Melissa Johnson's (Krogen) email update

Hi everybody! Good to catch up with you.

Well after CBC I went got my diploma in Child and Youth Care did my practicum in a child/adolescent psychiatric ward (loved it) Tim began farming full time with his dad and older brother. He lived in Edmonton for 3 months each winter for 2 yrs. Nice to have him close by. I lived with Kara the 1st year and then moved in with 2 other girlfriends the 2nd.

Tim and I were married in June '98. We moved to Norquay then 5 months later into a duplex on the farm with his parents then a year 1/2 later into an old farm house in our own yard. I worked at a young offender jail in Yorkton. After 8 months of being a glorified babysitter I quit and opened my own dance school in Norquay and am now finishing up my 7th year. I also teach in a nearby town this year as well as Norquay. Our daughter Emma came into the world June 4th 2000. Our Big boy Salem was born May 20th 2002. I looked like I was having twins. Good pregnancies & healthy kids what more could we ask for. The same spring we also built our new house. We moved in 5 days before Christmas that year. We look back at our life that year and shake our heads and wonder how everything got done?

Tim continues to farm now with both brothers and his dad who is slowing starting to let go of the farm reins, so Tim has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. He does a fantastic job of organizing, marketing, and carrying out the day to day tasks of running this large scale operation. I am very proud of him. This city girl was converted to the country pretty fast, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else! Dancing continues to be going well. Both our kids take lessons and really enjoy themselves.

Emma started Kindergarten this year and Salem will start pre-school in the fall. She is very excited about learning and loves school. Salem doesn't like coloring cause he scribbles and could care less about writing/drawing. You decide who each kid takes after! Haha.

We have enjoyed trips to edmonton to visit my family, trips to visit the Birch family in Canmore( Jaime Kachman Taevan 5, Sam 3, Lily 1.5 married to Shawn beautiful home in Canmore, beautiful family), we even had the opportunity to visit tim's parents in AZ last winter. Tim & I drove up to Vegas (loved it), and visited San diego. We put 1500 miles on the rental van!

Norquay Covenant Church is doing great! Our Pastor is super! We have both been very involved in the church serving on different boards and committees. A highlight was purchasing the old elementary school and renovating it into a church! God is Good!

Tim still enjoys his fishing & hunting when he has the time. We also enjoy playing Texas Hold’em poker with some good friends from church. You probably will never see the Friday night poker game advertised in the church bulletin. I have taken up a hobby I never thought I would and that is running. I completed my first half marathon last September and we are training for another in May and September again. I love to run! I have a wonderful running partner Val who has become my go to girl, accountability friend, and all round encouraging person not only for running but for life!

Sorry I went a little long. All round life is going well, God has blessed us in many ways and some we don't even know about yet! I read something yesterday that is so true. We plan and God laughs. Over and Out, mak daddy xo