September's 10 on 10

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

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

Early morning toddler snuggles...hard to beat (especially when his tiny little hand pats my shoulder!)

Conveniently, the preschool, middle school and high school are all connected on the same grounds. Since there's no busing for preschool, the older kids are catching a ride with me when I drop Dakota. Its been nice to get that time with them in the morning.

I stopped at the building to check on things, the paving crew was hard at work!

I'm usually the office coverer on Fridays. Sometimes I walk into my office, see the pile and want to walk right back out.

Doing all the zen things I can think of. :)

Nathanael came in for the last part of the afternoon and I did school pickup. He's at the age where he runs up to me and gives me a hug, like its been a month since he's seen me and then tells me completely random, unreliable stories of his day.

Back at the building to "help" and make decisions.

Another day of soccer tryouts for Aiden.

Inconveniently, the four kids have three different pickup times, all about an hour apart. So, at least while we have preschool and soccer, I do a lot of back and forth.

Halloween or Teen Bible Quiz?? :)

After Bible Quiz, I met a foster mom in the parking lot of the church to take a couple kids for the weekend....boys!

Finally, we the boys put to bed and the teens at youth group, Shaun and I sat at the counter for a few minutes to talk about our day and have a few moments sitting down.

 

Project 365, Week 37

Back from a holiday weekend, we got back to school, work and soccer in earnest. We love this time of year when there are lots of games to watch and play and the weather is divine.

September 6

Labor Day soccer practice with Coach Dad. I give all of these guys so much credit for going out regularly on their own time to work and get better. There is often arguing, but Shaun perseveres, wanting to help them be successful at the things they set out to do. 

Aiden was delighted to find his gigantic Pokemon card purchase had arrived.

September 7

First day of school for this little guy. I wasn't sure how long he'd be staying with us, whether it was worth it to put him in, only to take him out again, but the social worker ok'd it.

He's way too precious!

The big kids were happy about it because they got a ride to school! Conveniently, the preschool, middle school and high school are all connected on the same property.

When I picked Dakota up after school, Aiden was at soccer tryouts. I wanted to stay and watch but knew I needed to give him his space.

First scrimmage of the season for the girls.

September 8

A long-standing end-of-summer tradition with my best girls...dinner on the water in Mystic. It was as beautiful as ever. We've weathered pregnancies, illnesses, job changes, moves, weddings, family drama. Together is better. 💜

September 9

Oh my goodness...so fun to get a glimpse of D throughout the day. Most days the teacher posts little videos and photos of the kids and their art projects. 

September 10

Crazy day but with a beautiful sunset. Even though I had a load of kids, I stopped off at the farm to take a few breaths.

September 11

Twenty years and so much of that day and the ones following are still in sharp focus. I took some time to read interviews and recaps, allowing myself to mourn and pay tribute to so many brave and innocent people who were part of 9/11.

But then...kids! We did respite for the weekend and these brothers were up early!!

Shaun and I made a trip to the store with the three littles and got back home before our teens were even awake.

Aiden had a town game (U15 now!!). There weren't enough players for a competition team but Shaun still agreed to coach.

Thankfully our home field has a playscape. :)

A 10-minute walk took about 45 because of all the important stops we had to make. The wonder of the world that toddlers have is both frustrating and a gift.

The girls organized a night with friends...volleyball, food and a movie. I was involved in about 5% of it, the rest was the kids. Love their group of friends and watching them be teens.

September 12

Sunrises on a beautiful morning and kids outside to preserve the still-sleeping house.

Another day, another game. Shaun coaching, Aiden playing, Amanda reffing.

September 13

First Football Sunday of the season!!

The way the weekend worked out with activities and such, I was solo with these three most of the time, two of them very needy. I returned two in the evening, tired but also knowing, it matters.

Do you know that nothing you do in this life will ever matter, unless it is 

about loving God and loving the people he has made?― Francis Chan

 

Project 365, Week 36

School started this week and Labor Day came, both unofficially ending summer. We are excited and hopeful for what this new school year brings!

August 30

First scrimmage of the high school soccer season! Shaun and I love to watch the kids play and its fun to see the girls on the field together.

August 31

Three-course fondue for our night-before-school meal.

September 1

11, 10 & 7th grades!

Dakota was sad to wake up and find that the kids were gone. This was not his first day of school because I'd been holding out, hoping his situation would change.

Construction + Algebra

September 2

We have a few computers set up at the new building now. It allows me to do office work, while being available as design decisions need to be made. Dakota is used to wandering around. As I was working across the hall, listening in on Sesame Street from the other room, it brought me back to the many years of working from home with littles. At the time I didn't give it much thought...I just learned to work while they were sleeping and during the one full hour of Sesame Street that came on at 10 AM (and often Barney that followed). Now when I think about it, I wonder how it all got done.

The rain has caused our stream to be a rushing river.

Shaun and I closed a big account and did what we're not great at....we paused a moment to celebrate the win. Our foster care agency had given us a gift card, so we took the family out. We snapped a couple photos while we waited outside for our table. Our life is cRaZy but there's no one else I'd rather do it with.

September 3

With some effort, I got Dakota registered for PreSchool. We went first thing in the morning to check it out...he quickly made himself at home. He's very adaptable!

September 4

Katie and I took a group to New Hampshire for a Teen Bible Quiz orientation day. 

The girls had to miss it for their soccer tournament.

Amy hosted the kickoff of LobsterFest weekend at her house. It was a lovely evening to sit on the back deck and catch up with family.

September 5

And Sunday was at our house, this year with the inclusion of brunch, because the day didn't already hold enough carbs! ;) So, so fun and good.  It filled my heart to be with these people and to hear our home buzzing with talking and laughter.

We worked around the raindrops with Scattegories, Bingo, football, volleyball. New this year was an in-person draft for the fantasy football league with just family members. I've watched it happen but its still unbelievable how old all the kids have gotten. Year 17!!! of LobsterFest!

Kiki has always been so good at learning what the kids are interested in and trying to stay relevant and involved in their lives. To that end, she joined the fantasy team this year, which I think is so gutsy! C4 spent some time showing her some tips and tricks.