September's 10 on 10

10 pictures on the 10th day of the month (Saturday).

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

This 10th of the month found us in Vineland, NJ where we "took the show on the road". Its a family affair, with the three kids in small parts on stage and Shaun part of the sound crew. I take pictures.

After a late night, the kids were excited to wake up in a hotel. They got SO excited when I said yes, they could watch a kid show. Clearly, our TV and cable doesn't get used a whole lot at home. ;)

Shaun took the kids to the theater and I stayed back to get some time alone. The hotel's gym was "less than" so I made due in the tiny room with my Kindle. Where there is a will, there is a way. #no excuses :)

The neighborhood was a bit shady, but I took the challenge to find the beauty on my mile walk from the hotel to the theater. The main street of the town definitely hinted of charm and potential.

Sweet boy, watching as they did a run through.

That man.

It's always exciting when you are far enough south to find a Chick-fil-A. We ate a quick lunch/dinner and the boys passed out flyers for the show on our way out. A big piece of the fun for me is stealing moments with Amy.

I worked on studying for a class I'm taking while the kids had a pre-show rest.

Back to the theater and I was doing a marginal job being patient with underslept kids.

The green room. :)

Show one of three at the Landis Theater...check!

Project 365, Week 37

September 5

After a nice quiet morning, we said goodbye to the Boyds and this year's Lobsterfest. Amy and I met up to do a kid exchange and took a walk with the kids. Aiden presented me with this bouquet, reenacting how he'd sliced them from their roots with a stick.

September 6
Ten minutes before the kids were going to be dismissed for the school day, there were gunshots heard behind their school. They were in lockdown, knowing only that it was real not a drill, for an hour and a half. Because all the parents were gathered rumors spread wildly. I'm not one to worry, so I didn't. In fact, I sat in my friend's car and we had a beautiful heart talk about something big she is going through. It was special to get that time with her, despite the circumstances.

Though I didn't worry, I was grateful when I saw each one of these faces and I got to hug them and walk them home. I found out later that all three were huddled in their respective classrooms, worried about me, knowing that I would have been walking to school to pick them up right about the time of the shooting. So sweet! (The shooter ended up being a policeman, shooting at a fleeing suspect...who was fine.)

This breath we have in our lungs today...its a gift not a guarantee.

We went over to visit cousin Gavin, who was home from the hospital. He passed inspection. :)

Happy Birthday, H!!

September 7
Shaun left first thing for New Jersey to set up for the weekend show.

Ginger hasn't really chewed anything, just Amanda's new pair of school shoes!

September 8
I played single, working, soccer mom. Phew!

September 9
After a half day of school and a crazy morning, we were on the road to New Jersey to meet up with Shaun and the rest of the cast/crew. We got to travel with sweet Gianna, a member of the cast.

The theater...retro on the outside, beautifully restored on the inside. SO pretty!!

H opted to stay back so he could attend a youth rally/fall kickoff event and a district youth day at six flags over the weekend. I was thrilled to help support his request to be involved with youth group!

September 11
Its been 15 years since that day and still its impossible to wrap my mind around the fact that 9/11 actually happened. Each year on the anniversary I force myself to read or watch videos about the events or people of that day. This year it struck me that 15 years ago seems dated now. The styles of hair and clothing and vehicles is different, as is how information is spread, yet it doesn't feel like that long ago.

H got to spend the day following my dad around, getting a behind-the-scenes of being a pastor. He has a great voice so I was happy to get this picture of him singing with the choir.

We did a 2pm and 7pm show on Sunday, not enough time to leave in between. It was fun to sit back and watch people hang out together. Its a pretty tight knit group with all the hours they put in together.

Friday Favorites

I feel like I haven't talked enough about the blessings of cancer, though there are so many. Having gone through hardships, the following post rings so true for me. Your "thing" doesn't have to be cancer, though. We all face hard to different degrees, in different forms. Consider that God's loving-kindness is true and that He is working all things for your good.


From Ann Voskamp...


Sometimes...the thing you never would choose for your life, chooses you for a reason.


Sometimes...the thing that you'd never pick, picks you to become brave.


Sometimes...you get what you need--by walking through what you never wanted.


The thing you never wanted, may turn out to be the thing you need most.


I hadn't known: The thing that may make you fall a bit apart, may be part of what one day holds you a bit together.


The cross that is yours is always the lightest, kindest, rightest. The cross you've been given is always God's kindest decision. And if that seems like flattened cliché, a crock of blarney or a flat-out lie-then the universe is telling you its time to intimately trace the heart of God. At least that's one of the mysteries that's worth binding yourself to.


