1st day of school

Due to extenuating circumstances, the girls started their homelink enrichment classes at the Chewelah elementary school a month late. They were so excited to finally go and see all of their friends.



This year Mindy is in the fourth grade and is finally old enough to join the choir and is looking forward to that that.




Mackensey is in the third grade and is taking guitar club with other homeschooled kids. She had a 45 minute catch up session with the teacher and learned what everyone else did in 5 weeks! She did great and loved it!

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Makayla has started taking piano lessons this year and amazes me at how quickly she is picking up on it.

We had a hot dog roast on our property Friday night. We have been wanting to all summer, but without rain for two months straight, we had to wait for the burn ban to be lifted.









The fire was too hot so Maddy was wearing this box on her head to be able to get close to the fire and still see through the holes. Marianne wanted to try it on...



Ben crashes on Sunday afternoon after trying to keep up with his sisters (stay up late, too).



The World is Mine

The World is Mine
Today upon a bus I saw a girl with golden hair;
She seemed so gay, I envied her, and wished that I were half so fair;
I watched her as she rose to leave, and saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and wore a crutch, but as she passed--a smile.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I have two legs—the world is mine.
Later on I bought some sweets. The boy who sold them had such charm,
I thought I'd stop and talk awhile. If I were late, t'would do no harm.
And as we talked he said, "Thank you, sir, you've really been so kind.
It's nice to talk to folks like you because, you see, I'm blind".
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I have two eyes—the world is mine.
Later, walking down the street, I met a boy with eyes so blue.
But he stood and watched the others play; it seemed he knew not what to do.
I paused, and then I said, "Why don't you join the others, dear?"
But he looked straight ahead without a word, and then I knew, he couldn't hear.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I have two ears—the world is mine.
Two legs to take me where I go,
Two eyes to see the sunset's glow,
Two ears to hear all I should know,
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine;
I'm blest, indeed, the world is mine.

Tennyson Guyer (1913–1981)

This poem has been going through my mind a lot lately, especially this weekend as we went to Phoenix for Barry's sister Anna's funeral. She died at the age of 41 after battling cancer for 10 years. She and her husband have two children that are the same ages as our two oldest. Three years ago her leg was amputated due to the tumor that was on her leg.  She was a cheerful, loving person.

Barry's other sister (he has six sisters) was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and has had several surgeries dealing with that. He has another sister who is currently undergoing 9 months of chemotherapy for Lymphoma. They, and many others are courageous examples of faith in the midst of trials.

Barry and his brothers as pallbearers at the cemetary. It was a beautiful day!

This was taken before the funeral. These are the precious little ones that I get to kiss goodnight.

I haven't updated my blog in a while and I have a lot more pictures, but I wanted to get this out without delay. Have a great day!