Johnson Family Dish

Goodbye Sakie

We lost our little dog Sakie last night. She will be missed very much at our home. She was a sweet little dog. She was killed last night when to our shock and horror I was woke out of a deep sleep to hear a very high pitch screetch in the back yard. I listened further and heard nothing. Randon woke up and went out to the back yard and could not find Sakie but found a Coyote in our backyard! This cunning animal had jumped a 6 foot block wall to come into our backyard! The coyote saw Randon and quickly jumped the wall again to exit the backyard. If randon had not seen this and I have the evidence I would not believe that a coyote could jump a 6 ft. block wall!!! We then found that the coyote had attacked our big red rooster also. He is not doing so well. He is still in a state of shock this morning, I hope that he will pull through but I have not seen an animal make it out of shock such as this. Buckwheat is fine, just sad, he cried all night and seems very lonely. The coyote was going for him next when Randon come out. We are going to bury Sakie this afternoon in our backyard.

August 2005

The children are back in school. I wrote a post on thier first day, you can read it and comment at johnsonfamilydish.com . They are adjusting to the new school, schedule, and uniforms. I LOVE the uniforms, they have not let me down yet. Getting ready in the morning is so much easier with uniforms.

Charis and I are doing well at home while the others are at school. I was completely amazed that once they went to school she became quite the conversationist. I knew that her speach was good, clear and she formulates sentences well. I just did not really have the peace and quiet enough to really listen to her all of the time. I am blown away by how this child can communicate, she is sharp! (Having said how smart I think she is, I think that I should mention that every parent tends to think that they have the brightest child, and the prettiest. So, I know that you all have the brightest and prettiest children too, I can respect that.) She has been my little partner and helper. It has been so nice to have time for her alone. Charis is excited for her birthday in a few days. She wants a ‘pink birthday [cake], with cherries. She is hoping for some Polly Pockets, like all her sisters have and some my little ponies (she will get her birthday wishes). She is happy to be turning three.

Addi is doing well in Kindergarten. Her teacher is strict and that is an adjustment for any child. She is learning and doing fun things. She is so proud of her work that she brings home for me to see. She is finding that school is a challenge and that being away from Mom and having to follow the rules of her teacher is challenging. I think that it is good for her, I like her teacher and I am excited for her.

Scott, Kelcie and Morgan are all old hands at this school thing so they are doing well. We (my friend Melanie and I) are pushing the principle to set up an excellerated program for the children who are achieving a bit above thier classmates. This is an issue for some of my children and hers. I do not mean any offense by that comment, you might be suprised at who is offended by wanting an excellerate program, I was! I was not an over achiever as a student (I know that is hard to believe as you are reading all of my typo’s and mentally editing my posts) but, I have children that learn easily, and well and they are hungering for more information. I have as much right to be concerned about thier need for knowledge and learning as does the person with the child who is having a more difficult time in school. I am not trying to be snobbish or pretentious by asking for special attention to the children who achieve well and highly. I am now stepping down from the soap box.

On a very personal note, this month has been one for conquering fear and accomplishing things that I was doubting I could. There is nothing in the world like facing fear, and conquring! It makes you feel that you can do anything! I have to say here that these fears were not faced without LOTS of prayer and faith. I am thankful for the power of prayer. I am thankful that the Lord fills the gaps that we cannot.

My heart has been so sad for the people who are being affected by this hurricane, Katrina, that has destroyed their cities. It causes me to see that my ‘problems’ are really small.

Tomarrow is my (32nd) birthday. I am SO excited about it! (Hence all of the excalmation points!) Randon and I are leaving in the morning of my birthday for Idaho! For a four day vacation in McCall, a very small community in the pine trees, apparently 2 hours north-ish of Boise. The children will be staying with Becky and the Fletchers while we are gone. I am sure that they will have loads of fun too.

Now you are up to date with the Johnsons. Enjoy!