Project 365, Week 47

Thanksgiving week, and so much to be thankful for. My life is filled to the brim with gifts.

November 20

Monday night taco date with my girl.

November 21

Good news/bad news day...the bad news: I had to go to NY for an MRI two days before Thanksgiving. Good news: because it was two days before Thanksgiving, Shelva was in town and volunteered to drive me. We left at 6 AM and, unbeknownst to me, at 7:30 AM they sent a message through the patient portal that my appointment had been canceled and moved to the following day. Basically, we were on the road for 4+ hours for no reason. It was frustrating, but we had a great time together, even stopping for brunch at Wegmans, where their holiday flowers and cookies were beautifully on display.

My mobility and energy are currently limited but the girls were a tremendous help with food prep and table-setting.

November 22

Practicing hospitality. :)

Avery worked and Amanda had a dinner at Trevor's house with friends.

November 23

The days of heading out early to run the road race on Thanksgiving morning feel a million miles away and I find its ok to kick off the holiday slowly and warmly.  

We had a small crowd this year...just the four siblings on Shaun's side, plus families. All the grandparents and great-grandparents were in Florida and Jared was in Georgia. Though we missed everyone, it was a lovely and relaxing day of games, puzzles, stories, wrestling and disco ball dance parties.

I could not love this family selfie any more than I do. Its made me giggle so many times and I might just blow it up into a big canvas for my wall.

November 24

Another MRI day, this time my appointment hadn't been reschedule. Traffic was super light and I arrived just in time to watch the sunrise.

Per tradition, we set up the tree and brought up decorations. Avery soon discovered that of the seven strands of lights, one half of one was working. Shaun and Aiden settled in to replacing bulbs and reviving the lights, but it wasn't meant to be. And that is how sagas are born. 😒

November 25

Late in the afternoon Sarah came by since she was home for Thanksgiving break. It was so good to have her around! We miss her but its so good to hear all the ways she's growing, all the opportunities she has. Before she had to leave, we went out to dinner to celebrate Amanda's birthday.

November 26

At some point the kids were all doing homework at the same time, so I brought my laptop over, too and did my Christmas-card-ordering homework. I love hanging out with them, even doing nothing.

November'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!}

Waaaay back when I was in youth group, the youth pastor put out a challenge for students to memorize Romans 12. I did it and those words have come back to me so many times over the 30-year span and have truly contributed to who I am today. And now, I'm studying it again, with my own son and a whole group of teens. Amazing!

School send off happens in two to three waves, depending on the day.

During the cold months, green tea is consumed in large quantities at the office.

Shaun met with new clients. Our office building has been such a blessing. Its really perfect for our purposes.

Amanda's friend had a signing ceremony, officially committing to a D1 school for softball. I attended with Amanda so I could take pictures. The dedication Elizabeth has shown is commendable.

Caught up with the girls a bit before we headed in different directions again.

TBQ practice with this crazy bunch.

Shaun met me at church so we could do Night of Worship together. Made me love him more that he chose our date night to be at church. :)

Meanwhile, the kids were having a feast at youth group.

Amanda was very anxious for me to get the pictures to her friend, so I stayed up to deliver them same day.

 

Project 365, Week 46

In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and 

continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

Not for but in every situation. In the chemo chair with a dozen bags of junk dripping into your veins, around the table with a healthy, loving family surrounding you and the beautifully mundane moments in between. For gray hair and wrinkles and for the miracle of new life. It is all grace.

November 13

Treatment day. Our room faced the sunset and I wondered if they take reservations, because I would definitely book this one with a view.

November 14

I was aware enough to watch my family doing leaves and to take a picture. For the children under our roof, its a hard-knock life.

November 15

Amanda was doing a project at school and had some very detailed questions. Brought me back to 17 Novembers ago when she appeared on the scene and all the beautiful ways she changed our family. 

My heart also went out all those who don't have access to that information. This would be a painful project for any of the foster kids we've had.

November 16

I don't know how to work our tv so Shaun turns it on for me before he leaves for work in case I want to cast something from my phone. I usually just leave the slideshow from Google scrolling...makes me feel like I'm visiting the world.

November 17

Amanda got to attend her first (much anticipated) Quinceanera with some of her favorite people in attendance.

November 18

Bourquin Thanksgiving was smaller this year, as both my parents were out of state and Maddy wasn't up for being out and about with the new baby yet. It was also Amy's actual birthday, so we switched things up and, instead of a full traditional dinner, we served appetizers and dessert. And none of the children complained. :) We still got to sit around the table together, play pass-the-baby all day and football in the yard. As we were going around the table counting our blessings, it was noted that its special that we can all enjoy being together. 

 November 19

The girls and I got to visit Maddy and Mason and the star, Ezra Mae. She is sweeter and more precious than she looks and we all left glowing. What an absolute miracle! Only a God like ours!

When I think of being a great-aunt, I can only picture this scene in my mind...Mason's grandma and great-aunt...and it makes me laugh thinking of Amy and I exactly this way in 25 years.