Work, Eat, Play, Sleep

JULY 24

Bronwyn was raring to go in the morning to help out at the church. She was put on insulation duty. Keegan was out there, too, helping Ike and doing drywall. Bronwyn is having such a good time here that she said if she had known what fun McPhoo would be, she probably wouldn't have enjoyed Inuvik so much. Mackenzie made some bread in our breadmaker so she could contribute. I have been pretty much useless, juggling a baby and little ones, without the assistance of my older two. A very humbling experience. But Josiah and Mackenzie, and even Diana, are doing all they can to help out.

All started swimming lessons. Ezra and Naomi were first. The instructor warned me beforehand that he really didn't like teaching younger children because he has to be nice to them, but he was the only one qualified. He needn't have warned me; he was great. Naomi was like a fish in the water, and the instructor said she needs to be bumped up a level. Ezra was scared to start because of the depth, but in no time he was paddlilng all over the place. He swam, with a lifejacket. over 5 lengths of the small pool. But maybe he was just trying to keep warm. Their lesson was a whole hour and their teeth were sure chattering when they were done. Diana went next with Jesse, then Josiah with Judah. The pool is so close to the school where we eat, that they just walked there by themselves. I have no idea how it went for them. I guess I should find out!

Our big three and the Hanthorn big four were last and all are in agreement that their instructor is great. Bronwyn said she could tell he actually wanted them to learn something, that it wasn't just a job for him. He has been all over the world and he was in New York on 9/11, adminstering first aid. I told the kids they should talk to him about his experiences. He could probably teach them a whole lot more than swimming skills. He loves to teach kids 10 and over because he can teach them so many valuable skills. We'll see what transpires. It's just our 7 kids in the class, so it's almost like private lessons.

Things were ticking along at the job site. Paul was helping Ike with the siding, one man was doing the railing, and many more were inside working on various things, including Keegan and Bronwyn. The building inspector came by, and Ike told the kids it might be a good time for them to take a break! Before we arrived, one of the main organizers of the project, Myrna,fell from some scaffolding and broke her femur. She had to be airlifted to Yellowknife.

We had a sing-along after supper. Michele had made yummy meatlof. Mackenzie helped with dishes, and spilled a bunch of bleach all over herself. Bronwyn and Ruthie led music on their violin and guitar. They did a good job. Ezra passed out song books to everyone, whether they wanted one or not, or whether they already had one or not. He came back to me and whispered, "Mommy, I am being a good servant handing out books." Naomi was tired of singing, so she played in the gym. Evangeline sat on Annah's lap and then alone on a chair, mouthing sounds to the music. We had a prayer and sharing time and it was very nice. One fellow commented how impressed he was with the teens. He said they were such a good bunch, who also knew how to work. Then we were off to bed, and it is amazing how much quicker and earlier everyone is falling asleep. Hooray!