Project 365, Week 11

The days are full and good. We are at the office a lot, but its not as overwhelming as its been in years past. The weather turning after a long winter is always a happy thing, too.

March 14

Just hangin' around, waiting to return D to his mom after a weekend with us.

March 15

The morning light!!

March 16

It'd been several months since Amy and I had hit the trail...it was good to be back, with our three clowns in tow (the little one not pictured).

March 17

I drove Aiden and his Chromebook from our house to his school so that he and I could sit in a classroom and have him open his Chromebook to show me what he has learned in school. A faculty member was in the room, but she's not one of his teachers. Student lead conferences they're called. Why?

Also, it was St. Patrick's Day, which always means Lucky Charms and green. I happened upon this photo, which made my heart burst. Those days!!!

March 18

It was such a beautiful day!! I stepped outside more than once to feel the warmth on my face and I found this lone crocus doing its thing.

March 19

It was a foggy morning at the barn, which I thought was so enchanting.

Aiden had a friend over, which means there were nerf bullets flying!

Show #2 of our theater subscription...Blue Man Group. Another lovely night!

March 20

Football at 7AM....

....and football in the afternoon.

 

March's 10 on 10

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

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

One of THE most beautiful two inches of snow. It stuck to the trees and the sun came out and it was gone hours later. 

The office is prettiest in the snow because it covers up all the places that still need to be fixed.

I keep two notebooks handy, one for work tasks and note and one for personal. I used to be able to maintain lists and dates in my head and now, between chemo and aging, my brain is a sieve. If it doesn't get written down, its often gone for forever.

My back pain was increased greatly by sitting so we bought a riser for my computer. To my surprise, I actually really like standing for much of my workday. If nothing else, it helps keep my perpetually messy desk clear.

I predict in my twilight years I'll be one of those ladies who talks to her plants. I brought my biggest one to sit in my office with me. I chopped off about six feet and its loving the windows.

I ran home to eat an early dinner/late lunch and check on the kids. Its not always the case, but they were mostly engaged in meaningful activities.

When I went back to the office to finish out teh evening, I was surprised and delighted to see flowers had been delivered. Word had gotten out at one of the other offices and they sent flowers to let me know they were thinking of me. So sweet. And a stunning bouquet!

Girls night at the theater!! 

I just love the story itself, but also they did a really great job...live orchestra, great leads, and such great company!

In contrast to the theater, when I got home Shaun was watching UCONN basketball in a tournament. Sports and theater, just one of the many ways we are so different, but also allow each other the space to enjoy our own things.

 

Doing Battle, Week 76 & 77 & 78

My apologies for going so long without posting. In these three weeks the delay has meant two things: 

1) I had new and different pain in my hip/leg that I was in wait-and-see mode. Eventually I begrudgingly reported it to the doctor who said, unless it kept getting worse, we could just wait until the MRI to look into it. Days later, I went for a three-mile walk and when I woke up the next morning, it was essentially gone. Such relief!

2) My life is full enough with work and kids and "normal" life, that I have chosen to not make blogging a priority, though I miss having enough margin to feel like I can sit down and write. Soon tax season will be over though, and we can shift to a more balanced way.

Currently, I'm feeling great! Most days I could be convinced that January and February were just a dream. I truly believe that those of you who have loved us and prayed for us have been the ones to do the heavy lifting of this ordeal. I've had so much peace and rest in my soul (except for some moments with the new leg pain when I thought "oh no!!" and "what the heck??").

As sure as the sun will rise

And take away the night

His mercy will not end

After having 20/20 vision his whole life, Shaun has spent the last couple years adjusting to reading glasses. It always fills my heart to see him wearing them, so grateful that we've grown this old together. What a gift!

Its stunning to be reminded of how much we're thought of and loved...cards, flowers, texts...wow!

How much do you think one 30-minute radiation treatment would cost? Though I think its ludicrous that we pay $30,000 out-of-pocket for medical insurance each year, I'm grateful for it (and we certainly get our money's worth every year!).

Spring is in the air and I breath in the luxuriousness of sitting on the porch for a few minutes, listening to the birds or a child's heart. Life is so beautiful and good and hard.

Project 365, Week 10

March 7

The first light of the day was exceptional on our walk.

March 8

A "just because" date with my girl. She's good company.

March 9

Pretty, but not welcomed.

Amanda learned a new math concept, so she got inspired to do a bunch of homework.

March 10

Sarah and I have longed talked about getting a subscription to the theater and this year it happened! This was our first of four shows and they did such a great job!

March 11

Many of the TBQ kids earned a special event...bowling, laser tag, arcades and pizza. Dakota is the honorary member.

March 12

Amanda is trying her hand at horseback riding. The day was cold and drizzly but she got out there.

I taught Dakota how to play Memory and he caught on very quickly. Then later that evening, he taught Avery how to play disc golf with the cardboard memory cards and the box.

March 13

We spread out in different areas of the building to serve at church, then stayed for the usual shenanigans in the community center.

This kid is something else! He's so smart and funny and resilient and has a huge personality. We couldn't love him more.