Project 365, Week 26

This year was scheduled to be our Outer Banks year and Avery was excited to spend her 16th birthday there. When that trip got postponed and we started considering other options, but time slipped by and inventory was incredibly low. At the last minute, in a thrown together kind of way, we booked a place on Miami Beach.  Avery's friend Sarah was able to get the time off of work to come along. She's easy and delightful and we all love having her around.

Air travel was easy. We took an Uber to and from the airport and utilized InstaCart to stock our full kitchen. Our days were slow and excursion-less. Overall the trip was better than ok, but we all decided Miami in a one and done place.

Soberingly, our last night there was the night of the condo collapse, just three miles down the same stretch. We assume we'll be here for 80-100 years, but actually tomorrow is not guaranteed. Best to make eternal arrangements now while we have the chance. 

June 19

730AM flight, the first in Aiden's memory.

We took over a corner of the lobby while waiting for our room to be ready.

In the evening we paused to recognize Father's Day. Shaun is such a strong leader and an intentional dad and his days are ordered with his family in mind. He is a gift!

June 20

Shaun took me down each morning to catch the sunrise because he loves me.

(photo by Aiden)

We could see the kids from the balcony. Our balcony was a popular hangout place, despite the constant fragrance of marijuana.

June 21

Shaun and I did an early morning walk to South Beach, which was a couple miles down the boardwalk.

My working man, keeping the business running, while taking care to not have it get in the way of family time.

My under-the-umbrella, book-in-hand buddy. 

June 23

As it happened, Maddy had a 7 hour layover on her way to Sioux Falls, so she grabbed an Uber and hit the beach with us. It was such a bright spot to have her!

On our last night we walked down the strip for dinner out.

June 24

Amanda and Sarah braved the early morning with us.

And then Avery woke up on her 16th birthday!!! Shaun and I spent lots of time talking about it and processing it and still we can wrap our heads around the fact that she's 16. 

I didn't want a baby right up until the moment the nurse placed her in my arms. In that moment, everything changed. Avery is easy to love and parent. She is smart, adventurous, nurturing. She loves her family and babies and Jesus. She is quiet unless she's comfortable, and then she's loud. She lives with curiosity. She's respectful, hard-working and a true friend. What a gift to be her mom!

The morning rain made it easier to head to the airport for home.

As soon as we got home, Shaun took the girls to soccer practice and I left to get Dakota to surprise Avery. Everyone was VERY happy to see each other! Then we went to a local Mexican restaurant.

The long-anticipated day arrived...6th Grade Sleepover at youth group. Aiden's in the club (again with the how-are-we-here's.).

Dakota hates parting ways with the "tids".

There's a good group of boys Aiden's age that he's grown up with and now they get to do youth group together. So grateful for our church family!

June 25

Good to be back in the toddler class at church. When a little girl, who I'd never met sat and colored with me and shared some super random information about herself and her family (which may or may not be true), I was reminded why I like this age so much.

June 26

Sunday 😀