And Autumn Came

I guess Summer is my favorite season, but I am always astounded at the beauty of Fall. When I see how gleaming and golden our fields get in October, and the thousand different colors of leaves that fall gracefully to decorate our lawn, when I start drinking hot tea again, these are the times when I think that there is absolutely nothing better than Fall.

Right now I am looking out through the living room window, and I see a hundred Tamaracks that seem to glow bright orange against the deep green Pine trees. One of my favorite things about Autumn, is when you come to our house from town, you can see one tree, just off of the I-90 on ramp, that turns absolutely the most beautiful color of red.When I see it beginning to turn, I get excited, because it marks the coming of a new season.

Mary-Hannah Christina McGuffey

10 Things

I would like to thank God for 10 things today.

1. First, I want to say thanks for my parents. Not many people have parents who are as great as mine, something which I am not oblivious to, and really, really appreciate.

2. Secondly, I am thankful for my siblings. I have six great brothers and one amazing sister, so today I would like to thank God for Matt, Micah, Isaiah, Ezra, David, Jesse, and Grace-Marie. Without you guys... I would not be the person that I am. (I might be a little more sane, but I would not be who I am today!) As individual as you all are, I will still only count my siblings as one.

3. An utterly amazing church; I have a church who accepts all people, and their only intent is to help. They sing as though they can't contain their love for God, and preach even more sincerely. There has never been a person who was not accepted at Open Door Baptist church and for that I am unbelievably grateful.

4. A free country; I know that there are a lot of really huge problems with America, and I probably complain about them more than most people. That being said, we are still doing pretty well around here. I am still free to homeschool, read my Bible, and dye my hair blue, should I wish to do such a thing. A free country is a good thing, something we often take for granted.

5. A home. I have always had a roof over my head, I've always had a place to come home to. Even here in America, I realize that more and more people don't have that. Even more than just a home, I have a home on a beautiful farm in Western Montana. Could God be any more gracious to me?

6. I am thankful for the privilege to be homeschooled. I have been homeschooled all of my life, and just in the past few years have I been ridiculed for it. I think people make fun of homeschoolers because they simply don't understand. I imagine most people think, those children don't go to school, so they must not be educated, and I know that there are people who are very sad excuses for homeschoolers, but hey, the average high school graduate isn't that impressive either. Homeschooling provides the ability and the resources to become educated in the very best way possible. Homeschooled children are not limited by the walls or cookie cutter lifestyles laid out by the public school system. Laugh if you want to, but I am proud to be homeschooled.

7. Freckles... right. Actually my mom just told me to say that one, but what does it matter? In everything give thanks.

8. Run-on and fragment sentences, without these dear components of my life I would be unable to speak. I'm not kidding, I annoy myself with the way I write.

9. My community. Growing up in a town of nine hundred people you are often unsure of what to expect of yourself. Growing up in a town of nine hundred people, in western Montana, you are secretly horrified that one day you will wake up and realize that you have a full-blown northern accent. Growing up in a town of nine hundred people you are afraid that you might go to New York City someday and have a mental breakdown because of the traffic. Though that may very well be the case, I am thankful for this town of only nine hundred people.

10. I am thankful for good health. I wheeze every once in a while due to asthma and I can't eat splenda because of allergies. Other than that, and compared to most people I have pretty good health and I am really thankful for that. I realize that this is a blessing that a lot of the people in this world can't claim. God has bestowed upon me youth and good health for the time being, and I know this is something that I cannot simply dispose of. Thank you God!

Yours,
Mary-Hannah Christina McGuffey

The Photo Story of My Travels Abroad

Now I present to you the photo story of my travels abroad. ("Abroad" meaning around here... and in Washington.)
The horse silhouettes below are sculptures featured on a butte at the Columbia River Gorge, just outside of the lovely Vantage, Washington. Seeing these horses is always a little highlight of our regular trip to Seattle. This is the first time that I have captured them on camera, and it was a truly fun photo opportunity. I also noticed, though you can't see it on this picture, the last few horses have letters on them. My first thought was that it was the artist's initials, but there seems to be too many letters. Anyway, I found that interesting.

Here are some dandelions in Bellevue, Washington which is just outside of Seattle. Although you may not believe me because it was actually sunny.
Also, the sky-scape was taken in our back yard. It was about 9:00 in the morning and the whole world was just glowing pink. It was so pretty!


Here are some thistles that we came across up on the mountain behind our house while looking for firewood. They were so bright it was almost... hypnotic. Dr. Seuss-ish if you know what I mean.


Below we have Jesse, (survivor man) opening his Swiss army knife and Grace-Marie (woods diva) trying to maneuver the thick underbrush, heavily clad with bling. Notice the glittery pink feather boa.


Hope you all like the pictures!
Mary-Hannah Christina McGuffey