Project 365, Week 18

We were back from vacation, jumping in to all the things, in earnest. Its so great to be back at life as we've known it, while at the same time it feels like we have "sea legs" and are still trying to right ourselves. I'm out of practice with the go, go, go.

April 26

Monday morning, following a week of vacation. It was a little painful but more than offset by the sheer beauty of spring in Connecticut.

I went grocery shopping during practice but caught the last little bit...Amanda moves so gracefully on the soccer field.

April 27

The sun always rises.

April 28

Amy and I (and the dogs) met for our walk. It was good to be back at it!

April 29

Aiden and Rocco had a football game and they had siblings there to watch. Can't believe my nephews are men!

April 30

Nature in the parking lot of the office is fairly singing!

I picked up Dakota and Rocco spent the weekend with us as well. They played together during Aiden's soccer practice. All the kids are SO sweet with Dakota and he is enthralled with them. Its beautiful to witness the love.

May 1

Dakota and I were out early walking the neighborhood so the rest of the house could sleep. It was a chaotic weekend of sleepovers, work, games, more games, parties, more work, more parties.

So fun to watch Shaun in his coaching role. He's so passionate and gifted and kind.

The halftime show. :)

Picking teams for man hunt.

Sarah and I rode together (which was such great time !) to Kim's baby shower thrown by her boyfriend's family. His aunt did such a great job with it and they got well-stocked with baby essentials (and plenty of non-essentials, which you only know are non-essential after you've had a baby). The baby is due next month a we can't wait to meet her!

May 2

Another crazy day. We were up with the sun at the new office raking up dead grass, adding new top soil, planting new grass, etc. Shaun was anxious to get it done in anticipation of a week of rainy weather.

 I did what I could before I was off to run kids to all the places, stopping at home for 15-minute increments. It'd been a year and a half since we'd had such a full day of activities...part of me was sad, part of me was grateful. The kids are really enjoying the things they're doing and generally, kids do better with full calendars.

The teen Bible quiz team earned points towards an event. We had a cookout and they played Capture the Flag (and happily included Dakota :). Amanda has noted that this group has formed a special bond over the last year+ and its true. They have lots of fun together and they're a joy.

 

April's 10 on 10

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

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

Rhythms of life. I make the coffee long before Shaun is up, but I leave his mug all ready with cream and sugar so all he has to do is pour. Its a simple way to show my love. (And he doesn't mind reheated coffee??).

The dog and I walk back and forth on a deserted part of the neighborhood. She sniffs the grass and I talk to my Creator.

Saturdays at the office are a busy transaction day, lots of people in and out. My flowering plant on the windowsill makes me happy.

Around lunch time Avery traded with me...she went to cover the front desk and I got to be home for a couple hours. I love being home and I enjoy taking care of it. I buzzed around doing all the usual chore things. One result was my weekly clean sheets...one of life's simple luxuries!

It was warm enough to throw open the windows, a good sign.

Amanda and Shaun got home from their morning working at an apartment building. 

Shaun and I went over to the new office space and worked for several hours, mostly outside.

We've been working side-by-side on projects for many, many years. It is our way.

I grilled and the kids were being kids in the yard. 

We were pretty well worn from the manual labor. Shaun pulled up the golf tournament while he re-drew the office floor plan...

...and Amanda and I finished watching the movie we'd been working on for a few nights.

 

Project 365, Week 17

For decades now, we gone to Florida in the spring to visit Nana. As soon as we're home from a visit the kids start anticipating the next year. We weren't able to travel last year because of all the restrictions but this year we went back to Anna Maria Island.

April 19

So much pool time, beach time and happy cousins.

April 20

We're used to seeing Nana and John three times a year but the last time we saw them was November 2019. They drove the hour or so to the island and stayed with us a couple nights. It was a special reunion!

April 21

They treated us to a Melting Pot experience...its tradition!

April 22

My crew, tired and happy from a day at Busch Gardens.

April 23

Our last sunset of the trip. We walked along the beach looking for shells and they all swam to the sandbar. Then we went back to house to shower and load up and were on the road at 9pm.

April 24

To avoid traffic on the George Washington bridge, we took the fun scenic route that we'd never done before. What views along the Hudson! And we were right in the area where the Hamilton/Burr duel took place.

We were home by 7pm, which allowed us to unload the car and unpack suitcases.

April 25

Back at it. A dad from the other team was instructing his son from the sidelines and referred to Aiden and Rocco as "the twins". :)

 

Project 365, Week 16

A busy, fun week with celebrations and travel and hard work. 

April 12

No picture. I was all pictured out from Easter the day before, though my heart was still full.

April 13

Somehow, Aiden has ended up on four different teams this spring...one flag football and three soccer teams. He has a goal of making the middle school team this fall. Its a short season and most of the teams are very close to home.

April 14

When the tax season was extended, I realized that would make it possible for us to do something for Shaun's birthday, which is inconveniently on April 15. I surprised Shaun with a quick overnight to Boston. It was SO perfect! We walked around the city, we ate a slow, late, delicious meal, we took advantage of our wood-burning fireplace in our hotel room.

April 15

Happy birthday to my favorite. So thankful for all of his 50 years...what an honor to be the one who gets to grow old with him. He's one of the good guys.

We walked about six miles, exploring some of the history, talking business, dreaming of the future, reflecting on our blessings. By 11am we were checking out. It was a short time but oh so sweet.

Spring was springing in THE most delightful ways.

Colombo came to the office and delivered a still-warm pie that Amy had made, knowing its one of Shaun's favorite things. So sweet! Also, 12 hours later 3/4 of it was GONE!

Thanks to the rain, our evening of sports activities cleared up, so we took Shaun out to dinner. He is a gift, the rock of our family.

April 16

What on earth??? 

When we booked our Florida house in January, we couldn't have known that it would be an end-of-season, deep exhale celebration, but instead an ill-timed vacation while tax season is still in full swing. But, where there's a will there's a way and we kept our reservation.

 

About 7pm and we were on the road and all very happy about it! The kids have gotten SO good about helping.

April 17

We drove straight through the night and, per tradition, we crossed the Florida/Georgia line, playing Cruisin' by Florida Georgia Line, window down. Love our crew!

April 18

First full day in Florida. Life is good.