Summer Already?!

I can't believe that this time of the year has made its way around again.  There are so many things I love about the summer and one I'm definitely not fond of, that being the heat and humidity.  I have to admit that even the climate is a part of my many wonderful summer memories in GA.

We purchased a slip-and-slide for the children recently ( something I swore I would never do to my own grass, and by-the-way- its already broken) and have had great joy watching them play on it and relive so many of our own childhood memories.  The splash of the water on your face, the puncture of rocks from underneath as you slide belly first into the impending mud.  Its of course great fun for them as well!  And now that a seam has been torn we use the garden sprinkler to wet it enough for their sticky little bodies to be able to slide properly.

This summer is also different for our little family in that it is the last big break for us before Hannah starts school.  We have only Homeschooled up to this point and knew we had the liberty to go on vacation whenever and for however long we wished.  Hannah's new school puts us on a schedule much like the rest of the country.  Even so, my heart is still encouraged and I am happily anticipating this new step for us.  I am especially excited for her and believe she will thrive in this new hybrid model.

We celebrated Memorial Day by walking in our neighboring city's parade, followed by a rib cookout with dear friends and family.  I love America and I love the men and women who live and die protecting us here and abroad, who have gone before and lead the way ahead.

                                              America, The Beautiful

O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain,
for purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed his grace on thee,
and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.

O beautiful for pilgrim feet, whose stern, impassioned stress
a thoroughfare for freedom beat across the wilderness!
America! America! God mend thine every flaw,
confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law!

O beautiful  for heroes proved in liberating strife,
who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy gold refine,
till all success be nobleness, and every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years,
thine alabaster cities gleam undimmed by human tears!
America! America! God shed his grace on thee,
and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!