Life is full and truly beautiful! We are currently in our 6th year of homeschooling. This has been an adventure with many ups and downs, but at the end of every day we are grateful for this homeschooling journey.
One of the highlights in this stage of life is watching our childrenās imagination at work. One fun example, an āIndian Tribeā (aka Indian camp) is under construction in the back field. These truly are the joyful years of life!
Felix, at 16 months old, has a mouth full of teeth which he uses to his advantage. He has tried everyoneās patience while discovering his world. He went through a stage where, with his chompers, he took chunks out of all the board books. On a happy note, he has helped us dejunk. This year Felix learned how to crawl and walk. His favorite place is outside. He is unhappy with the lack of freedom that comes with the cold of winter. Dad is his favorite person. Tony is the one who is able to get Felix to sleep when no one else can.
Marshall is 6 years old! Marshall took the initiative to learn how to ride a bike without training wheels, he has lost two teeth, and he loves to play the card game trash. This fall he discovered that he loves jeans. At one point Marshall said, āWhen Iām wearing jeans, Iām not afraid of anything!ā Carrying his pocketknife in his jean pocket is the new cool thing in Marshallās life. He is rocking kindergarten and is well on his way to becoming a great reader!
Zaylee is 10 years old! She is a voracious reader. She LOVES many different books. This year she discovered the joy of older Newberry Honor Books and currently is ripping through the Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites adventure series. She loves to crochet stuffed animals. We call Zaylee our in-house crochet expert. If questions arise in the middle of a pattern or if we canāt remember a stitch, we ask Zaylee before consulting YouTube. She has a shelf that is quickly filling up with her stuffed animal creations. Zaylee is in 5th grade and does excellent in her academic studies.Ā
Jozlin, at 13, is a teenager! She is in 7th grade this year, and is growing quickly. She will soon pass up her mother in height! Jozlin wore an orthodontic āMaraā appliance for 21 months and finally got it out this fall. She is now fully in braces! Jozlinās piano skills are quite impressive! She has learned some beautiful piano pieces this year. She loves to sing! Jozlin loves to play young women’s volleyball and basketball. Her team took 1st place in the Stake Volleyball tournament this fall! She broke her toe and was unable to play basketball this year. This girl is skilled when it comes to a crochet hook and yarn. She is currently making a dragon! Being an avid reader, Jozlin currently is expanding her repertoire to include nonfiction biographical novels.
Terynn turns 36 this month! In addition to being the mother to her own children, she has now been the Primary President in our ward for two years. In her very limited personal time, she journals, dabbles in music, crochets, and reads. Baking cookies is her favorite thing! This summer she planted a new berm with apple trees and flowers. This fall she took on a leadership position in our homeschool co-op, Star Valley Leadership Academy.
Tony is 40! This spring, he put a sprinkler system in our yard! Tony has discovered his favorite exercise, rucking. Tony has walked/hiked over 200 miles this year with a 30 lb steel plate in his backpack. This is his 3rd year as the owner of Precision Snow Removal. On top of everything else, Tony did an excellent job teaching an Automotive Mechanics class to 20 H.S. homeschoolers through the SVLA co-op.
We have been very blessed in all aspects of life! We attribute all these blessings to the Lord. All good things come because of our Savior Jesus Christ! Hoping this letter finds you well, we send our love along with Christmas Greetings!
š Tony & Terynn Barnes & Family