Project 365, Week 33

Plenty of work in this week, but also lots of being together and both enjoying and being frustrated by the fluidness of summer. But even when we're dealing with attitudes, it is a gift to have this time under one roof. It is fleeting, it is grace.

August 14

Shaun and the girls continued work on the vacant apartment...

...while Aiden and I were at the office. He climbed up on the roof, I did inside office work stuff. ;)

I rarely catch good goal celebrations because I'm so excited. This time I thought to get the team congratulating Amanda on scoring.

August 15

House and apartment remodeling has been a thread woven into our family story. Its been hard work and its been special time together. 

Before the closeout of summer, we had our annual Unbirthday Party for the kids, hosted by grandparents and great-grandparents. Nana is no longer traveling and we missed her greatly, but even from a distance, she was the driving force to make it happen. Its always a good time when cousins can get together (just missing Jared).

August 16

Apartment and office work continued.

August 17

Aiden started out a bit nervous on the roof but got comfortable quickly.

A friend sent me a photo of our middle daughters rehearsing for Sunday.

August 18

I stopped by with lunch for the working crew and we had a little picnic on the front porch. I love hanging out with these people.

Yay for Bible Quiz starting back up after the summer off. After coming back from Quiz Camp earlier that week, we were full of fresh ideas and inspiration. Our group has grown in leaders and students and the district is growing in churches participating. Being a piece of the pie in these kids lives is an honor.

On Fridays I use IG to peek in on the happenings at youth group. Very often I catch Amanda in the final rounds of whatever game is happening. She is uniquely gifted to be a youth pastor or professional camp counselor. 😜

August 19

We were all very sick of the work, but also feeling the end in sight. Shaun showed the apartment to the person who ultimately ended up renting it.

Shaun and I ran separate errands and then met for dinner in time to witness a beautiful sunset. Its just hard to think how life could be sweeter.

 

August'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!}

I start my day with a loyal dog at my feet and a faithful Jesus. To be clear, its not because I'm spiritual. The opposite is true. Its actually because very quickly I forget how big God is. I forget that I am the created one and He is the Creator. I begin to think that my way is best and that I am in control. 

Staying close to Jesus is the only way I have love, joy, peace, patience...

Be stronger than your excuses has hung in my home gym for many years. Simple statement, but powerful when put into practice. Its meaningful to me that Aiden and I get to workout side-by-side (definitely not together though 😉)

I dropped Amanda off at soccer conditioning. Since it was only 45 minutes, I brought Ginger and we walked. Often I use my (first generation??) Garmin. It causes me to remember a time in my life when I was running marathon miles and was actively working on bettering my pace. The easy thought path would be one of regret and sadness that running is no longer part of my life, but I choose to do the work of gratitude that today, I can still lace up my shoes and walk, a privilege so many don't have.

We finally found time to meet with our family counselor after missing most of the summer. In trying to find an available date, I realized it had been two months, since the last week of school, that the five of us were home together for an entire week. What a gift it has been to meet with Heather of TruthWorks. She has gently walked us through many hard and sacred conversations. We are growing in our understanding of ourselves and each other.

My office orchids have been pretty happy about life.

I had put off an oil change, but a road trip the next day was the push I needed. It definitely was more than 10 minutes, but this place is always easy to work with and professional.

Since I was in the same town where Shaun was working at our apartment building, I stopped in to check progress and say hi. The smell of sheetrock dust, saw dust and fresh paint brings back a flood of memories of our decades of remodeling together.

My plan for dinner was to grill, but the rain was heavier than a drizzle.

These two spent a couple hours hanging out and chatting together. Unusual for them, which is why I took a picture. 

It was a tough day physically, so I was in bed earlier than usual.

 

Project 365, Week 32

Time...what a gift. At the office, sitting on the back porch, watching a soccer game, traveling with a group of teenagers. I'm grateful for it all.

August 7

For weeks, this particular Axis & Allies game has been set up. I will never understand, but I'm glad my boys can connect over the board game. Also, Aiden came dangerously close to beating his dad.

August 8

On our morning walk, Ginger and I stopped in to see Avery and the kids she was babysitting, just a mile from our house. They have lots of fun together.

August 9

Summer league.

August 10

A faithful companion.

August 11

Before the sun, we were up and out. Five adults and this crew of kids headed to Bible Quiz Camp, designed to help new to seasoned quizzers and their leaders learn new skills...memorizing techniques, buzzing in strategies for meets, etc. They also just enjoy being with each other and there was much fun to be had, both on the road trip and at the camp.

We just happened to stop at this Chick-fil-A on the one day a year, of the one hour of the year when they were running a special in hopes of breaking their drive-thru record. We were happy to get free milkshakes out of the deal and it was fun to be a part of the employees' obvious enthusiasm. I checked in later...they served 241 cars in one hour, breaking their previous record. Just kind of a fun thing that we got to be included in.

We arrived with time to spare, so the kids got right to playing before things officially kicked off at 3 PM. Our group got split up, and placed on a team with kids from other churches largely based on experience. While they practiced and trained with leaders, other volunteers held workshops for the parents/coaches. 

The grounds were perfect for our event and we all had some envy of the beautiful, functioning accommodations in comparison to the lacking facilities we use for church camp. 

August 12

I began the morning alone and quiet and walked some of the grounds.  I realize now that I only have pictures of playtime, but we all really did get some useful training.

(I was asleep when this late-night dodgeball game/dance party happened). The kids deepened some friendships and made new friends with people from other states...it was special to watch.

August 13

Katie and I shared a room with the three girls of the group. What a blessing to see Romans and James strewn around our room and the camp.

One last gathering to share our takeaways and think about some team and personal goals.

Three vehicles and 17 people...we made many stops and it was uncanny how terrible they were. One stop, specifically for a restroom, had one restroom on the side of the building. At least there was seating (and rocks to throw) while we waited. :)

Post Bible Quiz Camp, our first challenge to them was to memorize five verses on the PA to CT ride home, with ice cream promised to those who were successful. They ALL did it!! And then...we gave them back to their parents. :)