Project 365, Week 34

We squeezed the last bit of summer out of this week. Its so great to have the kids around!

August 22

Many treasures were discovered in the office clean out.

Love watching these two together. They have so many shared interests, the one they are currently working on it tag-teaming on a serious fantasy football league.

August 23

In this week before soccer/school, we spent many hours on the soccer field. My official role is the B.S.er...the Ball Shagger. ;) Gives me exercise and keep their drills running smoother. And mostly, we're getting time together.

Research.

August 24

Picture of a picture, back in the day.

August 25

Shaun's Christmas present was a membership to the golf course five minutes from our house. Most mornings he's been able to get out on the course by 6AM, usually alone. Its his first year with a membership and I'm so thankful he has that place to be alone with his thoughts and to recharge. 

At 7AM Pop came to pick up Aiden, along with his bike and fishing pole. Pop and Kiki took a couple grandkids on a day trip to Cape Cod. I love the input they've had on my kids' lives, particularly Aiden. They are so good about finding ways to intentionally connect.

August 26

In celebration of Rocco's 13th and Trevor's 16th birthdays, Colombo took a small group of boys to New Hampshire for a weekend of camping. The boys got to be unplugged, wilderness boys for a few days and they had a blast!

Tim was randomly in the area for part of the day so us three siblings got to have a lunch date. Those opportunities are rare and cherished.

We felt SO honored that on the night before she left for college in PA, Sarah would come have one last sleepover with us. Oh, how we've loved having her be part of the family over these last years! Of course she still is, but we will miss all the sleepover time for sure. She's a special girl, on to great things. She is the very specific answer to this mama's prayers for Avery to find one true friend. They've been there for each other through the hills and valleys of the teen year...what a gift!

August 27

Shaun's mom was in the state so Sarah took the opportunity to get the family together. There was a cornhole tournament, complete with custom shirts that Sarah made! It was a restful day of being together.

Colombo was great about sending picture updates from NH.

Straight from the picnic at Sarah's we dropped the girls at church for a Girls Night. Shaun and I had a lovely patio date while we waited for them to be done.

August 28

Operation Get Ready for Hosting Back-to-Back Weekend Events!

So impressed how hard the kids pushed this evening. 

Project 365, Week 33

Treatment weeks feel weird. Normal life goes on and normal life gets paused all at the same time. All is grace.

August 15

Dakota brings so much joy to our lives. He has a special and unique bond with each of us and we just adore his presence in our home.

August 16

We took a morning walk and he donned a resistence band.

Mason invited a group of boys to go along for a day of tubing on his Grandpa's boat. Colombo went along, too and provided us with great pictures and videos. So grateful for community!

I spent the evening on a restaurant patio with friends and Shaun took the girls out golfing.

August 17

Even though we are using an MSK facility outside of Manhattan, the trip still takes up the better part of the day.

August 18

On the slow days, there is no limit to how long Aiden is happy sitting with me, reading a book.

August 19

More getting through the day, but the sunrise reminded me that He is a faithful God and with each new day He provides fresh mercy and grace, just the amount we need.

August 20

I've been studying and refreshing my photography memory, in preparation for a very special wedding coming up soon!

August 21

The kids went to church together to serve while Shaun and I watched service from the couch.

Avery was away for the day, but the rest of us did yard work. It was a beautiful day to be out.

 

Numbering Days, Week 5

This was an off week, for which we are grateful. I was in a really good place until yesterday, when it all felt very overwhelming. I let small irritations irritate me and unmet expectations unravel me. In my brokenness, I lived into how I was feeling.  The countdown clock was ticking in my head and there was so much I wanted to do while feeling well. 

I'm struggling, knowing how I will feel five minutes into the injection of chemo. I know the work that is required to get through the days that follow. I even hate that term "get through". I would rather be thriving, making a difference.  

But this morning I woke with peace again, ready to face what must be faced. We know how to manage the yuck and we will. Grace will meet me. And I'll get to the other side again. The good days will come.

Last time we went for treatment, my blood counts were low and barely met the threshold for being able to receive treatment. So my focus this week was doing what was in my control to produce good cells, like exercising and eating certain foods such as fish. Even if its not enough to make a difference, its meaningful to me to be making the effort.

Because I've been on this journey a while, I've already worked through mourning the things I can no longer do, such as running, so that now I'm able to be grateful for the things I can do, even if its with five-pound dumbbells and doesn't require shoes.

Nesting is a thing with pregnancy and apparently with cancer. I've had a strong desire to be rid of clutter. Two weeks ago I was able to relocate the two bookshelves that were in the living room. One is in my bedroom and (weirdly) it makes me happy to be surrounded by the books that have helped grow and shape and encourage me over the years. From early in my life, I've been on an imperfect pursuit of becoming the best of who God made me to be. I just need three more lifetimes to get to where I wish I was.

This week, I moved my efforts to our home office, which felt like it was closing in on me. I have a laptop, but still prefer my desktop, where all my photos are located. When I'm on the computer in my office, inevitably, a person or four will wander in. I love this and wanted to make the space conducive to them staying and chatting. 

It was tough sifting through memories brought on by home closing documents, old photos, 1994 charitable giving statement (??), etc. It all told pieces of the sweet life we've had together. So much life.

The first go around, we were advised to make a file of all medical bills so we could keep track of them, since around 40% of them are wrong. It didn't take long to realize what a nearly impossible task that would be. This folder is just a small sampling.

And...we look for ways to spend time together. This is so hard on all of us, but my four are brave and amazing and patient. I'm so grateful for them and for summertime that has afforded us so much togetherness.

So many of you are holding us in your hearts. The love and prayers, messages and songs, handwritten notes mean so much. We feel seen and carried and not alone.