The cross you carry - is carrying you toward who you are meant to be.

Out With The Old

I forgot to include a major happening in my weekly post, but its big enough that it really deserves a post of its own anyway.


We sold one of our apartment buildings!!



On the surface it may not seem like a big deal, but for our family, it represents a shift. We bought this building 20 years ago...a five-family with two offices in front. Its an old building so we were always swinging back and forth between basic upkeep and major projects. But with Shaun's diligence, the building became quite profitable and between this and other buildings, Shaun was able to primarily be a landlord.



But then he became a financial advisor  and the demands of the buildings began to be pesky. And then I got sick and the building, coupled with all of Shaun's other responsibilities became downright burdensome.



Once I started to feel good and we were able to come up for air, one of the first questions we asked was, what can we do to simplify our lives?? And selling this building is towards that end.


I'm so grateful for Shaun who leads our family with such wisdom and good business sense. I always tell him, when he's competing or working a deal...I'm glad I'm on your side! He's a fierce competitor and a shrewd negotiator and I love those things about him.


You would think with our new and improved simple life that we would go out after the closing and celebrate something so momentous as a house sale. And we did...we spent five minutes wolfing down dinner in the church's empty café before our duties began for the opening night of Mystery. Maybe we still have a little more work to do. ;)

Project 365, Week 36

This was a big week! Coming off of my trip to OK and the first two shows of Mystery, we enjoyed the last couple days of summer, started school, completed a full room remodeling project, added a member to our extended family and celebrated big events with family.

August 29

Things have gotten quiet at the river...at one point we were the only ones!

August 30
One of the many perks of summer or weekends is that the girls are generally allowed to sleep together. They share a room but have also preferred to be even closer in the same twin bed.

Grandma got a grandparents season pass to Sturbridge Village and she took the kids several times...they enjoy seeing the baby animals in the spring and checking out the various businesses and houses. They had a gorgeous day!

August 31
Its always so sad to see them go back to school but its also a happy time as they begin new adventures and learning exploration.

They start the first day with a brief service, introducing staff and students, praying a blessing over the year. Its a special time, with excitement in the air.

In the blue is Avery's homeroom teacher. She's officially in middle school this year and switches classes, just like a big kid!

September 1
Amy and my mom came over to help decorate for a big party.

September 2
We threw a surprise 40th wedding anniversary party for my Aunt and Uncle, a perfectly lovely evening!

September 3
Shaun's brother had his first baby, the last of our six siblings to become a parent. Gavin Benjamin is as sweet as they come.

September 4
The grand event of LobsterFest weekend. So fun!!

Project 365, Week 35

This was our last full week without school. Good thing, because the kids had many late nights of rehearsals. I'm also grateful for the opportunity I had to travel across the country.

August 22
I was in Boston with the sun, flying out to see a friend in Oklahoma for a few days.

August 23
She lives in a very walkable neighborhood, which I did every morning while the family was getting off to work and school.

It was great except for the one time the german shepard hopped his yard fence and came to "greet" me. I tried not to panic while his very overweight owner tried to climb over the same fence (much less successfully) wearing only his shorts. Now that I know I didn't get bit or maimed, its actually comical.

Back at home the kids were doing dress rehearsals and then sleeping in late from those rehearsals.

August 24
We went to a friend's house to make some jewelry. I was wishing my girls were with me...they are much more creative and crafty!

August 25
I spent the day driving from Oklahoma down to Houston to see my sister and meet my newest niece. It was so great to see where they live and spend time with them and Miss Willow is all things sweet.

August 26
Opening night of Mystery! H enjoys his job as a greeter and the others have been gracious to embrace him.

August 27
My mom and Russ took the kids to the union picnic, where there was unlimited food and fun. Aiden was quoted as saying he was glad I wasn't there. When I was giving him a hard time about it later he said, "Yeah...if you were there you would have told me two cotton candies were enough." :)

During Saturday night church I was teaching in the toddler room (and by teaching I mean attempting to keep all the kids safe...some weeks every thing works well, other time...not so much). H thought I would appreciate it if he took notes for me. Yes, I did...this represents so much.

August 28
Aiden is a notice-er of beauty and is always excited to point things out to me. He spotted this hummingbird that was caught on our porch. What magnificent creatures!

Back to school shopping...so much learning is going to happen in these pages.

Show #2...some of my favorite people, behind the scenes.