Project 365, Week 8

It was a pretty sweet week, really our first taste of spring-ish weather in quite some time and we soaked it up! We also got some good family time and wrapped up basketball. Life is good.

February 18

We woke up to a winter wonderland...easily shovel-able and gone in two days...perfect!

I drove J to a horse show. Not what I wanted to be doing on an early Sunday morning, but it sure was beautiful!

Avery's team got eliminated in the playoffs.

Aidan's team advanced. More notably, he touched the ball! :)

Grandpa Tom retired and Grandma and Auntie Sarah threw him a very nice celebration party. It was good to be with family. As we were walking out the door, I asked Aiden to put on some nicer clothes. He named the little boy cousins who would be there and told me he'd be rolling around on the floor with them so what he had on would work better for big-cousin duties. :)

February 19
No school! We had planned to get together with our RI family but they were sick, so we facetimed instead....

...and then went to see The Greatest Showman with our CT cousins. What a crazy bunch! :)

February 20
Those first warm-ish days are the sweetest.

Aiden's team lost in the final round of playoffs. BUT, they got second-place trophies! ;)

February 21
70 degrees compelled us to go play outside. The girls waded in the water until they reached the ice! :)

February 23
A new family moved into the area and their two oldest girls started are now Avery and Amanda's classmates. We had them over to get to know them and help make them feel welcome. So brave to move across the country...with (almost) 7 kids!

February 24
Back at that same horse barn for a different event. No snow this time but still very pretty.

My kids love being the big cousins.

Project 365, Week 7

Someone pointed out that this was the first full week of school we've had in a long time. We also worked on wrapping up basketball. I wish "horse season" would wrap up, too, but it seems that is a year-round thing.

I read some really profound things on Valentine's Day this week, here is one:

Everyday romance has less to do with roses, chocolates, and sparkly things and more to do with fragrant offerings of service, gracious words and diamond-like strength to persevere, formed through the pressures of trials and pain. Those are hard-won fragrant, sweet, and dazzling tokens that keep love alive in the everyday. 

What we desire will never be fulfilled through more money, enviable circumstances, well-executed date nights, extravagant declarations of love, or even in finding the man of our dreams. 

Learning to see with eyes of gratitude in the everyday makes you delighted not doubtful, fun not fretting, happy not hard-to-please, pursuing not pressuring. Turns out, you become someone who loves what she already has.

February 12

Last basketball game for the school team. So fun to see them playing together, even though they do better when they're not on the court together.

February 13

Since Ash Wednesday landed on Valentine's Day this year, Aiden's teacher bumped up the class's Valentine's party. Which meant at 7 AM we were at the store. But he's a boy and he's decisive and it took 20 seconds for him to decide. :)

Nice outfit, Amanda. :)

Bikes and walkie-talkies...that a good sign!!

February 14

Our church put on a nice couples dinner and Amy and Colombo were the guest speakers! They gave a real, heart-felt talk about marriage and how, for them, marriage has been a choice, a commitment and a calling. They were honest about the fact that many years of their marriage have been heavy on the commitment and light on the "feeling it". They did an amazing job giving hope and inspiration.

February 15

Amanda and I worked together side by side to make several dishes. Oddly enough, the 24 deviled eggs were gone in about an hour. Yes...deviled eggs!

February 16

My dad took Amanda and Aiden to a coffee house and Amanda got to sing with him! They sang "Pop's Crazy Song" and Kiki reminded me of a video from many years ago...its epic!

February 17

My little basketball guy, who loves to win but does not love to touch the ball.

Freshly inspired by Pop, Amanda sat down and tuned her guitar and taught herself some chords. We think she fits the profile of a guitar player/singer. :)

February's 10 on 10

10 pictures on the 10th day of the month (Saturday).

{Document a snapshot of your life & find beauty among the ordinary things in your day! }

1 new Lego set = 2 happy boys

Winter means puzzles.

Aiden's basketball game.

We'd gone to the library the day before so we were all a little obsessed with our new books.

If you set your heart towards gratefulness, this is what a life of luxury can look like. A second-pot cup of coffee, alone in the basement watching Fixer Upper while ironing a hard-working-husband's shirts.

Spinach, salmon, avocado, beets, feta. Do I eat it because its SO yummy or to gross my family out? :)

Books in hand, it was a quiet ride to church.

Avery and J amused themselves while Amanda rehearsed with the praise team.

I taught in the toddler class, which is usually quite entertaining. 2 & 3 is awesome!

In my head, I pictured us all sitting down to a nice family dinner. What actually happened was K went to her boyfriend's house after work and Shaun was too spent (and cranky! ;) from his very long and uh...taxing week and day of work to join us. During this time, I've learned to "give space and grace", just like we tell our kids all the time.

Back at the Lego project and they actually completed it.

Go, USA!!

Project 365. Week 6

Lots of dailyness in these photos, but we like normal and routine, even when its full, and largely without Shaun :(.

February 5

“Next time a sunrise steals 
your breath or a meadow of flowers 
leave you speechless, remain that way.
Say nothing and listen as Heaven
whispers, "Do you like it?
I did it just for you.”

― Max Lucado

February 6

Day 1 of a new training program. There's a half marathon in my hometown the end of April.

February 7
Another! snow day.

February 8
When its Aiden and I grocery shopping, I throw most of the items to him then he puts them in the cart. He has amazing reflects. :) He's also great at giving me "the eyes" such that things like mini bagel pizzas end up in our cart. ;)

He saved up his money and comparison shopped for this lego set. He spent hours looking at the box, thinking, dreaming, planning, waiting for the day when Shaun would be home to help him.

February 9

The kids can make fun out of a kiddie pool or a large, iced-over puddle in the yard.

We had an inordinate amount of fun at the library.

February 10
Finally the day arrived! Shaun didn't have to be in to work until 10, so they started building the Lego set before breakfast.

February 11
Amanda was part of the worship team for the weekend. Its a big sacrifice, taking about 8 hours of the weekend, but its beautiful to see her serving and using her gifts.

J had a horse show...she sent me photos with all her ribbons!