Project 365, Week 24

There is so much heaviness and heartache in the world right now and also there are graduations and smiley babies and ice cream cones and sunrises.

From the doubts of yesterday, resurrect my faith. 

From the wounds of yesterday, resurrect my love.

~a Liturgy for the Ritual of Morning Coffee

June 8

Signs of the times. 

June 9
Family fun run (yes to Aiden).

Sometimes Family + Activity (does NOT) = Fun. Today was one of those days. We are all growing.

June 10
The youth leaders have done such a nice job trying to keep the kids engaged while they have to be apart. Today was a version of Zoom Jeopardy.

June 11
Our very first foster child, who came to us when he was nine years old, graduated from high school!! We've stayed in contact all these years since he went back to his bio family and his grandmother especially has been so generous and gracious to allow us to stay in his life. Knowing he was graduating, I reached out to see if I could get the link to the virtual graduation, but got a bonus because it was in person.

The students signed up for their own 20 minute time slot and were allowed to have eight people accompany them. He got to walk down the aisle to Pomp & Circumstance and had his name called before walking across the stage to receive his diploma. It was actually very special and gosh...so good to see him and hug him and hear him say I love you, too. He's taller than me but still the same Izaya in so many ways.

While we were at his graduation, Shaun and Amanda were at her 8th grade graduation, which was a 1.5 minute drive-thru to receive a certificate and medal.

June 12

Today was Aiden's turn for graduation. His class had a 20-minute Zoom call to promote him...he's now officially a middle schooler. What?!?

After we picked up D, we stopped at a roadside place to get our traditional end-of-school ice cream to celebrate.

Our neighborhood held a dinner celebration as well. Lots of kids for the "bus stop" pic!

June 13
Last day of school pics, a day later.

And later, a two-year old shoot.

June 14

My dad and the boy cousins concocted a tenting sleepover. They fished and did campfires and did boy stuff. When I picked them up the next day they were tired and glowing and full of fun stories.

Some of the older siblings came to our house while the little brothers were there. I was struck by how teenager-y they all are! Later Avery commented on how wonderful it feels to be with people again.