Another year flies by bringing abundant blessings and significant losses. We receive each new day as a gift from God, realizing more and more how fragile and fleeting life is. In this short year my dearest friend Penny lost her wonderful husband Dom and we lost an irreplaceble friend and mentor in that kind, humble and gentle man. Dom was a Christian man in every sense of the word. As summer came to a close my father Sam lost his battle with Lukemia. Just short of his 85th birthday he went home to the Lord. In as much as his children and grandchildren miss him and mourn his loss, we also rejoice in the lessons he taught us. Legacies in hard work and turning failures into successes and his often modeled service to others are priceless gifts from him. Though we miss him, it is imcomparable to my Mothers loss of a friend and partner of 53 years. However, God's mercy is new each day and much joy has occured amidst the sorrow.

Our joy is in each of our 10 children and life on our small farm. Our Quiver has not grown since last year, our farm has though.The newest members of the Johnson clan are 4 goats, and lots and lots of chickens. 40 of which are either in the freezer or already have been consumed, the rest are going about their business of producing eggs. Our goats are 3 does. A Nubian Saanen cross named Liesl, a Lovely little Alpine named Grettele and a pretty Saanen doe named Snowflake. One lone Saanen buck named Blizzard tends our small herd. Leisl and Grettle were great milkers but are now preparing to Kid some time in Late Feb. or Early March. Milking was an interesting event each day and Molly became our champion milker. The twins are now called The Goat Whisperers as they could easily catch skittsh Grettle to be milked. Hard to catch, but once on the Milk stanchion an easy milker. During our peak in late summer we averaged over a gallon per day.

We can not forget to mention the 3 dogs, a hound/shepherd cross named Pepper, a black Lab mix that was dumped as a tiny puppy on our country road and a Heeler mix named Rosy. We lost our wonderful Heeler, Lucky last Jan when he lost a race with a Log truck. Perhaps Lucky was not the best name for him. Our big, old Black Lab, Smokey went to live with a dear lady in town as Smokey thought perhaps those chickens were meant for him to hunt and kill and eat. Of course due to the feed and hay we have added Barn cats (read HOUSE CATS) to control the mouse population. They do a very good job, however all 4 are pathetically tamed by the children and spend winter nights on various beds in the house. They were named Penny and Dom (Siamese mixes) by Molly and Susie( Molly loved her Uncle Dom and thought naming a cat after him a good memorial, and you can't have a Dom w/o a Penny). Tiger is Jims big Orange Tabby and the baby is a little fluffy gray tabby named She-She by Thomas. I don't think Barn cats normally get dressed in Doll clothes and pushed in a stroller. True to his namesake Dom takes it all and acts as if it is part of his duty. Penny is too busy catching mice and hissing at the dogs to be bothered with such nonsense. Tiger is really just a big love and mothers She-She. Life is pretty good on the Farm for our menagerie.

The children are all active participants in keeping this little farm running. The Twins, Jimmy and Josh, ( now 9) have tamed a few hens and Jimmy ( The Chicken Whisperer) has tamed one hen, aka Henny, to come when he calls and jump on his shoulder. She follows him all over the chicken yard. Josh has "his girls" who of course lay the most beautiful turquoise eggs. All are deathly afraid of The Colonel. A big, nasty Delware Rooster who lives to terrorize them. They now carry a big stick into the chicken yard as The Colonel can be quite vicious if he thinks he can get away with it. Soon he will be stew if he doesn't knock it off.

Both twins seem to revell in farm life and love the animals to distraction. They are worshipped and adored in return by Pepper who follows their every step. Both are good students, but tend to rush lessons to get to more important things like building forts and playing army in the woods. They both have solo piano pieces to play in the Homeschool Groups Christmas program and took a wonderful Art class called Monart which really added to their already strong talent. Still identical in looks and opposites in temperment Josh wants to be an Architect and Jimmy a Veteranarian. Josh thinks Navy Seals looks like fun and Jimmy wants to live in the woods and tame all the wild animals. They are a joy and both 100% boy. They bless us with their wit and antics every day.

Molly (now 8) is still an angel. Dutifully milking the goats and caring for the cats each day. Rarely does she have to be told. More often than not she asks if there is more she can do. She dotes on Jake now 2, and longs for one more baby girl to be added to our crew. She is my right arm and such a sweet, pleasant child. We wonder where she came from and how she landed in this motely crew of boys. Never a whiner or a complainer and ready to share with any sibling. Molly is every brother and sisters friend. A true blessing to us all with her servants heart. School is her challenge, but her work ethic sees her through and she is doing well.

The child who keeps me on my knees, but has the biggest heart is Steve (now 7.) An eager and hard worker like Molly with a never ending desire to do good that sees him through his times when he lacks all control over his impulses. Having FAS is a burden to a little boy who otherwise would sail through life. He is doing amazingly well in school. He is back to being homeschooled this year and I have officially given up on our local Public School. Steven has become a big help to Grandma and spends time with her helping her around the house. Steven is our blessing that taught us we really did NOT know everything about parenting and that even naughty little boys can have wonderfully tender hearts. Humility for parents is a good thing!

