Christmas Letter

Dear Family and Friends,

I cannot believe how fast this year has gone by! It's been a good one, full of change as usual. Joseph started last year off with a new job. He works for Bombardier LearJet and has enjoyed his assignments and responsibilities. In May he unexpectedly landed another job as a radio host. The Joseph Ashby Show is a conservative talk radio show focusing on local and national issues. It runs Mon-Fri from 6-8am and they are hoping to have podcasts available on the website soon: http://kqamradio.com/ He loves it.

Isabel (8) is in third grade this year and just becoming more and more capable. She loves putting Titus to bed and singing Christmas songs to calm him when he is upset. She is my awesome second mom and I couldn't run the house without her. August was a special month because she turned 8 and was baptized. Isabel loves sewing (glad someone in the house does), reading, telling stories and making up jokes. My favorite one is: What kind of straw doesn't work for drinking? A strawberry! 

 

Ansel (6) is in first grade this year and is such a little math wiz. He does extra assignments early in the week so he can have math days off later in the week. Ansel's cheerful attitude brightens my days. I love it when he gets into laughing fits. He enjoys building with legos and k'nex, riding bikes and playing sports. He is very excited to start a basketball class this month.

Lincoln (4) has grown so much recently and is finally beginning to mature (a tiny bit). Our little goofball has surprised me with how well he does with his reading lessons. I worried that he would be the hardest to teach, but he has been the easiest so far!! (knock on wood...) He is cute and gets so excited when it's his turn to do school with me. He just learned how to ride a bike on Thanksgiving and feels so happy with the freedom that brings.

Titus (2 in Jan) is huge. I've already been switching out his size 2 clothes for size 3. He loves to be the center of attention and will just ham anything up. He is so cute and funny and has started saying lots of words. Titus' favorite family tradition is running to the garage when he hears it open. He greets his dad by screaming his name with delight, goes straight for his lunch bag which he then dunks in his little basketball hoop. He LOVES balls and playing basketball and recently has started to play football. I love watching Titus run with the ball until Lincoln tackles him. (He likes it too.)

I am doing well, just trying to enjoy the wonderful moments of life. Homeschooling can sometimes take up so much time, but I'm glad to be working with and spending so much time with my kids. At church I got called to work with the Primary, so I've been getting involved in Cub Scouts, working with teachers and the kids. It's been a lot of work, but I really do love the chance to serve others and especially the children.

I know that Jesus Christ really was born to Mary. He lived a perfect life to set an example for us. It is only through following Him and living His teachings that we can experience true peace and happiness in this life [even while dealing with the hard things in life] and return home to our Heavenly Father.

The Ashby Family wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!