Merry Christmas!

Hello Friends,

This year I'm writing our Christmas letter via our blog.  It's been a beautiful year.  I asked my kids to write their own paragraph about themselves for the Christmas letter (or to dictate it).  This is what they had to say:

Kayla (age 11):

This year has been quite exciting. Surprisingly, I have been to the hospital three times; once for a fractured wrist, once for a concussion, and yet another time for a bruised rib. I continue to love roller coasters and I had many opportunities to experience them this past year with a visit to Disneyworld, Universal Studios, and a season pass to King’s Dominion. Recently I’ve taken an interest in politics, though I've found it isn’t a very popular subject among 11-year-old girls. J My dad and I like to watch the debates together. My new toy interest is Squinkies-- tiny, squishy, creatures that can fit on the top of a pencil. Although my mom isn’t thrilled I’ve started another toy collection, she is glad that Squinkies are tiny and don’t take up much space. It has been a fun, fascinating year and I look forward to 2012.

Hunter (age 10):

One of the best things that happened this past year was on New Year’s Day. Every year on January 1^st, we have a brunch party at our house with our relatives. We have steaming hot chocolate, waffles, eggs, bacon, and cinnamon rolls, and I get to play with my cousins. Another exciting thing that happened was an adventure at Harper’s Ferry. We climbed big rocks, ate ice cream, and hiked steep stairways to look at old churches. Then something a little scary happened. Kayla, Tanner, and I got caught in some rapids while we were floating down the river. I was afraid we might drown, but then I said a prayer and my dad came and saved us. A little bit about me: I like to eat steak. I like to play video games. I like to play football and other sports with my Dad.   I like to play with Legos and Bionicles.  School is getting better, I even like writing now.  That’s a little about me.

Tanner (age 4):

I like to build with Legos and Bionicles.  I like to play Roblox on the computer.  I like to play Spiderman Friend or Foe on the X-box.  I like to play with my cars. I like to ride my bike, it’s my favorite thing. I like to write letters (the ABC’s), it’s my favorite thing too. I like going to the barbershop to get my haircut and get free popcorn and lollipops. I love lollipops. Candy is also my favorite thing. I like to play with Geo Trax. I like going to Disneyworld. I got to eat breakfast there for my birthday with Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. I want to go there again.  I go to preschool now at 4 R's.  I like my teachers.

    

Archer (age 8 months):

Archer likes to smile, eat, and watch his siblings play.  He's scooting all over the place now, but still hasn't progressed from an army crawl to a regular crawl.  He sleeps great and is generally happy.  He is delightful and we feel so blessed to have him in our family.  More about Archer here.

The Parents: 

Jason didn't get his paragraph to me yet, so I guess I'll write a couple of things about him.  He is ever the wonderful husband and father, making sure we all laugh and have fun.  He is cubmaster at church and it suits him perfectly (in my opinion).  He has always been a natural at planning fun activities for kids, so this is just an extension of that.  He still works for Scitor and we're thankful for his job with a great company.  He is the rock we all lean on and I feel grateful for him every day.

 I am happy and thankful for my many blessings.  The highlight of the year for me was the arrival of baby Archer on April 12th.  I grew a garden for the first time and finally went on a roller coaster after many years of being too scared. I only went on ONE, but maybe next year I can work up to two!  I'm still homeschooling and enjoying it greatly.  We have a lot of fun together and I feel lucky to have so much time with my kiddos.  They are growing up so fast.

That's a little bit about us and our year.  We hope all is well with our friends and loved ones near and far.  Have a beautiful Christmas!

Love,

The LaFroths

Montpelier--Home of James Madison

As I was searching through our photos, trying to decide what to put on our Christmas card, I came across these photos from Montpelier and wanted to post them.  Jason and Kayla first visited here in the summer of 2010 and it was love at first sight...or something like that.  Montpelier is still going through the restoration process so it isn't fully furnished like Monticello or Mount Vernon.  However, the grounds are quiet, secluded, peaceful, and beautiful.  Jason likes this home more than the others because he feels he can really talk to the tour guides and ask questions as opposed to being herded through the house like cattle.  Plus, if you hit it at certain times, you can have a lovely chat with James Madison or Dolly.  Jason took Kayla and I to Montpelier this past summer, he took all the kids (except baby) in the fall, and then we went back for a Christmas candlelight tour this month.  Yes...he likes it that much.  The kids have had their fill of "old houses," but they are perfectly happy to explore the property without a house-tour.  What a lovely property it is!

 

Archer is 7 months!

Archer at Montpelier (home of James Madison), Sept. 2011

 Archer turned 7 months old on November 12 and hit a couple of milestones this week.  His first tooth broke through.  To my surprise, it was on the top of his mouth instead of the bottom!  I had been checking his bottom gums daily because his cries sounded like teething cries but I didn't think to check the top.  His other top tooth broke through a couple of days later.  Archer also started the army crawl this week.  He saw something he wanted across the room and to my surprise, started dragging his little body towards it.  It was so cute!  I'll add some video later.

