Another month has flown right on by. The end of August always feels like the end of summer to me, and this year is no exception . . . especially since we've already had some cool and rainy weather! Here are some of the things that occupied our month.
We returned home from Nebraska (you can read about our trip here) on August 3rd, along with several dozen heads of corn. We gave part of it away to our church family, but we enjoyed the rest of for several meals!
Cross country practice was going strong all month. The elementary kids began practicing three days a week, while the junior high and high school kids continued practicing four days a week. After JH/HS practice, Brenson was often found heading up a game of disc golf with several of his teammates.
Gavon, Bren, Hope, and Abby
I made a new cross country shirt for a new season!
I also made several other shirts, including this one for Kaylee:
Our friend and sister-in-Christ, Lynn, passed away on August 9th, and so we attended her funeral and graveside service a few days later. She had cancer, and we had prayed that the Lord would take her swiftly. While we were thankful her suffering ended, it was still a really hard thing to say good-bye to her. Lynn is the third church member we've lost at Oologah in the past six weeks. This is the only photo I have of us together from a few years ago, and I'm so thankful I have it!
One day this month, I drove Mom to Wichita to visit Granny. She has recently moved from her assisted living apartment into a more traditional one-room type nursing home situation. I wish I could say we had a great visit, but it was really tough. Granny was very agitated and confused when we arrived, and it took her a good bit to calm down so we could visit with her. Even after settling down, she wasn't having a mentally clear day. At one point, she told Mom that she would love to go horseback riding. She said, "I could do it, but I know I shouldn't." 😂 Even with all that, I'm so thankful we went.
We started back with our schooling the first week of this month. The kids are working hard and doing well so far. The photo below was part of something Brenson had to do for ELA. It made me smile!
Finally, we ended the month with a quick trip to Ft. Smith, Arkansas with Mom and Dad to learn a little history and explore the National Historic Site. We typically have a cross country meet on the last Saturday of the month, but Coach decided to change things up a bit this year. We were grateful for the time to take this little trip, as it's something we've wanted to do for a while.
We went to Mom and Dad's house at about 8:00am, so Brenson and Brooke could ride with them to Ft. Smith. Of course, Grampy had to stop for donuts along the way, but we eventually made it to the Arkansas visitor's center.
And then, to Fort Smith just a little ways down the road.
We began our visit at the Visitor's Center where the kids stamped their passport books, and we watched a short video on the history of Fort Smith.
Then, we were able to walk through the jail known as "Hell on the Border".
Brooke and Brecklyn agree that it is not a place we'd want to be!
The jail had two cells that held up to 50 men each. Yikes!
On the upper floor of the visitor's center, there is a museum that gives lots of history of the fort along with some hands-on exhibits of the jail (from a different time period) and barracks where soldiers slept.
We were even able to see the courtroom where Judge Isaac Parker - known as 'The Hanging Judge' - presided.
The grounds were beautiful, and we were there on a gorgeous, cool day (for August).
Entrance of the fort with the 38 star flag flying in the background
Brenson, Chris, and Grampy with a cannon
The commissary building
Bri and Brooke with a covered wagon in front of the commissary building
After spending a few hours exploring the fort, we went to lunch at a little diner called Lewis's Family Restaurant. It was good food and hit the spot!
Before heading back to Oklahoma, we drove through the Fort Smith National Cemetery. I can't recall having ever been to a National Cemetery before, and I know this was a first for the kids.
There were graves that dated back to the Civil War. It was sobering and interesting, for sure.
Brianna and Brecklyn rode with Grampy and G-Jo on the way home, and after stopping for ice cream in Muskogee, we arrived home around 5:00pm. It was a quick trip, for sure, but we really enjoyed it!
This month definitely had some difficult parts, but as always there are blessings along with the hard. For that, we are so grateful!
