Top Ten for 2019

I love doing a top tens photo post looking back on a year. Tough to narrow it down to just ten so I tried to go with my gut and not overthink it. In chronological order, my 2019 favs:

These three. They are getting older by the year. I'm so thankful for all the time I get with them, for the relationships we are building. I second guess myself all the time as a mom...it is a joy and a challenge. I have many photos of the three of them, but this was an ordinary day after school...one of those first hints of spring after a long winter when life feels grand.

Last day of tax season and Shaun's birthday celebrated at 9pm. Thankful to be doing life by his side.

Our Koda Bear. He worked his way into all of our hearts and even though its a challenging dynamic, we love him and think he's pretty great. (Also, the shirt is very accurate...he was my alarm clock many a morning over the year.)

Florida is a welcomed exhale after tax season, a week we all look forward to each year. Shaun's such a great dad and I love watching these two together. The conversations they have!

Since we had to be in the city for my 6-month scans, we decided to stay a night and celebrate our wedding anniversary. Shaun pre-arranged everything...he bought show tickets and made dinner reservations at a place nicer than I would have agreed to. It was an amazing time. We reminisced about the past, dreamed about the future and gave thanks for the present. 25 years of marriage and clear scans...much to celebrate! So blessed!

For more than a year I prayed for a good and true friend for Avery. Sarah is the answer to those prayers. This year their friendship blossomed and its so special seeing them together.  As they both learn and grow they are supporting and cheering each other and having tons of fun. Thank you, God.

Shaun and I had a business trip to Seattle and it happened to be when the peonies were at their best. Pike Place Market had thousands upon thousands of perfectly blooming flowers. A gift.

Another gift was NO cancer. Six hard weeks and another surgery, but with a happy ending.

Three kids, six different fall sports schedules. Avery bravely tried out (and made) the high school team (and was a swing player for varsity) and Shaun coached Amanda's town team, maybe for the last time. He tried to express to the girls how special it was that they'd been playing together since they were three years old. They were undefeated and won a tournament, too.

So many hard things and fun things and learning things with this bunch. Together we experienced some low lows and high highs. I'm wildly inadequate to mother these people. But God.

Project 365, Week 52

This week was Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year. It was full of celebration and family time. I paused so many times to consider how amazing it all is, to stand in awe of God's faithfulness.

We ended the week with a double-whammy. Two friends who have been battling cancer for several years got the news that they were at the end of the line, doctors have told them there are no further treatments available to stop the inevitable. Its so hard and so sad. 

December 23

It was the day after Christmas, Part I and Aiden was up far too early, excited to put his newest Lego set together.

We wrapped and grocery shopped and cooked and generally had the anticipation building for Christmas!

December 24
So thankful I still have a kid who can hardly wait to open door #24 on the Advent calendar.

Ahhh...our church's candlelight Christmas Eve service...one of my favorite hours of the year.

Tradition.

Amy always puts on an amazing meal and evening. It was quiet and chill and so good to see everyone.

Then its back to my house to have santa come fill stockings and put presents under the tree. Years ago we stopped buying for everyone and instead we pick names. Since that time, stockings have taken on a life of their own. It was out of control in the best of ways this year.

+

Remember the two hecklers up in the balcony on The Muppets? Our very own peanut gallery. ;)

December 25
This was our "small" year, missing my brother and sister and their combined 11 children. We did get to have my sister's eldest for a few hours. So very blessed!

December 26

It was a fairly quiet day. The kids went to see Star Wars again with grandparents and uncles.

December 27
The annual bowling event with our foster care agency. We won the award for biggest crew.

December 28
Team effort to de-decorate most of the house inside and out, taking advantage of the warm-ish temps.

December 29
A friend sent me this. Amanda has been helping in kids church regularly and I'm thankful for the connections she's making.

Its a story too long and layered for here but briefly, I have a friend who was visiting her family over Christmas and started feeling ill even on the flight out here. After Christmas celebrations her husband brought her to the emergency room and its been discovered that the cancer they thought was in check with the treatments she'd been doing had actually spread.

The hospital she's at is affiliated with the cancer center where I did the first 8 months of my treatments. So many emotions as I walked in to see her. I used to not be able to drive into the parking lot without feeling nauseous and anxious, now its thankfulness mixed with guilt. Why do my kids get to grow up with their mom and hers don't? Why does my husband have a hand to hold and soon hers won't? So much I don't understand.

Project 365, Week 51

This week was a mix of excitement in getting ready for Christmas, lots of work trying to wind down the calendar year and prepare for the new tax season, and continued tension at home that finally broke very late in the week. 

December 16

We went to Cabela's for the first time. It was fun to explore and we checked off some of the Christmas list.

December 17
The kids had a snow day...Amanda sent us this picture while we were at work, showing us that she'd played with the dog and gotten some other things done. :)

A friend hosted a small dinner party. Her young son, all on his own, made us all place cards. So sweet! It was lovely celebrating the year with my girls.

December 18
So very cold, so very pretty.

December 19

Best Dad Ever bought Star Wars tickets weeks in advance for opening night and surprised the kids. They were a happy bunch. :)

December 20
Last day of school before Christmas vacation. I thought it should be a half day of school so I picked all the kids up early. Not pictured was a three-social worker, three-hour meeting in our living room working through tough stuff. Amanda had a birthday party and the girls got ready for their youth group party. Before the girls used my bathroom, I wish I'd thought to erase the message I wrote to Shaun on the mirror All I want for Christmas is you, emphasis on I want you. Oops!

Sarah is literally an answer to prayer...so many times I asked God to connect her with just one friend who she could do these teen years with. Sarah is more than I prayed for...we're so thankful for her.

My neighbor hosted a party for the moms in our neighborhood. They are such a great group of ladies and I enjoy time with them, even though I don't fit in perfectly.

December 21
Maddy was so sweet to take the girls to brunch. What's better than having a group of teens hanging in your living room?

Sienna brought her kids + ingredients over to make the traditional Christmas cookies. Alayna and Gavin were the most committed to the process, though everyone was interested when eating time came. ;)

December 22
Christmas I at Sarah and Tony's new house.