A 2022 Johnson Ensemble Update

Happy Holidays, friends!

2022 has been a good year for the Johnson Ensemble. We live out loud on social media, so most of this is probably already known, but I thought I’d write up some highlights of the year for perpetuity’s sake and for anyone who wants to see our year condensed into one short blog post!

Scott pinned on Colonel in May and graduated from the Eisenhower School in June. After some leave, he started a new job at the Pentagon where he does Air Force things for the government. I don’t actually know what he does, but I’m sure it’s important, and he’d be happy to tell you over a beer or coffee sometime soon. He handed down his 2009 Civic to Will and picked up a 2007 Honda Accord that he drives to the bus stop and back. He has enjoyed a good deal of reading this year with all the bus riding he does to and from the Pentagon!

I have been freelancing part-time as a writer/editor from home, which provides some fun money and brain tingles. I also keep our foster care plates spinning, as we’ve hosted some kiddos for respite over the last few months. After <insert terribly long story about how the publishing industry is terrible>, my picture book, Sister, should be out next spring! I have been exploring self-publishing/hybrid options for my adult writing, so I’ll let you know what comes of that as soon as I know. For the first time ever, I read over 200 books this year, which is an big indicator that this year has been restful/rejuvenating for me overall.

Will is a junior and has spent the year in costumes with roles in “Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Spamalot,” and most recently, “SpongeBob the Musical.” He has found a true passion in acting and has his sights on college theatre programs (as we are now dipping our toes into those waters). One of the highlights of the year was hosting Will’s 17th birthday party with a murder mystery theme. He was recently inducted into the National Honors Society, has been working with a vocal coach, will begin dance classes in the New Year, and is also making his way toward earning his Eagle.

Ben is in eighth grade and started the year with a new sport–wrestling! He doesn’t think it’s something he’ll continue doing, but it was a great experience, and he won all the awards at his club for being awesome. He has continued to play baseball (with Scott as his coach) and will definitely continue to do so. He has been invited to work out with the varsity team in the off season, and he’ll have tryouts for the JV team this spring. Ben celebrated his birthday this year with a Thunder game + friends. He is still playing euphonium in the Hawks Advanced Band and enjoying scouts. He continues to impress with his academic prowess but does not want us to talk about it. Ben also got braces this year for his very complicated mouth!

Bea is in first grade and has continued doing ballet and jazz. She has come so far from the tiny dancer who stared in awe without moving in every performance–at a recent parent night at the studio, I marveled at how she had such a grasp on her routines. She also added a musical theatre class to her schedule this year, and she tried soccer for the first time. We consistently get notes from her school about what a conscientious and lovely kid she is. Bea had a pool party for her birthday this year! She also started back to gymnastics after a long pandemic hiatus, and she asked Santa for mats, a balance beam, and a bar, so she can swing through the house all day. She still wants to be a trapeze artist when she grows up. Both girls are enjoying being Daisies in Girl Scouts with their school friends.

Case is in kindergarten (that’s right–all four kids in school all day!) and while school still isn’t her favorite thing, she is doing really well. After homeschooling for the second half of her preschool year and working really hard on some of her separation anxiety, she has had a great kindergarten experience. She turned the corner when we signed her up for art classes last spring–her creativity and curiosity are beyond her years. In May, she had eye surgery to correct some muscular issues, and she handled it like a champ! She is also doing gymnastics and tried soccer for the first time (but wanted to hold Bea’s hand the entire time). Case opted for a Chuck E. Cheese experience for her birthday party (and that may be the last time I have to throw one of those–yay!).

After the year started with an extra week of winter break/staycation because of a snow storm, we enjoyed a good deal of travel this year. The kids and I spent spring break in Jacksonville, FL with my mom in some of our friends’ guest house right on the beach. The Johnson Ensemble took on a massive road trip in June and July to Charleston, Disney, and then up to OK for Scott’s sister’s wedding. On our way back to DC, we were able to make stops in MO and IL to visit extended family, including the girls’ biological siblings and their families.

My mom and I then took the kids back to the beach in August as a last summer hurrah (and a celebration for Bea’s birthday), and we snuck in some fun at Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens/Water Country USA. In September, Scott and I flew to Vegas for a friend’s 40th birthday, and the next weekend I flew home to OK/MO for back to back baby showers. While I was there, I picked up our family’s newest addition–Eleanor Rigby Johnson, a three-pound Yorkie, who is practically perfect in every way (unless you make her step on grass)! Bokonon turned 15 this year and is teaching her how to be a good doggo.

We hosted Easter with framily this year and went to the mountains with framily for Thanksgiving. We celebrated Christmas early this year because we’re traveling to IL, MO, and OK for the second half of the month, and Santa showed up because we were all on the nice list.

On the aggregate, I would give this year an A- overall, which is sweet relief after several tough years in a row. We are loving Virginia so much more than I think any of us anticipated. Let us know if you’re out here to visit the nation’s capital–we’d love to host you or meet up if you’re here.

Rock on, friends.

Always,
Leia & the Band