Archer at Cox Farm, October 2011

For the record, we adore this darling boy!  Not a day goes by that I don't think about how wonderful babies are.  Yes, they are demanding, and when they are going through a fussy bout it does not feel wonderful, but when they smile, laugh, play, get excited, and do new things, it is so irresistable!  It's interesting how much of a magnet little babies are too.  I tried to shop at Walmart last weekend and had such a hard time getting any shopping done because so many people stopped to talk and play with Archer.  It was cute. 

Archer at Cox Farm, October 2011

More about Archer....

Archer is a very happy, content baby.  We went through some fussy spells early in his life but those days are gone.  (Well, they do return a bit when he is teething or sick.)  I keep marvelling at how fast babyhood goes by.  In the beginning, the days and sleepless nights feel so long but before you know it, they are past.  Before you know it, your baby can be happy without being held all of the time.  Before you know it, you can get things done again.  Not as much as you used to, but you can do some things!  Archer likes to play on the floor with toys, he especially likes to dump out his brother's bin of hotwheel cars.  He likes to hang out in his little play gym.  He loves cheerios and cereal puffs (they help extend the time he will stay in the play gym).  He loves all food now.  I didn't start feeding him solids until 6 months but he has taken to it with a vengeance!   He especially likes to gnaw on a tough crust of bread.  He loves to watch his brothers and sisters play, they keep him entertained.  Hunter likes to chant this little song over and over "Doo doo baby, doo doo baby.." getting progressively louder and louder each time he says it.  It drives me crazy but the baby loves it, so I tolerate it.  The baby is very fascinated with Hunter overall.  If I'm feeding Archer or changing his diaper and Hunter walks in the room, the baby will twist and turn so he can see him.  It really helps me to have the big kids around.  Archer still goes in his baby swing once in awhile but not to lay back and fall asleep. He is wide awake and trying with all of his might to grab the legs of the swing.  He doesn't want to be abandoned in the room but will be happy in the swing for awhile if he has people to watch.  Archer takes good naps in his crib when we are home but my days of staying home and keeping my babies on a perfect schedule are gone.  We are often away from the home for classes and field trips but he does pretty well.  All in all, I couldn't be more delighted with this little guy.  I love you Archie boo!

Archer with Daddy at Skyline Caverns, September 2011

Strategies for Sanity

I continue to mentally compose blogs in my head without managing to physically compose them.  I have more time to think than write I suppose. :)  So, instead of writing something inspiring and uplifting myself, I'll share something someone else wrote.  I recently found the blog of an amazing mother of 10 children.  I have seen her at homeschooling conferences over the past 6 years and always admired her from a distance.  I've only spoken to her a few times but every time I have, I've been impressed with her calm presence and beautiful spirit.  I am fascinated by big families.  I don't know why I find them so fascinating when I grew up in a large family myself (10 children), but fascinating they are.  Four children feels like such a lot some days and I wonder how people who have more do all they do.  Karolyn shares her "Strategies for Sanity" (or for keeping a firm mind and a peaceful home) on her blog and I wanted to share her straegies here too.  I'm just going to list them but it really is worth going to her blog to read the full description of each strategy:

http://firmnessofmindmom.blogspot.com/2011/04/strategies-for-keeping-firm-mind.html

1.  Make your daily spiritual/mental nourishment #1 priority.

2.  Work for physical order & guard your family.

3.  Use self-educating curriculum.

4.  Outside activities: less is more

5.  Know your personality strenghts and weaknesses and work to improve.

6.  You've only got one body; take care of it.

Other posts I loved:

"A Joyful Mother of Many Children" (expounds more on the above strategies)
http://firmnessofmindmom.blogspot.com/2011/05/joyful-mother-of-many-children-ldsehe.html

"Peace Which Passeth All Understanding"
http://firmnessofmindmom.blogspot.com/2011/05/peace-which-passeth-understanding.html

A Dose of Love

The Vision

Mom gets sick with pneumonia and can hardly function.   The children cheerfully get up and do their morning chores as usual.  They eagerly start their school work on time without complaint.  There is no bickering or fighting, only loving words.  The baby stays on his schedule and takes good long naps in the morning and afternoon allowing Mama some much needed rest.  When he isn’t sleeping, he is easily entertained by the older children.  The 4-year-old continues to go to preschool and stays happily engaged when he is at home.  Everyone picks up after themselves and stays on top of their chores so the house stays neat and tidy.  Such a lovely dream…

The Reality

Mom gets sick with pneumonia and can hardly function.  At any given moment, the house looks like a tornado swept through it.  The older children are barely doing any school work or chores.  At times they are fighting intensely.  Most of the time, they are staying out of earshot of Mom which isn’t very hard since she can hardly speak at all.  They are making themselves unavailable to be tasked, figuring if they just leave Mom in peace, she won’t give them anything to do…they are right.   The 4-year-old isn’t feeling well either which translates into him being extra cranky, demanding, and needy and not able to go to preschool.  Something is also wrong with the baby as he is crying most of the time and NOT sleeping.  Mom is in despair.