Susie (now 6 soon to be7) is one of a kind. A tiny but mighty force to be dealt with. She is learning to be a better helper and less a Princess. She also needs a stage. She loves the attention and accolades and is our resident Thespian by nature. Wuthering Heights, Katherine never suffered as much as Susie does when given a chore she dislikes. She is my one child who can cry on cue. A whiz at school she is reading above grade level and will read for anyone whether asked or not. She does remind me of Kate. Quite a bit actually. She will go somewhere far someday. A clever little thing she can whip up chaos and look the victim without batting an eye. Susie blesses us by keeping us on our toes and OUR wits sharp.

Thomas (now4) is our amazing little man. He is the Poster boy for Autism Spectrum. Smart as anything, he is quick and funny and charming with little effort. Some are taken a back by his stimming and blunt speech. I never feel an explanation is necessary, God makes us all different. To us Thomas is a miracle. A miracle that saw his Atrial Spetal Defect healed and the fact that despite Noonans, and Aspergers and mild Cerebral Palsy he is brilliant and funny and connected and loving. Spoiled could describe him too. But, not spoiled rotten. We all spoil and dote on him. he returns our love 10 fold. He just recovered form having his tonsils Adnoids andT-tubes removed. He was a stoic champ throught it all. Give him some chocolate pudding and he was good to go. Thomas blesses us with the miracle of his life and his joy for living. He makes us all laugh at least once a day and loves each one is such a unique way we all think we are his favorite person. He is with out a doubt a gift from God. Imperfect to the world, and perfect to his family.

Aiden (now3) is becoming his own little person. Sandwiched between showman Thomas and cute-as-a-button Jake he seemed sort of lost. However, he is coming into his own. His language is wonderful considering when he arrived in Oct of 05' he had no language. He is sweet and loving and adores Josh and tends to tag a long when Josh allows it. He has some of Steven's struggles and we pray he also has Steven's strengths. A rough 1st 2 years has made for a bumpy adjustment at first. Now this is home and we are his family. A cute little red-headed boy who just needed a normal life. He is a great little guy with limitless potential. Aiden blesses us with a devotion we neither asked for nor deserve. He simply forgets he has only been here a year and thinks we have always been his Momma and Daddy.

Jake (now2) is a red-headed, dimpled faced force of nature. He can climb anything, dissapear in an instant and dismantle any object. He reminds of Jack-Jack the baby in The Incredibles movie. The minute he is caught red handed he flashes a big grin and those deep, disarming dimples. Healthy as can be and a charter and honored member of The Clean Plate Club. Jake never met a food he did not like. He has also eaten things that are not found on the dietary pyramid. Jake lives for cars and trucks and hopes Santa brings many. Jake blesses us with just existing. His constant ready smile and great cuddling abilities help this Mom and Dad through tough days. A few minutes in the rocker, snuggling with Jake will cure any ones bad mood.

Our grown children are thriving. Kate (27)and Brendan are finishing up their degrees. Kate is looking at Law Schools for next year. We are hoping Gonzaga offers her the best package. We love having them close and would miss them terribly if they moved away for grad schools. I would hate to be the oppossing counsel in any case Kate had. She was born for the opening and closing statement!

Adam (25) and Jess are doing well in distant Minnesota. Adam is finishing up his Masters in Public Policy at The Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Policy on the U. of Minn campus and will Co-teach a grad class Spring semester. Adam will with out a doubt make a difference in whatever cause he focuses on. He is another with an amazing servants heart. Jess of course is quite successull in her job and just got a new account. Both, however don't plan on making the mid west their permanent home and we all hope they come back to Montana. We miss them.

Jim and I are the same. Busy with raising children and planning out long term goals for Farm and Family. We really hope to have the irrigation system in and a garden and Orchard up and running this spring, along with the beginnings of a shiny new barn. . We are doing some mild remodeling of our home to fit 10 people and all our stuff. Good thing Jim is talented with building. Our 1st project after the new year is to install our wood stove. For some reason this country home had no alternate heat source. We have lost power just a few times, but that was enough to propell us to get a wood stove. One bedroom is becoming the School/Guest room. Downstairs will be the boys dorm along with their own bathroom. Instead of dry wall we used OSB board. 6 Boys and dry wall =holes. I maintain their room should have a cement floor with a drain and we could hose it down occassionally.

 God's mercies are renewed each day, there has been far more joy than sorrow, many more blessings than losses. We have much to be thankfull for as we look at the new year ahead. As I end this letter, my home is quiet and it is early. Even the Roosters have not started their persistent crowing. I praise God in this moment for each event of this last year. What it has taught me and how it has changed me. I do not know what is ahead, but I am certain of Christ's love and His abundant grace in my life. For that alone I am eternally thankfull.

I wish you all a wonderfull and blessed Christmas and New Year. Now that we have a guest room c'mon up for a visit to Ol' McJohnson's farm!