May's 10 on 10

10 pictures on the 10th day (Monday) of the month! 

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

My new Mother's Day mirror for my workout. :)

The house slowly waking up on a Monday morning.

Words of wisdom on my computer from Max Lucado's book Anxious For Nothing.

So much to do, but always with a cup of tea and a water bottle.

At 2:36 the school bus drops off my girl. She shakes off her day of high school, changes into her professional office clothes and spends the rest of the afternoon/evening helping customers and staff. Then at 7 she goes home to begin homework, workout, Facetime with a friend. This week especially she dug deep as she prepared for two AP exams while dealing with a busy office. She's a wonder and we're super proud of her.

I came home to find my sweet boy in his happy place...alone and with a book. :)

I met up with Kim and her boyfriend to do a maternity photo shoot, with Amanda as my assistant. We're getting excited to meet the baby next month!

I dropped Amanda off at soccer practice and then Kim and her boyfriend treated me to dinner for Mother's Day. She's always been so honoring of me in that position...her grace and warmth blow me away.

We all met back at home from our various directions. Ideally for me would be a meal shared together around the table, lingering whenever possible and peppered with thought-provoking, soul-level conversation, never with any arguing. In reality, my family doesn't love eating the same meal and sitting to eat for an extended period of time. So I check my expectations and take in the scene of us all gathered around the kitchen island, sharing stories from our day. For today, I make this good and enough.

 

Project 365, Week 20

This was the last full week of tax season. Naturally it looked different this year because of the month extension. I guess the end is hard no matter where it lands. Spring sports consisted of six weekend games and practices most evenings. We're also trying to switch gears to getting the new office space ready with the building permit arriving. Lots of good stuff, just lots of it.

May 10

True confessions...I was a little jealous of the dog as I was running out the door to the office. She was set to be home, alone all day, with nothing to do.

May 11

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

May 12

Morning by morning new mercies I struggle to see so I work extra hard to find.

One by one, I pulled out what coping skills I had time for as I felt the stress and pressure building...I spent extra time praying and journaling, I took a 7 minute shower instead of my usual 5 minutes, I sat down to eat breakfast instead of standing. I breathed in the verse hanging on the wall behind me This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. (I almost closed the pantry door to retake the picture, but in truth its open 90% of the time so its only appropriate).

Parking lot splendor.

May 13

The sneaking feeling that started the day before became a wall I hit early this day. I got up at 1 AM to use the bathroom and my mind spent most of the rest of the night running through customer names and tasks. Did they sign, if they owe will they file on time, is their IRA contribution made, what am I forgetting, who needs to be contacted before its too late??? By 5 AM I was curled in a ball, crying. It was ugly. But I dusted myself off, plastered a smile on my face and did what needed to be done.

By the afternoon I was better I so enjoyed my walk around the track while Amanda was at soccer practice, breathing in the perfect evening weather and finding perspective.

May 14

Almost over, but not before working through this pile I walked into.

Another pretty walk during soccer practice. So thankful for these grounding times.

May 15

Amanda is so athletic and graceful on the soccer field.

Sweet boy took such pride in being able to replace my brakes, largely on his own.

May 16

Amy and I left at the crack of dawn on a gorgeous spring morning to take in all the beauty of the farmer's market. She and I are ALL about tradition and this has become a treasured one.

There was a brief thunderstorm and it left the most amazing looking clouds at the wide open space at the soccer field.

I love these ordinary moments with the kids. They are rarely perfect but its our life and I love us.

 

Florida Trip for the Win

 After missing last year because of the pandemic, we were back in Florida this year for our post-tax season (which was actually mid-tax season because of the extension) trip to visit Nana and Grandpa John.

We rented a house on Anna Maria Island. There was a pool at the house and a five minute walk to the beach. We did a day at Busch Gardens, but other than that we stayed close to home.  Its so much fun to vacation with the kids now that they are older. They are amazing travelers and can do all kinds of things without supervision...swim, walk to the beach, eat, dress. Shaun and I are able to take lots of breakfast dates, walk dates, sit on the beach and talk dates. We're definitely in a sweet spot with them right now and we recognize it.

Driving through the night has worked really well for us...Shaun takes all but 4-6 hours of the 22 and the kids are able to sleep for much of it.

Our days consisted of pool and beach and walks. Nana and Grandpa John were able to stay at the house with us for a few days and we met up with Grandma and Grandpa Tom on our Busch Gardens day. So grateful for our time away and memories made!

Here are far too many photos, but I want to remember. Because in a flash it goes from this....

....to this...

Aiden's always one to play it safe, and preferred to stay on the shore digging in the sand. Shaun knew it was safe for him to venture out, that it would be good for him to overcome his fears. Shaun patiently but firmly encouraged him to go out into the waves and as he grabbed Aiden's hand a lump formed in my throat as the lyrics of Oceans played in my head.

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior

This trip was powered by Chick-fil-A....tasty, easy, affordable and something we all agree on!