Project 365, Week 16

It was an eclectic week in the best of ways. We continued to experience spring, got a good health report, we wrapped up Tax Year 22 and we started our week away in Florida. 

April 17

Ginger waits patiently, hoping that Aiden will forgo that ab workout he's searching for and go feed and walk her instead.

I stopped to take a photo of this beautiful tree on the way to Amanda's work. Its also quite lovely in the fall. Up ahead is the stop sign that Amanda accidentally ran the other day (with another car at the intersection) and then after she said, Mom, it really doesn't help anything when you gasp like that!

April 18

This is my scan/MRI building in NY.

For PET Scans (this is only my second), they inject you and then have you drink this concoction while you wait an hour for the radiation to flow through your body. And still, I wont take Advil unless absolutely necessary. Old habits die hard.

For the last day of an all-hands-on-deck tax season, Eric was so thoughtful to think of the front desk staff. We were thrown a curve ball this year when our primary tax preparer quit mid-January, but everyone stepped up and did what needed to be done and even far beyond.

Our annual, phew, we made it through another tax season photo. God has gifted us with a high-capacity for the hard, the crazy, the intense. We are good at huddling together in the bunker and staying strong together or being strong for the other. I'm super grateful for this guy with broad shoulders and for this story we're living. 

April 19

The high school decision has not yet been made, but we took another step by registering for classes at both schools in the running while we pray and wait for wisdom and direction.

April 20

This time of year in the north, when nature begins to wake up from its winter sleep always amazes me. Seemingly overnight, we go from bare and brown to a lime green that turns into full bloom. The older I get, the fewer springs I have, the more rare and precious it all seems.

Nathan hosted an end-of-season dinner celebration with all four offices. I'm so proud of our little team. They care deeply and there is an atmosphere of hard work, truly caring, excellence and integrity. 

April 21

Fresh buds on the trees, soft sun shining, spring in the air. An enthusiastic dog and a good-company son to walk with in the quiet of the morning. And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

It was a day to do all the things before heading out of town.

After a day of work and running around and appointments, meeting, errands and packing, we set out for our road trip once the kids got home from youth group.

April 22

Yay!!

April 23

Anna Maria Island, we're so happy to see you again! I might get ambitious and do a separate vacation post. :)

Numbering Days, Week 36-38

Monday morning after treatment week and knowing I have two months off. When I'm sick, I'm sick, but when I'm feeling good, I feel good! I know that's not terribly clear or profound, but people seem surprised when they see me. On my good days I really do feel good.

Another season, new life...all such a profound gift.

Pop and Kiki delivered a Two Months Off of Treatments gift. With homemade bread and apple pie and chocolate cookies, they hit all of us!

The love and care we are show on a regular basis by people we know well and people we've never met and in between those is just overwhelming and humbling. 

The flower cart around the corner was open for business for the first time this season, a delight to me, eye roll-worthy for Aiden.

As is the way things go, I had a PET scan scheduled for the last day of tax season. I had gotten elevated blood work back and they wanted to look into that further. So at 5 AM I set out for New York. The drive was beautiful even though there was stop and go traffic by 6:15. 

I got injected with radiation and drank a solution, such that they told me to stay away from pregnant women and children for 24 hours. Love that. 

I recently heard the term "scanxiety" for the first time. Some talked about how they are not the same person for a month before, others said they just really don't know how to handle it and it overtakes them. 

There are so many areas I'm growing and learning and struggling, though by nature and a whole lot of diligent work, I'm not a worrisome person. Worry seems to suck the energy that I will need if the thing I'm worrying about actually happens. When the report comes back unfavorably, strength and action are required of me, so I try save it for that. And if a good report comes through, then the time I spent being anxious about it will have been wasted. I realize we are all wired differently and we are at different places in our journey. Fear is a very real thing and so is peace.

I know how the story ends

We will be with you again, you're the one who saves

You're my Savior, my defense, so we don't have to be afraid

No more fear in life or death

I know I don't have scanxiety because I dozed off during the scan itself (and dreamed about taxes!) and the next day I completely forgot about the telemedicine call with the doctor to go over results. I was busy living the life in front of me and only when Amy texted me a reminder (because she was waiting on the call) did I remember.

My doctor is pleased with the PET scan, the CT Scan and the X-rays that I've had in the last month. She said we can take a break for the next two months, starting now!!! I was elated at the news. Two months, in addition to the one I've already had feels like such a long time. I'm so grateful!!

Project 365, Week 15

The good news/bad news of the week was that the kids were on school vacation. It was sooo nice to have them around and not have the flurry of before and after school things. But it was ill-timed being the last week of tax season. Shaun and I worked long days, but since we live two minutes from the office, we were able to sneak home for lunch or a card game or a ride. The weather was divine and we made it work!

April 10

Over the past couple decades our town has had a Daffodil Beautification Project underway. Word has it, more than 300,000 bulbs have been planted. What a joy to drive around and see the happy, yellow, early flowers popping up every where.

April 11

Lunch and cards.

April 12

I dropped Amanda off at work and brought Aiden along so we could celebrate the beautiful day at the creamery across the street.

April 13

Aiden found a pancake mix very high in protein, so he's now a daily pancake maker.

The girls stopped in on their way to shopping. 

And Pop took the boys for a bike ride. As a bonus, they found great wings...very well-liked by their little group.

April 14

Aiden poured hours and hours into studying the book of Timothy for Bible Quiz. He goes into the bonus room where its quiet and he paces and/or tosses a football and/or climbs the furniture.

After a full season of studying and attending meets, we were finally at Districts, the first round of playoffs. Before the event on Saturday we had a hangout time with the other churches. We played games, quizzed on fun trivia, and ate pizza.

So sweet of Pastor Jonny to come hang for the evening, just because he loves the kids.

April 15

The next morning we kicked things off at 9 AM, stopping for lunch and then the awards ceremony. Amanda and Avery were officials and Aiden was a quizzer. Really proud of our group for their commitment. They are a special bunch!

We had a ton of parent support to make the day go smoothly (and Meg took pictures!)

Being a tax preparer with an April 15th birthday means your birthday usually ends up being a P.S. We did takeout from Amanda's restaurant and a movie...just Shaun's speed. He is one incredible guy...he saves his best for his family, he works hard and loves us well. I'm so grateful to have shared in his last 32 birthdays. 

April 16

Car shopping. :)