          Happily, the story doesn’t end there.  At some point, I dragged myself to the doctor, got a chest x-ray, got started on antibiotics, and felt drastically better within 24 hours.  I was no longer shaking with fever and chills, my chest pain was subsiding, and I could breath again.

Before this happy change, I hit a low point.  My sweet husband had tried to get off work so he could take care of the family, but he had obligations he couldn’t get out of.  I was weary, weary, weary with trying to take care of my unhappy baby.  I feared he would need to go to the doctor soon and our car wouldn’t start (I learned this when I tried to get myself to the doctor).  At this point, my big kids were trying to help but they couldn’t do much with the fussy baby either.   I just wanted to sleep but I couldn’t.  I felt desperate and miserable and tried to think of who I could call for help.  Who could I ask to take care of my fussy baby and whiny 4-year-old so I could rest?  I knew my friends would do it but how could I ask them to?  What if they got sick helping me?  I WANTED  MY MOMMY!  I indulged in a nice crying fit as I thought about all of these things…and then the phone rang.  I was in no state to be talking on the phone so I let the answering machine get it.  I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard the message,

“Hi Marsha, this is Tami (compassionate service leader from church), I heard you were sick (thank you facebook) and I’m calling to see how we can help.”

You know in the movies when the heavens open up and a light shines down and the angels sing?  Well, that is how I felt at that moment.  In my heart I felt, “Heavenly Father loves me and everything is going to be okay.”

And it has been.  I had a nice long chat with Tami and felt better just having someone to share my woes with.   My mother-in-law loaned her car and watched the kids so I could get to the doctor.  She also took the kids to her house so I could rest.  My brother-in-law helped to fix our car.  Friends from church brought us dinner and helped shuffle my kids to their classes.  I was overwhelmed (in a good way) by the kindness of others in my time of need.  And even though I still had that fussy baby by my side, his spirits improved and we had some beautiful naps together.  During my moment of crisis, I had tried to play the “Glad Game” from Pollyanna, but try as I might, I couldn’t think of anything glad about getting pneumonia.  Well, that changed.   Getting sick showed me I was loved and needed and I’m thankful for that.  Thank you one and all for the dose of love you sent my way, it meant so much.

Caramel Popcorn & Composition Meet

The children were nestled all snug in their beds when Jason decided to try out the new microwave caramel popcorn he had bought.  After he polished it off (with some help from me), Kayla came down and handed him a paper and went back to her room.  At the top of the paper she wrote, "I hope this is a good descriptive paragraph.  Please grade it." 

Caramel Popcorn
by Kayla LaFroth

The smell of caramel popcorn tantalized me as I sat miserably in my hot pink chair in my cheerful room.  The idea of sneaking downstairs and stealing a couple handfuls of the caramel coated popcorn sounded very appealing.  I imagined crunching as I munched on the delicious, sticky, little caramel puffs, the caramel exploding flavor into my mouth as I chewed the popcorn.  Instead, I sat, taunted about those little puffs iced with caramel.

Jason delivered a bowl of popcorn to her room with an "A" taped on it.

Yogi Bear Campground

I have started many posts over the past few months but never published them because I was waiting to add photos.  This is a post from May that I finally added pictures too.

Jason took the kids camping at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park to celebrate Kayla's eleventh birthday.  This was an odd birthday (as in odd not even), so it was not a "party" year.  We still try to do something special on the odd birthdays so Jason took Kayla, her friend--Olivia, and the boys to this awesome place.  I stayed at home with the baby and learned to appreciate how much they all help me when they are here.  They had a blast!  Happy Birthday sweet Kayla.

The Crew

The place they stayed...not really camping.  A cabin with A/C, kitchen, bathroom, tv. etc!

Tanner meets Yogi at the pool.

The golf carts were a huge hit!

Lazer Tag, here we come!

Watch out!

Giant Jumping Pillow

Water Slide

Paddle Boats

Building sand castles in the volley ball pit

Action figures they made out of clay during a rainy afternoon

Marshamallow Roasting...or burning.

Just for fun, let's contrast the place Jason camped at to the place I camped at BY MYSELF with the 3 kids AND THE DOG last summer:

Hmmmm....I think Jason is a little smarter than me.  I'm not sure how I let myself get talked into it.   We were all going to go together but Jason had to work until Friday and we were afraid we wouldn't get a camping spot, so I went down Thursday night to set up camp all by my lonesome.  Jason had me practice setting up the tent at home since that is usually his job.  He suggested it would be super cute and a great adventure.  Well...our tent did not have a bathroom, kitchen, or A/C and boy did I need it!  (No, I'm not bitter!)  I wish I could say I have fond memories of the experience but I'm afraid it might have been the end of my camping career.  That's why I'm still whining about it a year later! :)