Project 365, Week 18

More from Florida...life is rough! ;) There were 12 of us in one house, six adults and six children from 0-17. There was a pool at the house which was covered with shade all but two hours of every day and we were a two-block walk from the beach. We didn't have any outings or planned activities, it was very low-key with tons of pool time, reading, games, searching for and sorting through shells. 

April 30

May 1
This guy isn't at all flashy, but it quietly faithful. He has such a way about him, especially with kids and old people, the "least of these". When I see him pacing with a baby in the early hours so the rest of the house can sleep, I get all the heart eyes.

My tribe.

May 2
That yellow house in the middle is where we stayed.

Shaun and I had two breakfast dates, such lovely time together. He's my favorite.

May 3
God speaks volumes to me through his creation, probably in part because thats when I slow down enough to listen.

We watched a sudden rain and wind storm from the balcony, feeling bad that Nathan and Laryssa had chosen that time to take a walk on the beach.

Nana and Grandpa John treated us all to fondue, a long-standing tradition.

May 4
Full day in the car following a full night in the car.

Delaware.

NYC.

I love our church and our youth leaders. Avery and Amanda opted to come home from Florida a day early so they could be part of this girls sleepover/party. How incredible is that?? We got back in time to drop them right off at church to join 60 other girls.

May 5

J had a home show so Shaun, Aiden and I went to cheer her on.

Then I picked up the girls and we went to cheer on my sister at a Crossfit competition. She and her partner made it to the finals...so inspiring and impressive!

May 6
We went to the service for a baby baptism. The people at the church were very friendly and welcoming.

Girls Night In! I'm always better for having spent time with these girls. Also, they know how to make amazing food!

Project 365, Week 17

This week had it all...appointments and work and vacation and sadness and excitement. Entertaining and relaxing. Hurt and happiness, fun and frustration. Typical week... ;)

April 22

The kids tried out the new game we got Shaun for his birthday. Still I marvel sometimes at how far we've come from the endless, painful games of UNO and Memory. :)

April 23

I took Avery to my hairdresser for a trim. She was super happy to get her haired thinned out a little. Gosh, she's growing up!

April 24

After seven (SEVEN!) years with braces, she is free of them! Understandably, she was ALL smiles!

We had a small office party, celebrating the end of the season. The evening got chilly fast but we braved the cool air to have toasty marshmallows.

April 25

First baseball game! The last two years we'd discouraged baseball because oof...its so long and boring! But he really wanted to play this year with his new friends and from everything we've heard, our new town has a great program.

This particular evening I was thankful for the long and boring as I tried to process walking through tough stuff with someone I love. Life is hard and this world is so broken. But there are also sweet little boys playing baseball. I don't understand it all.

April 26

While Shaun napped before having to drive through the night, I got this crew out of the house on an outing to get the oil changed and drop the dog at my sisters. They made a quick party out of free snacks and piped music.

April 27

We passed from Georgia to Florida with the car windows down, playing Cruisin' by the Florida Georgia Line band. It just happened to be playing on the radio last year right as we crossed the border, headed north from Florida into Georgia so now its a tradition! :)

Screens, headphones and sleep made the 21 hours a breeze. I drove from 5-8am, Shaun did the rest...he's got some Superman in him. I grew up on roadtrips, so part of the fun for me is the car time.

We arrived! SO good to be on vacation...warm sunshine and water and nothing to do. Our house was named "Absolute Paradise" and I was filled with so much gratitude to have made it there.

April 28

My view from the balcony I started each day. Just wow.

We were joined by Shaun's brother and his family and Shaun's grandparents. My kids adore having little cousins to dote on.

Project 365, Week 16

This week worked out nicely...it was the end of tax season, school vacation and Passion shows all at the same time, which made what could have been a crazy week feel much more doable. So thankful for the chance to exhale!

April 15

Big day for our family! The LAST day of tax season and Shaun's birthday (lucky him!). At 9pm, we changed our clothes and headed out to dinner. The kids did a nice job with cards and cake...he is dearly loved!

Still a little shell-shocked and not really believing its over. :)

April 16

We declared a family day, since the kids were off of school. Some of it was sweet and lovely, some of it was not. Typical family day. ;)

April 17
These two!

I found a few Passion photos from years gone by....the sweetness!

One year Z was in the cast...I sent him this picture and we both agreed it feels like a long time ago!

Both great-grandpas came to see the show one year.

This night I stayed home from the show because J arranged to have a sleepover with a group of girls from school. They cranked up Mission Impossible music and had an epic nerf gun battle....hearing the giggles and squeals made me so happy.

This is the picture that comes up on my phone when the baby's mom calls me, which she did this night, in tears. I mostly listened, thankful that she felt like she could call me. It left me wrestling with the ways of the world. There's so much I don't understand.

April 18
Yard work! Sienna and the kids stopped by and she was so generous to roll up her sleeves and work along side me. Amanda found a frog, which drew a crowd.

April 19
Good Friday. Jay has a new "interest" and he came to church to serve alongside J, and it was also the first time I met him. The baby charmed everyone he encountered. :)

April 20
Our Easter family photo has been eclectic for many years, which I guess is appropriate since Jesus had an eclectic group with him all the time...Jesus made it look a lot easier than I do though!

We got to sneak in the back and watch Amanda lead worship for kids church, something she enjoys doing and is all her own.

April 21
Our first Easter at the new house. So grateful for the Resurrection, for family.