mackinac Island. While on Mackinac Island, we ran an 8 mile race we had been training for all year. We also ran a 10K in Worthington the weekend after. We celebrated my 28th birthday in October. Amy took a couple trips to Iowa - Humboldt and Des Moines. We spent Thanksgiving with Mark's Dad's side of the family in Worthington, MN. It was a long, wet, late harvest. Mark & his Dad finally wrapped up in early December!
Winter (Again)
Finally had a couple lazy weekends at home before Josh and Tiff's wedding the weekend before Christmas and Ropte Christmas the day after - 12 adults and 6 kids ages 5 and under made for a crazy, but fun one! Worked the week after, then spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Worthington, snowed in at Grandma's. Couldn't make it to Wisconsin this year, what with the 2 feet + of snow we got. Working until NYE this week, and looking forward to time with friends and hopefully skiing! Also looking forward to 2010!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)
While I'm sitting around the house on this lazy Saturday, I came downstairs to work on a little more digital scrapbooking, and I opened up a little iTunes to listen to some Christmas music with my coffee, and the first song on my Christmas playlist that came up was this one by Diana Krall, and it just really struck a chord with me this Christmas season.
In light of this, I thought I'd make myself a list - a list of all the things I have to be thankful for this Christmas. Although the one verse of the song above doesn't exactly pertain to me (the one about kiddos in their beds and counting their heads), I think for some of you it might :)
So my thankful list:
As the weather gets so cold, I am reminded of those who have no home at all, or have no heat, and I am SOOOOOO thankful for my beautiful, warm house.
I am thankful that I have a husband who loves and cares for me, even if he isn't around all the time. I am thankful that he is a hard worker who provides for me, and who wants what is best for me.
Although this is my 3rd Christmas without my Dad, I am reminded of what a HUGE, WONDERFUL family I have, who I get to spend time with in just two more weeks!
I am thankful that I ever knew my Dad, and that my Mom was able to spend over 30 years married to him, and us kids were able to know him as our loveable, crazy Dad :)
I am thankful that although Dad is gone, I still have my Mom and 5 wonderful siblings, not to mention my 3 wonderful sister-in-laws, a wonderful brother-in-law, 5 nephews and a niece, all of whom I get to have together this Christmas.
I am thankful that when we take family pictures with my immediate family, we hardly have enough space to fit everyone in the view finder, because we have 14 people...in our IMMEDIATE family lol
I also am so grateful to have such a huge extended family, some of whom I will be able to see over Christmas as well!
I am thankful that my siblings and I get along so well, and that there is not family strife when we all get together.
I am thankful that I am able to help others at this time of year, and that I am not the one who needs the help!
I am SOOOOOO incredibly grateful for my job this year, and the fact that I actually enjoy it!
I am thankful that I have a hope for the future, and not just for the present. I am thankful that Jesus Christ gave his life, so that I can have ETERNAL hope!
I am thankful that I know I will see my Daddy again, and that when I see him, we'll have enough corn to last for all eternity lol :)
I am thankful for friends who encourage me, and for the friends who are there to set me straight when I'm being unreasonable.
I am thankful that I spend hours in the kitchen preparing a meal, because that means I have food to eat, AND that I have friends and family to enjoy it!
I am just so thankful and SO blessed. I could probably go on and on and on about this, but I probably would never stop :) So I leave you with this - I encourage you to really sit back and think about all you are blessed with this year. I know things can drag you down, and it's not always easy to take a deep breath and let all the negativity pass on through, but just try :)
Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep) by Diana KrallLately, I've found myself feeling a little down, with my husband gone almost every night this week. I know for some of you, 6 days away from your spouse or significant others is a ridiculously short period of time (those with ever-traveling spouses or loved ones in the military), but for me, 6 days is a pretty long period of time. However, although my attitude has improved sevenfold since a couple days ago, the lyrics really reminded me that I need to continue to remind myself of all the wonderful things I have to be grateful for, instead of continually reminding myself of all the things I am miserable about.
When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessing instead of sheep
And I fall asleep, counting my blessings
When my bankroll is gettin' small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep, counting my blessings
I think about a nursery
And I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them
As they slumber in their beds
If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings.
So if you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings.
In light of this, I thought I'd make myself a list - a list of all the things I have to be thankful for this Christmas. Although the one verse of the song above doesn't exactly pertain to me (the one about kiddos in their beds and counting their heads), I think for some of you it might :)
So my thankful list:
As the weather gets so cold, I am reminded of those who have no home at all, or have no heat, and I am SOOOOOO thankful for my beautiful, warm house.
I am thankful that I have a husband who loves and cares for me, even if he isn't around all the time. I am thankful that he is a hard worker who provides for me, and who wants what is best for me.
Although this is my 3rd Christmas without my Dad, I am reminded of what a HUGE, WONDERFUL family I have, who I get to spend time with in just two more weeks!
I am thankful that I ever knew my Dad, and that my Mom was able to spend over 30 years married to him, and us kids were able to know him as our loveable, crazy Dad :)
I am thankful that although Dad is gone, I still have my Mom and 5 wonderful siblings, not to mention my 3 wonderful sister-in-laws, a wonderful brother-in-law, 5 nephews and a niece, all of whom I get to have together this Christmas.
I am thankful that when we take family pictures with my immediate family, we hardly have enough space to fit everyone in the view finder, because we have 14 people...in our IMMEDIATE family lol
I also am so grateful to have such a huge extended family, some of whom I will be able to see over Christmas as well!
I am thankful that my siblings and I get along so well, and that there is not family strife when we all get together.
I am thankful that I am able to help others at this time of year, and that I am not the one who needs the help!
I am SOOOOOO incredibly grateful for my job this year, and the fact that I actually enjoy it!
I am thankful that I have a hope for the future, and not just for the present. I am thankful that Jesus Christ gave his life, so that I can have ETERNAL hope!
I am thankful that I know I will see my Daddy again, and that when I see him, we'll have enough corn to last for all eternity lol :)
I am thankful for friends who encourage me, and for the friends who are there to set me straight when I'm being unreasonable.
I am thankful that I spend hours in the kitchen preparing a meal, because that means I have food to eat, AND that I have friends and family to enjoy it!
I am just so thankful and SO blessed. I could probably go on and on and on about this, but I probably would never stop :) So I leave you with this - I encourage you to really sit back and think about all you are blessed with this year. I know things can drag you down, and it's not always easy to take a deep breath and let all the negativity pass on through, but just try :)
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